Captain Marvel, mini movie review

Rating: B-

Captain Marvel.

The first released solo female superhero film in the MCU.

It came out last Friday, International Women's Day, not by mistake, I'm sure.  Women's Day was plastered everywhere on the web.  I actually had to look up when International Men's Day was, November 19th, as I don't remember it being celebrated.  And then I looked up when International Taco Day was, there isn't one, but National Taco day is October 4th.  Mark that on you calendars . . . and then scratch it out, because taco's should be loved every day of the year.

Captain Marvel, the movie, is pretty big news.  It grossed to high expectations, bringing in a cool $150 million, showing that movies headlined by gals can be successful.  This is good, honestly.  Though, now that I've seen it, if I was to choose between Captain Marvel and Wonder Woman, film wise, I'm going with Wonder Woman.  Stronger movie overall.

Vers (Brie Larson) is a Kree shoulder fighting the Skrull in a never ending succession of battles.  If you've been following Agents of Shield then you know who the Kree are, not going to spoil anything.  Vers has no memory of her past, just the last 6 years she's been fighting, and her gift of energy powers that remain repressed for control.  It's during a battle with the Skrull that she is captured, her mind opened, and suddenly she realizes her past might not be what she thought.  Flashes of Earth enter and confuse.  And thus begins her awakening.

1990's Earth was fun to see, and we see Vers venture through a Blockbuster video store.  (Is Blockbuster video now a symbol of 90's nostalgia?  Wow.  I will not insert how old I'm feeling right now, but dang, serious? Heh.)  And we get to see a young Nick Fury and Agent Coulson.  (Suddenly I want an old school Fury and Coulson movie, Men in Black style.  How awesome would that be??)  Captain Marvel is Vers/Carol Danvers origin story, but in some ways it's Fury's, too.

The highlights of Captain Marvel was Nick Fury.  The special effects/makeup department did a good job making him young.  I also enjoyed that cat and the Stan Lee tribute.

In terms of the movie itself.  It wasn't bad, but it's not my favorite Marvel film.  It might grow on me.  The editing was rough in spots.  The flashback scenes at times jarring.  The 90's music, though trying to be like Guardians of the Galaxy, was not as successful.  And Vers/Carol has Star Wars Rey moments.  I'll leave it at that.

Captain Marvel is worth seeing if you like super hero flicks or simply want to see how this connects to the larger MCU and the ongoing Avengers story line.

MPAA: Rated PG-13 for sequences of sci-fi violence and action, and brief suggestive language.

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. II, mini movie review

Rating: A-

Guardians of the Galaxy, Vol. II!!!  A movie full of epic space mayhem, flashy battles, and stellar 70's music.  Honestly the first movie was quite a pleasant surprise.  There's a talking raccoon!!  It seemed poised for disaster, but it was full of a lot of fun with great characters, plot, and action.  This second installment lives up to the first movie.

Peter Quill and the gang are back, baby Groot in tow, saving the galaxy as they rock out.  Along the way they pick up some new friends and foes.  Ayesha is the leader of the Sovereign race, genetically superior golden people with a bad taste towards theft and an awesome battle system.  Mantis is an alien with special abilities and a total sweetheart.  Peter meets someone who sheds light around where he comes from and why he exists, aka how is it Peter was able to hold an infinity stone in his hand without dying?

This second Guardians of the Galaxy is simply a rocking good time balanced with humor, action, and good music.  The new characters add a lot to this imaginative world.  I was afraid I wasn't going to care for Mantis, but she's a really enduring character and I like how she interacts with Quill's crew.  Yondu and Nebula are also back, adding interesting depth to the story and what it means to be a family.

Also Kurt Russell plays Ego.  There's a flashback scene with a younger Kurt Russell and the CGI is incredible!  Leaps and bounds ahead of Tron: Legacy which showed a young Jeff Bridges.  Technology has come so far, though CGI Leia at the end of Rogue One is still creepy, not CGI baby creepy from a certain (*cough* Twilight *cough*) movie, but still creepy.  Young Russell is impressive.

And I Love Baby GROOT!!!!  AHHH the cuteness!

See Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. II if you loved the first.  (If you haven't seen the first you will want to find a copy, as the first movie is referenced at times without deep explanation.)

MPAA: Rated PG-13 for sequences of sci-fi action and violence, language, and brief suggestive content.

P.S. I like the music in Vol. II over Vol. I.
 

Captain America: Civil War, mini movie review

Rating: 4.25 out of 5

Captain America has been at the forefront of comic book controversy, and as I have strong feelings about a "certain" reveal, which I'll briefly discuss later, this review isn't about that, though it's been on my mind.

Captain America is my favorite superhero.  It might be because I bleed red, white, and blue, but it is his moral courage I love.  His bravery to walk alone for something he strongly believes in.  He's the American ideal that many of us now crave, and that many of our ancestors fought, and in some cases (even in my own family tree) sacrificed their lives for.

When I was a kid I was a DC girl, loving Batman and Superman, going back and forth between them (well, that last movie they were in put a nail in the Superman Batman coffin ), but now . . . (I was going to say my heart belongs to Captain America, but it's not mentally healthy to give your heart to a fictional character), I really respect him.  He's a swell guy, and Captain America: Civil War does him justice.

Civil War feels like an off shoot Avengers movie, only the other Avengers play side characters between the war brewing between Steve and Tony.

There's an International treaty of sorts they must sign; every superhero must decide if they want to be held accountable to a UN like group, dictating what battles they may or may not fight, or they must go into retirement.  There's no alternative.  (And this is where I get frustrated), there are many in the World who fear the Avengers because of how many civilians  die in each battle.  These "vigilantes" cause more harm then good. (So the alternative is to let villains destroy more property, kill more people, and perhaps entrap the entire human race into slaves (a la Loki)?  Yeah, that makes sense.  It's sad when some people die, but isn't a few thousand better than millions or billions?  Seriously.  The root of the problem is the villains.  They destroy.  And good luck getting them to sign an agreement.  Each time the boardroom scene in this movie comes up, and the superheroes are crying tears of regret over all the people they've killed, my Mom and I look at each other and roll our eyes.  Look at all the good that's been done, lives saved, the alien race that didn't go through the space portal in the Avengers movie.  Seriously, it's not rocket science.  Drives me crazy.  I don't mean to be cavalier, lives and civilians need to be protected, always, but the fact that the villains weren't mentioned and completely got a pass is not cool. All the deaths were purely the falt of the heroes. Off my soap box.)

And it is this peace treaty of sorts--a peace treaty by those saving peace--that divides Captain America and Iron Man, plus all the other heroes spread about.

Oh, and Captain America's dear friend Bucky is running around possibly causing mayhem.  Or is he?  Steve Rogers must find out.

Overall I love Captain America Civil War, despite my grievances over logic.  There's a lot of jumping around from scene to scene, but thankfully the screen flashes whatever city they are in to help maintain some flow, unlike a certain Batman vs. Superman that jumps around and feels like a stack of moving Polaroids.

There are two new superheros introduced in this movie: One we've seen many times and another getting his first major screen debut.  For a movie jammed full of superheroes, these two characters were introduced well, and I'm glad to see them in the MCU.

So far I've seen this movie twice, and can easily see it many more times.  And all my friends who have seen it love this movie.

I'm relieved Civil War treated Captain America with respect.

MPAA: Rated PG-13 for intense sequences of sci-fi violence and action.

(Now on to the comic book plot point I hinted at . . . stop reading now if you don't want the plot spoiled.  Honestly I don't follow the comic plots, besides my binges reading wikipedia, which I recommend because comic synopses are amusing.  But in this latest serial it's been revealed that Captain America is with Hydra, and that he's been with them all this time.  At first I was bewildered and confused, because if this is the case I don't buy it, never will.  But then I read some speculation tied to some comic plot points not mentioned in many articles bashing Marvel Comics decision to make Captain America psycho.  (case in point, two Jewish men created Captain America, so it is a slap across both the original creators and America's faces to make Steve Rogers a Nazi.)  Anyway, there's a side plot where Red Skull now has Professor Xavier's brain, and may be manipulating Steve Rogers memories.  Also, another plot point where Steve become old and then young again by Kobik, and bratty girl made up of Cosmic Cubes, using this power, which has essence of evil or something.  Anywho, comic stuff.  Gotta love it.  I'm not buying the comics, I wouldn't have anyway, but there might be a really good reason why Steve Rogers went all turn coat on us.)