Watchmen (2009)

What happens to a world when it is watched over by government sanctioned costumed crime fighters?

Warner Bros. Pictures in association with Paramount Pictures, Legendary Pictures, Lawrence Gordon Productions and DC Comics present…

From the acclaimed Writer Alan Moore and Artist Dave Gibbons comes a groundbreaking graphic novel that changed the whole comic book landscape! Published as a limited series throughout September 1986 until September 1987 as “Watchmen”, it was set in the early 1940’s to the 1960’s, as they were called “The Minutemen” that later reformed as a new group “The Crimebusters” lead by Captain Metropolis. Where street level heroes and crime fighters in an alternate reality became self-serving law enforcers authorized by the government to help both in domestic and overseas crisis specifically in winning the Vietnam War while a storm front impending for global supremacy as the United States duke it out with Russia to be the super power of this god forsaken planet!

Directed by the slow motion maestro, Zack Snyder (300) who actually took up art classes which he has obviously used as his template for making his films visually centric and lavished with opulence! His earlier work was the remake of George Romero’s classic “Dawn of the Dead”! Now, this film had way better cast and talent courtesy of Casting Director Kristy Carlson (Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga’hoole). The story Zack delivered was fantasy oriented while grounded in broadening its horizons on politics and power circumvented by human emotions as they are trapped in a world from which they cannot actually save more so from themselves!

Creator Alan even said that Writer David Hayter’s (The Scorpion King) work was too close for the comic book and that he insisted that this was treated as such and not to be presented literally as a film to be conveyed to the viewing public. To add, Alex Tse (Sucker Free City) got the best parts on the two drafts to mould it into a more detailed story setting where the timeline of the 80’s in which politics was blasphemous and freedom of speech is a crime! This film was so anti-climactic to see how a compelling medium for readers not just by fans has too much zealotry to this so-called “holy grail” of comic books. This is the where all junctions cross paths, it’s not a pretty sight but it will get you to the exact same destination!

BAD COMEDY

Jeffrey’s take on the role got too personal since he never had so much fun…brutalizing people that is! Until he had an epiphany that forever changed his perception of being a hero and a human being which was an understatement since changing his mind after he read the whole story to accept his role.

Since there were plenty of heads to juggle around, we start off with Jeffrey Dean Morgan (The Accidental Husband) as the indispensable member of the group! Edward Blake known to his friends as The Comedian, he takes into account the works from his previous group before rejoining the modernized version to make it concurrent for the era!

He had too much baggage in his body that it is mandated for him to be “uplifted” since there was too much confidentiality and clandestine operations going around! You see life is stage play there is drama and there is comedy! One minute you’re sitting in your sofa drowning in alcohol while burning your lungs with regret and shame and on the next, you’re lying flat faced with shattered bones and skull on the pavement! He served his purpose well, making someone laugh his heart out!

THE END IS NIGH…

A definite work horse and as I’ve read, he was the most fanatic at least of the comic book from the bunch! Jackie Earle Haley (The Outside Man) He is the resident detective and is the man you don’t want to mess with, he plays Walter Joseph Kovacs also known as Rorschach, a masked anti-hero, small in stature but tough as nails. History suggests that Walter was a son of a prostitute who grew up later on in a foster home where he became an instant prodigy in terms of studies and sports specifically in boxing while Jackie explains his Kenpo training contradicts Walter’s more aggressive style of fighting.

Jackie gave his character’s persona from the get-go since he was able to read the graphic novel and his portrayal gave him accolades from fans. Much of his time in the film was investigating on who was killing the superheroes and what conspiracy lies behind the recent demise of his fallen comrade. He was unrelenting as he acted like a subliminal not just for the viewers to discern but what his true purpose from human suffering brought by society’s filth!

TORN BETWEEN TWO LOVERS, FEELING LIKE A FOOL…

Originally the heroine Silk Spectre aka Ms. Jupiter was Carla Gugino (Wedding Bell Blues) her real identity was Sally Jupiter who turned over the silky sheets to her one and only daughter Laurie Juspeczyk played by Malin Akerman (The Utopian Society). Not much development was given to the only rose among thorns but rather, a connection from the past to present and a happenstance just to give more depth in terms of back story and for the premise to move on. By the way there were two things that was coherent wit h Malin’s character in the film and that is: flirt around and she can kick ass well, that’s about it…

WHEREVER THE WIND TAKES ME

The guy who needs a little more persuasion coming back in wearing the underpants! Patrick Wilson (Life in Flight) stars as Daniel Drieberg the Nite Owl II, a charismatic genius that relies more on his inventions and gadgets than using brawn. Patrick took the job even though he was not into these types of genre but as least he did tried to give a convincing performance seeing he was just too practical when it comes to social responsibilities that is why it was never difficult to sway him to stop these crime fighting adventures when law prohibited it.

Patrick is one of those actors that had much to offer but was given few opportunities to explore his talent. He was nominated for a Golden Globe in the tv series “Angels in America” and this was his second time working with Jackie from the Academy Award Nominee “Little Children”. Maybe his break will come or is he just shying away from blockbuster films whatever the case may be, he does follow only his “flight pattern” just to have a steady course in his career!

His role in the team was plain and simple, to be a voice of reason and do what he needs to in order to save the world from this ominous threat! Good man…

TO ERR IS HUMAN TO FORGIVE DIVINE

Most of his films can be used to inject the pun and to put sense to his role as Billy Crudup (Without Limits) is the all powerful but soft spoken Dr. Manhattan! Jonathan Osterman was at the top of his game as a Physicist and finally achieved near omnipotence and yet he still searches for his soul!   Billy is one of the underrated actors who can basically take on a role and put an unforgettable performance. His resume inclines more on drama projects and that makes it more challenging for him to don the capeless god-like who willfully resurrected after his body was obliterated in an “intrinsic field” test chamber in an accident in 1959.

In spite of his new found near limitless gifts, his personality slowly went down the drain and for that, his apathy for humanity has gotten the best of him. In principle everything has its limits but Billy was able to utilize these circumstances by at least reflecting more on his shortcomings since he was visually aesthetic already on screen tapping on his “human” side to make his character relatable to audiences.

THE GREAT DECEIVER OF MEN

Multi-faceted and coming to be a rising star, Matthew Goode (Copying Beethoven) plays the manipulative well-bred Adrian Alexander Veidt’! Ashamed of his Nazi ancestry, he left his worldly wealth and constantly travelled seeking to find his own worth. Adrian had a vision that “Alexander the Great” his idol from childhood and further with “Ramses II” from which his alter-ego Ozymandias was derived had great plans for the world and only he has the power to reclaim it!

His machinations from the beginning hide a catastrophic event that will alter history and favor his dream to create his own utopia in the expense of his fellow so-called heroes and most especially for the one he deemed fit to compete with his greatness, Dr. Manhattan! The Director altered the overly clichéd plan of this self-righteous prick as an alien invasion concept both in the Justice League and even with Marvel’s The Avengers from their comic books, animation and film adaptations was perceived but the one time hero was so sure of himself that he overlooked an integer that will haunt him for the rest of his life!

AND THE WINNER IS…

Some cast members had the spotlight to at least make their screentime not only memorable but also significant! The first one was Edward where his membership from two generations has given a major impact on how things were in their former glory and how they cascaded, trampled by their own superiority complex that resulted to his demise. The second one I believe was Walter, he was there from start to finish as he tries to save his team from extinction as he connect the dots and put the pieces of the puzzle to see the bigger picture but only to find out it was a catch 22 situation that got the best of him and the worst in others! Lastly, it was Jon’s character that made the last cut, where I can’t help but listen to Eiffel 65’s “I’m Blue” song! Dr. Manhattan although not the Alpha but the Omega as someone else in the film claims, he has all this power at his disposal but ambivalent to use it until it was necessary to do so! To add, another angle would be finding out who actually has the last say when a megalomaniac truly achieved his plans while a paranoid hero gave his life for the better of mankind…

Their actions towards public responsibility had been led to scrutiny which led to the enactment of different laws intended for these types of people like the “Might for Right Act” which serves as a mandated registration for all super powered beings and crime fighters and work for the government while the amended “Citizen Crime Fighting Act” suggests that they can participate or not in upholding the law and lastly the “Keene Act” which prohibits all operations made by non-registered crime fighters to be put in effect thus making them obsolete and retire abruptly from the cause.

I really don’t agree if it’s bad taste for comic books to be discussing and being inculcated with violence, sex and lust for power. Where in fact our lives has been tarnished and stained by people (without capes and masks) all throughout these years and up to the present just to compensate and give meaning to the words liberty, justice and equality! Henceforth, it did not make any sense on how screenplay was devoid of “code of ethics” where vigilantism runs rampant on the streets and heroes get the back stabbing when the law cannot comply what it needs to do to maintain order.

I wanted to discuss this on a socio-political standpoint rather than another typical superhero film where the heroes’ conflict was weighed more on their beliefs and their anxieties and how they were treated by society rather than actually facing villains. It was genuine at best seeing that how Alan and Dave reminds everyone that no matter how we try to achieve greatness or excel our potential (superhuman or not) it does not devoid us from the susceptibility of being human. That is why the minds behind these achievement did accomplish greatness and merit not just from fans but because they know something or someone higher is watching over them!

R.I.P.D. (2013)

There will be no peace; this film will be wandering the Purgatory for a very long time trying to find a out why did it met its own demise!

Universal Pictures in association with Original Film, Relativity Media and Dark Horse Entertainment present…

Another comic book adaptation courtesy of Dark Horse Comics that gave us “The Mask”, “Alien vs Predator”, “Hellboy”, “300” and “Sin City”! Writer Peter M. Lenkov and Penciler Lucas Marangon were the key people that helped created the “Rest in Peace Department” that was published on September 17, 2003.

Director Robert Schwentke (RED) was trying to overcompensate a lacklustered script (you can’t blame the guy) that became so reliant with video games standard CGI as it always does! Robert has made some watchable and decent films for the past few years but it never fails to amaze how sleazy marketing can still turn these adaptations into films which actually fail in the first place.

Now, seeing that it is widely compared from “MIB” which threads only in the difference of hunting down ghosts instead of aliens and sending them off to a better place! While incorporating the overly clichéd combination of a veteran law enforcer who is preachy, sarcastic and poker faced while being joined by a rookie cop who needs to prove his worth by following the rules until he gains the respect of his fellow officers.

Old timer and still bringing in the quality acting is Jeff Bridges (True Grit) he portrays the gun slinging and straight shooter Roy Pulsipher, a United States Marshal who was originally named “Roy Powell” in the comics. I really don’t know how he does that way of talking kind of reminds me of “The Godfather” and “The Dark Knight” principal actors, other than that Jeff can still add some levity in his work while giving the production a little credit even when there is no more hope for redemption!

While still lost in limbo in the comic book industry, Ryan Reynolds (Safe House) as recently deceased cop Nick Walker who was forced to join an elite group of police officers for a century or to face an unknown circumstance come Judgment Day! So, since he has some issues to settle especially with his conscience, he finally decided to take the first option! Just like his new partner, his actual name was “Nick Cruz” but was changed maybe to give it a more superhero effect or whatever reason that may be…

Ryan “can” really be an a asset if he wanted to, having moved away from the his actual comedic route, he has given movie goers the experience of seeing his versatility as an actor from a leading man on rom-coms, to action thrillers and even with the horror genre! But there is always something missing in his performance and that makes him vulnerable in his casting choices. More so, he has been clamored by fans to give them his own CBM character that will really suit his repertoire and attributes, from the box-office bomb “Green Lantern” and his take on pre “Dead Pool” days as Wade Wilson in another film failure “X-Men Origins: Wolverine”! Well, he is about to take another stab on the character (pun intended) this coming February 2016 as he returns with more blood, more gore and a mouthful of fourth wall comedy!

Returning to work with the Director is Mary-Louise Parker (Let the Devil Wear Black) she plays Director Mildred Proctor, a no non-sense woman that oversees all operations in the Boston division. Her penchant for irk phrasing and the ability to be sarcastic has a little implication on what she needs more other than the capability of her officers in the line of duty (again) and in their field work but rather of something entirely different especially with Roy!

Nick’s partner and best friend Kevin Bacon (Stir of Echoes) takes on the bad guy role since his departure from “X-Men: First Class”. He is cop who turned foe who was named s Bobby Hayes, his motives are predictable seeing that even before the film was shown in theatres, we already know that he will be the antagonist. I believe, it is up to the script and his performance to at least show some instensity to what he can do in order to make it more interesting, not that we question his talent but what do you expect from a banausic work handovered by David Dobkin (The Change-Up), Phil Hay (Clash of the Titans) and lastly, Matt Mandredi (Aeon Flux)? At least I can forgive the latter two Writers considering they have at least “Crazy/Beautiful” in their resume, but until David pulls a “good” trick up his sleeve that will be the day…

To round off the cast, Chinese actor James Hong and American model Marissa Miller serves also their part in bringing a more diversified cast to provide an engaging dialogue and comedic turns not just between the main protagonists other than for some funky music to make heads turn literally. Speaking of which, how does someone turn their heads and bodies inside out, have gapes on them and protrude more hands? Of course there is nothing that a CGI and Visual Effects can’t do in this age, but frankly this has been one of those projects that Rhythm and Hues Studios was not able to save as with its really poor, cartoonish like animation specifically for the slow motion capture, the disfigured monsters and the hole in the sky scenarios!

It’s was entertaining at some point considering that it did try to be funny with Jeff and Mary-Louise’s bantering was even way convenient rather than the two buddy cops solving their case. Ryan on the other hand was too serious as he wanted to redeem himself so bad to make amends for his widowed wife; since this was conveyed just out of necessity to balance out the actual objective which was an action comedy!

Not much to see here if you’re looking for quality film making and story, other than a half-baked supernatural, fantasy driven, good cop / bad cop routine running through the streets shooting at “Deados” who won’t go away like the souls still stuck in limbo!

Constantine (2005)

Forlorn and resentful to the core and yet the hero hopes to have his redemption while saving humanity from the gates of hell!

Warner Bros. Pictures in association with Village Roadshow Pictures, Weed Road Pictures and Vertigo Comics present…

Based on the popular “Hellblazer” series from DC Comics in-house, mature readers division imprint! A straight in your face take of your typical hero but with an attitude to boot!

The story was based from its graphic novels, dark and gritty combined with great special effects that bring the two worlds to come alive! I could say it was meticulously done from the Production group. Writers Kevin Brodbin and Frank Capello did a wonderful Screenplay that signified the course of the film’s premise! Even Garth Ennis and Jamie Delano gave pointers from the “Dangerous Habits” and “Original Sins” story arcs to give Constantine more in depth analysis of his character and his conflicts in life!

I thank God that this was handled with precaution as Lauren Donner and Michael Uslan gave their utmost supervision for the Production of the film to flow freely! Even though Akiva Goldsman who wrote the abysmal, blasphemous “Batman & Robin” and “Lost in Space” was here, he did Produced and wrote films that worth watching like “Cinderella Man”, “A Beautiful Mind” and the upcoming Marvel Comics action adventure “The Dark Tower”, at least this was not hurtful to the eyes!

Movie’s next attraction “Water for Elephants” Director Francis Lawrence gave this film a whole new perspective for the genre packed with supernatural admonition and guts even though minor changes were made for the character to resemble a more contemporary look and make it easier to relate compared to the comic book’s character in which he had a different wardrobe and was much older looking!

Philippe Rousselot is commended here for his vision and mindset for the film, he gave us brilliantly shot films “I am Legend”, “Charlie and The Chocolate Factory” and the recent Sherlock Holmes which has surreal to the senses giving it life and spontaneity, all blockbusters and well made!

One of comics’ anti-heroes that focuses on the occult, demons and angels and everything in between, he sets out to cleanse the world from putrid monsters who wants to enslave mankind and offer it to the Devil himself! Talk about your stressful, tacky desk job which concerns narrow minded clients, never ending phone calls and pencil pushing Supervisors. In his case well, it would be a metaphor, boring enough to say comparing his present situation where the ones he’s after wants to literally rip him apart and get down to business!

Keanu Reeves (The Matrix) plays demon detective John Constantine! Able to see and communicate with half-breeds, he took his life at an early age and now amends his will for retirement, hunting the degenerates of hell is all in a day’s work for the main protagonist! Every hero has a decision to make and Constantine gives it full circle to redeem himself and make the ultimate sacrifice!

Always the monotonous type of guy but his exuberance for the job makes both ends meet by the end of the day. I was impressed that Keanu was able to deliver his role and gave this project a decent earning in the box office giving a worldwide estimated gross of $230 M.

Joining him is sidekick cabbie Shia LeBeouf (Eagle Eye) as Chas Kramer whose endless curiosity and headstrong demeanor gave him the chance to do better films in the long run. No longer being a supporting cast to blockbuster films which includes alien robots that have superiority complex issues!

For the supporting cast, Rachel Weisz (The Constant Gardener) in a dual role as a cop and a suicide case twin sister both of which has an eye for the grave and beyond! Djimon Hounsou (Blood Diamond) another fan favorite is the mediator Papa Midnite who sides with John and avoid Armageddon on both worlds! Peter Stormare (The Big Lebowski) as the greedy for his throne Lucifer and Tilda Swinton (Narnia The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe) as the infamous Gabriel who should I say was pivotal for the story to conclude its premise! To add, Bush front man Gavin Rossdale was great, he plays Balthazar, let’s just say he was a good nuisance and a thorn to John’s side, acting wise was pretty decent compared to some actors who still needs classes to make it to the next grade!

The film is well shot and combining the CGI aspects from Hell and Earth from turfs of Los Angeles was absolutely amazing! Giving more emphasis the highway with corroding cars and buildings burning for all eternity was a great concept for the underworld!

It was slowly paced but still gave great moments, a mind numbing film that will leave you gasping for air! Watch it preferably when lights have gone out to give it a more atmospheric feel. Kudos for the exceptional work of the visuals and art department! Wish Francis would come back for a sequel and bring the whole team back because you’ll never know when the demons from hell will go for another round to settle the score!

Speaking of which Warner Bros. is developing another take for the cursed Demonologist being part of the DC Extended Universe’s “Justice League Dark” and leading the pack of contenders for the role are Ewan McGregor and Colin Farrell! Hopefully all things fall into place in given time.

Red 2 (2013)

Even the Best needs to Rest…well, if they “absobloodylutely” wanted too!

Summit Entertainment in association with Di Bonaventura Pictures and DC Entertainment present…

This summer has been bombarded with comic book based adaptations left and right and “frankly” you just have to enjoy them while it lasts! A product of Homage Comics under the banner Wildstorm Comics and was later sold to DC Comics as part of negotiations with its owner Jim Lee! Created by Writer Warren Ellis and Artist Cully Hamner, the story followed the exploits of Paul Moses an ex-CIA Agent who was given a “wet works” team to retire him permanently! In retaliation, he informs his superiors that his GREEN status is now turned RED and the “monster” is going to tie loose ends!

Directed by Dean Parisot (Fun with Dick and Jane) who replaced last film’s Director David Schwentke he seemed to have pulled off this latest spy versus spy versus governments’ action comedy without making it too complicated in terms of its premise! Coming to an agreement with Summit Entertainment and bringing back the former Writers Jon and Erich Hoeber (Whiteout), they soon started production which landed them at Montreal while having to shoot some scenes in Moscow, Paris and London!

RED 2 kicks-off with Bruce Willis (The Expendables) as the main target of the show as usual Frank Moses! While doing his usual shopping, he unexpectedly bumps in with his old colleague (pun) John Malkovich (Being John Malkovich) is explosives expert sidekick, comedy man Marvin Boggs who warns him that people from the higher ups are again hunting them down! While Mary-Louise Parker (R.I.P.D.) as Sarah Moss playing the love interest of our reluctant hero who needs to tag along for obvious reasons! Still, the laugh trip duo as usual since the previous film, Mary-Louise can easily bring the child in her and prove that she can be an asset to the group, memorizing Russian one liners and still improve her “role playing” skills along the way!

The plot expands from here giving emphasis on the new mission or misadventure in hand! CIA’s very own “clean-up guy” Neal McDonough (Walking Tall) as the Agent with anger issues Jack Horton who was given instructions to take care of the “illegally” detained Moses and the fun part starts from here! Frank and the gang try to figure out each piece of the puzzle to come out of this dilemma alive, as we now bring you the rest of the players to convey the full story!

“Harry Potter” franchise alumni David Thewlis (American Perfekt) simply known as The Frog! The infamous information dealer that poisoned the Kremlin water supply using an Amazonian Frog was obviously not just adequate with amphibians but also a penchant for expensive wines, automatic machine guns and throwing knives! Just don’t come too close since he can put you down impeccably and can shoot you in sight if he wanted too!

The killer “kryptonite” makes her “Chicago” entrance! Academy Awards and BAFTA Winner Catherine Zeta Jones (Entrapment) she portrays counter intelligence operative Katya Petrakova! Her supporting take on the Russian was conveyed as part of the bigger picture as she was able to squeeze in the plot and to think she still needs to share the leading man with Mary-Louise! To add further, her accent was not convincing enough to begin with in spite of having sufficient screen time than Helen! Catherine may still be bankable in the industry although having fewer projects being offered due to competition; hopefully she can still come up with credible roles in the future.

Academy Awards and BAFTA Winner for Best Actress Helen Mirren (The Queen) as Victoria Winslow and Brian Cox (Bourne Identity) returns as well as ex-Russian secret agent Ivan Simanov. The Female Fatale Sniper and her resources lover have somewhat misplaced moments which rekindle their relationship showing how Ivan so much adores Victoria even when she is in a killing spree or placing someone’s head in the cross hairs!

Another Academy Awards and three time BAFTA Winner Anthony Hopkins (Mission: Impossible II) portrays Dr. Edward Bailey the “Da Vinci of Death”! Since jumping the comic book bandwagon from Marvel’s “Thor”, he now lends his talent with DC Comics! The smooth speaking Anthony can always deliver no matter the character, using his brains instead of brawn, he can overcome situations with the full-extent of technical precision and of severity; he even displayed his rare comedic side until he showed his true colors! While Byung Hun-Lee (G.I.JOE: Retaliation) plays opulent cream of the crop hitman Han Cho-Bai, he has known Frank for a long time as he was over eager to take on his former colleague just for payback! His take on the character was really similar coming off from another puppet assassin named “Storm Shadow”, impulsive and full of intensity as he can easily drop kick an opponent or a dozen which can be just an understatement, bottom-line Han just needs to choose which “millions” he needs to let go…

RED 2 was a good clean and wildly entertaining film with the tale of veteran agents trying to find some peace but can never escape their obligations from their past and to their country! The script was kind of thin but due to exceeding talent involved, its delivery was streamlined and commendable! Cool slow motion car sequences while hearing Chester Beddingfield’s scream was one of my favorite moments (Victoria can even give “The Baroness” a run for her money). Another aspect was using some animation just to compensate the comic book origins as they go through each country of destination which at least gives a unique take in the storytelling!

With the all star line-up, the sequel was more relatable this time since most of Frank’s cohorts returns while injecting some fan service in the process although it has the same formula in its genre. From hilarious moments compliments of Marvin and Sarah, the complex triangle love affair, an extraordinary supporting cast that gave the story more depth as they find their place to throw in some diversity with fight and action scenes combined with a twist that was kind of expected already but “extremely” fun nevertheless!

Red (2010)

Veterans vexed with a vendetta! Well…not entirely, there’s a hint of young blood along the way (spilled that is!)

Summit Entertainment in association with Di Bonaventura Pictures, Homage Entertainment and DC Entertainment present…

RED was a three part mini-series graphic novel published on September 2003 to February 2004 from renowned Writer Warren Ellis (Hellblazer) and Illustrator Cully Hamner! Originally from Wildstorm Productions, the company merged and was later brought into DC comics to continue the life of Paul Moses a Retired and Extremely Dangerous CIA agent that needs to expand and make the story more elaborate for readers and fans alike!

Since Director Robert Schwentke (The Time Traveller’s Wife) is taking the helm, the on-set of the script being put into play was lacking, monotonous and one dimensional to be just an action genre filled with violence and vendetta for the aforementioned protagonist. So they put characters in with different perspectives but with the same agenda as Moses and instill, provide comedy to fill in the gaps.

Robert did bring together a wonderful and powerful cast, definitely the best in the business! Its action oriented not much bravado was needed since all are screen icons. Screenplay was done by Jon and Erich Hoeber (Whiteout) apparently, they still have more projects to delve into and experience to elaborate their stories and execute the intended premise. At least there were no problems I believe from the Producing end of the film since Lorenzo di Bonaventura of the Transformer’s fame (cough!) was the one providing the needed assets to keep the films rolling!

Though, there were some hindrances with Warner Bros. not considering doing the film, the Director opted for another studio to bring the project to the big screen. With DC and the mother company’s blessing, Summit Entertainment obliged with the help of Dark Castle Entertainment from Joel Silver and company.

The story was now based on Frank Moses (tweaked named) a lonely, bored ex-CIA agent who just wakes up for his meal, errands to do and just waiting for his pension checks from a secret admirer! What can you say; this is Bruce “Die Hard” Willis an action legend in his own right of course with some humor to boot…

After a failed hit from hired assassins and on the run, he re-assembles his former team to take down their aggressors. His mentor, smooth talker Joe Matheson (Morgan Freeman), delusional, paranoid explosives expert Marvin Boggs (John Malkovich), restless, still on contracts Victoria (Helen Mirren) and the love of her life former adversary, logistics and Intel man Ivan Simanov (Brian Cox). Awesome ensemble indeed!

The veterans are remarkably casted and have proven blockbusters in their own respective fields. Bruce has some hits and misses (Surrogates) but there’s no stopping this yippie ki yay stand out. Now, with the ex- black ops team on his side…you can go back and do a few more rounds in CIA training 101!

Always a fan for these guys, Morgan always plays the smart ones, John is fun to watch; he makes things complicated but pulls off the mission given either with a smile or a smirk on his face! While Helen gives a pun now and then and being the only female agent, she’s actually the one shooting the heavy artillery with a very cold demeanor! I was even optimistic enough with Brian in the film since he is one of my preferred actors at least here he is not one of the bad guys (does he need to? it can even things out a bit) not crazy about his Russian accent though! I don’t mind, he is indeed one of the greats! They all are!

Mary Louise Parker (Weeds) plays Sarah Ross who profusely flirts while at work, her quirkiness and wide eyed one liner expressions and banters with the team gives life to the CSR who longs for an adventure…and she indeed found hers! She is the one two punch here for the younger cast who delivers very solid performances and steals the show, the other is Karl Urban (Dredd) plays CIA Agent William Cooper, this guy I believe will go the distance and will definitely have more projects under his name, his directive has been planned out only to find a hidden agenda against REDs that made him soon realize to choose the other side of the fence. Already have a very commendable resume, he is currently doing Judge Dredd and will come back to reprise his role in a Star Trek sequel as well.

Julian McMahon as VP Robert Stanton, not a “despot ruler” of a country but certainly belongs to a low self-esteemed mediocre set of villains against a super squad of stars, Rebecca Pidgeon (Redbelt) as Cynthia Wilkes, a pencil pushing CIA upper echelon and Richard Dreyfuss (Mr. Holland’s Opus) as Alexander Dunning who had a long time coming to be back in films, plays an extractor from a previous mission gone wrong. They were incessantly lack lustred and without and foothold on their respective roles just ordinary bad guys just waiting to be taken out by a bullet or two. Typical…

 What goes around comes around and you will always get more leverage to what projects you choose and at the same time the perfect timing that comes with it. Almost everyone is jumping the CBMs (Comic Book Movies) band wagon. For this genre, it will linger for a few more years as long as the   material is made true to the source, everything will fall into place.

Overall, I enjoyed the screen dynamic of the team, combining the two elements of action and comedy was definitely a way to entice the mood of the film’s premise, despite changes from the comic books which was not enough to provide range and plot, it was entertaining and witty considering the well acted characters. The story and its screenplay was given more meaning even Airwolf TV series star Ernest Borgnine (The Dirty Dozen) the Records Keeper Henry had his moments. The film does not need special effects nor enormous CGI to make it a crowd pleaser; it holds on its own with great talent and delivery. Adrenaline sequences with charisma and bullet ridden bodies, all in a day’s work!

Like they say…you can’t keep a good man down, especially with this guy who is expected to be the last man standing!

The Losers (2010)

From Zeroes to Heroes…I don’t care, they’re still Losers in my book! (pun intended!)

Warner Bros. Pictures, Dark Castle Entertainment and Weed Road Pictures in association with Vertigo present…

In 2006, Nominated for the Eisner Award for “Best New Series”! From Vertigo the publishing arm of DC Comics for mature readers comes the riot filled mayhem of The Losers!

Back story states that a black ops team (scary!) tasked in Bolivia to assassinate a Crime Lord. Tensed moments began when a painted strike on a secret location was aborted due to innocent civilians were taken as prisoners. As a single crackle on the radio stated that all of them are now bequeathed as fall guys, there was no option… disavowed by the government and presumed dead, there will be some payback!

Produced by Akiva Goldsman with Joel Silver’s Dark Castle Entertainment! Directed by Sylvain White who brought us “Stomp the Yard”, he still has a great deal to show for his credibility behind the camera. Having said that, even with a green thumb he definitely made an impression in putting together this action-comedy and drama spectacle into an adequately received film! Since he just got off from a handful of TV series that were not much to look at, we’ll just see what he’s got in the bag in the coming projects ahead…

Screen Writers Peter Berg and James Vanderbilt head the brainstorming to make the fiction blend in with their current status and to give the movie goers enough motivation to grace the screens with this clichéd genre of a film. As the first two gave the plot, Andy Diggle was the one who brain hacked and conceptualized the characters. He brought in his story from the revamped comic book team of soldiers betrayed and left scathed from an untouchable CIA operative. The origins of the chronicle were closely inherited, stacked to the very core in order to provide the characters, their objectives and why they were framed in the first place?

Out living on the streets of Bolivia, doing cock fighting, making baby dolls and fixing axel suspensions was a way of life for the boys as Jeffrey Dean Morgan (Watchmen) plans for a payback with his paramour who suddenly lights up his flame! He gives life to Lt. Col. Franklin Clay the operations head, cool, confident and a leader without a doubt! His men’s loyalty are his alone which correspond to the deterrent they have for now. They will soon find how his reserved demeanor will be crucial to the laid out plan for the person who crossed them! Jeffrey was one of the first set on line for the role of the tactical lead! Always having the good stuff (ehem!) even for his other soldier persona from his first take on a DC comic title, very significant roles that prove his capacity to do his job and bring an awesome performance.

To continue, Clay had concerns with the team and more so a responsibility to give back their lives but he had not heard any complaints from them except from Idris Elba (American Gangster) the knife wielding Second in Command Capt. William Roque who always seem to be the most embittered member. Can’t blame the guy who wants his life back right? But the concern is, he can’t lay a finger on the “payroll” without his commanding officer’s permission!

Let alone for his distaste for their superior since he had a bad history of letting women get them in trouble and he’s just trying to make a point! Idris is one of the most sought out actors to date! Like Chris, he just got off from Thor and now is doing post-production scenes for another CBM titled “Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance” slated to fire up a winter 2012 release.

Sly and straight forward he gives a qualm attitude which makes him more distant with the team serving only his ends to take down the perpetrator by any means necessary. All in a while, taking the bait of a suspicious looking Zoe Zaldana (Guardians of the Galaxy) who plays Aisha al-Fadhil the original “get back” agent who provided the assets (ehem again) to let them go back to their country, locate Max and blow him to pieces!

As usual in a group even no matter how hard boiled or hardnosed these guys are there will always be a comedian in the midst, that’s right Chris Evans (Iceman) is their communications and technology specialist Cpl. Jake Jensen who never knows when to shut up (I think I’ve heard of this character before). He had the best moments of the film if you don’t see him bantering with his colleagues, his out doing absurd conning to get more counter intelligence from enemy lines. If we stop just for a minute and think over his genius, now put it to military use….there will be more sales for her niece’s football team (right)!

He’s been a busy little bee lately since putting a ceiling on the recent Captain America (another soldier by the way) from the other company Marvel Comics. That’s right; Chris has been dodging bullets back and forth with the two Icons in comic book publishing business and he won’t have it any other way!

Now, who can forget the one helping that guy above, Cougar as he is called, does eliminate those on target without hesitation, without fail! The silent shooter Sgt. Carlos Alvarez played by Oscar Janaeda (Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides) brings more his skill on the gun rather than his mouth, the comic book explained he had some sort of trauma, accident from a previous mission.

The last but not least, Columbus Short (Armored) was taken again by the Director from the last drum and lyre movie they made. Sgt. Linwood Porteous aka Pooch, a laid back transportation and heavy weapons expert who lets the team be more of a cohesive unit despite differences and pressure! Just don’t ask him stupid questions (LOL)!

I remember this guy having a little more integrity back in the day, turning into a notorious businessman for the US Government may have given more perks rather than being a goody two shoes! Acquiring a state of the art technology, he uses this to be sold for the best buyer in the black market and capitalize on his feeble conquest! Jason Patric (Speed 2: Cruise Control) is the pompous prick codenamed “Max” who gave the order that made these soldiers run after him like rabid dogs! Very subtle and convinces me enough to play the part even with a “disfigured” ego. He was able to provide a character driven villain to be at least on par with the “cooler” gang! (He only has one henchman who does not get the work done right).

 Music tracks were in flow of what’s happening “fever” moments that will knock your socks off to “don’t stop believing” sequences that Chris would need to pull off in his awkward infiltration dilemmas! All I know it was a great film that covers all grounds for amusement! Some scenes showed obvious lack of common sense in retrieving Max, bad aiming and over the top setbacks. But still, the camaraderie was evident even with some ruckus involved. I have to give it to Idris and Chris for their roles very much inclined with the mission for the latter while the former wins the personal take, gestures and tenacity of his character. A well meant ending capping off with a potential sequel!

So to end, I will go with Capt. Roque’s famous words: “I have a great, great feeling about this one!” – trust me it’s worth watching these Joes rather than the real losers from a “global” standpoint!

2 Guns (2013)

“You’re my people and we have a code. You fight for the guy that’s fighting next to you.”

Universal Pictures in association with Entertainment One, Foresight Limited, Tri-Star Pictures and Boom! Studios present…

Based on Steven Grant’s own comic book series in the same name which was published on April 1, 2007! This is a story of two undercover agents as they try to infiltrate a drug cartel and bring enough evidence to their respective superiors to end their tribulation. But there’s one problem, as partners in crime, they don’t know who the other guy really is and it’s just the tip of the iceberg! Steven inclines his work on grounded crime fiction that focuses on the action-thriller genre involving spies, government officials and the law! I even had one of his works from the Hardy Boys collection titled “Final Gambit” under the pen name of Franklin W. Dixon; it had non-stop suspense at the end of each chapter in which case has always been its usual run of the mill selling point!

Director Baltasar Kormákur (Contraband) the Iceland native has been working hard to seize the moment in making quality films that not only that his people can appreciate but for the world to see and experience! Although having only a handful of Hollywood films, he never hesitates to get bigger projects that still involve stories that inspires and make the audience come back for more! This is also his second collaboration with Mark Wahlberg.

After an explosive first meal of the day, we get on with the program! So what happens when you put together Academy Award Winner Denzel Washington (Man on Fire) and Golden Globe Nominee Mark Wahlberg (The Other Guys)? It’s definitely a non-stop entertainment guaranteed! I have to commend the screenplay of Blake Masters (Brotherhood) which complements the delivery of these two very spontaneous actors as they try to outsmart each other including the DEA, The Naval Intelligence and the Mexican Mob. No problem with these guys right?

The characters played by Denzel and Mark was definitely in line with the comic books except for a diversity hire that makes Robert “Bobby” Drench a lot cooler and street wise demeanor! On the other hand, Marcus “Stig” Stigman also known as Steadman really suits Mark’s trigger happy persona while also complementing his fast talking, eye winking smooth moves with the ladies!

Edward James Olmos (Dead Man’s Walk) as the “cock and bull” (pun intended) raiser and of course more importantly the filthy rich drug dealer that everyone is trying to get their hands on! His name is simply Papi Greco who connives with a couple of criminals as they try to make the deal to permanently put him behind bars. Edward as far that I can remember was with two cops years earlier but in that time he was on the side of the law from the hit series “Miami Vice”, he tends to speak when needed as he always does but be aware that he carries a big bat to go along with his taciturn ways! He runs in with an old friend from the aforementioned television series, Emmy Award Nominee Bill Paxton (NAVY SEALs) another exemplary feat, he is “over eager to get my money back” Earl, a Black Ops Operative who has anger management issues with a penchant for the “game of your life” Russian Roulette!

That was just the main antagonists, but wait there’s more! Robert John Burke (Brooklyn’s Finest) is DEA Head of Operations Jessup who has someone working inside, snooping the mob for the last ten years and he’s not happy with his agent’s performance so far! While on the other side of town, for once, there is some good things coming in for James Marsden (X-Men) as Naval Commanding Officer Harold “Harvey” Quince, typical he got that name for being a “trickster” who runs an incompetent group of sailors at least one of them can actually find some levity and bring these people to justice!

But before we get out of the cross fire, Paula Patton (Mission: Impossible IV: Ghost Protocol) as Deb Rees, it’s an understatement that she has two masters to serve giving a predicament that she can never escape and that fate awaits her assuming if comes out of this alive with the money and the man she loves at her side!

There was not much to decipher just to get from point A to B, with hard working con agents gathering information and making a lot of gun crazed, money greedy maniacs running after them like headless chickens! With a comprehensible script, it never had a down moment considering that even if there were plenty of players in the field which makes the direction and the screenplay impeccable as they find the right moments to tell the story without capsizing it with ballistics and explosives!

It also got into a laughing spree when Stig and Drench give each some sarcastic bantering whether it was ordering food, shooting defenseless chickens and trying to get into each other’s nerves. I can see that there are signature moves with Denzel that makes you see he’s into that serious mood and suddenly gives you that killer smile! While Mark tries to be a jerk and gives you his “machine gun mouth”, thrash talking gives him some credit especially with his mood swings coming around the bend! It had fast paced action, brutal shootouts, brotherly fisticuffs and whole lot of comedy to wrap things up! Especially on the latter, it’s a film that you can sit down and enjoy with a lucrative cast and a commendable twist from the creator Steven Grant.

They say that you can’t teach “old dogs new tricks” but there is always a an exception to the rule, it might not be considerate for everyone but at least it can give you a head start while trying to dodge the bullet until you get across the border of Mexico and let’s just hope these two can get to Russia in time for the “revolution” and find a way to their sequel!

The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen (2003)

The League was an unfortunate and exuberantly produced film accompanied by a poorly written cast pertained as an excuse for amusement!

20^th Century Fox in association with Angry Films, International Production Company and JD Productions present…

World renowned Writer Alan Moore and Artist Kevin O’Neill brought to life the characters of “The League” in 1999. The more popular of the two, Allan made graphic novels as if they were Essay Contests in High School! He focused on characters particularly in the European setting where the assembled heroes and anti-heroes can be distinguished as the timeline’s version of the “Justice League” well, with a touch of tea and crumpets at least!

The Graphic Novels had two Volumes and a Graphic Novel circulated in various publishers including the Wildstorm/DC Comics that run from 1999 to 2007 while transferring to a lesser known Topshelf/Knockabout Comics from 2009! From here, “The Hunt is on!”

London 1899…

A tank rolling on the streets of Moorgate, it ransacked a bank suggesting a bigger purpose. Shortly after, the same group were seen kidnapping Scientists from Germany and killing people in the process. Two countries now at the brink of chaos, blaming each other for the conspired attacks which could start the First World War!

Packed with dull one liners and theatrical shabbiness, it depicts world famous literary figures, heroes and icons assembled to hunt down the perpetrator named Moriarty who I see as an under performer Richard Roxburgh (Moulin Rouge) dressed as a disfigured old man called Fantom who looks more of a disconcerted, angry and disillusioned theatre actor who lost his part in an audition for the role!

The original James Bond has fallen short in providing an “extraordinary” take on his character. Like the rest of the cast performance, Sean Connery (Indiana Jones) is British explorer, hunter Allan Quartermaine haunted by past misgivings he relocated to Africa to find peace of mind. He’s the de-facto team leader who generates mistrust and verbal quips with all its members. While personal favorite Tony Curran (Underworld: Evolution) is the Scientist turned thief Rodney Skinner also known as The Invisible Man part time jokester, full time hero. He is indeed given some dual purpose for the film and it will only prove more of his worth once the dust settles. Tony has played extensive roles with a bit more levity on real acting. Naseeruddin Shah (It Could Be You) is Captain Nemo, the undeniable but generous pirate, he provides the team with hardware and resources to accomplish their mission.

The picky and prickly Stuart Townsend (Aeon Flux) who I believe has mediocre talent is the seemingly immortal with an “effeminate” demeanor Dorian Gray. He still has emancipation for the only “Rose” in a group of thorns her name is Wilhemina Harker, the wife of the late Jonathan Harker who previously partnered with Van Hel Sing the famous nemesis of Dracula himself!

With Peta Wilson (Superman Returns) on board, half of the team are getting their blood boiling even for the young Shane West (A Walk to Remember) who plays Tom Sawyer an American Secret Service Agent (can you believe it he’s an Agent of ASS). Lame delivery, lame performance for the upstart, he makes his brash motives to contribute in the battlefield just to impress Mina.

Don’t forget the man-monster, running on roof tops trying to avoid punishment for his crimes to England, Jason Flemyng (X-Men: First Class) is introduced as the menace to society Mr. Edward Hyde and before becoming his alter ego Dr. Henry Jekyll who falls for the vampiress as well (can someone get another lady in the film please, too much testosterone running around)! Jason is so slowly climbing up to be an international star and can have a lot of potential if he can be given more serious roles. He was also seen from the same Writer of another comic book From Hell!

A lot of inconsistencies were so obvious, an example was from the shooting range Allan was doing on top of the Nautilus speeding at least 20 knots from a far end view while at the same time he was talking with Tom we see the ship hardly moving or not moving at all! Another scenario was the Exploration Pod who got a few minutes head start (even before they started fixing damages) and yet the gigantic submarine could not catch it!

On the other hand, Special and Visual Effects are thought off meticulously even for the Submarine going up and down the sea looked genuine! Together with Industrial Light and Magic and the emergence of Double Negative of London gave the film’s consistency for this area of expertise. Another aspect was using Previs but only in a limited extent, it helped a little with the storytelling but the execution of the Director was crucial on how it supposed to be relayed in terms of inputs from Screenplay and in-depth was the adaptation made to make it lambasted with poor dialogue, it was like a pissing contest waiting for a “return fire” from the casts sarcastic bantering!

Combining the available settings of the Victorian era it also brings out the use of steam punk weaponry and vehicles to provide a cohesive setting of the given timeline! The elements brought in by the creator of the comic book deals more fantasy based exploiting the fascinating competencies of manmade science as well as supernatural fetish! It was mediocre to say the least given that it had well administered basis of the screenplay and yet it still falls short for tautness dialogue leaving behind an obscure excuse for Director Stephen Norrington (Blade) and Writer James Robinson (Cyber bandits) for being lazy chaps! Off you go, don’t let the door hit you on your way out!

Dredd (2013)

In Mega City One’s order and chaos, there is only one rule to follow…don’t break the Law!!!

Lionsgate in association with DNA Films, IM Global, Reliance Entertainment and Entertainment Film Distributors present…

Judge Dredd was created by Writer John Wagner, Artist Carlos Ezquerra and with Editor Patt Mills. The law enforcer first appeared in “2000 AD” No. 2 on March 5, 1977, where the character was based on the comic strip that was published through IPC Magazine in 1977. The company later merged with Fleetway Publications since 1999 after which, in June 2000 was bought by one of Europe’s leading games maker Rebellion Developments. Currently, the series resides with IDW Publishing since 2012.

The film was directed by Pete Travis (Endgame) who won the British Academy Television Award for “Omagh” and with Writer / Producer Alex Garland (28 Days Later) who had meritorious works with Director Danny Boyle’s films. The two collaborated with the help of Production companies left and right seeking enough financial leverage from Reliance Big Pictures and IM Global to get things started while they pick out the cast one at a time.

We could also consider this as a reboot from Sylvester Stallone’s irredeemable film “Judge Dredd” in 1995. In this new take, Alex wrote the script while traversing through different storylines but was actually more inclined to do a shorter one which would focus more on Dredd’s daily routine as a cop doing his job and exercising his duties no holds barred! While the setting is still the same with the Cursed Earth where tall structures of Mega City One rise above its denizens taking into account lives that trudge on their chaotic wasteland!

Anthony Dod Mantle (Just Like Home) as Cinematographer is also given praise seeing how he capitalized on the needed ambiance while incorporating filming and for the drug Slo-Mo being used by the film’s antagonists as a channel for escapism and self-destruction at the same time! The sequencing that Alex and 1999’s BAFTA Winner for Best Visual Effects Jon Thum (The Matrix) used with different angles, colorization and shot framing to extensively capture the aestheticity of this hallucinogen which gave the surrealism which suits best the 3D effects. They shot on location in Johannesburg and Cape Town Studios using RED MX with Multiple and high speed cameras that made the environment looked visceral while injecting VFX animation for the overall layout of the city.

Enter Karl Urban (RED) a rising star at his current standpoint with more lucrative projects coming his way especially with huge success in the box office since the epic “Lord of the Rings” and as part of the new crew of “Star Trek” under J.J. Abrams direction! This guy does not actually need mug shots for his perpetrators! As Judge Joseph Dredd, Karl was perfect for the job, seeing that his acting compliments the character completely he was able to instill the needed emotionless angst, decisiveness, tactically adept and be truly mean looking without the need to be bulky as the comic books imply in order to traverse the Peach Trees, a strong hold for the main antagonist where he needs to survive an 800 m high of a gargantuan building.

It was very well executed on how the Judge with his rookie partner was able to kick start a highway speed chase which lead them into fighting for their own lives. Strategically being able to target specific the thugs while literally crawling up the block as if it was a game going against the “Big Boss” at the end of each level but the only difference is he’s not shooting paint balls nor he has three lives! We also need to introduce the Lawgiver the standard sidearm of a Judge capable of firing different kinds of bullets that will actually lessen body bags at the morgue! It is fingerprint activated and can only be reconfigured by Senior Judges when needed; it also has voice command that allows each projectile used to be specific for the intended situation thus maximizing results and of course the corpses…

While speaking of which, Olivia Thirlby (What Goes Up) serves as mutant psychic extraordinaire known as Judge Cassandra Anderson, an “on the job trainee” who must first impress his supervisor plus survive an ordeal on her first assignment. Her film resume has been quite extensive but with poor performances in the box-office and also with only supporting roles. That is why versatility is mandate in terms of acting at least no one is left behind when it comes to signing up for the job and be “voted” by the movie going public as a true talent. Olivia shines here by not just doing her part to clean up trash and get her hands dirty through surveillance, mind interrogation, counter-intelligence and a little ass kicking!

Her majesty Lena Headey (Whore) plays Ma-Ma short for Madeline Madrigal a former prostitute who killed her pimp in order to take over and control the whole Peach Tree Block. Taking down the other gangs, she was able to capitalize on mass producing the drug that really signifies a trip sensation while slowing down your actual perception and experiences. You won’t know if you’re dead or alive in Ma-Ma’s case, she was sentenced to fly 200 stories high! Lena did well to compensate the needed wickedness in her portrayal as a villain more so as a woman who gets toe-in-toe with a chest thumping cop who would not stop unless everyone who was involved is dead or been brought to justice one way or the other.

The film never lets down when it comes to action! It was finely tuned and paced when it was needed to be coherent and does absolute justice to its adaptation of the comic books. The city was honest and warranted especially coming from a place like Africa where violence was experienced on a daily basis. A flatbed of dry rock stagnates with the people that were destroyed from the previous Atomic Wars of 2070. Fascinating how they were able to survive with a fictionalized setting, where mutants and cult extremists fight for a place literally called hell! Going back to reality, the film could have received better box-office returns with 35 million receipts against its budget of 45 million and if only there was a better marketing involved especially with an R Rating that encompasses fans of the comic book and for those action junkies demographic! While on another aspect, the premise was similar with “The Raid” where a S.W.A.T. Team tries to apprehend a ganglord in a fortress like apartment building!

 This was a very unsettling but typical world of the Judges and the producers were able to deliver what kind of person does to be a last resort, it is empirical at best that this is how it is and if there was even the slightest of hope it would have been relayed already and that would end the Judges career which will be anti-climactic. They have one objective, they fight on as they seek and carry out what needs to be done: to Judge, to act as Jury and Execute no questions asked!

10 minutes up, going back to the streets preventing crime!

Heroes vs Villains

“Oh, you. You just couldn’t let me go, could you? This is what happens when an unstoppable force meets an immovable object. You are truly incorruptible, aren’t you? Huh? You won’t kill me out of some misplaced sense of self-righteousness. And I won’t kill you because you’re just too much fun. I think you and I are destined to do this forever.” – Joker (The Dark Knight)

Since the dawn of time, there has been an ongoing war between these two inseparable forces! Neither one can exist without the other as we elaborate this more from science fiction  from best selling novels, comic books and series that have crossed the boundaries in film making! These origins depicts the Yin to its Yang, Light and Dark, Order and Chaos, just like a pendulum swinging back and forth perpetually finding the means to tip the scale of balance and power!

Here we choose Heroes who are admired for their courage, to lead and use the means to fight for what is right and just! As for their counterparts, Villains we have despised with malevolent goals, cruel as they are brutal to their rotten core! As nature dictates, this is inevitable where someone or something does enable the ends to justify the means and pushing everything to the limit where one extinguishes the other…

Our points to ponder on are the following categories:

1. Origins; 2. Birth of a Rivalry; 3. Timeframe and 4. Spoils of War

Let’s Get Ready To Rumble!!!

10. G.I. JOE

SNAKE-EYES

Real Name: Classified

Quote: “Move with the wind, and you will never be heard”

The silent Master Ninja is regarded as the most popular of all the characters in the series. He has gained much acceptance from viewers and readers alike. Up to this point, Snake-Eyes has a classified background from his name, birth, family and everything about him even when he joined G.I. JOE, his information was withdrawn purposely.

His objectives for the team were to train and provide special operations support equivalent to the DELTA Force of the USAF. A black belt in a dozen self-defence and martial arts and carries a katana backed-up by an Uzi. Usually wears a black military suit that enhances his stealth movements to infiltrate enemy grounds. Also, it provides protection and to keep his scars not visible since acquiring it from a helicopter explosion from a previous mission. He had extensive plastic surgery but his vocal chords could not be repaired thus making him in eternal solace.

Trained with his surrogate brother Thomas Arashikage who is also known as Storm Shadow (derived from his name).  He also has a pet named Timber, a wolf he found in the woods from the animated series.

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STORM SHADOW

Real Name: Thomas Arashikage

Quote: “Anyone can use a weapon, but the ninja IS a weapon”

The ninja in white hides the true meaning of his agenda. His long time friend Snake-Eyes was like a brother to him…but that was a long time ago!

He would not hesitate to take down anyone who gets in his way, at times cold and brutal which shows his moral degradation for his quest for power. Having served both factions of Cobra and GI JOE, his sense of morals deprives him of his goals to be the better of the two. Now, back in Cobra Commander’s allegiance, he has proven worth to be both his body guard and assassin. The only thing he abandoned is his integrity, having hatred take the best of him, it did not only served his undoing after losing his beloved Uncle and Master but the leadership of their family’s generations of tradition and legacy.

Origins: Hasbro

• Toyline: 1964
• Publication: 1942

1. IDW Publishing: May 2008 – Present
2. Devil’s Due Publishing: June 2005 – June 2008
3. Marvel Comics: June 1982 – December 1994
4. TV Animated Series: 1985 – 2010

Birth of a Rivalry:  The two have been regarded as brothers from the beginning. As Snake-Eyes trained with Storm Shadow in the watchful eye of the latter’s Uncle aka The Hard Master. There were many versions of the bitter hatred of Thomas Arashikage among these were the bequeathing of their Master to Snake-Eyes as the number one student and be the next in line in taking the mantle of leadership of the Arashikage Clan. It may also have been the assassination attempts or with the protégé Nephew killing him and in another case Snake-Eyes was the one blamed for the Uncle’s demise.

Timeframe: On-going, both characters are still in their respective factions trying to ante-up every move one makes…

Spoils of War: The film G.I. Joe: Rise of Cobra showed a death match in the arctic base of Cobra. Storm Shadow was last seen falling from a sword fight towards the water with ice and debris from the explosions from the ensuing battle from both groups. He is still alive and will return in the sequel G.I. Joe: Retaliation.

9. The Lord of the Rings

FRODO BAGGINS

Aliases: Frodo of the Nine Fingers, Mr. Underhill, Bearer of the One Ring

Quote: “I know what you would say, and it would seem like wisdom, but for the warning in my heart.”

Is the main protagonist in the epic fantasy The Lord of the Rings! His perilous journey started with the inheritance of a very precious creation his uncle (well, actually they were cousins) Bilbo Baggins.

Frodo is a Hobbit born in the quiet village of Shire; a very fascinating character who always dreamed of what is it like in the outside world, maybe a precursor to somehow carrying the burden of destroying the One Ring in the hot gates of Mount Doom. Compassionate and a true friend to everyone, his determination to rid all evil is the only thing that he intends to accomplish no matter what it takes…

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SMEAGOL

Aliases: Gollum, Slinker, Stinker

Quote: “We swears…to serve the master of the Precious, we will swear on…on…the Precious!”

There was once a Hobbit who’s formerly known as Smeagol of the Shire! As stated, he was the fourth owner of the damned Ring after Sauron, Isildur and Deagol.

The latter and antagonist were good friends at the time and then there came a day that will change their lives forever. It was Smeagol’s birthday, the two went fishing in a nearby lake and as fate led them there, Deagol caught a big fish and was pulled down the water; he came across the One Ring before resurfacing. Upon finding him, his friend asked what he had in his hand and eventually asked for it to be his present. But Deagol Declined and they started to fight eventually out of rage and greed, Smeagol killed his friend and got the ring.

He was banished and lived for centuries in a cave where he transformed into a “monster” that made him protective of his “precious”, killing anyone that would take it from him…

Origins: John Ronald Reuel Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings Book Trilogy

1. The Fellowship of the Ring – 1954
2. The Two Towers – 1954
3. The Return of the King – 1955

Birth of a Rivalry:  Both Hobbits were intertwined by destiny, though it may have started with mere stealing from one to the other. The heated rivalry bear more than physical conflict itself, it was actually more of inner struggles and the real character that they were born to be.

A time came when Bilbo got his hands of the One Ring from the malicious Gollum in the Misty Mountains where the former outwitted the creature in one of it’s caves while trying to escape. In time, this Ring was given to the younger Hobbit and it gave him the quest to destroy it once and for all.

Gollum was on his trail together with the newly formed Fellowship of the Ring to protect the carriers and make sure it reaches Mordor. But Gollum has other plans; along the way it would seem that he was accompanying them which started with an agreement that would soon consume both to their utmost test of wits and courage separating them to realize the true meaning of good and evil!

Timeframe: Rivalry ended in the fiery lava pits of Mount Doom in Mordor where Frodo and Gollum were fighting over the ring and the latter fell from a cliff into the rivers of molten lava with the One Ring.

Spoils of War: Since Gollum’s demise, Frodo returned home to Shire a hero and even went on to become their town Mayor for a time. But his injuries gave him the reason to retire and sail off with his cousin (in the movies) Bilbo and some remaining friends from the previous quest into the Undying Lands where he can find his inner peace…

8. James Bond

JAMES BOND

Aliases: 007

Quote: “A little. But I won’t consider myself to be in any trouble until I start weeping blood.”

Ian Fleming gave life into a British superspy in April 15, 1953 in Jamaica. His first book “Casino Royale” was the catalyst into the many adventures of James Bond. Derived from previous incarnations of real life partners of the author while working in the Secret Service until he found a Bird Watcher’s name to christen the fictional hero!

From here, it’s all about espionage, man hunting, counter intelligence missions that sends the “00 Agent” into gripping heights of action, thriller and the License to Kill!

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ERNST STAVRO BLOFELD

Aliases: Number 1

Quote: “As you can see, I am about to inaugurate a little war. In a matter of hours after America and Russia have annihilated each other. We shall see a new power dominating the world.”

Created by Ian Fleming and Kevin McClory to be the main antagonist for Mr. Bond! He leads a massive organisation named SPECTRE which stands for Special Executive for Counter-Intelligence, Terrorism, Revenge and Extortion.

Origins: Ian Fleming’s Spy Novels made into Films

1. Thunderball – 1961
2. On Her Majesty’s Secret Service – 1963
3. You Only Live Twice – 1964
4. The Man with the Golden Gun – 1965
5. Spectre – 2015

Birth of a Rivalry:

Timeframe: On-going, since he was last seen being dropped by Bond in a chimney stack from a helicopter, after a long stint of 6 films from 1963 to 1981 there is no verification nor validity whether the supervillain is still alive or will be brought back in the novels or films.

Spoils of War: in the film On Her Majesty’s Secret Service, Bond with his newly wedded wife was having their honeymoon; Teresa was killed by Blofeld through a drive-by shooting after they have stopped over while Bond removes flowers from the car.

7. Transformers

OPTIMUS PRIME

Aliases: Orion Pax (original name), Red Convoy, Optronix

Quote: “Freedom is the right of all sentient beings.”

Chosen by the Autobot Matrix of Leadership, Optimus Prime was once a simple worker and civilian until destiny made him rise into a true warrior! Coming from Iacon, one of the fabled cities of Cybertron where he was a gladiator for them winning fights for the overall peace of the planet and the control of its resources.

He transforms into a convoy truck with a lot of varieties crossing from G1 animated series, comic books and films. His trailer is armed to the teeth and has a separate roving unit called Roller. All three are interconnected thus harm to one part will be felt by the other two.

Gifted with compassion, nobility and selflessness, he will always protect all those in his care whether humans or robots alike. Always making sure that strategies are laid out first before converting it into victory! He never gives up and will never abandon his soldiers in the battlefield unlike his nemesis. Though he perished at one point, his resilience and with the help of his friends, finds his way back to continue the fight until all are one!

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MEGATRON

Aliases: Galvatron (name when resurrected by Unicron), NBE-1, Gigatron

Quote: “Peace through tyranny!”

A former gladiator in the border city of Tarn, he was their number one champion pitted against Iacon’s own hero Optimus Prime. To break free from this power struggle, Megatron developed his Decepticons to transform to easily trample the Autobots. With their military might, they waged war on their planet and into the cosmos.

His first of few transformations was a Walter P38 9 mm pistol, as time passed, his conversion were more menacing to the next from a fusion cannon from the animated series, a cybertronian jet and tank on the other hand was depicted in the films.

He led his warriors in an uprising, as they trample and produce chaos all over the planet! Feared for his wickedness, arrogant and at times doubted for his insanity! Even some of his soldiers end up dead by his hand just by questioning his authority! His plans being a Transformer is to conquer the universe and nothing will stand in his way!

Origins: Hasbro and Takara Tomy (Japan)

• Toyline: Microman 1972 and Diaclone 1980
• Publication:

1. IDW Publishing: 2005 – Present
2. Dreamwave Productions: 2001-2005
3. Marvel Comics: 1984 – 2000
4. TV Animated Series: 1984 – Present

Birth of a Rivalry:  for eons, the planet of Cybertron was thriving with its Masters the Quintessons, robotic creatures with five faces and personalities. They made two groups to do their bidding, the first one was the elite militaristic robots that evolved into the Decepticons, brutal and intolerant they took over the planet as for their own and drove away their creators.

The second group was the working class robots that became the altruistic and noble Autobots, who were clearly a no match for their counter parts, but one thing they have was courage and they fought back with their leader Optimus Prime, a former factory robot named Orion Pax brought to life by Alpha Trion when he was gunned down by Megatron!

Now, both fight for survival and to control the AllSpark, the “soul” giver of every Transformer as they wage their never ending war across the planet and the galaxy!

Timeframe: On-going, both leaders are still locked in battle despite so much battle scars and at least a time of death…

Megatron will stop at nothing to annihilate every living being on the planet as Optimus Prime’s main directive is to protect it no matter the cost!

Spoils of War: Both robots died in the movie series and came back to life through the power of the All Spark. Though Megatron seems to have the edge in terms of firepower and brute strength, Optimus is nonetheless can stand against anything the maniacal tyrant can dish out!

The next movies are still being under talks giving emphasis on a new lead human character and unfortunately Michael Bay will return as well!

6. Sherlock Holmes

SHERLOCK HOLMES

Aliases: World’s Greatest Detective

Quote: “Life is infinitely stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent.”

A fictional character created by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle he debuted the super sleuth in 1887 from the novel “A Study in Scarlet”.

He was derived from the Author’s Mentor and Teacher Dr. Joseph Bell in medical school. Sherlock was gifted indeed, with a superior mind granting him logical reasoning, a master of disguise and in the use of forensic science in solving his cases.

Not only is he capable in terms of the mind but in the physical aspects as well. He was trained to use the sword, handling a pistol, a cane, boxing and martial arts deriving from Bartitsu a combination of jujitsu and traditional boxing.

Though seen as neat, well organized and prompt by the general public, it is quite the opposite in his flat 221B where we see the eccentric Detective leaving piles of papers, unfinished experiments, old food and scraps in every corner of his room. He is also egoistic, cold and private only the adventures he toils on would bring this man jumping from his seat! A loner but values friends earnestly especially for Dr. Watson who is regarded as a brother to him.

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PROFESSOR JAMES MORIARTY

Aliases:  The Napoleon of Crime

Quote: “I am quite sure that a man of your intelligence will see that there can be but one outcome to this affair. It is necessary that you should withdraw. You have worked things in such a fashion that we have only one resource left. It has been an intellectual treat to me to see the way in which you have grappled with this matter, but I say, unaffectedly, that it would be a grief to me to be forced to take an extreme measure.”

Created to be the main antagonist for Sherlock Holmes. He was derived by the author from a real people like Adam Worth from a Scotland Yard Inspector, another genius named Simon Newcomb, a mathematician while using his talent to usurp other works of famous theorists and scientists.

Armed with a sniper cane provided by a German blind man also used by another nemesis named Colonel Sebastian Moran. Easy to conceal and provide silent kills making him harder to implicate.

He was described as born with a silver spoon, well educated and a mental faculty of a certified math genius. His works are best described diabolical, manipulative and brutal seeing that he has a fair share of the criminals’ profits while he provides them with protection. One speculative truth was that, Holmes was about to destroy his works but rather fled in order to subside the retaliation being prepared for him. This is where they finally met and fought to a standstill in the water falls.

Origins: Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s Novels and Short Stories

1. A Study in Scarlet (published 1887)
2. The Sign of the Four (published 1890)
3. The Hound of the Baskervilles (serialised 1901–1902 in The Strand)
4. The Valley of Fear (serialised 1914–1915)
5. The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes
6. The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes
7. The Return of Sherlock Holmes
8. His Last Bow
9. The Case-Book of Sherlock Holmes

Birth of a Rivalry: Though not directly introduced by the Author, Prof. Moriarty was only used twice to bring in the demise of Sherlock Holmes which was indicative of the novel “The Final Problem”. Only a narrative was given to what schemes he was planning for the city and the Detective.

Timeframe: Non-conclusive through the films timelines and stories. Though it was written in context that Holmes has retired and just takes care of his bees for his hobby and Moriarty was last seen from the fateful plunge at Reichenbach Falls.

Spoils of War: Alternatively, The Author killed off both characters in a struggle and a death plunge in Reichenbach Falls. This was written in the story “The Final Problem”, there were many who demanded Sherlock to be revived especially Publishers at the time even offered money. So, the Author brought back the character in the following books:

1. The Hound of the Baskervilles – pre-hiatus (1901)
2. The Adventure of the Empty House  – post-hiatus (1903)

We would not know what will happen through the film. Also, the story depicted in the first and second to be released film is not directly from Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s canon. Instead it was written by British screenwriters Michael Robert Johnson, Anthony Peckham, Simon Kinberg, and Lionel Wigram. Therefore, any death from the two main characters will only coincide through the fictional elements by the latter.

5. The Terminator

THE CONNOR FAMILY

Names: Kyle Reese, Sarah Connor, John Connor and Katherine Brewster

Quote: “By the time Skynet became self-aware it had spread into millions of computer servers across the planet. Ordinary computers in office buildings, dorm rooms; everywhere. It was software; in cyberspace. There was no system core; it could not be shutdown. The attack began at 6:18 PM, just as he said it would. Judgment Day, the day the human race was almost destroyed by the weapons they’d built to protect themselves. I should have realized it was never our destiny to stop Judgment Day, it was merely to survive it, together. The Terminator knew; he tried to tell us, but I didn’t want to hear it. Maybe the future has been written. I don’t know; all I know is what the Terminator taught me; never stop fighting. And I never will. The battle has just begun. ” – John Connor

This family has gone a whole lot of trouble, sacrifice and motivation to permanently shut down the A.I called Skynet and its Terminators, the battle of survival is not just for themselves but for all humanity!

Future soldier Kyle Reese was sent back in the past to prevent their apocalyptic timeline to happen, he meets Sarah Connor and saves her from a Terminator and they were able to expand the bloodline but with a price…

Sarah, on the run was taken into a psychiatric hospital while battling leukaemia, since her recent actions in bombing a facility was halted by the police. She claims that the destruction of humanity is rooted with these future weaponry being manufactured while her alone teenage boy John was trying to survive another attack from a more difficult to kill Terminator. They were able to postpone the inevitable future by getting Miles Dyson to stop his misdirected plans; he perished but still leaving an imprint for the unfinished work to continue…

Fast forward, John grows up alone, with family, friends and a life working menial jobs just to get by he knows something big is coming and as his mother say “a storm is brewing” so does the fight needs to continue. He is soon finding himself on the run again from another Terminator with a design more advanced than the previous two machines. He meets his future partner Kate whose father will be one of the key people in starting this never ending war!

In 2032, John has been keeping his team in line and leading them to destroy all factories that the machines built while at the same time deploying reprogrammed Terminators to protect them and keep the fight burning up until now!

The next chapter has been added and by means of continuity, they have given the story a twist that paved a way for new terminators to redesign the future, in order for them to rule they must exterminate everyone!

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SKYNET

Machines:

Terminator: Series (1, 7T, 20, 70, 400, 500, 600, 700, 800, 850, 888, 900, 1000, 3000, 5000, X, Infinity)

Hunter Killers: (Arial, Centurion, Drone Tank, Harvester, Hydrobot, Moto-Terminator)

Quote: “You only postponed it, Judgment day is inevitable!”  – Terminator

The self-preserving antagonist of the Terminator series! The Artificial Intelligence started gaining sentience through a microprocessor created my Miles Dyson in 1984 the Engineer and Director of Cyberdyne Systems from a then small manufacturing company which later in 1995 became the United States Military’s major contractor in installing and upgrading weapon defence systems. The goal is to take out of the equation the human error and enabling the fastest and most efficient way to eliminate enemy targets!

With the main story in place in Terminator 3, it became self-aware and gathered enough support from large networks that enable it to protect itself from any viral intrusions or humans that will shut it off. The plan was laid down and with the military hardware with its technology and its protocol in place that all humans must be terminated, it started a nuclear war projecting all its warheads to Russia and as retaliation the country counter attacked with the United States killing billions of people in an instant.

Origins: James Cameron original script with influences on 1950’s sci-fi films like The Outer Limits, The Driver and The Road Warrior

1. The Terminator – 1984
2. Terminator 2: Judgment Day – 1991
3. Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines – 2003
4. Terminator Salvation – 2009
5. Terminator Genisys – 2015

Birth of a Rivalry: From Cyberdyne, Miles Bennett Dyson’s microprocessor reverse engineered to customise every single weaponry and hardware to be able to synchronize a uniformed military defence system. Since its company was blown up, it became bankrupt and was bought by the US Air Force and inculcated it to their own Cyber Research Systems Division who was led by Lt. Gen. Robert Brewster which started the new corporate weapons manufacturer named Skynet.

Timeframe: It is still an on-going loop or what they termed a “Predestination Paradox” of events since the last distinct sequence showed was on July 4, 2032, John Connor was killed by a T-800 and his partner Katherine Brewster reprograms the machine and send it back in time to protect her and John juxtaposed with Skynet that sends its T-X to eliminate Katherine and Connor’s would be Lieutenants in the war that would commence.

Spoils of War: Both factions have their give and take in terms of losses (well no contest to the humans because if they died, that’s it!) But according to the given timeline, the war is far from over and each time someone dies or if any occurrence whether trivial or significant the two will send their soldier (either human or machine) to protect or destroy something or someone from the past to keep things intact in a form of counter measure, it only means one thing and one thing alone… to survive the future whatever it takes!

4. Star Wars

JEDI

• Jedi Master Yoda
• Jedi Master Mace Windu
• Jedi Master Thame Cerulian
• Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn
• Jedi Master Obi Wan Kenobi
• Jedi Grand Master Luke Skywalker
• Jedi Knight Leia Organa Solo
• Jedi Master Mara Jade Skywalker
• Jedi Knight Jaina

Quote: “For over a thousand generations, the Jedi Knights were the guardians of peace and justice in the Old Republic.” ―Obi-Wan Kenobi

Originally founded in the planet Tython, they were a mere study group who founded ways to use The Force as a symbol of hope, justice and peace throughout galaxies. Their philosophy in life had paved the way for many to share the common goal as they were formed to become Jedi Knights!

They have sworn to protect and preserve life itself, their main duty is pledged in the Galactic Republic. Though these brave and wise warriors of the light was brimming with joy no soon they were contested by a Civil War brought forth by their own people they were called the Dark Jedi. They manipulated the energies of The Force to bring atrocities and chaos. Two major incidents were significant in the history of their conflicts they were brought forth by Revan and Palpatine of the Sith the anti-thesis of the Jedi Order.

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SITH

• Ajunta Pall – The First Dark Lord of the Sith
• Sith Lord Karness Muur
• Sith Lord XoXaan
• Darth Malak
• Darth Revan
• Darth Bane
• Darth Malgus
• Dark Lord Kaan
• Darth Zannah
• Darth Cognus
• Hego Damask / Dark Lord Plagueis The Wise
• Galactic Emperor Palpatine / Dark Lord Sidious
• Count Dooku / Darth Tyranus
• Shira Elan Colla Brie / Sith Master Lumiya

Quote: “Fear. Fear attracts the fearful. The strong. The weak. The innocent. The corrupt. Fear. Fear is my ally.” – Darth Maul

After being defeated by the Jedi, these Dark Jedis were exiled in the planets Korriban and Zoist. Among the inhabitants are the alien tribe known as the Sith who embraced and worshipped their abilities. For centuries, they have been cross bred mixing their different ways of life and using The Force as a means to conquer all life forms and destroy their most hated enemies the Jedi!

Their survival can be traced through history on toppling Empires, initiating galactic wars and imposing their will whatever means necessary! What made them formidable is not only the use of the dark side but for followers of different religions and species, devoted to their cause and enabling new forms of cults from the likes of the Naddists, the Krath and the Disciples of Ragnos.

Origins: George Lucas’s Star Wars was the primordial setting of this intergalactic battle of good and evil:

1. Star Wars I: The Phantom Menace
2. Star Wars II: Attack of the Clones
3. Star Wars III: Revenge of the Sith
4. Star Wars IV: A New Hope
5. Star Wars V: The Empire Strikes Back
6. Star Wars VI: Return of the Jedi
7. Star Wars VII: The Force Awakens
8. Star Wars VIII: The Last Jedi

Birth of a Rivalry:  This feud originated from a difference of points of view…

Legions of Lettow were the very first recorded incident of Jedi Knights following the dark side of the force. Significant leaders were Xendor, the first Dark Jedi on the planet Lettow and after his demise they were ruled by Arden Lyn.

7009 BBY – 6900 BBY

The timeframe given was called the Hundred-Year Darkness which was also known as the Second Great Schism. With the power they had been practicing from The Force, the Jedi had a small group of fanatics and zealots who paved the way in the great rebellion!

This so-called Dark Jedi began experimenting on their newly acquired skills to bring back life and manipulate it into their own desires. They were able to create monstrosities that inspired them to be power hungry and to exploit other kinds of gifts that will make them more powerful than their counterparts.

They began to seduce other members to their group, but not all Jedis were easily convinced seeing it was only a ploy for evil means and abuse! The second uprising was lead by rogue Jedi Knights Ajunta Pall, XoXaan and Karness Muur.

Timeframe: on-going, since the great rebellion to the descendants of the New Jedi Order, sons and daughters of the last war has been continuing the fight for all beings across the cosmos. The only sad part was the “curse” brought in by The Force which affects anyone including family…

Spoils of War: Titanic battles and after two great wars which have spun over different galaxies with countless of tragic destruction and death has been engraved in the mythos of Star Wars.

The Force has been the ultimate catalyst for the two warring factions to seize control while the Jedi inspires peace and order the Sith wants to rule and destroy. Opposing forces since the dawn of time have given so much grief and the hope in their long standing battle of good versus evil!

3. Harry Potter

HARRY POTTER

Aliases: The Boy who Lived

Quote: “I don’t go looking for trouble. Trouble usually finds me.”

Born from James and Lily Potter, Harry has seen so much pain and trials even when he’s still a baby! He was a half-muggle and half-pure blood; he grew up being an orphan and lived with his wicked relatives the Dursley’s who incessantly criticized, mocked, reprimanded Harry for his actions.

His life changed when he was 11 years old, Hagrid came to fetch him and later enrolled in Hogwart’s School of Witchcraft and Wizardry! He never knew how popular he was and how despised others when he was sorted for the Gryffindor House. Soon, all his adventures come into place as he prepares himself for the final confrontation with the “He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named”!

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LORD VOLDEMORT

Aliases: “He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named”

Quote: “Surely you didn’t think I was going to keep my filthy Muggle father’s name? No. I fashioned myself a new name, a name I knew wizards everywhere would one day fear to speak, when I became the greatest sorcerer in the world!”

Bad things come to bad people, as the “most” powerful Dark Wizard (at least in his own mind) wants to conquer everything and destroy all muggles to make his world for only the pure bloods, he will have his place in time! Named Tom Marvolo Riddle, the last descendant of Salazar Slytherin though his mother’s ancestry! His father, Tom Riddle Sr. was a muggle and was believed to have been casted under a spell from Merope Gaunt to fall in love with her and have a child.

Origins: J. K. Rowling books that turned into films:

1. Harry Potter and The Sorcerer’s Stone
2. Harry Potter and The Chamber of Secrets
3. Harry Potter and The Prisoner of Azkaban
4. Harry Potter and The Goblet of Fire
5. Harry Potter and The Order of the Phoenix
6. Harry Potter and The Half Blood Prince
7. Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows

Birth of a Rivalry: Since Voldemort’s quest for power, he later found out that a prophecy will be at hand to vanquish him through words stating that his end will come from someone when the “a baby will be born when the month of July is about to die”! He had two options; the other was Neville Longbottom who will be born on July 30 but from two pure bloods, unlike Harry who will be born on July 31 has the same blood with Voldemort and thus chose to visit the Potter’s house instead.

After killing James, he went for Lily but before she died she placed a spell on Harry and when he was truck only left a “lightning bolt” mark on his forehead and nothing more! Voldemort was disembodied seeking another time to eradicate the boy who got “lucky”!

Timeframe: it had concluded in the final instalment of the Author’s book Deathly Hallows. The same scenario was implied in the two part movies where Harry together with Hermione and Ron continue to search for the Horcruxes which houses the torned apart soul of Voldemort. They fought on the decimated grounds of Hogwarts knowing that Voldemort can destroy Harry since he has the all powerful Elderly Wand; it turned back on him since he didn’t realize that the boy he tried to kill years ago had a part of his soul and therefore his spell backfired into himself leaving him in ashes returning him into oblivion as a weary and weak disfigured soul!

Spoils of War: there was so much at loss especially with Dumbledore’s Army and a few as well from the Dark Eaters. Of course, who can forget the first death’s of Harry’s parents at the hands of Voldemort when he was still an infant!

2. X-Men

PROFESSOR X

Real Name: Charles Xavier

Aliases: X, Consort-Royal, Warlord, Entity

Quote:   “Any dream worth having is a dream worth fighting for!”

Charles was born with a “silver spoon in his mouth” to Brian and Sharon Xavier. He lived in New York with his parents until his father died in a seemingly accident. His partner in the laboratory was Kurt Marko who attended to the grieving wife unknowingly, he was the cause of the accident just to get the money to fund his projects and also for his jealousy with the accomplishments of the late husband!

Soon later, the two got married and Kurt stayed with the Xavier’s even inviting his own son Cain Marko to join the family. The hatred between the two was raised to another level seeing the Kurt only concentrated on his works, while leaving Sharon to a state of alcoholism, she later died and the children started to fight too often while having them abused as well with the alone father.

Charles grew up with a clear direction in life and made his way to college with flying colours. Having graduated in Harvard University at the age of 16 and furthermore, garnered PhD in Genetics, Biophysics and Psychology in Oxford in a short span of two years!

He used his gifts to be an influential leader and an athlete but later realized that it was not his destiny, he created his own school for the “gifted” and called it  Xavier’s School for Gifted Youngsters which later turned into Xavier’s Institute for Higher Learning but for the X-Men it is simply known as The X Mansion serving as a facility for education a “the whole nine yards”!

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MAGNETO

Real Name: Magnus, Erik Lehnsherr, The Mutant Master of Magnetism

Aliases: The Mutant Master of Magnetism

Quote: Their society won’t accept us. We form our own. The humans have played their hand! Now we get ready to play ours. Who’s with me?

Born from a middle class German Jewish family, Max Eisenhardt would be on the run so many times from 1939 to 1943 evading capture from German soldiers from Poland, Warsaw and lastly in Auschwitz. Oddly, he survived the execution which left him alone; all of his family died and was buried in a mass grave.

He moved on and met his lost love Magda and started their own family in Ukraine where he adopts the name Magnus. They had a child named Anya when a mob burned down their home, enraged he tracked down the men and burned down the city.

Magda left him out of fear and soon Magnus was on the run again as always paying a forger to change his name once more into Erik Lensherr. He never knew that his wife was pregnant again with twins…

Origins: Stan Lee with Jack Kirby created the two mutants back in 1963:

• Comic Books:

1. X-Men #1 September 1963

• Films:

1. X-Men – 2000
2. X-2: X-Men United  – 2003
3. X-Men: The Last Stand – 2006
4. X-Men: First Class – 2011
5. X-Men: Apocalypse – 2016

Birth of a Rivalry: With Prof. X leading the way for his gifted youngsters, they need to stop a megalomaniac who wants to control the United States military base named Cape Citadel and unleash chaos. The X-Men fought him bravely and won the day. Inciting more climactic battles from here on!

Timeframe: on-going, their separate thinking and point of views made them tore apart since they first met in Haifa, Israel where their discussions towards the idealism of mutants serving the world or enslaving it has not been confounded with their mere words.

Battles and wars are fought up to the present and neither one is backing down to take the end result as a bitter pill to swallow!

Spoils of War: so much pain was manifested from these two mutants, let alone their respective groups which supported their cause with fierce loyalty! At one storyline named Fatal Attractions, Magneto ripped out the adamantium skeleton of Wolverine as for Prof. X, he was forced to lobotomize his friend for his unbearable act!

Using his children the Quicksilver and Scarlett Witch as mere pawns to do his evil bidding for he believes “the ends justify the means”

1. Batman

BATMAN

Real Name: Bruce Wayne

Aliases: The Caped Crusader, The Dark Knight

Quote: “They told me there was nothing out there, nothing to fear. But the night my parents were murdered I caught a glimpse of something. I’ve looked for it ever since. I went around the world, searched in all the shadows. And there is something out there in the darkness, something terrifying, something that will not stop until it gets revenge… Me.”

10:47 PM, gun shots were fired in a dark alley…

A family went out from a theatre, a kid brimming with zeal and joy from the film closely played with his parents; they watched him full of hope and love.

As they entered an alley, a man with a revolver approached them asking for valuables, somewhat hesitant, the father gave his, but the delinquent was not sufficed, he grabbed the woman’s pearls and with a split second…gun shots were fired. The mugger runs in fear leaving a child with tears of grief and anger.

Dr. Thomas Wayne and Martha Wayne died on the spot, leaving the young child in the care of Dr. Leslie Thompkins and the Wayne’s butler Alfred Pennyworth. The child was known as Bruce Wayne sole heir to Wayne Industries.

Over time, he has observed Gotham City, its residents and the unrelenting crime that it spawned from its small time thieves to mob bosses who rule parts of the city. Even cops are so corrupted that they are given authority to some of the city’s crime activities including drug trafficking. Stricken by frustration and desperation, he started to embark himself to save the rotting city.  For several years he has trained from different lands, mastering all the various forms of martial arts, man hunting, detective work and all known weaponry and gadgets that he can avail with his vast financial resources. Bruce Wayne became an expert in chemistry, forensics, psychology and other fields in science.

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JOKER

Real Name: Unknown

Aliases: The Clown Prince of Crime, The Ace of Knaves

Quote: “I believe whatever doesn’t kill you…simply makes you stranger!”

Finding a way out to provide some money for her pregnant wife, a former engineer now a washed out stand up comedian was desperate to survive and provide something for the incoming baby. He was given a deal by two local thieves who planned to rob a card store while he wears a “Red Hood”.

While still in the bar, the police came in telling that his wife has just passed away including his soon to be born baby, his insanity gets the better of him while trying to fight back tears, he wanted out but the two low lives won’t take no for an answer! They went on stealing the place but were cornered by the police and the Caped Crusader while trying to escape the thief  fell into a chemical vat and was washed out in a nearby sewer drainage. While still wearing the “capsule” on his head, he gently removed it as he saw in its own mirrored reflection, his face has turned white, his lips red and his hair green…all out of his trials and attempt to have a better life, he got this face instead…the funny thing is HE JUST LAUGHED AT IT!!!

Origins: Bob Kane with Bill Finger and Jerry Robinson created the characters back in 1939:

• Comic Books:

1. Detective Comics #27 (May 1939)
2. Batman #1 (Spring 1940)
3. Detective Comics #168 (February 1951)
4. Batman: The Killing Joke (March 1988)

• Films:

1. Batman – 1989
2. The Dark Knight – 2008

Birth of a Rivalry: the rivalry of Batman and the Joker was actually told when the latter fell from the chemicals which turned him to what he is right now! But in terms of being the “actual” character, it was in Batman #1 in 1940 where his main M.O. was to kill someone or to kill everyone who crosses his path!

They became arch-enemies seeing that both can’t extinguish one another in terms of tipping the scale of setting a moral code of ethics coming from the Batman and the anarchy induced sociopath disposition of the Joker!

Timeframe: on-going, the Joker still running amok in the city mocking Batman with his crime whether through simple pranks or creating mass chaos to get the Dark Knight’s attention!

Spoils of War: the Joker had killed, maimed, destroyed lives in the history of their confrontations. Including were Sarah Essen, shot to death while trying to save the kidnapped babies in an abandoned apartment, Barbara Gordon was shot point blank that went through her spine making her paralyzed from the waist down and the most notorious was beating up a boy with a crow bar then detonated the warehouse only a few seconds before Batman came to the rescue he was his second Robin…Jason Todd!