Wait, correct me if I’m wrong, but it’s about to be summer, right?
And summer usually spells a ton of movies. With so many movies coming out, there’s talk on who’s going to outdo the other and which will set the record as the topmost grossing film of this summer-or the year maybe? And perhaps there will be an underdog film that quietly comes along, winning over critics with a wholesome balance of plot.
This year is Marvel’s year huh, I believe I counted almost three movies from the comics out this year, from X-Men, to Thor and The Green Lantern. So, let me list down a few summer movies here, good and bad, and which I may or may not check out.
Edit: And before this post was actually published, I’ve watched Thor already! So I suppose that I ought to get this post up and running first before I begin my review on it.
Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows, Part II
We all know that the end is coming. And by the looks of the trailer that was out a few days ago, it was incredibly epic. No joke, the only word I will use to describe the trailer would be ‘epic’. Not groundbreaking, so yes there is a difference. I was pleased that they got some details right, like the scene where the trio flees from Fiendfyre (feel free to correct my spelling here), (spoiler!) the scene where Mrs. Weasley duels with Bellatrix (Jason’s favorite Death Eater hands down) and the tear-inducing scene where George Weasley was killed. Ok shoot me now, I forgot if it was Fred or George. Bugger. Showing us the diadem of Ravenclaw was a nice touch of enticing suspense-and having that weird, pointless scene where Harry pulls Voldemort off the castle ridge was just… awkward in many ways.
Not to mention, did anyone count how many times did they show Voldemort emitting cries of fury throughout the 2 minute trailer? Sister and I did-I think we got about 6 times? To whoever that edited the trailer, you just made Voldemort, the Dark Lord, a tad less menacing by inserting him howling a battle call-more than twice.
The scene where the wizards do battle was very new to me. I don’t think there has ever been a movie where wizards fight a war with wands and real magic. While the scenes shown did bring to mind the Helm’s Deep fight from LOTR, I am curious to see how will this battle be brought to life on the big screen. I sincerely hope that this doesn’t flop.
Thor
So the main actor in this film is Miley Cyrus’ ex’s brother? Soooo does that mean we should expect Hannah Montana fans to contribute to Thor’s box office count? And Hollywood should stop emphasizing overly buff men as superheroes. It’s rather creepy because not everyone is that ripped.
I am surprised at the choice of casting Natalie Portman in this sort of film, but then it’s a first for her, so why not? She hasn’t starred in a fantasy film like this before, and I’m confident that she will bring her A-game. Does that make any sense?
I like the bit of humor when Thor got Taser-ed. The God of Lightning got knocked out by… artificial lightning? I suck at being funny.
Note that I do not know anything about Thor except that he is a god. However, other gods shown in the trailer and pictures I’ve seen appear rather odd in life-action. Perhaps it’s just the angles and lighting, but I’m not getting the ‘divine aura’ from them. While they do resemble knights and royalty in their getup, I’m just not feeling the heavenly vibe. We shall see.
Once again I find that giant metal machine figure towards the end looking incredibly out of place-very ungodly-like, it’s like the gods decided to merge analog with digital and the bad guys have gotten robots for weapons. Is Thor supposed to be this futuristic? There wasn’t much of Nordic influence in the trailer-as far as I see it.
Captain America: The First Avenger
Another comic-turned-movie where the main character goes from zero to hero. Upon taking a miracle drug, an ordinary (and scrawny) soldier is suddenly morphed into a really buff guy who heralds a new future for soldiers and warfare. And yet again I know nuts about Captain America except that he dresses in the colors of the flag of USA. And that shield he carries.
I dig the era the movie was set in, presumably WWII. Not much is shown in the trailer, all but his immediate transformation and him leading the fight into the battlefield. We also got a shot of the villain-someone horribly scarred. I’m fully aware that I’m showing my ignorance of comic books.
Transformers: The Dark Side of The Moon
Frankly they should just call this movie The Movie Where Megan Fox Got Replaced By A Victoria’s Secret Model, or Michael Bay Better Have A Good Reason For Casting Rosie Huntington-Whiteley. Because I really don’t know if she have the acting chops, and Megan Fox is close to zero in that said field herself.
Upon watching the teaser where the astronauts found a robot on the moon, I made the biggest fluke of the week by telling my sister that the robot resemble a mustache, when what I meant to say was that the robot looked like he had a mustache. Way to go. Anyway, he did look old.
Basically, the story seems to be the same old thing recycled or other-our battered Earth is fated to be ripped apart by gargantuan machines yet again and it’s up to Sam and his [new] girlfriend and their chunky robot allies to save the day. And also aided by the US military army… and the CIA.
I like the dragon robot. I know that is not relevant, just expressing my love for all things dragonian.
And in all honesty, I do not see how is this movie going to redeem itself. It seems to have all the things that make up a recipe for a cliche, blockbuster: big explosions, epic battle scenes, a hot girl and loads of guns and incredible special effects.
Once again I will stress that mind blowing special effects do not make a movie. They support your film, they make it an awesome visual feast, but in no way does it make your movie a great film. People are going to talk about your CGI (Sucker Punch, anyone?) but no one is going to remember your story and anything else for the matter.
X-Men: First Class
Okay, let me get this straight: having your teaser posters done in a crappy manner does not make your movie first class in my book! Has anyone seen the teaser posters for X Men? The ones with the silhouettes of Magneto and Professor X? With their faces superimposed onto what appears to be their crotch? It’s not just funny, it’s awful. If I were the designer who did the said posters, I would dig a hole and bury myself before the studio can find me and kill me themselves. Or simply just disembowel myself like what samurais do. Don’t believe me? Here’s the offending picture:
I mean, come on!
It’s just… full of bad puns. Or innuendos. Have your pick. I mean, what exactly were the posters trying to imply? That the fate of mutants lie in the … [?] of these two characters? The thought of it is so painful to even imagine, let alone write it out. And yet I show my very dense-ness towards yet another comic book from Marvel… yay. All I know about this film is that this is the prequel of all prequels to X-Men, way before Professor X and Magneto were hurling blows at each other and are best chums. How sweet. I like James McAvoy. Yes, that was just my fangirl within squealing with glee. But his hairstyle combined with his serious face is aging him dreadfully… or maybe that is just the posters’ way of depicting his character… pensive much?
Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides
I’ll definitely list down this movie no matter what-but that is purely out of fangirlism and my loyalty to the PoTC franchise. My logical side is shaking my head somewhat at the idea of making a fourth film for Pirates. Personally, they should’ve just left it at the third movie (it took me two times to understand the plot because there was a lot of rain, swords, barbs and savvy.). When I first heard that they plan to make a fourth, I was like ‘No way. They can’t be serious.’
I really love PoTC. Or rather, I love Jack Sparrow. He is a bonafide ladies man, casanova, whatever. Macho swashbuckling pirate be damned, I’ll take the rum-drinking, ship-less pirate with swag. Did I mention he also has a compass that doesn’t point north?
Call me a sour grape or whatever, but I just feel that there’s so many things that could go wrong with this movie. I fear that the franchise is losing steam. While it pains me to say this, it’s the truth. The third movie was long and choppy (not the waters!) and the story was tricky to catch up with. But I wonder if changing directors will give the movie a new lease on life.
The thing that probably irked me the most was the use of zombies in the plot. Excuse me, but zombies? I think I’m probably way too tired of their presence in movies, games and TV shows. Unless there is a new zombie idea that is different, then I’ll take it. But you guys! There’s been a ton of zombie-related things in the media and I really don’t wish to see one of my favorite franchises fall dead to reanimated corpses. Indirect pun.
So PoTC 4-you better not disappoint!
The Green Lantern
Is this weird or is this weird? The repetition is necessary because I cannot fathom the weirdness of the trailer. Ryan Reynolds is as hunky as ever, but whether does he still retain his manliness in that questionable green suit is subjected to discussion. And that mask around his eyes.
So far it seems that I’m questioning just about every single movie I wrote about here. Because I don’t know if things that look good on paper will look just as amazing when filmed in real life. Sucker Punch was evidently one of those concepts that just didn’t sound so… great.
I keep thinking of Megamind (yes, that animation with that guy who had a huge head) when I think of Green Lantern. Because there was a similar character in the trailer who had the same physical appearance… and also in a non-human color. Really don’t know about this one.
I’m on the fence with this movie. Because so many comic book-movies have met a most embarrassing demise, and I often cringe on their behalf. So, just don’t screw it up.