That rantings of a Xennial Film and TV enthusiast
On Monday my co-workers always asked me what I watched over the weekend. I thought I might start telling you. On the weekends I typically get in four movies.
Ghostbusters 2016
Phenomenon
Spiderman Homecoming
Staten Island Summer
Fired Up
Last weekend 5/3/19
How to Plan an Orgy in a Small Town
Captain America First Avenger
AVENGERS age of Ultron
Captain America Winter Soldier
So a little under a year ago in one of my early reviews, I talked about a little known film called Infinity War. With the moderate success of Infinity War, Marvel decided to follow that with a continuation but called this film End Game. With End Game, we close the last chapter on this era of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
At the conclusion of Infinity War, Thanos loses the battle of Wakanda but wins the war. With a snap of his fingers, he eliminates half of the life in the universe. End Game picks up from that point. The remaining Avengers have to learn how to move on. Much in the way life moves on in HBO’s Leftovers. They have to figure out their purpose in life after this massive failure. Through a series of random events and the SOS message sent to an old friend, the crew believes there is a way to repair this wound and prevent Thanos’ grand plan.
Critical Commentary: this is the fourth Marvel film by Joe and Anthony Russo. If they were Charlotte a Cavatica it would be their Mangum Opus. If they were Michael Jordon this would be their sixth championship ring. If they were Jay Z this would be their Black Album or Blue Print. This is the 1972 Miami Dolphins. While not perfect it is very close to it. I do have to admit, didn’t like the Banner characterization.
If I had 1,000 years to figure out this storyline, I never would have succeeded. The Russo brothers created for the second year in a row the best picture of the year. Unfortunately, movies like this are not nominated although Black Panther may have broken that mold. I thought Infinity War was one of the best movies I had ever seen and it still is, but End Game is hands down the best movie I have ever seen.
The movie just like Thanos’ desire is balanced. The laughs, the cries, the wonder and mystery, all balanced. The realism and pain were tremendously balanced. The action sequences and the dialog all balanced. Josh Brolin again delivers an Academy Award performance as Thanos. Robert Downey Jr gives you the full range of Tony Starks. Chris Evans rises to the leadership role like never before. There were dozens of easter eggs. I just can’t comment enough about this film. I loved it. I am not sure if I will follow the next era of Marvel the same. This might be my End Game also.
First I need to confess something. I did not see the previous Antman film in the theaters but I did see it on TV. I have never been a fan of the character and was not going to see this film. In addition, I tend to not like origin stories. My girlfriend and I were bored and Antman & Wasp was starting next, so I figured, why not.
If you liked the the first film, you should like the next one. If you did not like the first film, you may like the next one. The story picks up at the tail end of Antman/Scott Lang’s two year house arrest. The house arrest was a part of his plea deal after the actions of Captain America: Civil War. We find out in Avengers: Infinity War, that both Lang and Hawkeye/Clint Barton have retired as heroes and take a plead deal with the Sokovia Accords and returned to their families. Lang is three days from getting his ankle bracelet turned off and gets sucked back into the role of Antman. Lang and cast are trying to assemble a machine to help retrieve Hank Pyms wife, Janet Van Dyne. Hank and Janet as Antman and Wasp were SHIELD agents in the 80s. During a mission for SHIELD, Janet was lost to the “Quantum Realm”. Pym and his daughter, Hope come up with a plan to rescue Janet. All the while being pursued by the FBI and an arms dealer. All of this done with a great amount of comedic punch lines and shrinking/enlarging action sequences that promise to enlighten and amaze.
My problem with most origin films is the actual conflict in the film tends to be rushed and causes a bad story line. Since the character has been established we are now able to have a fully developed story line. You will not he disappointed by Antman & Wasp. While the story is not very complex, Marvel cleverly adds more characters to the MCU while providing an entertaining film. For me, the biggest thrill was Walton Goggins. He is always a pleasant surprise in a movie or tv show. I could sit watch him read the phone book if they still existed. No matter the character he plays its always Boyd Crowder to me. One last note: There is a scene with T.I. and Michael Pena that is hilarious. Michael Pena is a great comedic actor.
The Xennial Cinephile 