Guardians of the Galaxy review

Title: Guardians of the Galaxy
Director: James Gunn
Starring: Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldana, Dave Bautista, Vin Diesel, Bradley Cooper, Lee Pace, Karen Gillan, Michael Rooker, Djimon Hounsou,
John C. Reilly, with Benicio del Toro, and Glenn Close
Release Date: August 1, 2014
Rating: PG-13


The Verdict: Hilarious, heartwarming, action-packed, visually stunning, impeccably cast, and wonderfully weird, Guardians of the Galaxy is arguably Marvel's best adventure yet.

9.0 out of 10.0

 A walking, talking tree? A bald, blue space pirate? A green-skinned assassin with a head of multicolored hair? A machine-gun toting raccoon with anger issues? What was Marvel thinking? That was the question on just about everyone's mind when the first trailer for Guardians of the Galaxy premiered back in February. It was just so...weird. Critics and moviegoers alike laughed at the posters and trailers for the outer space adventure. Many claimed it was "destined to be Marvel's first flop at the box office." The film seemed doomed. Two weeks after the film's release, no one's laughing now. Currently the highest-grossing domestic release of the year with a whopping 587 million dollars under its belt, a soundtrack that has dominated the charts since its release, and praise from critics and audiences alike worldwide, Guardians of the Galaxy is truly something special, a sci-fi adventure the likes of which hasn't been seen since the original Star Wars.

 Peter Jason Quill, (Chris Pratt,) or as he prefers to go by, "Star-Lord," has stumbled upon a mysterious orb, an object that grants the user practically limitless power. (Funny how those random objects always seem to contain "limitless power.") After trying to sell the artifact to a dealer on the planet Xandar, Quill is attacked by the assassin Gamora, (Zoe Saldana,) who has been sent by the bloodthirsty Ronan, (Lee Pace,) to capture the orb and deliver it to him. Gamora and Quill aren't the only ones after the orb, however. Also pursuing the orb are the cynical, trigger-happy Rocket Raccoon (Bradley Cooper,) and his bodyguard Groot (Vin Diesel,) who happens to be a tree who's vocabulary is limited to three words: "I." "Am." "Groot." After causing a ruckus attempting to steal the orb from one another, the four are arrested by Xandarian officials and shipped to a prison in deep space. Here they encounter the fittingly named Drax the Destroyer (Dave Bautista,) a fellow inmate who is seeking revenge against Ronan, who murdered his entire family. These five wildly different misfits band together and stage a downright hilarious prison break, after which they decide to unite and stand against Ronan and his warriors.


 Undoubtedly the best aspect of Guardians is the wildly unique cast of characters that populates the film's story. Every role is perfectly cast, every character serves a purpose and receives their share of development, beginning with the Guardians themselves. Chris Pratt is just perfect as the clever, relatable Peter Quill, out to discover his own purpose in a galaxy as vast as it is dangerous. Zoe Saldana brings a much-needed feminine energy to the superhero genre as Gamora, the most conflicted of the Guardians. Originally serving Ronan, the lead antagonist of the film, Gamora eventually turns her back on her former master, and attempts to make a new path for herself. Wrestler Dave Bautista brings a surprising amount of emotion to the literally minded Drax, making the revenge-obsessed warrior both fearsome and funny. Vin Diesel, while his dialogue may be limited to three simple lines, is perfectly cast as the lovable, heartwarming Groot, who more than earns his place among the Guardians. But of course, it's Bradley Cooper's Rocket who utterly steals the show. Easily angered, snarky, and hilarious, the explosive-loving raccoon is responsible for much of the film's humor and heart. But the excellent performances hardly end with the Guardians. While she may be confined to the role of henchwoman, Karen Gillan's Nebula is in the end, a far more compelling, intriguing villain than Ronan himself. Gamora's bitter and vicious adoptive sister, Nebula is far more memorable and interesting than the film's generic lead villain. Michael Rooker is fantastic as Quill's father figure Yondu, assisted by some blue makeup and a thick southern drawl. Additionally, award winners Benicio del Toro and Glenn Close are unsurprisingly excellent as the mysterious Collector and the head of the Nova Corps, respectively.

 Ironically, Guardians was originally supposed to fail due to the fact that it was just "too weird." That weirdness has come to be what moviegoers love so much about the film. Be it the wacky appearances of several characters, the film's bizarre humor, or the simple fact that a raccoon is arguing with a tree, Guardians' strange nature is exactly what makes the film so original and lovable.

 Another of Guardians best features is the aforementioned soundtrack. Blue Swede's "Hooked On A Feeling," the Jackson 5's "I Want You Back," and the classic "Ain't No Mountain High Enough," are all heard throughout the film. Strangely enough, these 60's and 70's tunes fit right in alongside sleek spaceships and alien creatures. Rather than distract from the story by feeling out of place, the soundtrack instead enhances the film, perfectly capturing the film's adventurous, irreverent tone.

 Clever, funny, and colorful as it is, Guardians is not a perfect film, as it sadly falls prey to the same problems that can be found in previous Marvel films. The lead villain is yet again underdeveloped and uninteresting. Ronan is not as dull, unoriginal a creation as say, Malekith in Thor: The Dark World, but he still fails to leave an impression. And as with just about every Marvel film since the first Thor, yet another character "dies," only to be conveniently resurrected ten minutes later. While these flaws are unfortunate, they hardly detract from the adventure, humor, and sheer fun that is Guardians of the Galaxy.

 But what really makes Guardians of the Galaxy work is its celebration of diversity. In a world where seemingly every action, sci-fi, or fantasy film is lead by a white male, it's wonderfully refreshing to see a film lead by a raccoon, a tree, a warrior played by a Filipino, a strong heroine played by an African American actress, and, oh yes, one white male. Even the Avengers, "Earth's Mightiest Heroes," fail to display such diversity. Guardians is visually stunning. It's hilarious. It's well acted. It's wonderfully weird. But most of all, it's a fantastic picture of five wildly different individuals uniting together to stand up for what they believe in. The Guardians come from separate worlds, utterly different walks of life, but they overcome those differences, differences that in the end seem quite insignificant. On planet earth today it seems we are constantly divided, be it by race, nationality, or beliefs. Conflicts have erupted all over the world because of the differences between individuals. It's wonderfully refreshing to see a film respecting those differences instead of condemning them. A film that celebrates both our differences, and the commonalities we share with all human beings. Arguably the best scene in Guardians comes towards the end of the film, when the Guardians take one another by the hand, standing against those that would harm the galaxy. It's predictable, even a little cheesy. But it's inspiring. The simple shot of a green-skinned woman holding hands with a slightly oversized raccoon, as weird as it may seem, carries a very important message. Because if two such wildly different characters can unite, why can't we at least make an attempt to stand with our fellow man? Why not try? How hard could it really be?

Dawn of the Planet of the Apes review

Title: Dawn of the Planet of the Apes
Director: Matt Reeves
Starring: Andy Serkis, Jason Clarke, Gary Oldman, Keri Russell, Kodi Smit-McPhee, Toby Kebbell, and Judy Greer
Release Date: July 11, 2014
Rating: PG-13




The Verdict: Dark, intense, visually astounding, and often quite moving, Dawn of the Planet of the Apes expands upon its predecessor in just the way a sequel should.

8.5 out of 10.0
 
 Everyone was pleasantly surprised when 2011's Rise of the Planet of the Apes turned out not to be the disaster we were all expecting. The effects team behind the film brought Caesar and his simian allies vividly to life, we received plenty of thrilling action sequences, and director Rupert Wyatt injected some genuine emotion into the film as well. After such a well-received surprise, could the 2014 sequel to Rise possibly do its predecessor justice?


  The answer is, quite simply, yes. Dawn is just as impressive as the first film, if not more so. 10 years have passed since the events of Rise, with Caesar (Andy Serkis) and the rest of the apes living harmoniously together in a village of their own making in Muir Woods. Caesar serves as the leader of the group of apes, and now has a wife and two sons. All is well until a group of human survivors encounter the apes while searching for a power source. From that point mistakes are made, betrayals occur, and it becomes clear that a war is coming. A war that will determine the dominant force on our planet: apes, or those who were once their masters.

 Obviously, what many will enjoy most about Dawn of the Planet of the Apes is its simply astounding visual effects. Right from the start of the film, we begin with a shot of Caesar's face, and he appears almost more full of life than his human counterparts. Every movement, every detail is so incredibly lifelike, it's impossible to leave the theater unamazed. Additionally, director Matt Reeves treats us to several swooping shots of an apocalyptic San Francisco, and the ape village is equally impressive.

 Of course, one can hardly give all the praise to the VFX artists. It's Andy Serkis who truly brings Caesar to life, just as he has Gollum, King Kong, and so many others. His performance is terrifying, powerful, and at times, deeply emotional. Toby Kebbell and Judy Greer also deliver superb performances via motion capture, as the bloodthirsty Koba, and Caesar's wife Cornelia, respectively. But the impressive acting hardly ends with the chimps. Jason Clarke gives a realistic, utterly believable performance as Malcolm, a leader in the human colony that comes into conflict with the apes. Keri Russell and Kodi Smit-McPhee, (who play Malcolm's girlfriend and son,) both infuse their characters with depth and emotion in some of the film's best scenes. And Gary Oldman is, as usual, excellent as the desperate Dreyfus, the commander of the human colony.

  And that brings me to one of the things Dawn pulls off so well: realism. That might seem a strange word to use regarding a movie in which apes on horseback attack San Francisco. But throughout the film, the actions of the characters, human and ape alike, are so realistic and believable that we get caught up in the story almost as soon as the film begins. Which brings me back to Dreyfus, and to a lesser extent, Toby Kebbell's Koba. We naturally want to view them as the villains of the piece, the human that wants to destroy "the animals" and the ape that desires to enslave his former masters. But the movie expertly prevents us from viewing both characters in such a way. In reality, they're both scared. Desperate. Afraid for their lives and the lives of their people. They both commit violent acts, but we're never truly able to label either of them "the bad guy," due to the way both characters are presented. 

 However, the film's realism doesn't end with it's wonderfully developed characters. One of the best scenes in the film takes place in the final act, where the apes, led by Koba, attack the human colony in San Francisco. While we naturally want to sit up in our chairs and grab bigger handfuls of popcorn as "the action" starts, the movie again prevents us from doing so. Bullets fly back and forth between the human survivors and their simian attackers, but rather than simply turning the sequence into a "fun action scene" Dawn presents it for what it really is: a horrible situation in which lives are being taken violently and instantaneously. There's nothing enjoyable about the scene, as humans and apes alike are mowed down by bullets. And we shouldn't be enjoying it. Films like the Transformers series or the Hobbit trilogy have turned violence into something fun, an entertaining fight scene where the good guys and the bad guys battle it out. And there's nothing really wrong with action scenes. There's nothing bad about cheering as Captain American punches the villain, or when Bond defeats his enemies and saves the day. But what Dawn does best is it presents the world for what it really is. It gives us a futuristic tale that doesn't seem very far away at all. A world where there are no clear heroes and no clear villains. Where simple mistakes can have disastrous side effects. And where there's absolutely nothing to enjoy about war or violence. Dawn shows us the world as it is, give or take a few genetically evolved apes.

Maleficent review

Title: Maleficent
Director: Robert Stromberg
Starring: Angelina Jolie, Sharlto Copley, Elle Fanning, Sam Riley, Brenton Thwaites, Imelda Staunton, Lesley Manville, and Juno Temple
Release Date: May 30, 2014
Rating: PG

 


The Verdict: It's rushed and tonally inconsistent, but breathtaking visuals, a powerful message, and Angelina Jolie's fantastic performance make Maleficent a thoroughly entertaining modern fairy tale.

7.5 out of 10.0
 
 "Visions are seldom all they seem." Lana del Rey sings these haunting lines over the end credits of Disney's latest live action fairy tale flick: Maleficent. For those that are unaware, Maleficent is the horned villainess of the 1959 classic Sleeping Beauty. Maleficent tells us the tale of just what drove the title character to curse an innocent infant to a "sleep like death." 

 Our tale begins when Maleficent is a small girl, bearing tall horns and powerful wings, growing up in a peaceable, albeit eye-popping forest kingdom. She encounters Stefan, a human who lives outside "the moors" and befriends him. As teenagers, they fall in love, only to grow apart as they move into adulthood. Now a young woman, Maleficent (Angelina Jolie) defends the moors against the attacks of a corrupt human king, while Stefan (Sharlto Copley) finds himself more and more drawn to the human kingdom, and the riches and power it holds. After being defeated in battle, the human king decrees that whoever eliminates Maleficent will succeed him as ruler. Hearing this, Stefan, lustful for power, journeys back to the moors. After drugging Maleficent, he cannot bring himself to kill her, so he severs her great wings from her back. Overcome with grief and obsessed with revenge, Maleficent descends into darkness and transforms into the character we know from the original animated film. In retaliation for Stefan's betrayal, Maleficent arrives at the christening of his daughter, ready to bestow her own "gift" upon the child.

 Like the lead character, who dances back and forth between light and dark, hope and bitterness, Maleficent has a few flaws as well as benefits. First, the not so great. The story is painfully rushed. It seems director Robert Stromberg was determined to make his movie as short as possible, and so a lifetime of character development is crammed into a 97 minute film. This is particularly damaging to the film during its first act, in which Maleficent transforms from innocent and pure-hearted to wrathful and vicious in the span of twenty minutes. There are so many aspects of the movie that could have been expanded upon, making the film richer and it's characters more relatable. But Maleficent instead opts to sacrifice character development and believability by rushing through its story at a breakneck pace. 

 In addition, the film is extremely inconsistent in its tone. Overall, Maleficent is fairly dark for a Disney film. The scene in which Maleficent realizes her wings have been "stolen," is one of the most traumatizing images I've ever seen in a Disney movie. Additionally, Maleficent herself can be quite unnerving, and a climactic battle between Stefan and our lead character is hardly suitable for kids. Yet at the same time, there are scenes where Maleficent goes overboard to play up the film's family-friendliness, with sequences featuring lovable forest creatures and the ever-giggling princess Aurora. (Elle Fanning) This causes the film to be very inconsistent throughout, as if it's never quite sure what kind of movie it wants to be. A family-friendly fairy tale in the vein of Frozen, or a dark revisionist fantasy akin to Snow White and the Huntsman.

 In addition, the film dramatically alters the final act of the original film to paint Maleficent in a more positive light. No, she doesn't hold the heroic Prince Phillip (Brenton Thwaites) prisoner. No, she doesn't transform into a dragon. In this 2014 edition, the word "villainess" hardly applies to Maleficent. She has far more in common with Elsa of Frozen than she does with the animated sorceress she is actually based upon.

 However, these faults hardly render Maleficent unenjoyable. There's plenty to love, beginning with the film's breathtaking visual effects. From the very first shot, we're treated to a wondrous view of sprawling green fields and towering mountains occupied by all manner of fantastical creatures. Regardless of the plots or dialogue of Disney's live-action efforts, the visuals are always undeniably stunning. The scenes where Maleficent puts her wings to use and takes to the skies are particularly thrilling to view.

 But as impressive as Maleficent's effects are, they are utterly outshined by Angelina Jolie. Jolie is fantastic, from start to finish. As producer Joe Roth said quite simply: "There was no point in making the movie if it wasn't her." And Jolie perfectly captures every aspect of Maleficent's journey. Her devotion to her homeland, her shock and grief at her betrayal, her desperation for vengeance, and her conflict over the path she has chosen. The film's most powerful scene is arguably the moment where Maleficent realizes her wings have been taken from her. Jolie lets out a heartbreaking sob, and proceeds to weep over what she has lost. It's a scene of depth and sadness that is rarely found in a Disney film. But of course, the moment that is simply the most fun to watch is the scene in which Maleficent suddenly arrives at Aurora's christening. As she delivers her curse upon the child, it's impossible not to be at least slightly terrified by Jolie, who delivers each line in a voice full of rage. But, Maleficent's path does not end with her curse upon the infant destined to be Sleeping Beauty. In fact she grows to care for the girl she once condemned. She begins to doubt the road she has chosen. Which brings me to Maleficent's final redeeming quality.

 Arguably the best aspect of Maleficent is the simple story it tells. Instead of presenting us with the generic Disney tale in which an impossibly attractive, courageous prince saves an absurdly beautiful princess, it gives us something else entirely. It gives us the story of the character we've been taught to hate. It looks at the villain, rather than the hero, and asks us to consider if she was really all that evil. Maleficent is a glimpse into the human heart. Happy, until it is wronged. And when wronged our natural reaction is one of hatred, anger, and a desire for revenge. And those feelings lead us to take actions that we often deeply regret. But both with Maleficent, and every single one of us, our story does not have to end there. Maleficent shows us that "visions are seldom all they seem," and we should perhaps not be so swift to judge our fellow man, horned or not. But more importantly, Maleficent tells us what we all need to hear. That no matter what we've done, no matter how wicked are deeds, there is hope for every single one of us. And that is why the film is so powerful. It's not Prince Charming's story. It's not the sleeping beauty's story. It's the villain's story. It's the story of one who walks in goodness, falls into darkness, and eventually, returns to the light. It's our story. When told that true love can save Aurora, Maleficent bitterly replies "there is no such thing." But the film, and ironically, Maleficent's own actions prove her wrong. True love does exist, and it has the power to mend the blackest heart. Love heals Aurora. Love heals Maleficent. Love can heal every single one of us.
  "For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 8:38-39)

X-Men: Days of Future Past review

Title: X-Men: Days of Future Past
Director: Bryan Singer
Starring: Hugh Jackman, James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender, Jennifer Lawrence, Nicholas Hoult, Ellen Page, Halle Berry, Evan Peters, Peter Dinklage, with Ian McKellan, and Patrick Stewart
Release Date: May 23, 2014
Rating: PG-13


 

The Verdict: Epic, fast-paced, and emotional, featuring a superb cast and gripping action, Days of Future Past is undoubtedly the best entry in the long-lasting X-Men franchise yet.

8.5 out of 10.0
 
"Is the future truly set?" A question we often ask ourselves, and one that confronts Professor Charles Xavier in X-Men: Days of Future Past, the seventh installment in the long-lasting X-Men film series. In their latest adventure, Professor X (Patrick Stewart,) his off-and-on nemesis Magneto (Ian McKellan,) Storm (Halle Berry,) sporting yet another haircut, and of course, the cynical and practically immortal Wolverine (Hugh Jackman,) find themselves under attack from the Sentinels, a group of murderous androids that have all but exterminated mutantkind. To save their future, the X-Men send Wolverine into the past to team up with the young Xavier (James McAvoy) and Magneto (Michael Fassbender,) to stop Mystique (Jennifer Lawrence) from inadvertently triggering the creation of the Sentinels.


 The first thing that most will notice about Days of Future Past is simply the sprawling cast of characters. The film features both the characters from the original X-Men trilogy and their younger counterparts from X-Men: First Class. Director Bryan Singer assembled a fantastic cast, and not a single actor disappoints. I doubt Hugh Jackman will ever wear out his welcome as the grumpy yet lovable Wolverine, James McAvoy turns in a surprisingly thoughtful and emotional performance as a young Professor X, and Michael Fassbender brings an intense presence to the film as Magneto's younger self. As usual, Jennifer Lawrence all but steals the entire movie as Mystique, who is vital to the film's plot. Mystique has become bitter and hateful towards humanity due to their fear and distrust of mutants, and Lawrence perfectly captures both Mystique's strengths and insecurities. The characters in the future aren't given nearly as much screen time as their younger selves, but Page, Berry, McKellan, Stewart and others are all excellent, even with their limited presence. The film's biggest suprise is Evan Peters as Quicksilver, who turns in a clever, hilarious performance as the speedy mutant who assists the lead characters.


 The large cast is hardly the only aspect of Days of Future Past that impresses however. After six films, one would think that a seventh movie might be predictable or formulaic. Not so. Days of Future Past manages to keep you on the edge of your seat for its entire 131 minute running time. The tension builds as we jump back and forth between the 1970's and the "not too distant future," with things continually looking bleaker for our heroes. As usual, the set pieces are fantastic. One particular action scene featuring Evan Peters' Quicksilver staging a prison break is one of the most original, clever, and downright fun sequences I've ever seen in a comic book film.

 But action and thrills aside, where Days of Future Past really succeeds is where the X-Men stories have always succeeded: in bringing genuine emotion to a film about superheroes. Days of Future Past's mutant characters are continually displaying their human sides, making them all relatable and believable. In particular, Xavier and Mystique truly connect with the audience. Xavier is overwhelmed with the task he is presented with. He doesn't want to save the world, he simply wishes to live the rest of his life devoid of the presence of others, alone. Mystique is just the opposite, sick of being alone and alienated. Bitter and cynical due to the fact that she knows society will never accept her. Both learn valuable lessons on their respective paths, and teach the audience a lesson or two in the process.


 The film really only suffers from one flaw, and that is the fact that Days of Future Past utterly ignores major events in past X-Men films. Professor X died in The Last Stand, yet here he is, alive and well in Days of Future Past. In that same film, Magneto was injected with the mutant cure and had his powers removed, yet they inexplicably return in this movie. In The Wolverine, the film concluded with the title character no longer wielding his trademark adamantium claws. Yet in this film, somehow they're back again. These might seem small issues to some, but they do make the film slightly less enjoyable.

 Overall, however, X-Men: Days of Future Past easily succeeds on the strength of its cast, thrills, and genuine emotion. 
 "Just because someone stumbles and loses their way doesn't mean they can't be saved." It's a simple line that Xavier delivers, yet one that is undeniably powerful in the film, and one we would do well to apply in our own lives. It's moving in the film to see Xavier's unwavering faith in Mystique; his belief that she will choose the right path, regardless of the mistakes she has made. It's a valuable lesson we ought to remember in our everyday lives, be it in relationships with friends or family. No matter what those we love have done, there is still hope for them. For you and I. For all of us. After all, the future is never truly set.

The Amazing Spider-Man 2 review

Title: The Amazing Spider-Man 2
Director: Marc Webb
Starring: Andrew Garfield, Emma Stone, Jamie Foxx, Dane Dehaan, Sally Field, and Paul Giamatti
Release Date: May 2, 2014
Rating: PG-13


 




The Verdict: It's awfully predictable and painfully cheesy at times, but Spidey's second outing does a commendable job of blending human drama and thrilling action, with assistance from it's truly amazing cast.

6.5 out of 10.0
 
"It's easy to feel hopeful on a beautiful day like today, but there will be dark days ahead of us too. There will be days when you feel all alone, and that's when hope is needed most." Valedictorian Gwen Stacy (Emma Stone) presents these words at her high school graduation, foreshadowing the grim events that await her and her boyfriend, Peter Parker. (Andrew Garfield) For Peter however, life couldn't be better at the moment. There's no feeling like swinging between skyscrapers, embracing being the hero, and spending time with Gwen. But as Miss Stacy so eerily predicted, dark times are ahead. Powerful foes, some new, some old, surface in Peter's life, endangering those he loves. But regardless of the enemies Peter faces, we see that his ultimate battle is within himself: the struggle between the ordinary obligations of Peter Parker, and the extraordinary responsibilities of Spider-Man.

 This is Spidey's fifth outing since the franchise began back in 2002, and that's unfortunately obvious in this adventure. The whole affair has a weariness to it; a feeling that we've really done this all before. Be it Peter's troubled love life, yet another villain's backstory, or the evolution of Harry Osborn (Dane Dehaan,) nearly every plot point of The Amazing Spider-Man 2 has already been examined in previous installments. The film's predictability is especially detrimental during the first act, which feels like it was lifted straight from the first two films of the original trilogy. The Amazing Spider-Man 2's unoriginality is certainly a problem, but it's not the film's only flaw. 

 Cheesiness is always an ever-present danger when it comes to superhero films. And in recent years, comic book adaptations like The Dark Knight trilogy have managed to avoid it. No such luck with The Amazing Spider-Man 2. Consider dialogue like this, from villain Electro's (Jamie Foxx) first big appearance. Electro: "I'll be a god to them." Spidey: "A god named Sparkles?" Or another scene involving the lead antagonist. Electro: "Doc, you can't contain me. You wanna know how powerful I am? Well, I wanna know too. I'm Electro!" Ugh. The dialogue just crackles, doesn't it? Try as it might to be serious, the film features far too many moments that are just painfully corny. 

 But even with its flaws, The Amazing Spider-Man 2 is undeniably entertaining, mainly due to its truly amazing cast. Andrew Garfield and Emma Stone basically save the entire movie. Their playful banter is at times hilarious, always adorable. Their characters have a warmth and depth to them that is rarely seen in superhero films, and they're a joy to watch. But Garfield and Stone are hardly the only talented cast members. Dane Dehaan is enigmatic, conniving, and downright creepy as Harry Osborn, and Sally Field is wonderfully funny and endearing as Aunt May. Jamie Foxx, as thinly written as his character is, turns in a surprisingly emotional performance as lead villain Electro, making the audience almost sympathetic towards Spider-Man's nemesis.

 But where The Amazing Spider-Man 2 really succeeds is in its perfect blend of thrilling action and human drama. The fight scenes are visually stunning and intense, yet the quiet moments between the characters are just as entertaining. The film has us just as engaged during an emotional moment between Peter and Aunt May as it does during a high stakes battle in Times Square. During the action sequences, we truly care about Peter and Gwen's safety, because we've seen them interact as human beings, not just as a superhero and his damsel in distress. And so, when an incredibly unexpected and horrifying event occurs in the final act of the film, we are truly saddened, because we actually care about the characters. 

 After this moment, the film takes on a depressing tone, as Peter tries to navigate his way through those "dark days" Gwen spoke of. But fortunately, she didn't stop speaking there. She continued by saying "No matter how buried hope gets, or how lost you feel, you must promise me that you will hold on to hope. Keep it alive. We have to be greater than what we suffer. My wish for you is to become hope; people need that. And even if we fail, what better way is there to live? As we look around here today, at all of the people who helped make us who we are, I know it feels like we're saying goodbye, but we will carry a piece of each other into everything that we do next, to remind us of who we are, and of who we're meant to be." This is where the film really works. The characters connect with the audience. Gwen's speech is truly inspiring, not just to Peter, but to us. Because, while you might not expect to find it in a superhero film, The Amazing Spider-Man 2 proclaims a wonderful truth. The simple fact that no matter how bad things get, there is always hope. And as Gwen says, we can never lose sight of it, even if we want to. We find hope in the people around us, in those we care about. We find hope in the smallest, most insignificant of things. No matter how dark are circumstances may seem, hope always prevails. It's a simple fact that is truly amazing.

Captain America: The Winter Soldier review

Title: Captain America: The Winter Soldier
Directors: Joe and Anthony Russo
Starring: Chris Evans, Scarlett Johansson, Sebastian Stan, Anthony Mackie, Cobie Smulders, Frank Grillo, Emily VanCamp, Hayley Atwell, with Robert Redford, and Samuel L. Jackson
Release Date: April 4, 2014
Rating: PG-13

 




The Verdict: Politically relevant, suspenseful, and boasting frenetic action and an excellent cast, Captain America's newest adventure is one of Marvel's best yet.

8.5 out of 10.0

 When The Avengers was released into theaters on May 4th, 2012 it shattered box office records worldwide, earned the praise of critics and audiences alike, and solidified Marvel's position as the studio to beat when it came to superhero films. After such a triumph, could Marvel manage to replicate the success of The Avengers in future films? Iron Man 3 was hardly a worthy successor, and Thor: The Dark World was entertaining, but carried little resonance or impact upon the Marvel universe. Captain America: The Winter Soldier however, truly lives up to the standard set by The Avengers.


 After the cataclysmic events in New York City with the Avengers, The Winter Soldier finds Steve Rogers, (Chris Evans), aka Captain America, battling villains under the watchful eye of SHIELD, while attempting to adjust to life in the modern world. But after an attempt is made on SHIELD director Nick Fury's (Samuel L. Jackson) life, Steve becomes caught in a web of intrigue that (as usual) threatens to put the world at risk. Joining forces with the Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson,) Steve struggles to expose the vast conspiracy, but soon comes face to face with a formidable and mysterious enemy: the Winter Soldier.


 Captain America: The Winter Soldier is, at heart, an action film, and the fight sequences are unsurprisingly thrilling and brilliantly executed. Never does the film resort to simply blowing stuff up for the sake of blowing stuff up. From car chases to helicarrier battles, every action scene in The Winter Soldier is intense, purposeful, and wonderfully entertaining. 

 Fight scenes aside, one must give credit to Captain America himself for some of the film's success. Chris Evans turns in his best performance yet as the shield-wielding Steve Rogers, perfectly capturing Cap's longing for the world he has left behind, and his dedication to defending the world he finds himself in now. As entertaining as the lead character is, it's his redheaded sidekick who threatens to steal the show. Scarlett Johansson infuses the enigmatic Black Widow with sarcasm, emotion, and a fantastic sense of humor; much of the film's fun comes from her lively performance. While he isn't revealed until a ways into the film, Sebastian Stan brings a surprising amount of depth and emotion to the titular Winter Soldier, making him far more than just a generic comic book villain. Anthony Mackie brings some much needed diversity to the Marvel universe as the Falcon, who assists the Captain and Black Widow on their mission, and Cobie Smulders and Emily VanCamp are excellent as Agents Maria Hill and Sharon Carter, respectively. Indeed, the only problem with Smulders and VanCamp's performances is the fact that the film sorely underuses both their characters. Neither actress receives the screen time they or their characters deserve. Additionally, both Robert Redford and Samuel L. Jackson are unsurprisingly stellar as SHIELD commanders Alexander Pierce and Nick Fury.

 But apart from the thrilling chases and talented cast, what really makes The Winter Soldier enjoyable is its relevance to the world we're living in today. There's multiple debates regarding our national security, a major plot point involves the government monitoring the public, and Black Widow even pulls an Edward Snowden by releasing classified documents onto the World Wide Web. While Iron Man 3 and Thor: The Dark World were certainly enjoyable, the planet earth featured in those films feels wildly different from the one we find ourselves in. The Winter Soldier on the other hand, embraces the world as it is, both the good and the bad, and because of that, truly manages to connect with the audience. It asks serious questions about our freedoms, and the actions our government takes to protect those freedoms. It presents us with a startlingly real picture of the world around us, and not just through the questions that it asks. Captain America: The Winter Soldier shows us that regardless of the actions of governments, politicians, or comic book-inspired terrorist groups, there will always be those that stand up for what is right. And these days, that's treated as an old-fashioned idea. We're not as grateful for the freedoms we enjoy as we once were. America and the ideals she represents are not respected as they should be. But The Winter Soldier is the kind of film that makes you proud to be an American. It makes you respect that "old-fashioned" idea of heroism. It makes you want to run outside, grab a shield, and fight for what you believe in. And that's a good thing.

Divergent review

Title: Divergent
Director: Neil Burger
Starring: Shailene Woodley, Theo James, Kate Winslet, Zoe Kravitz, Miles Teller, Jai Courtney, Maggie Q, Ansel Elgort, Ray Stevenson, Tony Goldwyn, and Ashley Judd
Release Date: March 21, 2014
Rating: PG-13


 

The Verdict: It's unnecessarily complicated, and often quite predictable, but thanks to a unique score, sweeping cinematography, and a number of strong performances, Divergent opens its planned trilogy in excellent fashion.

7.0 out of 10.0
 
 As Tina Fey once said, "This is Hollywood, and if something kinda works, they'll just keep doing it until everybody hates it." And what's working right now is the young adult adaptation. We need only to look at the success of Harry Potter, Twilight, and The Hunger Games to see that young adult films (and the books they are based upon) are all the rage at the moment in America. But in the latest young adult adaptation to hit theaters you won't find wizards, vampires, or futuristic death matches. You'll find a story that's much more simple, yet no less intriguing. A story with a message our country, and our world as a whole, needs to a hear.


 Divergent tells the tale of Beatrice "Tris" Prior (Shailene Woodley,) a sixteen year-old growing up in a futuristic Chicago that has been divided into five factions. Depending on your personality, you spend your life within Abnegation (the selfless,) Amity (the peaceful,) Candor (the honest,) Dauntless (the brave,) or Erudite (the intelligent.) When each resident of this post-apocalyptic Chicago turns sixteen, they are required to take a test that will inform them which faction is most suitable for their personality. Tris is shocked to discover that her results are "inconclusive," meaning she does not fit in to any one faction, something that is unheard of in her society. Tris is told by her test administrator Tori (Maggie Q) that she is "divergent," and warns her not to tell anyone about her test results. At the "choosing ceremony" the next day, Tris opts to leave her home, Abnegation, in favor of joining Dauntless. From that point, Tris uncovers more about her divergence, and learns that their is a sinister plot brewing in her seemingly perfect society to eliminate those who are different.

 Now, the story Divergent tells is not an overly original one. In fact, we're pretty much always sure of where the plot is headed next. Even the "twists" that occur in the third act are always fairly predictable. Divergent's characters may talk quite a lot about what it means to be "different," but the story is far from a unique one.

 At the same time, there are moments when Divergent is utterly incomprehensible. The opening thirty minutes in particular are very confusing, especially for those that aren't familiar with the book the film is based upon. The movie hardly makes an effort to make details like the faction system and aptitude test understandable.

 Fortunately, Divergent's benefits easily outweigh its flaws. To begin with, the film features a number of strong performances. Shailene Woodley perfectly captures Tris's confidence and curiosity, all the while remaining completely believable as a teenager navigating the uncharted waters of growing up. Theo James is excellent as the solemn, courageous Four who assists Tris on her journey, and Kate Winslet is wonderfully cold and calculating as the villainous Jeanine Matthews. Additionally, Jai Courtney, Maggie Q, and Ashley Judd all give superb performances as the bloodthirsty Eric, the mysterious Tori, and Tris's mother Natalie, respectively. That's not to say the entire cast is great, however. Ansel Elgort is disappointingly bland and dull as Tris's brother Caleb, and Miles Teller is utterly forgettable as the bully Peter. Fortunately, the strength of the rest of the cast manages to overshadow Elgort and Teller's uninteresting performances.

 One of director Neil Burger's best decisions in making Divergent was simply the soundtrack. In many young adult adaptations, pop songs are unnecessarily crammed into the film, even if they completely fail to match the film's tone or setting. Not so in Divergent. Every song is expertly chosen, and perfectly goes along with the film's message and Tris's surroundings. In particular, Ellie Goulding's "Beating Heart" and Woodkid's "Run Boy Run" enhance the story, rather than distract from it. 

 Additionally, the film's sweeping cinematography is wondrous to behold. We stare in awe as the camera flies above a heavily damaged, yet still recognizable Chicago, and the now famous zip line scene in which Tris soars over the city is especially thrilling.

 But finally, what really makes Divergent work is the simple message it preaches. A message that calls us to embrace our differences, both in ourselves and in others. Divergent shows us how conformity can smother human beings, and can cause people to hate what is different rather than respect it. "What makes you different makes you dangerous," reads the film's tagline. And that is indeed true in the dystopian world Tris finds herself in. But with help from her family and friends, Tris fights for a better world. A world where we respect and live alongside those that are different from us. A world we all ought to be fighting for.

The Lego Movie review

Title: The Lego Movie

Directors: Phil Lord, Chris Miller

Starring: Chris Pratt, Will Ferrell, Elizabeth Banks, Liam Neeson, 
Will Arnett, Alison Brie, Charlie Day, and Morgan Freeman

Release Date: February 7, 2014

Rating: PG

   
The Verdict: Noisy, clichéd, and surprisingly unfunny, The Lego Movie wastes its colorful animation and distinguished voice cast on a plot devoid of meaning and originality.

2.5 out of 10.0
 
 "Everything is awesome!" Hardly. I can think of ten things off the top of my head that are decidedly not awesome, The Lego Movie being one of them. Why? I'm glad you asked.

 To begin with, The Lego Movie is dismally unfunny. Throughout it's 100 minute running time, there's hardly a single line that can truly qualify as being funny. The jokes continually fall flat, and the characters' antics come across as more obnoxious than entertaining.

 Speaking of the actions of our lovable minifigures, let's talk about the plot of The Lego Movie. We follow along with Emmett (Chris Pratt) as he attempts to fulfill his destiny and become "the special," and save the Piece of Resistance, thereby restoring order and uniting the lego worlds. Does this sound familiar to anyone else? Every step Neo, oh excuse me, Emmett makes is utterly predictable. The plot is painfully cliched and rips off ideas from every blockbuster of the last twenty years. The characters might be a whole lot smaller, but we've really seen everything that occurs in The Lego Movie many times before.

 The plot may be laughably familiar, but Warner Bros. nevertheless manages to slip an agenda or two of their own into the film, beginning with the villain's name: Lord Business. (Will Ferrell) You don't get much more overt than that. When did it become "bad" to make money and provide for yourself and those you care about? When did success in the marketplace become "evil?" Why is the character who provides jobs for thousands the bad guy? The obvious anti-capitalist message the film promotes is just another of the film's many flaws.

 Which really is a shame, because The Lego Movie had so much going for it. The colorful animation is dazzling and and downright wondrous at times. The film boasts a distinguished voice cast that includes Morgan Freeman, Liam Neeson, and Elizabeth Banks. And then there's just the delight of seeing all the toys you played with as a kid come to life together on the big screen. The Lego Movie could have been awesome indeed. Unfortunately, the only thought the rather meaningless storyline leaves us with is "that was hardly awesome."