THE AVENGERS

The Avengers is a hugely ambitious project from Marvel Studio's. Even a hardcore DC man like myself can praise Marvel for the balls it has for even attempting to make this movie. Before even getting to the point of production Marvel had to set up three franchises and  a relaunch. Not only that, these movies franchises had be successful (sadly the Hulk relaunch did not fare as well as the others). With the individual franchises establish, and the seeds for this movie sewn into them, the question then became whether a team movie like this could work and give enough screen time to characters that are already supporting their own movies. Like I say, ambitious.

Marvel Studio's turned to geek legend Joss Whedon to turn the idea of a team movie into a reality. Whilst Whedon may seem to be a safe choice as a writer (there are very few better or on a par) given his fine ensemble work with Buffy and Angel, he was a bit of a gamble as the director with his only big screen directorial outing to date being, the admittedly excellent, Serenity (which was based on his unfairly short lived TV series Firefly). The gamble pays off. Whedon has crafted an epic enjoyable superhero movie with crackling dialogue and big action. Michael Bay should take note of how to do big climatic fight scenes in a city and make it enjoyable. Michael, this is how it is done.

X-Men and Star Trek movies have shown that having a large ensemble can cause some characters to become marginalised. So, how does The Avengers fare in relation to its large cast?

Downey, Jr as Tony Stark/Iron Man has all the best lines and threatens to steal the show until the Hulk shows up. Jackson is effortlessly cool as Nick Fury. Whedon is at his best when writing strong female characters and this shows with Black Widow. Thor and Captain America have great character moments (it is like a comic book fan wet dream seeing Hulk vs Thor on the big screen). 

The movie though belongs to Tom Hiddleston as Loki. A excellently nuanced villain performance by the actor (up there with Ledger's Joker) that shows the actor is clearly enjoying himself, and the dialogue he has been given. The performance never veers into mustache twirling camp.


One of the biggest challenges facing Whedon was Bruce Banner and his alter ego, the Hulk. After the public falling out between the Studio and Norton, Mark Ruffalo was brought in as the third big screen version of the Hulk. Ruffalo brings a twitchy nervousness to Banner, compared to the calmness of Norton, and a gorilla like quality to the Hulk. The Hulk as a character is visually different to the previous big screen iterations and contributes to some of the films funnier moments. Whedon, rightly, focuses on Banner and it is well over an hour before you see his big green rage monster side.

Despite all that is good about the film doesn't mean there are no flaws: the CGI is, at times, dodgy; Johansson is not the best actress (think female Keanu Reeves); the invading alien army are ciphers; the characters of Hawkeye and Maria Hill seem under used and under developed; Captain America, as a character, is charisma free and dull; and the Captain America costume doesn't wholly work.

The Avengers takes the tropes of the comic books such heroes fighting before the join forces for the greater good or the apocalyptic battle that takes place (particularly in relation to Marvel) in New York and transfers them to the big screen. And it turns out the secret to making this film work was in embracing the comic book element and mix it with some great character work.

Overall, The Avengers is a very, very enjoyable superhero movie and kicks off the blockbuster season in style.

Final Rating: 4/5

You grow up in a certain era and it really doesn't matter how bad a movie is potentially going to be...:-

Okay, so, here is my question: with Eric Roberts (man is seriously cool) in first flick, where da fug is Michael Ironside?!?!?!?!?!?

Man, this movie is going to be all shades of awesome:-

More images can be found at CBR.

BATMAN: YEAR ONE

Credits: Frank Miller (w); David Mazzuchelli (a)

Collects Batman Vol. 1 #404 to #407

Batman: Year One tells the parallel tale of the beginning of Bruce Wayne's career as Batman and James Gordon's career with Gotham PD. Over the course of the story, Gordon and Batman's individual paths begin to intertwine to become a partnership between two men looking to do some good in one of the most corrupt, crime ridden city's in the USA.

This story shows Bruce Wayne's journey from a man motivated by anger to become a mythic guardian of the city. But the interesting part of Batman: Year One is that this is not a book about Batman, being more of a supporting player, but this is the story of Jim Gordon.

Through Gordon we are introduced to Gotham City. Gotham is owned by the mob. The police are corrupt and above the law they try to uphold. There are very few good, honest cops in the city and Gordon is one of them.

Gordon, in many Batman stories, has felt like a cipher. There to set up the crime and the criminal for Batman to deal with, or act as an expositional sounding board. The James Gordon showcased in Batman: Year One, however, has never felt more human. He is a flawed man who believes in doing what is right to "protect and serve" the people of Gotham, even if that includes becoming an ally of a vigilante in a bat suit.

As the book progresses we are also introduced to Selina Kyle. Over the course of the year Selina goes from being a whore to a cat burglar. This is an interesting departure from the original origin of the character, but fitting in the overall narrative on display, and one that does not seem to have a place in continuity any longer. Selina's reformation from prostitute to costumed thief acts not only as a mirror to Bruce's journey, but also provides us with evidence of the effect the Batman is starting to have on the people of Gotham.

The script by Frank Miller channels 1970's noir movies like Taxi Driver, Serpico and The French Connection and mixes them with a hard boiled dash of Raymond Chandler. Miller offers us a gritty, realistic Gotham whose bleakness can force a man to dress as a giant bat to battle the criminal element that controls every level of the city's infrastructure.

David Mazzuchelli's art is simply stunning. His figures are clean and dynamic. Gotham City itself feels like it is torn from pictures in the newspaper, an ugly city covered in grime and shadows.

Batman: Year One is grim and uncompromising but full of humanity and hope. The strength of the story comes from the fact that Batman: Year One has no big name villains or grand schemes for the destruction of Gotham. This is the story of two men, the friendship they forge and the mistakes they make as they set out, on a what is a losing battle, to tackle street crime and corruption.

Here is a link to a wonderful written piece in the Guardian by Tom Hiddleston, who shall be seen as Loki in "The Avengers", in the defense of the superhero movie genre.

QUICKIES

Sucker Punch - Zack Snyder is at his best when he is marrying visuals with music, and it cannot be denied that Snyder has a visual flair. However, the framing story in between the stunning set pieces are completely lacking and drag the film down.  Dodgy feminism aside, there is a pleasure to be had in an action movie of this size being anchored by female leads.Overall Sucker Punch makes you feel like you are hanging out watching a mate play on his X-Box for two hours. However, there is something strangely enjoyable to be had from the film. Final Rating: 2/5

The French Connection - Brilliant performances from Gene Hackman and Roy Scheider. Well crafted, almost documentary, direction from William Friedkin. The greatest car chase in the history of cinema. The French Connection is not just one of the best movie of the 1970's but is a gritty, crime noir classic. Final Rating: 5/5

Star Trek (2009) - Bucking the trend of the odds/evens rule of the franchise, Star Trek manages to perfectly capture the spirit of the Original Series. However, Eric Bana is a little wasted in the villain role. The plot does borrow heavily from Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan, but this is never a bad thing. A little less lense flare in the future though, Mr Abrams. Final Rating: 3/5

The Last Exorcism - For about 75 minutes this is a well made psychological thriller, even though the mockumentary aspect has long run it's course. However, the last 10 minutes are so out of place and bad that it manages to drag the film down and makes it a truly awful film experience. What where the writers, producers and director thinking? Final Rating: 2/5


Hot Tube Time Machine - Part John Cusack comedy, part gross out comedy and part time travel adventure comedy. The major problem with Hot Tub is that these different threads don't mesh together to make a cohesive film. Whilst there are many amusing moments throughout there is only really one laugh out loud moment, that really makes you tear up laughing. Hot Tub isn't a bad movie, but neither does it bother the top 100 comedies of all time either. Final Rating: 3/5

18 April 1938, Superman makes his debut in Action Comics #1

The top five Superman artists:-


Bryan Hitch
Doug Mahnke
Curt Swan
Ivan Reis
Darwyn Cooke


The top five Batman artists:-


Neal Adams
Norm Breyfogle 
Scott McDaniel
Kelley Jones
Lee Bermejo


The top five Wonder Woman artists:-


Brian Bolland
Cliff Chiang 
Adam Hughes 
Drew Johnson 
Ivan Reis 

JLA: NEW WORLD ORDER

Credits: Grant Morrison (w); Howard Porter (a); John Dell (i)

Collects JLA #1 to #4

It was the summer of 1997 and I was losing interest in comic books. I was regularly collecting the Batman titles, the Superman titles were not my cup of tea at the time (Joe Kelly would come along and change that for me) and Byrne was not doing it for me on Wonder Woman. Then I walked into the Comix Shoppe in Swansea one sunny Saturday afternoon and all that changed.

On the shelf, for a paltry £5.00, was the JLA: New World Order TPB (trade paperback for those not in the know). Now whilst I had been exposed the Justice League of America before I was never really taken with the line up of B to Z listers that populated the League. But on the cover of this TPB was the "Big Seven": Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Aquaman, Flash, Green Lantern and Martian Manhunter. This iteration of the League was different, it captured my interest. So I plunked down my money and purchased the book. Smart move on my part.

A group of galactic super-powered beings, the Hyperclan, have come to Earth and have pledged to heal the world and prevent the catastrophes that have affected their worlds. The populace accept them but the superhuman community are reluctant, with Superman being vocal of their displays of power. The "new" JLA soon discover that the Hyperclan are using mind control and head out to stop them from conquering Earth. The JLA are captured by the Hyperclan and are to be executed on TV. However, the Hyperclan have left Batman for dead. Big mistake.

Compared to the rest of Grant Morrison's run on the JLA this arc was fairly straight forward superhero fare. It does set out how Morrison was going to treat the characters and how he was going treat the title: big end of the world threats that needed the Worlds Greatest Superheroes.

Despite having limited exposure to Green Lantern, Flash and Aquaman this was the story and the comic that really introduced me to the characters. It is JLA that started my love of Kyle Rayner (Hal Jordan had never really interested me). Sadly, despite the fact that I enjoyed his character in JLA, it could never really ignite any real interest in the Flash for me (I think it's the power set). Superman became cooler again, whilst Batman somehow became even cooler. It was also the JLA that allowed me to love Wonder Woman again (Greg Rucka was still awhile away at this point).

On the art side Howard Porter and John Dell managed to keep up with the large, cinematic idea's that Morrison was putting forward. Also introducing me to "Kirby dots" in the process. There were points that I found the facial features a bit off. However, the layouts were fantastic and their figures heroic.

JLA: New World Order reintroduced a love of comics in my life and showed me the possibilities of story telling in the medium. For me this was the Justice League as it should be.

QUICKIES

A very special "Quickies" installment as I lived the dream and saw three films in one day. And so, without further ado, the "Quickies" verdicts:-

Headhunters (Hodejegerne) - A taut, well crafted Scandanavian crime thriller. However, this film would have felt more at home on BBC4 on a Saturday night rather than on the big screen. Final Rating: 3/5

21 Jump Street - An amusing big screen adaptation of a uninteresting 1980's TV series. Channing Tatum bucks a trend and is surprisingly good whilst Jonah Hill plays the same ol' schtick he has in numerous movies. 21 Jump Street tries to straddle the buddy cop and high school comedy genres and often fails on both counts. It does, however, possess a comedic charm that sees it through to the end. There are worse ways to spend two hours. Final Rating: 3/5

Cabin in the Woods - An ironic look at horror/slasher movie cliches, Cabin in the Woods can sometimes to be a little to ironically cliche for it's own good. Full of fine performances and sparkling Joss Whedon dialogue. Cabin is an enjoyable, blood soaked 90 minutes. There are not many better genre movies than this. Cabin has a very interesting premise and an ending that doesn't allow for umpteen sequels that will eventually water down the franchise. Final Rating: 3/5


Each film had the same trailer for the Amanda Seyfried movie "Gone" that makes the film look so generic and lacking in any real originality. I am saying here and now that Wes Bentley, who is in the trailer for all of 5 seconds at best, is the big bad of the movie. The lack of inspiration and originality on show in the trailer alone does not bode well for the movie in general.

My top ten favourite comic book characters of all time:-


10. Savage Dragon

9. Captain Britain

8. Kyle Rayner

7. Lois Lane

6. Dick Grayson

5. Spider-Man

4. Oracle

3. Wonder Woman

1= Batman

1= Superman

Updated: The more I have thought about it since the completion of this list the more I have come to realise my original choice for number 9 was incorrect. As such, Katherine Kane/Batwoman is out and Captain Britain is in.

Whilst Batwoman may, one day, return to the list, I cannot justify her inclusion over such other personal favourites as Adam Strange, Hellboy or The Spectre.

What strikes me the most about this list, looking back over it, is the inclusion of two Marvel characters. I am a solid DC man and don't actually collect any Marvel comics (other than the three Captain Britain and MI:13 collections).

The New 52 has brought a change of costume to Superman in the comics. Today has saw the release of Smallville: Season 11 bringing another costume change to the Man of Steel. In the future there is to be the release of Earth 2 (bringing us a further ongoing Superman costume) and the second volume of Earth One.

Classic Superman:

Earth One Superman:

Earth 2 Superman:

New 52 Superman:

Smallville Superman:

Personally, I like the Smallville version. It keeps the feel of the classic suit but gets rid of the speedo's (of which I was never a fan). Strangely the two tone blue also works in the suit. I would, however, add the high collar from the New 52 version of the suit to the Smallville version. I would, also, get rid of the yellow as it has never sat right with me. 

A new hi-res image of Catwoman from The Dark Knight Returns:-

My top three movies of all time (until now at least):-

3. The Artist

2. Pan's Labyrinth

1. The Shawshank Redemption

For the sake of fairness, I would say that Superman: The Movie is basically my Star Wars (yes, George, Star Wars not Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope) in that this is the movie that defined my love of not just the character but the genre and comics as a whole. Messrs Donner, Reeve et al are to blame....

QUICKIES

The Hunger Games - Cliche ridden, thirty minutes too long with a strong central performance from Jennifer Lawrence. The Hunger Games is an enjoyable film, though maybe more for the DVD audience rather than a cinema audience. Final Rating: 3/5

The Hangover Part 2 - A vile, borderline nasty and unfunny remake of the first movie. The Hangover Part 2 is without any redeeming quality. Final Rating: 1/5

The Muppets - Charming, often funny movie with an abundance celebrity cameo's but does become so saccharine at points that it may give the viewer diabetes. The Muppets may be more for adults of a certain age rather than kids. Final Rating: 3/5

Green Lantern - Lacking at script level, poor casting and workman like direction. There seemed to be a good movie to be seen within Green Lantern that was failed to be properly realised by all those involved. The CGI, Mark Strong and Peter Sarsgaard were the few highlights of the movie. Final Rating: 2/5

Requiem for a Dream - Bleak and uncompromising. At times just downright depressing. Reqiuem for a Dream is a fine movie from Darren Aronofsky filled with a visual flair. Final Rating: 4/5

The logo for 2013's Superman reboot has been revealed:

I really quite like it. It manages to be both classic and modern. Not sure I like the usage of the same font from "The Dark Knight" though.


(Source: Man of Steel Facebook page)