Film Review | Captain America: Civil War

Uncle Ben once told us that “with great power comes great responsibility,” but here’s the big question: who keeps us responsible.

The Story

Following the destruction of Ultron in Sokovia, the world is once again openly questioning its safety in the hands of the Avengers. Although it owes much to the renowned heroes, many people who hold powerful positions feel powerless and see the Avengers as vigilantes.

The story adlibs much from the original comic in the sense that it moves away from identity and privacy crisis to a more personal look into why the Avengers do what they need to do.

We see Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.) finding himself in need of a babysitter every time his ego gives way to his conscience. Steve Rogers (Chris Evans) finds himself fighting for and against his past and present friends. The internal moralisation of each team comes down to minimising damage to civilians – whether it be through being tethered or ostracised by them.

The Cast

Chris Evans and Robert Downey Jr. are pros after seven films. Arguably, Iron Man and Captain America are their most memorable – undoubtedly their longest – roles of their careers. After seven films, not to mention the rest to come, it’s not hard to see that these two know and love their characters.

Chadwick Boseman and Tom Holland are the new comers who need special attention seeing as their alter egos ignited excitement just by featuring in trailers. Boseman takes on Black Panther, a loving son who has his father taken away from him and is hungry for vengeance. Holland takes on a more challenging role by taking the mantel of (previously Sony-owned) Spiderman.

Both new comers did a great job in making their characters their own. Bringing Black Panther to life gave the film that darker edge and retained the need to avenge the loss inflicted upon a person. Spiderman on the other hand is a little harder to play seeing as we’ve just seen a reboot. But I have to hand it to Marvel, Holland gave an impressive performance as the prodigal son comes home.

Overall…comic enthusiasts will be saddened by the changes, but will have an amazing time anyway. Look, if you love Marvel and anything to do with comics there’s no stopping you from watching this movie. You will enjoy every minute. Personally, I was looking for Joss Whedon’s touch when it came to the fight sequences, but I will commend the Russo brothers for sticking with their flair from Captain America: The Winter Solider.

sL Star Rating: ★★★★

Next on sL: X-Men: Apocalypse

Film Review | Deadpool

Following its comic book origins, Ryan Reynolds reprises his role as fast-talking, comedic, anti-hero, Wade Wilson (a.k.a. Deadpool). Wilson narrates the whole film as we see Marvel undo…or make sense of…Deadpool from its prequel, X-Men Origins: Wolverine.

We follow a story of a hit man going about his daily routine, falling in love and living a normal life as a thug in New Your City. Unfortunately, a common diagnosis forces him down the path of experimental treatments and voila, a mutant is created.

Only…it’s not that simple.

If people always hated Wade for his snide comments and well...his ability to never know when to shut up, then it stands to reason that so too would anyone treating him. His debatably loveable trait hits the wrong spot with one of his mad-scientists, which in turn encourages him to push Wade’s mutation to its full potential – immortality and really bad skin defects.

Stripped away from his good looks, Wade is now forced to hunt down Ajax (a.k.a. Francis) to turn the beast back into a beauty so that he can go back to his normal life, as well as avoid joining the X-Men at all cost.

The Story

As a whole, the story has you laughing from start to finish. Past and present intertwine in a comedic smashing of the forth-wall as Reynolds willingly invites you into the world of Deadpool, as well as openly comment on what happens beyond the screen.

He, along with the film’s writers, Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick, let loose with their poetic licence making several jabs at studio budgets, previous X-Men writing inconsistencies and openly name-dropping as many X-Men cast members as they can.

It’s a love-story wrapped in action, blood and inconceivable fight sequences. It’s worth every minute you’re holding your stomach due to laughter.

The Cast

Ryan Reynolds is just brilliant. He is much too comfortable in this character than any other I’ve seen him portray. He does not bring Deadpool to life, he is Deadpool. I am so glad he got his own film!

As brooding and hateable Ed Skrein is as Ajax / Francis, there are times I have no idea what he was saying! Although…that may have been on purpose, I do recall Reynolds making a side comment about it at the start of the film. Either way, I still think Skrein is a good villain for an anti-hero…however that works!

Although Stefan Kapicic brilliantly lends his voice to bring Colossus to life, he still did a great job! My favourite part is when he’s making a profound speech about what makes a hero and Deadpool completely ignores him, which then causes him to he throw up.

Brianna Hildebrand is a great young-mutant who also so happens to be a stereotypical teenager. As typical as her portrayal is in portraying teens for all generations, it was nice to see that she knew which side she was on and fulfilled the roles of being a face for the X-Men.

Morena Baccarin does an incredible job at keeping up with Reynolds as his leading lady. She’s just as funny and pulls your emotional heartstrings very well.

T.J. Miller is a great comedic side-kick as he deflects Reynold’s insults with matching sarcasm and useless advice.

Overall…Deadpool is too funny to miss. It’s a nice break before all the seriousness of X-Men: Apocalypse comes out. Go see it!

sL Star Rating: ★★★★

Next on sL: How To Be Single

Film Review | Ant-Man

Scott Lang (Paul Rudd) just wanted to ‘be the hero his daughter already knows he is,’ instead, his time in prison has landed him in a tough place – unemployment. After being kicked out of his own daughter’s birthday party for not pay– oh, wait, I mean playing his part as a parent, Scott decides he needs to get his head in the game – even if it means doing a job that will land him back in prison. Little does he know, he’s being watched.

The Story

Skewing minutely away from the original comic, the next instalment to Marvel’s Avengers ensemble sees Paul Rudd as the comedic and charming, Ant-Man. Changing the origin story to suit past, present and future storylines, we see an ex-conman trying to make an honest living. Swearing never set foot in another jail cell again, Lang sees himself at a dead end as his past taints his employment prospects – regardless of how much street-cred he may give to any workplace.

While Lang plays “who’ll employ me?!”, his story is overshadowed by the bigger up-hill battle that Michael Douglas’ character has to face – his own creation. Attempting to hide his advanced technology that shrinks bio-particles from the government, Hank Pym finds himself at odds with former protégé, Darren Cross (Corey Stoll). Slightly psychotic and delusional, Cross attempts to replicate the Pym Particle in order to capitalise his imitation in order to show Pym that he was, and is, worthy of his attention. In the mix of all of this, we also have a father-daughter complex where Hope van Dyne (Evangeline Lilly) is a double agent who feeds information from Cross back to her father, Hank. But back to Lang…

After allowing Scott to “rob” him – i.e. take his shrinking suit – Hank hires him to steal Darren’s replica, the Yellowjacket, before it gets into the hands of the wrong people.

As a whole I thought the combination of past Ant-Man and future Ant-Man, along with the allusions to the original comic storyline, worked great for this next instalment. The storyline was solid and fluid, as well as the perfect amount of comedic-charm that Marvel’s films always have.

The Cast

Michael Douglass was a brilliant mentor figure in this film. Bringing the seriousness to balance out Rudd’s comedic strand, Douglass brought the comic’s initial storyline to life.

Paul Rudd’s take on the ‘new’ Ant-Man was just as brilliant as Douglas’ seriousness. Although Rudd did bring much of the comic relief, he did have some great emotional moments in the film as well. He understood the importance of playing a father who would do anything for his daughter, as well as playing Marvel’s typical strong-type superhero. It’s nice to have another father figure join the Avengers, I’m glad to see Hawkeye has a friend!

Correy Stoll was another great balance to Rudd’s light-hearted take to a Marvel classic. He played the roll as a villain brilliantly and was an excellent mirror of what Pym could have been if circumstance were different.

Overall, Marvel fans who have not seen this film are missing out. The story, the cast, the graphics and the film as a whole will have you laughing and sitting at the edge of your seats. Go get your tickets at your local Event Cinemas today!

Star Rating: ★★★

Next on sL: Fantastic Four