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Avengers: Endgame (2019)
A Proper Ending
Avengers Endgame: Review
Blockbusters like this only come once in a generation. After the epic Infinity War Marvel opted for a more melancholy film. One where the heroes we had connected to lost.
The Characters:
Our characters are broken. Destroyed by their failures from the previous film and trying to cope with what happened. Each heroes coping mechanism is different and fallows the characterization all ready established in the other films. Building off what was already established in previous films.
For me Hawkeye is one of the best characters in the film. His ark is set up from scene one. He starts and what he believes as someone who is unredeemable. Then gets a shot at redemption and thinks he will sacrifices himself for the crimes he committed. Instead it was Natasha who ends up sacrificing herself. Now with this new found purpose to live and keep going. This is helped through Jermy Renners acting. His acting throughout helps create as strong emotional core of the film.
Acting:
Similar to Infinity War the acting is top notch. Standouts are Karen Gillian as Nebula and Robert Downy Jr. as Iron Man. All the acting is great, from the comedic Thor, to the understated Black Widow who is trying to redeem herself in this new world.
Direction:
Joe and Anthony Ruso had there work cut out for them. They directed the film exquisitely creating iconic shots and emotionally impacting moments. The film can do dramatic and make it interesting to look at and watch. The action as well is amazing and similar to the massive battles from Lord Of The Rings.
Writing and Story:
If you spent at least 5 minutes on the internet after infinity war you probably saw someone's theory. Every theory out there was wrong but not better than the film we got (something that The Last Jedi suffered from in some peoples opinion).
The smart snappy comedy that the MCU is known for is throughout and helps make the films not all a depressing movie that isn't entertaining.
The writing also do great at subverting audience expectations. Going in a direction that wasn't expected. This is shown perfectly in the first few minutes. Everyone expects the heroes to use the stones and bring all the dead hero's back. Instead the heroes have to wait to get there redemption.
Ending A Franchise:
Ending a series in a satisfying and fulfilling ending is hard. But when done right is magical. Look at Return Of The King the film was the end of the LOTR series in a satisfying way. Endgame does this to giving an ending to the story of Tony Stark and Steve Rodgers in a satisfying and conclusive ending. Bring the ending that no one expected and didn't feel rushed.
Conclusion:
The film is a blockbuster of the highest caliber. One of both emotion and action bringing everything together in a satisfying conclusive way.
Final Score:
11/10
A Quiet Place (2018)
Don't Bring Crunchy Snacks
Go see this film. It's as simple as that. It is a masterclass in tension building, suspense, and horror. 1st Time director John Krasicki nocked it out of the park for his directorial debut that will have you holding your breath to the very end of the film.
Every actor in the film is great and deliver phenomenal performances with very few words. Emily Blunt delivers one of her best performances. Without spoiling to much the scene on the stairs is amazing and easily could walk away with an Oscar for that scene alone. Along with that the children in the film are amazing as well and are some of the best child actors I've seen. The monster is horrifying and creepy and reminds me of the Xenomorph from Alien.
Each scare was worth it and wasn't weak like other modern horror films that rely on jump scares. This film uses tension as well as the art of show don't tell to its advantage. It's a great example of show don't tell. Go see this film.
Final Score: 11/10
Avengers: Infinity War (2018)
The Begining of the End
After 18 films in the making it has all lead to this. An epic showdown of cinematic proportions on a scale that will never be replicated. The Russo's dons great job at juggling each band of hero's as they try to stop the mad titan. One of the best directed senes was the first big reveal of the black order in New York. The opening is cold and horrifying letting the audience learn how truly powerful Thanos is with just one stone.
Thanos is an awesome villain that is both powerful and sympathetic. He doesn't have a lady death like in the comics. His motivations are set out and make sense as a whole and Josh Brolin's performance is awesome and in my opinion Oscar worthy.
The supporting cast as well is nothing to scoff at. They all support the main groups in a good way and each getting time to shine. An outstanding performance comes from Paul Bettney who is amazing in the role and plays off Elizabeth Olsen very well and makes their love more real. He in my opinion turns in an amazing performance that again I feel is Oscar worthy. He shows a wide range of emotion that effects the audience. Chris Pratt has an amazing moment with Zoey Zeldana and his duty to the one he loves. There are so many emotionally charged moments that effect the viewer well after you walk out of the theater. Though the ending is a little down for some unprepared viewers it still doesn't detract from the spectacle and scale the movie is on. The film demonstrates how low our heroes can go and the stakes that were there. Even one of the last lines is depressing yet hopeful. The film is a marvel (no pun intended) of cinematic and storytelling spectacle and how to pull off a great 3rd act of your series.
Though sometimes slow and characters lacking in substance and reason for being there it still is a great film that is one part emotional and another a war that lives up with its name.
Final Score:
11/10
Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom (2018)
Welcome to Jurassic World
Every time a sequel is released the new sequel must have a new stick. Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdoms is blowing up the island that started it all and in the process creating an actual Jurassic World. The film is a fast pace and fun ride that never stops.
The film does a good job at building tension and paying it off with good scares. As well as the cinematography are both standouts that improve the films quality and impact on the characters. The film does great with playing with light and camera movement is amazing and makes the film distinct from the other directors from the franchise. As well as allowing his directing strength in full display. In contrast this is the first Jurassic film that isn't just great to watch but also (if I could) pause because the shot composition is amazingly done.
The plot is something similar to the one from the all to underrated The Lost World: Jurassic Park. Though quickly getting rid of that to use as a springboard to come into its own with new ideas and characters. There is a argument that the actions taken by the hero's were the best ones to be taken. However the movie follows the line from Jurassic Park III "Some of the worst things imaginable have been done with the best intentions" (Sam Neil Jurassic Park III). The results of the characters intentions leads to a result that will have massive repercussions on the world. The characters mean well but cause multiple deaths and massive problems. While watching you can see that throughout.
The film throws multiple curve balls that change what we know about the Jurassic Park universe as a whole elevating the evil Dr. Wu to almost a god. Each adding to the danger and craziness the world is.
However the film doesn't spend much time on the island unlike me and manny hoped for. I hoped they would spend more time with the rangers tranquilizing Dino's and helping them out but spend little time. Also the lack of details about Site B or Isla Sorna where 'The Lost World' and Jurassic Park III take place to see what is going on over there. Also some of the interactions between Owen and Clare is odd and not written well.
Though lacking in spots Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom is a fun romp that changes the franchise. Good or bad we have yet to learn but still diverges it into a new franchise that could change into something good or bad depending on the next film.
Pros:
Awesome Moments
Great Cinematography
Great Direction
Practical Effects
Majorly Changes The Franchise
Cons:
Rough Writing
Some Shallow Characters
Not Enough Time On The Island
Score: 6/10
Venom (2018)
Venomus Fun
Before we even begin this is better than The Mummy, so this cinematic universe will at least make it to another film. With that out of they way I can talk about Venom. Though lacking in the beginning with clunky dialog and pacing issues it soon picks up and gets to what we are here to see. Venom, and all his PG-13 glory? Though the rating does hinder it at points it still is a ton of fun.
Characters:
Tom Hardy is a great Eddie Brock. He is clearly having fun with the role and is loving it. The rest of the cast isn't so notable. None of them are bad but not notable.
Dialog:
The dialog is hit and miss. It can be laugh out loud hilarious one sec to clunky and sounding like a robot the next. Though when it's good it's good, every banter between Eddie and Venom is great and shows a bond between the two. Tom Hardy again does great work pulling double duty playing both Eddie and Venom and doing each great. The dialog when good is funny and provides a good bit of fun to some boring parts.
Action:
The action is great. It can one minute be a scene like Aliens where one by on people are picked off, to a Mad Max car chase that was awesome. I give compliments to the director being able to balance each type of action well throughout the movie. For me the car chase and the swat team battle are two standouts for me each giving two types of action scenes that show venoms fighting style with Eddie in tow. Though the ending battle is your typical CGI slug fest it is short and to the point.
Horror:
Though not a strict horror film it has some horror moments. The lab scene is awesome and well paced allowing the lighting, sound design, and acting to sell the creepy nature. Though I wish there was more horror moments to help sell the horror of the symbiotic relations but what we got was good.
Pros and Cons:
The first act of the film is slow, cliche, and rushed. There is a lot to criticize in the first few minutes are a prime example of how not to write drama. It is slow and after a time jump happens witch usually don't help a films pacing. Another gripe about the first act is Michael Williams. The 4 time Oscar nominee doesn't do that well with being Eddies lover. Some of her line delivery in the beginning is boring and phoned in but, as the movie goes on she becomes better and is a fun contrast to Eddie in the film. Something else the film has against it is the tonal shifts throughout the film. It goes form an action movie, romantic comedy, horror, comedy, back to a romantic comedy. With some elements working well and others not so much making the film somewhat disjointed.
Pros:
-Great Direction
-Tom Hardy
-Venom and Eddie Banter
-Good CGI
Cons:
-PG-13 Rating
-Some Clunky Dialog
-Boring Dialog
-Rehashed Ideas
Conclusion:
Though lacking in some parts it is still an entertaining ride that is fun. It doesn't deserve the critical mauling it is getting but had its valid problems, though not deserving its 31% Rotten Tomato score.
First Score
7/10