X-Men: Apocalypse

http://www.foxmovies.com/movies/x-men-apocalypse

Before anyone points out to me that I have not written a review for Captain America: Civil War, I will just say that I was disappointed with the movie and have no intention of elaborating on that in a review at this time. It's the unpopular opinion as everyone on general consensus seemed to think it was the best Marvel movie yet and I'm tired of explaining why I don't agree with that. Let's just move on shall we?

I feel I should preface this review by saying I'm not a huge X-Men fan, although I have seen all of the X-Men movies (original trilogy and current trilogy) and all of the spin offs too (X-Men Origins Wolverine, The Wolverine and Deadpool). I liked the first X-Men, wasn't keen on X2 (again unpopular opinion) and to be honest I don't remember much about The Last Stand. I was not a fan of either of the Wolverine films as they contradicted each other, and the X-Men movies to date, and to be honest that kind of annoyed me. I had a lot of time for Deadpool, especially as Ryan Reynolds got to make it his way. Of the prequels, I enjoyed First Class but not enough to buy it, really liked Days of Future Past, and that brings us bang up to Apocalypse.

So why am I reviewing this movie when I'm much more invested in the MCU? Well, I felt I had more to say than would fit into a Facebook status update, that's why. Let's get the synopsis out of the way...

The Apocalypse of the title is the world's first mutant. Looked upon a something of a God because of the powers he possesses. Unlike other mutants, he can transfer his essence to other beings, therefore once his current body is all used up, he can put himself into a shiny new one. The great thing about this is that if the new body has abilities too, different to the ones he already possesses, he takes those on, this is why he's much more powerful than your average mutant. The opening sequence of the movie is the transference and then for reasons I won't spoil, Apocalypse has a bit of a snooze and wakes up in the 1980s. Which is where we pick up with our heroes after we left them in the 70s at the end of DOFP. Some are at Xavier's school for the gifted, some are off by themselves, helping mutants, or hiding their powers, and some are just discovering their powers. Ultimately they all come together, some on the side of Apocalypse, becoming his four horsemen, and others against him. Let battle commence.

Some of this movie works really well - Quicksilver's scene at the school is a film stealer for me, absolutely perfect - and some of it is distinctly average. I do feel as though the parts that work really well overall make the movie better than average, and I did enjoy it, and unlike Civil War I didn't come away disappointed. But that may be because unlike Civil War, my expectations weren't too high for this one.

As much as I hate to say it I think Oscar Isaac was this movie's downfall. He was catastrophically mis-cast in this movie. He's a fantastic actor, but this character needed to be physically and mentally menacing, all powerful, he needed to be a tall, hulking man, who made you feel nervous as to what he would do next, and unfortunately I just didn't ever feel like he was. Plus it was a travesty that they covered up his beautiful face with all those horrid prosthetics. Before you say that I am shallow, it does add credence to what I'm saying. Why even hire Oscar Isaac if you could have had anyone in that suit and they would have looked exactly the same? Hire a wrestler, hire a stuntman, what does it matter, no-one can tell who it is anyway?

Sadly I also felt like the ending was kinda predictable. I'm not usually the one that spots the plot twists in movies, but I saw the ending of this one coming a mile off. These are my only two bugbears with the movie but unfortunately they are kind of big ones. 

The rest of the movie worked fine, the new backstories for the characters we know and love were all decent, the film moves along at a good pace, the big scenes of destruction look great, but without a really good villain the whole thing leaves you wanting.

Finally, for those of a delicate disposition, I will warn you that although the film carries a 12a certificate, this comes with a warning of bloody images. There are at least five bloody/gory scenes which I can elaborate on in the comments if required.

Not a bad third film by any means, but it doesn't surpass DOFP and the villain leaves a lot to be desired. 6.5 out of 10. 

Viewing Date - 18th May 2016
UK Release Date - 18th May 2016

Cast Overview:

 James McAvoy ~ Charles Xavier

Michael Fassbender ~ Erik Lehnsherr/Magneto

Jennifer Lawrence ~ Raven/Mystique

Oscar Isaac ~ En Sabah Nur/Apocalypse

Nicholas Hoult ~ Hank McCoy/Beast

Rose Byrne ~ Moira McTaggert

Evan Peters ~ Peter Maximoff/Quicksilver

Josh Helman ~ Col William Stryker

Sophie Turner ~ Jean Grey

Tye Sheridan ~ Scott Summers/Cyclops

Lucas Till ~ Alex Summers/Havok

Kodi Smit-McPhee ~ Kurt Wagner/Nightcrawler

Ben Hardy ~ Angel

Alexandra Shipp ~ Ororo Munroe/Storm

 Olivia Munn ~ Psylocke

Director ~ Bryan Singer

Writer(s) ~ Simon Kinberg (Screenplay and Story), Bryan Singer (Story), Michael Dougherty (Story), Dan Harris (Story).

Jack The Giant Slayer

http://jackthegiantslayer.warnerbros.com/

I saw the trailer for Jack a few months ago and was quite convinced I wouldn't bother with it. It looked terrible and it's main star was Nicholas 'I was pretty bad in Warm Bodies' Hoult. But then my friend in the states saw it, the land where everything gets released before it does in the UK (I still haven't forgiven her for being able to see Hansel and Gretel a whole 2 months before we got it) and she actually recommended it to me. In a round about sort of way. See what she said was that Ewan McGregor was hot and therefore I should see it.

It seemed like sound logic to me, so upon the film's UK release I went along with my cinema buddy. And let me tell you, my American friend wasn't lying! See alternate Jack poster below featuring Mr McGregor's character Elmont. Swoon!

I'm not going to delve deep into the story, because if you don't know it then where have you been? Farm boy Jack (Nicholas Hoult) gets tricked into trading a horse for some 'magic' beans, beans get wet = giant beanstalk which goes up to land of giants above the clouds. Princess Isabelle (Eleanor Tomlinson), and object of Jack's affections, gets stranded at the top of the beanstalk. The King (Ian McShane) sends his best men - and Jack - on a mission to climb the beanstalk and bring the princess down, before the giants realise that their link to earth has re-appeared. For if they discover it, they will climb down and destroy the earth and all who inhabit it.

The story is easy to follow and for the most part it's an enjoyable fairytale movie. I found it started to drag a bit after they came down from the beanstalk but on the whole I liked it. Ewan McGregor's Elmont is definitely the star of the show, stealing every scene he's in, but Stanley Tucci is also worth a mention, playing the wicked Roderick with such relish it's like he's the best panto villain you've ever seen. The giants are quite scary but probably only for younger kids, I'd say anyone above my nephews age (7) will likely be fine with it. 

Jack The Giant Slayer isn't going to win any awards but if you've got older kids who'd enjoy it, or if you're looking for a bit of tall tale with plenty of action and a bit of romance on the side then it's not a bad way to spend a few hours. Or if, like me, you just want someone to swoon over in the dark, you won't go wrong. 6.5 out of 10.

Viewing Date - 24th March 2013

UK Release Date - 22nd March 2013

Cast Overview:

Nicholas Hoult ~ Jack

Eleanor Tomlinson ~ Isabelle

Ewan McGregor ~ Elmont

Stanley Tucci ~ Roderick

Eddie Marsan ~ Crawe

Ewan Bremner ~ Wicke

Ian McShane ~ King Brahmwell

Ralph Brown ~ General Entin

Warwick Davis ~ Old Hamm

Bill Nighy ~ General Fallon

Director ~ Bryan Singer

Writer(s) ~ Darren Lemke (Screenplay and Story), Christopher McQuarrie (Screenplay), Dan Studney (Screenplay) and David Dobkin (Story)

Warm Bodies

Mini Blog

http://warmbodiesmovie.com/

I'd looked forward to Warm Bodies since I saw the trailer. As a fan of horror movies in general, and especially of films that throw traditional horror ideas on their head, I was intrigued by the idea that a Zombie could be cured of their zombification by something that a Zombie would be likely to never find; love.

As such, I was determined to see the film before it finished at my local cinema, even though this meant going out alone at night in freezing cold temperatures. And I wish I could say that it was worth my plight. But alas, I should have waited for the DVD.

Yes it is a fresh take on a decaying story but it's basically Romeo and Juliet with Zombies which I find slightly less original. The main Zombie being named R because he doesn't remember what his full name is and the girl he falls in love with being Julie. I found this homage to be unnecessary and annoying rather than the delight I think I was meant to feel. And don't even get me started on the 'balcony' scene!

I also found that Nicholas Hoult is not yet ready for leading man status. He can't carry a film, and quite frankly having a cast of mostly unknown young actors to back him up does not work in this film's favour. John Malkovich's small role as Julie's father brings a welcome addition of a well known face who can also pack a punch in the acting stakes. Unfortunately though he's just not around enough. Much like Bill Murray's role in Zombieland, this film would have majorly benefitted from a cameo from a high profile star, but sadly for Warm Bodies, no-one stepped up to the plate.

This leaves Warm Bodies as yet another intriguing premise let down by a less than impressive cast and silly decisions by the filmmakers to infuse their zombie movie with shakespearian comparisons. It just doesn't work. 6 out of 10.

Viewing Date - 21st February 2013

UK Release Date - 8th February 2013

Cast Overview:

Nicholas Hoult ~ R

Teresa Palmer ~ Julie

Analeigh Tipton ~ Nora

Rob Corddry ~ M

Dave Franco ~ Perry

John Malkovich ~ Grigio

Director ~ Jonathan Levine

Writer(s) ~ Jonathan Levine (Screenplay) and Isaac Marion (Novel)