“Avengers” Film Review

The Marvel Film Franchise is best known for their epic installments within the superhero film genre as they create their own little cinematic universe based around the Marvel comic book characters. The one thing that Marvel appears to have going good for them is how they can tell such enticing stories that are all connected to one another and create such a large universe of characters that it has most actors in Hollywood wanting to become a part of the cast. One of their fairly recent films to become a blockbuster Guardians of The Galaxy which is about a ragtag band of antiheros with no powers try to save the galaxy from conquest hungry alien that wants to destroy every planet that tries to defy him. However, this formula sounds very similar to another Marvel film that they probably used as a model for Guardians called The Avengers. The Avengers was Marvels first attempt have multiple protagonists in a film and it was great success with just a few minor flaws. Unlike some other films that attempted to have multiple leading roles like Spiderman 3 which due to poor character development led to its commercial downfall, The Avengers having already created in depth character development in each of the lead protagonists origin movies allowed for each heroes to develop further and create bonds with one another as they strive towards a common goal. While this gender friendly film having both male leads from Iron Man to Thor and female leads such as Black Widow had created an image for everyone to enjoy, and this idea was also transferred over into Guardians of The Galaxy having a mixed gendered cast, but unlike The Avengers, Guardians appears to have an greater appeal to the masses for it depicts that you don’t have to have powers to in order to be super you just have to be yourself and do the right thing every once in a while. As a whole the film The Avengers is for sure must have for any film buffs home cinema library with its stunning CGI and story to its almost perfect editing even to the lighting with its gel enhancements, so that it can have crisp high definition look. The film may not have any emotional flashbacks like Guardians did in order to create character and plot development, but instead it created a window of opportunity for Marvel as whole showing that they have the capability of creating an expanding universe. As film critic Tom Charity for CNN had stated “Never underestimate the entertainment value of the Hulk Smash” and this description couldn’t be any more accurate for it’s always a blast to watch if you enjoy the genre. If you ever have the chance to see the film in IMAX I would recommend it, but watching it at home is always just as entertaining.

Shrek

“Shrek” Film Review

            In most film that are animated the main plot appears to revolve around a dysfunctional duo that seems to compensate for the others flaws and together they are able accomplish any task. This kind of storytelling has been present for a while but it seems to have been made popular in animated films through Pixar animation with film titles such as Toy Story and Up. Another film company that seems to have picked up on Pixar’s style of storytelling is Dream Works, and this is most noticeable in one of their early animated films known as Shrek. The film Shrek is a fantasy film that takes a spin on all the classic fairytales by merging them all into one gigantic universe ranging from the Ginger Bread Man to Snow White and The Seven Dwarfs creating its own fantasy. However, at the same time it takes aspects of modern life and mixes it into the fantasy creating a very unique filmic space such as including a Starbucks or references to WWE. The film is also an exploitation film for it may have many aspects that are suitable for children but it provides enough jokes and vulgar references that it is also enjoyable by an adult audience. The main plot of Shrek is about a lone Ogre that lives in swamp and all he wants to do is remain alone so he can just relax in comfort and do as he pleases, but his is all changed around when all the fairytale creatures of the region are exiled and forced to take refuge in his swamp due to man suffering from napoleon complex known as Lord Farquaad. Due to these unfortunate events the duo of Shrek and Donkey is formed and the two of them set out on an adventure that will bond the two together and make an unstoppable duo filled with loads of excess humor that is enjoyed by the whole family. To some film critics and their film criticism this expanded cinema film only gained excess from the fandoms the main voice actors have created throughout their acting careers. However, some such as Jami Bernard of the New York Daily News who has stated in her review of the film, “The brilliance of the voice work, script, direction and animation all serve to make Shrek an adorable, infectious work of true sophistication” and she couldn’t of had summed it up any better for it seems to be hilarious for all age groups while keeping an engaging tale so that it doesn’t lose the audience. Thus, if you haven’t seen this featured film yet it would recommend viewing it either online or on television and if you enjoy it possibly pick it up for your film library. 

Napoleon Dynamite

Most films that tend to come out and gain great success were released in a given cycle where that films genre was still popular at the time. The teen genre had its own cycle from the late 1990s to the early 2000s but even then most of them didn’t even standout like other great teen films such as the Breakfast Club, Rebel Without a Cause, or Dazed and Confused. However, one teen film that did standout and is used now in multiple different forms of entertainment is the film Napoleon Dynamite. Just like its predecessor Rebel Without a Cause the films is about a white suburban teen male that is struggling with achieving his desire to fit in with the popular crowd at high school. The protagonist Napoleon tries to hang out with the popular kids, but gets rejected just like Jim and the greasers he tried to befriend, but instead wind up befriending another outsider like themselves, and both of them have guardians that don’t seem to fully grasp what the main protagonists are going through. Nonetheless, Napoleon Dynamite didn’t gain popularity due to the drama that unfolded in the film like most of its predecessors, but instead from large amounts of comedy used to entice a new generation of teens, while also being relatable to people of all ages. The story of the film takes place in a small town in Idaho where the main protagonist tries to find a way to survive the remaining years of his high school career, while also trying to find a date for prom. The movie is filled with plentiful amounts of one liners and so many awkward teen conversations it will either make you cringe or laugh, while wandering how many scenes were perfect in the dailies of production. To most people who view this film they may find it dull for the lack of emotion that is present on the main characters faces, but by taking a closer look at their speech patterns and body language it shows that just like most teens they too are struggling with their internal feelings and are unsure as to how to express them, for unlike other characters in the movie Napoleon and Pedro always appear to have a monotone voice to possible symbolize their lack of skill. As critic for the Houston Chronical Amy Biancolli stated in her review “Napoleon Dynamite may be forcefully weird and intermittently humorous, and you might not know what the heck to make of it, but there's nothing shocking about its screenplay” and she couldn’t be anymore right. For the editing of the film with the arrangement of events that occurred to the stunning deep focus shots made the film very enticing. Since the film was released in 2004, it was probably digitally edited which made it easier to be put online for download or put on a DVD to boost its popularity. However you may see this film it will forever have a spot in pop culture.

“Invasion of the Body Snatchers” Review

            The 1943 film Casablanca is a classic cinema that that is revered by many who have cinephilia. From the stunning costumes worn by the actors too the amazing cinematography, such opening scene in Ricks bar where there is an excellent use of continuity editing as the audience is able to view the entire inside of the bar in one fluid motion with very without the need for any cuts or change of scenes. In addition, to being known as a film classic this film is also known for the use of anti-Nazi propaganda as the American Rick ends up helping two Europeans escape the clutches of German Nazi’s who are portrayed to be the villains of the film, which in turn tried to persuade the audience of the film that the Nazi’s are evil and the people of the world need freed from their dictatorship. One film that had taken influence from this kind of propaganda is the film Invasion of the Body Snatchers a 1956 B-film without colour starring Kevin McCarthy, that was made to scare the populous from communism and the super power rival of the Soviet Union during the period known as the red scare within the United States during the cold war. The film was such a success that it inspired a remake color film in 1978 which stared Donald Sutherland; under the same title the film took the same primus of the original with the idea of an alien plant invading the planet and making life like copies of humans and then replacing them to create its own emotionless totalitarian society. Coming out right after the Vietnam War the film is meant to scare the audience once again into fearing the communist movement as the Cold War continued between the United States and the Soviet Union. This film shocked many for it forced them to think if their loved ones or neighbors are actually not what they appear to be, for in the film the plant would make living copies of humans and then put the copies into society and have them produce copies of others and replace them through spores created by the plant. As the audiences watched the film they got to see the main protagonist who is played by Donald Sutherland try to figure out just what these emotionless drones are and if he can escape from being assimilated, they are thrown into realization that no one can escape for the final scene it has Sutherland being approached by one of his companions that had managed to escape just for them to realize through a close up shot that he too was assimilated once he let out a loud shriek to signify that his former companion still showed emotion. As film critic for the Wall Street Journal, Joe Morgenstern had stated “Gives remakes a good name” and I couldn’t agree more, for through the amazing crew the film managed to scare the populous once again and create a new fear of communism.

Tangled Film Review

            Disney has become the pioneer for animated films and ever since their first animated film attempt with Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs they have continued to produce a box office hits one after another. Since starting with Snow White Disney has been adding more and more princesses to their collection such as Cinderella, Jasmin, Ariel, and Aurora. One of their most recent additions to the list is Rapunzel who debuted in the 2010 film Tangled and just like all of her fellow princesses before her, she too has some similarities to the original Disney princess Snow White. For example, both women somehow find themselves lost in the woods and wind up meeting unknown dangers, but are thankfully accompanied by some funny and adorable companions to help them get to their destination safely while providing some valuable life lessons. Tangled ended up being Disney’s first CGI fairytale film, and thanks to its wonderful cast of characters it became a definite hit to all forms of audiences. The most notable audience being children since Disney tries to make the majority of their films children’s films, but it could also be said that the film is also a buddy film due to the relationship between the main male protagonist Flynn Rider and the horse Maximus and the amount of hijinks that is ensued from the twos chemistry together. While on the other hand others might view this film as a chick flick, for just like all other Disney princess films it is geared more primarily towards girls and has a romantic story that eventually leads to the main protagonist falling in love and ending happily ever after. In my opinion this film altogether is a mix of all of this and that’s what makes it such a great film for it is enjoyable by all from all the countless times Flynn is knocked unconscious  by Rapunzel to comical music number at the ruffian bar the Snuggly Duckling. Most importantly this amazing film wouldn’t have been accomplished without the outstanding casting for the characters and the cineaste of the film. Also another thing that is interesting about the film is that it appears to take place within the same cinematic universe as the other Disney princess films, for in a later film by Disney known as Frozen the main protagonists of Tangled Rapunzel and Flynn Rider can be seen walking together through the castle gates of Arendelle, thus, making the Disney princess universe canon. As Richard Corliss who practices in cineliteracy, and critic for Time Magazine had stated in his review for the film, “This is your basic, and very enjoyable, Disney princess musical, an empowerment tale to teach bright, dreamy girls how to grow to maturity and outgrow the adults in charge” and I couldn’t agree anymore with his statement. If you haven’t already seen this film and would like too, it should be available on Blu-ray, or if you like the cheaper route try Netflix to have fun satisfying experience.

Deadpool movie review

So far throughout the 2016 film season the most memorable and enticing is the blockbuster action film “Deadpool” staring the actor Ryan Reynolds for role of Wade Wilson and the voice of his alter ego Deadpool. Being an adaptation of the popular Marvel comic book series, the film allows many longtime fans of the beloved character to rejoice with laughter towards the comical acting scenes, action sequences, and the multiple fourth wall breaking. The film appears to follow the same set of beats as we learn about the witty, dark, and sarcastic Wade Wilson and his quest to get revenge on the man that changed his life (and face but he doesn’t know that at first) forever. At the start of the film we’re transported right into a frozen action scene filled with very comical CGI animation, and then transported right into the first action sequence of the film. Once the action is concluded with the hilarious bullet counting scene we receive a fourth wall break phenomenon which leads into one of many back story sequences that allows us to explore the past of Wade Wilson and how he became the trash talking comedian Deadpool. As I was watching the film I sometimes thought I was watching a biopic due to how depth the backstory sequences went making me almost feel like it the character Wade Wilson was an actual person that existed in history and not a part of fiction. The overall most exuberant part of the film had to be the main action sequence that took part throughout half film. The amount of editing that went into the opening credit sequence alone is just incredible to behold as we see Deadpool taking on multiple villains at once within frozen CGI frame while the credits roll around the different segments of the frozen fight. Then once we go back in time a few seconds later and see the whole fight unfold the audience is aw stricken by not only the action but by all the incredible one liners and easter eggs that were included. Then we can’t forget all the X-Men references that were put into the film along with all the past films that Ryan Reynolds had stared in but despised, which put off the big screw you vibe to his past films making it all greater to watch. As stated by Christopher Orr a film reviewer for The Atlantic, “Flamboyantly vulgar and determinedly self-referential, Deadpool has the shape of a superhero movie but the soul of a Danny McBride flick”. Orr can’t be any more wrong for the film give you everything a superhero flick would have including the spandex, while also having things they don’t have which is large quantities of foul language. Overall film is a must see if you already haven’t already and it is a shame that it received no nomination at the Academy Awards.