Breaking Views on Joss Whedon's Avengers: Age of Ultron - Movie Review

Joss Whedon is back with the biggest real & real life 'super hero' ensemble ever in Hollywood history, the sequel to critic darling & box office juggernaut, The Avengers. SHIELD has fallen (CAP 2 & Agents of SHIELD) and the film begins with the Avengers reuniting to capture Loki's scepter from HYDRA. To avoid any such future mishaps the 'mad scientists' Banner &  Stark decide to use the scepter, befor Thor takes it back to Asgard and create Stark's pet project 'Ultron' a robot army to help them defend Earth. But as always it goes wrong and creates the AI super villain 'Ultron' voiced by James Spader. 'Ultron' is the evil version of stark himself and tsince lack a body and travels via the net, makes it even more difficult for the Avengers to handle. Adding to the woes are the 'Enhanced' twins 'Quick Silver' & 'Scarlet Witch' - the fast & the Weird one. All hell breaks loose as Ultron manages a stock of 'Vibranium' the hardest metal on earth, thing which CAP's shield is made of, and starts building his own Robot army to 'apparently' save Earth by wiping out the entire population. So how will Avengers tackle the enemy this time and save the world forms the rest of the tale.

As a film it might not quite match upto the first one, the first one was one of a kind and blew every one's mind, so it was obvious that it will be a hell of a job to even match up to that. One of the biggest flaws of the film is the Villain, which was supposed to be one of the best ever, menancing, cunning etc. If not for the outstanding job over mic by James Spader (Watch 'The Blaclist' to see the actor in action') the character would have fall flat, thanks to lack of character development. For those who are not familiar with the comic book world, this might just feel like a copy/remake of Shankar's magnum opus, 'Enthiran' .Apart from such minor flaws the film still entertains and may be more than that for Comic book fanatics.

The film is full of humorous one liners, a Marvel specialty. But unlike last time Iron Man & Hulk takes a back seat. But the scene in which they collide is awesome, a true 'every penny worthy' moment. Hawk Eye gets more screen time and punch lines this time and it worked out well too. Black Widow too gets a light thrown in to her past. We also finally gets to see 'Jarvis' in his 'bodly' form. The 'Enhanced twins' also gets their own screen time, even though it doesn't end well for one of them. The Quick Silver do gets some unique moments, but still the Bryan singer version in 'Xmen Days of Future Past' stands tall with that one iconic scene.  The film also threw snippets into the future Marvel movies like 'Black Panther' CAP 3: Civil war'  etc. The new Avengers team which as per reports will fill in for the the current team in 'Avengers: Infinity Wars Part 1' also gets teased at the end.

The action sequences are awesome. But the cinematography fails to capture the entire thing in grandeur, makes us often wonder, what the hell is happening ala Transformers like. VFX is as always top notch. Back ground score was Okay.

I n all Avengers Age of Ultron is your typical Hollywood summer blockbuster. Don't expect a 'Dark Knight', its for Comic book - Super hero movie aficionados and offers everything a Marvel movie promises.

Rating: 3.5/5




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Spoiler






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The end credit scene features Thanos, once again and he is getting ready to hunt for the 'Infinity stones' all by himself, and the wait for 'Infinity Wars' begin.......

The Amazing Spider-Man 2 - Movie Review

 The Amazing Spider-Man 2 - Movie Review

Thought the prequel was an average one as it couldn't bring much into the table and Rami-Maguire version was still fresh in everyone's' minds. Also the promises of revealing the truths about Mr & Mrs. Parker also wasn't fulfilled. The Amazing Spider-Man 2, from the plethora of trailers Sony released, looked a much better product with more at the stake for Spidey/Parker & Stacey.

Peter Parker is still in search for the mystery behind the sudden disappearance of his parents. He torn between the love for Gwen Stacy & the promise he has give to Gwen's father to stay away from her. Plus his alter ego has to fight noot one but 3 super villains. Max Dillion, a mentally unstable Oscorp employee, who gets electrical powers (ELECTRO) after felling into a tank filled with genetically modified Electric Eels. Harry Osborn, who inorder to save his life from the rare genetic condition, injects himself with some sortt of venom and becomes 'Green Goblin'. A thug who Spidey got arrested while trying to hijack truck of plutonium, who later with the hel of 'Mystery man' becomes 'Rhyno'. Will Peter find out the truth about parents, what will happen to Gwen, how will he defeat the villains forms the rest of the plot.

Everything has been stepped up a bit compared to its sequel. The plot is more complicated, there are more at stake for Peter/Spidey & of course, New York. With Marc Webb's direction it ends up a notch above the predecessor, but still no where near to the Marvel CU/Avengers movies or Nolan's Dark Knigt trilogy.

Also the movie still couldn't justify the need of the sudden reboot, despite Sony's 'hold onto rights'. The script could have been more focused and clear. The story is your usual Super Hero movie story line, which Webb tried to make interesting as possible.

The action blocks have been well executed. There are tons of CG, which has been done neatly too. Surprisingly the 3D is more effective than many of the recent releases too. As all Spidey movies its more on emotional content and lighter on the lighter side. Plus too much villains has also created bit of confusion and gives over done or too much feel to the audience. The movie also has a shocking/sad end, for the fans. The film also throw hints at expanding the universe and possible future villains and factions.


The technical crew has done an excellent job. Great direction, excellent CGI and 3D. Good Cinematography and editing. Acting was Good.Even though they shot for few days with Shailene Woodley as Mary Jane Watson, decided to drop that role and reserve it for future, But Shailene who got a hit franchise under her belt in Divergent, looks reluctant to return.

Fox's X-Men was reportedly attached to TASM2 (which I missed) should be a great sign for future, Hope Sony allows Spidey to partner with the Avengers too, pretty soon. Its high time Spidey saved people from other Cities/Countries too

Rating: 2.75/5

Verdict: Above Average

The Amazing Spider-Man 2 - Kerala Release Paper AD with Theater List

 The Amazing Spider-Man 2 - Kerala Release Paper AD with Theater List

Captain America: The Winter Soldier - End Credit Scenes Explained !

Adding End credit sequences is a phenomenon mad popular by Marvel Movies. The way they built up 'Avengers' through end credit sequences via stand alone installments is known to every movie buff. Now a days people are as much as or more excited about these teasers as the main picture. Only Iron Man 3 in the Marvel cinematic universe didn't have a significant end credit scene.

Coming to Captain America: The Winter Soldier, its the final stop before the mega multi super hero starrer sequel Avengers 2 and there are 2 Easter eggs - one mid credit scene and another end credit scene.

[Marvel's next release 'Guardians of the Galaxy' is said to be a stand alone film, eventhough we get to see a character from GOTG universe in the Thor 2 end credit scene, which might be leading to Avengers 3, involving Infinity Gem and Thanos, the purple guy you see in Avengers end credits]

 Spoiler Alert - If You Haven't watched the movie yet, proceed at your own risk.


Mid Credit Scene - The Important One

This was directed by Joss Whedon, Director of Avengers, Avengers 2.

Samuel L Jackson towards the end of the movie says HYDRA threat is not totally eliminated and there are members working still in different parts of the world. We get to one such alive and kicking HYDRA bunker in an undisclosed location where we get to see General Baron Wolfgang von Strucker a Nazi super soldier and one of the remaining HYDRA leaders, showing a colleague Loki's Scepter which was lost after 'New York incident'. Then he talks about the 'Age of Miracles' being upon us and introduce us to new important characters, Quick Silver & Scarlet Witch, who are going to play important role in Avengers 2: Age of Ultron. While QS is running around the small cell he has been kept it, hitting the walls each time, SW is playing with some sort of cubes, making them float in air and move around and finally crash agaist each other before we get to the remaining credits.

Qucik Silver & Scarlet Witch are twins, muants and more importantly children of 'Magneto' from X-Men comics. Since the rights for 'Magneto' and term 'mutants' are with Fox don't expect anything of that sorts in Avengers 2 [another version of Quick silver will also be seen in X Men Days of Future Past].

Quick Silver is blessed with super speed and is be played (in Marvel Cinematic Universe) by Aaron Taylor-Johnson (Godzilla, Kick-ASS). Scarlet Witch, who has tele kinetic abilities, will be played by Elizabeth Olsen (Godzilla, Old Boy).

Avengers: Age of Ultron Concept Art 

From the sets of  Avengers: Age of Ultron

End Credit Scene

We are back to the Smithsonian museum (shown in the beginning). We get to see Winter Soldier in normal human attire, listening to the commentary via PAS about CAP and World War 2. He also spots the Bucky Barnes banner, throwing more lights into his past that has been wiped clean from his memories by HYDRA. We gets a close up shot of WS, with dramatic music in the background, before the scene cuts to Marvel Logo and the message 'Captain America' will return in 'Avengers: Age of Ultron'. 

Nick Fury is touring Europe to flush out and eliminate remaining HYDRA members, while CAP and Falcon is going after WS, CAP's former friend Bucky Barnes. Will that be the story of CAP 3, tough to tell at this stage.

 

 Captain America: The Winter Soldier 3D - Movie Review

The events in CAP 2 takes place 2 years after the 'New York Incident' (Avengers Climax). Steve Rogers (aka Captain America) is still getting adapted & used to the modern world 'mediocrities'. One day Director of S.H.I.E.L.D [
Strategic Homeland Intervention, Enforcement, and Logistics Division] introduces Cap to a highly secretive 'Project Insight' which consists of 3 Helicarrires that works as Drones, analyses data communications and predicts future crimes and take preemptive actions against possible threats. On understanding the possible ramifications the project can have, Fury decides to shut it down. His convoy gets ambushed and Fury gets killed by a new enemy 'Winter Soldier' who had a past with CAP. Rogers gets branded a 'fugitive' for withholding info about Fury. CAP is on a run to save his country & his life from the unholy elements that has infiltrated the agency and to get to the bottom of the 'Winter Soldier' mystery, with the help of 'Black Widow' & 'Falcon'

After IronMan, CAP is my favorite super hero character among the films that came so far in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Like the previous film this too is more closer to reality and is not CGI heavy like the other installments in MCU. There are more hand to hand fights, chase, in ground action unlike super hero movies. Its more real at the same time has the elements that one would expect from such a movie.

CAP stories have always been related to real events, in the past or the futute, which is the most important aspect of this franchise IMO. While in the prequel it had WW 2 backdrop, here it deals with the current political scenario. Can see NSA, Spying, drones, Snowden like issues being addressed here. Even though 'Winter Soldier' is in the title, the character fails to get that much importance in the films.



Russo brothers have done a great job directing the movie, balancing between super hero prerequisites and keeping the character close to reality. Christopher Markus & Stephen McFeely, who also wrote Thor 2 & CAP 1, have added all the elements that we except from a Marvel movie - tongue in cheek humor, action, racy-entertaining narration etc. Cinematography is very good, even though as always the post converted 3D is tacky. Background score was decent.

Chris Evans has done a great job as Steve Rogers and Captain America. Scarlett Johansson, Samuel L Jackson, Sebastian Stan, Anthony Mackie etc have also done their part well. Robert Redford impresses as the main antagonist.

In all CAP 2 will be a good summer treat for Marvel fans and a nice time pass action flick for others. Those who have reached super hero movie saturation better stay away, as its nothing unique or different like Dark Knight.

As always there are 2 end credits scenes, and one introduces 2 new characters who will play an important role in Avengers 2: Age of Ultron.

Rating: 3.25/5

Verdict: Good

Captain America 2: The Winter Soldier - Kerala Release Paper AD with theaters list

 

 Captain America 2: The Winter Soldier - Kerala Release Paper AD with theaters list

Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014) - New HD Posters

Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014) - New HD Posters

Thor 2: The Dark World - Movie Review

'Thor 2' takes place roughly a year after the incident in New York aka 'The Avengers' climax. Thor and his friends are busy settling the issues in their own world. 'Aether' a red colored substance of immense power, like the 'tesseract' which Thor's grandfather kept hiding some where in the dark in the past, some how ends up inside of Dr.Jane Foster. This awakens the dark evil forces, who were in 'suspended animation' after losing the battle with Odin's father years back. The dark forces lead by 'Malekith' are in search of 'Aether' which could help them bring back darkness, as  the nine realms are getting ready for convergence. And once again its 'Earth' which is athe center of it all.... Will God of Thunder and co able to save the day once again forms the rest of the story.

Story wise it just another super hero movie, and infact has many plot similarities with films like Man of Steel, Into Darkness, Transformers 3 etc. It doesn't push boundaries or give you something unique. But as a part of a large cinematic universe it definitely provide good leads to the future installments of Phase 2 and 3 of Marvel Cinematic Universe. 

The most interesting scenes in fact comes at the very end, the very last scene &  mid-credits scene [teaser for 'Guardians of Galaxy' & 'avengers 3']

The scripting is racy and intelligent. Writing is efficient with plenty of humor, tongue cheek one liners etc. Jane Foster, who didn't had much role to play in the prequel in fact is at the center of all happenings this time around. Loki fans also will be in for sure treat as its him that walk away with most of the clap worthy scenes. Loki teaming up with Thor, with his mood changing from bad/mean, the usual self, to a son seeking revenge to a prankster has been efficiently portrayed onscreen by Tom Hiddleston [Loki might be the only villain with more fans than the hero, that too ladies fans]. Kat Dennings also gets an extended role this time, mainly for comic relief. 

The VFX is once again top notch. The direction is crisp and fast paced. Visuals are outstanding. Giving good company is the background score. The movie doesn't lag or drag, thanks to a wonderful job by the editor. 

Saw the 2D version, which is enough for this movie I think, unless you don't mind paying extra money. 

So all in all a good prelude for Avengers 2/3, Guardians of the Galaxy. A satisfying movie for the fans of the 'Marvel Cinematic Universe' and a treat for fans of Thor/Loki.

 Rating: 3.25/5

Box Office: Already a Blockbuster !!

PS: Don't miss out the surprise cameo by the first avenger

Thor: The Dark World - Exclusive Movie Reviews Compilation

 An Exclusive compilation of the First on net Reviews of 'Thor: The Dark World', the highly anticipated sequel to 2011 blockbuster, 'Thor'.

 Disney/Marvel's latest slab of briskly amusing, elaborately inconsequential 3D entertainment is a buoyant if derivative ride.this robust, impersonal visual-effects showpiece proves buoyant and unpretentious enough to offset its stew of otherwise derivative fantasy/action elements.

‘Thor: The Dark World’ Review: A Stirring, If Not Mighty, Return for the Thunder God

 

Superhero sequel Thor: The Dark World is a gloriously entertaining film that delivers spectacle, action, a daft elf villain, some smart 3D moments and – most importantly – a whole lot of fun

 

if you still love Thor, and especially if you still love Loki, Thor: The Dark World more-or-less satisfies -7.5/10

 if you're any kind of fan of comic books and comic book movies, you'll leave the theater with a big ol' dopey smile on your face. At least I did.

By Odin’s beard, this is an insane gumbo of a movie - 4/5

Thor: The Dark World is a hugely entertaining and sharply written continuation of Marvel's Phase 2, combining heart, spectacle and a shrewd lightness of touch.

 

This follow-up to the popular Norse-superhero blockbuster has a flabby plot and a rote, mechanical feel - 2/5

 

Thor: The Dark World is an ambitious, thrilling and often hilarious superhero sequel. Iron Man got things off to a great start, but now Marvel’s ‘Phase Two’ is in full swing. ANOTHER! 

 

The result is a film that is enjoyable in spots, but haphazard and ultimately unsatisfying.

To a very large extent, Thor: The Dark World works rather well indeed.

Even if it's not challenging to be Marvel's best movie, it's certainly its funniest.

Too much hammer time, not enough fun, except when Loki's onscreen.

As confident and assured as its lead character, Marvel’s great run continues. We give this Thor out of Thive. (Sorry.)  - 4/5

http://outnow.ch/Movies/2013/Thor2/Reviews/kino/ - 3.5/5

The Wolverine - Kerala Release Paper AD with Theater List

 The Wolverine - Kerala Release Paper AD with Theater List

Exclusive First Look of 'ELECTRO' from The Amazing Spiderman 2

Jammie Fox plays the main villain character, Electro, in The Amazing Spider-man 2

The Amazing Spider Man 2 releases May 2014

Credits: Entertainment Weekly

Its Official: Robert Downey Jr. to return as Iron Man !! Exclusive

Robert Downey Jr. Signs Deal to Appear as Iron Man in 'The Avengers 2' and 'The Avengers 3'


Breaking News: The question that was in everyone's mind after watching Iron Man 3, what happens to Ironman? Will RDJr return as Tony Stark/IM ?, has been finally answered. Robert Downey Jr. has signed a deal with Marvel Entertainment, but it's for The Avengers 2 (May 1, 2015) & The Avengers 3 (TBA). There is no news of Iron Man 4 as if now. May be Marvel is planning another sequel till Avengers 3 releases as they have plenty more new comic book based movies in the pipe line like Ant-Man.

Nothing was going right for RD Jr. till IronMan happened in 2008. Marvel where not at all impressed with his in the beginning too. And it was his co-star Terrance Howard [Cheadle replaced his in the sequels] who went with a bigger pay cheque for IM. But once it released everything changed. Today Tony Star & IronMan, who in the comic world were regarded as second fiddle to others like Hulk, CAP etc, is the most popular among the 'Avengers'. One of the major reasons behind the blockbuster success of Avengers and IM3.

So the ball was clearly in his court this time & he took his time to negotiate with marvel for a perfect deal as his contract came to an end with IM3. Nobody wanted to see any other actor playing those already iconic roles, which was evident from the discussions that were happening in almost all social media platforms.

So finally we got what we wanted, We will get to see one of the most loved character of modern era, played by one of the most loved & popular actors of modern era. Gear up folks.....“I am Iron Man”