Deadpool, Solo Mercenary or Hero in Disguise? A Movie Commentary & Review

Ryan Reynolds is born to play the sarcastic anti-hero Deadpool far better than his previous role in Green Lantern.

By Ed Sum (The Vintage Tempest)

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Ryan Reynolds is born to play the sarcastic anti-hero Deadpool far better than his previous role in Green Lantern. I did not find the latter movie utterly terrible. It just suffered from too much CGI and a goofy plot. But as for the previous version of this mercenary, I thought the previous incarnation suffered from lack of a solid concept and in how the producers did not understand the character at all. No prior knowledge is required to realize who he is in this latest entry into the Marvel Cinematic Universe helmed by Marvel Entertainment. Technically, he belongs to 20th Century Fox, but a few nods suggests the possibility he will enter the fray when the movie version of the Infinity Wars begin. In the comics, the cosmic entity Death once took an interest in this mercenary with a heart, recognizing the fact they are kindred spirits.

A few ideas are taken from the comics outlining his origins. In what’s expanded upon, his beef these days is with stalkers preying upon innocent girls. In a previous life, he was a mercenary for hire. Just where he got his training and killer instincts are mildly explored. More detail would have helped define this movie as a game-changer, especially when he’s known by a few super-heroic groups as a man needing a just mission instead of being on one fuelled by hate. In this film’s case, it’s to put to rest his anger for the mad scientist, Ajax / Francis Freeman (Ed Skrein), who created him. Some people would be glad to acquire super powers but for wade, he does not quite want it. He just wants his life back before the experiment.

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The Magic’s Gone with the Fantastic Four, A Review

By Ed Sum (The Vintage Tempest)

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It’s a foregone conclusion to know that the Fantastic Four 2015 movie is going to fail. Reboot, remake or reimaging … the reality here is that there was interference while this movie was being crafted. The responsibility of a movie’s success or failure can include how strongly the studio’s executive producers want something in the film instead of the director. When they do not understand the world of comic book fandom, they should not get involved. When a few people have been involved in other works, there’s hope.

Writer/Director Josh Trank‘s one hit wonder, Chronicle, does not mean he should handle a keystone Marvel property like Fantastic Four. After a lamentable X-Men: The Last Stand, writer Simon Kinberg took a long time to prove himself to fans with his work in the very enjoyable animated television series Star Wars Rebels and well made X-Men: Days of Future Past. Jeremy Slater, the third member of the writing team, does not have enough cred to say if he’s even at fault here. To wonder if these three shared the chores of crafting this film equally or they worked independently in certain segments only reveals a muddled product that is not helping these new four heroes any. As far as some producers are concerned, it’s all about the financial gains a franchise can offer over a film by fans for fans. Where’s Joss Whedon when we need him?

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Rating the X-Men Films from Best to Worst

The quantitative number seven is enough to allow me to start ranking which cinematic X-men universe movies are superior, and this list goes from best to worst.

By Ed Sum (The Vintage Tempest)

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The quantitative number seven is enough to allow me to start ranking which cinematic X-men universe movies are the best. Not every movie makes the grade in terms of its storytelling value or replay potential. Sometimes, what makes the film is in how it fits in with the comic book canon even though the cinematic world beats to its own drum. Presented here is a list from best to worst.

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An Apocalypse is coming for X-Men

by Ed Sum (The Vintage Tempest)

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Apparently, 20th Century Fox is confident that X-Men: Days of Future Past will be a hit, and hot off the twitter feed of director Bryan Singer is a hint that another movie will happen in 2016! Fans can mark May 27, 2016 for when X-Men: Apocalypse will hit theatres.

But for people who are unfamiliar with who this ancient mutant is, he’s a character introduced back in the mid 80’s in the comic X-Factor. His goal is to remake the world in his own image, and his adage was simply that of survival of the fittest. This grey skinned human was born nearly 5000 years ago in the nation of Akkaba and although he was shunned, he managed to learn how to survive through the ages either by being a progeny of death or by forcing civilizations to worship him. His ability to transform his body into any kind of matter or shape makes him very dangerous!

But in time, he would discover advanced alien technology that would cyberform him and further enhance his mutant ability. He took a page from the Bible and created the Four Horseman of the Apocalypse. In the comics that introduced him, he was out to kidnap certain mutants who could aptly represent the Horseman.

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In X-Factor, he turned Angel, who lost his wings, into Archangel. Instead of downy feathers, this evil mutant gave Angel, new metallic ones under the promise that he would serve him. Some comic-book readers may have been introduced to this character this way.

Although his origin has not deviated much from more recent comic book releases and in animated form, to see how this character will translate to film will be exciting to follow. As for how much of his origin will get explained, if it does, and how it will follow from the Days of Future Past will depend on which Marvel Universe continuity Singer will choose from.

Apocalypse is a very popular villain. He was ranked as IGN’s #3 most popular X-men villain in 2008. As for where he stands in a broader poll, he’s at #24.

X-Men: Days of Future Past Trailer

By James Robert Shaw (The Wind up Geek)

There is a lot to be had with the new X-Men: Days of Future Past trailer. It’s offering not only some indications there will be lots of action. But knowing that Bryan Singer has returned to the film might mean we’ll get a more ensemble cast film as the first two movies rather than the Storm/Wolverine movie the third installment became. Don’t get me wrong, I respect them as actors but the reason I go to see an X-men film is because of the team, not the individual.

But the question I would ask, which I am sure many others will, is where are the Sentinels?

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_9-9U6Rm46U&w=420&h=315]

X-men: Days of Future Past will hit theatres on May 23, 2014.