Tag: based on the comic book

SPIDER-MAN: NO WAY HOME – Review

MJ (Zendaya) prepares to freefall with Spider-man in Columbia Pictures’ SPIDER-MAN: NO WAY HOME.

Who’s ready for a holiday road trip? Oh, the destination? It’s Christmas time in the Marvel Cinematic Universe! Yes, I know we’ve been there three times before in the last six months or so, from BLACK WIDOW to SHANG-CHI AND THE LEGEND OF THE TEN RINGS, and most recently THE ETERNALS, but this is more than a bit unique. First, it’s another co-production with Sony, one that somewhat completes a trilogy. And though it is a journey forward with our favorite “wall-crawler” it also takes a side turn down “memory lane”. In that way, it’s a bit of a celebration since he swung into the comic book world sixty years ago next August, and this coming May it’ll be his twentieth-year “thwipping” through the big screen. But for all that time, poor Peter Parker can’t seem to catch a break with his new amazing adventure, SPIDER-MAN: NO WAY HOME

As you recall from the mid-credits sequence of the last flick Ole’ Pete (Tom Holland) is in big trouble. Blowhard video-blogger J. Jonah Jameson (J.K. Simmons) has revealed his identity to the world while accusing him of murdering Mysterio and unleashing a horde of deadly drones. But the media and law enforcement also go after GF MJ (Zendaya), BFF Ned (Jacob Batalon), Aunt May (Marisa Tomei), and even ‘Happy’ Hogan (Jon Favreau). Of course, this news torpedos the high school trio’s applications to MIT. How in the world can Pete fix this? He can’t just “web it up”. And his big “alibi”, Nick Fury, is “off-world”. Hey, he’s just blocks away from the “sanctum sanatorium” of his “Endgame” cohort, the master of mystic arts, Dr. Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch). After much pleading, the doc decides to grant Pete’s request by casting a complex spell that will make everyone forget that he’s Spidey. Unfortunately, Strange is distracted by Pete’s “add-ons” (except MJ…and Ned…and…). But it looks like everything’s under control as Peter tries to talk with an MIT recruiter that’s stuck in traffic. Suddenly an armored tentacle bursts through the pavement. It’s Dr. Otto Octavius (Alfred Molina), who recognizes Spider-Man, but is baffled by his unfamiliar voice (he’s a stranger to Pete) Then a cackling green troll tosses an explosive pumpkin-like grenade. The Green Goblin AKA Norman Osborn (Willam Dafoe) is on the attack. Later Strange explains that the flawed spell has opened up multiple portals to other dimensions, unleashing many unfamiliar “super-villains”. Can Spidey and Strange, with assists from MJ, Ned, and Happy (who’s got some old Stark tech) capture these powerful “baddies” and send them back? With the Avengers scattered, can anyone else help them out?

Once again, the talented Mr. Holland slips into the dual lead role as though it’s a pair of comfy old sneakers (perhaps more like a pair of “web-shooters”). He retains Pete’s infectious energy and optimism even though his whole world seems to be collapsing in on him. More than in the last two films, there’s much more at stake as his alter ego intrudes on the lives of those he cherishes the most. Holland communicates that through his often halting line delivery, which speeds up as Pete formulates a strategy at “Spidey-speed”. He proves that the character does indeed work best as a high-schooler (but not for much longer). Zendaya’s MJ still has that endearing snark, tinged with her near-pitch-black sense of humor, now tempered with her affection for Pete and the need to support and protect him. Much the same can be said for Batalon as Ned, still loving his role as “the guy in the chair”, but eager to take on more (which happens “in spades”). Tomei channels more of May Parker’s generous empathetic soul, when she’s not in “mama grizzly” mode to protect her dear Pete. Favreau is still a funny lovable “schlub” who’s often Pete’s mentor and cantankerous “Dutch Uncle”. And on the opposite side, several screen vets seem to be relishing their return to villainy. Molins is a malevolent megalomaniac who is baffled by his new, but “old”, enemy. Ditto for Dafoe, whose Osborn is in almost constant battle with the scheming Goblin. Oh, and Jamie Foxx is back as Max/Electro who appears to love hurling insults alongside his deadly lightning bolts. Luckily Cumberbatch as the good doctor/wizard is there to reign them in while proving to be another great teacher/coach and father figure to Pete.

As you can see from the splash page from 1965’s Amazing Spider-Man Annual #2, the Stan Lee/ Steve Ditko creations have been teaming up for quite a while

Returning to the director’s chair is Jon Watts, who proves most adept at juggling the action, comedy, and drama, keeping the pace steady while still hitting all the emotional “beats” of the script penned by some more series vets, Chris McKenna and Eric Summers. It’s quite an impressive balancing act, since several action epics often lurch about, changing done as they speed to the next big action sequence. Mind you, the great stunts and VFX are here “a plenty”, but what stays longest may be the quiet moments as unlikely characters bond despite bickering. Best of all Spidey remains a beacon of light amongst so many “grim and gritty” masked crimebusters (though he’s put to the test many times here). He continues to cling to the hope that people can change. And while other film franchises try to ignore or even discard their past incarnations, this endearing romp embraces all the quirks and foibles of its forebearers. That’s heightened by the sprightly score from Michael Giacchino which seamlessly weaves in iconic melodies. And though many may see this tale as a conclusion (at least to the “home” subtitles), its finale announces a new start (buoyed by word that Holland and Marvel will continue with Sony for another trilogy). SPIDER-MAN: NO WAY HOME is a celebration of the past, a touching look ahead, and an affectionate nod to the faithful fans of the beloved character. Somewhere Stan “the man” Lee is flashing that big grin…

4 Out of 4

SPIDER-MAN: NO WAY HOME is playing in theatres everywhere

ETERNALS – Review

(L-R): Karun (Harish Patel), Kingo (Kumail Nanjiani), Sprite (Lia McHugh), Sersi (Gemma Chan), Ikaris (Richard Madden), Thena (Angelina Jolie), Gilgamesh (Don Lee) in Marvel Studios’ ETERNALS. Photo courtesy of Marvel Studios. ©Marvel Studios 2021. All Rights Reserved.

So who’s ready to “make up” for “lost time” (well, maybe 2020 was a “lost year”), and take a third 2021 trek into the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU)? Now, this visit is a bit different as it delves more into the “universe” area of that label. BLACK WIDOW bounced about Eastern Europe, while SHANG-CHI AND THE LEGEND OF THE TEN RING zoned in on Asia (after a brief, but memorable San Francisco battle in the first act). The entry opening everywhere this weekend is almost everywhere and begins in the deep recesses of outer space (but don’t look for that pop-music-lovin’ crew of the Milano). Oh, and like Shang-Chi its comics roots sprang up in the (if they were the “swingin” 60’s” then the next decade would b “sparkly 70s”. Plus they were created solely (not with Stan Lee) by the artist extraordinaire behind most of the Marvel heroes we’ve already seen on screen, the man still affectionately known as the “king of comics”, Jack Kirby. Ah, but does it have plenty of that “Kirby crackle”? We’ll find out as we meet (and greet) those extraordinary ETERNALS.

Prior to the now-familiar Marvel Studios logo, we get a short “title prologue” (now there’s no “chapter heading” and the words don’t recede into the star backdrop). It seems that the galaxies were fashioned by the Celestials, one of which, Arishem, oversees its work, our solar system. In order to protect the emerging humans of Earth from the brutal, ravenous creatures called the Deviants, Arishem created a group of human-like immortal warriors known as the Eternals. We first see them in battle when the Deviants attack ancient Mesopotamia. They’re led by Ajak (Salma Hayek), a healer who communicates with Airshem. Sersi (Gemma Chan) can transform matter (turning heavy stone into water proves useful). Dashing Ikaris (Richard Maddin) can fly while shooting destructive yellow beams or rays from his eyes. Teenage Sprite (Lia McHugh) uses deceptive illusions on her foes. Kingo (Kumail Nanjiani) fires energy bolts from his fingertips, while Gilgamesh (Don Lee) uses his enhanced fists to pummel the “baddies” as Makkari (Lauren Ridoff) unleashes her super-speed skills. Thena (Angelina Jolie) can create all manner of weaponry which she masters in combat, while Druig (Barry Keoghan) uses his mind to take control of humans. But the humans have a great ally in Phastos (Brian Tyree Henry) whose projected “creations” gently “nudge” humanity toward industrial progress.

Say, isn’t that the “green goliath” mixing it up with the group in this Kirby cover?

As that battle ends, and the Eternals actually celebrate with the people, the story springs ahead to modern-day England where Sersi along with Sprite (posing as sisters) reside. Actually, Sersi teaches at a big museum alongside boyfriend Dane (Kit Harrington). The calm ends when an earth tremors interrupt a class. Later, after an evening out, the trio is attacked by a Deviant (not seen in many years). Luckily Ikaris pops up when this monster proves more powerful than any they’ve fought over the centuries. It’s a mystery that prompts the three Eternals to seek out the rest of the crew (as Jake Blues would say, “We’re getting the band back together”). When tragedy strikes a teammate, the truth is slowly revealed through several “time jumps over several spots in history. The secret behind the attack will pit Eternal against Eternal, as the fate of the Earth hangs in the balance.

Whew, the casting folks really earned their paychecks in assembling a most interesting acting ensemble for this big (ten members) “super-team”. Still, the main story “hook” is the relationship of Sersi and Ikaris, the “defacto’ parents of this fantastic “family”. Chan projects a regal intelligence as Sersi, who struggles to grasp the new challenges thrust upon her as the leadership “shifts”. Madden is intense and fairly stoic as the high-flying “frontman”. McHugh gives Sprite a tragic quality as she tries to deal with having a youngster’s appearance through eternity (kind of like Kirsten Dunst in INTERVIEW WITH THE VAMPIRE). On the flipside, Nunjiani is having lots of fun as the snarky, wise-cracking Kingo who has used his longevity to become a dynasty of “Bollywood” stardom. Also having fun is Jolie whose Thena relishes combat with the creatures, but is sadly the most vulnerable as she deals with a sort of “immortal madness’ that compels her to take on her teammates. It’s a bit more complex than Ajak, played with sincerity and gravitas by Hayek, who becomes the “go-between’ with the Celestial Arishem. Henry is also quite amusing as the often flustered inventor Phastos, who just wants to settle down with the mortals. Lee’s blustery bravado hides a tender caring soul (and a great chef) as the man with the furious fists. Ridoff is a bright burst of energy as the speedster which offsets the often sinister vibe from Keoghan’s mind controller (who appears to be leading a forest-based cult). Representing the humans is Harrington who has a shaggy bewildered charm as the audience’s surrogate (almost immediately he asks why Sersi and her pals didn’t take on Thanos), Dane.

Nobody can accuse the MCU of trying to “rest on their laurels” by “playing it safe”. You could even say that they’re “swinging for the fences” by attempting this cosmic adventure showcasing a largely “unknown property” in the Marvel comics staple. It worked a few years ago with GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY. Sad to say that this time “at bat” only yields a solid double rather than a grand slam. Oscar-winning director Chloe Zhao gives us a taste of her versatility with this sprawling saga giving us a few great action “set pieces” (the first “beach fight’ is wondrous, but a battle in a forest near dusk is needlessly murky), and even an engaging musical number (the set of Kingo’s newest blockbuster). Unfortunately, the script she created with a trio of screenwriters needed at least a couple of “passes’ to tighten the story flow and trim the excess (perhaps less time on the road and a jettisoning of Thena’s malady), as it feels all of two and a half hours (though much longer, AVENGERS: ENDGAME sped by). The rapport between the main group is fun (mainly due to Kingo, who needs a spin-off at Disney+), but they’re too set apart from the rest of the MCU, though several Avengers are mentioned (and a couple of non-MCU heroes). Part of the problem may be the Deviants who are pixel-filled “creepers” with little weight (in form and writing). I will commend the producers for making sure some of the crew paid the ultimate price for their heroics, and kudos for the solo Jack Kirby credit (as opposed to “based on the Marvel Comics characters”), but it doesn’t make up for the sluggish pace nor the bland romantic subplot between former lovers Sersi and Ikaris that just “spins its wheels” (and the “beach consummation” seems wildly out of place). All the artistic effort to create this new mythology is often eye-popping, but it’s not enough to make ETERNALS not feel like an eternity.

2.5 Out of 4

ETERNALS is now playing in theatres everywhere

SHANG-CHI AND THE LEGEND OF THE TEN RINGS – Review

(L-R): Xialing (Meng’er Zhang), Shang-Chi (Simu Liu) and Katy (Awkwafina) in Marvel Studios’ SHANG-CHI AND THE LEGEND OF THE TEN RINGS. Photo courtesy of Marvel Studios. ©Marvel Studios 2021. All Rights Reserved.

So, did you think we’d bid adieu to the Summer of 2021 without a second visit to the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU)? Happily, the answer to that is no, “true believers”. Though we usually get the first flick at the start of May, well, things have changed since the MCU’s beginning in 2008. And that’s why we finally got to learn of the backstory of the BLACK WIDOW this past July. Now, this was her eighth feature appearance, but this holiday weekend sees the very first screen outing for a character who wasn’t part of that 1960s creative explosion that birthed Spidey, the Hulk, and so many others. This hero was part of the big Marvel Comics expansion (a new distribution deal allowed for more titles) in the 1970s and reflected one of that decades’ big pop culture trends: the martial arts TV shows and movies (Bruce Lee on the big screen, ABC’s “Kung Fu” on the small). And so the MCU expands and becomes even more diverse (we’ve explored Africa, Russia, and, well, outer space) with SHANG-CHI AND THE LEGEND OF THE TEN RINGS.

This tale’s prologue gives us a back story on those title “rings”. In ancient Asia, a mighty warrior named Xu Wenwu (Tony Chiu-Wai Leung) possessed a set of ten magical mysterious (were they from another world) rings (worn on his forearms rather than his fingers) that made him near-unstoppable. He and his army (known as the “Ten Rings”) conquered much of the land, but one area eluded them: a strange wooded land that supposedly was the home of real creatures of myth, TaLo. After much effort, Wenwu makes it into the woods and is confronted by its protector, the beautiful maiden Li (Fala Chen). Their combat leads to ..a romance. After several return visits, Wenwu proposes to Li and returns with her to his castle home. They become parents of a boy and a girl. When the now teenage son leaves, Wenwu gifts him with a jade jewel that he wears about his neck. Cut to modern-day San Francisco as that lad, now a twenty-something named Shaun (Simu Liu) works a menial job alongside best pal Katy (Awkwafina). When brutal thugs try to grab the jewel, Shaun’s martial arts skills are revealed to Katy (and later she learns his real name: Shang-Chi). He now believes his sister (who he hasn’t seen in many years) is in danger from this gang. Getting an address from an odd postcard ( a dragon sketch) from her, he and Katy travel to Hong Kong for a family reunion that may lead to a spectacular battle, all part of Shang-Chi’s destiny as a skilled defender of the whole planet.

With a casting choice harkening back to the first THOR, the MCU masterminds have wisely chosen a largely unknown actor (although he’s had many supporting roles on TV and features) to play their “master of martial arts” (though “Iron Fist” preceded him on Netflix in 2017). Liu as Shang-Chi/Shaun has an easy-going average guy quality, especially in the early San Fran scenes, while balancing mush of the powerful action/acrobatic stances of (dare I say) young Bruce along with the comic slapstick reactions of Jackie Chan. But Liu still conveys a tender vulnerability as he tries to face the tragedies of his past while attempting to process the awesome responsibilities of his future path. . I look forward to seeing the actor and character mature in future film adventures (and as part of the “greater MCU”). Plus, he’s an endearingly sweet straight man to the warrior queen of comedy, Awkwafina. Yes, she’s very funny and steals scenes with what seems like little effort, but there’s more to Katy than the wisecracks and caustic “burns”. Katy’s truly adrift, just trying to coast through life before her BFF opens up new possibilities for her. Awkwafina subtly balances her amazement over her pal (“Dude, who are you?!!”) while his secret life fuels some sadness. After her somewhat abrasive voicework in RAYA AND THE LAST DRAGON (far too much use of modern slang), Awkwafina shines as a real “fish out of water”.

Hey Marvel-maniacs, here’s the cover to Shang-Chi’s first Marvel comic appearance!

As for the supporting players, kudos for giving the film a most complex and conflicted villain. Leung starts as your standard power-mad baddie, but we see how his quest opens his soul to new ideas, like truly caring about another person. It all adds to his devasting loss, as Leung shows us that the sparkle, the light of love has left his eyes. His final master plan is created out of love and despair (much as with Thanos and Loki), making us hope that he’ll come to his senses. Hard to think I’d be rooting for the Mandarin (One of the many names attached to Wenwu is also the great 1960s Iron Man arch nemesis). Meng’er Zhang is quite compelling as Shang-Chi’s estranged sister Xialing, letting us question her loyalties and outlook. Chen has an ethereal beauty and a quiet dignity as the princess that actually rescues a king. Much the same can be said about the always engaging Michelle Yeoh as her sister and current protector of the wonders of TaLo, a compassionate aunt and a stern taskmaster. And, since it’s already been revealed online, I can praise the great Ben Kingsley who is hysterical as he reprises his role of Trevor Slattery, the self-absorbed dimbulb actor who “played” the Mandarin in IRON MAN III. His “riff” on a classic sci-fi movie series will stick with me when another entry or reboot is made. Maybe Trevor and Katy can team up for a future flick.

Oh, and here’s another example of the MCU “thinking outside the box” (much like casting Liu in the lead). Rather than going for one of the name “big action” directors, they entrusted the launch of this new franchise with a director mainly known for indie-like dramas (SHORT TERM 12, THE GLASS CASTLE, and JUST MERCY), Destin Daniel Cretton. Smart move as he lets the emotions bubble up subtly in-between the astounding stunt showcases. We embrace Shang-Chi, Katy, and surprisingly Wenwu even as they appear to defy the laws of physics. Hey, about those stunts….truly astounding, perhaps surpassing the face-offs in BLACK WIDOW. The film has not one, but two of this year’s greatest action sequences (one had me smiling as it reminded me of a favorite iconic arcade video game). And somehow, during the mayhem, we’re gobsmacked by the beauty of the imagery, even rivaling CROUCHING TIGER, HIDDEN DRAGON. giving the story a fairytale-like feel. Much of that is due to the scenes in TaLo, which joins the MCU atlas of locales that we wish were real (Wakanda, Asgard, etc.). The script by Cretton, along with Dave Callaham and Andrew Lanham has almost the perfect mix of heart, action, and humor….almost. Hate to be a bit of a “wet blanket”, but the big CGI-overloaded final battle takes the focus off the folks we care up and tries to emulate the recent kaiju re-dos as pixels fight pixels in a choppily edited free-for-all. So, they don’t “stick the landing” darn it. Ah, but the journey there is so engrossing. And (need I say) the mid-credits bonus scene will leave you smiling. Maybe all the way until the anticipated (I’m there) and very warranted follow-up to SHANG-CHI AND THE LEGEND OF THE TEN RINGS. Perhaps an even dozen next time?

3 Out of 4

SHANG-CHI AND THE LEGEND OF THE TEN RINGS opens in theatres everywhere on Friday, September 3, 2021

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