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Wonder Woman 1984 | Review

Published

2 years ago

December 15, 2020

DC films in recent years have been heavily criticized for being too dark and gritty but Wonder Woman 1984 is the complete opposite, it’s full of so much fun and colour and joy. In terms of the tone and feel of the film it’s very reminiscent of the Christopher Reeve Superman films. It’s a delight from start to finish despite the 151-minute runtime as it’s just pure entertainment and the sort of fun we need right now to see us through to the end of 2020.

Wonder Woman 1984 follows Diana Prince, AKA Wonder Woman, played excellently by Gal Gadot now living in the 1980s and working in a museum when a mysterious ancient artefact shows up that seems to grant people wishes. This dream-stone starts causing big problems when its powers begin to get abused by Diana’s colleague Barbara Minerva (Kristen Wiig) who comic fans will recognise as Wonder Woman villain ‘The Cheetah’. Barbara isn’t the only person who wants the stone as businessman Maxwell Lord (Pedro Pascal) is after it too. Wonder Woman, with the help of Steve Trevor (Chris Pine) must stop the Cheetah and Max Lord before it gets too late.

“This world is not yet ready for all that you will do.”

The film opens with a great scene on Themyscira, the island home of the Amazons, with a young Diana taking part in the Amazon games. Straight away we get thrown back into the exciting world of Wonder Woman with a fast-paced action scene. The opening looks really amazing, particularly in an IMAX cinema, as Wonder Woman 1984 was partially filmed with IMAX cameras meaning you get to see more in certain scenes. As well as looking amazing, the whole film, and in particular the opening scene, sounds great too as Hans Zimmer’s booming score fills your ears. The film immediately has you hooked and it doesn’t let you go until the very end.

The opening scene is really good fun and it doesn’t stop there. Not long afterwards we get our first glimpse of Gal Gadot trying to stop some thugs robbing a jewellery store in a shopping mall and she gets a really glorious entrance as she takes down the bad guys with ease and we really see that Gal Gadot completely embodies that character of Wonder Woman.

“One day you will become all that you dream of and more.”

It’s interesting to look at how the two villains shape up in this film as one of the biggest problems I had with the previous Wonder Woman film was the villain. And so, are the villains in the sequel any better? Yes, although they’re still not perfect. Both of the villains do have some issues but Kristen Wiig and Pedro Pascal bring so much enthusiasm and charisma to their characters that you just about forget about their character flaws. Kristen Wiig’s Barbara does seem a little generic and we first meet her in a scene that really reminded me of Jamie Foxx’s Electro’s introduction in The Amazing Spider-Man 2 as we see Barbara’s colleagues taking no notice of her and we can already begin to wonder how she might try and change things.

Pascal brings so much life and character to Maxwell Lord and it really is a joy to watch his face fill the screen, especially since a lot of us have been seeing him trapped behind a helmet recently in The Mandalorian. But Lord too does have some issues, particularly in the third act when things begin to get a little messy and some of his motivations seem a little unclear but I think Wiig and Pascal play their respective roles so well that it’s enough to see past these issues.

“Your time will come, Diana. Everything will be different

As mentioned above, the villains can be a bit weak in places which makes the 3^rd act a bit messier (although still much cleaner than the 3^rd act of the first film) and some of the character’s motivations can be unclear in certain places but other than that, it’s a really good film. Despite being two and a half hours long, the time completely flies by as it’s just so much fun and because all the action set-pieces are so well done.

I really hope that after films like Shazam!, Birds of Prey and now Wonder Woman 1984 DC continue to make more bright, vibrant and colourful fun films, they just provide so much pleasure and exuberance to you when you watch them and that’s exactly what the world needs right now. Patty Jenkins has crafted another great film and Wonder Woman 1984 is full of plenty of scenes to keep both the Wonder Woman novices and experts entertained throughout.

Overall, Wonder Woman 1984 is a joyous thrill ride that’s even better than the first film. It’s so much fun and filled with lots of colour and plenty of enjoyment.

★★★★☆

Wonder Woman 1984 opens in UK cinemas on Wednesday December 16^th

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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.

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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.

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‘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.

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