Captain America Review // The Winter Soldier is Blisteringly Hot!!

Plot Synopsis:

Steve Rogers struggles to embrace his role in the modern world and battles a new threat from old history: the Soviet agent known as the Winter Soldier.

Official Trailer:

Full Review:

Before we begin, can I just rant about annoying movie goers(!). As I was watching this film in the cinema, there was a young kid (about eight years old) sat with his mother in a couple of rows in front of me. Not so bad, right? Hell no! This demon child talked aloud throughout the entire movie, practically shouting about how that explosion was cool amongst other irrelevant topics of discussion the rest of the audience had to endure through as we tried to enjoy this two and a half hour action fest. My friend quietly laughed it off whereas I was reaching boiling point. I just couldn’t stand it. I don’t mean to sound harsh or anything but … I really wanted to smack the kid around the head!! It’s amazing how many people still don’t know that a cinema is NOT a place for conversation. So remember kids, when in the cinema, you need to shut the f*ck up!!

* Relieved sigh * Now that I’ve got that off my chest, we can now review the film everyone is talking about at the minute. Of course, it is the latest movie featuring the shield wielding personification of American patriotism. I am obviously referring to fan favourite Captain America and his alter ego Steve Rodgers, who make a return in this stupendous action sequel that is chock full with explosive eye candy that’s laced with a surprisingly intriguing premise.

Wait!! Hang on! I need to clear something up. This isn’t a film to be taken 100% seriously. Like all Marvel films, The Winter Soldier has a lot of cheesy jokes and quips as well as a few absurd and somewhat cliché moments. But that is part of all the fun!! These films are meant to stimulate and entertain, and this is no exception. So to give a fair verdict, I switched off my brain and didn’t look too deep into what the film meant. Instead, I engulfed on my popcorn and watched it like everyone else and I urge you to do the same.

So exactly how entertaining did I find this then? Well let’s just say I felt like a kid at a mega magic show. I was drooling with wonder and left wanting more. Thanks to the riveting action, you are hooked as soon as the film starts and from that point on, it is such a high octane thrill ride all the way to its spectacular finale that genuinely had me on the edge of my seat. How cliché, I know!. But the action wouldn’t be as invigorating as it was if it weren’t for the Russo Brother’s directing, who somehow managed to use shaky cam effectively and quite clearly knew how to frame each and every scene effectively. So big props to those guys, especially considering this was their first big budget action film.

And even though I said how turning off your inner critic would help you enjoy the film more, I have to say the plot was fairly sophisticated and well thought out for a silly superhero movie. Utilising themes of espionage, conspiracy and corruption, it really helped the film maintain substance throughout the abundance of fiery destruction goodness. And it gave someone like me, who mainly watches films for developed and engrossing stories, something to sink my teeth into. And amazingly, there was a few sombre moments (which I won’t spoil!) that gave the film some dramatic depth and really elevated the film to new heights.

Before we CAP off the review (see what I did there?! It was so fu … never-mind), I would like to say what I didn’t particularly like. These issues are by no means colossal flaws but yet are still noticeable. As I’ve mentioned already, there are moments which are cliché and down right stupid and some of which I just couldn’t ignore. Unfortunately, my enjoyment was very slightly diluted as I realised I had rolled my eyes during these specific points of the movie. If you have a higher tolerance for cinema that’s as cheesy as a guy that’s obsessed with awful puns, then you won’t be as bothered as I was. But then again, what did I expect from a Marvel movie?!

Another thing I wasn’t too fond of was a certain storyline/scene which, if I talk about it, will be classified as a spoiler so I will save it until the very end of the review under the heading ‘SPOILERIFIC!‘, so if you haven’t seen the film yet then DO NOT read all the way to the bottom of this article. Enjoy the film first and then come back to the site and read what I had to say. Please do so, since it helps my site statistics!!

The Winter Soldier was a tremendously amusing and incredibly delightful film that is absorbing in its entertainment value and compelling in its story. This movie has done something which the other stand alone Marvel films have yet to achieve; focus solely on the fun factor. This was the reason why The Avengers worked so well and the Russo Brothers understood that perfectly, and in the process churned out a fantastic action movie that is enlightening in every aspect. And I for one cannot wait to see what they do for the next Captain America instalment in 2016!!

Fergie’s Final Fifteen:

Gripping, exciting, awesome. A superhero movie of epic proportions. A true marvel from Marvel studios!

Rating:

A

Out of all the films you can watch at the cinema at this very minute, this appears to be the best option. For all the reasons stated above, The Winter Soldier is a must see and you will leave the cinema with a massive smile on your face guaranteed … As long as there isn’t a inconsiderate bratty child in the cinema with you!!

SPOILERIFIC!!!

Alright guys! We’re getting nitty and gritty into spoiler territory so if you haven’t seen the film, I’m giving you one more chance to leave and rush down to your local cinema to see it. You’ve been warned.

As I mentioned earlier, there was a particular scene in the film which bothered me and that was the computer scene featuring a A.I version of Arnim Zola from The First Avenger. There are a couple of reasons why this scene kind of fell flat for me; one of them being the absurd irony of watching the trailer for the upcoming Wally Pfister feature Transcendence, which focuses on the same concept of Zola’s resurrection, beforehand. Not done on purpose, I’m sure, but I found it funny nevertheless!

But the other reason why I didn’t like this scene was because of the hefty amount of exposition that drained my enjoyment away like liposuction, thankfully only throughout the length of the scene. This is a problem that all films which deal with a large amount of mystery in their plot suffer from (one of the biggest culprits, in my opinion, being French murder mystery Tell No One) but nonetheless, it seemed to be thrown in the film just to tie up all loose ends between The First Avenger and this unbelievable sequel. Fortunately, the rest of the film shoots back into action and my brain was left paralysed for a further hour.

So that’s why my grade isn’t significantly low but also why it hasn’t achieved the top grade of A+. I still loved the film and I hope you did too!

 

My First Review! // The Dark Knight

Plot Synopsis:

In this sequel to the critically acclaimed Batman Begins, Batman/Bruce Wayne (Christian Bale) raises the stakes in his war on crime. With the help of Lieutenant Jim Gordon (Gary Oldman) and District Attorney Harvey Dent (Aaron Eckhart), Batman sets out to dismantle the remaining criminal organizations that plague the city streets. The partnership proves to be effective, but they soon find themselves prey to a reign of chaos unleashed by a rising criminal mastermind known to the terrified citizens of Gotham as The Joker (Heath Ledger). Also starring Maggie Gyllenhaal, Michael Caine, and Morgan Freeman.

Official Trailer:

Full Review:

Before I begin this review, I would like to explain why I chose to look at The Dark Knight for the blog’s first ever review. The reason is that this will be one of the easiest films for me to review. Why? Because there’s nothing to pick apart. NOTHING!. This is genuinely one of the few perfect films in the history of cinema. WHOA! “That’s a really bold statement” I hear most of you cry. I understand it’s something that can twist several knots in a lot of people’s panties, but I stand by it completely and I’m here to back up why I think it cannot be improved upon.

Directed by Christopher Nolan (Memento, Inception), The Dark Knight is yet another Batman film. This was the seventh Batman movie to be released in the uber-successful franchise and the second of which to feature The Joker as the villain. Oscar winning actor Jack Nicholson (The Shining, One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest) played the clown prince of crime originally in the Tim Burton gothic flick simply titled Batman, released in 1989. So what exactly does The Dark Knight have to offer? A superhero story which pushes all the boundaries and completely obliterates the mould of modern comic book movies. It’s also completely different to the atrocious (but hilarious) Batman And Robin, which is definitely a plus!

The first major strength of this film is the script. My god, this is exactly how a script should be written! The story is woven together so well, it flows like the beverage you bought in the foyer being slurped up by the straw. And every line of dialogue spoken just feels so right. Every word has a purpose; not one fragment of the script is wasted on anything we know already; something so many screenplays suffer from. Speaking of the dialogue (Ha! Get it?! Speaking? Dialogue! … never-mind), this screenplay is responsible for some truly memorable quotes which I always try to slip into conversation, including the infamous question posed by Ledger’s character “Why So Serious?”. Each letter that drips out of the character’s mouths is pure movie gold.

The acting is great all around as well, as you expect from such a top notch cast. Christian Bale really gives depth to the character of Bruce Wayne; pulling off the egotistical side of him in a sublime manner and the broken, damaged side of him in such a way that you can relate to a billionaire who dresses up as a giant bat at night. It takes a really good movie in order to pull that off! And I know some of you hate the fact that Batman sounds like he has throat cancer, but personally I don’t mind it. It’s there for a reason; to scare the seedy underbelly of Gotham to their core, and it works.

Gary Oldman plays Batman’s trusty partner in crime Lieutenant Gordon. Well, he’s Batman’s crime partner only in this movie since Robin is not included! As you expect from Oldman, a quality performance helps the audience sympathise with his character as he tries to correct the corrupt legal system and end the high octane mayhem. Aaron Eckhart also gives a good performance as you watch his character struggle to cope with the madness inflicted upon him and those he holds dearest.

But of course, this wouldn’t be a complete review if I didn’t talk about a certain actor’s iconic performance. Heath Ledger’s Joker. What else do you want me to say about this magnificent performance?! Seriously, there isn’t much I can add to the large amount of praise for Ledger’s oscar winning performance. But I will say that I’m a HUGE Batman fan and I can safely claim that the Joker that’s portrayed in this film is the perfect Joker. You don’t know his background, his real name is unknown and he doesn’t have any motives. As Michael Caine’s Alfred puts it, he is someone “who just wants to watch the world burn” His chilling chuckle sends shivers down my spine every time I hear it.

The Dark Knight has set a new precedent for all films being released nowadays. Not many films can sell an idea that’s as ridiculous as a vigilante dressed as a bat. And many films still can’t pull off the same realism inherent in this film. It’s completely in it’s own league and has yet to be matched. This is a truly immersive experience which I can very happily watch over and over again. Plus, it looks stunning on Blu-ray!

Fergie’s Final Fifteen:

Simply brilliant on every level. A true masterpiece of cinema. This is a MUST see!!

Rating:

A+

What else did you expect?!