Does anyone think that there have been too many super hero films this year? Well if you do...I feel sorry for you, because I love comic book movies. Granted there have been at least four or five other super heroes that have graced the silver screen this year but there is one more who needs his time to shine and he is perhaps the most known of them all. I feel like it's good to note that I felt like it was my patriotic duty to see this film but more importantly, "Captain America: The First Avenger" is the last piece of the puzzle before Marvel releases their mega super hero team-up film, "The Avengers" next May. Does Cap bring anything new to the table?
It's 1942, World War II is in full swing, and young Steve Rogers (Chris Evans) has been rejected for military service once again. It's no surprise that he has been rejected for the hundredth time. Steve is puny, sickly, and has a long list of medical issues. But Steve has no greater desire than to serve his country so he doesn't stop trying.
Soon his efforts are noticed by a scientist named Abraham Erskine (Stanley Tucci) who takes Rogers aside to offer him a chance to be a part of the government's new super soldier program. During training Rogers is looked down upon by everyone including Colonel Chester Phillips (Tommy Lee Jones). But Dr. Erskine believes that Rogers is the best choice because of his heart, compassion, and bravery. The next day Rogers is injected with the super soldier serum and he emerges as a tall, buff, Nazi killing machine who is tasked with taking down Johann Schmidt (Hugo Weaving), the head of Hitler's deep science division HYDRA. Rogers, now named Captain America, must stop Schmidt before he unleashes the ultimate power upon the world.
In the past couple years, the super heroes we have seen have had very different personalities. There has been the million dollar narcissist, the self-absorbed Norse god, and several others with severe anger management issues. That's why its nice to see a more classic kind of hero back on screen. Captain America does not put himself above others, he doesn't insult, back stab, or judge anyone. Instead he's a humble man that loves his country and is willing to sacrifice himself for the greater good. Cap is a hero we haven't seen since perhaps the last "Superman" film and its good to see a hero that parents won't mind their kids looking up to.
Just like May's "Thor" had a much different setting than past Marvel films, so does "Captain America". The World War II setting is a change up but don't worry, Cap doesn't come close to the intensity and graphic content of films like "Saving Private Ryan". Instead Cap's a whole lotta fun featuring lots of fighting and explosions.
But there's a lot of heart in the mix. As with many hero flicks there is emotion, there is romance, and there are lessons to be learned (in this case sacrifice) and here there's lots of it especially during the film's gripping climax (one of the best Marvel has made).
Backing all of this up is the terrific cast. Many know Chris Evans as the other Marvel super hero The Human Torch from the "Fantastic Four" movies and usually he plays the same type of character; the smooth talking ladies man. Not so much in "Captain America". As you've read, Evans was challenged to play a much different character for this film and he succeeds. As for Hugo Weaving, who has given life to villains such as Agent Smith and Megatron he was the perfect choice to play to cruel Nazi nemesis of Captain America (who fans know as The Red Skull). Throw in some good supporting actors like Stanley Tucci, and the humorous Tommy Lee Jones and you have an all star cast.
"Captain America: The First Avenger" has everything going for it, great action, great acting, and a lot of love for the U.S.A. Fans of past Marvel films with have no problem enjoying this film and there's a high chance that those who don't enjoy the comic book craze will have just as much fun. But if there is one thing I know, its that after this movie and what is shown after the credits I, along with the rest of the super hero lovers, can't be more excited about what will happen when Iron Man, The Hulk, Thor, and Captain America come together to fight whatever stands in their way. Bring on "The Avengers"! I give this film three stars out of four.
"Captain America: The First Avenger" has a running time of 121 minutes and is rated PG-13 for intense sequences of sci-fi action and violence.
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2
It all ends. From the moment I saw those words on the poster for "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2" I was counting down the days until July 15th which I knew would be a monumental day for cinema...the day that the highest grossing franchise of all time comes to a close. And it went out with a magical bang. So far the newest "Potter" has broken every record there is to break making almost half a billion dollars its first weekend. Is it worth all the hype? YES...in every way imaginable and it is my pleasure to tell you why.
"Deathly Hallows Part 1" ended with Voldemort (Ralph Fiennes) finding the Elder Wand, the most powerful wand in the world which is capable of preforming the most advanced forms of magic. Now Harry (Daniel Radcliffe) is in more of a hurry than ever to find the remaining parts of Voldemort's soul called Horcruxes. But things get worse when Voldemort realizes what Harry is searching for. The final stopping point of the trio's search is where it all began...Hogwarts school. Knowing that the final Horcrux rests in the halls of Hogwarts, Harry continues his search while all the teachers, students, and members of the remaining Order of the Phoenix prepare for the final battle against Voldemort and his army of Death Eaters who stand just outside the castle walls. In the Battle of Hogwarts, old faces will be seen, secrets will be told, and the ultimate sacrifice will be made so that the Dark Lord can finally meet his end.
Despite being the shortest entry in the series (clocking in at just over two hours) "Deathly Hallows Part 2" has more action, emotion, chills (the good kind) than any previous "Potter" film. Thinking back, the Battle of Hogwarts took up about three fourths of the movie. But don't worry, it not all mindless action and explosions (Transformers). All of the action has a distinct purpose like to show the bravery of a student against a hoard of enemies, to show the sacrifice that Harry's friends make for him, to show Mrs. Weasley (Julie Walters) dish it out on a certain female Death Eater, or to show that there is still hope. The action is never just there.
But between the duels and suspense are emotional moments. Scenes that have the most power in the series. Scenes that have no music and no dialogue. The prime example of the emotion found in "Hallows" is the moment where we find out the life story of the mysterious Severus Snape (Alan Rickman) which ends up being one of the key points in the entire saga. "Hallows" reaches its audience better than any of its predecessors have, and I'm not just saying that because of the tears I could hear around me.
And then there is the acting. The world has seen Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, and Emma Watson grow up over the past ten years and their acting always grew with their age. Now, at the climax, it's better than ever. Dan was challenged with acting out the most difficult scenes of the series and he pulls off every one. My favorite scene of his doesn't even have any words. He just acts with his body and his eyes and his breathing...and it is powerful. As always the trio is surrounded by an all star British cast including Maggie Smith, Jason Isaacs, Robbie Coltrane, Michael Gambon, and many many others, but who could talk about the "Harry Potter" series without mentioning Alan Rickman. Possibly the best casting choice of the films, Rickman once again pleases as Severus Snape but this time showing a whole new side of the dark professor that people who did not read the books probably were not expecting (but I would never tell you about it in this review).
And then there is a whole other thing to deal with. It's over, the series has come to an end. All the adults who adored the books and films and introduced their children to them are saying goodbye. All the kids like me who have spent the majority of our lives reading the books, watching the films, going to midnight book releases and film premiers...are saying goodbye to a major piece of our childhood. I was in dismay just like the rest of the fandom, until I remembered the words of J.K. Rowling, "Hogwarts will always be here to welcome you home." It all ends, but not our love for Harry. His magical world will always live on to be enjoyed by countless others. This great achievement in cinema deserves every bit of the four stars out of four.
"Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2" has a running time of 130 minutes and is rated PG-13 for some sequences of intense action violence and frightening images.
"Deathly Hallows Part 1" ended with Voldemort (Ralph Fiennes) finding the Elder Wand, the most powerful wand in the world which is capable of preforming the most advanced forms of magic. Now Harry (Daniel Radcliffe) is in more of a hurry than ever to find the remaining parts of Voldemort's soul called Horcruxes. But things get worse when Voldemort realizes what Harry is searching for. The final stopping point of the trio's search is where it all began...Hogwarts school. Knowing that the final Horcrux rests in the halls of Hogwarts, Harry continues his search while all the teachers, students, and members of the remaining Order of the Phoenix prepare for the final battle against Voldemort and his army of Death Eaters who stand just outside the castle walls. In the Battle of Hogwarts, old faces will be seen, secrets will be told, and the ultimate sacrifice will be made so that the Dark Lord can finally meet his end.
Despite being the shortest entry in the series (clocking in at just over two hours) "Deathly Hallows Part 2" has more action, emotion, chills (the good kind) than any previous "Potter" film. Thinking back, the Battle of Hogwarts took up about three fourths of the movie. But don't worry, it not all mindless action and explosions (Transformers). All of the action has a distinct purpose like to show the bravery of a student against a hoard of enemies, to show the sacrifice that Harry's friends make for him, to show Mrs. Weasley (Julie Walters) dish it out on a certain female Death Eater, or to show that there is still hope. The action is never just there.
But between the duels and suspense are emotional moments. Scenes that have the most power in the series. Scenes that have no music and no dialogue. The prime example of the emotion found in "Hallows" is the moment where we find out the life story of the mysterious Severus Snape (Alan Rickman) which ends up being one of the key points in the entire saga. "Hallows" reaches its audience better than any of its predecessors have, and I'm not just saying that because of the tears I could hear around me.
And then there is the acting. The world has seen Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, and Emma Watson grow up over the past ten years and their acting always grew with their age. Now, at the climax, it's better than ever. Dan was challenged with acting out the most difficult scenes of the series and he pulls off every one. My favorite scene of his doesn't even have any words. He just acts with his body and his eyes and his breathing...and it is powerful. As always the trio is surrounded by an all star British cast including Maggie Smith, Jason Isaacs, Robbie Coltrane, Michael Gambon, and many many others, but who could talk about the "Harry Potter" series without mentioning Alan Rickman. Possibly the best casting choice of the films, Rickman once again pleases as Severus Snape but this time showing a whole new side of the dark professor that people who did not read the books probably were not expecting (but I would never tell you about it in this review).
And then there is a whole other thing to deal with. It's over, the series has come to an end. All the adults who adored the books and films and introduced their children to them are saying goodbye. All the kids like me who have spent the majority of our lives reading the books, watching the films, going to midnight book releases and film premiers...are saying goodbye to a major piece of our childhood. I was in dismay just like the rest of the fandom, until I remembered the words of J.K. Rowling, "Hogwarts will always be here to welcome you home." It all ends, but not our love for Harry. His magical world will always live on to be enjoyed by countless others. This great achievement in cinema deserves every bit of the four stars out of four.
"Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2" has a running time of 130 minutes and is rated PG-13 for some sequences of intense action violence and frightening images.
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