Captain America Ends This Summer's Battle, But Leads Us To Next Summer's As Well

Next summer, Marvel Studios will attempt something no other studio has done. They will take four film franchises and merge them into one film under the direction of Comic-Con god, Joss Whedon. The Avengers will be a massive film, one that is highly anticipated, but before we see the team assemble we have to get to know the first Avenger, Captain America. Joe Johnston had the difficult task of not only making the all-American-hero relatable to modern audiences, but also re-creating the world of the 1940’s, but with a believable sci-fi slant.

 Chris Evans plays his sixth comic book related role as Steve Rogers. Steve is too small to be accepted into the army during World War II, but he is the perfect candidate for Project: Rebirth. Steve is to be the first in a line of super soldiers that are made to take down Hitler and the Nazis. But soon after Steve’s metamorphosis his mentor and Project: Rebirth creator, Dr. Erskine, is killed thanks to a secret Nazi science division called Hydra. Steve is left as the only one of his kind, and must decide whether he is up to the role of being Captain America. Steve has to choose fast because Hyrda’s leader, Johann Schmidt, is in possession of a cosmic cube that can turn the tide of the war, and would mean disaster for the allied forces and the world.

I was very reluctant to accept Evans in this role. He’s always played the ‘funny guy’ in most of his films, so playing the always serious Captain America didn’t seem like his cup of tea. However, it was Evans charm and humbleness that made this movie work. Captain America has a commanding presence in the comic books, but in this film he’s just starting out, so he has fears, doubts, and a personality that any decent person can relate too. This makes him accessible to the audience and makes the rest of the film a nice ride. However there are a few shots where he looks ridiculous as 'skinny Steve.'

 The Matrix and LOTR’s alumni Hugo Weaving plays Evans rival, Johann Schmidt, or the Red Skull has the world will come to know him. Weaving face spends most of the film red, and computer-generated, which makes his acting abilities limited as far as performance, but still terrify as Captain America’s polar opposite. The other major supporting cast members include Tommy Lee Jones as Colonel Chester Phillips and Hayley Atwell as Cap’s love interest, Peggy Carter. Atwell plays Carter perfectly as a woman who is tough as nails, but also has a sensitive side that woos not only Steve, but the audience as well. I don’t need to tell you that Jones does what he always does; which is be awesome. Has Colonel Phillips he is Steve’s biggest opponent, but soon becomes his biggest ally. Classic Jones.

The person in this film I was watched closely was Sebastian Stan as Buchanan ‘Bucky’ Barnes. In the comics he is Captain America’s teenage sidekick with an important future. In other interpretations, such as this, he is the guy who fights Steve’s battles before he could win his own. Stan did a perfect job for what he had to be, and possibly become in later films. Another member of Cap’s team, included Neal McDonough as the classic Marvel character, ‘Dum Dum’ Dugan.

Joe Johnston has directed such period pieces as The Rocketeer and October Sky, so I knew he was the right man to bring this 1940’s icon into the 21st Century. To me, the film seemed to go by fast, which means leaving out time for character development, but it was such a great ride it didn’t seem to matter much. Captain America isn’t anything deep or complicated, but just a simple film about a simple hero. Marvel has really hit gold creating their own film studio and the films they create.  Mainly because they listen to writers like Ed Brubaker and Mark Millar who have kept the character thriving for so long. If only other studios would do the same with their comic book properties. I, however, did find it a bit odd that Stan “The Man” Lee made an appearance in this film. Even though his is the creator of most Marvel characters like Spider-Man and the Fantastic Four he had nothing to do with Captain America except being the head of Marvel. But “The Man” is still awesome in my book so he can make an appearance in the next Batman film for all I care.

Captain America: The First Avenger closes out a summer full of superhero films, with another batch due out next summer. Johnston and co. was able to bring out why this character has lasted for over 70 years, and has continued the cinematic journey that Marvel has been taking us on for the past few years. I look forward to Whedon’s The Avengers next summer not because it’s a comic book film, but because it’s full of great characters we already know. Now let’s see how they all work together. If you’ve seen any Marvel film you know to stay after the ending credits, and this one no different. Someone get Cap Netflix so he can catch-up with the rest of the world, but don’t show him Jersey Shore!

Rating:  B

Priest Better Pray For Good Reviews

Scott Charles Stewart made a name for himself in Hollywood by being the visual effects coordinator on such films as Sin City, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, and Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End. Stewart is now slowing making his way to the director’s chair, and seems to have selected Paul Bettany as his go-to-actor. Bettany starred in Legion, one of Stewart's first directing jobs, and the now the two are back together for the newest comic book film release, Priest.

For centuries humans and vampires has been at war. When the church seized power they appointed their own personal army to fight the vampire menace. These extraordinary fighter were called priests. Think Jedi Knights if Batman made them hi-tech weapons for killing vampires. With the help of the priests the vampires are all gone, so now the church has no need for its warriors and the priests were assimilated into the population of this dystopian future.

Years later, Priest, played by Bettany, finds out that his so-called niece has been captured by vampires, even though the church denies vampires still exist. Priest must then go against the church’s orders to find his what happend to his family. He is aided by an outland sheriff named Hicks and a former priestess, and friend, who was sent to bring Priest in. Little does our hero know that another friend of his he thought dead is leading the army of vampires that could wipe out mankind once and for all.

This film is based on a Korean comic book that I never read, but from what I know about it, it is nothing like the film. The comic book has to do with God, angels, and a bunch of other spiritual things so I’m not sure where apocalyptic vampires fits into everything. You can tell the film’s director has a back ground in special effects because these vampires are quite scary, even for being digital. Just too forewarn you there are quite a few ‘jump out of the dark and care you’ moments.

I’ve always perceived Paul Bettany as a good actor and for his character I think he does fine job. Priest seems like a man burdened by his past, and Bettany plays that stoic character well. Twilight alumni Cam Gigandet plays Hick in this film, and seems to be a moral center for Priest to play off of. Hicks has a bigger stake in finding Priest’s niece than you think, but I won’t spoil it for you. Star Trek and Lord of the Rings alumni Karl Urban plays the villain of the story and if the film had slowed down a bit to get to know the characters he could have been a good one. Rounding out the main cast is Maggie Q as Priestess. She is from Priest past, knows all his secrets, and Q does a fine job of playing the supportive friend who can kick-ass and may have a slight crush on Priest. Too bad she took a vow of celibacy.

The film is only 87 minutes long, and as you watch it seems like it’s going as fast as Priest speeder bike in Nitro. I felt that if the film had been drawn out a little bit more in the beginning we could have gotten to know the characters more. Then ,when the main plot started, we would care more about what happens throughout the film. It’s a descent story with a good cast, which means I can see a sequel being better than this film. Unfortunately I don’t think Priest will be strong enough in box office numbers and reviews to warrant a continuation, even if I’m curious where Priest and his team would go from here.

This film seemed like a mixture of Judge Dredd and Blade. It has a big city in the middle of the wasteland that is Earth, and the vampires even have familiars. If you’re a sci-fi or horror film guru I think you’ll enjoy this film, but other than that you may want to wait for DVD. As for me, I’m sucker for vampire films that don’t include them sparkling.

Rating: C-

Thor Starts This Summer Off With Thunder and Lightning

By the power of Odin the summer blockbusters have started like a thunderous lighting rod under actor turned director, Kenneth Branagh. Branagh’s most famous acting roles include Hamlet, Frakenstein, and Henry V, which made him the perfect director to create this drama about gods coming to Earth.

Thor and his brother Loki live in the land of Asgard, one of the Nine Realms, another being Earth. Their father is Odin, the most powerful of them all and the being who settled piece between Asgard and the frost giants of Jotunheim. Thor is set to take the throne from Odin, but Odin finds him arrogant and vain, and banishes him to Earth until he is worthy to wield Mjolnir the hammer, and source of Thor’s power. But Thor must do it quickly because while Odin slumbers to regains his strength his brother Loki sits on the throne and the frost giants are looking for their revenge on Asgard. It’s up to team of scientists, lead by Jane Foster, to teach Thor the meaning of being a true hero.

I’ve never been big on Thor. I’ve tried reading it several times but just couldn’t get into it. I was excited for this film however, mainly because I know it’s all tying into next summer’s The Avengers with Iron Man and Captain America by Thor’s side. Chris Hemsworth does a great job of portraying the god of thunder. He’s got leading man potential written all over him. Just ask my wife about the scene with his shirt off. I believe her words were, “wow.” Tom Hiddleston is an actor I’m not too familiar with but he pulled of being Loki like a charm. I look forward to him returning for The Avengers. And of course Anthony Hopkins as Odin is what Anthony Hopkins always is; awesome.

 The supporting cast all filled their roles well, although after seeing Natalie Portman and Mila Kunis make-out I’ll never look at either of them the same again. Rene Russo also returns to movies in this film after a brief absence from the business. The other honorable mention is Jamie Alexander as the warrior women Sif. And when I say that I mean she looks like she’d be an awesome Wonder Woman.

The films strayed a little ways from the comic, such as Jane being a medical doctor and not an astrophysicist. But that didn’t stop the film being all out enjoyable. The action was worthy of the gods thanks to the special effects team, all the actors were terrific, and Asgard looked so cool it put Middle Earth to shame. If I had one gripe about the film it would be Portman’s school-girl persona when she finds out the guy she’s been crushing on is a super-powered hunk. If you’re not familiar with Marvel films then you might want to brush up before seeing this film so you can catch all the little references, and if you know what’s to come then you’ll be just as gitty as I was at the end. I’m sure I don’t have to tell you to stay for after the credits as well.

This is just the beginning for the summer of superheroes. With X-Men: First Class and Captain America: The First Avenger yet to be released you can bet it’ll be a good summer for Marvel Comics. Will Ryan Reynolds in Green Lantern be able to hold off Marvel at the box office as the only representative for DC Comics this summer? Only time, ticket sales, and Happy Meal toys will tell.

RATING: B+

Dylan Dog Needs Better Monsters To Fight

Superman and Jimmy Olsen are back, sort of. Brandon Routh and Sam Huntington from Superman Returns team up once again to bring another comic book to the silver screen. When the monsters you tell yourself aren’t real have a problem with each other they call one man: Dylan Dog. Every vampire, werewolf, and zombie in New Orleans has the former man of steel on their speed dial and TMNT director, Kevin Munroe, is trying to put this small character in big lights.

We meet Dylan, just as he has given up his detecting for the supernatural, while his sidekick Marcus, played by Sam Huntington, is chomping at the bit to make him a partner. Lucky for Marcus opportunity comes knocking, because he seems more useful to Dylan after a zombie kills him and makes him undead. Together the two of them must figure out why a werewolf would attack a rich man’s home, how the head vampire Vargas, played by Taye Diggs, is involved, and how to stop the ultimate monster from returning to raise hell.

When I first saw the preview for this film it seemed like a funny version of Constantine. Dylan has just as troubled a soul as Keanu Reeves did after his fiancé’s death but lucky for him the dead guy’s daughter is semi-hottie Anita Briem. To start off with the cons, you can tell this film wasn’t done by one of the big studios. It seems Munroe saved all of his special effects budget for the big baddie at the end of the film because the werewolves are actually kind of laughable. Also I felt Routh’s and Briem’s characters moved a little too fast toward each other, but that could just be the bad acting.

As story goes the film is solid. The rich mythology into the Louisiana underworld helped give Dylan's relationship with the other characters history and made the audience more comfortable. But the film wouldn’t have worked half as well if it hadn’t been for Sam Huntington’s comic relief. Marcus trying to cope with being a zombie was quite hilarious, and the Being Human star is quickly becoming one of my wife and I’s favorite actors because of it. The film also had a nice cameo by acting great Peter Stormare as the head werewolf.

The real treat for me in this film was seeing Routh and Huntington back together in this film noir style of picture. But can I couldn’t believe in a big city like Austin, TX the film was only showing on one screen, at one theater, in the entire town. Sure Dylan Dog and its practically underground adaptation isn’t well known, but when Hoodwinked 2 is taking up three theaters at one multiplex I think we can make room for the first comic book film released this summer to get the fireworks started.

Rating: C-

Comic Books That Need To Be Films

Comic book films are all over the silver screen these days. With the release of Green Lantern, Thor, and Captain America: The First Avenger all coming out next summer it doesn't seem like the superhero genre is going anywhere. There have been a lot of good films based on comic books, but there have also been a lot of bad ones as well. Warner Bros. is also in the early stages of making sequels to Batman and rebooting the Superman franchise.

I feel like the studios are forgetting about all the other publishing companies that have great characters, as well as the lesser known characters in the DC and Marvel universes that would make great movies. Let's not forget that a C-List comic book character, Blade, started the whole comic book film craze. Here are some characters or teams I feel would be great up on the big screen.

12) Aquaman

Vincent Chase and James Cameron made this character the biggest film of all time on Entourage, so let's see if fantasy can become reality. Justin Hartley portrayed Arthur Curry in a never aired Aquaman pilot. Arthur was a child of two worlds, much like Superman, Tarzan, and Spock. Even though Hartley's swimming career didn't last I still say this underwater adventure would be cool in 3-D. Aquaman is a hero who can breathe underwater, swim super fast, speak to sea life, and has super strength. It'd be the best sea movie since Steve Zissou.

11) The Darkness

Jackie Estacado was your average mafia hitman, but on his 21st birthday he gained the powers of The Darkness, an ancient power that let him create whatever he wanted, as long as it stayed away from light. Jackie used this powers to take control of the mafia, and along the way he has had to give up his playboy lifestyle, for when The Darkness conceives a child the host then dies immediately, much like it did with Jackie’s father. Talk about a buzz kill. All this power and he can’t even make whoopee.

Jackie has battled the mafia, battled demons in hell, and even somehow procreated with Witchblade without dying. Top Cow Comics has created a great universe with their Trinity and I would love to see it in full force on the big screen, hellions and all.

10) Savage Dragon

From Image Comics comes a hero who fights bad guys in a futuristic Chicago. Dragon was found in the rubble of a horrible explosion. He has no memory of who he is, or why he has a fin on his head, but he uses his incredible strength and agility to the CPD's advantage. Dragon takes down mutants and villains while trying to piece together what happened to him and who he is. Move over Robocop, there is a new officer of the law ready to kick some butt.

9) Green Arrow

Another DC hero that Justin Hartley has portrayed on the small screen, Green Arrow has been a signature character not only in the DC Universe, but in comic book history, for decades. Oliver Queen was another billionaire orphan who drank too much and loved the ladies. But Oliver was betrayed by a family friend who wanted control of Queen Industries. He tried to kill Oliver, and left him on a deserted island to fend for himself. Oliver survived with only a bow and arrows to keep him alive. Oliver finds his way back to Star City to take revenge on the man who wronged him and be the home town Robin Hood.

Through the years Green Arrow has been a controversial character with his use of sharp arrows and his messed up sidekicks. One of the protégés had a drug problem and another was a teenage prostitute with HIV. Oliver Queen is edgy enough for today's generation to relate to, and has enough problems to make a great trilogy.

8) Irredeemable

From Mark Waid, the man who brought us the epic Kingdom Come, comes a story about what would happen if Earth's greatest hero turned against us. As the Plutionian’s reign of terror progresses we learn the story, or stories, that lead him to his breaking point through his friends, comrades, and victims.

Waid's main character is similar to Superman, and even though everyone knows Clark Kent will never turn evil, this a great glimpse into what it would be like if he did. Again, this is another hard edged and gritty film that today's movie goers would eat up. Heroes are dying, people are flying, and everyone has a part to play. It’s just good story telling.

7) Heroes For Hire

The Marvel Universe is full of big characters that fight evil on a global, if not universal, level. But then there are other heroes that are down in the depths of New York's underbelly helping the common man take down the gangs and kingpins who fill the streets with violence. These guys are the Heroes for Hire. The indestructible Luke Cage and the immortal Iron Fist formed a team to help those who can not help themselves. Let Iron Man and Fantastic Four take on Galactus while Cage and Rand take on the drug dealers down the street.

Heroes For Hire is so much more simple than other Marvel teams. I think it could be really relatable to audiences of all ages. Power Man and Iron Fist friendship is also something to be explored as Danny is a billionaire and Luke a man from the streets. With great potential comes great box office numbers.

6) Booster Gold

Heroes are often selfless, sacrificing their own lives to help others, and then there is Booster Gold. In the 25th Century, Michael gets his hands on some sweet gear and decides to travel back in time in the DC Universe to use this futuristic equipment to be a hero. The only problem is that nobody takes him seriously. Michael may be a jokester from the future trying to be a hero, but he's still just a jokester. He tries to steal the spotlight at every occasion, but when the going gets tough he's there to help the Justice League save the day.

I like Booster Gold because he's not as serious as other heroes. He's had a few issues over the last few years, but his real problem is trying to get other heroes to take him seriously. He's very arrogant, which is a great starting point for a character arch. His best friend also just happens to be a robot from the future named Skeets, and everyone loves a robot sidekicks!

5) Witchblade

Another Top Cow Comic, the Witchblade is an ancient weapon that has been used by many women over the years, such as Joan of Arc and Cleopatra. Now NYPD officer, Sara Pezzini wields this awesome weapon and fights off magical creatures who wish to harm this world and also who wish to possess the Witchblade themselves.

TNT had a Witchblade series a few years ago that didn’t last long, but I think mainly because to bring Michael Turner’s terrific drawings to life you need a big budget, and this could be an epic movie. Plus people always say there aren’t enough female heroes. Wait till they get a load of Sara Pezzini.

4) Quantum and Woody

Eric and Woody are childhood friends who lose contact with each other over the years. But when their fathers die in a helicopter crash they are reunited and stumble onto something that gives them powers simply by touching their control bands every 24 hours. Of course they have to do this or they’ll dissipate into energy.

This is one of the funniest and most entertaining comics I’ve ever read! Eric is a military man and Woody is nothing but a goofy slacker. Quantum and Woody has been called, "the Lethal Weapon of comic books" and think that hits it right on the nose. Quantum fights the bad guys while Woody hits on the damsel in distress.

3) Nova

DC Universe is about to unleash their own version of Star Wars next summer with Green Lantern, so I think Marvel should release their own Green Lantern: Nova. Richard Rider was just a high school kid until he was randomly chosen to join the Nova Corps., a group of intergalactic peace keepers. Since then Richard has been from one side of the galaxy to the next, been the sole processor of the Nova power, and saved the galaxy more times than Luke Skywalker's frenched his sister.

The concept is very similar to Green Lantern, but I think Nova has a little more flash and style than GL.  Just look at Nova's badass costume! Plus, Richard only being in high school can play up the comedy and the awkwardness of being a teenager with powers. This should knock the captain of the football team down a few knotches.

2) Iron Fist

I recently picked up an Iron Fist graphic novel just out of curiosity, and now I collect Brian Michael Bendis's New Avengers series just because it's got Iron Fist in it. Danny Rand was a child when he lost his parents in an exhibition to the Artic. Danny was found by monks who trained him in their martial art ways, and ten years later Danny was ready to be worthy of the dragon power known as the Iron Fist.

Danny is one of many who has possessed the power of the Iron Fist, and he uses it, along with his billions of dollars, to fight crime in New York City with the help of his best friend, Luke Cage, and his African-American girlfriend. Ed Brubaker's recent run of The Immortal Iron Fist opened up a whole new world of possibilities for this character, along with seven other realms with champions, just as Iron Fist is the champion of this realm. I feel like Iron Fist is a mixture of Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Green Arrow. Brubaker's run also had a dash of Mortal Kombat. I just heard today (August 25, 2010) that Marvel Studio has commissioned writer Rich Wilkes to start working on an Iron Fist script.  This film will have everyone wanting a dragon tattooed on their chest.

1) The Boys

With all these super heroes running around our movie theaters how are we possibly supposed to regulate them all? Bring in The Boys. They're a CIA team whose sole purpose is to take down super being when they start doing things they shouldn't. This team is edgier than any who has come before it with its violence and sexuality running wild like mosquitoes on a pond. One of the main characters is even based on actor Simon Pegg.

And when they’re not hunting down naughty supers they’re telling their life stories to each other. You know with names like Bill Butcher, Mother’s Milk, and the Frenchman they’ve had f%cked up life. Early stages of a film based on The Boys is said to be underway.  Let’s get it on!

Movie Review: Iron Man 2

In 2008, while movie goers were anxiously waiting for the release of the The Dark Knight a character practically nobody had heard of, outside of comic book readers, made his film debut.  Iron Man was the first of a chain of films Marvel Studios was planning to make, ending with all the characters woven into one film; The Avengers.  Starring Robert Downey Jr. and Gwyneth Paltrow, Iron Man was a huge success, and now Iron Man 2 has hit theaters.  Marvel Studios hopes their sequel does well enough so audiences will keep watching the Marvel universe up on the big screen.

It’s been 6 months since the events of Iron Man and Tony Stark as become a huge star by helping make the world safer.  So much in fact that every corporation is trying to copy his Iron Man suit, and the government is trying to force Stark to hand it over.  A mysterious Russian named Ivan Vanko soon teams up with one of Starks rivals, Justin Hammer, and they’re looking to take everything Tony has.

However, Tony doesn’t need Vanko and Hammer’s help to lose everything since he is slowly dying and living like there is no tomorrow.  Can the agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. help Tony before it’s too late?  Of course the real question of the film is what is going to kill Tony first; death or Vanko? 

To satisfy both of my passions I’m going to have to dissect this film two ways; first as a film sequel, and then as a comic book film.  Iron Man 2 seemed to be lacking some of the heart the first film was filled with.  Everyone seemed to be stepping on each other’s lines, so you couldn’t really get all the great one liners I’m sure were being said. This could be a way to get people to watch the film a second time; each time getting something new out of it.  Unfortunately I’m only grading it by the first impression.

Robert Downey Jr. and Gwyneth Paltrow stepped back into their roles with ease and showed that their characters have grown since we last saw them.  Don Cheadle takes over for Terrance Howard as Colonel James Rhodes.  Cheadle pulls off Rhodes evolution in this film nicely and gave fans a little more in this film.  Scarlett Johansson and Samuel L. Jackson round-out the good guys with some small, but distinct performances.  Samuel L. Jackson is always, well, Samuel L. Jackson, and Scarlett Johansson earned her first name by making each scene a little hotter just by being in it.  She didn’t have too many speaking parts, but I didn’t mind.  Mrs. Reynolds does in this film what she’s good at; kicking ass and looking hot.

In this film the show stealers, like most superhero films, were the bad guys.  Mickey Rourke played Vanko as a creepy tough guy, but something tells me it’s not hard for Rourke since he always plays that kind of guy.  But I was surprised at how much I liked Sam Rockwell as Justin Hammer.  He played a rich weasel very well, and I hope to see him in further Marvel films.  As a sequel I enjoyed watching the next chapter in these characters lives.  It wasn’t as fun as the first, and I feel like they tried to be a little much to be better, but not enjoyable.  Most franchises drop the ball on the third film, so we’ll see what director Jon Favreau has in store for this trilogy.

Now I will present a view of the film from my nastier side.  As a comic book film Iron Man 2 was still enjoyable.  It was no The Dark Knight, but it wasn’t Batman & Robin either.  It had some good action, a little humor, and some cool villains.  The returning cast did a great job portraying their characters, and I was also happy to see Happy Hogan get a bigger role, even if it was the film’s director who played him.  The only two characters I was disappointed with were the S.H.I.E.L.D. agents Nick Fury and The Black Widow.

Ultimate Nick Fury was based on Samuel L. Jackson so to see him play this part on screen is awesome.  However there were a few spots where Fury seemed a little too happy or comical.  That’s not Fury.  Nick Fury is always level-headed, serious, and only yells in the heat of battle.  Jackson better brush up on his own character before taking on The Avengers. 

The Black Widow is a red-headed-Russian-spy who works for Fury, and even though she is supposed to be undercover, I didn’t hear a Russian accent once.  I was worried about Johansson from the beginning, but luckily she didn’t act as much as she jumped around.  I don’t care if I did get to see her in a black bra, Johansson better start drinking some vodka and see if that helps her accent.  I want to hear The Black Widow tongue I hear in my head when I read Captain America.

So there you have two sides to Iron Man 2.  I look forward to not only the next Iron Man film, but the next Marvel Studio film as well.  If you go and see just remember what every geek knows; Marvel films aren’t over until a few minutes after the credits role.  Trust me true believers. 

RATING:  B