Movie Review: Avengers: Endgame

It's been almost a week since we witnessed the end of a story that began with the very first "Iron Man" in 2008 - Marvel Studios triumphantly released an EPIC CONCLUSION to their tale of heroes gathering to defeat the foes no single one could withstand... And it was the end of a journey that began with six unlikely heroes who gathered together to fight evils and helped inspire a new generation of heroes to follow in their footsteps as well.

That's as general a summary I'm going to give about "Avengers: Endgame" as anyone you can ask around that doesn't want to spoil the endgame for you, but this review literally comes days after release because this is the kind of film you need to experience firsthand. If you ever watched a movie by Marvel Studios and shared in the long entertaining journey of the Marvel Cinematic Universe in the past decade, then this is the culmination of all our efforts and investment in the characters that have been brought to life from the comics and given modernized origin stories and adventures in our time today. Endgame is a direct sequel to Infinity War yes, but it is also a homage to so many past films that have come and gone - as well as a "passing of the torch" of three phases worth of Marvel Movies to the next. What comes after owes to the events depicted in this film, and though I personally did not find this finale perfect - it absolutely is a fitting finale to several story arcs that have played out, especially that of the original six Avengers.

I have seen this movie a total of four times in full and six times with sneak peeks in and out after events (suited up as Captain America in his new armored Endgame suit no less), and honestly the three hour mark is a testament to fandom, patience, and investment. Endgame cannot be viewed alone and you must have some knowledge of some past Marvel films - particularly the ones handled by The Russo Brothers, aka the most invested directors who themselves are comic book fans and have directed some of the best in the latter two Captain America films and of course Infinity War. If you have your Iron Man, Captain America, and Thor backgrounds intact as well as the history of Earth's Mightiest Heroes in the MCU - then you are good to go. Prepare for an emotional ride - this is the tale of how superheroes rallied after defeat and did whatever it takes to win the day and avenge the fallen.

Movie Review: SHAZAM!

The DC Extended Universe has experienced quite the resurgence following a much needed change of pace by inserting a more adventurous and lighter tone in their films. It began last December with the Jason Momoa led "Aquaman" - with the King of the Seven Seas dominating the box office and taking us on a wild sea adventure full of action and spectacle. Now another hero rises to take us on a coming of age journey like no other.. And it's full of the stuff that kids and adults will enjoy because the hero in literally a Man Child with powers!!!

Of course, I'm talking about Billy Batson - a kid searching for his family who ends up in foster care and the unwitting inheritor of magical powers that turns him into a powerful adult with superpowers called "SHAZAM!". Based on the DC Comics superhero of the same name, this is a movie that serves as a representation of every kid's dream fantasy of turning into a superhero - what do you do with all that power when you get it and how will you use it? Thanks to director David F. Sandberg we get the answer in a FUN ENERGETIC MOVIE that introduces us to a hero who is relatable and a kid at heart... Literally!

Thanks to Warner Bros. Philippines, I got to see the movie last March 28 during the IMAX press screening - and the format is all kinds of WOW bringing Billy and his big boy alter ego to life as he faces off a dark reflection of himself in Dr. Thaddeus Sivana! As a fan of the DC Universe, how does this film fare bringing this particular magic powered hero to the big screen? Well here we go with the review to "Say The Word"!