Film Review | X-Men Apocalypse

Just when we thought peace would reign, remnants of the ancient world awakens to destroy humanity's modern foundations. En Sabah Nur's slumber is finished, the Apocalypse has begun.

The Story

Continuing their quest to undo mistakes from the early 00's, X-Men: Apocalypse follows the growth and progression of Professor Xavier's "School for the Gifted".

Although the original X-Men Trilogy tapped into the full potential of favoured Marvel characters, this instalment follows the flashback plot of X-Men: First Class.

We see Jene Grey (Sophie Turner), Scott Summers (Tye Sheridan) and Ororo Munroe - "Storm" (Alexandra Shipp) not only discover their powers, but find mentors who teach them how to unleash their abilities.

Original First Class and Days of Future Past characters are given meatier background stories in this instalment. This allows their stories and character development to blossom in ways that are both familiar and refreshing for long-time X-Men readers and viewers.

Apocalypse offers viewers a psychological journey into morality and spirituality. It pushes mental boundaries without offence, allowing you to think deeply and question the foundations of your own choices and abilities - even as a human.

The Cast

As always, James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender, Jennifer Lawrence and Nicholas Hoult did a magnificent job in reprising their roles. I cannot wait to see what they do next - that is if they do reprise their roles for another installment.

Evan Peters, Rose Byrne and Lucas Till receive special mentions for their reprisals too! It was nice to see Byrne and Till back in action, I missed them after the first film! Peters is still as funny as ever, but it was good to see a slight seriousness when it comes to the curiosities about Quicksilver's father.

Now, for the noobs...

Sophie Turner is a great Jene Grey. Not only does she capture the essence of the character that Famke Janssen created sixteen years ago, but she also brings a new air of mystery to the abilities that Jene Grey posses.

Tye Sheridan distractingly looks like Charlie Puth in this film, but this is permissible considering he does a great job bringing a more vulnerable side to Cyclops. Unlike James Marden's super serious take on the role, the teenaged Scott Summers is understandably struggling with being an adolescent and a mutant all at once - what an evolution in puberty! Sheridan was funny, serious and emotional, everything you need from a character who's been set up as a the typical Rebel Without A Cause who later becomes a real team player.

Alexandra Shipp's version of Storm is quite unique in the sense that she starts on the wrong side of the fight. We see a more naive version of Storm that is completely different to Halle Berry's stern, cool, calm and collected portrayal. Shipp beautifully portrayed a young girl finding her way in a harsh world. 

Kodi Smit-McPhee gets top marks, not only for holding a German accent, but for adding to the comic relief in this film. It's not easy to play a character "poofs" on demand, and he made it look easy! Smit-McPher is a brilliant younger version to Alan Cumming's original portrayal.

Ben Hardy's characterisation of Angel is vastly different to Ben Foster's original character. Although reviving the role doesn't make much sense in the timeline, he did a great job making the character his own.

Olivia Munn brings Psylocke to life nicely. Unlike the rest of the newbies, Munn has a lot of leeway in terms of breathing life into the character. Since Psylocke is a fairly new addition, there's not much to say, but Munn did a great job in making her an enigma - one that needs to be watched for future reference.

Oscar Isaac plays an excellent contrast to McAvoy and support to Fassbender in his role as Apocalypse. Although, you can't help but draw similarities between his character and James Spader's portrayal of Ultron (Avengers: Age of Ultron). He is as menacing as he is intriguing.

Overall...the film is one for all ages. It deals with family, friendship and morality in a way that you'd never imagine.

sL Star Rating: ★★★★★

Next on sL: Me Before You

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 | Eddie The Eagle

Have you ever wanted something so badly you’d do anything to get it? Eddie (Taron Egerton) did. He wanted to have his moment; he wanted to show his father, his doctors – even his teammates! – that he could be an Olympic Champion.

The Story

This film is based on the true story of Michael ‘Eddie’ Edwards, England’s 1988 Winter Olympics Ski Jumper. The film follows the minimal, yet satisfying, highs, as well as the mounds (pun indented) of hurdles throughout Eddie’s journey to Olympic glory.

Adding colourful characters with their own tainted glories, the story leaves you with stitches in your stomach for laughing too much. It also has its tender moments where you’re left empathising with Eddie, not to mention the breathtaking countdown every time he buzzes down a slope.

The Cast

Taron Egerton brings a clear dedication to the character with his full embodiment of Edwards. His facial features and quirky characteristics bring an endearing factor to Eddie and leaves audiences cheering and clapping every time he took a jump.

Hugh Jackman is an excellent support in this film. Playing a non-existent character, Jackman provides an extra element of comic relief as well as a dollop of reality for a story that’s against the odds.

Overall…it’s a family film with a great moral that rings throughout the whole film: determination, with calculated risks, leads to soaring above the doubt.

sL Star Rating: ★★★★★

Next on sL: Captain America: Civil War

Film Review | The Huntsman: Winter’s War

Once upon a time, there were two sisters. They were inseparable. The older sister was endowed with great beauty, but with great beauty comes a grave cost. Her younger sister, though she too was beautiful, was more gracious and loving. But in her graciousness, she was blinded by a love far greater than her elder sister could handle.

The Story

Jumping on Disney’s success with, Frozen, Universal Studios takes Hans Christian Andersen’s classic fairytale, The Snow Queen, in order to redeem their previous film, Snow White and the Huntsman.

Using Snow White and the Huntsman as a middle ground, we see Eric’s (Chris Hemsworth) past: how he met his wife, Sara (Jessica Chastain), how they fell in love and how he lost her. Although Charlize Theron reprises her role as the evil queen, Ravenna, she gives way for Emily Blunt, a.k.a Freya, to truly capture the cold-hearted ice queen.

The story surrounds Freya’s journey of supposedly naively falling in love, only to have her heart broken, thus unlocking her dormant power. Taking hold of her own kingdom out of her anger and discontent, her frozen heart drove her to extreme measures. In order to fill to void of a losing her daughter long before she even knew her, she builds an army of Huntsmen and conquers the northern lands. She has one law: Do not love; it is a sin. But regardless of her hard heart, love breaks through her frozen walls in more ways than one.

As a whole, the story bookends the previous film really well. It is well written and well adapted in terms of merging two fairytales into one. Although I do have a few questions like:

• Where does Finn (Sam Spruell) sit in all of this power play between the two sisters?
• Wasn’t Eric the one who woke Snow White to begin with?

AND… (*SPOILER ALERT*)

• So…why did she marry William in the end?

I guess three easy questions aren’t so bad considering its predecessor…

The Cast

Chris Hemsworth still takes your breath away as he wields his axe and plays the hero of the story. Hemsworth depicts his character with much more liveliness in this film than the first. It’s as though this film brings out a lighter side to the Huntsman – and so it should! The story gives way to multiplicity within characters and Hemsworth stepped up to the plate.

Emily Blunt is divine in her own version of what it means to be a broken and tortured queen to that of Theron. Her portrayal of a seemingly loveless ruler was as believable as her portrayal of a lovesick, obedient sister. She too understood the power of duality in her portrayal of the ice queen. There was a delicate balance of demanding respect and weakness in her character – she truly was chilling.

Jessica Chastain is a beautiful support to Hemsworth and Blunt. In a film where oestrogen runs strong, it is great to see another girl harnessing physical prowess rather than magic or a spine-tingling speech. Her character also plays a central role to the story and it’s great to see that actions really to speak louder than words – especially when it come to love.

Charlize Theron is still as devious as she was in the first film, but instead of over powering her fellow cast members, it is clear that her talents have been matched. Commanding power with presence was great, but it was excellent to see that Blunt and Hemsworth equally matched her in line delivery and heart-racing action.

Overall…the story is MUCH better than the first film; the acting is not just excellent in every single cast member, but also very well balanced. It’s worth every penny you pay. If fairytales with action is your cup of tea, then this is for you.

sL Star Rating: ★★★★★
Next on sL: Eddie The Eagle

Film Review | How To Be Single

Alice (Dekota Johnson) just wanted to find herself, only problem is she doesn’t know the first thing about who she is because she’s always been surrounded by people who love her. Truth is, she never really knew what it meant to love herself, nor does she know how to start.

Robin (Rebel Wilson) is the epitome of the independent woman. She has no care in the world what people think of her; her goal in life is to live life. No strings are attached anywhere but where she chooses to, in this case, it’s Alice.

Meg (Leslie Mann) thought she was an independent-career-orientated woman who never needed a man or a family to live a full life. The only problem is, she delivers babies into the world for a living – how can she not ignore her maternal instincts?

Lucy (Alison Brie) has everything else in life figured out, only problem is, Mr Right seems to be hiding from her. Regardless of what a womanising, bar-tender, Tom (Anders Holm), thinks about her methods, she still believes that the Internet will sift through the rabble and point her towards Prince Charming.

The Story

Following several strands of what it means to be a single person in this world, How To Be Single takes audiences through the hardships and the highlights of the understanding the difference between being alone and being single.

Alison's and Robin’s strand sees a growth in understanding that being single is not liking or being comfortable with being alone, it’s actually about understanding that it’s ok to pursue your dreams and enjoy doing things without obligations.

Meg’s strand sees a release in knowing that it’s ok to be a feminist and still be a person's special someone. It’s all about being humble enough to say, "Yes, I will share this journey with you, even though I can do this on my own."

Lucy’s strand sees a diligence in taking every bad relationship with a grain of salt until someone real offers you an alternative.

Although the film is marketed to women, men are also addressed here – and not just men who like to sleep around…but I won’t spoil it for those of you guys out there who genuinely want to watch this movie.

The Cast

Dekota Johnson is brilliant in her portrayal of a young adult figuring out life outside of relationships and chasing paper. She goes through the motions of trying to find herself, but only finding that she needs someone else to show her who that is!

Rebel Wilson is a beautiful spirit guide as she shows Johnson’s character how to be single in the city that never sleeps. She is as funny as we’ve known her from Pitch Perfect, but she’s also very realistic in how to be a friend, regardless of how truthful she can be.

Leslie Mann is also as comedic as she is in The Other Woman, but there’s a delicateness to her character that she brings out nicely as an “older” woman realising that she can still have a family along with her career.

Alison Brie continues to show her many sides as she portrays a slightly psychotic-love-sick single woman destined to find Mr Right. She is as loveable and endearing as she is crazy.

Anders Holm is a great contrast to Wilson as we see his character figure out that sleeping around may not always be the best way to be single.

Damon Wayans Jr. brings the heart-wrenching portrayal of different kind of singleness – but again, I won’t spoil it for you.

Nicholas Braun gets a special mention for doing a great job of being Alice’s “one that got away”.

Overall…this film is for anyone really! Single people don’t get all the fun, but hey, we’re not missing out either. It’s a good film to help you see that there are perks in both being single and being in a relationship.

sL Star Rating: ★★★

Next on sL: TBA – so many films coming out, I can’t keep up!!! AHHH!!!

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