Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom (2023) Review

After 10 years the DCEU has finally come to its end with Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom. The first film was a big success both in terms of quality and financially but lots has happened since then and I watched the film today and here is my review. The premise of the film is set four years after the first with Arthur Curry as the King of Atlantis and a new father when a ghost from his past in Black Manta returns to try and destroy his world. 

Main Character

Jason Momoa is back as Arthur Curry/Aquaman and once again he is really good here. He is just clearly having a blast in the role and I think that really helps in terms of making you like the character. You can see that Arthur is really struggling with all of his responsibilities and though that is kind of pushed aside at certain parts I did like that it was included. With this probably being his last time playing the role, it is easy to say that Momoa has been great in this role and has added much needed freshness to the DC universe. 

Supporting Characters 

Patrick Wilson reprises his role as Orm and he is a real highlight here. Momoa and Wilson's chemistry is easily the best thing about this film, there is charm but anger still there from the first film and both of them deliver there. I mean it is way to similar to Thor & Loki but that isn't Wilson's fault and he does an admirable job in the role. 

Randall Park made his return as Dr Stephen Shin from the post credit scene in the first Aquaman and he gets a sizeable role here which is great and he is a fun aspect of the film. He gets plenty of screen time and Park chews up the screen and just conveys his character really well. 

Yahya Abdul-Mateen II gets a bigger role as the main villain Black Manta this time and I have really mixed feelings here. I think Abdul-Mateen is doing his best and has a real presence on screen it is just the writing for his character that doesn't quite work. Black Manta is given plenty of screen time here but the film never evolves his motivations and his link to a certain object makes him feel like a secondary part of the film. 

Nicole Kidman and the much maligned Amber Heard are back from the first film as Atlanna and Mera but there roles are basically cut in half which in Heard's case makes complete sense. But it means they are really insignificant here and feel like they are just here because they were in the first film and not for any narrative reason. 

Story

The main factor of the story is the dynamic and relationship between Arthur & Orm and that is handled pretty well to be honest. The two of them have good chemistry together and it does feel like they are genuinely growing as people and with their relationship. The rest of the story is a mess, as mentioned above Black Manta's character is all over the place and isn't well written. Other characters are given nothing to do and it has an ending that is literally ripped from another comic book film. 

Script

This film isn't as serious as some of the other films in the DCEU. It has that banter in it and it is chuckle worthy for sure, but falls flat of really funny moments and writing that makes these characters really fun. The emotion also falls short and actually comes across as quite cringy which is a shame because there was quite a bit of potential here. 

Style 

Recent comic book films have had some poor CGI but this films CGI is pretty good especially with the difficulties that come with a film that takes place underwater for a majority of it. Black Manta's costume in particular is awesome and one of the better designs in any recent comic book film. But the film is paced poorly, it was just pretty boring at times, especially in the first act. I felt like the film was way longer then it actually was and that is never a good thing. 

Overall

Overall, Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom is an above average sequel. It is a big drop off from the first film but it still is a pretty fun time at the cinema and has all the things you would expect from a superhero film in 2023. It certainly isn't one to rush out too but maybe down the line it could be worth a watch. 

Rating - 6/10

The Flash (2023) Review

    

With the DCEU coming up to its end we have finally got The Flash hit the big screen. This film has been one of the most complicated and controversial comic book films ever released but it has now released and I have seen it so here is my review for it. The premise of the film sees Barry Allen go back in time and change the past which ends up changing major factors of the multiverse as a whole. 

Main Character

Ezra Miller has had plenty going on over the last few years but I have decided to ignore these things when reviewing this film. I thought Miller did a pretty good job as Allen, they are funny and quirky and feel like an appropriate character. The character goes through a real journey in the film and I thought this was one of the best parts of the film. However, Miller also plays a younger version of the character and I really did not like this performance, they were so annoying. I understand why the character is like this way but the majority of the film they are like this and it just misses the boat for me. 

Supporting Characters 

One of the main things people were excited about was seeing the return of Michael Keaton as Batman and he is a real highlight here. Yes, he is pretty cheesy but it just works with his charm and charisma, as a big fan of him in this role it was great to see him return and have some real time to shine as a character he is iconic for. 

Sasha Calle plays Supergirl for the first time here and I really liked her performance in the role. She isn't a huge part of the film but when she is on screen she is very opposing and fits the role very well. Her character is explored enough for an introduction but I do wish we could have had slightly more here from the writers. 

Michael Shannon as General Zod was one of my favourite villains in the DCEU, but he is used so badly here. Even Shannon came out and said he didn't enjoy making the film, he feels pointless here and that anybody could have played his role when there was definitely more they could have done with him. 

Ron Livingston & Maribel Verdu do okay jobs as Henry & Nora Allen but I never felt like they stood out considering how they were an emotional core of the film. They weren't bad but I never fully supported Barry's mission because I never connected with them like I did the TV version of the characters. 

Kiersey Clemons reprises her role from Zack Snyder's Justice League as Iris West, but she is another dull part of the film. Luckily, the film doesn't spend too much time with the character but even when on screen I never saw any charisma between her and Miller. 

Story 

The film has two parts to its story. When looking at the character of Barry Allen, I think the film shows how his inner conflict affects him, he is somebody who feels below other heroes but wants to do something that makes himself truly happy and selfish. The film presents this well throughout and thank goodness for that. This is because the rest of the films story is pretty bad, the majority of side characters are underused and not given time for us to grow and connect with them. But the major problem I have is that as somebody who has watched the majority of The Flash TV show, I have seen many things that happen in this film in that show and done better. The ending is also pretty terrible and I just think the really missed the mark with all the interesting things they actually could have done. 

Script

The film definitely had me chuckling at times. There were some actually pretty funny moments and that was nice to see here. There was also some good drama, there were a couple of really effective scenes that made us care about The Flash. But it misses quite a bit too, the film makes no sense a lot of the time, it also just drags out with dialogue that doesn't really do anything. 

Style

The film has some decent action sequences mainly involving Batman. It is cool to see this same Batman able to be given the time to really show how he can really work as an action star. But this is one of the worst looking films that you will see, the CGI is terrible and has truly some of the worst ever made. Also the pacing is bad, the first 30 mins are all over the place and feel like they are pointless to the film which is a major let down. 

Overall

Overall, The Flash just about is an average film. It really falls below the standards that were set and promised by the people in charge. It isn't terrible but I really don't think it is worth a watch unless you really like Michael Keaton as Batman and liked the TV show. 

Rating - 5/10

Shazam! Fury of the Gods (2023) Review 

DC are in a really interesting position currently. They are stuck between the remnants of the DCEU and the reboot universe being set up by James Gunn. One of the last films of the DCEU is Shazam! Fury of the Gods and I watched it yesterday with this being my review. The premise of the film sees after the events of the first film Shazam! is looking to try and keep his family together while taking on the new threat of the daughters of Atlas. 

Main Character

Zachary Levi reprises his role as the titular character and he does an okay job. He is clearly having a great time in the role and you can't help but enjoy watching him in the role. The main issue though is that he comes across as a bit too annoying for me. His character development is minimal and I just felt like the focus on his humorous side was just a bit too heavy here and that is a shame because if it was a little more balanced this would be deemed as a stronger character. 

Supporting Characters

Helen Mirren plays one of the daughters of Atlas and though this isn't one of her best performances or characters, I liked how she was giving it her all and wanting to make this an enjoyable watch. Mirren does her best to add some star power to this film and an enjoyable character. Djimon Hounsou returns as The Wizard, which is not a spoiler as he is in the trailer. But he is given way more to do in this film and he is certainly an enjoyable aspect of the film that was a pleasant surprise. But the rest of the cast fair worse. Jack Dylan Grazer reprises his role as young Freddie Freeman, he is the young actor who gets the most screen time here and gone is the charming kid from the first film and here is this loud and annoying kid that possibly ruins the entire thing. He gets way too much to do an absolutely nothing works. Lucy Liu & Rachel Zegler play the other daughters of Atlas and they are just really dull, Zegler is a really generic character that offers little and Liu offers incredibly little as well. The child cast is basically cast aside and that is a shame because the aged up versions aren't very good either and I didn't care about any of them at all. 

Story 

I liked how the story of this film really takes place because of events from the previous film and the link is well handled. There were elements of the story that had weight and heart to them but it just isn't emphasised a lot. This film tries to drip in lots of story beats but misses the mark with the majority of them. The motivations of the villains isn't particularly interesting and the whole family dynamic lacks the heart of the previous film. 

Script

This film has some decent drama in it despite the issues I have mentioned earlier in the review. It also has a few funny moments but for a film that relies on comedy it isn't that funny. Unfortunately, it is a weaker script then the previous film and just about gets away with being considered average. 

Style 

The film looks good, the CGI, action scenes and costume design is well done and feels worthy of a big blockbuster superhero film. Though the film isn't particularly well paced, it felt quite long to me despite clocking in at around 2 hours. I also feel the first act took too long to actually get going and thus made it difficult to completely get into the film. 

Overall

Overall, Shazam! Fury of the Gods is an average sequel that is way worse then the original film. It doesn't fit the mould of DC films and I think it is one that can be easily skipped and it won't matter in the long run. 

Rating - 5/10

Black Adam (2022) Review

After what feels like forever Black Adam has finally made its way to cinemas and I managed to find the time to watch it today and here is my review for the film. The premise of the film sees an individual with the power of a god released in order to provide justice to his land. 

Main Character

Dwayne Johnson has been set to play Black Adam for years and finally he has been given the chance and I thought he was really good in this film. He provides more then his generic performance that he has become known for, he is intimidating as Adam and adds plenty of depth to this character. He still has those elements of charm there but it doesn't overshadow the nuance of the character. 

Supporting Characters

Pierce Brosnan plays Dr Fate and I thought he was really good. He actually seems to care about the character and the role, Fate is a really interesting character in the comics and though he doesn't get enough screen time to truly flesh him out it does enough here. Aldis Hodge plays Hawkman and he was decent in the role, he plays the hero well and though the character is barely fleshed out but he uses his natural charisma to get him by. But the rest of the cast don't fare as well. Noah Centineo plays Atom Smasher & Quintessa Swindell plays Cyclone, these two feel like they are in a different movie and it doesn't work. They come across as annoying and like they are in a Marvel film while the rest of the film is pretty serious. The villain is one of the weaker ones that are seen in a DC film, he is clearly an afterthought and is really bland. There are a few generic human characters and they didn't offer anything particularly interesting either. 

Story 

When Teth Adam's backstory is explored in this film it was interesting to see and see this protagonist who is really brutal and does some things that wouldn't be seen by a traditional superhero. The issue with the story is that the rest of the film is really generic, with how many super hero films that have come out I feel like I have seen this final act done better in other films for sure. 

Script 

This film is at its best when it focuses on the dark side of the story. But it has some awkward use of comedy and not all the drama hits, the humans aren't interesting and their annoying exposition doesn't help rise it up. 

Style 

The film has some pretty impressive action sequences and it is paced pretty well throughout. A big issue is that my favourite action scene was probably the first one which is never good for a super hero film. Also again the final act CGI fights don't really stand out, there is one in particular that rips off specific action scenes from another comic book film. Also there is one instance of truly terrible CGI which you will notice straight away. 

Overall

Overall, Black Adam is an above average super hero film. It is entertaining but falls way short of living up to the hype, if you want to entertain yourself for a few hours then maybe give it a go but I wouldn't rush to see it. 

Rating - 6/10

The Suicide Squad (2021) Review 

At the beginning of the year The Suicide Squad was my most anticipated film of 2021 and last night I finally got the chance to watch it and here is my review for it. The premise of the film sees a group of super villains bought together to take down a new intergalactic threat. 

Main Character

Idris Elba is given the chance to be a lead character here as Bloodsport and he is fantastic. His comedic timing is actually very good, and he has plenty of heartfelt moments and is really effective as a character. There is an argument that his character is incredibly similar to Deadshot from the previous film but I feel Elba manages to add enough to make this character his own. 

Supporting Characters

This film has one of the biggest casts ever put on film but some play larger roles then others and without spoiling things I will talk about them. John Cena makes his debut as Peacemaker and he was a real highlight of the film for me, his character is so interesting and Cena manages to use his natural charisma to make this a memorable character showing that given the right material he can deliver. Margot Robbie is back as Harley Quinn and what is there to say, she was literally born to play this role and brings the character to life so well. There are some things involving her character I wasn't a huge fan of but there is no denying how great Robbie is in the role. The real breakout star for the film though is Daniela Melchior as Ratcatcher 2, she bring so much heart and emotion to the role and considering that she is one of the least known comic book characters ever, she really resonates with the audience and I think we will see much more from this actress in the future. Joel Kinnaman and Viola Davis are back as Rick Flag and Amanda Waller from the previous Suicide Squad film and they are much improved here. Flag is actually an interesting and well realised character and Waller is the intimidating boss that she really should be. We also have our big CGI character in King Shark voiced by Sylvester Stallone and he is so cool to watch in action and there is also some heart towards this guy and he will probably be one that people will talk about coming out of the film. 

Story 

The story is decent, the chemistry between the team is so much better then the previous film and the unique and distinctive personalities of each squad member does shine and provide a great experience. The task that they are given is fun enough but it is these characters and the outrageous circumstances that they are put in that rise it above. However, this film does have some story issues, mainly what they do with Harley Quinn in the first and mostly second act, she is on her own and it feels a bit out of place and a slower placed part of the film. Also there is some side plot involving a corrupt government and resistance that doesn't really do much for the film and feels like another not important element of the plot. 

Script

The script is really good, it has that James Gunn directed wicked humour. With the more mature script it allows way more creative freedom and the majority of the characters are pretty funny. Some of the jokes feel a bit repetitive but I can't deny that I laughed pretty consistently throughout the film. The drama also works, I ended up caring about this group of bad guys and I think the film does an effective job of giving you reasons to care. 

Style

The style of the film has some really great and entertaining action sequences. This film has the violence and gore that is appropriate for a film called The Suicide Squad. The characters get there own big set pieces and the action is probably the best part of this really well paced out film. 

Overall

Overall, The Suicide Squad is a fantastic film that finally delivers a film worthy of the licence. This film is such an entertaining watch that all comic book fans have to watch it and others will probably enjoy it too. 

Rating - 9/10

Zack Snyder's Justice League (2021) Review

After 4 years, a social media campaign and countless trailers we finally have Zack Snyder's Justice League in all of its 4 hour glory. It is crazy that a social media campaign really convinced Warner Bros to release this film and I am glad after his personal tragedy that Zack Snyder got the chance to make this film they way he wanted. I watched the film today and here is my review for it. The premise of the film sees a group of people with remarkable abilities coming together in order to save the world from an ancient evil. 

Main Character

I have always said that I really like Ben Affleck as Batman and I think he is great here. He is back to being a more serious character but you see more clearly here how the character has progressed since the events of Batman V Superman and Affleck does that well. He isn't given a real standout action scene but he is given a consistent amount of decent action and Affleck still has the physicality of Batman to make that seem realistic despite being the only member of the team without powers. Gal Gadot is back as Wonder Woman and I think anybody disappointed by Wonder Woman 1984 will be very happy to see her being a real star here. Gadot is a real glue that holds the heroes together and she does it really well and she really shines in the action scenes, she is the main one who shines in the action scenes and that is a real highlight. 

Supporting Characters

In the original version of Justice League, I thought Ray Fisher did a decent job as Victor Stone/Cyborg but he is so much better here and is easily the best character in the film. He is the real heart of the film and we learn so much more about Victor and the pain that he has and continues to go through in his new form. His role is larger and provides some real depth and delving into his personal life does a great job in telling his narrative. Ezra Miller is Barry Allen/The Flash and he is a fun member of the cast, he is clearly the comic relief of the film but he never becomes too much and unfunny, he has his serious moments but he works well as part of the group and is a nice addition. Jason Momoa is back as Aquaman and he is also a lot of fun here, we get a bit more of his backstory and it does work better here and make him feel like he has some development that links to his solo film. Henry Cavill is also back as Superman and he is okay, honestly he isn't in this film that much but he has some really standout moments and though he is less charming then he was in the theatrical cut he is still good here. The real surprise though is Ciaran Hinds as Steppenwolf. In the theatrical cut he was such a dull villain but here is a terrifying physical presence that has an interesting character arc and he was a great opposition for the Justice League here. 

Story 

The overall story isn't too different to the theatrical cut but it is handled much better here. The characters are just given way more development time here and it does make you care about them and the way they develop as a group. The film has a much larger scale and for the most part it does work, it doesn't feel too shoehorned in and fits the overall feel of the film and what could have been the future of the DCEU. 

Script

The script is good, there is plenty of drama here and we see the characters go through some things that especially with the longer runtime makes you care. There is also humour sprinkled in here mainly from Miller, Momoa and Jeremy Irons as Alfred which does lighten the film at times when it very much needs it. 

Style 

The one thing you can say about Zack Snyder is that he makes great looking films and this is another one of them. The action scenes are great and filmed really well to really encapsulate the epic nature of the characters and the film that we are seeing. Now the one major glaring issue is that this film is 4 hours long and it really shouldn't be, I appreciate the majority of the new content but there are clear parts of the film that could have been cut and it would have provided a better pacing, 3 hours is surely long enough, Avengers Endgame did it and I think this film could have done it. 

Overall

Overall, this is a fantastic film and a Fantastic experience. This is a much improved version of Justice League and what it does is make me want to see more of Snyder's vision for the DCEU. 4 hours is a big commitment so I think only fans will do it but I would say give it a chance, it is a lot of fun. 

Rating - 9/10

Wonder Woman 1984 (2020) Review

After months and months of anticipation Wonder Woman 1984 has finally made its way to the UK and I went back to the cinema today to see it and here is my review. The premise of the film is set in the year 1984 and sees Diana Prince trying to get on with her life as new threats emerge to challenge her. 

Main Character

I remember when Gal Gadot was cast as Wonder Woman, most of us out there were like she looks the part but can she act the part and without a shadow of a doubt she is perfect as Wonder Woman and it is the role she was born to play. She brings so much life to this character and you really care about Diana and really want her to succeed, her character takes interesting twists and turns and it feels like an appropriate development from the previous film and credit to Gadot for that. 

Supporting Characters

Chris Pine reprises his role as Steve Trevor and I wasn't sure about this after what happened to his character in the previous film but it really works and is a real highlight of the film. Pine and Gadot have superb chemistry together and it is even better here then it was in the previous film and that is because both of them are having so much fun together and it is really nice to see and works for the story the film is trying to tell. Kristen Wiig plays Barbara Minerva and I thought she did a really good job in the film, I must admit I wasn't sure at first but as the film goes on she gets better and better and her character is one you can feel a bit of sympathy for and you understand the actions she takes and credit to her for a strong performance here. Pedro Pascal plays Maxwell Lord and he is fantastic here, the trailers make it out that he is just a cheesy villain but he is far from that, he is the most interesting character in this film and they do so much to make him a memorable antagonist and one that will be remembered. I think with The Mandalorian we have maybe forgotten just how good Pascal is and this film is here to remind people just how charismatic and amazing an actor that he is. 

Story

The story for this film is fantastic and one of the best in recent comic book films. The relationship between Steve and Diana is really well developed and better handled here then it was in the first film, mixed with the interesting characters of Barbara & Lord provides a fascinating story that feels appropriate in 2020. It really pulls on the emotion and especially in current times it feels like the story people need and one that will resonate with audiences. A film like this shows that sometimes having less characters but really developing them is a much better idea and allows you to really get invested in what you are watching. 

Script

The script is great, this film takes place in the 80s and doesn't hide away from it but it also doesn't cheese the film up too much and feels like the right amount of it. The drama is ramped up and I grew to really care about the characters in the film and the blend felt right all the right through with those deep moments and the lighter moments.

Style  

As I mentioned above the film does a really good job in making you feel like you are watching the 1980s and it is a fun change of pace from what we are used to for sure. The action scenes are also pretty well done in this film even though there is an over reliance of The Lasso Of Truth, that is a tiny complaint. Though I do have a bigger complaint and that is some of the CGI, these were in the trailers so there not spoilers but it is Cheetah and the Golden Winged Armour. They just don't look very good and the action scene teased in the trailer disappoints and fails to live up to the hype. 

Overall

Overall, this is a fantastic film that improves on the first film. If you are a fan of Wonder Woman you will really enjoy this film and this is a film you have to experience on the big screen so when you feel comfortable go out and support cinemas and this film by seeing it.

Rating - 9/10

Shazam! (2019) Review

So I have now caught up with the DCEU films and here is my review for the film called Shazam! The premise of the film sees a young boy given the powers of a Wizard which transforms him into an adult where he has to take down an enemy alligned with The 7 Deadly Sins.

Main Character

The main character is split into two parts, the first one is that of Zachary Levi who plays the adult version of Billy Batson and he does a great job, he seems to have finally found a great superhero role for him. He is really funny in the role and he truly does a great job in playing an adult version of a 14 year old, he does a great job with the drama and the humour of the role. Then onto the young version of the character played by Asher Angel who I also thought did a good job. He is the character we see through for the first half of the film and he was really good especially for a child actor, his character goes through plenty in the film and it is in the emotional scenes where he does a great job.

Supporting Characters

Mark Strong plays the villain Dr Sivana and I thought he did a good job in the role, he has an interesting backstory and you kind of understand his motivations despite him being presented as a bit of a generic villain. Jack Dylan Grazer plays Billy's foster brother Freddy and he starts off as quite annoying but their relationship grows and you actually grow to care about it and it is one of the most important parts of the film. The rest of the foster family are fun enough, even though you don't learn that much about them they are fun additions to the film. Also Djimon Hounsou does a good job in his small role as The Wizard.

Story

The story does a good job in showing how important family is for everyone and showing how a person can start off one way and grow to become better by the end. Also as I mentioned the villain's motivation are actually handled pretty well here which is a nice thing to see in a film like this. The crticism for the story is that it is pretty generic, you know exactly how things are going to go and it pretty much ends that way. It doesn't make it less fun or entertaining but it does make it predictable and lacking anything that really stands out to raise it to really top level.

Script

The script is good in this film, as mentioned it really focuses on humour and I actually found this film really funny. It is an easy film to like as it is very funny and focuses on a truly likeable main character. Plus there are actually some really emotional moments in this film that further fleshes out Billy for sure as a character.

Style

The style of the film has some great action sequences, they are fun and it fits the overall tone of the film. There are some really great character designs especially for The 7 Deadly Sins who are pretty terrifying to look at, especially for a young audience. Though, I felt like there was a slight pacing issue here, it's fun seeing the training montages but it literally takes an hour which is half of the film for the hero and villain to meet which just felt too long for me. 

Overall

Overall, this is a great fun film that has plenty too it to like. It is a bit generic but it does it's stuff really well and is a fun watch especially for comic book films.

Rating - 8/10

Aquaman (2018) Review

After Justice League, the first solo movie we got was Aquaman and I have now rewatched the film and here is my review for it. The premise of the film sees Arthur Curry forced to travel to Atlantis in order to attempt to stop his half brother Orm from starting a war with the surface.

Main Character

Jason Mamoa plays Arthur Curry/Aquaman and he is really good in this film, I enjoyed him in Justice League and he is further fleshed out in this film. He has plenty of personality and charisma to him to play a leading superhero but there is an added depth here that makes you care about him and want to see him succeed.

Supporting Characters

There has been plenty of controversy about Amber Heard but this film came out before it so I will judge her on her performance and I thought she was a good character. You can see how she is different to Mamoa and that leads them to have good chemistry in the film and makes them a fun pair to watch. Patrick Wilson plays Orm and he is a really interesting character, you can tell he is not evil an that he really wants what he believes is best for Atlantis. His dynamic with Aquaman is great to see and it leads to an above average antagonist who we can kind of see the point of view of. Nicole Kidman, Dolph Lundgren & Willem Dafoe play roles in the film and are all good, they play important parts and fit their roles very well. I have to talk about Black Manta though, the character was heavily marketed and his costume looks amazing but it feels like he was just here to possibly set up a sequel. He has interesting motivations but he is basically a cool looking henchman here and I wanted a bit more if we were going to see him.

Story

The story is well done, it's a story that has been seen before with the reluctant hero having to step up but it is done well enough. The dynamic between our hero and villain is well done and rises the story above other comic book films. Though the story has a bit of a pacing issue, it gets a lot less interesting in the middle act, the first and last arcs are great but the middle arc isn't as interesting or at least wasn't for me.

Script

The script is great here, the humour is well done and fits Mamoa's naturally funny personality in making Aquaman a fun hero to watch. It was also suprising to see how well done the drama was done as I felt something in the dramatic scenes and cared about Aquaman's personal relationship's in the film.

Style

Now after Justice League people were worried about the style of Atlantis but it is so much better here. The underwater scenes look great and the bright colours make this feel like a different style of DC film in recent memories. The action scenes are also very good, the underwater and land scenes feel very different and it makes them feel appropriate to the situation. Though as mentioned there is an issue with pacing here, the film could have cut like 15 mins off to make it an even better 2 hour film.

Overall

Overall, this is a great film, it is truly unique with the underwater scenes and is visually a film to be watched. It doesn't do anything really new but what it does it does well and is worth a watch.

Rating - 8/10 

Justice League (2017) Review

With the Snyder Cut being announced this previous week I have now rewatched the original version of the film and here is my review for Justice League. The premise of the film sees after Superman's death Batman and Wonder Woman set out to form a team to save the world from the forces of Apokolips.

Main Character

Ben Affleck is back as Batman for the last time and I thought he did a good job in the film. As I mentioned in my Batman V Superman review I really like Affleck as Bruce Wayne and I feel like his character develops a bit this film. You see him as more of a team leader, and a bit more light hearted which felt natural and made him easy to root for in this film, though he doesn't lose his edge as Batman needs to have that. Gal Gadot is back as Wonder Woman and she is great in this film, she is really strong in the role and is a character you can get behind, the dynamic between her and Batman is a highlight of the film and feels like a natural progression from their relationship in the previous film. 

Supporting Characters

Ezra Miller plays The Flash and he did a really good job, his character is nothing new to me due to the character being used in the TV show but it was done effectivley enough. He is clearly the comic relief character and he was funny, I also liked his dynamic of the new hero and you just see his confidence grow in the film which felt like some character depth. Jason Mamoa plays Aquaman here and he isn't given lots of character development but he is no doubt fun to watch, especially in the action scenes. It was a good start for the character which would obviously be further expanded in his own solo movie. Ray Fisher plays Cyborg and he might be the most interesting character in the film, you see how his changes have really affected him as a person, for a big part of this film he feels more like machine then man but working with the other characters brings the best out of him. Now this one could be considered a spoiler but lets face it this was revealed way before the film came out, Henry Cavill is back as Superman and this is The Superman that we should have got in Batman V Superman, he is actually likeable and more charming. He is still great in the action scenes and has the necessary mix of humour and drama that this franchise finally got on track with the character.

Story

The story of seeing this dysfunctional team of special individuals having to come together is fun, I mean we have seen it in The Avengers but it is done fine here and seeing each characters personality come out when together to make a fun dysfunctional group. But the story is kind of all over the place, first the villain, Steppenwolf has really bland motivations and you know he is basically just a glorified henchman for Darkseid. Also due to three of the main characters don't have movies before this, the film has to rush there origins and it feels like we don't really know that much about them except if you are a comic book expert. 

Script

The script is much better here, it has a really good blend of drama and humour to it. It has the Joss Wheddon feel about it which when he took over this film it seems like he added a bit more of a balanced tone instead of Zack Synders very moody tone that had been in his previous films. 

Style 

The style has some interesting action scenes, it had a great representation of the new characters powers especially The Flash which made this a fun film for sure. But there is some CGI issues, especially in the final act, it just seems like it was made in a bit of a rush and without care. Also the first act is choppy and the pacing is off which makes it hard to focus on the important parts. 

Overall

Overall, I was suprised by how much I enjoyed this film, it is a great fun experience with a good set of characters and set up hoepfully the first of more installments of this franchise. If it can get a bit more focused and get a better villain a future Justice League Film could be up there with The Avengers films. 

Rating - 8/10

Wonder Woman (2017) Review

With the news about Justice League coming last night I only have this film left before watching Justice League so today I watched Wonder Woman and here is my review for the film. The premise of the film is set 100 years before Batman V Superman and sees Diana have to leave her home in order to track down The God Of War Ares and attempt to stop World War 1.

Main Character

Gal Gadot is back as Wonder Woman in this film and she does a great job in this film, I kind of wish this film was her introduction as it is a great character piece and you see her develop so much throughout the film. She looks the part and fills the role very well, she is charming and stubborn but you grow to care about and I must say to this point she was easily the most fleshed out character in this universe after the job they did with Superman in Dawn Of Justice. 

Supporting Characters

Chris Pine plays Steve Trevor in this film and I thought he did a really good job, he usually plays the macho charismatic male lead so it is nice seeing him in this role where he is the less dominant character on screen. He is an interesting character aswell, the dynamic between him and Gadot is fantastic and it is one of the most believable partnerships that I have seen recently. There is also a character in this film Charlie played by Ewan Bremner who is a fascinating character and leads to some dark moments in this film that makes him a more interesting characters. The film falls down though on it's villains, they are all so over the top, they feel like they are from a different movie, everybody else feels like they are in an important dramatic film but they came from an over the top 80's film. 

Story

The film has a really interesting story, it is about a character from a paradise learn about the real world and how men aren't perfect and everybody makes mistakes. Learning about this character and her motivations is really fascinating as you see her deal with men for the first time and the huge thing that is World War 1. I know some people crticise the last act but I thought the story elements worked for the film and provided some really emotional moments and you see why she is the character she is in present day. 

Script

The script is really good, it is the first film in the DCEU to this point to really hit the blend between drama and humour, I laughed when I was supposed to, the drama hit some emotional moments and it really did a great job of improving this film. 

Style

The style of the film has some good action scenes and has a really effective setting. There is some issues though, the overuse of slow motion is a detriment, every action scene has some sort of slow motion and it feels lazy. Also the last act of the film goes down to the generic CGI action scene and it is really genric. Though I will say this film includes one of the greatest moments in Comic Book films ever in my opinion, if you have seen this film you know what moment I am talking about. 

Overall

Overall, this is a great origin film and does a great job in building up the character of Wonder Woman. There are some things that can be improved in the future but this is a great start.

Rating - 8/10 

Batman V Superman: Dawn Of Justice (2016) Review

After watching Man Of Steel I knew I was coming to this film, I remember when this film was announced and I must say this had to be one of the most anticipated films of all time as it finally saw Batman and Superman on screen together, so here is my review for Batman V Superman: Dawn Of Justice. The premise of the film sees after the destruction Of Metropolis in Man Of Steel, Bruce Wayne comes out of retirement as Batman and decides he must take down Superman, while Lex Luthor comes up with his plan to manipulate both of the heroes. 

Main Character

Ben Affleck was cast as Bruce Wayne/Batman for this film and I thought he did a brilliant job, he totally owns the role of Batman in this film and for me maybe even became my favourite Batman in this film. Even though his motivations are harsh I totally understood where he came from and why he felt the need to do the things he does. He is also fantastic in the action scenes and is easily the best Batman in terms of action that we have ever seen. Henry Cavill reprises his role as Superman and I was really disappointed with his character in this film, Cavill tries but you can tell Zack Synder cared more about Batman and basically saw Superman as a side attraction. His character doesn't have as much to do and you don't get a fair amount of a story compared to Batman and I wish he had been better treated after Man Of Steel.

Supporting Characters

Jeremy Irons plays Alfred in this film and I thought he nailed it in the film, he is a more hardcore and militarised version of the character and his relationship with Affleck is really well handled and I thought they had great chemistry. Diane Lane and Laurence Fishburne has smaller roles in the film and they add some real humans in the film which was nice to see, but the rest of the characters didn't really work. I liked Amy Adams in Man Of Steel but I thought she was poorly used in this film, her whole side plot is incredibly mundaine and it feels like she was more of a damsel in distress whch didn't suit her character. Gal Gadot makes her first appearance as Wonder Woman and she is fine in the film, the issue I had was that her character didn't need to be in the film and felt a bit out of place. Then we get to the performance that really annoyed me and that is Jesse Eisenberg as Lex Luthor, he is just an over the top joke of a character. The character of Lex Luthor is a commanding intelligent presence but this version is an awkward, socially inept character that feels out of place in this pretty serious film. 

Story

The story involving everything to do with Batman is interesting, he gets the time to shine and the interesting motivations in the film, making everything he does the best part of the film. But everything to do with Superman wasn't very interesting at all and dragged the movie down, plus the Luthor's plot is insane and literally makes no sense at all. But the worst part is that this film tries to do so much with its story that it tries to set up future films to the detriment of the story, it reminds me of Iron Man 2 in that it has greater moments but is just really unfocused and all over the place, plus the ending of the film felt like a cheap move that didn't quite work for me. 

Script

Again like the other parts of the film the drama involving Batman works in the film, mainly because he is known for being a darker character, I know I said I liked the tone of Man Of Steel but I thought the Superman in this film would be a bit more hopeful but he is probably more depressing in this film then he was in the first film. Also this film tried humour with Lex Luthor and it really doesn't work, as I said earlier he feels like he is in a different film and it doesn't work. 

Style

The one thing I will say about this film is that the film's style looks incredible, the action scenes are brilliant. The fight between Batman and Superman is handled in a really great way and it involves easily the greatest Batman action scene in any movie ever, plus this film has my favourite Batman suit in it. Yes this film has over the top action scenes compared to other Batman films but it works for this film and feels appropriate for what we are watching. 

Overall

Overall, this is a very disappointing film, it has its moments of utter quality in it but the best way I can describe it is an enjoyable mess. For me if you are a fan of Batman then this film is worth a watch but other then that it may not be exactly a film to rush to watch.

Rating - 6/10 

Man Of Steel (2013) Review 

With Zack Snyder hosting a watchalong tomorrow and Justice League coming to Netflix next week I decided it was about time to catch up on my DCEU films starting with the Superman origin film Man Of Steel. The premise of the film sees a young man who finds out he is an alien with special powers as he must stop members of his race from destroying his new home of Earth. 

Main Character

Henry Cavill plays Kal El/Superman and I think he is great in the role, to start off he really looks the part as Superman, he is very believable in the role and does a great job. Through flashbak scenes and his cureent day story you see his character really develop, I think the issue in the past is that Superman has been seen as above humans which makes him hard to root for and that is here but he just feels more human. He seems to be on the back foot for the majority of the film and as it's his first days on the job he struggles throughout which helps build his character.

Supporting Characters

This film has a legit supporting characters, Amy Adams plays Lois Lane in the film and I thought she did a good job, she is a pretty strong independent character and her relationship with Superman feels more mature then the average comic book romances and feels appropriate for this film. Michael Shannon plays General Zod and he was a great villain in this film, he is menacing and strong but also has interesting motivations that made him a memorable villain for me. Laurence Fishburne, Kevin Costner & Russell Crowe have smaller but memorable roles and really add something to the film.

Story

The story is a really interesting origin story for Superman, it looks at how the world would really react to a superbeing if they came to Earth in an effective way. The flashbacks documenting his earlier life do a great job of fleshing this part of the story and really adding dome emotion to the characters and the film. The characters motivation's are all well done and as mentioned seeing the average person react to Superman this way is really something we haven't seen before. Now there is something that happens towards the end of the film that has proven controversial amongst the fandom but I thought it reall worked effectively if you accept this is a new type of Superman for a new generation.

Script

The script has some great drama in it, it deals with things in a more complicated way then you would accept in a Superman film but it works very well. Though I will say this film is incredibly somber, there is pretty much no humour at all which feels weird in a Superman film and sometimes the dialogue is a bit rigid but overall it does a decent job.

Style

This film's style is the most action packed of any Superman film ever, the action scenes are really exciting and fit the God like characters really well, there is plenty of destruction but it fits the story well and can lead to stories in the future. 

Overall

Overall, this is a fantastic origin film, it takes Superman in a different direction and does a great job in setting up a future for the character. 

Rating - 9/10 

Birds Of Prey (2020) Review

Birds Of Prey (2020) Review

 After many months of anticipation Birds Of Prey is finally with us and I have seen it and this is my review for the film. The premise of the film sees Harley Quinn break up with The Joker which alerts a criminal head honcho who aims to take advantage of her and a group of other women in Gotham City.

Main Character

Even though this film is called Birds Of Prey it should really just be called a Harley Quinn film and Margot Robbie is fantastic in this film. It is clear that they are trying to make her the DC version of Deadpool and she is very charismatic in the role and has some really good lines in the film, I feel like she has a real good grip on this character and it feels like she really enjoys playing the role of Harley Quinn. 

Supporting Characters

Ewan McGregor plays Roman Sionis AKA The Black Mask in this film and it is clear that he is having a blast in this role, his character is very charismatic and a bit off the wall but that works because of the film that he is in and he is definitley an entertaining villain in this film. Now we get to the rest of the Birds Of Prey - Rosie Perez as Renee Montoya, Mary Elizabeth Winestead as The Huntress & Jurnee Smollet-Bell, they all do their best in their roles especially in the action scenes but they just aren't given enough to do in the film. I didn't really care about their characters and I think this was because there backstories are choppily presented and not given as much screen time as Harley Quinn is clearly presented as the most important character in the film.

Story

This film has an interesting story when it comes to Harley's story, it deals with how she is dealing with her situation with The Joker and dealing with being a bit of a better person and I thought that was handled pretty well. But as mentioned before all the other characters stories and motivations aren't really explored enough to make you care and give them a real reason for being a part of this group. 

Script 

This film has some funny lines and dialogue in the film especially when the film is doing its best to break the fourth wall and be a bit more interesting then many comic book films. Some of the drama is okay but it doesn't really hit the levels that I think it was going for and as mentioned previously it doesn't elevate any of the supporting characters above being okay characters. 

Style

This film has a really unique style. the action scenes are fantastic, really fun and unique. The film does a great job of showcasing the characters different fighting styles to create some meorable and really fun action sequences. However, the pacing of the film is a bit messy, the film jumps all over the place which I get was a stylistic choice but it becomes a bit jarring as you are interested to new characters often and the film isn't in order so it can make it a bit hard to follow. 

Overall 

Overall this film reminds me quite a bit of Suicide Squad which is why it gets the same rating, an above average film that could have done with focusing up a bit more and showed the group together more and interacting. But this is a fun time at the movies and if you don't take this film too seriously then it can be an enjoyable watch for sure. 

Rating - 6/10 

Suicide Squad (2016) Review

Suicide Squad (2016) Review

 In preparation for the upcoming DC Film Birds Of Prey I decided to rewatch the first DC team up film starring Harley Quinn, Suicide Squad. This is my review for this film and what my opinion of the film was. 

Main Character

Will Smith plays Floyd Lawton AKA Deadshot in this film and he is really good in this film. Smith has lots of charisma in this role and he is actually one of the characters that you will care about in this film due to his emotional relationship with his daughter. He is also great in the action scenes and totally sells the character of Deadshot and I can't imagine anybody else in this role. Margot Robbie plays Harley Quinn in the film and if you could look at perfect casting then this one would be in there. She sells the craziness of the character and is full of charisma. Her and Smith have really good chemistry in the film and they do a really good job of sharing the lead roles in the film and it is the highlight of the film.

Supporting Characters

I will admit I am not a huge fan of Jai Courtenay's work but there is an exception to very rule and I really liked his performance in this film as Digger Harkness AKA Captain Boomerang. He is just very funny in this film and I liked how sarcastic he is in his role, also the boomerangs are a unique weapon that are used to a good effect in the film. Jay Hernandez as El Diablo was probably the surprise of the film, he was the character I knew the least about in the film but was possibly the character I cared about the most. He is given an emotional arc in the film and it works as he is the least well known character in the movie. Though some of the characters didn't work at all, Joel Kinnamon plays Rick Flagg in the film and he is just really bland in the film, when you have all these larger personalities having this average soldier as the leader of the team just really didn't work for me. Cara Delevingne plays The Enchantress in the film and wow this is one of the worst performances in a comic book film I have ever seen, she is just cheesy as hell and an absolute shambles of a character in the film. Jared Leto plays The Joker in this film and similarly he goes well over the top and it comes across as really cheesy, plus he was really underused in this film and it makes him feel like a wasted aspect of this film.

Story

Some of the characters in this film such as Deadshot and El Diablo have really good emotional arcs in this film to make you actually care about their characters in the situation that they are in. But this film could have really done with being a smaller scaled story, it makes no sense that this group of individuals are literally tasked to save the world. Also the first act of the film sets up The Joker as the villain of the film but then suddenly changes direction to focus on the more supernatural aspects of the film and it just really didn't work for me.

Script

This script has some decent humour and drama that gets these characters by and for the most part makes them feel unique and very different as you have very different personalities from a hitman to half human half crocodile and that works. However, I felt like it was inconsistent between the amount of drama and humour and when this is used by the characters, sometimes there were points when it should have been full drama or full humour. 

Style

This film has some entertaining action scenes in it and as mentioned it is fun seeing the different characters use their different weapons in these action scenes. But there isn't really any tension in the action scenes as it is just a bunch of faceless henchman attacking the group in which you don't think any of the team are in trouble. Also there is some really terrible CGI in this film and one in particular towards the end of the film that is just terrible.

Overall

Overall this is no doubt that this is an entertaining film, it is very loud and exciting but there just isn't that much to it and it is just an above average action film that if you aren't are a big fan of comic book films then this isn't going to win you over.

Rating - 6/10