Action

Avengement – Bloody Action and Superb Practical Effects Make for Another Classic

Published

4 years ago

May 24, 2019

Steven Brinn

Genre : Action
Rating : Unrated
Director: Jesse V. Johnson

Cast:
Scott Adkins
Craig Fairbass
Nick Moran

As different as film genres can be, they also have quite a bit in common. Good writing is always important, clowns always make for a good villain and everyone loves a good, old fashioned team up. It doesn’t matter if we are talking about the cinematic soul mates like Scorsese and De Niro working together on a dramatic masterpiece like Raging Bull or Seth Rogan and Evan Goldberg creating comedic gold a proper team up can bring out the best in a movie. In the world of action movies few have shown the chemistry of action star Scott Adkins and director Jesse V. Johnson. Since 2017’s Savage Dog this dynamic duo have put out some of the most criminally overlooked action movies of the past couple of years. After the martial arts wet dream known as Triple Threat they together once again to traverse some of the grimier streets of England with Avengement.

After nearly a decade behind bars, lowly criminal Cain (Adkins) escapes from police custody. Imprisoned for petty crime a naive Cain is quickly hardened by life in prison. Training to survive Cain only has one thing in his mind, vengeance. With a price on his head he takes a mob-owned pub hostage waiting for the man behind the hit; his own brother.

Their fifth collaboration over the past two years, Adkins and Johnson have developed the kind of chemistry that translates perfectly to the big screen. A former stuntman himself Johnson has the kind of skill filming martial arts movies that few others have. Avoiding handheld camera as often as possible, Johnson is able to capture every one of Adkins’s bone crunching hits in beautiful wide shots and long, unbroken takes. Showing a refinement missing in past movies Johnson’s talent behind the camera shines during Avengement‘s final fight. Despite a convoluted plot and perhaps one too many plot twists Johnson is able to capture fight scenes with speed and brutality that would make John Wick blush. Of course, one of the few people who can keep up with Mr. Wick is our star, Scott Adkins.

In a Scott Adkins film top flight martial arts action is practically a given. A black belt of nearly a dozen disciplines Adkins is one of the most accomplished martial artists in film today. What is surprising is how his acting was just as good in Avengement. Although he isn’t a bad actor by Adkins’s roles aren’t usually too meaty. For the most part he is cast as a generic hero or an irredeemable villain. Thankfully Avengement gives Adkins a bit more to work with. Through a bit too many flashbacks we see Cain go from a bumbling wannabe criminal to the grizzled fighter he becomes. Aside from a thick English accent it makes for a fun, if terribly cliché, journey.

In a world where action cinema tends to feel homogenized Scott Adkins and Jesse V. Johnson give audiences a breath of fresh air. Leaning more towards the brutal style seen in their first collaboration, Savage Dog, Avengement is a gory mix of Bronson and The Hateful Eight with a hint of Green Street Hooligans to top it off. And while it may not be the most original of movies it’s mix of hand-to-hand combat, bloody action and superb practical effects make for another classic from action’s very own gruesome twosome.

Rating 6/10
Links : IMDB

***Avengement* is now in theaters and on VOD**

FILM RATING

Related Topics:Action Movies Avengement Jesse V. Johnson REVIEWS Scott Adkins

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Action

Five Reasons To Love ‘The Amazing Spider-Man 2’

Published

2 months ago

January 22, 2023

Richard Schertzer

Back in 2014, The Amazing Spider-Man 2 opened into theaters with a mixed reception from critics and audiences and has been deemed as the least desirable of the Spidey movies. In the film, Peter Parker (Andrew Garfield) must face off against another villain who has been given the name Electro. Moreover, our brave hero uncovers some bizarre mysteries surrounding his parents.

Many fans of the series view the film as an overcrowded mess, but I think it might be the most entertaining of all the Spidey films, until No Way Home arrived, and here are five reasons why that remains true.

Andrew Garfield

First and foremost, Garfield is always a delight to have in the Spidey outfit. His charisma and witty banter is almost what makes the film truly great. I have always said that he was the best Spider-Man and this movie proves it with his ability to elevate any scene from dull slog to a comedic venture.

Spidey, in this particular movie, embodies the hero in the original comics with his incessant need to make a fast-talking quip to one of his enemies. There is nothing better than a comic-book character sticking true to his essence and spirit of its source material.

Electro

Despite what many people say about the villains, Jamie Foxx as the supercharged baddie Electro proves to be a formidable opponent for the web-head, with his omnipotent powers and overly-powered nature. More than that, Max Dillon is depicted as a quiet, shy loner who is invisible to other people. He is essentially a nobody, until he falls into a vat of electrically-charged eels and becomes the sinister villain Electro.

To better understand a villain, you must understand their plight and Electro’s plight is that of a rags-to-riches success story and the visual effects are certainly something to marvel at.

Action Sequences

This article wouldn’t be complete if I decided not to talk about the exhilarating action that embodied the film. Whether we see Spidey chasing down a truck with Oscorp’s product or a massive fight inside a grid that seems like a colossal feat for any Marvel film, the film can take a lot of pride in its action sequences.

One can also never forget the massive and iconic battle sequence between Electro and Spidey in Time Square that seems impossible to be made.

Green Goblin

While he remains a secondary villain, Dane Dehaan’s Green Goblin is still noteworthy. Dehaan portrays Harry Osborne who is left with his dead father Norman’s life work and stumbles upon a Goblin serum that enhances his speed, strength, and intelligence.

His little spat with Spider-Man is certainly befitting for the dark, moody tone of the film and entertaining for plenty of comic fans with zippy action and certified intensity. In the end, he is also responsible for the death of Spidey’s girlfriend Gwen Stacy.

Gwen Stacy Death

Speaking of Gwen Stacy, this is the only Spidey film that features his love interest dying. As he battles the Green Goblin, Spidey attempts to hold on to Stacy, literally, by a thread in the clocktower. However, when the thread snaps, Spidey is able to snag her in mid-air but the whiplash of the fall snaps her neck, killing her.

What might be the saddest moment in any Spider-Man film, was brought to life in this extraordinary scene that silenced an entire generation of Spider-Man fans.

FILM RATING

Action

Anthony Hopkins to Lead Peacock Gladiator Drama ‘Those About to Die’

Published

2 months ago

January 19, 2023

Darian Scalamoni

Peacock is one of the streamers that has yet to break through in terms of their original content getting recognized for awards contention. One such series that might change that fate for the streaming service is Those About to Die and it’s starting to build out its cast. According to Variety, 2-time Oscar winner Anthony Hopkins (The Silence of the Lambs, The Father) is the first to join the drama series which comes from Roland Emmerich (Independence Day, The Day After Tomorrow). Saving Private Ryan screenwriter Robert Rodat will script the series.

Hopkins will play the character known as Emperor Vespasian in the series which is set in the world of gladiatorial battle. It will be an ensemble drama following many different Roman characters that will set forth for violent affairs in the arena among other complexities such as political power and corruption so expect a starry cast for this Peacock drama. Hopkins’ character is described as “despised by the Patricians jockeying for position in the Empire and looking to supplant his heirs to the throne the first chance they get. Vespasian became the Roman emperor after a ten-year civil war. We expect to get more casting news soon as the show will begin filming in Rome in March.

Anthony Hopkins is coming off a terrific performance in James Gray’s Armageddon Time in 2022 after winning his second Academy Award for his role in The Father the year prior. He’ll next voice a character in Zack Snyder’s Rebel Moon for Netflix and also will star in British drama One Life alongside Helena Bonham Carter and Jonathan Pryce. Emmerich is coming off directing the sci-fi disaster film, Moonfall in 2022.

FILM RATING

Action

‘Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes’ Adds Oscar-Nominee William H. Macy

Published

2 months ago

January 12, 2023

Darian Scalamoni

The Planet of the Apes trilogy headlined by Andy Serkis from the 2010s can be argued as one of the best trilogies of all-time. The technological advances made from motion capture helped actors completely transform into the apes with their interactions with human characters making the story rawer and more emotional. Now, 20th Century Studios will jump back into the world of apes with their latest, Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes. Deadline reports that William H. Macy (Shameless, Fargo) will round out the cast for the newest chapter of the franchise.

Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes takes place many years after the conclusion of War for the Planet of the Apes being led by an entirely new cast that includes Owen Teague, Freya Allan and Peter Macon. Details are currently unknown on whether Macy will be playing a human character or an ape. The film series has grossed almost $2 billion dollars for the studio so it’s no surprise that they’re aiming to make more Apes fims.

Macy is coming off his biggest role ever in Showtime’s series, Shameless for which he played Frank Gallagher and was nominated for 6 Emmy Awards for his performance over 11 seasons. Macy is also a former Oscar-nominee for his lead role in the Coen Brothers classic, Fargo. Since then, he’s amassed tons of parts including most recently in Hulu’s The Dropout and a guest spot on the ABC sitcom, The Conners. Macy will next appear in the film, Maybe I Do with Emma Roberts, Diane Keaton, Richard Gere and Susan Sarandon.

FILM RATING