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BLACK PANTHER: WAKANDA FOREVER - THE REVIEW

13/11/2022

Black Panther's second entry marks the end of phase 4 in the MCU, but with so many real life changes happening along the way and a stable of progressive films in the stables, will Wakanda without its hero really be forever, or be relegated to a forgotten status.

Where To Start?
OK, first off - this is not just a remix of the first outing, if you are just expecting more of the same - throw that idea in the bin. This entry is quite a sedate film in comparison and bares very little resemblance to the bravado and optimism of the original. It is also quite a sombre film (for obvious reasons) and though there is some humour, I would go as far as saying that it feels like a project willing to be its own complete entity. The film is not straight from the Disney conveyor belt, there is no ticking of an approved PG-13 checklist and even though the film is a 12A - you will feel the sorrow. I say this; because Doctor Strange's Multiverse Of Madness should have been a much more dread-soaked affair, but I guess the studio put the want of seats being filled before the art of the project. Here I don't think anyone would dare to interfere.

In regards to the action - there is plenty of it, however there is nothing in BP:WF that is pushing the boundaries of fight choreography or action conception, however the reasons for the fight do make the drama impactful. I commend the script and direction for being brave enough to not just regurgitate the tried and tested format, but at the same time, I feel a few peeps may feel they are missing out.
Personally, I liked the film and FYI there is only one post-scene credit which occurs fairly quickly.

PS

On Angela Bassett, just give the woman an OSCAR already - yes for a MARVEL film.

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The Batman - Film Review

28/2/2022

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In the Bat's latest adventure; the caped crusader is more of a moody, Emo clobberer, than a fully realised symbol of justice. But does this new direction add to the lore of the cinematic Batman or sully it?

As soon as a new Batman film is announced, the first pieces of the production puzzle we want completed more than any test that the Riddler could set us are: which actor will be playing Bruce Wayne/Batman, who will direct the film and who will Batman face off against? And I think it's safe to say, that when it comes to the choice of director and Batman's nemesis, fans are a little bit more flexible, even lenient on who can occupy these celluloid tenancies. However, in our choice of actor for Batman, we are never quite as optimistic or forgiving with whoever is chosen to take on the role.

Actor Robert Pattinson

Director Matt Reeves

In the case of Robert Patterson taking on the mantle of the Gotham defender, I think that the reputation of the Twilight films, rather than Pattison's direct performances in those movies (especially for those who haven't watched any of his following films) may sometimes overshadow what he is actually capable of doing. Just like his fellow Harry Potter Alumni Daniel Radcliffe (aka Harry Potter himself) he too has faced audiences that can't get past his big, breakthrough franchise-role that launched him and doubt is almost automatically cast over their calibre and credentials when announced for certain projects. For those who have never really partaken in any of Patterson's other projects beyond Twilight, I think that The Batman is going to be a sufficient enough middle finger to push the lingering spectre of Twilight's Edward Cullen into the abyss. And helping him do this is Director Matt Reeves - who is no stranger to dealing with multi-genric themed projects. Reeves' own cinematic breakout came via his smash hit Cloverfield (2008) which combined the found footage format with a Kaiju action-adventure mystery. Following up in 2010 with a remake of the vampire drama Let The Right One In (2008), he made Let Me In and both the sequels to The Planet Of The Apes. So, on paper - The Batman should be in very good hands...right?

Before you take your seats at the cinema, let me give you at least one heads up; The Batman is comparable to no other Batman film. First of all, it is the most detective-heavy Batman film in the library of big screen caped crusader episodes and when I say "heavy" I mean they have gone back to the fact that crime-fighting requires investigation, footwork and detailed analysis. These parts aren't just thrown in to try and give the film or Batman himself a deeper, more mature credibility, oh no - this is the film.

One of the most important components that I lookout for in any Batman portrayal, is the handling of Bruce Wayne. Michael Keaton's semi-aloof, observant, still waters run deep delivery, to date, has been my favourite expression and that appeared way back in 1989. In Pattinson's depiction, I appreciate his commitment to being a morose, extremely moody, beyond any consolation, forever grieving figure, but I think there was space for a glimmer of something else to provide a little bit of balance to his character. The opportunity is never really taken up until a certain realisation near the end of the 2 hour 56 minute running time.

In this Batman story, Bruce is two years into being the dark knight and though he clearly has skills, moves and tactics - a lot of what gets him through deadly situations is powered by focussed rage. The emotion behind Patterson's kinetic ferocity is fantastic - when he tackles, pursues or punches any villain, you too will feel the mental obsession in his chase and the physical blows as if your own body is involved in the battering. There is a pure emotion behind all of his combat and even the Batmobile is emotionally primed and
pissed-off. It roars like a beast in advance of chasing its prey down and I don't know who is in charge - but someone give the sound designer an award for that roar and let us take an opportunity to raise a glass of gasoline and toast it! What also makes The Batman slightly unique, is that there isn't a focussed dedication to making this solely an action film with dramatic parts, and so when there is action - you really appreciate and take those moments in. I totally enjoyed watching Batman unleash his fury, but also enjoyed watching him take some hits too. This Batman faces danger and situations that he can't fix, which makes the stakes and his jeopardy real. You come to realise more than ever, that Batman is a band aid, doing his best to stop a dam bursting because the officials, the people with the actual power, have no interest in fixing the dam - in fact they may have been the ones putting holes in it. My only complaint, is that in some of the action scenes, there were some extreme close-up shots which took away from being able to see what was happening in the entirety of a sequence and yes, we know that Gotham is supposed to be a dark and moody place, but combine those close-up shots, the frenetic action and a lack of lighting and nobody can see what the hell is going on.

The casting is almost perfect. I imagine that for Paul Dano, he must have gaged that he has a legacy of great villainous performances to follow and so we understand that there is a pressure to create a character that is charismatic and unforgettable. He does well for the most part, but towards the end he could have dialled the levels down from a 10 to an 8. Zoe Kravitz as Catwoman is the heart of the film and it is not easy to balance out all the elements that make-up Selina Kyle. Kravitz gives a grounded performance where she displays pain, emotes angst and exudes sensuality without being placed in the movie to be the love interest or the sex object. However, the performance that I couldn't get over - because it was so damn good, was by Colin Farrell as the Penguin. Gee-Zus! Talk about an actor completely disappearing and now I understand why there is a TV spin-off in the works, because Farrell was that damn good.

Overall, I think that that The Batman is going to divide audiences...at first. In its make-up, we are given a detective, film noir story with all the tropes of that genre which we've not seen before. And so it is best to go in with an open mind and expect something new that doesn't pay a single ode to any other Batman film that has come before it. Oh, and please note this; just like those films of the 1940s, you will be required to pay attention, as a complex tapestry of interconnected threads is woven just like those sometimes convoluted murder mysteries. Clues are only sprinkled along the dot-to-dot journey and they are not that obvious, so engage your own deductive brain and enjoy the process the same way you would, when watching a whodunnit.

The Batman is out March 4th 2022.

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Spider-Man: No Way Home - Film Review

18/12/2021

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Tom Holland reprises his role as Peter Parker/Spider-Man for his third solo outing, but is it really an Avengers level experience or a case of don't believe the hype.

This is not such a straightforward film to review...I remember, that my initial problem with the first solo Tom Holland film (Homecoming) was that it had such a 'junior' outlook in comparison to every other Spider-Man outing we'd been given and that element completely caught me off guard. Why I hear you ask?

Well, in already having seen his depiction of the character play so well with the adults in "Captain America: Civil War" his interaction there, set my mind up to believe that in his first lone feature we would be given a certain level of mature storytelling - which didn't really happen. Well, I say that, but the Vulture via Michael Keaton's performance thankfully provided a presence which helped anchor the film to be something much stronger than the sum of its high-school parts.

For my second viewing of "Homecoming" and my first viewing of "Far From Home" I had reprogrammed my mind to accept the level of sophistication that the filmmakers had chosen to deliver around the 'kids' which was miles away from say the likes of "Teen Wolf" (1985) and more akin to "Sky High" (2005) and quickly came to accept and like it. Anyway, in saying all of this, NWH (for me) starts off at an even more junior level than its predecessors and has quite a lukewarm start considering the final events of "Far From Home". However, I can assure you, that NWH goes on to be a perfect Spider-Man ode rather than a perfect Spider-man movie and it had the people in the cinema (including myself) cheering, gasping and clapping at several parts.

And although I stated that NWH starts off lukewarm, trust me when I say that a) it rises to be a darn good film, with some very rewarding aspects and b) that the 12A certificate is warranted. One child in my row started crying and her dad had to comfort her - like face buried in his chest comfort. With the way the film ended, there is now a perfect opportunity to have a more grown up Peter Parker in the world and so I imagine we are going to see some harder battles in the future. Tom Holland has agreed to do another 3 films, so here's to Spider-Man adulting. Oh, by the way, there are two post-credit endings and how people are still leaving the cinema early - C'MOOOOON!

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Boxing Day - Film Review

2/12/2021

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Actor Aml Ameen makes his debut directional debut with the Rom-Com Boxing Day, we take a quick look to see if it will be a happy Christmas or a present that you didn't want.

A diasporic original, Boxing Day manages to capture the best tropes of Rom-Coms, but still manages to interject its own personal signature by compiling cultural elements not previously seen in a British Rom-Com. In fact, Boxing Day may just be the first film to highlight a UK, US, Jamaican and West African thread, laid out to create an authentic (if not slightly fantastical) Black British cinematic tapestry. You're not going to see the most original, unique Rom-Com ever, but it never tries to be that and the intertwining stories and performances (for the most part) do the genre justice whilst still providing a fresh unfolding of romantic events.

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BLACK PANTHER: WAKANDA FOREVER - THE REVIEW

The Batman - Film Review

Spider-Man: No Way Home - Film Review

Boxing Day - Film Review

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