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Doctor Strange Review

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Next to the first Iron Man film I would have to say this is one of the best Marvel films I have watched. Seeing a perfectionist fall from grace and rise up again is nothing new to film entertainment. But the style and grace in which Scott Derrickson brought this comic book character to the big screen felt right. Benedict Cumberbatch was an excellent choice for the role, his on-screen chemistry, short sharp canny jokes, the way he holds himself, tall with regal strength. These are the qualities which the Doctor Strange character is known for.

There is obviously a greater picture about Marvel’s version of Earth than we know of, this film represents a multiverse theorem, changing the dynamic yet again.

Stephen Strange a brilliant doctor, although helping people he seems to have an arrogance about himself. Set in his ways up until a car crash that destroys his hands that made him such a brilliant physician. This then sets him on a journey to search for a cure to repair his hands, this in turn leads him to the Ancient One and a new way of life.

I am not to sure about the makeup of Ancient One, Tilda Swinton who played her didn’t quite look right. I also considered her to be the weakest actor, she didn’t project that well on screen.

After what seems like a quick study session, Strange is tested when the Ancient One dumps him on Everest and told him he has to make his own way back. It wasn’t long afterwards till the bad guys come back and rain havoc.

If I told you anymore I would be giving the whole film away. This film is visually stunning, however it does seem to borrow elements from Inception and The Matrix which does take a little bit of the originality away. The music score by Michael Giacchino was another element that brought the film to life, I could easily add the soundtrack to my CD collection as I thought it was that good.

You are also treated to the best after the credits Easter-egg ever in my opinion when what you thought was a good guy turning bad. I am looking forward to the second film now.

I highly recommend seeing this in the cinema on the big screen.

4.5 out of 5.

TV

Luke Cage Review

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You previously had a taste of Luke Cage when he showed up in Jessica Jones but now you get the full on show complete with one liners and puns that any comic-book fan would love.

This time in New York we head over to the Harlem district where the African Americans live, breath and die. You are introduced to this part of the city which feels cleaner and less gritty than Jessica Jones and less dark than Dare Devil. But like the rest of New York it clearly has its problems.

Throughout the course of the series you get elements of Luke Cage back story and it unfolds nicely. Each character seems unique, many are provided a back story also and are certainly not one dimensional. Mahershala Ali who plays cottonmouth was the standout character, the actor portrayed him so well that I felt sorry for him in the end.

Another element to the show is the music, that 70s sleek feel. The way the Jazz evolves around life in Harlem. There is a sense and feel that make a very unique take on life.

The show revolves around the Barber Shop, The Club and the streets. Cage doesn’t want to get involved with anyone until he is pushed beyond his capacity to restrain his desire for revenge after his mentor is kill. At this point Cage feels he has to help those in need, while at the same time creating a path of destruction. Mind you, the destruction didn’t seem that much and Cage wasn’t the main culprit.

Often I felt there wasn’t enough action, there were never enough fight scenes for me. The problem with origin stories is the need to develop a character often takes away the ability to headlong into what the current affairs are. This being said there was a healthy mix of each.

After the political mess, the gangland war and police corruption there is a feeling the show leaves you wondering was that all worth it? Although I enjoyed the show, I was left with questions. What did Cage do in the military? What am I missing? And do I really need to see more of this messed up world?

Film

Deadpool Film Review

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Another character comes out of the Marvel Universe and this time they call him Deadpool. A twisted child-like character bent, corrupted, twisted by another. Sometimes trailers say far too much and it could be the case for the Deadpool trailer which I watched last year. The movie was very well put together, but seemed to be missing parts too it. Even the character turns to the cinema goers to tell his story which if you read any of the comics you would know he is also his own monolog.

The film starts with what you saw in the trailer but expanded, I am not sure it flowed that well for photography, as you seemed to jump from one camera angle to another.

Then you get his back story via a retelling. A hunter-hitman, ex-army guy falls for a girl who is very much a matching personality. Then after he finds out that he is riddled with cancer another guy comes along to offer a cure to save him. Wolverines healing gene or is it the X-Gene, o wait, its X-Men again.

So a brutal treatment regime takes place and thus we have our new super-hero or anti-hero. This film to me feels like a mash up of 300, Kick-Ass in the Marvel outfit.

I did laugh at much of the comedy, although offensive I didn’t really mind as I have seen much worse on the silver screen these days.

In comes the action, slashing, shooting, dead guys, a bullet to the head. Some very corny lines from Colossus and roll credits.

That felt like a quick movie, I didn’t look at my watch once so I must have enjoyed it. Not as much as Iron Man or Guardians of the Galaxy, but not that far behind.

4 out of 5.

TV

Jessica Jones has too much realism for me.

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I enjoyed DareDevil on Netflix but Jessica Jones is more real, more gritty, more down to earth but still not of this Earth.

Shows like this have better character development, there is more scope to work with than a movie yet the comedy you get with the Iron Man and Avenger films are not present here.

Instead you are left with a very raw show with character I am sure many people can relate too.

Jessica’s life starts off when her parents died, she somehow ended up with great strength. As P.I she is lead to her arch-enemy who is played by David Tennent (Dr Who). This in turn uses flashbacks and background stories to build a slow but powerful moving story which draws you in.

At times I felt like I was dragged for a long ride and when the end came I wasn’t surprised. There was insanity like the Joker from the last Batman film series. One could describe the Jones as a wash of cold hash water over the Marvel universe. This really is the gutter of it and at this depth you get a better range of story so I am looking forward to what comes next.

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DareDevil Netflix review

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DareDevil on Netflix

The first two episodes I watched when DareDevil was first released didn’t seem to suck me in so well, so I left it alone until this weekend where I have just watched the rest of season one, which was only 13 episodes. Still that’s a lot of TV for me this weekend!

It wasn’t till after episode five when I was really sucked in by the characters, the Devil himself was portrayed by Charlie Cox who I felt was an excellent choice. His dark, grimey, slightly sick look played well into the character and he built the role up for a final showdown which wasn’t that offensive.

Offensive in a way in which Marvel’s Agents of Shield went all soppy, (you only need to ask me why I say that). But that show has gone down hill in my opinion.

However with DareDevil the show stayed on par to a high tempo and excellent character plots. The best being the bad guy, and generally the bad guy does do the best acting. Vincent D’Onofrio was perfect for Wilson Fisk (aka Kingpin), his big frame, on screen presence and some exceptional acting should surely earn him an award. It’s not often you feel for someone who is mentally ill in a disturbing way, but in understanding how Fisk came to be, was in essence the core for the whole of season one.

There are similarities with other shows such as DC’s Arrow. “This city is sick and needs saving!” to a very dark Gotham feel, where the city is drained of all hope. A dark ally, a fight scene, a chase, a save. There is a, been there, done that approach to DareDevil although it does hold it’s own. It’s just a feeling of copying what works. And it does work.

The approach and story throughout is gripping, so I shouldn’t say much more and spoil it for others. But I recommend the show for others.