Movie Review: Marvel Avengers End Game

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.

Movie Review- Deadpool 2

It’s been a while since I have posted a review of a film but I have been meaning to share my review of Fox’s latest Marvel anti-hero film, Deadpool 2. The first film caused quite a shock to the film industry when it broke a record as the largest opening in the month of February (Before Black Panther) and the biggest opening for a rated R film.  Deadpool is a passion project for the lead, Ryan Reynolds who had to sway Fox into making this film.

I have to admit. I was not a huge fan of the first film. I thought the effects were cheesy and story line lacking. It seemed more or less seemed like an excuse to just introduce a new character and pick up on the excitement of the MCU.  It was different because they choose to go the irreverent Rated R route but for me, it wasn’t enough for me.  My friends loved it but maybe I just couldn’t get over the “breaking the 4th wall” thingy.  And truth be told, I usually don’t like origin films.  In most cases directors focus so much on the origin and not an actual story.

Now having said all that, I truly enjoyed Deadpool 2.  The cheesy special effects, gone.  The lacking story line, gone.  The “breaking the 4th wall” well not gone but reduced.  The pop culture references, on point.  Deadpool follows the anti-hero Wade Wilson/Deadpool as he is a paid assassin but only takes on bad people.  His lady love is caught in the cross fire of one of his recent mark.  After her death, Deadpool spends his time getting over it at the Xmen mansion.  At the mansion, Deadpool tries to become something more, become one of the Xmen.  Through a series of events, Deadpool becomes a prisoner at a prison made for mutants and roommate to a mutant who is set on a path of death and destruction.

One of the pleasant surprises of Deadpool 2 is the addition of long time Marvel favorite Cable.  Played by Josh Brolin (Also plays Thanos), Cable is a time traveling soldier who travels through time to kill the mutant who kills his family.  Unfortunately, that mutant is Deadpool’s new found “friend”.  This movies shows the evolution Deadpool must go through in order to arise to the ranks of a true hero.  He assembles a version of the X-Force and realizes the point of self sacrifice.  One of the cast members who steals the show is Atlanta’s own Zazie Beetz.  She plays a member of X-Force known as Domino.  Her mutant power is luck and provides some of the special effects lead comedic shots in the film.

Like its predecessor, Deadpool 2 is not for the little ones.  It is wall to wall with action, character development of Deadpool and Cable, and laughter.  This make watching the first movie with it.  Unfortunately, this film’s box office results are impacted by this summers real block buster, Marvel’s Avengers:  Infinity War.  If your old enough to handle the violence and vulgar language, go see this film.