Tag: super hero

film review

2019 Film Reviews – 67: Spider-Man: Far From Home [dir. Jon Watts; 2019]

I must have a very perverse take on super-hero films: I didn’t think Dark Phoenix was anywhere near as awful as most people seemed to, and I wasn’t sent into ecstasies by Avengers: Endgame. So perhaps it was inevitable that I’d find myself giving Far From Home a friendly thumbs up. Yes, its high school comedy tone is frothy, but at least it never takes … Continue reading 2019 Film Reviews – 67: Spider-Man: Far From Home [dir. Jon Watts; 2019]

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2019 Film Reviews – 26: Avengers: Endgame [dir. Anthony Russo & Joe Russo; 2019]

Although I’m someone who loves the idea of superhero movies in principle – mainly for the fantastical, imagination-expanding potential they offer – I know full well that a product as overhyped, over-marketed and overblown as Avengers: Endgame is ripe for being reduced to a ridiculous pulp. But that attitude would ignore the film’s achievements, of which there are more than one might have expected. So … Continue reading 2019 Film Reviews – 26: Avengers: Endgame [dir. Anthony Russo & Joe Russo; 2019]

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2019 Film Reviews – 24: Captain Marvel [dir. Anna Boden & Ryan Fleck; 2019]

As the world of Marvel Comics movies becomes increasingly all-devouring and the recent films sometimes feel like little more than a game of ‘Spot The Latest Celeb Trying To Bulk Up Their Pension Fund’ (in this case: Jude Law and Annette Bening), it’s difficult not to see Captain Marvel as a mere interlude before the ‘season finale’ that is Avengers: Endgame. As such, it’s an … Continue reading 2019 Film Reviews – 24: Captain Marvel [dir. Anna Boden & Ryan Fleck; 2019]

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Film Review: Green Lantern [dir. Martin Campbell; 2011]

Trust me, this was not a film I chose to see. But if I’m going to stick to this year’s blog resolution, then I must religiously chart every cinematic experience, even those in which I was a mere chaperone. Having said that, Green Lantern isn’t as awful as I’d feared: it made me want to slash only one wrist, not both. Yes, the special effects … Continue reading Film Review: Green Lantern [dir. Martin Campbell; 2011]

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Film Review: The Incredibles [dir. Brad Bird; 2004]

A couple of years ago, when Sight & Sound were compiling their list of the most important films of the last decade, I was pleased to see that one of the few computer animated movies they’d considered for inclusion was The Incredibles. Its original release wasn’t met by the ecstatic plaudits which were heaped upon Wall-E, Up and Toy Story 3, but I’ve always considered it … Continue reading Film Review: The Incredibles [dir. Brad Bird; 2004]

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Film Review: X-Men First Class [dir. Matthew Vaughn; 2011]

Within the context of super-hero movies, Bryan Singer set the bar very high with the first X-Men: it featured memorable characters, a solid plot, commendable performances and several inventive visual flourishes. This latest instalment – a prequel which portrays the genesis of the conflicted relationship between Charles Xavier and Magneto – isn’t quite in the same league. Having said that, it provides over two hours … Continue reading Film Review: X-Men First Class [dir. Matthew Vaughn; 2011]

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Film Review: Thor [dir: Kenneth Branagh; 2011]

Everyone has their weaknesses and one of mine – at least in the realms of cinema – is comic book super hero movies. Give me two hours’ worth of ridiculous costumes, decent special effects and an intelligent story which sticks to the rules of its own world, and I’m happy. Thor doesn’t fare too badly on the first two counts, but it fails on the … Continue reading Film Review: Thor [dir: Kenneth Branagh; 2011]

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Film Review: Kick-Ass [dir. Matthew Vaughn; 2010]

Be warned: if you never went through a phase of reading comic books and you have absolutely no time for stories which feature super powers, rubber costumes or secret identities, then Kick-Ass almost certainly won’t win you over. However, those of you who did donate a sizeable proportion of your pocket money to the pension funds of Marvel and DC will probably find a great deal to enjoy in this clever … Continue reading Film Review: Kick-Ass [dir. Matthew Vaughn; 2010]

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