Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015)

Age of Ultron is about bringing the team back together once more that made history in cinema making from their last outing and for the Director, everything in the landscape has to be better, faster, stronger, grittier and louder! But was it necessary?

Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures and Marvel Studios present…

The sequel to the blockbuster summer hit “The Avengers”! Directed and written by Joss Whedon (Much Ado About Nothing) and Produced by Marvel’s head honcho Kevin Feige. After Loki tried to conquer Midgard with an army of extra-terrestrial beings, we turn our heads now to Ultron a sentient robot that wants to eradicate humanity for non-conformance to evolution! The maniacal metal menace debuted on August 1968 via Avengers No. 54-55, its real creators are Roy Thomas and John Buscema while according to comic book lore the actual fictional guy who made him was   Dr. Henry “Hank” Pym also known as Ant-Man! (and Giant Man, Goliath, Yellow Jacket, Wasp etc.)

The mind-set for the superheroes who gave an impression to all viewers is to see them save the world from a global threat which gives the precipice an undeniable outcome. However well intended, it becomes a scratch in the head to see the same thing done over again wherein a peril, specifically in a grander scale will need these individuals for our salvation.

AVENGERS ON PAYBACK ATTACKS!

Steve Rogers revving his motorcycle is now field commander (front and center) and bantering with team mates about bad words (naughty Tony) as they raid a castle of HYDRA headed by Thomas Kretschmann (Downfall) and Henry Goodman (Yes, Prime Minister) as Baron Von Strucker and Dr. List respectively in a fictional country named Sokovia. When the team enters enemy territory, we can see how big was the set to give The Avengers the introduction they needed! Cohesive, fast paced and intense as The Captain gives orders and runs the show while the heavy hitters dismantle tanks, bunkers and soldiers! For Chris Evans (Snowpiercer) we see him develop his stature as he lives up to the title not just playing a soldier following orders but as the man on point while even earning the respect of the Thunder God and the Mechanic Genius.

But the question is who captured the bigger fish was it Cap or Iron Man? Robert Downey Jr. (Due Date) sets aside his ego and decides to be a team player. He shares his building with the team complete with a research facility, a science lab, a bar and a VTOL garage! As Tony states that he pays, designs, provides for everything, he still raises his chair with text book narcissism but given the groundwork, he did serve the team through his well-intended function which is to “shake” things up!

ANTHONY STARK’s MECHANICAL MONSTER (IT’S ALIVE, IT’S ALIVE!!!)

“I got no strings to hold me down to make me fret, to make me frown. I had strings but now I’m free, there are no more strings on me!”

The Iron Legion returning home with damages specifically on its face says: “honey we’re home!” and Tony replies “have you been fighting again and what’s wrong with your face!?!”

Discussing the potential of the sceptre with fellow nerd Dr. Bruce Banner reprising his role is Mark Ruffalo (Where the Wild Things Are), he was very eager and pedantic to jump start the Ultron Program using the said premise but with given caution! As J.A.R.V.I.S tries to integrate his programming with the said A.I. suddenly everything becomes a clusterfuck! By the way don’t make too much noise or you’ll wake it up…shhhh!!!

Asleep, Awakened, Assimilate and Assassinate!

James Spader (Shadow of Fear) lends his voice to the ultimate baddie! He was creepy, enigmatic and sounded like a deranged psychopath! The way he said those lines gave me goose bumps. Repeating what his “Father” implied regarding his mission, the peace of our times when in truth you don’t want to evolve and you are not worthy gives its actual intentions…

James killed it as an actor but Ultron might have been overshadowed by too much people standing around to share the spotlight! Its program is absolute, its goals are clear as day and it definitely has the messiah complex to boot! But the screen time made it farfetched when either it shows up out of nowhere to set-up his plans or it is seen battling the Avengers just to compliment fan service!

THE ENEMY OF MY ENEMY IS MY SUPPLIER

Upon this rock I will build my church! Ulysses Klaue portrayed by Andy Serkis (Rise of the Planet of the Apes) is an arms dealer formerly in ties with Tony back in the day. His part was brief but gave a diving platform for the desperate “despot” to acquire a very rare metal called vibranium which he steals from Wakanda, introduced as a fictional nation in South Africa.

Elements that gives preview to an upcoming film where the former smuggler aptly named Klaw who debuted in Marvel Comics on Stan Lee and Jack Kirby on August 1966 in Fantastic Four No. 53 is being set-up to become the main villain for Black Panther!

MONSTERS HAVE PROBLEMS TOO!

The film is all about “monsters” both literally and figuratively!

The dialogue keeps on ringing like a broken down record player taking to account that they have known each other since they have fought the Chitauri years back, but the one liners were too conventional as it keeps them moving along to get to the punch line!

I think what they are trying to make, inculcate for the viewing public is to not get stuck up with one objective of telling the story of the diabolical robot but to give life, meaning to the team’s developing relationships of course not just between Natasha and Bruce (ehem Hulk is here too!) which some of us find unique but also eccentric. They maybe gave this a try for reasons of developing more the characters and making them story centric while the Russian Spy Scarlett Johansson (Lucy) never got the chance to resign her feelings seeing that she went through a harsh kind of childhood from her mind set as an assassin, when all she just ever needed was someone to belong too!

Whereas her supposed lover, has been trying to consider if this thing can work out but unfortunately his overbearing half has given him the reason to be selfless in spite the pain. Mark came through with his reflections on both Bruce and Hulk. The passive, introvert man that makes the behemoth look even more brutal from the other swing of the pendulum.

There is a threat, that is true but how they solve it, how do they manage to survive this will be critical to each and every character. Like Jeremy Renner’s (Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol) character Clint Barton leads a double life, he has his obligations to his country and to the world as a S.H.I.E.L.D agent and as an Avenger but more importantly he has a family to protect first hand!

He was given a breath of fresh air here noting that he does provide a sense of humanity to make this unit that comprises an egotistic genius, a lost in time super soldier, a weather deity, a living engine of destruction and another monster who wants to be loved and accepted to be cohesive despite not having super powers but he has a gift and it will be the catalyst to stand up once more to face the their problems together as one!

The sacrifice comes with the vulnerability of being human and although we are not perfect and have tendencies to be destructive, we do have a sense of morality and an unfathomable faith deep inside in each and everyone one of us.

SO WHAT MAKES YOU AN AVENGER?

Some would like to take a break as Tony heads off to contemplate on his actions, Thor seeks more answers in his vision, Bruce is gone to find his personal lullaby and Clint goes back home to take care of his family! As Steve and Natasha are now bestowed with a new roster!

Don Cheadle (Traitor) serves as War Machine who debuted in “Iron Man 2” as a weapons military contractor, an Officer of the U.S. Air Force and Tony’s sparring partner. Paul Bettany (Firewall) was just a rather intelligent system but now plays with the big boys personally as Vision a synthetic humanoid harnessing the powers of the mind gem and was crucial to the recent victory of the team, Anthony Mackie (Gangster Squad) is Sam Wilson also known as Falcon, a pararescueman who was trained to take flight with a special wing pack by the military plus he is a close “running” mate of Steve and last but not the least the only rose among thorns Elizabeth Olsen (Martha Marcy and May) Wanda Maximoff, is the surviving twin codenamed Scarlet Witch, with powers like telekinesis, hypnosis and reality manipulation. Should have been included in the roster, her fallen brother Aaron Taylor-Johnson (Kck-Ass) Pietro Maximoff, was Quicksilver an Avenger by heart and now it stopped due to rescuing another guy who was needed more in the ending sequence!

Finally some changes, I’m not saying the original was done it’s just that as far as the story is concerned everyone should need to move on, step aside or disappear if they want and come back when everything is in chaos again. Fresh faces, abilities and competencies give them a reason to continue their gung-ho Avengers Assemble!

CROWD CLAUSTROPHOBIA

Well actually there’s already an elephant in the room! Seeing Stan Lee cameo once more as a war veteran and says Excelsior! Hayley Atwell (Cassandra’s Dream) is Peggy Carter who shows up in Steve’s hallucination of a war that does not end even if he wanted peace. Idris Elba (Pacific Rim) conveys to Thor about the prejudice of Hel and the collection of the Infinity Stones. Julie Delpy (Sunset) is Madame B, head mistress of the Black Widow program who supervises Natasha to become an elite killing machine.

On the side note since there were too many characters in the film certain participants had to just squeeze in to voice out their lines like Cobie Smulders (The Long Weekend) as Maria Hill, a former high ranking officer of S.H.I.E.L.D. have with so much work with little or no help to find out what’s actually going on. Samuel L. Jackson (Shaft) is Nick Fury says he’s getting old for this and his role was just plain redundant seeing that he was only there to rally the team get them into shape to beat the aggressor once more, they should have left him out just this once!

Claudia Kim (7^th Grade Civil Servant) as Dr. Helen Cho a world renowned geneticist and the mother of the boy genius Amadeus Cho who is also a member of the Avengers in the comic book who we hope in seeing or be part of the team as well in the coming installments. Stellan Skarsgard (The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo) plays Erik Selvig, Thor’s drinking buddy and an astrophysicist who was summoned to know more about his dreams. Here is the funny part, Chris Hemsworth (Rush) is really leaving left and right in a “rush” because he does not have anything to do anymore except to flex his biceps, pummel the bad robots or be in time to resurrect an android!

This is the part that has to be looked into seriously since there was a need to give all these characters a part not that Clint’s family was important but if they could have given it to someone who needs a little more background. Dr. Cho’s part as well, she could have been mentioned only or even contacted just like Pepper Potts and Jane Foster since Tony does have a state of the art facility. Plus, the Maximoff twins were underwhelming from their accents, their origins and the use of their powers. There was nothing spectacular about them or made at least some of the viewer’s feel that they were indeed special! ILM and Double Negative were the frontrunners in the visual effects department including new comer Method Studios who helped digitally design the Avengers training facility.

Those who stood out were Chris for the script and delivery of his character and who got more ways than one to utilize his shield, strength and his leadership skills, finally stepping into the big shoes of leading the team without any contradictions. Jeremy for providing some conscience to not just for his posse but also the new recruits, Mark on tackling two embodiments of an emotionally troubled man and of course Ultron’s voice acting through James! This is definitely an age to change, to evolve not by skin but rather of heart!

Unforgettable scenes were the opening battlefront, the introduction of the robot, Tony’s R&D Center that can put Batman’s Batcave to shame, the stand-off from the Big Three against Ultron with the Twins on a walk way bridge, the slugfest between “Veronica” and Betty (sorry Bruce) and when Hulk was saying goodbye for the last time. Joss even made emphasis on the globetrotting exploits of our heroes which includes Italy, South Korea, England and Bangladesh and not just being dormant on domestic soil.

In closing (finally), if you want to do something right, do it yourself! Josh Brolin (Men in Black III) as Thanos is seen to have a gauntlet and states that he’ll find the stones by himself. But why were you just sitting all this time man?

Iron Man 3 (2013)

From a “teacher and student” perspective the film fails to comply and pass the intended trimester. Summer classes required!

Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures in association with DMG Entertainment and Marvel Studios present…

To jump start Marvel Cinematic Universe’s “Phase 2”, we welcome back the one the only superhero extraordinaire Anthony Edward Stark! Coming straight from the aftermath of “The Avengers” film, Tony finds himself reminiscing time while trying to avoid a nuisance who might deter his New Year celebration with a fling who’s having the same level of intellect that Tony possess and it all goes blurry from there…(drunk or lack of sleep probably).

Now, going on the main points there are hints in the backstory, a very influential businessman, a global and personal threat, a love triangle and a huge epiphany about a “teacher” and his “student” in terms of what is more important, so here’s a pop quiz hot shot do you make the world safe or does your loved ones comes first, what do you do?

Director Shane Black (Lethal Weapon) never compromises a big budget film and its potential to hit (and still miss) the intended mark! Borrowed elements from previous films of the Director was very visible while other platforms from “a decoy villain”, “a destroyed mansion”, “a life without the armour” and “the need in moving on with his life” was already covered by a certain brooding billionaire across the pond. Since the first two films was helmed by Jon Favreau, they now hired a new team to adapt the screenplay which was done by Drew Pearce (No Heroics) together with the Director, they utilized plausible scenarios coming from the storylines of the comic books to make it surreal and grounded as possible. He is currently working on multiple, big budgeted projects which include “Pacific Rim”, the third instalment for “Sherlock Holmes” and “Godzilla”!

Now, I do respect the latter’s work especially with two police officers who never backs down just to do their jobs crazy or how aged they can be. I do not even question his ability to cover all aspects of filmmaking but I really did find his “unoriginality” as a scapegoat to mirror even some key moments from his previous films. But hey, I stuck around just to see what makes a man a hero and still wield the “iron” will to save the world!

IRON MAN NO MORE?

“You know who I am…” is he getting a catchphrase similar from James Bond’s opening song in “Casino Royale”? Robert Downey Jr. (Tropic Thunder) the ever so flamboyant one man show! Still the best and closest resemblance to the iconic “ironic” hero Iron Man! I cannot totally say he has matured understanding that he will always be that guy who lets his ego do the talking while he saves the world and himself from embarrassment. The truth of the matter is he never fails to act but it doesn’t mean he also needs to “overreact” when it comes to his friends and for Pepper! But still, how can you not commend this guy in protecting first the love of his life than of his own?

Robert never fails to amaze with his spontaneity and flair to captivate audiences but it kinds of growing old on me in the way he delivers his character for the third time. Really can’t blame the guy since this is who he really is. He’s definitely a thinker and although he plans ahead with contingencies seeing that he is a “futurist”, he only counteracts with individuals if it interests him or becomes a threat which makes Iron Man so different from heroes like Captain America.

LIAR, LIAR PANTS ON FIRE!!!

“I am a Teacher…” Sir Ben Kingsley (Prince of Persia) has been one of the least expected to be portraying the Ten Ringed Conqueror but got fans clamouring for more when Marvel started their viral campaigns. Seeing that his actual origins was Chinese but it was changed explicitly since the release of the first film and moulded him from Middle-East contingent and concurrent to make it more relatable to the movie going public!

That is why Mandarin has always been criticized and made as a joke and to add insult to injury you lambasted the character’s potential to be influential by just probably conniving with the Director’s way of putting the pun dialogue in his films. I mean Marvel people personally acknowledged that Iron Man has the least foes to fight with! He was even suggested to get toe-in toe with Dr. Doom instead coming from the “comic book” creators. No offense to Sir Kingsley, he was actually spontaneously funny and believable but the point here was how Marvel allowed this plotline to happen and making this the main thought in the film which is “you will never really see him coming…”!

PEPPER TO THE RESCUE?!?

This is the next phase, the next chapter in Tony and Pepper’s relationship and it becomes more personal! While she takes care of the Stark Industries as CEO, Tony plays with his toys (pun intended) seriously they are better as the on-screen couple and it had an underlying purpose to how they were able to go through these tough times when people around them are not being safe and what more can Tony do especially for the woman he has grown to love? Gwyneth Paltrow (Contagion) was another cast that was sublime to portray the character, much being said her contribution to the success of the franchise is beyond doubt absolute. She was given a hefty responsibility which was meant for a bigger scope in order for the premise to have the sense of altruism from her boyfriend in the face of despair and uncertainty.

READY, “A.I.M”, “FIRE”!

I have never taught that they would make Guy Pearce’s (Prometheus) portrayal of Aldrich Killian that gawky and obnoxious and spare me even the make-up people who gave him that awful look! I started to remember two brilliant scientific men in which the first one coming from the same family in Marvel wants to exceed the human potential and make humanity without any weaknesses while a certain villain portrayed by “funny man” who was also obsessed with a genius playboy as well but the only difference was this guy had pointy ears and a cape!

He was the brainchild for the A.I.M. (Advanced Idea Mechanics). Created by Jack Kirby and Stan Lee and debuted in Strange Tales No. 146 on July 1966, a terrorist organization fronting as a scientific research corporation with clandestine purposes (who doesn’t) who collaborates with scientist Maya Hansen played by Rebecca Hall (A Bag of Hammers), she developed the virus just to get funding for her unfinished work which unfortunately sets the framework on global terrorism.

To put things on the table, Aldrich gives the audience his work in progress aptly named the “Extremis” which was derived from a six-part story arc released from January 2005 until April 2006 this was conceptualized by Writer Warren Ellis and the man behind the militarized armour of the Golden Avenger used for these films is none other than Adi Gradov!

Guy played the part and he had stolen the spotlight indeed! After saying this was “just a cameo role” at best was an understatement. He was given a redundant portrayal of a villain just to get the attention of the protagonist but he just needs to hide behind the shadows a little longer before he reveals himself. Typically disappointing, to make it worse he exclaimed that he was someone that he was not supposed to be!

THE BUDDY COP WITH A NEW PAINT JOB!

A little paint job does the job? Was that even correct? So, Lt. Col. James Rhodes played by Don Cheadle (Traitor) is taking the next step in government puppetry as Iron Patriot gone is the former War Machine suit. In other news, I believe they paid a little homage there with Miguel Ferrer who plays the “desperate” Vice-President who was part of the cult film “Robocop” seen standing beside the armoured hero in red white and blue! Don and Robert had their moments while bickering which were relatively pale compared to Holmes and Watson’s chemistry. Don in my take is way better than Terrence but have to say he does not look like a soldier or act like one probably with his mannerisms and built which worked better for Idris Elba’s versatility and toughness or Chiwetel Ejiofor’s intensity and aggression coming from his villain roles.

THE CURIOUS BODYGUARD AND THE CAPABLE A.I. BUTLER

I thought Mickey Rourke’s character from the last instalment was the former body guard from a non-linear segment but hey it’s only Jon Favreau (Batman Forever) as usual he is Stark’s I meant   Stark’s squeeze newly appointed Head of Security who is more dynamic not just spit-balling or driving around his Employers! With the same kind of bantering, a reason to motivate the hero and a limited but significant screentime just to get the ball rolling! On the other hand, J.A.R.V.I.S. was voiced once more by Paul Bettany (Firewall) but has not been able to get enough credence for his participation which I believe is unfair compared to Don and Jon.

PASS YOUR PAPERS…

It was entertaining at best with certain jocosity here and there to compliment the overwhelming action and special effects courtesy of Scanline VFX, Digital Domain, Framestore, The Third Floor, Trixster Film and Weta Digital as they were able to incorporate a massive output combining studio takes with stunning visual effects. They were able to bring new heights of anticipation seeing that Tony has brought in his “Legion” to kick some serious soldier ass!

Another angle would be his highly advanced bio-tech serum in manipulating his armors to be more “user friendly”. Seeing that they can be controlled mentally which sets Tony in a catch 22 situation making him more physically unstable but in a “safeguard objective” in no time at the same time!

With enough financial security coming from Producer and Marvel Studios President of Production Kevin Fiege (The Avengers), they were able to formalize and brought in big names to bring out the said premise making on a bigger level especially that the primary antagonist has laid his cards!

Case in point, I applauded on how Marvel was able to work on their projects by well-thought off leaps and increments! The film sets the stepping stone for the much awaited “Phase 2” wherein the original components that brought together the “Avengers” to come into fruition has been a great inception to a greater and wider universe which in actuality does permeate the mass appeal of these superheroes to flood in the big screen!

Coming up next something “dark” is brewing and it’s not even coffee to keep Tony’s buddy awake… psyche!!!

Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines (2003)

The Terminator was a classic, Judgment Day was epic and Rise of the Machines was erratic!

Warner Bros. Pictures in association with Columbia Pictures, C2 Pictures and IMF Internationale present…

It follows the story of a man, a hesitant soldier on the run trying to prevent an inexorable future that will be ruled by the machines and for them to annihilate all humanity!

The film had a lame opening credit which at least had been given the score or theme to provide more weight and levity! The introduction of the Terminators and a resistance soldier from the previous films indicated the transport sphere was clichéd though was still very iconic as it gives a feeling of a typical real sci-fi experience! I see it just to please the modern audience with mediocrity, before it was thugs flying all over the place combined with broken arms and a concussion emphasizing on the Terminator’s killer programming but here, it was neither given ample sense of drama nor ingenuity (even Arnie got a new programmed statement from…).

The Austrian “man muscle” himself Arnold Schwarzenegger (Predator) “is back” reprising his role as the Terminator from the T-805 series and model 101! It clearly specifies the endoskeleton blueprint it was derived from and what cellular structures that were developed as well! For the sake of argument, Arnold has aged since his last portrayal his character is still intact but his delivery is sluggish (I know, it is a cybernetic organism of course) but seriously speaking, everyone can agree that his performance playing the cyborg was not as dominating and intimidating as before!

Now on an indefinite sabbatical from his duties as Californian Governor, he focuses on projects being offered both from the small and big screen! They are currently working on a animated series that depicts some elements of this franchise where Arnold is “The Governator” I don’t know if it’s going to sit well for the audience… will find out soon enough!

This is the life even for deserving actors like Nick Stahl (The Bully) who plays the pivotal role of John Connors can have its ups and downs seeing him a fewer times in cinema makes it more coherent on bankable stars in getting the spotlight. After ten years of being alone, not inclined with the world for the fear of tomorrow…he became a lost soul searching for answers that would find a way to rectify the inevitable holocaust! Not a juvenile as he was before and yet, instilled with the paranoia that makes him stronger each day, he continues to trudge on the burden of humanity’s safety!

She is the daughter to Skynet’s creator; Claire Danes (Romeo & Juliet) gives her part as Katherine Brewster who is also in the “should be dead” list where the names Jose Barerra, Elizabeth Anderson William Anderson and CRS (Cyberdata Research Systems) Head Lt. General Robert Brewster will have important roles later in the film! I still remember her better character portrayal in “The Rainmaker” and in “Stardust” very tranquil, innocent and still full of life. Claire can be derivative and plain but she still got that spark to be better, she could improve more on her delivery and portrayals if she wants too!

From the heroine now we upload the villainess, I always wanted Kristianna Loken (Bloodrayne) to be involved in better made films since she can match up the looks and toughness from any actress around her work on Painkiller Jane can be considered (well, acting needs to be definitely improved) she embodies T-X, a highly advanced Terminator compared to Arnold’s version which combines nanotechnology, cybernetics and is a polymimetic rolled into one badass assassin! Her portrayal was based on mime movements to inject a poker faced killing machine; well at least it was better that way since she needs the training for the part anyway!

The film’s outlook on its premise is edgier and combines fantastic combination of CG, animatronics and robotics! I would say the trisect of the Visual, Special and Makeup Effects Departments have made a solid infrastructure for the actual events taking place in both the present and future depictions of the story! Some hits and misses with regards to its authenticity which shows especially in the fight scenes but still fully understandable in my opinion.

Action and stunts are well coordinated, it even had great car chase scenes in which T-X had some help from “untransformed” vehicles as she was able to jump start patrol cars and fire trucks like it was remote controlled, telekinetically linked “machine” style! There were also moments of brand awareness coming from Xenadrine for weight loss, I remember from the first movie on how John wore those Nike rubber shoes from the mall they were hiding from just funny fillers I guess!

I just wished James Cameron the creator of the myth could have at least given supervision for Director Jonathan Mostow (Breakdown) and crew! Back then, films like these were mere science fiction, only derived from the minds of artists, writers and visionaries that would change the world we live in and today technology is rampant and readily available. The influx of its coverage is suffocating that allows fewer films to provide a real sense of being sublime!

Fast paced and full of action spectacle! It still gave me an impression of being better than the first film but lacks the intensity and plot driven characters of the sequel! The story made it more interesting since it covers already the feeling of surrendering to something bigger than two soldiers carrying the fight and they will just need to intake this phenomenon in a slow breathing manner! Most people will die but the main point is the survival of the protagonist will give more sustainability for not a just another story to be captured on screen but to give it hope that it’s an open ended film and to face the “storm” at hand, salvation is coming!

Real Steel (2011)

A knock-out of a film that won’t go down without a fight…especially if it’s for your family!

DreamWorks Pictures in association with 21 Laps Entertainment, Reliance Entertainment, Angry Films, ImageMovers and Touchstone Pictures present…

Based on a partially done episode for the Twilight Zone series called “Steel” made on 1956. The film gives emphasis on a washed up boxer still searching for the reason to fight and earn money but in a new place, time and motivation!

Director Shawn Levy (Night at the Museum) creates the bravura while levitating the drama between a father and a son, trying to bring them closer despite so much pain coming from a mother who passed on leaving her child confused, while seeking glory is her sister who wants to adopt him. Trying to get Charlie (Hugh) reacquainted with Max (Dakota) who gets more into trouble by making a catch 22 deal with the Aunt Debra’s husband Uncle Marvin, since he just needs to make some money to buy robots for the tournament! Both the Director and Steven Spielberg bring together a film with a signature take on a father and son struggling relationship which they adhere in the projects they make and produce!

Writers Dan Gilroy (Two for the Money) and Jeremy Leven (The Time Traveller’s Wife) gives a heart warming story but still infuses the right type of excitement and action for the spectators to appreciate. The male consensus can be taken from the boxing part, let alone geeks who dreams of watching it become a sport and be incorporated into robots! While the female audience will take a chance with its tale of redemption and family getting back together again! What can I say it’s for everybody!

Storyboard Artists helped key in actual scenarios that will take place specifically in the fighting arena Joel Venti, Trevor Goring and Michael Anthony Jackson gives light into actual events that can be placed and used to maximise the delivery of the actual shots made!

Two noteworthy aspects of the film were the animatronics used on the robots and the drama that encompasses the story. For the former, it was tasked to Legacy Effects which was headed by Jason Matthews, they were able to provide the animatronics aspect of the film which in turn converted by Simulcam which allows actual fighters being converted into robots instantaneously into the screen and provide the needed CGI to make it as authentic looking as possible! Even boxing great Sugar Ray Leonard gave inputs and pieces of advice on the set to capture every positioning of fighters and moments of its execution!

Kevin Durand (Robin Hood) and Hugh Jackman (Prestige) returns from their previous mutant movie X-Men Origins: Wolverine in 2009. Here, they’re still fierce competitors and businessmen as from “loaned” money are concerned! I believe Hugh traded his adamantium claws to buy, build and train these fighting machines to entertain in the ring! He brings life to Charlie Kenton, broke and always on the run from his previous “business” colleagues! While Kevin plays Ricky who lost a ton of weight while providing a robot versus bull match “entertainment” in a rodeo fair.

Hugh can definitely bring in the goods even with drama but it had to be a little more convincing when it comes to being a father trying to win back his son, his emotional take in his role was sub-par on that specific aspect but on the other hand, while being a tormented and broken man is without question another strong asset which he can persuade his audience to keep coming back in his films!

His first fighter was called Ambush, a rust bucket that was given a challenge to fight the Black Thunder! Full of optimism and arrogance, Charlie made a $20 thousand deal and lost everything simply by being distracted by a lady spectator! Then, he purchased a former contender from the WRB title named Noisy Boy, Japanese in origin but has been around the futuristic tournament and the world for quite some time to make a name of its own! Again, his lack of preparation and overconfidence resulted in a massacre coming from Midas “The Gold Blooded Killer”!

Then when suddenly all seems lost, fate did “save” the day! A new fighter is found and you can really feel the will power of Atom trying to stay alive in the ring and in every match! It made such a huge impact when it fought the current world champion named Zeus, a powerhouse sponsored by the wealthy and manipulative Farah Lemcova portrayed by Olga Fonda (The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn) while designed by Japanese impulsive genius Tak Mashido whose role was given to Karl Yune (Memoirs of a Geisha). Since it was just a sparring Generation 2 robot that just needed someone to believe in while believing in themselves that they could make a difference, to be accepted and to be a true winner not just in the arena and the roaring fans but also for the one’s that you love!

There is another Dakota in town! Dakota Goyo (Thor) is Max Kenton an unwanted child from a previous relationship with Charlie. Since his mother died, he’s Aunt wants to adopt him while Charlie looks at it as a way to earn fast cash to buy another robot! Another cast was Evangeline Lily (Hurt Locker) she plays Bailey Tallet, the daughter of a former trainer to her childhood friend! She is now owner of the boxing gymnasium where Charlie tries so hard to give credit! Their on and off bantering whether through money problems and spare parts has left the business losing financially!

To add, some of the major companies were not half as shy to broadcast their participation in the film such as ESPN and Bing.com gives it some major sponsorship! Even the music was conforming and fantastically resonates into the background coming from well known artists to give life, rhythm, energy in the film! They are Eminem, Beastie Boys, Foo Fighters, Crystal Method, Timbaland just to name a few!

It was not bland, cheesy nor boring. It was fun, enthusiastic and there were lessons to learn coming from broken family relationships! I remember a certain game called Punch-Out where a guy by the name of Little Mac was destined to become Champ against the era’s undisputed heavyweight Champion Mike Tyson! Mac has the same idealism of Atom that makes him a crowd favourite and what drives him to excel in his game are his two closest friends Charlie and Max!

I really thought watching this film would just let me kill time but it was definitely worth it! It gave meaning to dual clichés from most of the stories told but here, it was not just fighting in the boxing ring more importantly it’s about fighting for your family!

Iron Man 2 (2010)

It’s good to be back and someone got his!

Paramount Pictures and Marvel Studios present…

He has his technology guaranteed, but he will need more than just an armored suit to face his next nemesis and he says “bring it on!”, I’ve got my back covered!

Sequels have a knack of being better for most films and Iron Man 2 is definitely an eye candy! Story is fast paced but still maintaining the right tone of the plot and the characters to meld in with their objectives for the film’s climactic end.

Enter War Machine, created by David Michelinie, John Byrne and Bob Layton. The character debuted in Marvel Comics Iron Man No. 118 on January 1979 while he has the same features as the Iron Man armour; let’s just say his awesome firepower is less finesse and a lot noisier than the former thanks to the collaborated work of Len Kaminski and Kevin Hopgood who designed his specifications. In the sequel, we are introduced to another piece of equipment as Tony explained his armour: “It’s not a weapon; it’s more of a highly advanced prosthesis.” In other words, the suit was designed to be something more in terms of the wearer or whoever is inside and controls it to be tantamount in being “enhanced”…superhumanly that is!

Returning Director Jon Favreau (Zathura) gives both performances in front and at the back of the camera, serving as body guard, personal driver and a punching bag to whoever he pleases! Happy Hogan in the film reunites with Tony and newly appointed CEO of Stark Industries Virginia “Pepper” Potts; she is given life by the always lovely and talented Gwyneth Paltrow (Great Expectations) again in my opinion the most suitable actress who can portray the character. Jon generously made this film in his own delight reaching further in the character’s mythos and assembling a cast courtesy of Sarah Finn and Randi Miller (Crash) both had been working on projects that give credence fulfil the actual people for the right job and profile which is very commendable coming in a long line of Marvel films. To add, I also liked the way he pans in and out of the scene and close-up shots to give it the authentic feel of fight scenes, technological aspects like the armour in flight, drones and weaponry used! He and Producer Kevin Feige didn’t waste time bring out the brandish display of production sets, visually stunning CGI and of course their camaraderie!

Writer Justin Theroux (American Psycho) contributed his screenplay and brainstormed with Don Heck, Larry Lieber and comic book legends Jack Kirby and Stan Lee to provide the “modern day” hero from the pages into the big screen, amalgamating different areas of the character’s background and mixing it with right amount of action, drama, comedy and sense of morality (right).

It had a little back story and coming from Mr. Anthony Edward Stark, played by the ever contrite     Robert Downey Jr. (Kiss Kiss Bang Bang) it is not about you, or them, it is about the Legacy we leave for the people and the future. As he presents his continued effort to bring “privatized peace” into the world as guided by his father, the pioneer of the so called “energy race” Mr. Howard Stark.

The film gave direction on how or why the antagonist Ivan Vanko, played by Mickey Rourke (The Wrestler) a rogue physicist, definitely a chip of the old block who lived and hated the Starks though ironically, it was not deserved for them to be acknowledged regarding his father’s contribution with the technology shared by both inventors. His performance was a bit stale and underrated maybe it was his delivery or how the character was written that had affected the dynamic between him and Tony. To add, I remember his whip contraption being attached in the dark; did anyone notice that it has the same spine base from Dr. Octopus’s neuro control for his tentacles in Spider-Man 2 movie?

The character is there; the audience knew him and appreciated more the wittiness and most of the time egotistic, self-righteous, condescending attitude that we all love to hate. The good thing about it is he still saves everyone and gives that sense of responsibility and burden to prove that his armor is for him only to use because simply he is the only one who understands its repercussions if it’s going to be being used in the wrong way. The film was ambitious, commendable, funny with all Tony’s banters with Pepper, Happy, Nick Fury, Natasha, James and even with Justin Hammer, the self-centred, egotistic and scrupulous CEO of HAMMER Industries, actor Sam Rockwell (Moon) gives justice for the role (again doing his dance routine) chatty and someone who loves the sound of his own voice (just like his main competitor). I understand they need to change the old man from the pages to a younger version just to keep a closer interaction with the man in the iron suit and their escapades for their business rivalry!

On a side note, too many inconsistencies weigh heavily against the Director from walking and standing on Stark EXPO platform, water changes in glasses, left and right hands for a subpoena, Ivan and Tony at the race track incident in which after whipping him in a striking distance he could still “skip to my loo” while approaching him, abruptly missing fighter plane in a tarmac, moving strawberries and the most recognized of them all which I did not forget the guffaw brought by the audience in the cinema when Tony called Rhodey “Don” his real name for crying out loud in the near end of the film, what was that all about? Were they in a hurry? It was embarrassing enough for them to have these blunders getting way over their heads thinking that they were on top of the world coming from the first film…come on! Jon, I believe took more time to be part of the acting rather than doing his job in the editing room.

Nevertheless, all of the characters did their part well even for the Artificial Intelligence J.A.R.V.I.S the voice rendered by the ever compliant Paul Bettany (A Knight’s Tale). I can easily applaud Natasha Romanoff played by Scarlett Johansson (The Island) for her given role; she nailed it and every single security enforcer in the building! Lt. Col. James Rhodes the new armor owner Don Cheadle (Rwanda Hotel), now inherits (took off) an Iron Man prototype armour to incorporate it to the military as their Variable Threat Response Battle Suit (VTRBS) also known as the War Machine.

His acting is always on par with the main protagonists. Samuel Jackson’s (Shaft) Nick Fury did more talk time and more distinctness for his role in the film and the coming films ahead. Everyone did bring their part and that’s why it worked, everyone should be able to have enough time to relay what they need to bring for the audience to understand what part they are in a given film or performance.

I was watching every Easter Egg that I can to give justice to the epic movie to follow and as the ending credits is done, this new information will give more expansion for these stories to be married into one single assemblage. Everything will fall into place in time and the “Hammer” did fell in the right spot…

Iron Man (2008)

A visually stunning amalgamation of near seamless technology, epiphany and bravado heroism!

Paramount Pictures and Marvel Studios present…

 “Tony Stark makes you feel he’s a cool exec with a heart of steel. As Iron Man, all jets ablaze, He’s fighting and smiting with repulsor rays! Amazing armor! That’s Iron Man! A blazing power! That’s Iron Man!” – Iron Man (1966)

A catchy song from way back! What else can you say about this guy? He’s exuberantly rich, a genius in the fields of engineering, robotics, hi-tech weaponry and a philanthropist. But not all heroes live without flaws Tony is a playboy, a drinker and alone but these things never stopped his will to exceed and help those who are in need…and that is why he is Iron man!

From the pages of the comic book comes another superhero built to battle the forces of evil (corporate, technological, supernatural the whole nine yards)! Stan Lee and Larry Lieber debuted their character in Tales of Suspense No. 39 on March 1963. After Blade and X-Men became progenitors for Marvel Comics films for nearly a decade. Now, we are in the presence of a superhero not born with mutant powers nor being bitten by paranormal creatures!

His name is Anthony Edward Stark a flamboyant, narcissistic, self-righteous and conceited guy who knows nothing less than to make money…that is still the case initially but not without remorse and the willingness to fight for what is right and protect humankind from any oppressors that will do her harm! Robert Downey Jr. (Zodiac) embodied those qualities, he is the perfect specimen to give Tony the human and the hero attributes that he was destined to be!

When Tony’s father Howard Stark passed away, his business was left to the watchful eyes of Obadiah Stane, he is played by Academy Award Winner Jeff Bridges (Blown Away) he heads Stark Industries into its glorified commitment of making the world safe while the young prodigy grows up. Being involved with military projects and arming them to the teeth against foreign threats, these circumstances has never been an understatement and it will always bring something more on the agenda of sustaining unsolicited contracts…that’s where the fun part comes in!

Best friend and confidant Lt. Col. James Rhodes played by the dismayed Terrence Howard (Crash) he works for the United States Air Force as their Weapons Division Liaison. There was so much in store for this guy, unfortunately his part was poorly conceived and written citing him as a lesser character who goes around wiping the dirt in Tony’s face and fixing up his mess! I believe that he was not deemed for that role, he talks softly, his delivery was sub-par and there was no assertiveness with his performance as a person from a military origin standpoint…in short he’s weak!

On the other hand, who could be more accomplished to portray the ever loyal and Mr. Stark’s love interest Virginia Pepper Potts rather than Academy Award Winner Gwyneth Paltrow (Sylvia)! Now here is something you would like to emulate and talk about, Gwyneth gave the absolute objective for Pepper to stand out as Tony’s Executive, she is smart, sweet and easy on the eyes. Pepper cares for Tony even if he acts oftentimes as a jerk (with a heart) but the main point is, she always makes sure that the company and her Boss is well taken cared off!

Jon Favreau (Daredevil) gave all his might both as the film’s Director and as a supporting cast, he is Tony’s chauffeur, driver, bodyguard and friend Happy Hogan! His innate wisdom to bring in the Golden Armoured Avenger into the big screen has made it easier to perceive since he prepared very well for the project to come into fruition! Seeing all things are in perspective collaborating with Stan, the co-creators over the years and Avi Arad gives this film another success in the box office for being next in line in the coveted superhero movies.

Jon made sure that Iron Man would be given life by instilling the right foundation from the beginning! From 40 years of back stories and artwork, he chose Adi Granov’s style of the armour suit. It was military oriented, slim and actually believable to be existing in the modern world. To add, the props team who made this happen was Stan Winston’s studio, delivering true to life practical effects that helped shaped the lead character’s world of high tech weaponry, gadgets, armaments from moulded casts and replicas!

From actual effects we go to the visual aspects of the film. Industrial Light and Magic (ILM) has time and again provided the best in terms of mixing the breakdowns of the real and the extraordinary!  Ben Snow, VLX Supervisor has given inputs on how their “magic” works with his team giving emphasis on real and CG model comparisons from its movements, background, lighting and the infinite possibilities of digital mimicry. To add, Kent Seki Visual Supervisor Pixel Liberation Front and Dav Rauch HUD Supervisor of The Orphanage collaborated and made Tony’s helmet out of this world and exuberantly cool! With all these widgets coursing through the actor’s face, we can see it and feel its interface from Tony’s eyes and perspective. From a spin, a dive, target systems and a shot going up in the stratosphere keeps the audiences fixated into what he and JARVIS voiced by up and coming star Paul Bettany (A Knight’s tale) supplies back and forth.

Overall, the creators, crew and cast of the film did a fantastic job bringing together all this talent to come up with solid performances both in front and behind the camera! The combined aspects from the military to the corporate espionage thriller bring in a grounded framework that enables a reality based and fantasy sci-fi driven story completely from the pages of a comic book a fantastic journey that we would like to experience over and over again! It was on a new level of superhero grandeur, a certified blockbuster of 2010 raking in $ 585 million worldwide!

Are we done? Silly me! There was this cameo with a guy named Nick Fury at the end of the film. He’s wearing a patch and informs Tony of some initiative well, something like that! Whatever that is something is brewing…

 

Pacific Rim (2013)

In man’s desperation to survive, they have created these “monster machines” which superficially echoes the heart of real men and women as it packs more punch than anything landed on a Kaijus’ face!

Warner Bros. Pictures in association with Legendary Pictures present…

When gigantic monsters threaten the world and no amount of people can stop them… we turn to our alternative! Warner Bros. brings to us an unprecedented new take on science fiction which involves amazing special effects that doesn’t compromise the intellectual aspect of film making. So, since Ultraman was not around and neither were any of the Japanese Super-Sized Robots, Director Guillermo Del Toro (Pan’s Labyrinth) is here to save the day! The film was like “Iron Man” who turned into “Iron Giant” but became an “Iron Legion” but instead of fighting genetically enhanced soldiers…just watch the film!

A starkly, sober, raspy voice starts to narrate what came to be from the very beginning! Emphasising on hope and the collective efforts of humanity not just to fend off these abominations from a portal from the deep but rather survive the day no matter the cost! Typical for a film like this one is the numbers game; scores of lives are lost due to the wreaking devastation manifested by on-going battles not to mention the pollution provided by their excrements in the Philippines capital city!

The flow of the story was commendable after a 16 minute prologue before setting in the title, it was worth the wait! To understand fully what is going on not just in the Pacific area’s standpoint but also with other countries, this includes an adamant choice to win this war and pool all our resources together as mandated by the world council of leaders! So it begins the work through on the Jaeger programme was initiated, with equal the size of 100 story buildings to go head to head with these beasts of burden until all of them are washed away from the face of the Earth.

The concept was using the left and right hemisphere of the brains to be used from 2 pilots to give mobility for these machines to “rock and sock them”! All things were going well and the populace was starting to feel confident each day but they never knew what is about to hit them next!

“Sons of Anarchy” star Charles Hunnam (Children of men) is Raleigh Beckett, still licking his wounds after 5 years and 4 months. Humbled from the last encounter which took the life of his brother and found him working on a construction site which builds walls to somehow “defend” the city! Like Col. Truman who seeked out Rambo for the one last mission, Marshall Stacker Pentecost portrayed by Idris Elba (Thor) is the Head of Operations for the Jaeger and the commanding officer of Raleigh. Both had a long history that brought in the “Gipsy Danger” in the forefront before it was mercilessly ravaged by a Knifehead! This is where Rinko Kikuchi (Assault Girls) as Mako Mori a troubled young woman who still has a trauma from her encounter with one of the Kaiju’s until his now surrogate father Pentecost saved her on that hellish day! She had a strong character built in to keep in pace with the smorgasbord of male adrenaline going around.

The technicalities of hardware in using the recently clichéd 3D hologram technology of Leap Motion and Head Tracking were simple and yet sweet especially for mecha junkies out there! Suiting up was a notch below compared to Marvel’s very own Iron Avenger (no doubt about it!) Speaking of which, Ramin Djawadi (Clash of the Titans) returns to serve as Film Composer, his work with “Iron Man” was redundant coming off with “Driving with the Top Down”!

It’s great seeing how Guillermo designs and places this sophistication into full effect which is easily overwhelming! Now, we are just talking about the humans here, wait until you get a load of the full sized scale of these colossal robots! Another viable to note is knowing how to use angles and camera work in order to manipulate the practical effects to the visual effects, in which by the way compliments to Industrial Light & Magic as always! When to pan the lenses in and out makes it spectacular to experience courtesy of Guillermo Navarro (Spawn) who has a long line of box-office hits under his belt!

The Director also has a knack for the horrific nature of his projects, not that the Kaijus’ will make you tremble in fear but rather by making them smaller as in pieces and we are talking about their brain, intestines and organs that is places in large aquariums while being experimented by funny man and hyperactive Charlie Day (Horrible Bosses) he plays Dr. Newton Geiszler a scientist who studies them who also have some bantering with fellow “nerd alert” Dr. Herman Gottlieb from Burn Gorman (Layer Cake). Charlie has once again proven his geeky comedy works when his on the spotlight and he never disappoints!

If you have been watching anime and Japanese films you will notice the similarities when man and machine integrates special mentions are “Gundam”, “Neon Evengelion” and of course who can forget the classics like “Voltes V”, “Daimos”, “Getter Robo” and last but not the least “Mazinger Z”! Although, Guillermo iterated that this film was never intended to be a homage for these mechanical saviors. While their counterparts, the Kaijus’ were also inherent to the likes of the Frankenstein brothers “War of the Gargantuas”, the giant turtle “Gamera” and the King of Monsters itself “Godzilla”!

The balance between premise, dialogue and delivery of the characters were altruistically genuine although not too deep in terms of bringing a supposedly complicated man in a machine versuss monster film together! It’s simply an amalgamation of sorts where drama needs to exist in order for action sequences to kick-in at the right time. It therefore compliments each other so that people can appreciate fully the cause of human sacrifice with the hint of futuristic and otherworldly phenomenon duking it out big time and while it still creates a space for emotions to flood in!

We can now breath and stop the clock!

Transformers: Dark of the Moon (2011)

A science lab project gone ballistically wrong… Michael Bay gets a C- for effort!

Paramount Pictures and DreamWorks Studios in association with Hasbro present…

For all those whose going to read this, it was one nauseating write up! I’ve constructed it as honest and contrite as I can for all the things that Michael Bay and his crew has done for this trilogy and to the cast that made it happen…here’s the blown up picture!

I’ll have to say that the film was definitely better from the last one since it had pacing of the story, less time with the annoying parents, less shots on Autobots rolling from one road to the other, lesser perverse jokes (more skin though) and it made a bigger plot that covered the film in a cohesive manner which brought plans into fruition…that is total ANNIHILATION!

It’s a clear understatement on how Michael Bay was able to put up this franchise with his bravado and over the top visual special effects. That’s him, that’s how he presents himself! It’s how Bryan Singer take on cultural diversity and drama in super heroes, George Lucas in his adventure and space operas, Christopher Nolan’s noir and captivating mind numbing films. There are hundreds of film makers out there that give something to the fans and audiences that make or break them. To add, it might not be too farfetched how we see things in their own perspective and imagination!

This film should have been rather made into a Transformer universe centric platform in which the robots themselves provide the story, experience the conflict from the two factions and be able to win their own war whether on this planet or theirs without too much biological organisms running amok between towering machines with enough firepower to decimate the city!

This was given; this is actually an experience that we should always have to learn from! Michael did his best, did what he wanted with the film to make it as extraordinary as it is! It’s a sci-fi festival based story filled with angst, rivalry and destruction and to add, the battlefield is Earth…poor ol’ Earth! They took the chance; they made it happen at least we could watch something that gives us to think about, to discuss or be disgusted and to proclaim as heroes or curse the blasphemy of its intent! I never would have imagined what it’ll be like to turn these beloved animated series into films, that would be the coolest thing that you can ever dream off since your were 8 years old! To most of us we’ve been geeks in a certain point in time.

So, as I entered the cinema I was not too excited, maybe it was that I expected it to be the same old execution of the “Master of Anything Combustible” himself…Director Michael Bay!

Roll film…

The race for supremacy begins as the United States and Russia convene on sending their own to the moon! Nobody expected what was seen and experienced by the Astronauts and for years it has been instinctively regarded as a conspiracy and nothing more! For what lies in the dark of the moon is something more than meets the eye!

Enter undies… I mean the “main” protagonist Shia LeBeouf as Sam Witwicky, a blossoming actor he could even get really good projects after this one. He just needs to lessen his hyper activeness and take more of his pills on time! He has the same predicament with Ryan Reynolds who I see also needs to be a little more well rounded. He recently got a commendation from the President and he’s about to find a job and little is it known that a bigger cover up would be his source of strength and courage to fight once more for his own species!

Rosie Huntington-Whitely is the replacement squeeze for the “messenger man” himself. Carly as she is portrayed will be forever imprinted in our hearts and minds as one of the few women who have given a memorable… performance!!! If Megan can do it she can do it better and with style…yeah right! But frankly my dear I don’t give a damn! The way Michael Bay used her, there I said it!!! The way she dressed, flirted, acted was abhorring it was not even enough to let her subliminal foreplays, cavorting with Sam in most of her takes conclude her part! Even every man wants to get a piece of her, Michael, Michael, Michael!!! Sadly, she was only an eye candy! At least evidently, it gave more characters, major ones more air time and for new ones to be in their specific roles that needs to be carried out.

THE GOOD

Enter Sentinel Prime voiced by the one and only Leonard Nimoy who I believe is the best to voice the character on screen. Adverse and intolerant he plays a major part on the Cybertronian Wars ages ago and was revived on Earth for questions to be answered…he answered them alright, with a knife on the back! Die, Die, Die!!! Sorry, I got carried away but its ok I won’t tell who he stabbed at the back!

So it’s actually a “one robot show”, Optimus Prime for all the temperament and excellent display of wisdom and power we salute your courage our fearless leader. You knocked out every single boss in the film while the Autobots and the so called NEST soldiers were running around the city in circles!

 There was this red car and a blue one who I really did find interesting, except for the latter, his name is Wheel Jack then turned into Q and he is an old geezer for crying out loud! The Ferrari I thought was Sunstreaker but it turned out to be Mirage who later was changed into Dino?!? What’s wrong with this people? They didn’t just ruin the name but also the character!

The Impalas were new Autobots armed to the teeth and with an attitude to boot! I remember reading one of Michael Bay’s articles regarding Rusty and Mudflap not returning and he did mentioned a certain big amount of money to anyone who could recognize and to who could pinpoint the replacements, it was obvious right??? I can say they were Roadbuster and Leadfoot.

In this film Wheelie has his own buddy who gives more impressive results in tracking down the villains and helping the resistance!

The humans has their own help as well though indirectly and I believe they were obscure but gave their humorous side even short lived! John Malkovich plays Sam’s new employer Bruce Brazos whose wanton display of affection in his staff gives more meaning than his martial arts tough guy sentiment! Another was Ken Jeong, the company VP Jerry Wang who provides the comedy made worthy; he did made a connection here and there just to tie up some loose ends!

Too much for the line up, here is another set of allies for the Autobots! Frances McDormand plays Director Charlotte Mearing who was assigned to lead the NASA conspiracy project and coordinate with the Autobots to stop an impending doom! She was decent so to speak, did her job and made it professional enough even for the last minute to fall literary for John Turturro also known as former Special Agent Seymour Simmons, he reprises his role since the start of the franchise.

THE BAD

Megatron, poor Megatron! fading away like the sunset in Africa, once a mighty Decepticon tyrant now humbled by his ticks creeping in his half blown brain. I did like his new alter-ego though, a transport truck with a tarpaulin to cover his hideous face…well it was hideous from the start but a little bit more morbid this time!

Also, it was not clear or iterated on what Shockwave was doing with his pet worm digging underneath the city… down boy, down boy! Good wormy! They call it The Driller, but I prefer the former! He was one of the greats and the favourites of fans since G1, silent as he is brutal and he does a very good job at it! Shoots first and does not even ask any questions!

I wish Ravage was still in the film partnered with Laserbeak which I think would be an awesome combo! For Soundwave who returned by the way from an enormous floating satellite to a half-pint size car was just an input to say his intended goals and allegiance to the Decepticons. The Condor appearance as a spy was very impressive like his team mate Jaguar from the last film, he’s vicious and a murdering psychopath just like his master and Megatron would have wanted!

There were so many that jumped out of the space bridge and turned into vehicles which had no distinction if they were part of the army or the major characters. To move further, was it just me or did I see another scene of the Matrix Reloaded where in the highway they flipped, jumped over and destroyed cars??? I think they were the Dreads a sub-group to counter the Impalas but there were changing so quickly and it got too confusing!

From the inorganic to the organic, Patrick Dempsey plays Dylan a collector and race car driver by day and evil businessman (well he’s evil actually 24/7 as well), the boss of Carly who made a pact with the Decepticons back in the day and he preferred to be a pompous prick and coward rather than to be part of something better and help humanity not to become exterminated!

THE UGLY

It was a tiring, mind numbing, over the top film not to mention the editing department who handled the speech of President John Kennedy and his camera angles which even the sepia based screen capture didn’t save the difference on his face! Another one was a President Nixon’s speech on TV where a single shot was seen, his lips was not even moving while the camera was rolling…unbelievable!

To the field leaders of NEST and the jump crew were all part of the plan to make it more extravagant and would just like to say kudos to the stunt team! To Production, the Writers hard work does not connote effectiveness and efficiency of filmmaking. People will and still be looking for content and derivation of logic, we are not asking for much impression, it’s there already, the missing thing is adequateness of staying true to the culture. Things will change, yes! Talk about practicality but with a little less bang on the ears!

The film’s track also rang a bell! For bats that is!!! Why would they copy the Dark Knight’s score??? Was it just coincidence because many have made their claim that it was almost the same! On the lighter side, some heavy hitters are included and especially Linkin Park who serves as the house of sound to provide ear candy along with fan favourites Paramore, My Chemical Romance, Taking Back Sunday and others!

A shortened, predictable prologue that made the story culminate its objectives and plot. Definitely it sustained the trilogy, it was hard fought and yet found wanting, to be better and be able to project a conclusive end. A myriad of fireworks and mediocre storytelling which may have been the most dramatic and epic of this saga of robots that only wanted a place they can call their own, it was a pity that Earth had to suffer the price to become their surrogate home!

To finalize, I was kind of disappointed that a main protagonist was blown to pieces and sadly a traitor did it! But nevertheless, it was an entertaining film filled with moments of nausea and blurry eyes but it was honestly commendable for a story that was ambitious in its own way!

To Director Michael Bay, it was fun and for all you have concerted, the effort to make this film become a reality a round of applause to you and your team. We wish you good luck in your future endeavours!

To our Human Resources, the aforementioned position is now open kindly cc Steve and Paramount for the next instalment. Please make it clear to those applying that experience in explosives in their portfolio is not recommended and would rather focus on those who are trainable and has a wider scope of intellectual disposition in storytelling!

ADDENDUM:

Here we go again…installment number 4, need I say more?!?!

Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (2009)

This is Michael Bay at his finest… (can I get a bag I need to throw up!)

Paramount Pictures, DreamWorks Studios, di Bonaventura Pictures in association with Hasbro present…

A sequel being anticipated, Transformers was an undertaking in CGI filming and with Michael Bay calling the shots and Steven Spielberg Producing, people are going to fill in theatres in a blink of an eye!

Prologue…

The story started with a brief history on how The Fallen has been a part of human history, including our constant struggle to survive with these alien robotic life forms trampling our ways and means of life. Flash forward to modern day China, a group of military operatives together with the Autobots called the N.E.S.T are hunting down remaining Decepticons all over the globe. As a fight ensued from a construction site and down to the highways of Shanghai, the leader Optimus Prime heard in the final words of a Decepticon, the Fallen shall rise again!

Next stop United States! Where the main human protagonist Sam Witwicky is getting ready to go to college dealing with his parents, his love life and a “little” more of robots blasting his home to rubble not to mention with the help of his robot ally Bumblebee. Things are starting to fall into place! Sam soon realizes that the last remaining fragment of the all spark has been absorbed in his mind creating images of places and symbols that is vital to both factions and robots at war.

This is where the story gives its meaning and intention! The objective of the Autobots was to eradicate all remaining Decepticons in the planet and save it from their war that started in Cybertron. While the Decepticons focuses on raising their leader Megatron from the depths of the ocean and seek out a way to defeat the Autobots in this new world and bring back their descendant and powerful Master called the Fallen. With new robots from both sides things got a little uglier in this film since more characters need to have screen time as well.

For instance, there were ten Autobots and more than a dozen Decepticons in the limelight. I mean seriously, the robots have no way of doing their part due to this massive cast; I’m talking about the involvement of too many human characters crowding up space!

The parents were over acting (especially the Mom), constant sex perversions of robots towards Mikaela (for example the robot humping), another was the girl who follows Sam was actually a Decepticon in which were based on Transformers: God Master Force and the Pretenders in the animated series, how do you perceive something that was highly evolved wherein the main antagonists are still not in that same level of adapting or assimilating the humans? It was like Species in Terminator nanotech! And the balls of Devastator underneath John Turturro at the Pyramids was not even close to being funny or entertaining at all! It was nonsensical and worse wrapped around in sexual innuendos!

Also, the Twins were a horrible addition to the line up, of all characterizations that the Production Team would be able to incorporate to these robots it would be 2 buck toothed war freaks! Come on and to think that one of them can bring down Devastator, which was really over the top!!! As I’ve said in my comments, you could have at least placed Cliff Jumper, Gears or even Brawn in the line up! I think people will agree that Brawn does have the guts and strength to bring down the Constructicons! He’s small but he’s a powerhouse even back in the G1 animated series. On another note, why on earth did you made Sky Fire that old, you could have used the animation background of the character and made him more of a force to reckon with even helping in fighting off the gigantic lumbering oaf!

Too much hype ruined the interest of the movie goers and it failed them in watching this film. It also showed how Michael Bay was able to do a press conference in Japan when in fact he was not yet done with the editing. To add, it was stated as well that it was rushed in the final scenes and takes.

Michael even stated that the film was a success in spite mixed reviews and criticisms; it earned more than $300 M domestically. Well, you can say that is all about the money and to make your point that it was something just being based on a one sided prerogative!

On the other side, the CGI was good and to think they added formidable Decepticon main characters like Sound Wave and Ravage which was amazing! Sideswipe and Jolt was great even if they had a few minutes of time share! (more than I can say for Iron Hide and Ratchet)

Transformers 3 was released 2011 and more robots are expected to show up. I just hope that in my opinion, there are no dumb Autobots included, more time for the robot characters to actualize their plans in the story and no more perverted jokes which really was below the belt in this film!

 

 

Transformers (2007)

From an action packed classic animated sci-fi epic that finally comes to life letting you experience their world “more than meets the eye”!

Paramount Pictures and DreamWorks Studios in association with Hasbro present…

The Transformers was made originally by the Japanese (yes, you read it right, from Japan) toy company Takara Tomy with Hasbro in 1972 originated these robots with superior artificial intelligence that became a global phenomenon! Their concept was derived from the action figures of Microman and Diaclone which gave way to present designs of robots transforming into vehicles!

They were also serialized in the publications department through Marvel Comics in 1984 which coincided with the popular TV hit series with the same name, catapulting sales both in the printed media and in the merchandise category especially with the toys… and the rest was history!

Now, finally after more than three decades of waiting, the beloved 80’s robots will be seen on the big screen! Packed with non-stop fuel injected and slow motion captured stylized action courtesy of Director Michael Bay (Armageddon) with Producer Steven Spielberg (E.T.) as they collaborate for the first time to bring this sci-fi extravaganza into life! Steven gave suggestions being that he always applies sentimentalism and every day trials for the protagonists of his films and conveyed it to Michael which actually worked. Sam and Bumblebee became instant stars of the film (E.T anyone?) add in family “comedy” (right!) and of course a girl for the growing up teenager gives the foundation of the story stand on solid ground!

For Michael’s part, he has been always linked to block buster films which involves high octane chase scenes from cars who serves more than just an escape vehicle for the cops and felons, stylized camera shots and angles which nauseates audience to throw up and takes on big budget films like The Rock, Pearl Harbor, Bad Boys, Armageddon you name it he “blows it all up”! Besides the criticisms not all things are condemning! For his gifted proclivities with cars, he knows how to make these vehicles really look good while adding form to the skeletal base of the robots, the automobile parts incorporated makes it look realistic and modern looking!

 Academy Award Nominee Film Editor Paul Rubell (Collateral) takes on the intricate details that composes the whole cinematic experience with the help of Industrial Light & Magic who were given the heavy duty load for the SFX ranging from stunts after shot effects, backgrounds and separating the entirety of CGI composites from actual action sequences! To help with the responsibilities, Digital Domain took care of the Arctic scenes, the severed head of a Decepticon, a vending machine gone amok and all the “protoforms” of the Autobots!

The superstars (ehem), Shia LeBeouf (Eagle Eye) plays the direct descendant of explorer Capt. Archbold Witwicky who inadvertently discovered a “giant ice man”, he is Sam Witwicky a self-proclaimed “ladies man” who only needed good grades plus some cash to buy his rights to his own car and it was never been the same for that boy!

Megan Fox (Bad Boys II) in her debut starring film, she plays Mikaela Banes a clingy, high school student who doesn’t seem affected how she was treated that way in the film (we would not know would we?) she came to business with striking looks and that’s it! Their chemistry was alright just enough to survive the chaos and incoming debris also, let alone to the other males in the film trying to get a piece of her whenever available!

Rounding off the supporting cast, Josh Duhamel (Turistas) is Capt. William Lennox, who leads a group of survivors from an initial attack at one of their bases (English please!) and Tyrese Gibson (2 Fast 2 Furious)as USAF Tech Sgt. Robert Epps, are brothers -at-arms coming out from Qatar! Veteran actors Jon Voight (Enemy of the State) is Secretary of Defence John Keller and John Turturro (Men of Respect) portrays Agent Simmons who provides the additional energy (other than Shia) to bring the movie with a little contradiction on the human aspect! Finally, after a long list from the “organic” species we take a bow for bringing into the world its “would be saviour”, Kevin Dunn (Live Free or Die) and his better half Julie White (Slap Her, She’s French!) as Sam’s “compromising” parents Ron and Judy Witwicky (He was not given his mocker Sparkplug)! Wow, what a roster don’t you think? To think this is a film compromising of robots at war! (this is not even half of it)

Least we not forget the “actual” heroes and villains of the film starting with Peter Cullen (Robotix) who gives life to the altruistic Leader of the Autobots Optimus Prime, an outstanding talent since the G1 animated series, Peter has been Prime’s vocal chords since the 80’s and still revving up his engine like a well oiled machine, unbelievable! I still have goose bumps when he was coming out from the smoke into an alley to meet his new allies! His deputy Jazz was given to Darius McCrary’s (The Breaks) how unfortunate he was an immediate casualty! Bumblebee’s humming was from Mark Ryan (The Prestige) and lastly, Ratchet the medical officer is given life by Robert Foxworth (Six Feet Under)! On the other hand, his nemesis Megatron was resurrected by an amazing actor Hugo Weaving (V for Vendetta) his tone always adhered terror and uncontested obedience from his loyal warriors, Hail Megatron! Speaking of “loyalty” Starscream his second in command has other plans in mind, he is voiced by Charlie Adler who has given animation both from films and series his services. Reno Wilson (Crank) is Frenzy a cohort of Barricade which in turn was voiced by Jess Harnell who also showed allegiance with the Autobots as Ironhide!

Negative reviews were also an influx especially with the too much screen time of humans rather than focusing on the two clans back story. Another thing was, certain topics which were not appropriate were blatantly covered across the film and it was the awkward moments of sexually induced themes leading to the female main protagonist played by Megan who in so many times was treated as a sex object, also coming from the parents and even by the robots themselves!

Kudos goes to the designers and artists who gave their phenomenal work into place! Alex Jaeger heads the group for VFX, combining automotive design courses plus more than a decade experience with ILM gives the man the needed ingenuity to keep the “motors running”!

Working with Michael who is also a “gear head” was easier to partake the objectives while coordinating with LA Art Department to supervise and oversee their initial inputs as he guide them to compose better transformation effects for each robot!

Robert Orci and Alex Kutzman administered the writing assignments where Robert even gave meaningful injections to the robots “alien” look which gave the “protoform” effect look fantastic seeing it gives more reason for them to assimilate earth based vehicles and then incorporate them to their body structures and be literally invisible to the public be it day or night!

They also provided the film the needed energy integrating action, comedy, drama and morals (laughing out loud)! But seriously, it did not really sit well in terms of having the responsibilities of an adolescent getting mixed up with the military, although it would be boring just to let the relationship of Sam with his unorthodox and eccentric parents linger for the next 144 minutes while letting Mikaela just jump in whenever she wants! The Screenplay were also done by the Writers who explicitly made sure that the military aspect was not in relation to G.I. JOE but rather than use it as a backdrop to allow the concept of the Decepticons (bad robots) to make use of their ability to maximise their ways and means of destruction!

Garnering a worldwide box-office record of $709.7 million in ticket sales! The Transformers was a monumental achievement with a lot of potential in the franchise for the upcoming sequels! It was fun, entertaining, mind numbing and exhausting to watch! A sequel is in the horizon which sheds a better light in the history of these mechanical mammoths as we do “try to understand” what it’s like for a Prime to “Fall”!