'Spider-Man: Far From Home' Review

Synopsis: Our friendly neighborhood superhero decides to join his best friends on a European vacation. However, Peter's plan to leave super heroics behind for a few weeks are quickly scrapped when he begrudgingly agrees to help Nick Fury uncover the mystery of several elemental creature attacks, creating havoc across the continent.

Runtime: 129 minutes

MPAA Rating: PG-13 (for sci-fi violence, some language, and brief suggestive comments)

Who should see it? Marvel fans of all ages.

**Spoiler Warning for Avengers: Endgame**

Billed as the end of Marvel's "Infinity Saga" and third phase of superhero outings, Spider-Man: Far From Home sees Spider-Man: Homecoming creatives Jon Watts, Chris McKenna, and Erik Sommers swing Peter Parker across the Atlantic to embark on a globe-trotting adventure in the wake of Avengers: Endgame's poignant resolution. Though Iron Man is a no-show, Tony Stark's shadow looms over the production as the world mourns the heroic billionaire-philanthropist and asks who will step up to fill the void Stark left behind. All the while, Peter feels lost without his mentor. Clearly traumatized by all he's endured, Peter's unsure if he's ready to singlehandedly accept the responsibility associated with super-heroics when he'd rather partake in the pleasantries of an average teenage life. 

Peter's struggle to balance both identities has been a staple of the character across every medium since his creation, but that dilemma is especially prevalent in Far From Home. Every incarnation of the web-head deals with this eventually, but I particularly like how this version is doing so while still in High School. Fighting elemental creatures made of fire and water is just as challenging as telling a girl he likes her, and that aspect of the character makes Peter more relatable than most superheroes. Not to mention his headspace after Endgame further complicating matters.

Returning director Jon Watts ups the ante of Spidey spectacle, seemingly more confident helming action after his experience on Homecoming, as he and his crew deliver sequences I'd never have imagined to be possible on the big screen. The visual effects were noticeably an improvement over Homecoming as well while the spectacular new suits Spider-Man dons throughout the flick each have their moment in the limelight. Underneath it all, Michael Giacchino's varied orchestral arrangements provide an ideal accompaniment to the wall-crawler's international exploits.  

Swinging onscreen for his fifth outing as Spidey, Tom Holland continues to portray Peter Parker with the appropriate awkwardness and insecurity contrasting his youthful exuberance. He's solidified himself as my favorite iteration of Spider-Man by this point, and I hope he carries on with the role in years to come! Opposite Holland, Zendaya's MJ proves to be more than a strange, snarky side character as she's fleshed out through her interactions with Peter.

Meanwhile, Mysterio's live-action debut piqued my interest as I was thrilled to see he would be brought to the big screen complete with the green/gold suit, purple cape, and glorious fishbowl helmet. Underneath said helmet, Jake Gyllenhaal lends manic energy to Quentin Beck that was an utter delight to witness. Discussing the character in detail risks spoiling the movie's many twists and turns, but I was pleased it proved to be a faithful onscreen adaptation.

Filling out Peter's class, Jacob Batalon, Angourie Rice, and Tony Revolori return as Ned Leeds, Betty Brandt, and Flash Thompson while Remy Hii is introduced as new student Brad Davis. The young cast offers humorous depictions of familiar high school personalities. However, some comedic bits in the first act didn't stick the landing. 

Reprising their roles from other corners of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Samuel L. Jackson, Cobie Smulders, and Jon Favreau each appear as Nick Fury, Maria Hill, and Happy Hogan respectively. One of the joys of the MCU is witnessing characters come together and interact with one another for the first time, so it was nice to watch these characters bounce off Peter. Other noteworthy adult characters include Marisa Tomei's dependable Aunt May and Martin Starr and J.B. Smoove as a pair of wacky high school teachers chaperoning the trip. I noticed people leaving my theater, so I felt it was worth reiterating that you should stick around after the ending for two pivotal post-credit scenes.

Full of laughs, action, adventure, and awkward teen romance, Spider-Man: Far From Home is a spectacular sequel that delivers everything audiences have come to expect from an entry starring the celebrated web-slinger. Far from what I'd imagined I would walk away thinking, Far From Home is also my new favorite live-action Spider-Man film.

Film Assessment: A

'Captain Marvel' Review

Synopsis: Captain Marvel is an extraterrestrial Kree warrior who finds herself caught in the middle of an intergalactic battle between her people and the shape-shifting Skrulls. Living on Earth in 1995, she keeps having recurring memories of another life as U.S. Air Force pilot Carol Danvers. With help from Nick Fury, Captain Marvel tries to uncover the secrets of her past while harnessing her special superpowers to end the war with the evil Skrulls.

Runtime: 124 minutes

MPAA Rating: PG-13 (for sequences of sci-fi violence and action, and brief suggestive language)

Who should see it? Marvel fans of all ages.

Carol Danvers is finally making her cinematic debut in Captain Marvel a month before the long-awaited Avengers: Endgame. Co-directed by Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck with a script from Boden, Fleck, Geneva Robertson-Dworet, Nicole Perlman, and Meg LeFauve, Captain Marvel is the twenty-first entry in the Marvel Cinematic Universe and the first female-lead feature from Marvel Studios. Thus far, I'm getting the impression that the film is being held to a higher standard by certain critics and audience members than most Marvel-fare due to this and outside controversies. For those who don't know what I'm talking about, bless your hearts as you've done well avoiding the toxic discourse. 

Getting back on track, the Avengers: Infinity War post-credits scene teased that a powerful ally would soon be joining the Avengers to help defeat Thanos and reverse the ensuing chaos which resulted from the dreaded snap of the Mad Titan's fingers. Therefore, Captain Marvel had the responsibility of introducing Danvers as someone whom audiences would consider a powerful asset for Earth's mightiest heroes. I'd go as far to say it exceeded my expectations in that regard. While it may come at the cost of audience members slinging the dreaded words "Mary Sue" and "over-powered" towards the titular character, Boden and Fleck fulfilled their duty for the most part. I believe those specific criticisms towards the character could have been avoided if she'd faced more powerful adversaries though. This isn't to say that she didn't struggle at all over the course of the film, but I wish the villains had been in the same league as her concerning her powers. Carol needs a suitable opponent, but I suspect Endgame will rectify that issue.

Though the action was somewhat standard for Marvel, the cinematography, visual effects, and production design were visually-appealing when rooted in the cosmic aesthetic established by Guardians of the Galaxy. I particularly liked the stark contrast between the dark environments and Carol's bright display of her abilities. Otherwise, I was very engaged in the core-narrative and taken aback by some surprising plot twists. It was quite refreshing that the story didn't unfold as expected. Since this is a spoiler-free review, I'm steering clear of story details, but I'd like to highlight a few aspects I appreciated. I particularly liked the narrative framing device, approach to showcasing memories, and I felt the film's female-empowerment angle was incorporated tastefully. While there were undoubtedly characters and story threads that could have been expanded upon, the script serves its purpose and the charming cast wins you over.

Leading the charge, Brie Larson captures the go-getter, spunky attitude of Carol Danvers incredibly well while we see an unfamiliar, free-spirited side to Samuel L. Jackson's Nick Fury who's twenty-five years younger thanks to some remarkable de-aging CGI! In their shared screen time, Larson and Jackson have an effective rapport that's best described as a delightful buddy-cop dynamic. Clark Gregg is also de-aged to reprise his role as familiar S.H.I.E.L.D. agent Phil Coulson, albeit with substantially less involvement than Fury. I really wish he'd been in it a bit more!

Filling out the supporting cast, Lashana Lynch and Akira Akbar play the mother-daughter pair of Maria and Monica Rambeau as Annette Bening takes the form of the Kree's Supreme Intelligence. Lynch and Akbar's mother-daughter duo are endearing additions thanks to their connection to Danvers while Bening seems not to be used to the fullest. 

Concerning "key" Kree characters, I was underwhelmed by Jude Law's Yon-Rogg and the militant Seal Team 6-esque Space Force as a whole. They're absent for large chunks of the film, so when they're suddenly pivoted as being more important, it's not an effective shift. Law plays the mentor role as best he can, but lacking screen time and development cripple the character. I held out hope there'd be exciting developments and much-needed backstory surrounding the return of Lee Pace's Ronan the Accuser and Djimon Hounsou's Korath who were last seen as the bland baddies in Guardians of the Galaxy, but alas, they were hardly onscreen for maybe ten minutes. On the contrary, Gemma Chan's Minn-Erva had some cool moments of action as the Space Force's sniper though.

It's almost impossible to discuss the Skrulls at length without spoilers, but I'll say that Ben Mendelsohn's Talos is surely a stand-out character. Caked in make-up, Mendelsohn chews up the scenery like no-one else, and it's quite glorious! I also really appreciated that the Skrulls were more complex characters than the trailers would have you believe. 

Lastly, Goose is a stand-out in its own right, with the feline providing much of the film's levity. Since Captain Marvel is set in the '90s, there's also plenty of opportunity for connective narrative tissue and nostalgia, so keep an eye peeled for references, easter eggs, and familiar characters. Not to mention Stan Lee, who gets a lovely tribute at the start of the film in addition to another trademark cameo. And there are two post credit scenes, so stick around afterward! 

Captain Marvel's unique spin on Marvel's origin story formula also serves as a satisfactory introduction for Marvel's most powerful superhero. It's not a genre game changer, but did it really need to be? I don't think so, and I give it a glowing recommendation nonetheless. Higher, further, faster baby!

Film Assessment: B+

Recollection Reflection Review: 'Captain America: The Winter Soldier'

Since Captain America: Civil War came out this weekend, I thought it'd be an appropriate time to revisit one of my favorite Marvel films to date, Captain America: The Winter Soldier. I hope to use this review format more often as I'd like to modify or re-review many films that I don't feel I did justice in my initial review. Warning: there will be spoilers in this review. 

'Captain America: The Winter Soldier' Review

Nominated for: Best Visual Effects.

Recollection- Captain America The Winter Soldier Review

Reflection- My opinion of this film have only gotten stronger in the last two years as prior to seeing Captain America: Civil War, this was my favorite Marvel Cinematic Universe film to date. I love it more and more each time I watch it and I'm sure that may raise my Film Assessment score from what it was previously.

Review- Captain America: The Winter Soldier is the second installment in the Captain America Trilogy and ninth Marvel film that changed the landscape of the Marvel Cinematic Universe forever. The film picks up two years after The Avengers and explores Steve Rogers adjusting to the 21st Century. Joe Johnston chose not to return for Cap's second outing so Marvel decided to implement the Russo Brothers, Joe and Anthony Russo, who had previously primarily only worked in television. The Russo Brothers decided to kick things up a notch and introduce a subgenera of a 1970's political spy thriller in a modern setting incorporating contemporary themes that would allow the audience to see a conflicted Rogers who must choose between security oversight or personal freedoms. I loved the Russo Brothers' direction as they build suspense masterfully and perfectly capture phenomenal fight choreography, some of the best fight choreography I've ever seen in any superhero film. All of the action is incredible with authentic amazing visual effects, including a S.H.I.E.L.D. infiltration of a hijacked ship, a ballistic car chase, a claustrophobic intense elevator brawl, an insane highway fight, and the emotional fueled third act finale. The writers Stephen McFeely and Christopher Markus return and are at the top of their game really delving into Captain America's ideology and some of his personal relationships with close friends (I'll delve into this more when I get to the performance section of the review). Another thing I think is done exceptionally well in the film is the blend of dark emotionally grounded tones, and fun fantastical humor. The performances are top notch in this installment as well with a bigger ensemble cast this time around. Chris Evans is back as Captain America and at this point had really begun to settle and become comfortable with the character of Steve Rogers. Evans showcases some more of his emotional acting chops in a few focal scenes integral to the story. One of which being when he visits an older Peggy Carter, a digitally aged Hayley Atwell that looks incredibly believable. Amidst their touching reunion she suffers from Alzheimer's and after coughing quite a bit, turns around and completely forgotten the conversation and looking at Steve as though it was their first reunion since he went into the Arctic. He meets her with a glass of water and says that He "couldn't leave his best girl". It's a tragic heartbreaking scene that's incredibly well executed that makes tear up a bit every time I watch. Rogers also deals with a few other complex issues, including the revelations that his best friend Bucky has been brainwashed into a renowned assassin among the intelligence community and that Hydra has been a parasite within S.H.I.E.L.D., an organization that had become his home and career after the event of The Avengers. This changed the entire landscape of the Marvel Cinematic Universe as the organization that brought the Avengers together initially had fallen and was no more (Although on Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., it's currently operating in secret). Scarlett Johansson returns as the shifty double agent and fellow Avenger, Black Widow. She and Steve made for a unique pairing as protagonists given their different moral structure and I like that the creative team didn't shoehorn them as a couple, but rather naturally made them close friends. Anthony Mackie is introduced as veteran Sam Wilson aka Falcon in this film and I felt his introduction feel natural and fluid with he and Steve bonding over having given their service to their country. I loved the look of Falcon's wings and how they were modernized as a jet-pack of sorts and thought he made for a great addition to the action sequences. Samuel L. Jackson is Nick Fury once again and is terrific as always. Jackson has a great car chase scene that will leave you on the edge of your seat and has some great scenes opposite Evans. Emily VanCamp has a relatively small role as Agent 13/Sharon Carter, Peggy Carter's niece, and is serviceable in the capacity used here with great promise for the future. Robert Redford emerges into the Marvel Cinematic Universe as Alexander Pierce, the head of the World Security Council, and I won't delve too far into his role but he's certainly a grandiose villainous presence. Redford carries around quite a bit of gravitas about him yet strays away from overshadowing the rest of the cast and never steps on anyone's toes. Sebastian Stan makes for one of Marvel's greatest villains to date as the Winter Soldier or, as many of you may know him to be, Captain America's best friend, Bucky Barnes. Stan makes for a great villain (or anti-hero rather) in the sense that this is a villain emotionally tied to our protagonist, like Loki in the Thor movies. He's an elite Soviet assassin working for Hydra that WILL complete his mission (regardless of how far he must go). Stan may not get the opportunity to deliver significant dialogue but I am continually impressed by how much he was able to convey purely emoting with facial expressions. The final fight between him and Captain America is so emotionally fueled with huge stakes, both worldly and smaller scale in terms of their friendship. My favorite portion of this fight is when Steve decides that to get through to Bucky, and counter all the brainwashing Bucky's undergone, he's not going to fight his friend and allows him to pound on him punch after punch, even dropping his shield in the Potomac River. An earlier flashback between the two in the 1940's shows Bucky tell Steve he's with him till the end of the line and the ultimate payoff comes when a call back is made to that very line as Rogers recites it to Bucky and the Hellicarrier falls apart with Cap falling into the river. I'm sure this will sound somewhat pathetic but it speaks to how terrific the film is as this scene makes tears stream down my face almost every time I watch it. The scene is only amplified even more by the phenomenal performances of both actors and the tremendous musical score accompanying the scene. The musical score is composed by Henry Jackman this time around and I LOVE his score, even going as far to declare it as one of my favorite Marvel film scores as of yet. In conclusion, this was my favorite Marvel Cinematic Universe film that I highly recommend as a very entertaining film that can help prepare you for Captain America: Civil War.

Film Assessment: A+

Ranking of Marvel Cinematic Universe Top 10 Post Credits Scenes

Given that Avengers: Age Of Ultron is only two days away from release and it is one of my most anticipated movies this year, I thought I would make a series of Top 10 lists and this list will rank the top 10 post credits scenes from the MCU. I decided to rank the post credit scenesbecause they are some of the little things every MCU film has. I'm only including scenes prior to Avengers: Age of Ultron. I'm ranking them based off of humor and clever placement. If a scene isn't on here that you enjoy on screen doesn't mean I dislike the scene it just didn't make my list. 

1. Thanos (The Avengers)

2. Shawarma (The Avengers)

3. The Avengers Initiative (Iron Man)

4. Baby Groot (Guardians of the Galaxy)

5. The Twins (Captain America: The Winter Soldier)

6. Infinity Stones (Thor: The Dark World)

7. Tesseract (Thor)

8. Thor's Hammer (Iron Man 2)

9. Stark visits Ross (The Incredible Hulk)

10. Howard The Duck (Guardians of the Galaxy)

'Captain America The Winter Soldier' Review

Nominated for: Best Visual Effects.

This film was amazing! I went to a double feature the night of the premiere and it may be slightly biased that my two favorite super heroes are Iron-Man and Captain America! I honestly thought that this was better than The Avengers, which is my favorite Marvel movie. This film really related to modern society and what wrong with today where we sacrifice freedom for security. The action scenes were astounding and some of the best stunts I have ever seen in a Marvel movie.  The visual effects were amazing and the character development in the film was great. You learn more about each main character'a backstory. I highly recommend you watch Captain America: The First Avenger before seeing this movie to fully understand all the connections. Overall another solid Marvel movie and I definitely recommend you see this for an enjoyable trip to the movies. Btw there's two post credit scenes.