Mockingbird In A Blizzard

By Nadia Ranaputri

Image source: IMDB

Avengers: Endgame has been out for weeks, but I'm still giving out a spoiler warning to give some chance for anyone who hasn't seen it. If you haven't seen it, I suggest that you watch the film first, then come back. If you have seen it, welcome aboard to the spoilers discussion. This is mostly just my spoilery thoughts about Avengers: Endgame since I have a lot of feelings with this film. It's possible that I might have missed out on a few things in this spoiler review, but really, I just wanted to discuss about the things that stood out to me, and things that made me downright emotional. Let's get into them.

[SPOILER WARNING. THERE WILL BE MAJOR SPOILERS FOR AVENGERS: ENDGAME. IF YOU HAVEN'T SEEN IT AND DON'T WANT TO BE SPOILED, TURN BACK NOW]

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Still here?

Alright.

Let’s talk spoilers

Thor finally goes for the head

Image source: IMDB

In some ways, I knew that somehow this confrontation wasn’t going to work out. The fact that what I expected to happen actually happened made it quite a surprise, which was that the infinity stones were already destroyed. This was one specific theory that I said to myself would be interesting if they actually did it, and they did. By the time the Avengers found out where he was, they were too late; Thanos had already used the stones to destroy themselves two days earlier. I thought that was an interesting way to set the film up. One particular scene that I have to mention here that I actually really liked, both because of the visuals and the music; was after Thor beheads Thanos (because of course he finally went for the head), he walks out of the front porch, with Alan Silvestri’s somber version of the “Porch” track from Infinity War. I thought that was a really great contrast to when compared to the ending of Infinity War, where Silvestri used the music to symbolize both the defeat of the Avengers whilst also highlighting Thanos’ victory and serenity; while in Endgame, a much somber version of the track is played to symbolize the Avengers’ second defeat. It just gives me chills.

Five years later

Image source: IMDB

If you’ve been keeping up with news and theories regarding the MCU, chances are, the five-year time jump won’t be much of a surprise. The time jump was something that had been previously discussed prior to the film’s release. In this film’s case, it jumps from 2018 to the year 2023. Here, we see that the world hasn’t fully moved on yet, including the Avengers. They can’t really do much other than accepting that half the population is wiped out and all they could really do is provide comfort and support for each other. Tony has somehow moved on by settling down with Pepper and the cutest surprise, a daughter, while Steve is holding a support group for people in grief, and Natasha is overseeing conflicts within earth and the galaxy through contacts with Okoye, Carol Danvers, Rocket, and Rhodes. Scenes in the first act like Natasha silently crying and Steve coming over to comfort her gave room for our heroes to show vulnerability, that such a defeat would have a great effect on them. It gives so much more emotional depth and in those moments, we see them as more than just superheroes, we see them as humans. Hawkeye, who lost his family to the snap in the beginning of the film, becomes the vigilante Ronin. I loved the Tokyo sequence where Ronin takes down some sort of mafia gang, but it does feel like it belongs in another film, because it had a completely different vibe compared to everything else (for some reason, it gave me John Wick vibes).

Whilst we see other Avengers grieving over the Snap, it’s Thor who’s drastically changed. Some people may not like how the film went with his character, since he no longer looks the part of the mighty God of Thunder, but instead as a sort of hermit who has isolated himself from everyone else in New Asgard (save for Korg and Meik) and is playing Fortnite (yes, I’m still trying to wrap my head around the fact that Fortnite is still a thing in 2023) whilst constantly drowning himself in booze. I honestly enjoyed where they were going with Thor. It’s understandable that their failure to undo the Snap has affected Thor a lot. He has lost the people he loves, he lost his home and he lost his people to Thanos’ slaughter in the beginning of Infinity War. The reaction Thor has when Bruce mentions Thanos is undeniably heartbreaking. You see his pain, his grief, and his denial when Bruce says they have might have found a way to solve the Thanos problem. But throughout the film, we see that despite being unable to forgive himself for preventing the snap, it doesn’t make him any less of a hero. I loved that in the second act, he got to spend more time with his mother and that he sought guidance from her. It was a nice little scene that actually warmed my heart.

Back to the Future

Image source: IMDB

The time travel element was actually really fun, I’m not going to lie. I loved going back to the events of previous films and looking at them in a completely different perspective (like how we see that boisterous opening to Guardians of the Galaxy where Peter Quill dances to “Come and Get Your Love,” just in the perspective of an outsider who of course, would think Quill’s an idiot for dancing on his own. I’m looking at you, Rhodey). Honestly, the time-travel logic kind of went over my head the first time I saw it. It literally took a second viewing for me to really see their time-travel logic. As Bruce explains it, travelling through time and taking the stones won’t affect their current timeline, but it would open some sort of alternate timeline. Not sure if I’m saying this right, but he did say something along the lines of “your present self becomes your past” (anyone who remembers this line, help a friend out). Point is, as explained by Banner and later The Ancient One, the present them that is about to embark on this time heist will be their past, meaning that anything from the past events won’t be affected, rather it opens up another branch reality. Also, they really had the audacity to say that Back to the Future, aka one of my most favorite films of all time; was a bunch of nonsense (not taking this to heart, it did give me chuckles when they mentioned it).

Time travel logic bonanza aside, I just really loved that the film was reliving past events. Fans who have watched and cherished previous MCU films will be truly rewarded by the second act. There’s something so nostalgic and so joyful about returning to 2012 New York and seeing the present Avengers witness their past selves. And I loved that fight scene between present Steve and past Steve. It was a fun little fight scene. Let’s also address that joke about Captain America’s ass, because that joke was the one my theater laughed the hardest at. I mean, when do you ever get to see Captain America looking at his past self and saying “that is America’s ass”? That was admittedly hilarious because it came out of nowhere and it was so sudden, yet so delightful to see. Also, this might be a major plot hole, but Loki escaped with the tesseract, so there’s an alternate branch timeline where Loki didn’t go to Asgard with Thor and is actually still alive out there..? Or….is that some sort of set up for the new Loki show that’s coming out? Either way, that should be a pretty fun arc to explore.

Now, about that 1970s New Jersey sequence. Some may say this is where the film is just stalling for some more returning appearances from other MCU characters. In this film’s case, it’s the much younger versions of Howard Stark and Hank Pym. Maybe you can see it as an excuse to fit in more returning characters and make MCU fans gasp upon seeing them, but I didn’t mind it one bit. I liked that Tony got some one-on-one time with his dad, even if he wasn’t able to say that he’s Howard’s future son. It gave the characters a more emotional depth. I also felt a little pang in my heart when Steve saw Peggy again (I want to give a shoutout to Alan Silvestri for bringing back Cap’s original tracks because those added so many emotional and nostalgic beats to the scenes), and I squealed when Edwin Jarvis showed up (any Agent Carter fans out there?). I happened to watch Agent Carter back when it aired, so I couldn’t forget about Howard’s beloved butler who Tony’s A.I is named after. This was perhaps the first from Marvel’s line of television characters to actually appear in an MCU film.

Image source: Slash Film

Then we get to second major death scene after Thanos in Vormir. As soon as they paired Natasha and Clint together to go to Vormir, I instantly knew it was a bad idea. What made it worse is that I already knew who was going to die. Little backstory about this, so about a week before I saw the film, a friend of mine had a couple of theories, one of them being that two Avengers will die in the film. This leads to another one of his predictions that Natasha will be one of the two deaths. Fast-forward to the day Endgame came out, my friend had already gotten spoilers from someone who had seen it. He decided to give me some hints about one of the spoilers, which actually confirmed two of his predictions: two Avengers will indeed die and that one of those deaths were between Steve Rogers and Natasha. My guess at the time was Steve Rogers. Now back to when I finally saw the film and came across the Vormir scene. Because my friend had indirectly spoiled it for me, I already knew who was going to die. But here’s the thing, even if I knew who was going to die, it doesn’t make the death any less painful. What made it even more sad is Natasha’s last line to the Avengers before they head separate ways for their mission was “See you in a minute.” It was actually more emotional for me the second time because I was already aware of what was going to happen.

A Worthy Third Act

Image source: Youtube

What else can I say other than that the third act is one epic finale? I think it’s safe to say that it is one of the best third acts I’ve seen in a superhero film. I mean, Captain America finally wielding Mjolnir? That was freaking epic. And just when I thought it couldn’t get any better, they amped it up by having the heroes who were previously snapped out of existence have an epic return. I was squealing and I had the biggest chills watching it on the big screen. I’m sorry if I repeat the word “epic” but how else could I describe this entire act? Some of the scenes here even have “fan-service” written all over it, but guess what? The fan-service here just works. They’re doing more than just mere wish-fulfillment for the fans, they’re honoring the fans who have followed the franchise for eleven years. I also want to add the Wanda vs Thanos scene because heck yes, Wanda finally shows her full potential. Her powers always had the potential to be so much more than what the previous films have shown, and in here, they went all out and really gave her the spotlight. If it wasn’t for the aerial strikes, Wanda would have definitely defeated him easily and the film would have been over sooner (and Tony wouldn’t have died too). Which leads us to....

“And I….am Iron Man.”

Image source: IMDB

As soon as Doctor Strange gave Tony the signal that this was the one chance that they would win, I was already dreading for what’s going to happen. When it was revealed that Tony had taken all the infinity stones from Thanos and preceeded with the words that started the entire MCU, the very infamous “I am Iron Man,” I was in tears. I knew he wouldn’t survive, but at the same time, I had a slight bit of hope that he would. But he didn’t, and when Peter Parker was crying and saying “Mr. Stark, we won,” while Tony was on the verge of death; I was full-out sobbing. It didn’t help that they showed his arc reactor flickering out when he was dying. Now, I was already sobbing when Tony died, but when they showed the arc reactor that Pepper gave him in the first Iron Man at his funeral, that was when I truly lost it. It didn’t help that the shot panned through every single hero that came after him, because in the end, it was Tony Stark that started this whole thing. I’m not sure if the whole theater sobbed, but it’s probably because I couldn’t hear it over my own tears, though I do know that the kid who sat beside actually cried as well. The MCU has crafted so many amazing heroes, and Iron Man was one of them. His development throughout each film he’s in just makes us love him more. The fact that his death hit audiences so hard means that the MCU has done a spectacular job in creating and developing these characters. We feel the weight of Tony’s death because we’ve spent more than a decade with him, seeing his development and how he falls and thrives again. It's just....I have never cried so hard over a death scene since Logan.

Steve stays with Peggy

Image source: IMDB

There’s one other thing I need to talk about. I’ve mentioned in my spoiler-free review that there are things I didn’t particularly like, and that’s Cap’s ending. This ending may be polarizing because as far as I know, I’ve seen people who hate his ending, love it, or just accept it, with valid reasons for each point. Most of my friends who’ve seen the film aren’t very fond of his ending, and I hate to say it, but I’m also one of those people. Now again, time travel here apparently doesn’t have any effect on the present, instead creating another branch timeline. Our heroes, Bruce Banner specifically, have clearly stated much earlier in the second act that they have no intention of messing their own timeline, hence why they’re adamant on returning the stones back to the time it was taken as soon as the job’s done. With how they concluded Cap’s story though, it’s the complete opposite of that. I don’t even know how to explain that there seemingly isn’t any effect on the current timeline. It isn’t even clear on whether or not he went to his current or another timeline to be with Peggy.

Yes, Sam says that he’s living in a world without Captain America, but the film treats it like a minor thing. If the modern world never got to see Captain America, that means films like Captain America: The Winter Soldier and Captain America: Civil War never happened, or at least; the film never addresses whether or not those stories are completely erased from the current timeline. That means that his roles in the previous Avengers films are non-existent. Honestly, I don’t know, I mean I am glad that Steve finally got to settle down and have that happy ending with Peggy, and the passing of the torch scene where he gives his shield to Sam was touching, but shouldn’t his decision affect the current timeline and perhaps open a new one? Which is ironic considering that Bruce specifically said to not mess around and to close the other alternate loops that might happen. I'm pretty sure that by staying in the past with Peggy, Steve was doing the exact opposite of what Bruce told him to do.

Final Thoughts:

Image source: IMDB

After seeing this film multiple times, it’s safe to say that my love for it hasn’t wavered. I can’t say if this is my most favorite MCU film (for now, that spot still belongs to Guardians of the Galaxy) but it is most definitely in my top five. Avengers: Endgame honors the fans who have been following the franchise since Tony Stark said "I am Iron Man" in 2008. The MCU has crafted these characters so wonderfully that we can't help but feel bittersweet to say goodbye to the characters we know and love. I never really put much thought into how I would feel when I had to say goodbye to the characters I have been following for years, but now that the time is finally here, I can say that I was not prepared for it. Endgame was really the perfect sendoff for the original six Avengers (save for Steve Rogers, but I don't hate his ending, it just didn't really make sense on a logical standpoint and it created so many questions and plot holes). And I love the credits sequence, especially when they honored the original six, that part made me cry because that is where I felt like I was truly saying goodbye to not only Tony Stark, but to the rest of the original Avengers. Endgame was an experience, and it was one that had everything I wanted, but at the same time, it had things that I did not expect; and that elevated the experience.

By Nadia Ranaputri

Image source: IMDB

Directors: Joe Russo and Anthony Russo
Cast: Robert Downey Jr, Chris Evans, Scarlett Johansson, Chris Hemsworth, Jeremy Renner, Mark Ruffalo, Karen Gillan, Josh Brolin, Bradley Cooper, Gwyneth Paltrow.

It's amazing when you think that this all started with a genius, playboy, philanthropist who built a suit of armor from a box of scraps. It's even more impressive when you see that his solo film opened the doors to many more heroes that grace the big screen, heroes that most people didn't even know back then, but have become well-known and beloved since their big screen debuts. This is the ever-expanding franchise called the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Who knew that a billionaire with a metal suit would lead to such a mega-franchise? With 22 films, multiple storylines, and a line of beloved heroes, the MCU has taken over the box office since their debut with Iron Man. We've witnessed both heroes from earth and the galaxy beyond face their threats on their own and together. We saw a billionaire who was full of himself, but eventually sees his mistakes and be the hero the world needs. We saw an ordinary man transformed into a super soldier, who still retains his goodness and his will to fight; and we saw a mighty God of Thunder who learns how to be humble and see the responsibilities of being a hero, and in the process, a king. We've grown to love these heroes and the journey they take throughout the course of their films. When we see them come together for the first time, it was something truly special. In Infinity War, we saw the entire MCU collide in one hell of a culmination and band together to fight their biggest threat yet: Thanos. But of course, their attempts weren't enough to prevent half the universe from disappearing. So the question is: how are they going to go from there?

Avengers: Endgame takes place right after the events of Infinity War, where our heroes are left in disbelief of their loss against Thanos. Half the population is wiped out, the world is in mourning, and the remaining Avengers are stuck between grief and trying to find a way to reverse the devastating snap. Thor is unable to forgive himself for not taking the fatal blow, Hawkeye becomes a vigilante, and Steve is trying to provide support and comfort for people who aren't able to move on. Just when all hope is lost, the Avengers begin to see an opportunity to avenge those that vanished when a possible solution is proposed. Seeing an opportunity to save the universe once again, the Avengers regroup together to do whatever it takes to finally set things right again, even if it means putting their lives on the line.

First of all, there's a lot going on in this film. Thankfully, the three hour run-time does the story justice. While the first act might be slow and even a little depressing somehow since it does after all, focus on the world after half the population is wiped out. There's a hollow feeling to it (the kind where you do feel that there's an empty void of longing that these characters are going through). Because we've been following these characters for so long, we've grown attached and really do connect with how they're reacting to it all. In other words, once the film starts, there's nothing very hopeful to it. The Avengers have lost all hope on ever trying to reverse what had happened. The only thing they could ever really do is give each other comfort and to the others who have lost their loved ones. It's in scenes like these where our heroes are shown as humans trying to accept their loss, that when our heroes have been tested to their limits and pushed to rock bottom; they can't always recover from it. Then it finally picks up around the second act, where a solution is proposed, but a very risky one. In certain ways, you can tell that it is also some sort of fan-service, but hear me out, this is the very good kind of fan-service. It feels as if it is more of Marvel giving appreciation to everyone that has followed this franchise. Those who have been watching every MCU film will be rewarded by the appearance of things from previous films (no spoilers here).

Image source: IMDB

But then there's the third act, and it is insanely epic. Perhaps epic might even be an understatement. Whatever it is, it's the type that give you chills, makes you cheer, and has you crying tears of joy and sadness; because that is exactly what I did. The third act is simply pure action, packing in all the thrills and tension while also making it a grandeur. This is perhaps the biggest scale that any superhero film has gone to in terms of final battle. It doesn't take up a whole sequence, it takes up a whole act. Maybe a battle this size can be a little tiring and nauseating, but Endgame makes it work. In fact, nearly everything in this film works. It has a great balance of action and emotional character moments that really did make me tear up at times. This also works because of the performances, and seriously, there are some great performances here, especially from Robert Downey Jr. It's clear that Downey, along with the likes of Chris Evans, Scarlett Johansson, Jeremy Renner, Mark Ruffalo, Paul Rudd, and many others care about these characters and their stories. They, along with the Russo brothers, Christopher Marcus and Stephen McFeely; everyone else in front and behind the camera, care about this film, this big finale of an already vast franchise. It might feel a little messy at times, slightly incoherent at worst, considering how many things they have to juggle; but if anything, the three-hour run-time proves that it's an advantage for them to dive into these arcs.

However, this film isn't without its flaws. Somehow, the route that it's taken is quite a risk, but it especially in regards to its connections to previous MCU films. It's great to see how much it connects to other films in the franchise, but the direction it plans to take, particularly in the second act, it can create glaring plot holes for both this film and other films that have a connection with it. There are also certain rules that characters establish, but later broken by some. You can't simply do a certain arc without considering the effects it has in both stories to come in the future and stories that came in the past. Endgame does address the vast effect that it has on previous films, but sometimes it forgets that (this particular part is something I want to discuss later on in a spoiler review that I'm planning to do). Keep in mind that this is merely a nitpick though. Also, because it juggles quite a lot of things, it may be slightly overwhelming at times. It sometimes has some jarring POV changes where the film focuses on one character, and just as you feel like you want to see more of it, it changes focus on another character. It may be bothersome, but it isn't something major; it just leaves you wanting more focus on certain things rather than the things the film chooses to focus on. Moreover, some might be bothered with some of the decisions that this film choose to do with the characters, but it really just depends on the person that watches it.

Image source: IMDB

When Infinity War was a film that involved the whole MCU, Endgame focused on the people who started it all, the original members that made it all happen. It makes it so much more emotional knowing that while this concludes eleven years of storytelling, it also does so by taking us back to where it all began. It started with them, and it ended with them. It's hard to simply say much about Avengers: Endgame other than it being an incredible finale to the franchise we've been following since Tony Stark says "I am Iron Man" in 2008 without giving away any spoilers. I can say this: Endgame knows damn well that it has to juggle between building up a fantastic finale and wrapping eleven years worth of stories. After 21 films in the making, Endgame is the true culmination of this grand franchise. It was everything I wanted it to be, but at the same time, it was nothing like I expected it to be. It might be the most epic finale to a film franchise, and it's amazing how much the MCU has grown throughout the years. Endgame is proof that if you put so much love and patience in crafting the characters, it can all pay off in the end. Kudos should also be given to Alan Silvestri, who did a fantastic job scoring the film. While most MCU films do lack a memorable score (save for the likes of Black Panther or Captain America: The Winter Soldier), Endgame was anything but that.

It really feels like this: imagine someone giving you the biggest present wrapped in a box. You open to see that every single present in the box is much better than the last. But you can't play with them forever. Sometime, you'd have to put it back in the box, so you do. You put everything back together and close the lid of the box back. You bid farewell to this present that brought you so much joy. That's what Avengers: Endgame feels like. This franchise has given you so much joy in your life, but you know you have to say goodbye someday. This is the MCU's very own thank you letter to the fans, the last present that they're giving us before we bid farewell. It's incredible to see how far this franchise has come, how many characters they've crafted, and how they play into the bigger picture. Never has a film made me cry, cheer, and feel goosebumps as much as Endgame. We've witnessed finales from other famous franchises like Harry Potter, The Hunger Games, and The Hobbit. For the MCU, it's the finale of what they call "The Infinity Saga." Though the MCU will still continue after this, this is the finale for the characters we've witnessed and loved since the first Iron Man. Much like Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2, the experience for me was unlike any other. Avengers: Endgame is MCU's farewell party, and it is one that goes out with a spectacular bang.

Image source: IMDB

Overall verdict: Avengers: Endgame is a satisfying finale to the evergrowing MCU. Its three hour run-time can never be more perfect to wrap the story of the characters we've followed since Iron Man. It's clear that the people who starred and crafted the film care about providing closure as well as build an epic finale that perhaps will be remembered for years to come. The performances are simply fantastic, from Downey, Evans, Johansson, and many others who starred in the film. However, it isn't perfect. Because this film had to juggle many things, some arcs may end up a little messy, while there are notable scenes or arcs that should have been given attention, but is sidelined in favor of scenes that either feel like comedic relief or filler scenes. In other words, they didn't need to be there. Some people may find some of the decisions that the film chooses to make surprising, and some may not like where the film goes, but in the end, it's up to the audience to decide. I personally liked where they chose to go, but there are some aspects that I did not particularly agree with (a very interesting topic to discuss in a spoiler review). Despite that, Avengers: Endgame is pretty spectacular, especially when it gets to that epic third act. It gives so much attention and care to these characters that the audience have grown to love over the years. It's amazing when a particular franchise pays so much attention to both the characters and the fans. Overall, Avengers: Endgame is emotional, epic, and a satisfying finale to the franchise eleven years in the making. It is quite an experience that once it's finished, despite all emotions, you can't help but long for just one last trip with these characters.

Stars: 4.5/5

By Nadia Ranaputri

Image source: IMDB

Directors: Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck
Cast: Brie Larson, Samuel L. Jackson, Ben Mendelsohn, Jude Law, Lashana Lynch, Annette Bening, Djimon Hounsou, Lee Pace, Clark Gregg.

The Marvel Cinematic Universe is an evergrowing and expansive franchise with 21 films already on their belt. After more than a decade since they introduced Iron Man as the first film in their cinematic universe, the MCU is finally ready to introduce the first heroine to lead her own film, this time with pilot turned superhero Carol Danvers, aka Captain Marvel. Debuting as Ms. Marvel back in 1977, Carol Danvers has since developed and taken the mantle of Captain Marvel (the mantle of Ms. Marvel has since gone to Kamala Khan) appearing in many of her own comic run as well as appearances and teamups in comic runs of Avengers and Guardians of the Galaxy. And who could forget the infamous Civil War II, where she went head-to-head with Tony Stark, which became the talk of the town, but not in a very positive way. However, there have been runs where she does shine, particularly in some of her own comic runs. When Marvel announced that Captain Marvel would be their first female-lead film, there was hope, there was curiosity, and there was some scepticism. So before she enters bigger picture of the MCU in Avengers: Endgame, Carol Danvers gets her own origin film set in the good old 90's.

Captain Marvel begins in the planet Hala, where the Kree empire resides (cue some Guardians of the Galaxy references because there are a couple of them in this film). Carol Danvers (Brie Larson), going by the name Vers in the beginning of the film, is a member of Starforce, a group of highly trained Kree warriors pledged to protect the Kree from intergalactic threats. Despite being plagued by fragmented dreams from a life she could not remember, her mentor and Starforce leader (Jude Law) urges her not to dwell about them, as it might get the better of her emotions. During a mission, Vers is captured by Skrulls, a race of shape-shifting aliens capable of turning into anyone as long as they've seen the person. This eventually leads to Vers confronting the past she couldn't comprehend due to memory loss, as the only thing she remembers is the person she is now: a Kree warrior. In her attempt to free herself from the Skrulls, she crashlands upon planet C-53, also known as Earth. Unfortunately for her, the Skrulls, led by General Talos (Ben Mendelsohn); have also landed on Earth. Vers, with the help of a newfound companion Nick Fury (an ever delightful return of Samuel L. Jackson); band together to stop the Skrulls from infiltrating Earth. In the process, Vers begins the search for her past identity and tries to regain her past memories as she becomes aware that she once had a life on Earth.

Let me get this out of the way first: I enjoyed Captain Marvel. There's a lot you can like from it. Fun moments? Check. Lighthearted aspects? Plenty. Nostalgic 90's tracks? Heck yes. When else can you hear a No Doubt bop in the middle of a battle? Well, it's an eye-rolling moment for some, but at least it's a fun little addition and a refreshing change from the usual battle track that most superhero films have. It has many good moments and it even has some standout visual moments. Some of the best scenes come from flashbacks of Danvers before she became a Kree Warrior, something that I wished the film could have delved in a little more, since it is the most intriguing aspect of the film. Having been set in the 90's, the film takes a slight Guardians of the Galaxy vibe by adding 90's tunes in some of their scenes. The fact that some of the high tech gadgets like Tony Stark's holographic phone or the advanced S.H.I.E.L.D monitors (take the helicarrier even) we're so used to seeing in the present day MCU films are reduced to things like pagers and 90's era computers; makes for a very fun aspect for the film to tinker with. Also, the Skrulls are easily one of the best parts of the film and are the ones that actually provide some of the film's heart. And of course I'm going to mention Goose the Cat because if anyone has ever told you that Goose steals the show, then they are absolutely right. Goose, much like Groot and Baby Groot in the Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 1 and 2, provides some of the cutest yet hilarious moments.

Image source: IMDB

Brie Larson as the film's lead superheroine has some great moments here and there, particularly when Danvers shows her sass and humor. No, she's definitely not as wooden as the trailers have suggested. Larson's performance as the pilot turned heroine is fine, enjoyable even. Her chemistry with Samuel L. Jackson's Nick Fury (still with two eyes) make for some of the best scenes in the film. She has the potential to lead the film, and for the most part, she does; but then there are a couple of scenes where we are supposed to sympathize with her, and that was the point where the film struggles to really define her as a character. She might improve and stand out among other superheroes that have come before her as she appears in future films. When it comes to the more heavily emotional moments, those that show vulnerability or empowering moments; Larson shines in most scenes, yet lacks in some, but that's possibly because the script and the direction itself restrains Larson from fully showcasing a truly engaging performance. Whilst Danvers herself is a blank slate who knows only fragments of her past self, it's up to the supporting characters to show her the ropes. Fortunately, this leads to other great performances, particularly Ben Mendelsohn as Skrull general Talos and Lashana Lynch as Danvers' old friend Maria Rambeau; who even outperform Larson herself at times.

Captain Marvel doesn't just have the responsibility of introducing a brand new character in the MCU, it's also an origin story for the MCU itself. It has a larger picture to paint as it paves way for everything that is yet to come (or has come, since this is a prequel after all) in the MCU. There are some Easter Eggs that are sure to make every MCU fan satisfied, with little foreshadowings and hints that lead to what we've already seen from previous films (which I absolutely loved). The issue here is that when those things aren't there, we're left with an underwhelming character introduction that while it's plenty of fun; is not very marvelous (I can neither deny nor confirm that the pun was intended). Sure, it's an origin story, but the issue mainly lies within its depiction of our lead heroine through a decent story. There is only so much that you can do with a character who is oblivious of her past. Everything we know about her all is like a show and tell, but they'd rather tell than actually show. Danvers might live up to things that others have said, but the script only allows it to be from the words of other people and not from the acts of the character herself. Danvers' journey throughout the film lacks that emotional depth and development, with attempts to do so being watered down with humor. She doesn't have a genuinely defining moment or heroic moment that should have made audiences root for her. By the time everything is put into place, there isn't much of a connection between Danvers and the audience. Perhaps in time with future appearances in the MCU (starting with Avengers: Endgame of course), Larson's Carol Danvers would have a much more fleshed out development to her character.

Image source: IMDB

While there are so many enjoyable moments to be had with the film, it lacks memorability as a whole. The film is hammered by a story that doesn't always know where to focus on. Sometimes the more genuine and intriguing moments feel watered down by unmemorable action sequences (save for an earlier scene where Danvers attempts to escape captivity in a Skrull ship), particularly in the third act; a sudden deus ex-machina effect, and little prior development to some of the film's main arcs. You'd think that by the time Guardians of the Galaxy got introduced in Phase 2 that Marvel has already gotten the hang of the formulaic origin stories and introducing new characters in an engaging way, but Captain Marvel hasn't quite gotten that same sense of engagement. It's not too reliant on connecting to the bigger picture of the interconnecting Marvel universe, but with 20 films already on their belt, and so many of those having incredible stories and their own sense of voice; Captain Marvel struggles to stand out among those films. It's the prequel film to everything that has happened in the MCU, and that isn't a bad thing, if it didn't come so late. At some point, Captain Marvel feels more like an obligatory set-up than an actual origin film with its own voice.

Captain Marvel is not a terrible film, it's just an underwhelming one. Flaws aside, I did honestly have a good time with this film. The first fifteen minutes or so may be a little dull, but it does get a lot better once Carol lands on Earth, hence the 90's era vibes and appearance of a much younger Nick Fury (as well as the return of Clark Gregg as the beloved Agent Phil Coulson, which I admit, after having not seen him in a Marvel film since The Avengers; caused a tiny joyful squeal from me). While it may lack in some aspects, especially in terms of plot development; it is definitely very fun and at times, empowering. Compared to recent MCU films, Captain Marvel (along with Doctor Strange) most likely fits into the Phase One film formula, basically similar to the likes of Captain America: The First Avenger and Thor, where Marvel had just tested the waters on introducing their slate of superheroes who would grace the MCU as we know it. The film does try to present certain themes while still managing to be an enjoyable superhero film. Despite some issues with the character of Captain Marvel herself, I am still intrigued to see what the MCU will do with her in the future. At the end of the day, Captain Marvel is a superhero film that brims with a lot of potential, but it hasn't quite soared yet.

Image source: IMDB

Overall verdict: Captain Marvel is an enjoyable ride filled with 90's era aspects that give the film a little bit of flair. There are a lot of fun moments to be had in the film, with some even putting a smile on my face, despite some being cheesy. But then again, it's the 90's. Goose the Cat is also a very fun character that happens to be one of the film's silver linings. Brie Larson carries a lot of potential as the film's lead heroine and actually has moments where she does shine, but there are times where her performance felt stiff. Fortunately, this film has plenty of fine performances from supporting characters, particularly Mendelsohn and Lynch as Talos and Rambeau respectively. The story itself isn't terrible, by any means, but it lacks a sense of engagement from the characters who are driving the story, particularly Danvers herself. Captain Marvel is one of those MCU films that are pretty solid, maybe just okay, but that's about it. The film feels a lot like Marvel's Phase One films where Marvel is testing the waters by introducing a certain character. It is still an enjoyable film where you can definitely still have a lot of fun, but it just doesn't feel like a standout among the other films that paved the way before it. Captain Marvel as a character may improve with future appearances that add more development and charisma, something that the origin film lacked. Despite its flaws, there are a lot of things to be liked from Captain Marvel, and there are things that I felt should have been handled better. Nonetheless, Captain Marvel is a solid addition to the MCU with plenty of good moments for a fun romp.

Stars: 3/5

By Nadia Ranaputri

Image source: IMDB

Directors: Bob Persichetti, Peter Ramsey, and Rodney Rothman
Cast: Shameik Moore, Jake Johnson, Hailee Steinfeld, Mahershala Ali, Brian Tyree Henry, John Mulaney, Nicolas Cage, Liev Schreiber, Luna Lauren Velez.

Out of all the Marvel heroes, Spider-Man's story is perhaps one that's been told the most. The web-slinger has been a staple character in the Marvel universe, but it's for a good reason. Spider-Man is one of Marvel's most iconic characters, perhaps because he is also the most human of all the heroes. We know the basic origin: Peter Parker gets bitten by a radioactive spider, Uncle Ben dies, and who could forget the motto "with great power comes great responsibility." No matter how many ways the story would eventually go, his origin remains the same. Sony's repeated the origin of the web-slinger twice now with Tobey Maguire and Andrew Garfield in the title role, the Marvel Cinematic Universe, on the other hand, started fresh with Tom Holland as the web-slinger and ditched the familiar origin and goes straight to the already bitten Parker who's somehow in control of his powers by the time we meet him. So when Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse was brought into the picture, curiosity arises. What is the installment going to bring to the table? The answer is simple: a damn good story.

Basically, in this universe, there's only one Spider-Man, the infamous Peter Parker. But, as the film already suggests, Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse won't be Parker's story first and foremost: it's Miles Morales' (voiced by Shameik Moore), a regular high school student in Brooklyn who is struggling to adapt in his prestigious school. He spends nights in his uncle's house instead of his dorm room, and is enthralled when one night, he gets the chance to showcase his art skills in an underground tunnel, oblivious to a radioactive spider that just so happens to be there. Having been bitten by this genetically altered spider, Miles has to adjust to this sudden change, though it takes him a while to realize what he was really going through ("I think I hit puberty!" Miles exclaims). To make matters even more complicated, Kingpin (Liev Schreiber) is secretly building a machine he calls the collider, that opens limitless portals to other dimensions. Because of this interdimensional machine, Miles meets another Peter Parker, miles different from the Parker he knows. This Parker, Peter B. Parker (Jake Johnson) to be exact; is much older and physically different from the Parker in Miles' universe. Turns out, he comes from another dimension, and he isn't the only Spider-Man to arrive in Miles' dimension.

The first thing that has to be mentioned is the animation. When those funky opening titles start to play, you know that you're in for quite the experience. It is fresh, fun, and seriously stunning. You can say that it is the closest you'll ever get to seeing 3D comic-book style animation in a feature length film. Into the Spider-Verse incorporates comic book visuals into 3D animation that brings actual comic book pages into life. It literally leaps off the page and onto the screen. Even the constant "yellow thought boxes" that a lot of our heroes have in the comics turn up here, and when there's a fight going on, you're seeing words like "whoosh" being flashed on the screen, just like how it is on the pages of a comic book. The setting of New York city is beautifully drawn on screen, like it's taking you by the hand and drawing it closer to the city that never sleeps, and the fight sequences are unlike any other, utilizing its animation to the level that live-action comic book movies won't be able to tackle as well as this, no matter how big of a budget the CGI is. It's a unique take on an animation, which really takes the film on a whole other level. Then there's the character introductions, which are simply put, super fun. Each of the character introductions are unique and nudges at how many of us have probably heard of Spider-Man's origins over and over again.

Image source: IMDB

For a film that is under two hours, Into the Spider-Verse takes advantage of its potentials and actually use it instead of just dropping it on the ground and never speak of it again. Just when you think you've had enough of the friendly neighborhood Spider-Man's origin story (seeing Uncle Ben die for the third time? No, thank you) Into the Spider-Verse reassures you that it isn't going to repeat that same storyline. But the film does poke fun at the previous iteration, specifically Raimi's Spider-Man, with a certain scene that a character refers to as a scene that "we don't talk about." It still however, has some great storytelling at hand here. The collision of our fellow Spider-Heroes could have lead to a disastrous mess of a story. Thankfully, the film knows exactly how to avoid that. Into the Spider-Verse excels in storytelling. On the surface, it may be your typical origin story where our hero first gets his powers and tries to figure out what to do with it. It is that essentially, but the film goes even further and take the story to a different route than normal. Essentially, it's Miles' story, but the film takes note to pay attention to other characters, emphasizing their roles in the story and their development as individuals and with Miles. Best of all, it does all that without feeling like it overstuffs itself. Every single part of it just works.

Miles Morales is a compelling main character and his arc is one of the best origin arcs in a superhero film. Miles has a slightly strained relationship with his father, he doesn't feel like he fits in with his prestigious school, and on top of that, he's thrust into the superhero world. His development from normal student trying to fit in with his life to sudden superhero is handled with so much care that he becomes a fully realized character that people can truly root for. He's not the type of hero that gets it right the first time, but that's exactly what makes him a great hero. And of course, he isn't the only Spider-Man in the universe (at least when you count dimensions beyond his). Introducing Peter B. Parker, Gwen Stacy, Spider-Noir, Peni Parker, and the most delightful of all, Peter Porker, aka Spider-Ham. This is where the film really excels in: the character building, particularly Peter B. Parker, who might come off as your usual wise-cracking web-slinger, just middle-aged and in the cusp of a mid-life crisis; but he too, is a fully realized character who's more than just a mere supporting character, but one whose arc is just as emotional as Miles Morales'. The film isn't shy of giving them vulnerabilities. These heroes aren't just people with special abilities, they feel very human, relatable at best. It also has some wit and humor that really does put a smile on your face, especially when you have a character like Peter Porker hitting a villain with a giant cartoonish hammer.

The film does a flaw though: the villain. As menacing as he is, Kingpin is overshadowed by our heroes to the point where he is simply just a villain that stands in the way of our heroes. Since this is an animated film that clocks in under two hours though, not everyone is going to get much of the spotlight to develop as a character, and the film sacrifices the development of the villains in favor of the heroes (which is not an entirely bad thing, to be honest). There is an exception for a certain Prowler here though. Kingpin may be the main villain, but Prowler is the one that steals the show. Overall, Into the Spider-Verse was more than just another superhero film filling the slot of the many superhero films that came out this year, it was a great film that brings something unique while also reminding us why we love heroes like Spider-Man. It brings me so much joy to see a Spider-Man story that entertains as much as it inspires. There's a line that a character says in the film: "It's a leap of faith, that's all it is." It isn't just a line directed at a character, it's directed at us, too. As superhero origins go, Into the Spider-Verse brings an innovative take on the Spider-Man story, especially when it comes to breaking the fourth wall by literally bringing the different dimensions that were originally very separate in the comics together in one film. You don't see that everyday in a superhero film, do you?

Image source: IMDB

Overall verdict: Into the Spider-Verse excels in nearly every single aspect, particularly the storytelling and character development. While we've seen Spider-Man's origin being repeated twice already, it's a pleasant surprise to see that since it takes the origin of a different Spider-Man, it goes on a completely new route. Miles Morales is a fully realized character whose arc is so well handled, and his development as an individual is spectacular. Alongside him are the other spider-heroes from different dimensions, but among them, it's Peter B. Parker that has as much of a development and an emotional arc as Miles. And that's what made this film special, it reminds us why Spider-Man is a beloved hero. Spider-Man is perhaps a superhero that feels the most human and the most relatable. No matter how many times he's fallen down, he would always rise up again, and this film doesn't shy away from the web-slinger's vulnerabilities. The only issue with the film is perhaps the main villain, but since this is an animated film clocking in just under two hours, not everyone gets the spotlight. Into the Spider-Verse chooses to develop its heroes more because that's who we're here for after all, and it delivers. Miles' journey throughout may seem like a typical hero's journey, but the film makes sure that it has so much more to it, and that's why it's exceptional.

Stars: 4.5/5

By Nadia Ranaputri

Image source: Screen Rant

Director: James Wan
Cast: Jason Momoa, Amber Heard, Patrick Wilson, Willem Dafoe, Dolph Lundgren, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, Nicole Kidman, Temuera Morrison.

If you look back at before the DCEU even began, the idea of having an Aquaman film had perhaps became a kind of fantasy that wouldn't see the light of day. Maybe it is a little ridiculous to have a superhero who can talk to sea animals and ride on dolphins, but over the years, the character has developed into one of the most interesting heroes in DC. If his future portrayals have proved anything, it's that he's more than just an Atlantean who talks to fish. Morning cartoons aside, Aquaman has been a staple character in many of DC's animated films. He was even a playable character in both Injustice games, and he was cool as hell. When Aquaman first made his live-action big screen debut in Justice League, I was a little skeptical at first, but curious to see how his portrayal in the DCEU would go. Turns out, he was one of the silver linings in an overall disappointing film. I was excited to see where the character goes to next. Thus, when James Wan was brought in to helm the story of the underwater superhero, it was clear that my hype for this went through the roof.

Aquaman starts off with the love story between Arthur's parents, one a lighthouse keeper named Thomas Curry (Temuera Morrison), and the other a Queen of an underwater nation of Atlantis, Queen Atlanna (Nicole Kidman). In the process, they have a son named Arthur, believed to soon be the one to unite the surface world and the sea. Eventually, Queen Atlanna is forced to abandon her family and return to Atlantis, leaving Arthur in the care of his father. Fast forward to a now adult Arthur Curry (Jason Momoa), dubbed as the Aquaman, who is on a mission to save fellow submarine crews from pirates out to hijack the ship. Turns out, he's been doing errands like this for a while, saving people from the dangers of the sea. He's then approached by Princess Mera (Amber Heard) who warns him that his half brother Orm (Patrick Wilson), the current king of Atlantis, is about to wage war on the surface world, and that Arthur must return to Atlantis and confront him to prevent Orm from doing so. Arthur first rejects the offer of confronting Orm, but reluctantly agrees when he comes upon Orm's first act of wrath on the surface. Together, Arthur and Mera journey to Atlantis, where they discover a clue leading to the lost trident that has the power to control the seas, which would bring prosperity to a true heir of the throne.

Jason Momoa nails Arthur Curry. He is undoubtedly one of the best parts of the films. The whole film rests on his shoulders, and he carries that weight effortlessly. It's not a masterful type of performance, but his portrayal of the superhero still has plenty of charm, enough for us to take a liking to his character and root for him. It's a much more grounded portrayal, giving us a whole film to see a different side of him than when he appeared in Justice League. Curry's journey consists of him redefining himself as an individual, to truly step out from the comfort of the surface world to face the dangers of the underwater world. Though it takes place after Justice League, it is very much an origin story of a hero whose two worlds are about to collide, and he has to venture to one world in order to save the other. Alongside Momoa is Amber Heard as Mera, whose chemistry with Momoa during banters are fun to watch, but when it comes to the more romantic driven stuff, it can lead to more of an eye-roll. On her own though, Mera is a fierce character who can prove her own alongside Arthur. The standouts however, are Patrick Wilson, Willem Dafoe, and Dolph Lundgren as Curry's half-brother Orm, Curry's mentor Vulko, and King Nereus respectively. Wilson particularly makes for quite intriguing antagonist, though he can feel a little overdramatic at times, but Wilson makes it work with his performance.

Image source: IMDB

This is one of those times where IMAX is the way to go. Aquaman is a true visual feast for the eyes. Atlantis is a gorgeous underwater city with its own type of border patrol and a brimming city that brings modern technology and ancient architecture together in spectacular fashion. It's immersive, epic, and so well put together (especially with Rupert Gregson-Williams' excellent score) that it leaves you longing to head back to all its visual glory whenever the film journeys to the surface world. It's certainly an interesting look into the fact that the city and some its weapons are powered by the very thing that surrounds it: water. Even the ancient technology deemed to be ahead of its time, is powered by water. Also, since this is James Wan directing here, there's also some spectacular horror imagery, particularly a sequence in a deep sea area called the Trench with ravenous sea creatures lurking in the dark. And the underwater kingdoms that are shown throughout the film are some of the film's striking visuals. Seeing the many underwater kingdoms is definitely an intriguing aspect visually, and another aspect that I find to be most interesting in DC films is the lore. If there is one thing the DCEU thrives in, it's setting up the lore, both visual and story wise. Man of Steel and Wonder Woman's lore lecture on Krypton and Themyscira respectively was one of the film's best sequences, engaging us on the hero's home planet. Aquaman follows suit, bringing the lore of Atlantis to the big screen with an equally engaging manner as the lore from its predecessors.

The story on the other hand, is pretty solid, and it had an adventurous feel to it that is reminiscent of a classic sci-fi adventure. For a story that mostly takes place underwater, Aquaman has a couple of good moments that help propel the story. It has so much potential to go from there, but even when it does touch upon those potentials, there are some that aren't fully realized. There are things that are well-executed, but some that don't get the same treatment. While the pacing isn't all too bad, it's some aspects of the story that's the issue here. It's not generic, by all means (the classic sci-fi adventure approach is admittedly a nice touch); but some of it is predictable, yet it isn't something that fully takes you out from the experience. There's one very particular aspect in the film that is the most bothersome though, and that's due to the fact that it's something we've seen from other films before it. Not only that, but there are some arcs that seem too convenient, like the appearance of something suddenly solves everything, acting as a form of deus ex machina, if you will.

As for the action, it isn't something that's memorable overall, but it is admittedly fun and definitely enjoyable. The problem is not that it's a CGI overload (the fact that is spends too much time in the water is not one of them either. I mean, what else are they going to show besides the sea in a movie called Aquaman?) It just doesn't have much stake at play here. The direction of the action is impressive, especially since Wan is on the director's chair, and while it's still visually stunning (again, the visuals are film's forte) but there's not much tension to be had. While it's certainly fun, it's not something that makes you wonder about the fate of certain characters. It doesn't really raise the stakes very much, especially since certain sequences have trouble trying to balance its execution, leading to many things happening in a single action sequence without much of a cohesion. The Sicily chase sequence though, deserves a mention here. You've probably gotten a glimpse of it in the extended trailer of the film, and if you thought that scene was quite the ride, wait until you see the whole thing on screen; it is truly glorious.

Image source: Warner Bros, Collider

Another flaw with this film is rather a particular arc with Black Manta. Look, I was very excited to see Black Manta on the big screen. It certainly isn't easy to bring a character like him on screen, but when he first appeared in the Aquaman trailer, I was psyched because damn, he looked amazing. Unfortunately, other than how incredible he looks, the same couldn't be said for the character himself and his arc. It doesn't feel as if his arc was particularly earned, especially since the main antagonist here was really Orm, and not Black Manta. He has some enjoyable scenes, and his costume was undoubtedly great, but it honestly felt as if Black Manta didn't really belong here, not yet anyway. Black Manta has his motivations, yet it really didn't feel as engaging as the other arcs. It was too bland of an arc to follow, and his motivation doesn't feel like it earned to be there. He might fit right at home once he's given the chance to be the next main antagonist in future films, but here, he feels underdeveloped, as his arc doesn't feel fully formed alongside other arcs. He's perhaps a character who best shines when he's the lead antagonist, whose arc needs to take up the main story instead of merely being there to be one of Aquaman's obstacles.

Does it mean that Aquaman a terrible film? It certainly is not, and it's not even close to that. There are a lot of things to be liked from Aquaman. It juggles its arcs it much better fashion than Batman vs Superman and Justice League. It has the feel of a King Arthur story with the whole "Sword in the Stone" element (if you're wondering whether or not this is the story aspect I mentioned as an issue in the film, this is not the aspect I was talking about), but set underwater, which actually made for an interesting story. There are many interesting elements at play here, like the struggle to balance two worlds at once, a certain action that leads to consequences, and a motivation merely driven by vengeance. Some are well-executed, but some aren't, and some are things we can see from a mile away, or in other words, predictable at times. That doesn't mean that it makes the fun any lesser. Wan had stated many influences for Aquaman, one of them being Star Wars and Indiana Jones, and some of the influences from these films are present here. Aquaman packs a lot of adventure that sometimes reminds you of the films that Wan had stated to have influenced it; blending classic sci-fi adventure story with a modern superhero arc.

Image source: Screen Rant

Overall verdict: Aquaman is a truly fun ride with more things to like than dislike. Jason Momoa is a likeable lead as Arthur Curry, having a much more grounded portrayal than when we last saw him in Justice League, which is greatly appreciated. Amber Heard is fierce as Mera and manages to hold her own alongside Momoa. Patrick Wilson, Willem Dafoe, and Dolph Lundgren are some of the film's standouts, their performances adding gravitas to an otherwise overdramatic dialogue. The visuals are outstanding, giving us a glimpse of the underwater kingdom of Atlantis in spectacular fashion. The visuals are one of the film's big guns here, because it goes without saying that it is truly stunning and worth seeing its true glory in IMAX. The story isn't terrible, but I wish there was more to it than being quite predictable and sadly thin overall. While it packs some of that adventurous feel from films such as Indiana Jones, Star Wars, and King Arthur, it's hammered by other arcs that could either fall flat or dragged, particularly Black Manta; who I honestly thought should have been saved for another film. Despite the flaws, Aquaman is an enjoyable time, and like I said, it still has plenty to like and have fun with. It paved way to be great film, but it isn't quite there just yet.

Stars: 3.5/5

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