Ant-Man (2015)

Genre

Action | Adventure | Sci-Fi

Director

Peyton Reed

Country

USA

Cast

Paul Rudd, Evangeline Lilly, Corey Stoll, Michael Douglas, Bobby Cannavale, Michael Peña, Tip "T.I." Harris, Anthony Mackie, Wood Harris, Judy Greer, David Dastmalchian, John Slattery, Hayley Atwell, Abby Ryder Fortson, Gregg Turkington, Martin Donovan, Garrett Morris, Stan Lee, Chris Evans, Sebastian Stan

Storyline

Armed with the astonishing ability to shrink in scale but increase in strength, master thief Scott Lang (Paul Rudd) must embrace his inner-hero and help his mentor, Dr. Hank Pym (Michael Douglas), plan and pull off a heist that will save the world.

Opinion

When it comes to Marvel, I'm always excited for their new films. And since in my country it has been released only last Thursday, the excitement has grown exponentially - you know, basically the whole world has already seen it. I finally got to see it last night, and I'm happy to say it was worth the wait.

Visually beautiful, Ant-Man is a great, and funny cinematic adaptation of the famous Avenger - unknown to those who aren't readers of comic book, still he is one of the founders  -, plenty of action, and delivered by a mostly brilliant cast.

Director Peyton Reed simplified and changed a little the character's origins story to make a lighter version that could suit everyone, and it actually worked. The character of Scott Lang is well build up, and you will soon find yourself rooting for him. The story is smooth, and is never tedious. It is well balanced with the right amount of drama, and jokes, well placed when the film is about to become mawkish. The dialogue is good, and the jokes - I bet Paul Rudd wrote some of them - are spot on.

As mentioned before there is some great, tense action here - the ants scenes are spectacular. The 3D effects are few but well used - I'm not sure they are worth the extra money though.

Paul Rudd gives a solid and charismatic performance as Scott Lang, and manages to create a sympathy due his relationship with his daughter Cassie , played by Abby Ryder Fortson. Another great performance comes from Michael Douglas, which is fantastic as Hank Pym. Michael Peña is also great, and steals every scene he is in. Evangeline Lilly looks good with the bob cut, and delivers some emotions, but she's not that good. Corey Stoll was the perfect casting for Darren Cross/Yellowjacket. He can excellently play both the business man and the intimidating villain - I actually was expecting great things from the man who played Peter Russo in the Netflix drama House of Cards.

If you haven't seen the film yet - maybe it hasn't been released in your country, or you are waiting for the DVD release - remember that there are two extra scenes.

Quotes

Hank Pym: Second chances don't come around all that often. I suggest you take a really close look at it. This is your chance to earn that look in your daughter's eyes, to become the hero that she already thinks you are.

Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015)

Genre

Action | Adventure | Sci-Fi

Director

Joss Whedon

Country

USA

Cast

Robert Downey Jr., Chris Hemsworth, Mark Ruffalo, Chris Evans, Scarlett Johansson, Jeremy Renner, Don Cheadle, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Elizabeth Olsen, Paul Bettany, Cobie Smulders, Anthony Mackie, Hayley Atwell, Idris Elba, Stellan Skarsgård, James Spader, Samuel L. Jackson, Thomas Kretschmann, Claudia Kim, Andy Serkis, Linda Cardellini, Julie Delpy, Stan Lee

Plot

When Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.) tries to jumpstart a dormant peacekeeping program, things go awry and Earth's Mightiest Heroes, including Iron Man, Captain America (Chris Evans), Thor (Chris Hemsworth), The Incredible Hulk (Mark Ruffalo), Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson) and Hawkeye (Jeremy Renner), are put to the ultimate test as the fate of the planet hangs in the balance. As the villainous Ultron (James Spader) emerges, it is up to The Avengers to stop him from enacting his terrible plans, and soon uneasy alliances and unexpected action pave the way for a global adventure.

Opinion

I used to think making a better film than the Avengers was quite impossible, but Joss Whedon did it!

Avengers: Age of Ultron is a dream come true, the sequel all the fans were waiting for, and inarguably one of the best Marvel films to date - not better than Guardians of the Galaxy though. 
The film still has all the elements of the first film, but it makes a huge step forward in the action - the 3D vision is totally worthy - dialogue and character. However, the main difference is the villain: James Spader's Ultron is marvelous.

The talk about artificial intelligence is very fascinating, both conceptually and cinematically. The storyline is far from the cliché superhero story. The script is great and amusing. The direction of Joss Whedon is flawless.

There is a great balance within the Avengers, where the superiority of Iron Man, Captain America, Thor and Hulk is perfectly balanced with the more active roles of Black Widow and Hawkeye - I would have loved to see more Falcon though. I loved what they did with The Vision, The Scarlet Witch and Quicksilver.

All the actors gave a fantastic performance. Robert Downey Jr. keeps on playing the genius, billionaire, playboy, philanthropist in a way nobody else could. Chris Evans always brings a sense of honor to his character. Scarlett Johansson really surprised me. Great performances also from Chris Hemsworth, Mark Ruffalo, Jeremy Renner, Samuel L. Jackson, Cobie Smulders and Paul Bettany. Elizabeth Olsen gives one of the best new character portrayals in recent years - I really want to see more of her Scarlet Witch. However, James Spader totally steals the scene: he is perfect.

Quotes

Steve Rogers/Captain America: I'm sick of watching people pay for our mistakes.

Nick Fury: Here we all are, with nothing but our wit and our will to save the world! So stand and fight!

Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014)

Genre

Action | Adventure | Sci-Fi

Directors

Anthony Russo | Joe Russo

Country

United States

Cast

Chris Evans, Scarlett Johansson, Sebastian Stan, Anthony Mackie, Cobie Smulders, Frank Grillo, Emily VanCamp, Hayley Atwell, Robert Redford, Samuel L. Jackson, Toby Jones, Maximiliano Hernández, Garry Shandling, Georges St-Pierre, Callan Mulvey, Chin Han, Jenny Agutter, Alan Dale, Bernard White, Danny Pudi, DC Pierson, Gary Sinise, Ed Brubaker, Stan Lee, Thomas Kretschmann, Elizabeth Olsen, Aaron Taylor-Johnson

Plot

As Steve Rogers (Chris Evans) struggles to embrace his role in the modern world, learns that the S.H.I.E.L.D. has been compromised and a Soviet assassin known as The Winter Soldier (Sebastian Stan) will stop at nothing to kill Captain America. To battle the new threats, he teams up with the Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson) and Falcon (Anthony Mackie).

Opinion

Captain America: The Winter Soldier is a brilliant, exciting and thrilling film, unarguably the best of Avengers franchise. The superheroes is what we pay for and what we want to see, but this film is beyond that: it is also a great political thriller.

The action scenes, ranging from fightings, shootings and  chasings, are great, natural, and almost real.

Chris Evans seems more natural and comfortable in Captain America's shoes that he was before. Samuel L. Jackson's Nick Fury gains importance. Scarlett Johansson's Black Widow, along with Anthony Mackie's Falcon, has a decisive role in the film, as she will help Captain America survive. Sebastian Stan's Winter Soldier is completely different that Bucky, but, at the end, proves to have a heart. Still great, Robert Redford's Alexander Pierce is the real villain.

Quotes

Steve Rogers: You know me.

The Winter Soldier: No, I don't!

Steve Rogers: Bucky. you've known me your entire life. Your name is James Buchanan Barnes...

The Winter Soldier: SHUT UP!

Steve Rogers: I'm not gonna fight you. You're my friend.

The Winter Soldier: You're my mission! YOU ARE MY MISSION!

Steve Rogers: Then finish it. 'Cause I'm with you 'til the end of the line.

Rating

9.0/10

Thor: The Dark World (2013)

Genre

Action | Adventure | Fantasy

Director

Alan Taylor

Country

United States

Cast

Chris Hemsworth, Natalie Portman, Tom Hiddleston, Anthony Hopkins, Stellan Skarsgård, Idris Elba, Christopher Eccleston, Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje, Kat Dennings, Ray Stevenson, Zachary Levi, Tadanobu Asano, Jaimie Alexander, Rene Russo, Alice Krige, Chris O'Dowd, Benicio del Toro, Ophelia Lovibond, Jonathan Howard, Tony Curran, Clive Russell, Richard Brake, Chris Evans, Stan Lee

Plot

Thor (Chris Hemsworth) fights to restore order across the cosmos, but an ancient race led by the vengeful Malekith (Christopher Eccleston) returns to plunge the universe back into darkness. Faced with an enemy that even Odin (Anthony Hopkins) and Asgard cannot withstand, Thor must embark on his most perilous and personal journey yet, one that will reunite him with Jane Foster (Natalie Portman) and force him to sacrifice everything to save us all.

Opinion

Finally Thor has the same importance of the others Marvel superheroes. Thor: The Dark World, not only exceeded my expectations, but is spectacular. The special effects are exceptional; the action scenes are great; the setting, which mostly takes place on Asgard, is fantastic and certainly more realistic than it was in Thor. 

Lady Sif, Heimdall and Volstagg have a more important role, and their impact in the storyline is decisive.

Chris Hemsworth is great, and even more convincing as the God of Thunder, more mature and responsible than he previously was. Tom Hiddleston seems born to be Loki: he looks like him and he acts perfectly like him. Christopher Eccleston is great as Malekith, although I would have preferred a stronger villain. Natalie Portman does not have much chemistry with Chris Hemsworth.

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Quotes

Loki: Well done, you just decapitated your grandfather!

Loki: I think you missed a column.

Dr. Erik Selvig: Your brother isn't coming, is he?

Thor: Loki is dead.

Dr. Erik Selvig: Thank God... I'm so sorry.

Rating

8.0/10

Iron Man 3 (2013)

Genre

Action | Adventure | Sci-Fi

Director

Shane Black

Country

United States

Cast

Robert Downey Jr., Gwyneth Paltrow, Don Cheadle, Guy Pearce, Rebecca Hall, Stephanie Szostak, James Badge, Jon Favreau, Ben Kingsley, Paul Bettany, Ty Simpkins, Ashley Hamilton, William Sadler, Miguel Ferrer, Adam Pally, Shaun Toub, Stan Lee, Dale Dickey, Wang Xueqi, Mark Ruffalo

Plot

When Stark (Robert Downey Jr.) finds his personal world destroyed at his enemy's hands, he embarks on a harrowing quest to find those responsible. This journey, at every turn, will test his mettle. With his back against the wall, Stark is left to survive by his own devices, relying on his ingenuity and instincts to protect those closest to him. As he fights his way back, Stark discovers the answer to the question that has secretly haunted him: does the man make the suit or does the suit make the man?

Opinion

While Iron Man 2 was not very good, Iron Man 3 is back to Iron Man’s level. Iron Man 3 is a great film, different from the previous films of the trilogy mostly because of the increasing thrill. The awesome action is worth a watch. Director Shane Black, who replaced Jon Favreau, does an excellent work. The visual effects are great; Brian Tyler’s music is good, but not as good as AC/DC in the previous films.

Robert Downey Jr. is good as usual as Tony Stark/Iron Man; Gwyneth Paltrow, which has a more important role in this film, does a great job; Guy Pearce is an excellent villain. 

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Quotes

Tony Stark: [narrates] My armor was never a distraction or a hobby, it was a cocoon, and now I'm a changed man. You can take away my house, all my tricks and toys, but one thing you can't take away - I am Iron Man.

Rating

8.2/10

The Avengers (2012)

Genre

Action | Adventure | Sci-Fi

Director

Joss Whedon

Country

United States

Cast

Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Mark Ruffalo, Chris Hemsworth, Scarlett Johansson, Jeremy Renner, Tom Hiddleston, Clark Gregg, Cobie Smulders, Stellan Skarsgård, Samuel L. Jackson, Gwyneth Paltrow, Maximiliano Hernández, Paul Bettany, Alexis Denisof, Damion Poitier, Powers Boothe, Jenny Agutter, Stan Lee, Harry Dean Stanton, Jerzy Skolimowski, Georgi Luchkov

Plot

As Loki (Tom Hiddleston) comes to Earth to retrieve  the Tesseract and subjugate the human race, Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson), director of the international peacekeeping agency known as S.H.I.E.L.D., finds himself in need of a team to pull the world back from the brink of disaster: the Avengers, featuring Iron Man (Robert Downey Jr.), Hulk (Mark Ruffalo), Thor (Chris Hemsworth), Captain America (Chris Evans), Hawkeye (Jeremy Renner) and Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson).

Opinion

The Avengers is maybe the best comic book-film ever. The action is certainly not lacking, there are lots of explosions and it is plenty of fun. The special effects are impressive.

The film is mostly focused on the characters; in fact none of them is ignored and they are consistent with what has been seen in previous films: Steve Rogers / Captain American still acts as a soldier, Tony Stark is brilliant as usual, Loki is still evil. Nick Fury is finally more than the guy making appearances, and Agent Coulson returns.

The cast is great: Tom Hiddleston's Loki is amazingly scary. I was missing Edward Norton, but I gotta say Mark Ruffalo isn't that bad after all.

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Quotes

Loki: Enough! You are, all of you are beneath me! I am a god, you dull creature, and I will not be bullied by...

Hulk flattens Loki with repeated smashes into the floor

Hulk: Puny god.

Rating

8.6/10

Captain America: The First Avenger (2011)

Genre

Action | Adventure | Sci-Fi

Director

Joe Johnston

Country

United States

Cast

Chris Evans, Tommy Lee Jones, Hugo Weaving, Hayley Atwell, Sebastian Stan, Dominic Cooper, Neal McDonough, Derek Luke, Stanley Tucci, Kenneth Choi, Bruno Ricci, JJ Feild, Toby Jones, Richard Armitage, Natalie Dormer, Samuel L. Jackson, Stan Lee

Plot

Steve Rogers (Chris Evans), a sickly man from Brooklyn, is rejected for World War II military recruitment. While attending an exhibition of future technologies with his friend Bucky Barnes (Sebastian Stan), he again attempts to enlist, and he is chosen for the super-soldier experiment. Transformed into Captain American, Rogers must stop the Red Skull (Hugo Weaving), Adolf Hitler's head of weaponry and leader of Hydra organization that intends to use the Tesseract as a source for world domination.

Opinion

I wasn't exactly excited about this film, but Captain America: The First Avenger is a good film after all; I'd rather say a very good and accurate adaptation of Marvel's comic book.

For the most part, this film is focused on the origins of an extraordinary soldier, who just wants to do his part for his country.

The special effects are well made, in particular Captain America's skills. Also the playback of the key characters is accurate. Red Skull is certainly the character that impressed me the most: he was well played by Hugo Weaving, and the makeup was amazing. Chris Evans pulled off the modesty needed for the role.

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Quotes

Abraham Erskine: Whatever happens tomorrow you must promise me one thing. That you will stay who you are. Not a perfect soldier, but a good man.

Rating

8.0/10

Thor (2011)

Genre

Action | Adventure | Fantasy

Director

Kenneth Branagh

Country

United States

Cast

Chris Hemsworth, Natalie Portman, Tom Hiddleston, Stellan Skarsgård, Colm Feore, Ray Stevenson, Idris Elba, Kat Dennings, Rene Russo, Anthony Hopkins, Tadanobu Asano, Joshua Dallas, Jaimie Alexander, Clark Gregg, Adriana Barraza, Maximiliano Hernández, Joseph Gatt, Joshua Cox, Douglas Tait, Stan Lee, Michael Straczynski, Samuel L. Jackson, Jeremy Renner

Plot

Thor (Chris Hemsworth), a powerful but arrogant warrior son of Odin (Anthony Hopkins), prepares to ascend to the throne of Asgard, but is interrupted when Frost Giants attempt to retrieve the Casket.
Against Odin's order, Thor travels to Jotunheim to confront Laufey (Colm Feore), accompanied by his brother Loki (Tom Hiddleston), childhood friend Sif (Jaimie Alexander) and the Warriors Three: Volstagg (Ray Stevenson), Fandral (Joshua Dallas), and Hogun (Tadanobu Asano). A battle ensues until Odin intervenes to save the Asgardians, destroying the fragile truce between the two races.
As a result, Thor is banished to Earth where he is forced to live among humans. When Loki sends its darkest forces to invade Earth, Thor learns what it takes to be a true hero.

Opinion

Thor is good adaptation of Marvel's comic book. There is lack of depth in some characters, especially in Loki, but the story is good and there is no lack of action.
The contrast between right and wrong is the main theme of the film, even though in the heart of the characters there is always a glimmer of goodness.
The special effects are well used; the photography is wonderful.
Chris Hemsworth gives Thor everything he needs and Tom Hiddleston as his villainous brother, Loki, shows off his acting ability. 

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Quotes

Loki: I never wanted the throne, I only ever wanted to be your equal!

Rating

7.5/10

Iron Man 2 (2010)

Genre

Action | Adventure | Sci-Fi

Director

Jon Favreau

Country

United States

Cast

Robert Downey Jr., Gwyneth Paltrow, Don Cheadle, Scarlett Johansson, Sam Rockwell, Mickey Rourke, Samuel L. Jackson, Jon Favreau, Clark Gregg, Leslie Bibb, John Slattery, Garry Shandling, Paul Bettany, Olivia Munn, Stan Lee

Plot

With the world now aware of his identity as Iron Man, Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.) faces pressure from the government, the press, and the public to share his technology with the military.
Meanwhile, rogue Russian scientist Ivan Vanko (Mickey Rourke) has developed the same technology and built weapons of his own in order to pursue a vendetta against the Stark family, in the process joining forces with Stark's business rival, Justin Hammer (Sam Rockwell).

Opinion

Iron Man 2 is not as much fun as its predecessor. The previous four screenwriters, Mark Fergus, Hawk Ostby, Art Marcum and Matt Holloway, have been replaced by Justin Theroux, and the result is not good: many subplots are not brilliant, many dialogues are not great and there is lack of action.
There are multiple villains: in addition to Vanko, Stark-Inventor's arch nemesis, there is Justin Hammer, Stark-Entrepreneur's arch nemesis.
The cast is good - Mickey Rourke as Ivan Vanko is brilliant - for the exception of Scarlett Johansson.

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Quotes

It's not the armor that makes the hero, but the man inside.

Rating

7.0/10

Iron Man (2008)

Genre

Action | Adventure | Sci-Fi

Director

Jon Favreau

Country

United States

Cast

Robert Downey Jr., Gwyneth Paltrow, Terrence Howard, Jeff Bridges, Shaun Toub, Faran Tahir, Sayed Badreya, Leslie Bibb, Clark Gregg, Bill Smitrovich, Jon Favreau, Samuel L. Jackson, Stan Lee, Tim Griffin

Plot

Afghanistan. Genius, billionaire, playboy, and philanthropist, Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.), who was there to demonstrate the new "Jericho" missile, is captured and imprisoned in a cave by the terrorist group the Ten Rings: their leader, Raza (Faran Tahir), offers Stark freedom in exchange for building a Jericho missile for the group. Tony, with the help of Yinsen (Shaun Toub), builds the Mark I, a weaponized suit of armor. Back in the US, this leads him to conflict within his own company. 

Opinion

Iron Man, from the legendary comics to this terrific film. Director Jon Favreau - also starring as Happy Hogan, Tony's bodyguard and chauffeur - and Robert Downey Jr. made a high impact superhero film, and even non-comics fans can enjoy. Robert Downey Jr. perfectly fits the role, and I couldn't think of a better Tony Stark than him. There are few differences with the comics, but nothing important. The visual effects are amazing.
I end the review with this line: true Marvel fans always wait for the end-credit scene.

Quotes

Yinsen: Don't waste it... don't waste your life, Stark.

Tony Stark: The truth is... I am Iron Man.

Rating

8.0/10