DVD Movie Review - Guardians of the Galaxy

Marvel pulls little-known characters out of their dusty basement, brushes them off, and creates another compelling franchise called the Guardians of the Galaxy.

STORY:

Peter Quill (Chris Pratt) is taken from earth at a young age and is raised as a thief by a band of mercenaries.  His latest mission is to obtain a mysterious orb and sell it to the highest bidder.  But trouble always finds Quill no matter where he goes and just a short while after, he's incarcerated and forced to make friends with other inmates attempting to break free.  Little to his knowledge and certainly against his ideals, Peter is accidentally wrapped up in a plot to stop an evil force that may destroy the galaxy.  Will his friendship with a ragtag bunch of misfits help or hurt his future?  Hilarious dialogue, silly dancing, terrible singing, walking trees, vulgar raccoons, and an astounding set list of music ensues.

"Just because I'm a raccoon doesn't mean I haven't played beer pong before.  I have many 

talents, including assembling guns, wiring explosives, and breaking into trash cans."

THOUGHTS:

After watching Guardians of the Galaxy you may think the best thing about the movie is the fantastic acting from the cast.  Nope.  You may think the witty dialogue or quick one-liners are the movie's bread and butter.  Not exactly.  You may even think the premise (a collection of the galaxy's criminals banding together to stop evil) is the perfect movie plot.  But that's not the answer either.  In fact, all the above does make for one hell of a comic book movie, but the simple answer is the music.  There's a reason why the soundtrack is a best seller.  From Blue Swede's "Hooked on a Feeling" to Norman Greenbaum's "Spirit in the Sky," the music is the glue that holds all these exceptional pieces together.

Granted, Marvel is in the title too, and nowadays anything with that label gains massive box office moola.  But with little known to practically unknown characters from Marvel's library, this movie could have gone south fast.  This could have been the one time Marvel struck out.  Instead this film delivers a fantastic story with characters that will easily become crowd favorites.  But that's not all the film has to offer.  Marvel had to find an actor for the main protagonist that would be able to carry the movie on his shoulders.  He'd have to be somewhat heroic, quick lipped, intelligent, and most of all: funny.  And Chris Pratt couldn't have been a better choice.

"Hurry up with that toothpaste, this zit isn't getting any smaller."

THE ACTING:

Pratt doesn't only carry the film on his back or fill Peter Quill's shoes perfectly…he is Peter Quill.  After seeing the film numerous times, you'll realize there's not one person in Hollywood that could have pulled this role off any better.  His facial expressions are hilarious.  His reactions to the environment are ridiculous.  And his dialogue delivery—whether partially ad-libbed or straight from the script—is superb.  The only way this film could have survived was with a humorous undertone and having Pratt lead the way is nothing short of casting perfection.

So what about the others in the team?  Zoe Saldana plays Gamora, a revenge seeking heroine that's rough on the outside and almost sweet on the inside.  The part needed an individual with action skills and the ability to move about with an alien-like grace.  Saldana effortlessly falls into the role and even offers up a slight love-interest subplot.  Dave Bautista is more known for his immense size, rather than his acting skills, which works out perfectly, as his Drax the Destroyer isn't a Chatty Cathy.  But even with the limited dialogue, he still has some the best one-liners the film has to offer.  Bradley Cooper—who at first seemed wrong for the voice of Rocket Raccoon—made a believer out of movie-goers instantly, after hearing his exceptional voice acting combined with an angry animated trigger-happy raccoon.  Vin Diesel stops by to say the same line hundreds of times for Groot, only to be slightly out done by the actual animated tree.  Lee Pace enters the screen as Ronan, the film's main antagonist.  Adding fierce eyes, a strong voice, and the ability to look and act dangerous, he does an outstanding job bringing evil to life.  Michael Rooker lands Yondu Udonta's part (the man that raises Quill) and lends comic relief to the movie, while John C. Reilly, Glenn Close, and Benicio Del Toro stop by for a tad bit of screen time and the free lunch.

"Do you see these three lighted buttons on my chest?  I have no idea why they're there, but the one 

in the middle plays show tunes when pushed."

WHO'LL HATE IT:

Anyone that doesn't like comic book movies should stay far away from the Guardians of the Galaxy at all costs.  If for some reason Sci-Fi movies, books, anecdotes, or references don't tickle your fancy either, then this movie will not make you a believer…no matter how awesome everyone tells you it is.  It still takes place in space and there's no reference to earth except briefly in the beginning and in the film's music.  So if superheroes and aliens bore you, then your best bet is to stick with the discovery channel and their documentaries on animal fornication.

THE FILM'S HEART:

The acting, cinematography, special effects, dialogue, and humor all come together for a near perfect Sci-Fi/superhero flick, but the film's true heart lies in two things.  One is the love the director, James Gunn, brings to the property.  Without him putting everything he enjoys about the Guardians into the movie, the end result would have been a disaster.  And the other (already stated above) is the music.  The choice of songs helps ground the film on earth (even though the bulk of the story happens in space) and they also help viewers relate to the main character.  For instance, who hasn't made their own mix tape or song list that they listened to over and over again?

"This allows you to listen to human melodies and it's just heavy enough that you could use it to 

beat someone to death...if need be."

CONCLUSION:

If you're thinking that little-known Marvel characters don't make for a compelling story, you'd be dead wrong.  Guardians of the Galaxy contains some of the funniest and unique movie scenes you'll see this year.  With the charismatic Chris Pratt leading a band of criminal misfits, where could you possibly go wrong?  If you enjoy Sci-Fi and superhero movies, then this film is a no-brainer.  And once it's all over, the first question on your mind will be, "when's the second one come out?"

5 out of 5 Stars (well done Marvel…well done)

DVD Movie Review - Captain America: The Winter Soldier

The Winter Soldier is an old-school espionage movie that just happens to have Captain America throwing his shield around in it.

STORY:

Captain America/Steve Rodgers (Chris Evans) has been having a tough go at life lately.  Yes, he did save the world from Hydra in WWII and from invading aliens in the Avengers, but being an ice cube for decades hasn't really helped his psyche.  And now he's in the present just trying to catch up with everything he missed and come to terms with the death of friends he once knew.  But before he can yell, "I smell a rat," the Captain ends up deep inside a conspiracy that might cause trouble for SHIELD.  On the run with no one he can trust besides an ex-Russian agent code-named Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson), Rodgers has no choice but to fight back and find out exactly what's going on in his country.  Non-parachute plane jumping, witty one-liners, over-protective utility vehicles, window hopping, elevator scuffles, assassinations, and shield landings ensue.

"Hey, I just...just want to say thank you."

"For?"

"Under the Skin."

THOUGHTS:

The Winter Soldier is about as grounded as a Captain America storyline can get and that happens to work magnificently with the franchise.  The movie starts off with the Captain leading a team of special Ops soldiers on a quiet boat rescue.  No explosions, no machine guns, no aliens, no team of extraordinary super heroes or gods.  Just the Captain and his trusty shield bouncing off enemy faces.  You'll come to realize that this scenario takes the franchise down a much more serious road, but also allows more room for excellent story telling.

But don't go thinking the movie is all drama or action.  The real star of the film is the witty writing, which never takes a break no matter how action packed the plot gets.  The banter between Rodgers and anyone becomes the real heart of the movie, keeping the characters genuine and making them easily relatable.  It also keeps the film light even though the themes are heavier than any other Marvel film.  Trust and freedom are two of the hardest issues for any writer to add to a popcorn comic book movie, but The Winter Soldier pulls all these threads with ease and has no problem making you yearn for more once it's all over.

"I'm going to be honest here, Cap.  I have no idea why you think a game of D&D is crucial 

in helping us save the world."

SEXUAL TENSION:

Since Rodgers' main squeeze from the first film is now old and gray, the movie needed a strong female lead.  And the best thing they could have done is write the Captain opposite the Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson).  Every storyline—if it wants to hold readers/viewers’ attention—needs a good love story thrown in the mix.  And even though there's no sex or even heavy petting, you still ponder whether Steve and Natasha will end up together throughout the film.  Their dialogue suggests that they're old friends looking out for one another, but there's always a feeling of whether something else is lingering there too.  This adds humor and realism to both characters, while keeping viewers emotionally connected.

MAKING CAP HUMBLE:

Throughout the film, while Rodgers is running around pounding baddies into the ground, there are also a few dramatic issues unfolding.  The addition of Anthony Mackie (Falcon) is not only perfect casting but also helps humanize Cap by adding to the story the troubles of war and how tough it is for veterans afterwards.  Anthony Mackie's character, Sam Wilson, also happens to be dealing with loss.  And having these two together talking through their issues, along with joking and taking down the enemy, creates a much needed friendship subplot.

"Listen, I don't give a crap what name you have or had on your wallet.  I'm the f*cking Natural."

ACTING:

The main three: Chris Evans, Scarlett Johansson, and Anthony Mackie are excellent as their superhero counterparts, and work well together as a small team.  Sebastian Stan returns as Bucky Barnes, spending most of the time silent and brooding.  As a friend his appearance works, but as a foe there's a tiny bit to be desired.  And even with over two hours of movie the character still needs to be flushed out a little more.  With Cap 3 already scheduled, hopefully the Bucky Barnes character will be more of the focus.  Robert Redford steps in as Secretary Alexander Pierce, and shows the rest of the cast how old school acting gets it done.  Toby Jones pops up again as the crazed Dr. Arnim Zola, to spew movie plot and get a makeover as an ancient computer.  Samuel L. Jackson—surprise—plays Samuel L. Jackson with the name tag: Nick Fury.  And rounding out the cast is Danny Pudi from community fame.  He jumps in for one line and to be Chris Evans' doorman.

OUTLANDISH COMIC BOOK IDEAS:

The only slight problem with the plot is after attempting to ground Captain America with espionage and conspiracies, the action and story can be over-the-top ridiculous at times.  But it is a comic book movie after all, so ridiculousness is part of the equation.  Does the helicarrier (how does a giant ship stay in the air, anyway?) sequence or Hydra's cliché goal of world domination, hurt the film?  No.  It's a Captain America story, remember?  Thankfully, most of the time, you get to see the character grow throughout the film.  However, don’t be surprised when you see a character flying around with a jetpack and bird wings, or robotic arms pounding people into the ground.  A computer with the brain of a human?  Alright.  The Captain taking out fighter jets with just his shield?  Why not?  These instances are just part of the massive world built by the Marvel Universe.  So if you can’t handle bizarre action sequences that defy physics, then you might want to sit this one out.

 

"Oh, come on.  Bean burritos can't be that bad, so stop acting.  Guys?  Guys..."

CONCLUSION:

Chris Evans may not have been everyone's first choice as the Captain, but after three solid performances (counting the Avengers) you really won't be able to see anyone else in the red, white, and blue outfit.  The Winter Soldier digs its claws deep into espionage and the Captain's emotions, all while remaining true to the character and creating a much more grounded story.  Note: don't forget to fast forward through the credits and watch the two extra scenes to help establish the plot of the next film and beyond.

4 1/4 out of 5 Stars (minus ¾ stars for underdeveloped Winter Soldier)

DVD Movie Review - Trust Me

Trust Me is the type of movie that would have easily garnered 5 out of 5 stars…and then the last ten minutes happens.

STORY:

Howard (writer and director Clark Gregg—A.K.A. Agent Coulson) is an ex-child star that becomes an agent.  He seems to be in the perfect position of his career with children giving him the middle finger, people hitting him with cars, and parents basically using him as a barista.  On the cusp of losing the next child star, Howard is found down and out by a lonely thirteen year old named Lydia (Saxon Sharbino).  Lydia's life hasn't been all sunshine and rainbows either, but Howard sees talent and his ticket to the big time hidden within her.  Will Howard be able to make her a star?  Grape throwing, back-stabbing, hysterical dialogue, and terrible CGI wings ensue.

"Listen, you work hard.  But look at the way you're drooping, and your leaves for God's sake...How am 

I supposed to promote you for the Jungle Book, if you don't take care of yourself?"

THOUGHTS:

Trust Me has the makings of a fantastic movie: a wonderful story; a humble, bumbling, yet lovable main character; unbelievable acting; and witty dialogue.  And then the ending occurs and you instantly lose the emotional connection you've spent over an hour building.  If nothing else, Trust Me demonstrates that Clark Gregg is excellent writer, fantastic actor, and extremely talented director.  So what does that mean?  It means there isn't one person—from the always exceptional Sam Rockwell to the newly discovered Saxon Sharbino—that gives a mediocre performance in the film.  Everyone goes above and beyond their abilities.  And if you haven't seen Gregg outside the Marvel universe, then you're missing out.  The man can act.  And having a great story idea with these brilliant actors should make for an exquisite film.  So what the hell happened?

Sometimes a writer has a vision for a story and after creating that vision, never really takes the time to determine if all the pieces work.  Sure, you'll see Trust Me's ending and then try to remember all the little hints you seemed to miss along the way (especially the humongous one in the first two minutes) while enjoying funny one-liners and witty dialogue.  But the question becomes: is keeping the theme worth the price at the end?  Even if the movie concluded the way you were hoping or expecting with no twists, it still would have been great.  But instead, Gregg ends the movie his way (which is admirable); essentially killing all character arcs and murdering the uplifting theme you thought the film had.  What can possibly be better than a story about a down-on-his-luck agent that might just get his chance to finally shine, whether in life or career?  Apparently, a story that ends with you depressed, aggravated and scratching your head.

"I'm sorry, hold that thought.  This dang thing in my ear has been picking up radio waves 

from Japan all day."

FOOLED YOU:

Just like last week's Fading Gigolo, Trust Me is categorized under comedy, but—again—that's just the packaging.  About an hour into the film the plot takes an unexpected tragic turn.  This plunges the film head first into a heavy drama, but the "expected ending" from this point, still would've kept the uplifting theme.  Except the last ten minutes adds an even more dramatic twist and everything is thrown out the window.  So if you're just looking for laughs from Trust Me, it's best to watch the first hour and then turn it off.

"Now you listen hear, pal, Spongebob is a great show and Sponge Out of Water will be an awesome 

movie...no matter how ridiculous it looks."

THE ACTING:

Hats off to Saxon Sharbino.  Her acting throughout the film is exceptional.  Not only does she fit easily alongside Gregg or Rockwell, but she also holds the entire film together.  It's really her story you become more engrossed in and if her acting slipped just a little, the whole movie would've went completely downhill.  This is casting at its finest.

Sam Rockwell graces the screen as Aldo, Howard's competition, and more importantly, the film's antagonist.  Now, if you know anything about Rockwell, you'll know that the man can act the crap out of any dick-ish character.  And this film is no exception.  The only problem is he's only in it for about ten minutes, but luckily, those ten minutes are stretched throughout the movie so you can enjoy his comedic greatness during all ninety minutes of film.

Clark Gregg is also fantastic in the movie.  He's able to evoke laughs one minute and then utter sadness another.  But his real triumph is directing all the other actors in the film.  Even Amanda Peet (who portrays Marcy, Howard's love interest), an actress mostly known for her pretty face and nakedness in The Whole Nine Yards, turns up the talent.  Paul Sparks stops by to play Ray, Lydia's drunken yet protective father.  And he'll make you hate him one moment and then feel for him the next.  Allison Janney spends her time as Meg, a woman that loves to give Howard a hard time.  And last but not least, Molly Shannon jumps in front of the camera as Janice, the mother of a child actor that enjoys screaming and hitting people with her car. 

"Hey, I'm just saying: whoever smelt it, dealt it."

CONCLUSION:

Trust Me storms out of the gate as a witty comedy, then it tickles the drama tree, and then it flies completely off the rails at the end.  If you're looking for tragic turns and twist endings coated in comedy, then Trust Me is your one stop shop.  With exceptional acting, witty dialogue, and an almost great story, Trust Me falls into the category of films that can only be watched once, due to the "what the f*ck" ending.  If you do happen to rent Trust Me, watch the first hour and twenty minutes and then shut it off and just imagine the rest.  It'll end up as a great movie in your mind and more importantly, it'll leave you feeling content.

4 out of 5 Stars (minus a star for the last ten minutes)