Deadpool (2016)

Roses are red, Violets are blue, Deadpool is killing the box-office so you should watch it too!

20^th Century Fox in association with Kinberg Genre, The Donner’s Company, TSG Entertainment and Marvel Entertainment present…

Deadpool was created by Artist Rob Liefield and Fabian Nicieza, the duo brought the character to life in New Mutants No. 98 on February 1991. While Rob handled the character’s visual representation Fabian did what he could with his speech patterns and mannerisms! As told, the “Merc with a Mouth” which became his moniker for not knowing when to shut up was actually been ripped off from DC Comic’s own death dealer Deathstroke not just by appearance but also with his arsenal of weaponry, a scarred face and his name is Slade Wilson, except for one thing though and that is his no sense of humor!

Directed by Tim Miller (Thor: The Dark World) making sure that this will be a different approach from Singer’s original take on the X-Men, Tim was able to press all the right buttons to make this film unrepentantly hilarious and not leaving the whole gore action on the crossing hairs and katana blades! Tim co-founded one of the visual effects companies that helped create the awesome sequences of the film, not giving emphasis on the actual roads considering the wreckage that can be minimized through the might of graphics and digital film making!

Ryan Reynolds (R.I.P.D.) surely feels now that a huge monkey has just got off his back (its color was green) and is once again on the driver’s seat like in an amusement park screaming his lungs away while amassed accolades continue to rain forth in the bask of his glory! So while Mr. Pool first name Dead enjoys his well-deserved leave let’s go right ahead and check the broken fourth wall!

A former Special Forces turned mercenary for hire, Wade Wilson is a very unique individual in terms of his motives, manners and mental stability. He is rude, foul mouthed, disrespectful bloke you’ll ever meet except for one reason to consider, that he is human and can still fall in love! (way to go Romeo).

Enter Mi Amor Morena Baccarin (Batman: Bad Blood) playing the role of a Vanessa Carlysle also known in the comic books as Copy Cat a human mutant breed. An Escort who fell for the careening Wade which all sounded perfect except that the guy had cancer all over the place and this is where all things started to get ugly…

Ed Skrein (The Transporter: Refueled) is main antagonist Francis Freeman aka Ajax (guaranteed all your stains will go bye bye) once he’s done with you anyway! Ed is way better here in terms of acting and providing dialogue from his “driver” remake! He runs his own laboratory / prison for experimenting on mutant genes and turning these unfortunate souls to do his bidding for the right price! Considering his distaste for Wade’s unruly behavior, he made sure that his latest lab rat is not one bit funny!

Not much is given away here except for the fact that he messed up Wade so much that he surely knows what’s coming for him! While Gina Carano (Fast and Furious 6) as Angel Dust! Just a muscle bound enforcer who can beat the crap out of a certain “metal man”!

Stefan Kapičić (The Brothers Bloom) voice acted the X-Man Colossus with the help of Andre Tricoteux (Seventh Son) and T.J. Storm provided the on-set performance for both motion and facial capture. Known to a selected few as Piotr “Peter” Rasputin, consider for us to be lucky we have seen the man mountain to have the look in the comic books through his organic steel unlike Daniel Cudmore’s version with a hint of mercury metal from the earlier X-Men films. Together with Brianna Hilderbrand (The Voice Inside) plays Colossus’s protégé Negasonic Teenage Warhead! She seldom speaks but she carries a big blast to boot! They were just brought in to provide support and give a little bit more fan service to the viewing public!

While bartender / best friend T.J. Miller (Transformers: Age of Extinction) is a Weasel (actually that’s his codename), he owns a dead pool’s den disguised as a watering hole to provide fast cash for killers and mercenaries for hire! His role finds merely a purpose to insult Wade with derogatory words while making it look like a Black Jack Roulette!

To make things in proper perspective the short film was actually set-up as a point A to point B revenge type of film in which the hero (anti-hero) falls in love with a girl will have a traumatized scenario which makes himself recluse then realizing that he should have not left the woman of his life alone so that the bad guys can kidnap her and make the dashing debonair come crawling back to rescue her!

Seriously, the whole thing was just a simple and yet commendable script by Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick (Zombieland), the whole nine yards was absolute ballistic, the way they handled the CGI courtesy of Digital Domain, Atomic Fiction, Blur Studio, Weta Digital, Rodeo FX, Luma Pictures and Imagine Engine, the bantering, transformation retrospect (not messing it up like what happened to MOS) and of course the main reason for his retribution…he wants his good looking face back! (of course Vanessa too).

I really don’t know what makes this guy click, I’ve been always a fan of antiheroes like the Punisher, Ghost Rider, Blade and Wolverine but there is something about Wade which brands him to be on top everyone’s list. So far, the film is hitting strides for its fourth week claiming more than 700 M worldwide and it keeps getting higher! Hope that the scheduled film for the month October (replacing the French-Canadian Cajun) is worth it! So in closing, may the “X-Force” be with you!!!

The Wolverine (2013)

The Canuckle Head got his mojo back! Bloodied claws, healing powers, women’s affection, a free round trip to ninja land all the reasons for the fans to place him once more on the pedestal!

20^th Century Fox in association with The Donner’s Company, Seed Productions, Hutch Parker Entertainment, Dune Entertainment, Ingenious Media, Big Screen Productions, TSG Entertainment  and Marvel Entertainment present…

From the pages of “Wolverine”, a limited comic book series that was written by fan favorites Chris Claremont and artist Frank Miller. Now, I have said this before that Frank is an absolute genius in his field but since his doing the chores in the graphic side of things let’s turn our spotlight to the man who made super hero stories indispensably and intellectually engaging! In this case, we are not even talking about just the aforementioned series; Chris helped built the “X-Men” once more from the ground up and made huge contributions in terms of co-creating numerous significant characters that have graced the pages of Marvel Comics time and again! His collaborations with the industry’s greatest such as John Byrne and Jim Lee has led to numerous awards that made his works instant gold!

Speaking of which, let’s now focus on film and start off with Director James Mangold (Knight & Day) with Writers Mark Bomback (Total Recall), Scott Frank (Dead Again) and Christopher McQuarrie (The Tourist) to take this sequel to the Land of the Rising Sun! Their cohesive delivery was way better from his previous film, although more sober and injected with fast paced action and humor it actually carries the weight of how the storyline was originally presented in the comic books.

To continue from the last film “X-Men: The Last Stand”, Logan made a decision to end the life of the woman he adores who is none other than fellow X-Man Jean Grey also known as the Phoenix to stop her from killing more people and to cause further destruction! Now, he secludes himself in the wilderness trying to forget the past which actually still haunts him! As he takes another step of his journey, he lands in Japan just specifically to say goodbye to an old friend. Well, that was actually the original plan…

The infamous mutant is back on the big screen! Hugh Jackman (The Fountain) plays the title role! With significant recognition, no one has ever portrayed a character that has the same passion and conviction than the Australian actor! Hugh has made this intricate character transformation that, it is so uncanny for him to be able to personify the superhero in terms looks, attitude, delivery and focus! Just like his superstar colleague Robert Downey Jr. who gave fans their very personal “Iron Man” and for being part of the monumental Marvel Cinematic Universe!

To those of you who haven’t read his stories, it has been inclined to be tragic from the time when he was still very young from learning what he has inside of him and how he became the man who is now trudging through life’s sufferings, to him this is like an eternity and what makes it more compelling is the people he lost along the way which tears him apart!

While with the utmost certainty that he wants to be alone and be at peace, this could never be for he has fought so much battles personally while making ends meet as a member of the best factions in Marvel Comics such as the “X-Men”, “Fantastic Four”, “Alpha Flight” and the most current the “Avengers”, he serves them faithfully and means well while keeping check his brooding berserker rages!

In relation to the setting, the Director and his crew was able to at least make ends meet by filming in Sydney, Australia and turning it into a second home for Japan to come alive since there was huge delays due to the 2011 Earthquake and Tsunami that hit Tohoku! While giving it authenticity is providing of course the people that allow this saga a run for its money! Starting off with Rila Fukushima (Karma: A Very Twisted Love Story) as Yukio a loyal friend, amiable but deadly assassin, she was a minor character in the comic books but had a very extensive role in the film setting her as Logan’s introduction into their world while providing enough narrative to make his trip worth fighting for!

Rounding off the cast were Will Yun Lee (Elektra) known as Kenuichio Harada as the Black Ninja Clan’s leader and protector of the Yashida Family! Hiroyuki Sanada (The City of Your Final Destination) is Shingen Yashida, an officer of the POW Camp that detained Logan in the World War II days and was saved from the nuclear bomb dropped by the Americans! It was really fascinating to see how well they have integrated all these characters and made Chris and Frank’s work come into fruition while incorporating the fight sequences, stunts and the validity redemption in spite of all odds!

For a second I thought Jean Val Jean is alive once more as he was trying to save a Princess her name is Mariko Yashida who serves as focal point in the plot, she is played by model turned actress Tao Okamoto. The relationship between Logan and Mariko was not sustainable enough unlike in the original story. If you think about it, the caring part was just developing that would later transpire into a deeper affection but how does it go beyond this if there was Jean portrayed by Famke Janssen (House of Haunted Hill) who keeps on lingering in his head like a ghost trying to aggravate Logan’s misery, what he is going through with her loss and how he can make himself stronger by forgiving himself in his unending struggles.

With the ratio of women in the film, all were resilient enough and composed to be different as it goes with the set-up, for they were still able to stand out individually to tell the story from their own perspective and roles. To add, Svetlana Khodchenkova (Bless the Woman) an accomplished triple threat in film, stage and television productions. Her role as Viper was given after Jessica Biel was initially offered by the film execs but did not push through with the John Hancock!

As we move on, in terms of its CGI content, Weta Digital (The Lovely Bones) together with Rising Sun Pictures (Australia), Iloura (Seven Swords) and Shade VFX (Side Effects) provide their God given gifts to make the visuals leap out of the pages specifically in the bullet train scene where Wolverine stave off some Yakuza assassins as this leaves us with the final confrontation of the well hidden antagonist. With all the metal clunking and slashing, this seeming monolith code named the Silver Samurai a villain that should be wearing a standard armor but not to over use it to be something mechanically centric driven!

To be honest, this film does beat out the previous ones in the franchise! In terms of content, diversity of culture and production sets that was top notch and imbued near perfectly for the audience to experience. Along in the process is how the hero keeps his sanity living like an immortal being physically vulnerable again and carrying all these pain in the process is what the Director and Writers were aiming for to work as its backdrop that blends in with a love story that won’t go away while the hero gives everything he could muster to still save the people around him, still come into his senses to move on with life and fight the never ending battle against oppression!

In closing, we can now hang our bloodied hands for bit (yes, finally there was a human stain etched on his adamantium claws after all the fighting and ruckus) The moment is now to actually see the fruition of hard work, when San Diego Comic-Con announced with a very huge panel that the next project will be “Days of Future Past” where a villain needs help, a mentor returns from the grave and a human is not very happy so he’s making sure “everyone” knows about it!

X-Men Origins: Wolverine (2009)

I’m the best there is of what I do but what I did (including some people…) was not really nice!

20th Century Fox in association with Seed Productions, Donner’s Company, Ingenious Film Partners, Big Screen Productions, Dune Entertainment and Marvel Studios present…

From Marvel Comics, a legend in his own right! Wolverine is regarded as one of the toughest, meanest, no non-sense superheroes that ever graced in the pages of comic book history! Spawned from an enigmatic past which made him more interesting to the readers and fans alike, Logan as he is normally called was created by Len Wein and Artist John Romita Sr., he first appeared in The Incredible Hulk No. 180 which showcased his first assignment to take down the “living engine of destruction”. This event catapulted his success to even greater heights and found his way to the class of second batch of mutants located by Prof. X throughout the globe in Giant-Size X-Men No. 1 in May 1975.

This should have been the pinnacle for the X-Men franchise since they have a very good concept on making films which were a based on the team and let Origins be the backdrop of every mutant character that can be established as standalone films. Unfortunately, it turned out to have a vapid storytelling with second rate actors with an abysmal script and delivery!

Northern Canada – 1845

When two brothers fled from a terrible incident, making them fugitives from the law, this was followed by series of events which captures their lives trapped in a timeline from different eras. Their history as soldiers became resolute for their bloody past that culminated from years of continuous war and hatred making them who they are and who they were meant to be!

Hugh Jackman (Swordfish) as Logan, the main protagonist had given so much for the character not just being portrayed as a superhuman mutant but also a lost soul who still needs to find meaning in his life and loss. His co-actor Liev Schrieber (Defiance) is the vicious Victor Creed, unrepentant and power hungry, he makes it a point to provide his half-brother a living nightmare! They are the only ones who made and honestly feel to have portrayed a commendable performance! The last time I remember they worked together was in the film Kate and Leopold, here they still live in different timelines and were still relatives! The supporting cast was terrible (majority of them by the way). People are expecting more from these casted performers, they should have turned the table in the X-Men films and its future projects!

Don’t let me start with this guy, Danny Huston (21 Grams) as Maj. William Stryker, a manipulative Agent of the Weapon X Program that genetically designs superhuman soldiers for clandestine purposes. William does this not just to impress the “donors” from the Government, but rather to use these mutants for his personal agenda. His performance has always been a pedestrian take on the characters he portrays, he can’t even match the emotional anger of Brian Cox from the previous X-Men film seeing that they are one and the same (well not entirely).

Ryan Reynolds (Definitely Maybe) is the smart mouth, sword wielding assassin Wade Wilson (hold on to your horses, he was not yet given the codename so relax!) His stunt double Martial Artist Scott Adkins (Undisputed) is Weapon XI who gave a tremendous fighting prowess to cleverly take on two of the most vicious killers of all time! The CG display on kicking and teleporting from different directions was a nice way to depict the power of mutant John Wraith who was testing his “acting” skills in his first stint on the big screen; he is Will.i.am of the pop group music sensation Black Eyed Peas who even got bruised knuckles on the set while auditioning for the role!

Supporting cast were not well rounded either! It was like everyone wants to hog the spotlight! Daniel Henney (Seducing Mr. Perfect) as Maverick, Kevin Durand (Smokin’ Aces) as the Blob, Dominic Monaghan (Lord of the Rings Trilogy) as Chris Bradley aka Bolt and Lyn Collins (Numb) is Kayla Silverfox round up the “usual suspects”. They were all poorly conceived, this goes down to Casting from Christine King (Stealth) and Debra Zane (Catch Me If You Can), the former had mediocre list of films under her belt but the latter had “American Beauty”, “The Terminal”, “Dream Girls” and “Kingdom of Heaven” which most of them were either nominated or have won in the Academy Awards!

To add insult, Director Gavin Hood didn’t even have any of those proclivities to acquire what’s best for the film even compromising the CGI, especially the claws! It was very clear that the person in front of the camera didn’t have the guts to make the deadlines in this charade! Heads up also to the Writers, this is just very poor execution of script writing by David Benioff and Skip Woods! To add, this was a CGI heavy project co-financed by Seed Productions which Hugh managed as a proprietor but recently closed shop and more importantly by Lauren Shuler Donner who made the X-Men films come to life and earn a huge amount of money with co-creator Stan Lee and CEO Avi Arad. They should have been diligent enough to see this film to be a certifiable blockbuster paving a way for future “Origin” films in the mutant universe of Marvel!

Another thing was how on earth did Gambit played by Taylor Kitsch (The Covenant) was able to scale walls with his Bo staff? How about the fast forwarded dismantling and clawing of the building’s fire escape at the alley to bring down “Cajun Wall Crawler”? Furthermore, where the hell they got the idea of putting a “Superman” Kent farm and an old couple who gave him the accommodation and hospitality he needed!?!?! I believe in good films, I believe in a good script! This was done without any gratification to the icon, to the mutant who made a great following from fans and not just in comics! It was an awful display of mediocrity, lackluster dialogue and character delivery! I hope that the next installment will be better and with another Director to helm the Canuckle Head, he needs to understand on how to first tell a story then incorporate it with the mythos of the “Legendary X-Man”… or else someone’s going to have claw marks, no pun intended!

Elektra (2005)

Maybe this is the reason why Frank did not want Elektra to return from the grave…a shallow movie was foreseen!

20^th Century Fox in association with New Regency Enterprises, Horseshoe Bay Productions, Epsilon Motion Pictures, Elektra Productions, SAI Productions and Marvel Studios present…

From her debut in Marvel Comics Daredevil No. 168 on January 1981, creator Frank Miller wanted better reasons not just to expand the story of Daredevil but to give him something to fight for, someone to die for! I can easily commend his machinations; his intense gritty take on his work and the characters he brings is given life in the comic book pages of imagination and uncertainty!

The frontrunner of the origins was an antecedent to many women, fallen and tragic all the same and in spite of his blindness he can’t help still to be mesmerized with their charm, wit or even their sad back story no matter how disdain, he fell in love…yes he is still human after all! Connecting him with Elektra’s world was absolutely impeccable and for all the right reasons, these ill-fated two crimson lovers have fought their own battles either side by side or cutting each other’s throat which makes their affair so much sweeter!

Subtlety has no room for these assignments as a failed attempt was dismissed by the clan! Now enter the abominations, team captain was decently played by Will Yun Lee (Die Another Day) the Katana wielding son Kirigi to the nefarious leader of The Hand. Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa (Tekken) is Roshi father to the freak! Cary has so many movies that he’s involved with being a villain, always the anti-thesis to the hero but never was able to impress the public for his acting it was always mediocre to say the least.

Gathered together are unrecognized talent (of course not to overshadow the lead role) the rest of the gang includes a former football player, MMA and an all time cry baby! Bob Sapp (The Longest Yard) is Stone; he has failed from previous sporting contentions that he recourse into acting instead. I might even applaud him for his portrayals in some comedies but definitely not here!

The next would be international model Natassia Malthe (Blood Rayne) as Typhoid brought in to resemble the comic book’s “Typhoid Mary”, her powers is to walk in a promiscuous manner, kiss anyone she likes and oh yes, she can kill you in a mere touch or breath! Another is Tattoo which seems to have more CGI screen time because of his ability to bring animals to life from his skin! Chris Ackerman was the pitiable bloke who represented him! Lastly, a stuntman named Kinkou, his fast, agile and a martial artist ok, right! I think everyone has one or two attributes since they were all ninjas for crying out loud! Funny all have English names and this one hasn’t!

I’m not going to elaborate more on the father and daughter; Plain and simple Abby and Mark Miller is the intended targets, they also hold a secret that will be later explained in the film. I got so tired getting all these people in the review without any one of them bringing in significance to what they did! I just need to focus on red clad ninja who seriously is underway to carry out her mission and her destiny to find emancipation and vindication! Jennifer Garner (Juno) returns in the same title role from her on screen and real life hubby’s previous super hero flick!

The story interprets the title character’s coming back to life from both from the physical and metaphor aspect. Elektra was given the title assassin, an Erynys of the Furies which symbolizes the totality of her attributes that will be brought forth of whomever her loyalty has in this waged war between good and evil! She must find a way to redeem herself from past sins and from this road less travelled sojourn, her decision should be answered really soon before everything is too late!

Director Rob Bowman only has a measly collection of past works (inclusive of Reign of Fire). He was one of the people who brought us unforgettable TV series hits from “21 Jump Street”, “The Hat Squad”, “Parker Louis Can’t Lose” and “The X-Files”. Mark Steven Johnson (Ghost Rider) gives his writing prowess (right!) to cover the talent for the big screen while collaborating with Frank’s inputs from the comic books as well. Cinematography was handled by Bill Roe has given enough shots that makes the film a bit more things to see and contemplate on.

Just like the rest of the super hero community even this film was given music to appease the rants of the movie going public. Songs that reverberates intended emotional standpoint for the heroine to contemplate on what she is going through and how will she survive these trials in life! The ever ardent Amy Lee comes back from the Daredevil soundtrack adding Taking Back Sunday, Switchfoot, Megan McCauley, Finger Eleven and a lot more to bring in melancholic tones filled with lost, disconcerted epiphany, well at least there is still ear candy involved!

The film suffered for reasons of the precursor which was a box office failure to start with. The title character was not too popular in the sense it only covered specific number of readers furthermore, it was intended for a mature aged market since the comic book and graphic novels were inclined to violence, drugs, murder, guns and sex which were actually the focus on its R Rating, it’s even insulting that it was toned down to PG13 to get more viewers and it still didn’t work now that’s a reason why these films fail in the ticket sales!

I can’t say that Jennifer as an actress did cause the conundrum; she was actually fit for the role and nailed the character for both delivery and assertiveness! Maybe it was also the lack of female super heroes in the mainstream that at least would have given more reasons for the women to find this interesting to watch! Coverage for the print media while was alright but on the other hand the male cast on the film was not sufficient enough to get more enthusiasm for the fan boys, even with legends like Cary and Terence Stamp (Valkyrie) was in it, who by the way was the blind mentor Stick a perennial character of the comic book series who was still not enough to carry the load!

I’m not saying it was a terrible film it’s just that anything that comes from Frank, I’m there, I’ll always be a fan with his works! However, requiem as it should be, as the katana faced its sai some things are not meant to live forever! Well at least the second season of Netflix’s Daredevil has a different perspective on the character…although her “father” does not approve, we’re still pretty sure she’ll kick a lot of bottoms!

Daredevil (2003)

Justice was not found here as a blind man misses his intended target!

20^th Century Fox in association with New Regency Pictures, Horseshoe Bay Productions, Epsilon Motion Pictures present…

The blind Lawyer First appeared in Daredevil No. 1 on April 1964 as part of the growing members of the superhero community of Marvel comics. Created by then Editor Stan “The Man” Lee and Artist Bill Everett, Daredevil has become one of the underrated and yet a fan favorite character from the House of Ideas!

It’s more of a retro, rewind mode culmination of the film where its story begins as a narrated flashback of what is yet to come…

Director Mark Steven Johnson (Simon Birch) is said to have an “understanding” on comic book characters, he even made the Screenplay and I found it less of an interest, mediocre to be the least. Daredevil was not a bad film but its how you made the story happen that counts, it’s not always the special effects, the actors and actresses who play in it but what you can derive and aspire for the film to have a lasting impression to the audiences and fans that pays the bill.

Also, he wrote films for Marvel like Elektra a spin-off from this movie and Ghost Rider which in my opinion were horrible! The story was lazy, patched up from the comic books and were only given justification from the character’s standpoint.

Starring Ben Affleck (Pearl Harbor) plays Michael Matthew Murdock a lawyer by day and a red skinned masked vigilante at night. He grew up in a tough neighborhood, bullied and withdrawn he focused his love for his father Jack Murdock, a washed up boxer who only meant greater things for his only son. After a terrible accident, young Matt became blind and is starting to experience abilities and skills that no ordinary boy will ever have. After a solemn promise was made for both father and son, Jack was given to fight another chance least he knew that all of his previous winnings were fixed and now it was his turn…

Matt found his father’s lifeless body in a dank alleyway and a rose to signify his demise and his absolution for justice. Years passed and soon he became a Lawyer with his very close friend Freddy “Foggy” Nelson portrayed by Jon Favreau (The Replacements). This is where his adventures begin. Hunting down criminals and serving justice his own way has been his road for salvation making more detrimental to his psyche and physical condition and he would not have it any other way. Ben was a good choice for the role, he encompasses both Matt’s tragic life and his disposition on being a lonely man who seeks companionship which seem flawed given how he sees life after his father’s death.

Enter Jennifer Garner (Juno) as Elektra Natchios (can we have some Guacamole with that?) who falls in love with a blind man and meeting her so called death in the hands of the assassin hired by the Kingpin of Crime. Jennifer had that presence of instilling both charisma and the physical prowess of the Crimson Assassin. Not entirely crazy with her acting but still she was able to at least give a palpable presence on screen that gave her another failed movie in the starring role.

Supporting actors like the late Michael Clarke Duncan (Planet of the Apes) is the notorious crime leader who leaves a trail of blood for his victims to weep and wallow. He takes pride in his favorite killer Bullseye played by Colin Farell (Miami Vice) who I believe needs a box office hit since most of his films are not making any money. Both actors absolutely abhorring, for instance Michael is a fine actor he has proven this time and again, but here, it was only a shallow delivery at best seeing how he could have given it further in terms of the character’s comic book reference for being an intellectual crime boss to his brutal physical prowess (lame fight scenes by the way). On the other hand, what’s new with Colin’s acting and projects? All fall in the same kind of predicament which is poor (that’s why he needed the money to be a hired killer). Muddled up with his one liners and movements that video games and CGI can only be considered as his attribute to get the feel of his mediocre moves.

The story had its moments and I did find it intriguing how does the dynamic work between a Catholic Lawyer who punishes those who escapes justice first hand? It is so ironic and unpredictable that it turns out so streamlined despite Matt’s contradicting philosophies. To add, he even has so many women in his life which was not covered but the thing is, the truth is only goes down to one thing showmanship!

Music is definitely ear candy from Evanescence, The Calling, BoySetsFire to name a few! Full of energy and synchronizes the films moving story. It makes movies more vibrant, more instilled with passion and it hits dead spot on especially with stories like this gritty, melancholic, filled with despair and angst!

I loved its comic books especially the Born Again storyline of Frank Miller but the movie should have been better! To end, I still give the cast credit and stunts, the wirework but the Director should really have his head in these films and its adapted screenplay because all of which was done so far are falling apart and needs to be brought to life!

Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance (2012)

After the former Director suffered the “penance stare”, I believe a specific number of people will need to be “exorcised” literally…let’s hope Marvel lifts the curse once and for all!

Hyde Park Entertainment, Imagenation Abu Dhabi, Crystal Sky Pictures and Marvel Studios present…

There are reasons why people run away, some to forget the past, from the sins they committed, others to have a better life! But for Johnny, he left his town, his life and his only love in order to save himself from damnation…which he carries up to now!

From the Directors of “Crank” and “Gamer” comes a film like no other (at least in their own minds)! Neveldine/Taylor are both American Film Makers known for their camera’s on roller blades, capturing shots at high speeds and in low angles, maybe they have this patented already! Still nobody will care!

It actually gives credence to the premise of the story where a certain outsider needs to contemplate in his journey and to figure a way to release this abomination inside his body! Given a new beginning, the two gave their obvious enthusiasm to helm the film from Marvel Comics! They were able to set the tone of the title character and the comic book angst in terms of what Johnny has become! I think both Directors went over the hill to bring what they could in their “own” way and likeness even filling the gaps with montage of character backgrounds with the use of “animation” and “dazzling” (yeah, right!) us with scenes of their “repertoire” in Directing as implied earlier!

The Story and Screenplay was helmed by David Samuel Goyer (Batman begins) who helped produced the first film in 2007. Now, to assist him with the writing duties, Seth Hoffman (FlashForward) and Scott Gimple (Walking Dead) who is now involved as a Producer and Writer for the aforementioned TV series! I really don’t know what’s eating David, he needs something motivational in order to come up with a great story, the hits and misses with his contribution in films has been his threshold to bigger and better projects! His narratives in the Blade series were good not great, mediocre or famished horror flicks but made a cult following in his 1998 sci-fi film Dark City and the current take for the “greatest superhero of all time”, definitely its Nolan’s Batman trilogy! His work here was unbearable, lines being said and exchanged even for the minor characters were so pedestrian it’s supposed to be meant for B movies (I’m trying my best to imply something here).

The intention of making it as action oriented as possible worked even more giving it a realistic and a darker look which conveys heavily on the banner of the publisher suited for mature audiences. Though unfortunately, the “bad ass” gimmickry combined with sloppy camera work, abysmal plot and underdeveloped characters were sufficient enough to say the least and express once more our utmost gratitude in ruining another potential for a tent pole in Marvel’s camp!

An antihero by nature, he dwells from the power of evil and uses it for the cause of good! How ironic that these characters have to suffer so much, to live a life full of misery and pain! Returning from the 2007 film, Nicolas Cage (Drive Angry) is Johnny Blaze; from the United States he has now relocated in Eastern Europe trying to find a way to exorcise his demons! His narrative contemplates on having this power granted, gifted by the Devil himself. It made Johnny realize that there is something more to this damned entity inside of him and its origins…

Able to take souls for the sins they commit, it’s much easier for the Rider to hunt you down whether you are a wicked psychopath or simply having bad thoughts…he will definitely find you and pray that he doesn’t! His life was never a happy memory, in order to save his dying father; he bargained for his life and sold his own soul to Mephistopheles! Now, a demon named Zarathos controls and turns him into a “non-environmental friendly”, smoke belching supernatural hero! A servant from hell who collects the souls of those who needs to be eternally punished!

Well, until Moreau finds him! He is played by rising star Idris Elba (The Losers) who now needs his assistance in rescuing Danny played by newcomer Fergus Riordan (I Want to Be a Soldier), a young boy betrothed by an evil force that needs to be contained for the good of mankind! Idris has always been commendable in his works even in the small screen, his French accent can still use some tweaking but nevertheless he’s still giving fans a little more to look forward too! With veteran actor Christopher Lambert (Highlander) he portrays Methodius, returning after an over extended vacation! He lends again his sword wielding expertise while trying to do another “quickening” very original guys! While Johnny Whitworth (Shadow Hours) provides more muscle for the underworld, he plays Ray Carrigan who became Blackout after his unfortunate demise! Definitely a worthy adversary than the “three stooges” last time!

It was disappointing (again) on how they were able to tackle the “biker in flames” and leave it still in a mess, especially with Ciaran Hinds (The Debt) in a pivotal role as the Devil himself who brought a demon child to the world named Danny acted by Fergus Riordan (Fragile) through a promiscuous mother Nadya portrayed by Violante Placido (The Lookout)! He looks like he needs an eye operation or something! The good thing was the veteran actor has talent but even good ones when mixed in a basket of rotten tomatoes becomes one as well. It was just upsetting that the talent of his caliber takes these kinds of projects! When I first watched the official trailer that was introduced by Mark and Brian themselves, I laughed so hard at their opening speech seeing these Directors so “over confidently” informs the viewing public on how “great” their accomplishment is (these guys are “really” funny)!

On the other hand, if we want to forget about the scrappy dialogue and focus intently in the entertainment, action and lunacy that Nic provides, it would be well be bargained for! Though not meant to be a crazed freak when he tried to be “hyperventilated” to give some levity to the character, Johnny in the comic books were forlorn, a drunkard and a wrecked man coming from so much violence and “soul eating” in his life. But in the film, he had a ball, thrashing everyone in sight who get’s in the way just like a kid having new toys and minions to play with!

Iloura, an Australian Company who won the bragging rights for the film states in their website their work for VFX is “high end” and had so many testimonials about their previous works have been their groundwork, the foundation for producing films with the best results! From painting, compositing, FX animations even covering previs which is being used by the most talented Directors! It was unfortunately wasted by the people who push the projects without clearly thinking if it will garner a successful output in the box-office till! Not only that, Eric Durst (City of Ember) who supervised the Department even made headway for the current technology to match the needs of Ghost Rider’s flames especially with his skull which was nicely done however, the puppetry used did not compliment much as it lacks the surrealism intended to make it work!

Well at least Marvel and CEO Avi Arad who is also the Producer of the film can say that we don’t need to worry, we still have “The Avengers” watching our backs! Please don’t waste time with these people who don’t know how to tell a story leaving the company losing more money and worse, without earning enough profit to make a sequel (unfortunately you call this a sequel)! Columbia Pictures who takes care of the distribution rights was even the one who gave the go signal to push through with this film. Find a clear pathway for these superheroes, a storyline that fans appreciated, a relatable plot and composite assets not compromising SFX and CGI which added insult to injury, this was even shown in 3D as it only adheres to what the Directors wants to see which is utterly demented and worthless!

What did I say from my last review? Hell will be unleashed if this film falls big time! But there is an old saying “to forgive is divine” these guys are still lucky the “Angel of Justice” overcomes the “Demon of Vengeance”!

Ghost Rider (2007)

The film was forgivable but let the Director experience and suffer the “Penance Stare”!

Relativity Media and Michael De Luca Productions, GH One, Vengeance Productions Pty Ltd., Crystal Sky Pictures in association with Marvel Entertainment present…

Marvel Comics was getting tired of swashbuckling superheroes so they gave way to a more “off the rails” type of character. Roy Thomas along with Gary Friedrich and Artist Mike Ploog created the Spirit of Vengeance in Marvel Spotlight No. 5 on August 1972.

I have been a fan of comic book films, especially with those grittier, dark characters and this anti-hero is definitely one of them! Coming from the publisher’s imprint Marvel Knights the story is all about a deal made by a young man to save his father from dying due to cancer, thus a contract was signed by blood in exchange for his soul but the thing is, he got more what he bargained for! A choice should be made and time is running out… Tick tock tick tock!!!

I’ve watched the film thrice already since way back in my country and it never gave me that sense of enthusiasm until now! I was able to watch its extended cut and delved more into the story on how on earth Johnny Blaze brought to life by Nicolas Cage (Con Air) became Ghost Rider. This is an amazing character with a decent following of fans and yet somehow the film has given not much justice to the comic book. Adding Eva Mendes (The Spirit) in the role of Roxanne Simpson the love interest of the “flaming skull” in the picture was even not enough for the audiences to properly receive the premise of the film!

To think that maybe Marvel has not given much credit for the director to step up the plate in order to script write and direct the film, the budget definitely goes beyond the grave with props that can be compared with a high school stage presentation, special thanks to Richard Hobbs (Dark City) and Kirk Petrucelli (Blade), the sets were really pathetic seriously, even coming from already known Production and Art Direction. Don’t forget putting in the poorly written and pathetic which were done by the self-proclaimed “Master of Comic Books” himself, Director Steven. While Cinematography was given “life” by Russell Boyd (American Outlaws) not much to say except his works speak for themselves, all ordinary to the eyes with Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World as the only exception!

While the CGI for Ghost Rider’s skull motorcycle, burnt roads from his trail blazing was authentic enough feel the character’s movements and expressions! The verbal quips, cheesy one liners, poor dialogue from every cast, fight scenes that our laughable, even Blackheart portrayed by Wes Bentley (American Beauty) the son of the Devil changing into his demon form to name a few! This guy can do so much more acting wise; he was just given a really horrible script to recite in front of the audience! Don’t forget the constant finger pointing of the man himself (maybe it was part of the Guilty or Innocent platform) the one whom he gives his woes, the giver of burden, the most evil, the malevolent Mephisto from the acting legend Peter Fonda (South of Heaven, West of Hell). On a positive note, I’m psyched up every time he screams with rage when someone pisses him off or even just if he wanted to ride his bike! What a riot!

But the essence is there and it was how Johnny wants to be redeemed and have another chance for salvation as well. With the help of another Ghost Rider, returning to Marvel Films is Sam Eliott (Hulk) only known as the Caretaker who has done the same mistake in the past; he gives more conclusive interaction between the two characters and the main plot of the story.

Director Mark Steven Johnson (Daredevil) has made movies that really not blended well with the audience especially that were comic based. It might be more emphasized on how the characters are represented in the big screen and give that rapport on not just the viewers but the Producers as well making them understand that the film has proper direction and financing. To make it easier for you, don’t give a green light to a rubbish project!

Everybody deserves a second chance (but I’m not expecting you to touch on a comic book film again, maybe in other genres!) He will ride again with another Director (there’s two…and they look really angry!) and I hope that this time it will be worth watching, or we’ll be the one’s unleashing hell!

The Spirit of Vengeance left trails on fire in winter 2012 and it didn’t stand a chance, hopefully the turning over of the character back to Marvel can bring the skull fire back from it’s dying ember!

Blade 2 (2002)

A superior sequel from Marvel Cinema’s cornerstones which truly makes Wesley Snipes a force to reckon with!

New Line Cinema in association with Amen-Ra Films, Imaginary Forces and Marvel Enterprises present…

Tomb of Dracula Vol. 1 No. 10 was published in July 1973 through Marvel comics. Here is where Eric Brooks made his first appearance, the rendition of the character by Writer Marv Wolfman and Artist Gene Colan was mediocre and boring that he was given a new look in the succeeding comic book series Strange Tales: Blade No. 1 which was more aggressive, dark and tactical, a little ante up for his swagger!

The take on vampirism can be taken as a political, social, scientific, religious and of course in a sexual stand point! That is why this monster became so popular in modern culture from literary works and movies alike. It has been regarded as a legend or in some truth being considered especially in the European hemisphere.

In this sequel, Wesley Snipes (US Marshals) returns as Blade, he continues the fight in the underworld and has always been a bastion of hope for mankind from these supernatural entities. Here, he still chases after his surrogate father’s captors, Kris Kristofferson (Payback) who reprises his role as Whistler who was assumed dead and kidnapped from the last film!

To make things more complicated, he is tasked to lead a strike force called the Blood Pack from his sworn enemies ruled by Overlord Eli Damaskinos who is played by Thomas Krestchmann (Wanted). The plot gives more emphasis on a new species of vampires called Reapers who are infected by a virus which brings the vampire community on its knees…and Blade won’t have it any other way! Always been character driven, silent and yet he gives more angst, leadership, determination in hunting down these “suck heads” and a whole lot of martial arts kick assery mayhem for the entertainment of fans and viewers alike.

Director Guillermo Del Toro has been bringing us films based on fantasy and horror depictions, it gave him this trademark from “Pan’s Labyrinth”, “The Devil’s Backbone” and “Hellboy” (hopefully it’s a trilogy). His fanaticism to both anime and comic books has given him the right type of world his characters would live in and it keeps getting better! For he does his research quite extensively, he drafts things, makes sketches and he actually carries a notebook which he uses as a guide for making stories and films, learning in every possible angle on how things work. The moment you see a film with elaborate designs and themes that inhibits eccentricity, other realms and monsters you would know it came from Guillermo’s repertoire!

I admire this Director and his take on films and how he presents it is amazing! But I’ve learned that he has this discipline that whatever works he carries it out with precision! It does not matter how simple or complex this particular technology or scene should be taken as long as it delivers the intended purpose. It shows how he can still be that conservative and definitely a smart film maker and he knows his field of expertise very well but still, one could widen more his horizons.

Writing these stories has made him a definite asset in the film industry for the Story; David Goyer (Batman Begins) had been effective as always, working in tandem with Marv and Gene to give an improved take on Marvel’s vampire hunter.

A huge credit for Production Designer Carol Spier, in a word awesome! Her designs added up to scenes make it coherent and with modern times and ancient constructs. She makes it more aesthetic and surreal, already prepares and draws up plans for contingencies which make Guillermo take her without second thought in his movies. She collaborates not just intensively with his direction but also give very satisfying results in the process. On a side note, concept artwork from Mike Mignola (Hellboy Creator) was also incorporated into the sets to give it more a comic book based feel.

Tone definition in comparison with the first movie were focused more on the urban setting with light and plain dark hues gave the film its color, while in this film in the set of Prague, Czech Republic you can feel its gothic undertones that hits the spot for the grittier, more menacing mood towards vampires and their environment.

The film surpasses its predecessor in terms of visual effects, animatronics, CGI (but not in all aspects in the film) and green screen capture elements that made it more encompassing for the characters to merge with and adapt in its nocturnal world of the undead.

Though, short in terms of the plot it only gave efficiency with its fight sequences but not entirely on story, delivery of Luke Goss (Tekken) and Ron Perlman (Hellboy) was on par where they play Nomak and Reinhardt respectively. But with the likes of Leona Varela (The Man in the Iron Mask) as Nyssa and Donnie Yen (Flash Point) as the mute Snowman they were there just to give face value. Even making the latter a fight choreographer, have a little more respect man! I know Wesley is Rex here but you got to give Donnie some credit!

Another one is he always have this opening where he runs down an abandoned warehouse, a secret meeting place for vampires to congregate…I know he’s the hunter but can the story at least tweak it a bit with a stake out or reconnaissance leading to a nest? It wouldn’t hurt now would it? (don’t ask the third film ok). Point is, it could have a different approach but still retain the dynamic of the film’s plot!

Blade 2 more than makes up from what it left off, a kind of film that defines the rudimentary art of fantasy laid out in a dark world of the supernatural and the unknown. It could have been better but at least I enjoyed its adrenaline pumped action sequences and fantastic sets that gave life to the blood sucking parasites! It makes a run of a mill for vampire films anywhere especially for those who even glitter in the sunlight! Since the said property has returned to its home studio, Marvel does know it has great plans waiting for the Daywalker! Two fangs up!