Tag: Marvel Comics

REVIEW: First step for ‘Fantastic Four’ is fine, but not phenomenal

A “Fantastic Four” movie where Dr. Doom isn’t the main antagonist? That’s allowed?

Apparently it is, because good ole Victor isn’t the big bad of “First Steps.” Instead, the family of heroes including Reed Richards (Pedro Pascal), his wife Sue (Vanessa Kirby), brother-in-law Johnny (Joseph Quinn), and colleague Ben Grimm (Ebon Moss-Bachrach) face something from the depths of space.

Having picked up their powers a few years ago, the four have become celebrities, known for their contribution to science and several heroic moments. Things are going well, but that’s about to change. In addition to Sue getting pregnant with a potentially super-powered child, a planet-eating threat known as Galactus is on its way to Earth.

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REVIEW: Fun adventure of misfits makes ‘Thunderbolts’ enjoyable

Are we back, Marvel?

It seems like that could be the case with the latest film from the comic book adaptation studio, “Thunderbolts.” The film mainly centers on Yelena Belova (Florence Pugh), who finds herself a bit rudderless. Outside of doing missions for the CIA, Yelena lacks any appreciation for the life she’s living, especially since the death of her sister, Natasha, the Black Widow.

Things only get more complicated when she’s sent on a mission that brings her into conflict with several other secret operatives working under CIA head Valentina de Fontaine (Julia Louis-Dreyfus).Realizing they’ve been set-up by de Fontaine, the group reluctantly join forces to stop a new and potentially dangerous project the CIA leader is working on.

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REVIEW: New ‘Captain America’ is more bland than brave

This film is the culmination of an origin movie from over a decade ago. “Captain America: The First Avenger?” No, 2008’s “Incredible Hulk.”

“Brave New World” picks up a few years after the events of the “Falcon and Winter Soldier” series. Sam Wilson (Anthony Mackie) is now Captain America and he is assisted in missions by a sidekick, Joaquin Torres (Danny Ramirez). The film picks up with Sam and friends attending an event at the White House where General Thaddeus Ross (Harrison Ford) is now president.

During the event, an attempted assassination takes place and a friend of Sam’s is framed. Captain America sets off in the aftermath to clear his friend’s name and bring the plotters to justice, before world relations breakdown as several nations are also vying for a new valuable mineral.

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REVIEW: ‘Venom’ finale amuses but ultimately lacks substance

Some trilogies are made up of three films that have one overarching narrative while others feature standalone stories with ongoing character arcs. “Venom” fits the latter.

This time around, Eddie (Tom Hardy) and his alien symbiote Venom are fugitives because of events in the last film. Spending time in Mexico, the two are considering what to do next and decide on going to New York City where there’s an official who could help clear Eddie’s name.

Unfortunately, the duo are being hunted by another alien force seeking the pair out because they could play a role in releasing a powerful-but-imprisoned super being. The U.S. government, which wants to study the symbiotes on Earth, is also after the duo.

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REVIEW: ‘Deadpool & Wolverine’ entertains and exhausts

The Marvel Cinematic Universe sure could use a shot in the arm lately. What better shot of adrenaline than the Merc with a Mouth?

Better known as Deadpool, that wise-cracking, fourth wall-breaking character returns to the silver screen for third time. In “Deadpool & Wolverine,” the red-clad anti-hero gets roped into some multi-universe shenanigans, and in the process, learns his own world is under threat.

To prevent a cataclysm, he needs the help of the iconic mutant Wolverine. The only problem is the Wolverine in his universe is the same one that died in 2017’s “Logan.” So, he goes to another universe to find a different one. The only problem is the one he finds is in a bad and not so helpful mood.

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REVIEW: ‘Madame Web’ is a woeful ‘Spider-Man’ spin-off

This film may be titled “Madame Web,” but the titular character barely gets to shine in her own movie.

Dakota Johnson stars as Cassie Webb in this new film set in 2003 with loose ties to the “Spider-Man” mythos. Webb is a paramedic in New York City in her 30s who grew up in foster care as her mom died in Peru studying a rare spider species.

The film picks up with Cassie as she begins to have visions of the future on a regular basis. Her most important vision comes when she sees three girls in danger of being attacked by a person with superhuman abilities. From there, she sets out to protect the girls who are destined to do heroic things in the future.

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REVIEW: New ‘Spider-Verse’ is a disappointing slog

The latest “Spider-Man” adventure is in the midst of a critical coronation, but unfortunately, there will be some rain on the parade in this review.

“Across the Spider-Verse” largely focuses on the character Miles Morales (Shameik Moore), a teenager juggling life as a private school student and as New York City’s hero Spider-Man. The movie picks up with Miles dealing with a new villain, the Spot (Jason Schwartzman), who has the ability to cross space and time through portals.

The villain’s power brings the attention of Gwen Stacy (Hailee Steinfeld), a Spider-Woman from another dimension introduced in the first film. Since then, she’s been working with other Spider heroes from different universes to maintain balance. Unfortunately, Miles’ newest villain starts a series of events putting Miles at odds with Gwen and other Spider heroes.

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REVIEW: ‘Guardians 3’ is a bit of good, a bit of bad, and a bit of both

Director James Gunn has given us one last ride with the “Guardians” before he ships off from Marvel to DC.

It may not be on the level of the first two, but it’s nice to see these characters again.

This time around, the crew is setting up a new shop on the world Knowhere. Well, most of the crew is. The captain of the Guardians, Peter Quill (Chris Pratt), is in a rough spot. While it’s been some time, he’s still mourning the death of Gamora (Zoe Saldana), who was killed in the Infinity War.

Peter is thrust into action quickly, though, when an unknown being attacks, specifically targeting crew-member Rocket (Bradley Cooper). Rocket is severely injured and to save him, the Guardians have to take on a powerful foe who is connected to the raccoon’s history. As part of the mission, the Guardians get help from an alternate Gamora, who came from a different timeline.

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REVIEW: ‘Wakanda Forever’ mostly flops as a follow-up

After his tragic passing at 43, Chadwick Boseman’s absence looms large, both in the world of film and specifically in this sequel to “Black Panther.”

“Wakanda Forever” picks up after King T’Challa dies from an unknown illness, leaving the nation without its leader and main protector. With T’Challa now gone, his mother Ramonda (Angela Bassett), assumes the throne while his sister Shuri (Letitia Wright) feels tremendous guilt that she wasn’t able to find a way to cure him in time.

Both women have to continue serving their nation as new threats arise, though, as other countries are now looking for  Wakanda’s precious resource, vibranium. Because of this happening, a new, powerful threat emerges from the sea. To protect their home, Ramonda and Shuri have to work with existing and new allies.

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REVIEW: Fourth ‘Thor’ is not an electrifying experience

“Thor: Ragnarok” was a success for Marvel, featuring an aesthetic that captured an 80s, hair metal, colorful look.

This latest movie takes a lot of what was in that film, but the nuance seems to have been forgotten.

After letting himself go after the Infinity War, Thor (Chris Hemsworth) is back in shape at the start of “Love and Thunder,” but doesn’t feel completely right working with the Guardians of the Galaxy. The two decide to part ways, which comes at the right time, too, since there’s trouble in New Asgard on Earth, requiring Thor’s attention.

A being known as Gorr (Christian Bale) was wronged by gods in the past and is now on a crusade to slaughter as many as he can. He ends up targeting Thor, and abducts a group of Asgardian kids to lure the God of Thunder out. Thor has help in his rescue mission, though, as his ex girlfriend Jane (Natalie Portman) can now wield the hammer Mjolnir, inheriting Thor’s powers in the process.

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