Tag: Superhero

The DC League of Super-Pets is All Bark, Little Bite

As for which team will save the day in The DC League of Super-Pets, that’s not too hard to guess.

DC League of Super-Pets

The DC League of Super-Pets isn’t anything spectacular when considering who is behind the attempt to deconstruct the Justice League. This movie is not as appealing for comic book fans, since its designed for kids to enjoy.

I didn’t feel the need to watch this movie right away. Not even Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson can convince his legions of fans to see this film since he’s in the starring role. He voices Krypto, Superman’s ever faithful canine. When his master (John Krasinski) is ready to propose to Lois (Olivia Wilde), the dog feels underappreciated and gets jealous.

The writing team of Jared Stern and John Whittington have crafted a better tale than LEGO Batman because it’s not pandering. I had to chuckle as his chunky physique, and that’s not because he’s overweight. All the superheroes are redesigned to look like caricatures of what they represent. Unlike Ninjago the Movie, the dialogue isn’t as juvenile. What’s developed here is more natural, and shows some understanding of the lore from the comics.

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The Heroic Trio Kickstarts Fantasia 2022’s Legendary Classic Film Block This Weekend

Not only do we get to see three terrific Chinese actresses—Anita Mui, Maggie Cheung and Michelle Yeoh—at their prime in The Heroic Trio, but also it is an homage to all the campy superhero shows of the past.

The Heroic Trio

Playing July 16 and 28 at Fantasia 2022 at the Salle J.A. De Sève
Please visit website link for showtimes

The timing couldn’t be better for the comeback of The Heroic Trio. Not only do we get to see three terrific Chinese actresses—Anita Mui, Maggie Cheung ane Michelle Yeoh—at their prime (this movie originally came out in 1993), but also it is an homage to all the campy superhero shows of the past.

Yeoh appeared in numerous pictures, but the fact the movie, Everything, Everywhere All At Once, is a spectacular hit has her on the radar again. Cheung is just as active, and Mui, before her passing, was known for her roles alongside Jackie Chan.

To Kei-fung’s directorial vision acknowledges the outrageous fun found in the history of works they’ve done, but also extends further. For example, we find nods to The Green Hornet, Flash Gordon, Tim Burton’s Batman and Wonder Woman. Nobody should be astonished that the heroines, Invisible Woman (Mui) and Wonder Woman (Yeoh), are familiar names. In contrast, they are nothing like their Marvel and DC Comics counterparts. I’m sure Kei-fung knew what he was doing and was paying tribute to their influence on Chinese pop culture.

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Doctor Strange is More than Multiverse of Madness. Thoughts and A Review

Doctor Strange: Multiverse of Madness takes notes from Wandavision and Loki, and goes further with it.

Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness poster.jpgSpoiler Alert

One terrific thing about having Sam Raimi back to making comic book films is in how those movies are imbued with his viceral style. His passion for whichever property he’s sculpting will forever bear his mark. That’s especially evident with Spider-Man 2, and in Doctor Strange: Multiverse of Madness, the use of Dutch angles or some other cinematic trick distinguishes which universe the master of mystic arts is in. Seeing this film through the eyes of the monster is another camera technique he loves using.

This MCU product feels more Evil Dead than anything else and I love it since it may even suggest Marvel’s Zombieverse will return. This film marks the second time the heroes have visited this realm. Marvel’s What If (“…Zombies!?”) introduced fans to this danger.

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Roye Okupe’s Windmaker is Simply Explosive

I recommend Roye Okupe’s Windmaker because it has everything I want to see in Black Panther 2.

WindmakerDark Horse Comics
Available to purchase on Amazon USA

The art and story in Roye Okupe‘s Windmaker looks like it’s inspired by Avatar: The Last Airbender and I think the homage is intentional. Instead of a familiar tale, we have something different that draws from African lore. The Dragon Stones do more than represent the elements; they play a role in the broader universe that this author created. These jewels also grant the holder super abilities.

But some knowledge of this techno-fantasy is required: The Kingdom of Atala was invaded by the Olon Jin centuries ago, and these “false gods” weren’t helping the people at all. The citizens revolted, and these aliens were banished to an island instead of back to whence they came. Over the centuries, this country developed at a pace to perhaps even rival Wakanda from the MCU–but as for who rules this kingdom, that’s uncertain. There’s corruption in the government, and a hero needs to rise within the ranks to prevent another dictatorship from forming.

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Is Sonic the Hedgehog Two or Three Times the Coming Thing?

Sonic the Hedgehog 2 Movie PosterIn the sequel to Sonic the Hedgehog, the speedster lost his world to a war between different animal tribes. The first film revealed how his owl guardian sent him off to another planet to stay safe, like Superman. The humans he’s met–Tom (James Marsden) and Maddie Wachowski (Tika Sumpter)–became his surrogate parents.

Sonic doesn’t have the chops for super heroics in the introduction. It’s easy to tell he (fondly voiced by Ben Schwartz) takes after the heroes from the comic books he reads, like the aforementioned crusader and The Flash from the DC universe. Alternatively, he’s even like Quicksilver in 20th Century Studios’ X-Men (prequel) cinematic universe. The visual reminders are needed since not everyone will remember the visual direction and story arc the first film sets up. This sequel takes place a few months after.

Commander Walters (Tom Butler) is back and the reason behind one of the subplots. All the key supporting characters return as they play a role in either Sonic’s well being or wanting to study his power.

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Is There the Meaning of Life Behind Sony’s Morbius?

Spider-Man is getting a new villain to face and his name is Morbius. From the eponymous Spawn to the enigmatic Mysterio, the gambit of who he has to contend with is well covered.

Spider-Man Spinoff Morbius Starring Jared Leto Gets a New PosterSpider-Man is getting a new villain to face and his name is Morbius. From the eponymous Spawn to the enigmatic Mysterio, the gambit of who he has to contend with is well covered. But when the producers think this latest antihero (well played by Jared Leto) deserves a solo outing, there’s simply not enough backstory to fill a movie. 

It could’ve been expanded upon to showcase a classic Golden Age of Monsters showdown between a vampire and lycanthrope. What viewers are getting instead is a man with questionable ethics wanting to do good. Is he bad or just mad? I’d rather see him fight an alternate universe of himself instead of his best friend Lucian (Matt Smith) who has no morals at all. Interestingly, he’s more of a creature of darkness rather than a symbol of light, if I’m to consider the origins of his name. This character’s name means, “Brightness, radiant energy, that which makes things visible.“

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