Director Zack Snyder completely reboots the Superman legend with an otherworldly alien quality to the superhero’s power and backstory in Man of Steel (B-). Henry Cavill was effective as the outsider, and Snyder enjoyably shakes up the formula with flashbacks and a story told out of order. Amy Adams plays a plucky Lois Lane (Daily Planet as blog) and Michael Shannon is decent in an underwritten role as villainous General Zod. The Smallville sequences were nicely done, and the themes of pleasing one’s father (Jor-El/Superman has earthly father played by Kevin Costner and Krypton father played by Russell Crowe) were strong throughout. Some of the action sequences are tedious with too high a body count. But ultimately the reinvention afoot here is fascinating and helps the franchise fly with renewed purpose.
Tag Archives: Superhero
“Iron Man 3” Finds More Fun
Shane Black’s Iron Man 3 (B-) is a bit daffier than its predecessors but entertaining nonetheless. Robert Downey Jr. and Gwyneth Patrow are back, joined by Ben Kingsley as a vexing villain. After the other Iron Man films and The Avengers, the plot just doesn’t pack as much punch, but it’s still a lot of fun. Close encounters with treacle such as partnering Iron Man with a kid are thankfully less cheesy than they could have been. Robert Downey Jr. has to do just a bit more heavy lifting holding this third film up!
“Amazing Spider-Man” a Fun Reboot
A reboot that couldn’t come soon enough after the mediocrity of the Sam Raimi trilogy, Marc Webb’s The Amazing Spider-Man (B) focuses firmly on the human dynamic of the Peter Parker/Spider-Man character and succeeds largely on the strength of inspired casting with Andrew Garfield in the leading role plus Emma Stone as love interest Gwen Stacy. Garfield wields considerable charms with wit and webslinging, and the chemistry with Stone is palpable. Neither the obligatory re-tracing of the Spidey backstory nor the clashes with a supervillain (Rhys Ifans as The Lizard) are the film’s strongest suits, but it’s so refreshing to witness good acting in this comic book canon after a decade of Maguire/Dunst that many cinematic sins can be quickly forgiven. Overall, it’s exciting, the effects are good, the screenplay has a pulse and you care about the characters. Color me satisfied.
“The Dark Knight Rises” Concludes Nolan’s Batman Trilogy
Nobody seems to want to admit that Christopher Nolan’s The Dark Knight Rises (C+) just gets a little silly. Tom Hardy’s Bane is an incomprehensible mess of a character; Christian Bale’s Bruce Wayne spends much of the film trapped in a pit; and it’s difficult to say what Anne Hathaway’s Selina Kyle is supposed to be here to do (she has the same name as Cat Woman and is a cat burglar – hmmm?). A series of events has sullied Batman’s reputation, and he’s now Public Enemy Number One; and only after the world reaches the brink can he convince people they are ready for a hero again. The pacing is off and the plot strangely uninvolving. I suppose this one just suffers from #3 in the trilogy curse. It’s not a terrible way to go out, but it’s definitely downhill after a superior set of predecessors.
2012 “Avengers” Assembles Hilarious Superheroes
Marvel’s The Avengers (A) is a remarkable action spectacle with superb ensemble acting (especially Rovert Downey, Jr. as Iron Man and Mark Ruffalo as Hulk), wry humor and some of the best 3D IMAX effects ever realized on screen. After Cabin in the Woods, writer/director Joss Whedon is having quite a creative year.
“X-Men: First Class” (2011) Prequel Gets it Right
Matthew Vaughn’s X-Men: First Class (A-) is a magnificent thriller mashed up with a prequel that manages to showcase how superheroes helped avert the Cuban Missile Crisis. James McAvoy and Michael Fassbender play young versions of Professor Xavier and Magneto (Patrick Stewart and Ian McKellan in the original X-Men trilogy) as they establsih the early days of a school for mutants. There are wondrous flights of fancy and great coming of age motifs that all lead up to an amazing showdown. After Layer Cake and Stardust, Vaughn is proving a rogue storyteller with a tremendous vision for ensemble excitement.
“Thor” (2011) is Great Fun
Director Kenneth Branagh is a bit of an inspired choice to helm the sword and sorcery on a faraway planet comic book epic Thor (B), which pits Chris Hemsworth as the titular hero against bad boy brother Loki (Tom Hiddleston) for keys to the kingdom ruled by Anthony Hopkins’ King Odin. As Thor’s earthbound love interest, Natalie Portman gets some nice sequences; but this is all about action and fantasy and virtual chess moves. The best bits are by Hiddleston as the delicious villain and Kat Dennings as comic relief. Branagh does a good job keeping viewers interested in the affairs on two planets and with some complicated subplots, and it’s largely a blissful bolt of action and fun.
“Captain America: The First Avenger” Fun, Old-Fashioned
Joe Johnston’s Captain America: The First Avenger (B-) is an old-fashioned comic book adventure with Chris Evans as a weakling who volunteers for an experiment that turns him into a super-soldier in WWII and ultimately a superhero. Evans is appealing as the noble hero, and sequences with his buddy played by Sebastian Stan set the stage for some of the most emotional elements of this series. The plot with a villain called Red Skull comes off as a bit cheesy. Overall, it’s a colorful entry into the Marvel canon and a soaring showcase to the original agent with shield.
“Iron Man 2” Continues Marvel Momentum
Director Jon Favreau expands his mileu and enhances his aesthetic with an Iron Man 2 (B+) that builds on the giddy spirit of the first and allows Robert Downey Jr. to continue to hold court over gab and gadgetry. It’s a rip-roaring actioner with an even more personal story, higher stakes and an all-star supporting cast including Mickey Rourke as a villain and Scarlett Johannson and Samuel L. Jackson in Avenger roles. Gwyneth Paltrow returns, and Don Cheadle takes over the role originated by Terrence Howard. All in all, it’s a sensational sequel success.
“X-Men Origins: Wolverine” (2009) a low Point in Series
Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine character, such a highlight of the X-Men film series, was bound to get his own movie. Unfortunately it’s Gavin Hood’s X-Men Origins: Wolverine (D+), which plunges a distinctive character into a rather routine action thriller. Hood manages to suck the charm right out of the enterprise as weak effects, tired subplots and less-than-witty retorts doom this ponderous prequel.
“The Incredible Hulk” (2008) Gets its Action Footing
Rebooting the legend after Ang Lee’s esoteric flop five year before, Louis Letterier’s The Incredible Hulk (B) reminds viewers from the opening frames that this is an action movie, pure and simple. A parkeur-style chase across rooftops is just the beginning as the film winds through a global adventure wuth Edward Norton as Bruce Banner/THe Hulk in full enraged scientist mode. Liv Tyler and Tim Roth provide ample support for this solid action film that brings Hulk closer into the Marvel canon in time for Avengers activity.
“Iron Man” a Superhero Delight
Jon Favreau’s Iron Man (B+) is a giddy, inventive adventure that gives talented actor Robert Downey Jr. the role of a lifetime. As genius Tony Stark who refashions himself as a magnificent flying machine, Downey carries the high-flying comic book adventures on his shoulders. Quick with a quip and fast with the action, he grounds a new franchise with supporting help from Gwyneth Paltrow, Jeff Bridges and Terrence Howard.