Movies: Amazing

Guess what, I’m not dead! I’m surprised too, but I’ve been on vacation, and immediately following that vacation I got right back, and started playing Team Fortress 2. Then, a friend suggested I try a new PSU on my Xbox, and lo and behold, it works again; so now I’m getting back into L.A. Noire, all of which has been keeping me away from the computer (except TF2, which has been pulling me away from Blogger.) So, I think this post is one that’s long over-due that occurred around the 4^th, I’m planning on a double post today, one on this topic, and another with updates. Don’t worry children; I’m never leaving you again. Probably. 

So, unlike most Americans, my 4^th of July was spent doing what I like most—doing nothing. However, a few people somehow convinced me to get off my ass to see the new Spiderman movie, which I was personally skeptical about. I only read 2 comics: Deadpool & Iron Man, Spiderman just isn’t my normal cup of tea. Don’t take this as I don’t understand the normal concept of the character, but after the 2003’s venture of Spiderman (which I only credit with opening up the movie market to comic movies, which has given us so many fantastic movies) which by the 3^rd entry they finally gave up on, I was figuring it was a closed issue. I tend to think re-vamps happen 10-15 years AFTER the last movie, and not so quickly afterwards. But, after Spiderman failed to show up in the Avengers, I wasn’t surprised to hear about the new, upcoming title.

So going into the movie, I was cautious. I wasn’t getting my hopes up. I was hoping this one would be more of a direct translation of Spiderman. Spiderman, for me, is a two part hero. It’s kind of like Tony Stark/Iron Man, certain parts cannot be missing. In the original boot of Spiderman, I felt that what made Spiderman just wasn’t there. Saying this, I refer to Spiderman’s personality, his trademark humor, which in ways was another of his weapons, the overall look of Spiderman (which I just don’t feel the original did quite right) and of course, how he is when he’s just Peter Parker.

They started this Spiderman out young, younger than the normal Spiderman is. However, I hold that the actor chosen for this boot of Spiderman is quite near perfect for the role, after seeing his performance. The cast is held together wonderfully, but its missing a few things that I feel should normally happen in a Spiderman plot. Martin Sheen (Uncle Ben) never says “With great power comes great responsibility” although he comes so close to it with a phrase similar to that. There is no Mary Jane. There os no asking for pictures, pictures of Spidermen. Peter Parker is a little more of a dick than I normally think of him, but this is all just minor complaints in the end. I hold this up to the same degree that I look at the current “Dark Knight” series of Batman—the director is making his own version of the comic, which makes perfect sense, especially with the whole Marvel Universe theory.

Overall, I gave The Amazing Spiderman an 8/10. A great movie, but lacking in some areas, and missing some things that I feel an introduction shouldn’t miss. However, if you are a Spiderman fan, and for whatever reason have waited for my opinion, go out and see it. It’s a fun movie.

--Santa

Movies: Avenge This

This isn’t a surprise to see me review, except for the fact that I went out and saw it on opening weekend. Let me put it this way though, I’m a pretty big nerd for comics, and the only thing that I love more than Iron Man is Deadpool, but since I’m probably going to have to wait 1-2 more years for the Deadpool movie, I think I can wait a bit. The Avenger’s is probably one of the year’s most hotly anticipated movies as most of you know, and I’ll say one thing now—they aren’t kidding.

Now, when I go out to see a movie, I want to know what I’m into, even if I’m pretty sure it’s going to be fantastic. In most cases, I use Rotten Tomatoes, since they give a pretty good review of movies. In this case, a 93% review from the critics and a 96% from the fans got me into a good mood for this one. Normally I’m a pretty cheap guy, so I got to matinees, but a big group of my friends insisted on a later time, and I gave in. I’m a talker during movies, making a bunch of funny/stupid comments, and super heroes make me all the more excited.

I’m not going to get very far into the specifics of the movie to spare most of you out there that haven’t yet seen it, but here’s a fair synopsis

As Loki, in Norse myth the god of mischief, comes back to Earth planning to enslave the entirety of the human race, Nick Fury (the director of SHIELD) decides to get together a team of super heroes, which he has named the Avenger’s Initiative. Including Iron Man, Thor, Captain America, The Incredible Hulk, Hawkeye and Black Widow, can this team stop Loki from ruling the world before its TOO LATE?

                Cliché overview? Possibly. Do I care? No. This is probably the best way to give you a synopsis without ruining it for you. But, I will go into some of the main ideals.

Acting—Near perfect, but what do you expect when you’ve got a super group together to make a movie? Great shows of emotions, reminding of the humanity of the characters, great lines, and overall great expressions make the move fantastic.

Plot and Props—Once again, the Avenger’s do a great job living up to comic ideals. With characters that look like they’re visiting from one of the many Marvel Universes, and the overall feel like this is a very real Earth in very real danger makes the movie feel the part it needs.

Special Effects—Oh, oh yes.

The “Wow” Factor and Keeping with comic traditions—With great humor comes great responsibility, and although I’m pretty sure I remember Spiderman as being one of the original Avengers, I’ll let it slide, as the overall feel of the characters are so greatly shown.

Final Score—A very strong, and quite honorable 9.75/10. This one came close, but with the overall feel being great, I just can’t give it a 10, I’m saving that for the big boys.

Overall, if you enjoy spending $10 on seeing a movie, or like to spend $10 on literally seeing one of the best movies, if not the best movie of the year, I suggest this one, I love it, and if you’ve ever considered yourself a Marvel fan boy, and you actually haven’t seen it yet, then you better walk to the next movie theater, and buy yourself 10 or so seats, this is a good one.

--Santa