Feeling more like an MCU film, watch the trailer for Marvel Studios’ espionage thriller “Secret Invasion”. The live-action, original series premieres June 21, exclusively on Disney+.
In Marvel Studios’ new series “Secret Invasion,” set in the present day MCU, Nick Fury learns of a clandestine invasion of Earth by a faction of shapeshifting Skrulls. Fury joins his allies, including Everett Ross, Maria Hill and the Skrull Talos, who has made a life for himself on Earth. Together they race against time to thwart an imminent Skrull invasion and save humanity.
Marvel Studios’ “Secret Invasion” stars Samuel L. Jackson, Ben Mendelsohn, Cobie Smulders, Martin Freeman, Kingsley Ben-Adir, Charlayne Woodard, Killian Scott, Samuel Adewunmi, Dermot Mulroney, Christopher McDonald, Katie Finneran, with Emilia Clarke and Olivia Colman, and Don Cheadle.
Ali Selim directs the series and executive-produces, along with fellow executive producers Kevin Feige, Jonathan Schwartz, Louis D’Esposito, Victoria Alonso, Brad Winderbaum, Samuel L. Jackson, Ali Selim, Kyle Bradstreet and Brian Tucker. Kyle Bradstreet is also the head writer, and Jennifer L. Booth, Allana Williams and Brant Englestein serve as co-executive producers.
Face front, true believers! We’re in the last few weeks of the year, so it’s time for family get-togethers, big feasts, and…one more excursion into the Marvel Cinematic Universe! Now this one is another virtual trek to a spot we’ve not seen in over four years. Mind you, we did lots of traveling in the previous MCU outings, from multiverses with Doctor Strange to outer space, and New Asgard, with Thor and his pals. Well, we’re pretty much back on “terra firma” now, although we’ll be diving into the lowest depths of the ocean to meet a new challenge. Did I mention that this is a follow-up to perhaps the most successful (in box office and awards) franchise of the non-group (those mighty Avengers) of the studio? But in those years a lot has changed. That’s because the returning cast is sadly incomplete for BLACK PANTHER: WAKANDA FOREVER.
As we open in that “hidden kingdom”, the unthinkable has occurred. Despite the determined efforts of beloved Princess Shuri (Letitia Wright), her mother Queen Ramonda (Angela Bassett) brings her the news that death has claimed brother T’Challa. And though the family mourns, the populace celebrates their fallen king. Life goes on as the story jumps to the following year. Ramonda addresses a meeting of nations. Its members are growing impatient with Wakanda as they want to get access to their precious Vibranium, which T’challa graciously offered to share years ago. At the same time, a mercenary band attacks a Wakandan research lab to take the metal. But instead, they find the elite Dora Milaje led by Okoye (Danai Gurira). And that’s not the end of the “colonizer’s quest”. At a mining station floating in the Atlantic, another team has detected Vibranium on the ocean floor with a new gizmo (seems that regular metal detectors don’t recognize it). As two divers descend in order to retrieve it something odd happens. The facility is under siege by fearsome warriors who rise up from the waves, led by a very strong airborne man. He later confronts Ramonda and Shuri near a Wakandan beach. We learn that he is Namor (Tenoch Huerta), the immortal ruler of the underwater kingdom of Talocan, who believes that they made the mining invention. After Ramonda assures him that they didn’t create the device, Namor issues an ultimatum. Bring him its designer or face his massive army. After he departs, the duo begins an expedition that will reunite them with US government agent Everett Ross (Martin Freeman) and introduce them to young Cambridge University engineering savant Riri Williams (Dominque Thorne). But even with their assistance, along with old allies Nakia (Lupita Nyong’o) and M’Baku (Winston Duke), can Wakanda survive an attack from Namor’s formidable forces, without the leadership and strength of the Black Panther?
Wright is the first member of the royal family and is the dramatic focus of most of the film. Four years ago I remarked on how she almost stole all of her scenes in that first film. Here Wright ably embodies the heartbreak of her homeland as she struggles to forge ahead while dealing with”survivor’s guilt” and a sense that he’d be here if she only “pushed herself” further. Later we see her deal with an inner conflict of heroism and revenge, which Wright conveys with confidence. But that quality springs to mind when thinking of the “force of nature”, Bassett, as the grieving queen and “mother of us all” who will stand firm as the rest of the world tries to ‘steamroll” her legacy. She’s regal and majestic, but with her closest family and friends, we see her warmth. Though not introduced till the story’s midpoint, Nyong’o is compelling as the “almost queen” who deals with her loss privately but will step up to any enemy. And she (and the other Wakandans) have an intimidating foe in Namor, played with an otherworldly warrior’s grandeur by Huerta. When he softly issues threats to the royales, no bombastic blustering is needed. His intense glare shows that he’s not bluffing. And Huerta expertly handles the role’s physical requirements whether he’s digging his fingers into armored transports or hovering over his enemies. Comic relief is provided by the blustering Duke as the affable and arrogant M’Baku and Freeman as the befuddled and secretive Ross, who’s paired with a current comedic icon (no spoilers). Gurira still dominates the action sequences as Okoye, but she tempers the “ferocity” with a touch of sadness and her own regret as a new threat gets the “upper hand”.And Thorne is a terrific addition as Riri, a “fish out of water” who tries to temper her sense of wonder about the kingdom with the need to aid them and survive to create new scientific marvels (had to get that in).
Hey Marvel maniacs, here’s Namor AKA the Sub-Mariner from over eighty years ago in the pages of Timely Comics as rendered by his creator, Bill Everett! Imperious Rex!
Also returning in the director’s chair is Ryan Coogler, who also co-wrote the screenplay with Joe Robert Cole. It’s a true challenge that Coogler dives into, going from a nation in mourning to a high sea, high-stakes battle between the “hidden realms”.There’s still that sense of mythic pageantry as Wakanda remains a compelling clash of golden mythology and near-magic high-tech wizardry. But he doesn’t turn away from the intimate dramatic moments as the family tries to heal their still-fresh wounds. The big action “set pieces” aren’t neglected (they’re well-done, indeed), but they’re spaced out with long stretches of dialogue-heavy exchanges in too many locales that may test the patience of many viewers in search of the stunt spectacles of the original (does the final battle need multiple flashbacks). Yes, it has pacing problems that threaten to dull the story’s dramatic impact. Part of the problem is the need to tell the backstory of Namor, which could’ve been explored in a spin-off film or a streaming miniseries. Yes, the Talocans have some nifty “bits of business”, from whale-riding to a hypnotic siren’s call, and Namor’s hummingbird-like ankle wings (and he darts through the sky like the critter), but it may add too much to the bloated 161-minute runtime. It all does honor the memory of the late star of the original (the revamped studio logo sets a melancholy mood), but the somber sequences and stop-and-start addled plot momentum weigh the end of Phase Four” and sink it down into the murky depths when BLACK PANTHER: WAKANDA FOREVER should soar.
3 out of 4
BLACK PANTHER: WAKANDA FOREVER is now playing in theatres everywhere.
What’s all the commotion rolling out of the hallways down at the multiplex? Could it be a celebration? Well definitely, since it’s the first new Marvel Studios release of this year, a much earlier release than ever, just a touch over six weeks into the new year (a long way from the first weekend of May, usually considered the start of the Summer movie season). That’s sure to bring a smile to theater owners, who know that this is the start of Marvel Studios’ tenth year. In 2008 IRON MAN blasted out of that old white and red logo to usher in a new age of superhero spectaculars. And which one of their beloved characters is leading the big 2018 parade? Those trumpet blasts can only mean one thing: royalty. Not content to repeat themselves (although Marvel’s the new leader in tent pole franchises), they’re branching into different genres and settings. ANT-MAN was a buddy heist comedy, while DOCTOR STRANGE delved into magic by leading us through lots of weird, “trippy” dimensions. And those “a-holes”, the GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY, expanded the Marvel Universe even further by taking us on a pop-tuned filled adventure in the cosmos. Well, we’re not reaching for the stars this time, but we’re exploring a fantastic land hidden from the rest of planet Earth. And our hero is indeed royalty, a man we met as a supporting player nearly two years ago. Next stop on the Marvel movie express: Wakanda, a country governed and protected by T’Challa…the BLACK PANTHER.
The story begins with a father telling a story, one thousands of years old. The land of Wakanda in Africa is fought over by four feuding tribes until a meteor crash lands. At its core is the mysterious substance known as Vibrainium a source of technological wonders. The rock affects a local plant which produces a serum that gives the enhanced abilities of the panther. The head of the royal family drinks the serum and becomes the land’s guardian, the Black Panther, who brings peace to the different tribes. The Panther role is passed on, generation to generation, over the centuries. The story jumps forward, not to today, but to Stockton, California, USA circa 1992. An angry young Wakandan, N’Jobu (Sterling K. Brown) is amassing an arsenal in his run-down apartment, with help from his friend James (Denzel Whitaker). A flash of light and suddenly the current Black Panther, T’Chaka, along with two of his elite security guards, known as the Dora Milaje, face the stunned duo. This tragic confrontation will have repercussions in the present day. Speaking of which, we’re back in the present as the new Black Panther, T”Challa (Chadwick Boseman) is on a secret midnight mission with the leader of the Milaje, Okoye (Danai Gurira). Their cloaked flying battleship is tracking a truck convoy filled with kidnapped Wakandan women. But one of the taken is a highly trained spy, Nakia (Lupita Nyong’o), who’s also a former flame of T”Challa. This occupies his thoughts along with the recent death of his father T’Chaka at the hands of master terrorist Zemo (which put events in motion that played out in 2016’s CAPTAIN AMERICA: CIVIL WAR). At the mission’s end they return to Wakanda for the ceremony that will crown T’Challa the new king.
The first appearance of the Black Panther from Fantastic Four #52, 1966
Across the globe, in a London museum, Erik Killmonger (Michael B. Jordan) is causing a scene at a display of tribal items from Africa. This distraction is put of an elaborate robbery by Ulysses Klau (Andy Serkis) and company (you may recall his painful encounter with Ultron in the second Avengers epic). They escape with a hammer head made of Vibranium. Word gets back to T’challa, and soon he, along with Okoye and Nakia, is headed to Korea to stop the piece’s purchase and bring Klau to justice. At a shady casino they encounter undercover CIA agent Everett Ross (Martin Freeman), who insists that T’challa’s team stand down (Ross had met him two years ago). Klau arrives, mayhem ensues, and, after a wild chase through the streets, the criminal is captured. But not for long. Turns out that Killmonger was using Klau to achieve a more lofty goal. The young master assassin is on his way to Wakanda to challenge T’Challa for the throne. Despite his skill, can T’Challa defeat the American mercenary and retain his title?
Boseman, finally getting to play a fictional film hero (Jackie Robinson, James Brown, and Thurgood Marshall comprise a terrific trio), brings a sense of humanity to the protector king. T’Challa has changed quite a bit from the grieving son thirsting for the blood of the Winter Soldier, maturing into a leader seeking justice rather than revenge. Boseman handles his action sequences with great agility and a dancer’s grace. But his king is a man much like all of us. He stammers around his former love and agonizes over his homeland’s role in the world. Nyong’o is dazzling as that rekindled love who’s a skilled champion in her own right. Her ultimate goal isn’t sharing the throne with T’Challa, rather she wishes to explore and right wrongs. Her Nakia has a sly sense of humor that enhances her compassion. Plus she’s a terrific partner not only to T’Challa, but also to Gurira’s Okoye whose retorts are nearly as sharp and deadly as her teched-out spear. While leading the Dora Milaje, she a most fearsome force of nature. Though she spends most of her time in the lab, the most essential woman in support of the king may be his younger sibling Shuri played with charm and energy by the scene-stealing Letitia Wright. She’s up for any challenge, always enthusiastic about some new gadget she’s crafted from the multi-purpose Vibrainium (Flubber’s got nothing on it). And her scenes with Boseman truly crackle with good humor. It’s as if James Bond’s tech wiz was his teasing kid sister, who beams with pride as she delights in “taking the piss” out of him. As for the other members of “Team Wakanda”, Angela Bassett projects a noble dignity as widowed Queen Ramonda, while Forest Whitaker is a most patient sage advisor as Zuri, uncle and consul to the king. GET OUT’s Daniel Kaluuya is impressive as W’Kabi another aid to T’Challa (and husband to Okoye), who doesn’t always see eye to eye with old childhood friend.
Opposing T’Challa and his team is Jordan as the menacing Eric Killmonger, full of swagger who strikes out unexpectedly like a springing poisonous snake. His casual air, boasting like ambitious rap star, masks his lofty aspirations and hides the pains of his past. When his dead-eyed stare erupts into a snarl, Jordan makes a villain worthy to challenge the hero. Although he doesn’t appear to be having quite as much fun as Serkis as the gleeful poaching pirate Klaus. He’s a party animal out for profit, destroying anything in his way via the sonic Vibranium cannon that replaced his left arm. They guy just seems to love his work, especially as he thumbs his nose at those who would stop him. Aside from T’Challa that’s mainly the always wonderful Freeman as the prickly, exasperated Ross, a by the book lawman who’s irked by these super-folk. Later on, he proves a valuable ally and a good audience stand-in as he gasps at the wonders of this hidden high-tech paradise. Speaking of surprising allies, kudos to Winston Duke as the imposing and hilarious leader of the “ape tribe”, M’Baku.
Director and co-screenwriter (working with Joe Robert Cole) Ryan Coogler has crafted an action-packed thrill ride fantasy, that, as the best of the Marvel Studios movies, has a lot to say about our modern world. The film’s hero is determined and more than a tad conflicted. Should his land join the planet or remain hidden, their achievements only benefitting its citizens rather than saving lives outside its holographic walls?Isolationism isn’t generally a theme in popcorn superhero flicks, which adds to this story’s emotional heft. And it doesn’t detract from the spectacular stunt work and bracing battle scenes. I was surprised to feel so uneasy during the last act “throw-down” because I truly cared about the people of this fictitous country, they weren’t merely toys to be tossed about the jungle. In addition to the superb cast, script, and director, the many artists that created this world deserve a lion’s share of laurels. Unlike the dark and murky films from another super-hero studio (the “Distinguished Competition” as Stan Lee would say), the visuals here truly dazzle the senses, the colorful costuming gives new meaning to “eye candy” (it may have sparked a new hybrid, “Afro-futuristic”). I can imagine pausing the eventual Blu-ray to savor all the gowns and sparkling jewelry. And the towering cities of the country are as awe-inspiring as any part of glorious Asgard from the Thor series. Wakanda now joins Shanga-La and Middle Earth as cinematic “dream destinations”. Though it’s early in the movie year, I can’t imagine the production team not getting a well-earned Oscar nomination for their inspired work that’s a great tribute to the art of comics co-creator Jack “King” Kirby. Along with a majestic soaring music score from Ludwig Goransson, the newest Marvel entry shows the studio moving forward, never content to merely rest on their impressive previous hits. And from the trailer for the next Avengers extravaganza, looks like we’ll have to wait just months rather than years for another adventure in the astounding world of Wakanda and its ruler, the BLACK PANTHER.
Opening in theaters February 16, 2018 is Marvel Studios’ BLACK PANTHER.
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Marvel Studios’ “Black Panther” follows T’Challa who, after the death of his father, the King of Wakanda, returns home to the isolated, technologically advanced African nation to succeed to the throne and take his rightful place as king. But when a powerful old enemy reappears, T’Challa’s mettle as king—and Black Panther—is tested when he is drawn into a formidable conflict that puts the fate of Wakanda and the entire world at risk. Faced with treachery and danger, the young king must rally his allies and release the full power of Black Panther to defeat his foes and secure the safety of his people and their way of life.
“Black Panther” stars Chadwick Boseman, Michael B. Jordan, Lupita Nyong’o, Danai Gurira, Martin Freeman, Daniel Kaluuya, Letitia Wright, Winston Duke, with Angela Bassett, with Forest Whitaker, and Andy Serkis.
The film is directed by Ryan Coogler and produced by Kevin Feige with Louis D’Esposito, Victoria Alonso, Nate Moore, Jeffrey Chernov and Stan Lee serving as executive producers. Ryan Coogler & Joe Robert Cole wrote the screenplay.
Tonight, during the 2018 National Championship Game, fans got a special, brand-new look at Marvel Studios’ BLACK PANTHER.
Tickets are now on sale and available wherever tickets are sold.
Marvel Studios’ BLACK PANTHER hits U.S. theaters on February 16, 2018.
Marvel Studios’ BLACK PANTHER follows T’Challa who, after the death of his father, the King of Wakanda, returns home to the isolated, technologically advanced African nation to succeed to the throne and take his rightful place as king. But when a powerful old enemy reappears, T’Challa’s mettle as king—and Black Panther—is tested when he is drawn into a formidable conflict that puts the fate of Wakanda and the entire world at risk.
Faced with treachery and danger, the young king must rally his allies and release the full power of Black Panther to defeat his foes and secure the safety of his people and their way of life.
BLACK PANTHER stars Chadwick Boseman, Michael B. Jordan, Lupita Nyong’o, Danai Gurira, Martin Freeman, Daniel Kaluuya, Letitia Wright, Winston Duke, with Angela Bassett, with Forest Whitaker, and Andy Serkis.
The film is directed by Ryan Coogler and produced by Kevin Feige with Louis D’Esposito, Victoria Alonso, Nate Moore, Jeffrey Chernov and Stan Lee serving as executive producers. Ryan Coogler & Joe Robert Cole wrote the screenplay.
A new poster for Marvel Studios’ BLACK PANTHER was revealed on Saturday during a panel in Hall H at San Diego Comic-Con.
(Back row L – R) Actor Andy Serkis, director Ryan Coogler, actors Forest Whitaker, Michael B. Jordan, Winston Duke, Daniel Kaluuya, (front row L – R) Danai Gurira, Lupita Nyong’o, Chadwick Boseman and Letitia Wright from Marvel Studios Black Panther’ at the San Diego Comic-Con International 2017 Marvel Studios Panel in Hall H on July 22, 2017 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for Disney)
Watch the Comic Con panel below.
Marvel Studios’ BLACK PANTHER follows T’Challa who, after the death of his father, the King of Wakanda, returns home to the isolated, technologically advanced African nation to succeed to the throne and take his rightful place as king. But when a powerful old enemy reappears, T’Challa’s mettle as king—and Black Panther—is tested when he is drawn into a formidable conflict that puts the fate of Wakanda and the entire world at risk. Faced with treachery and danger, the young king must rally his allies and release the full power of Black Panther to defeat his foes and secure the safety of his people and their way of life.
BLACK PANTHER stars Chadwick Boseman, Michael B. Jordan, Lupita Nyong’o, Danai Gurira, Martin Freeman, Daniel Kaluuya, Letitia Wright, Winston Duke, with Angela Bassett, with Forest Whitaker, and Andy Serkis.
The film is directed by Ryan Coogler and produced by Kevin Feige with Louis D’Esposito, Victoria Alonso, Nate Moore, Jeffrey Chernov and Stan Lee serving as executive producers. Ryan Coogler & Joe Robert Colewrote the screenplay.
Marvel Studios’ BLACK PANTHER hits U.S. theaters on February 16, 2018.
Disney Studios has the first trailer for Marvel Studios’ BLACK PANTHER for you… and boy is it ever wicked cool!
Marvel Studios’ BLACK PANTHER follows T’Challa who, after the death of his father, the King of Wakanda, returns home to the isolated, technologically advanced African nation to succeed to the throne and take his rightful place as king. But when a powerful old enemy reappears, T’Challa’s mettle as king—and Black Panther—is tested when he is drawn into a formidable conflict that puts the fate of Wakanda and the entire world at risk. Faced with treachery and danger, the young king must rally his allies and release the full power of Black Panther to defeat his foes and secure the safety of his people and their way of life.
BLACK PANTHER stars Chadwick Boseman, Michael B. Jordan, Lupita Nyong’o, Danai Gurira, Martin Freeman, Daniel Kaluuya, Letitia Wright, Winston Duke, with Angela Bassett, with Forest Whitaker, and Andy Serkis.
The film is directed by Ryan Coogler who helmed FRUITVALE STATION and CREED.
BLACK PANTHER is produced by Kevin Feige with Louis D’Esposito, Victoria Alonso, Nate Moore, Jeffrey Chernov and Stan Lee serving as executive producers. Ryan Coogler & Joe Robert Colewrote the screenplay.
Marvel Studios’ BLACK PANTHER hits U.S. theaters on February 16, 2018.
Marvel Studios has released the first poster for BLACK PANTHER.
Tune in tonight to Game 4 to see the exclusive World Premiere of the brand new teaser trailer.
Marvel Studios’ BLACK PANTHER follows T’Challa who, after the death of his father, the King of Wakanda, returns home to the isolated, technologically advanced African nation to succeed to the throne and take his rightful place as king. But when a powerful old enemy reappears, T’Challa’s mettle as king—and Black Panther—is tested when he is drawn into a formidable conflict that puts the fate of Wakanda and the entire world at risk. Faced with treachery and danger, the young king must rally his allies and release the full power of Black Panther to defeat his foes and secure the safety of his people and their way of life.
BLACK PANTHER stars Chadwick Boseman, Michael B. Jordan, Lupita Nyong’o, Danai Gurira, Martin Freeman, Daniel Kaluuya, Letitia Wright, Winston Duke, with Angela Bassett, with Forest Whitaker, and Andy Serkis.
The film is directed by Ryan Coogler and produced by Kevin Feige with Louis D’Esposito, Victoria Alonso, Nate Moore, Jeffrey Chernov and Stan Lee serving as executive producers. Ryan Coogler & Joe Robert Cole wrote the screenplay.
Marvel Studios’ BLACK PANTHER hits U.S. theaters on February 16, 2018.
Marvel Studios announced today that production has begun on “Black Panther,” starring Chadwick Boseman (“Captain America: Civil War,” “Get on Up”), Michael B. Jordan (“Creed,” “Fruitvale Station”), Academy Award winner Lupita Nyong’o (“Star Wars: The Force Awakens,” “12 Years a Slave”), Danai Gurira (“The Walking Dead,” upcoming “All Eyez on Me”), Martin Freeman (“Hobbit” trilogy, “Sherlock”), Daniel Kaluuya (upcoming “Get Out,” “Sicario”), with Academy Award® nominee Angela Bassett (“American Horror Story,” “London Has Fallen”), with Academy Award® winner Forest Whitaker (“Rogue One: AStar Wars Story,” Lee Daniels’ “The Butler”), and Andy Serkis (“Avengers: Age of Ultron,” “Star Wars: The Force Awakens”).
Additional cast members include Letitia Wright (“Urban Hymn,” “Glasgow Girls”), Winston Duke (“Person of Interest, “Modern Family”), Florence Kasumba (“Captain America: Civil War,” “Emerald City”), Sterling K. Brown (“Whiskey Tango Foxtrot,” “The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story”) and John Kani (“Captain America: Civil War,” “Coriolanus”).
Ryan Coogler (“Creed,” “Fruitvale Station”) directs Marvel Studios’ “Black Panther” from a screenplay he co-wrote with Joe Robert Cole (“The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story”). The film, which opens in U.S. theaters on February 16, 2018, will be shot in Atlanta and South Korea.
“Black Panther” follows T’Challa who, after the events of “Captain America: Civil War,” returns home to the isolated, technologically advanced African nation of Wakanda to take his place as King. However, when an old enemy reappears on the radar, T’Challa’s mettle as King and Black Panther is tested when he is drawn into a conflict that puts the entire fate of Wakanda and the world at risk.
Marvel Studios’ “Black Panther” is produced by Kevin Feige with Louis D’Esposito, Victoria Alonso, Nate Moore, Jeffrey Chernov and Stan Lee serving as executive producers.
Coogler’s creative brain trust includes his frequent collaborators: director of photography Rachel Morrison, A.S.C. (“Dope,” “Fruitvale Station”), production designer Hannah Beachler (“Creed,” “Fruitvale Station”), editors Claudia Castello (“Creed,” “Fruitvale Station”) and Michael P. Shawver (“Creed,” “Fruitvale Station”); along with costume designer Ruth E. Carter (“Selma,” Lee Daniels’ “The Butler”), visuals effects supervisor Geoffrey Baumann (“Doctor Strange,” “Avengers: Age of Ultron”), Academy Award- winning makeup designer Joel Harlow (“Star Trek Beyond,” “Black Mass”) and seven-time Academy Award nominee, special effects supervisor Dan Sudick (“Captain America: Civil War,” “Marvel’s The Avengers”).
Based on the Marvel comic character that first appeared in “Fantastic Four Vol. 1” Issue 52, published in 1966, “Black Panther” joins Marvel Studios’ slate of releases in its Phase 3 commitment to introduce film audiences to new heroes and continue the adventures of fan favorites over the course of four years and nine films.
In 2016, Marvel Studios continued its unprecedented success with the release of “Captain America: Civil War,” which opened on May 6 with the fifth largest opening weekend of all time and has since garnered box office receipts of over $1.1 billion worldwide.
The juggernaut studio ended the year with its newest Super Hero “Doctor Strange,” starring Benedict Cumberbatch, Chiwetel Ejiofor and Rachel McAdams. The film opened #1 at the box office on November 4 and went on to gross more than $659 million worldwide to date. The two films propelled Marvel Studios’ #1 domestic box-office opening streak to a record-breaking 14 consecutive films.
Marvel Studios’ other epic big-screen adventures include Marvel’s “Iron Man,” “The Incredible Hulk,” “Iron Man 2,” “Thor,” “Captain America: The First Avenger,” “Marvel’s The Avengers,” “Iron Man 3,” “Thor: The Dark World,” “Captain America: The Winter Soldier,” “Guardians of the Galaxy,” “Avengers: Age of Ultron,” “Ant-Man,” and the upcoming “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2” (May 5, 2017), “Spider-Man: Homecoming” (July 7, 2017), “Thor: Ragnarok” (November 3, 2017) and “Avengers: Infinity War” (May 4, 2018).
It’s finally time to pack away the bulky Winter coats and jackets, or at least regulate them to the far corners of the closet, because Summer has truly arrived. A new tradition heralding the seasonal start began eight years ago with the first major Marvel Studios release IRON MAN, and almost every first weekend of May since has seen another “box office buster” storm the nation’s, now the world’s, theatre screens. Like the “star-spangled man”, these exec do have a plan, mapping out groups of films as a “phase”. That 2008 classic marked the beginning of “phase one” that concluded with the first titanic team-up of heroes, MARVEL’S THE AVENGERS. “Phase two” finished up last Summer with ANT-MAN and the second Avengers epic. Who better to usher in the beginning of “phase three” than the first Avenger himself, Steve Rogers? But the good Captain now faces a challenge perhaps greater than the Hydra hordes that infested SHIELD in his second solo film. The sentinel of liberty is pitted against his friends and fellow Avengers in the globe spanning adventure CAPTAIN AMERICA: CIVIL WAR.
The story actually begins 25 years ago in Siberia, as James “Bucky” Barnes (Sebastian Stan) is awakened from his cryogenic slumber to complete another murder mission as the Winter Soldier. Jump forward to modern-day Lagos in Africa, as Captain America (Chris Evans) and Natasha Romanoff AKA the Black Widow (Scarlet Johansson) team with Avengers “newbies” Wanda Maximoff AKA the Scarlet Witch (Elizabeth Olsen) and Sam Wilson AKA the Falcon (Anthony Mackie) to stop a gang led by an old enemy. Suddenly the battle takes an unplanned turn, leading to a unforeseeable tragedy. Meanwhile Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr) has finished the presentation of a new simulator at MIT, when he is confronted by the relative of an innocent lost during an Avengers operation. Later the Avengers are summoned to a meeting with new Secretary of State, Thaddeus “Thunderbolt” Ross (William Hurt), the former General who tried to take down the Hulk. He reminds them of the destruction left in the wake of the Avengers, then presents a thick book, the “Sokovian Accords”. He wants each Avenger to review the tome then sign an agreement to only assemble after approval by members of the United Nations. Steve has reservations about such restrictions, while Tony believes that they should be “put in check”. But as the debate rages, Steve and Sam continue their search for Bucky. Days later an attack occurs in Vienna during a special address to the UN by the king of the secretive African nation of Wakanda. The country’s Prince T’Challa (Chadwick Boseman) swears revenge. Police security footage reveals the Winter Soldier at the scene. Can Steve find his old friend before the authorities and T’Challa, who is also the fierce warrior the Black Panther, do? And what will happen if Steve and his supporters refuse to sign those Accords? Will the Avengers “dis-assemble”?
With such a large cast it comes as a great surprise, joyous really, that each actor really gets a chance to shine (this is something that the Star Trek and X-Men films struggle with). The story anchor is, of course, the title hero. Evans slips into Steve Rogers just as you may slip into a warm, comfy sweater. After five features, Evans has made Cap a truly human hero, a man who always rises to the occasion, despite the odds or his own doubts. Yes, he’s an iconic symbol, but he’s still a guy from Brooklyn. You might say that the film has an equal co-anchor in the always entertaining Mr. Downey. He’s still a master of the devastating quip or insult (and there’s plenty here), but we see Tony’s darker self, a man dealing with past regrets while having great trepidation about the road he’s taken. Mackie’s a superb soldier who still has time for a wisecrack or three. Of all the heroes, Johansson as the Widow is perhaps the most conflicted. She has great loyalty to both Tony and Steve, but she wants no more innocent blood on her hands. Stan as Bucky still seems to be a fog, struggling to find his own humanity, but unable to quell the beast that has been placed inside him. Olsen’s Wanda also struggles as she tries to control her powers and not be consumed by guilt when those powers are not enough to avert catastrophe. She shares great screen chemistry with Paul Bettany as the aloof, otherworldly android, the Vision. He begins a hesitant friendship with Wanda, one that seems in conflict with his programming (wow, he’s got a cooking app). Emily VanCamp finally opens up to Cap, sharing the truth about her connection to him. Jeremy Renner as Hawkeye and Don Cheadle as James “War Machine” Rhodes are solid as the world-weary soldiers on opposite sides (the archer is most worried about leaving his family). Hurt, reprising his role from 2008’s THE INCREDIBLE HULK, adds an air of stern gravitas as he tries to reign in the group. And Paul Rudd’s starstruck Scott Lang brings some much-needed levity to the high stakes showdown while his Ant-Man more than proves his value.
Hey, they even added a few new folks into the mix. Martin Freeman is quite engaging in his brief role as VanCamp’s arrogant new boss, Everett Ross. Daniel Bruhl adds an air of menace as the mysterious Zemo, a shadowy figure with an unexplained (until the final act) agenda. Boseman has a dignified regal bearing as T’Challa until loss unlocks the Black Panther’s rage, making us look forward to his upcoming solo feature film. But the breakout new addition to the Marvel movie universe may be Tom Holland as Peter Parker, the amazing Spider-Man. “But, we’ve seen the wall-crawler on screen before!”, you say. Well, not in the hands of Marvel Studios. After five features, Sony Pictures has finally joined forces with them to relaunch the franchise. Spidey will be able to guest in the other films and vice versa. Holland (so great in the 2012 disaster drama THE IMPOSSIBLE), brings a vulnerable charm to Pete while exuding boyish enthusiasm (and lots of “smack talk” chatter) to ole'”webhead”, stealing every scene, and leaving us anxiously awaiting his screen return in SPIDER-MAN: HOMECOMING. Now this is our Spidey!
The brothers Russo (Anthony and Joe) prove that their tag-team triumph on CAPTAIN AMERICA: THE WINTER SOLDIER was truly no fluke. They masterfully juggle the myriad of “super folk”, while never making the film feel bloated. There’s a lean vitality to their action set pieces, from the flawed opener, to the traffic chase, and the apartment assault. But the most remarkable action sequence, setting a high water mark for future super hero flicks, is the big airport showdown, the “tumult on the tarmac” you might say (hey, I just did). It’s a visual stunner with over a dozen heroes giving a new meaning to the old Astaire standard as they suddenly “change partners and dance”, making for many astounding match-ups. There’s an infectious sense of fun (so lacking in another recent comics-inspired face off). While this would be the big finale for most flicks, the Russos opt for a more intimate last confrontation that packs an emotional wallop thanks to the great script by Marvel movie vets Christopher Markus and Stephan McFeely. Besides the physical battles, this is a story that deals with important issues, very relevant to our times with the enhanced heroes echoing real-life concerns over security and international boundaries. elaborating on the excellent recent comics mini-series written by Mark Millar. Neither Tony or Steve is 100% right or wrong. Plus the city-wide mass destruction is kept to a minimum, never becoming another tiresome bit of “disaster porn”. Many fans felt that the Marvel films may have lost their way with the last Avengers film. Now the Russos has gotten the train back on the track, making the Marvel Universe a welcome vacation spot at the multiplex (in the words of Liz Lemmon on TV’s “30 Rock”, “I want to go to there”). When we look back on these “phase” sets of films, CAPTAIN AMERICA: CIVIL WAR will shine as one of the best. At ease, Cap!
