It's been a couple of months now since my last written movie review, and ironically it was for the first Marvel Studios release for the year in "Captain America: Brave New World" - which was an ok superhero film but not as great as previous releases in the grander scheme of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. While Sam Wilson's film debut as the new Star Spangled Avenger was hardly a disappointment, fans were then left wondering just when the MCU would pull itself together and deliver another movie that echoed the quality of films from "The Infinity Saga" - where heroes would go through character development and story arcs that would propel them to become better figures even after the adventure was over.
Marvel Studios’ Thunderbolts* | 'Wrong' Trailer | April 30, 2025
Well it looks like we're finally seeing the shake up we've been waiting for, as Marvel gathers the most unlikely line-up of anti-heroes, villains, and "disposable delinquents" that were seen in past MCU movies and are now banding together to fill the literal "Void" left in the wake of the disbandment of the Avengers after the events of "Avengers: Endgame". Say hello to the Thunderbolts*... And there's a reason why there's an asterisk in the title too - which I will not spoil in this review but will certainly make sense once you dive into the film and watch it all the way to the end!
Thanks to the lovely folks at Marvel Philippines and Ardent Communications, I got to see the film not once, but TWICE - once on the night before the movie opened in cinemas on April 30, and on opening morning itself in a special fan screening alongside my fellow fans, friends, and cosplayers too! It was certainly experiences I haven't felt so much hype for since the last two Avengers films were released in 2018 and 2019 - and something we sorely missed looking forward to especially after going through a pandemic and we had to go through a number of years building to another big team-up film the evoked the same feelings from those films and even the Guardians of the Galaxy movies. This was a film that certainly explored many feelings and issues - especially themes of mental health, being outcasts, and finding purpose and meaning when everything seems to go wrong in one's life.
Taking place some time after the events of Captain America: Brave New World, Thunderbolts* sees the late Natasha Romanoff's sister Yelena Belova working as a shadow operative for CIA director Valentina Allegra de Fontaine - who is facing impeachment for her illegal activities and is under trial by the United States government. To clean up her mess, she pits Yelena against her other agents that include former Captain America John Walker/ U.S. Agent and the phasing Ava Starr aka Ghost. Their battle takes an unexpected turn when they encounter a seemingly regular guy named Bob, and even more so when they cross with Yelena's adopted father Red Guardian and the former Winter Soldier turned US Congressman Bucky Barnes. When a powerful force none of them could have imagined threatens them and innocent people, these unlikely heroes band together and form a team that has adopted the name "Thunderbolts" - named after Yelena's soccer team from her childhood.
Directed by Jake Schreier and absolutely one of the most unexpected turn arounds that Marvel Studios has gotten to get fans invested and excited again, Thunderbolts* is a breath of fresh air that the MCU needed to get the ball rolling again and is the perfect way to wrap up Phase 5 and set up what’s to come down the road. Honestly enjoyed the chemistry of the entire cast / especially Florence Pugh and David Harbour reprising their roles as Yelena and Alexei. They have the perfect dysfunctional daughter-father relationship, and it speaks about the growth of both characters and Yelena’s turn in the spotlight and following in her late sister’s footsteps. She’s the VIP and core in this film too, and you can resonate with her struggles on a personal level.
It’s also great to see Sebastian Stan back as Bucky Barnes - having grown well beyond being a brainwashed assassin and now trying to move on with his life and serve as a US congressman outside of being a soldier. Of course we know bigger things bring him back to the fight, and he ends up being the de facto leader if the misfits who come to be known as the Thunderbolts. It’s also great to see Wyatt Russell back as John Walker/ U.S. Agent - who has fallen from grace since the events of The Falcon and The Winter Soldier and no longer being Captain America to boot. The redemption arc is what you want to see with these guys - and it’s especially a surprise to see Hannah John-Kamen kick ass as Ghost and the strange and peculiar role Luis Pullman has as Bob - aka The Sentry and The Void. That is a character comic book fans have been wondering how the MCU will adapt, and for the most part it works well and is also commentary on struggles individuals with no emotional support go through. All these characters work through their baggage, and end up becoming something more when they actually get to work together and lean on to each other.
So is Thunderbolts* worth it? ABSOLUTELY and is A MUST SEE to prepare for what’s to come when we finally reach the new Avengers films coming in 2026 and 2026. It’s not a perfect blend and you really need to have followed past MCU films and shows to really know the backstory of most of these characters, but these band of delinquents are a case study on what it means to overcome any obstacles and difficulties life will throw at you, and in the end you become something more and come out better for it too.
A lot of time has passed since we last saw a solo Captain America movie hit theaters, and a LOT of things have happened in the Marvel Cinematic Universe that has led to some big and everlasting changes since the events of "Avengers Infinity War" and "Avengers Endgame". Among the many shifts to the status quo was Steve Rogers traveling back in time to live a happy life with his World War II era love interest Peggy Carter, becoming an old man in the process and passing on the mantle of Captain America to one of his closest allies and confidants in Sam Wilson, also known as the Falcon and a fellow veteran and soldier himself. His coming to terms and accepting the mantle of Cap was chronicled in the 2021 MCU TV Series "The Falcon and The Winter Soldier" - which hit during the middle of the pandemic and during a time when Marvel Studios was delivering a lot of media to propel their "Multiverse Saga" forward but with little connective blocks to leave fans invested in the bigger picture.
Captain America: Brave New World Trailer
Fast forward to 2025, and Marvel Studios is once again releasing three MCU films after taking a break last year with just one major release in "Deadpool and Wolverine". The first movie on the calendar and released during Valentine's Day weekend no less is "Captain America: Brave New World" - which will be the very first Captain America film without Chris Evans as Steve Rogers and putting the spotlight solely on Anthony Mackie's Sam as the new Star Spangled Avenger.
Thanks to Marvel Philippines and SM Cinema, I was able to catch a very special advance screening of the film on IMAX last February 11 along with the new exhibit launch that features a gallery, playable games, and photo booths and display areas inspired by "Captain America: Brave New World" - including life-sized statues of Sam Wilson as Captain America and the gamma powered alter-ego of Thaddeus Ross himself, the Red Hulk! Check out my coverage of the entire experience below!
Captain America: Brave New World PH Premiere and Exhibit Launch ⭐️ (Feb. 11, 2025)
TFATWS established the themes of legacy, racial and political issues, and following in the footsteps of one of the world's greatest heroes, and now Sam is now firmly into his tenure as Captain America for a couple of years and carrying the stars and stripes without any super soldier serum powering his veins... Now he faces a conspiracy that threatens to undo a treaty that involves a new element found in a celestial mass, as well as butting heads with newly elected US president Thaddeus "Thunderbolt" Ross - who is now played by legendary veteran actor Harrison Ford. The stakes couldn't be higher for Sam - and he has to shine through and be the hero that wields the shield and continues the fight for what's right as the new Captain America.
As an action film, Brave New World hits all the right spots on the checklist - it's a no brainer Marvel Studios production that has superheroes flying, shields tossed at bad guys, and hulks smashing and destroying everything on their path. It tries to emulate the espionage and political themes that "Captain America: The Winter Soldier" had and encapsulated perfectly - but it falls short and instead focuses on trying to address other lingering plotlines and themes that were established in previous MCU films - most notably "The Incredible Hulk" and "Eternals". Anthony Mackie and Harrison Ford lead the charge and play their roles very well with charisma and determination, but the other players in the cast like Danny Ramirez as Joaquin Torres/ Falcon, Carl Lumbly as Isaiah Bradley, and Shira Hass only have so much to do other than carry the plot forward from point A to B. Lumbly in particular should have had a larger presence after TFATWS and what was initially seen in the trailer, but for the rest of the film he sadly hangs in the sidelines as a prisoner.
For the most part of the movie, Mackie's Cap is caught in a mess that prominently features Hulk supporting characters - with the aforementioned Thaddeus Ross as US president AND Red Hulk, and a returning Timothy Blake Nelson as Samuel Sterns aka The Leader. While there's absolutely nothing wrong with that, there were plenty of Captain America related subplots that took the backseat because of it - specifically the Serpent Society who were just limited to being hired mercs and only Giancarlo Esposito getting the sole screentime as the group's leader Sidewinder, and even that wasn't enough. One has to wonder what kind of film this originally was supposed to be without the changes and reshoots done - from being initially called "Serpent Society" to "New World Order", and finally settling on its final title "Brave New World" - and even that didn't have much of a payoff once the dust was cleared other than a tease that most audiences already knew.
While the product is certainly better than I initially expected it to be, Captain America: Brave New World just plays it safe and doesn't really bring some big change or revelation to the MCU table. There's no doubt it was entertaining and the fight scenes with Anthony Mackie as Cap and seeing Harrison Ford Hulk out and smash is awesome, but this movie could have been something more and brought significant developments to Sam Wilson's tenure as Cap. We'll just have to wait and see how everything plays out once the other MCU films and shows arrive - especially the inevitable ensemble movies with the new Avengers movies starting next year and in 2027.
It’s been a LONG TIME since I wrote a proper movie review here, and ironically it’s been over a year since the last one (July 2023)! However now’s a good time as any to get back in the game for this - because one of the most anticipated films of 2024 and the ONLY Marvel Studios movie of the year is finally out, and it’s Deadpool and Wolverine!
After the acquisition of 20th Century Fox and its Marvel properties by Disney, the X-Men are finally home and can officially join the Marvel Cinematic Universe under the leadership of Kevin Feige and Marvel Studios. That means there’s no line separating the Avengers from the likes of Deadpool and Wolverine, and those two FINALLY have the chance to go balls to the walls with the rest of the Marvel Universe!
Thanks to Marvel Philippines, Disney Philippines, Ardent Communications, and SM Cinema, I got to see this superhero film way ahead of its release last July 23 in a special #DeadpoolandWolverinePH advance screening event - and I even suited up and detailed the experience here at my own YouTube channel! Take a look at the highlights below!
Now, on to the review of the first R-Rated movie of Marvel Studios - Deadpool and Wolverine!❤️💛🔥
As the 34th film entry in the ever expanding Marvel Cinematic Universe, “Deadpool & Wolverine” is the eponymous team-up movie between The Merc With A Mouth and The Best There Is At What He Does - as they officially enter the Marvel Multiverse and sees the unlikely duo work together to save Wade Wilson’s universe from being erased from existence. Since the Logan from his world died years ago after giving his life in an act of noble sacrifice, Wade Wilson is forced to look for a Wolverine from a different universe who can help him save the ones he loves. Unfortunately this Logan variant is less than pleased to work with an annoying mouthpiece who refuses to shut up, leading to some combustible interactions and lots of bloody arguments between the two. They’ll have to learn to put their differences aside though - as they deal with agents from the TVA, lots of different variants, and the telepathic twin sister of Charles Xavier from another world known as Cassandra Nova.
As a superhero movie, Deadpool & Wolverine delivers the goods and action as promoted in its massive marketing campaign - giving us Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman at their very best as they make the transition from the 20th Century Fox universe of X-Men and Marvel films to the MCU as crafted so carefully and lovingly by Marvel Studios. This is definitely a crowd pleaser film that will get lots of fanboys happy - especially in the case of Jackman’s Wolverine as he FINALLY puts on the yellow and blue superhero outfit on and it only took 20+ years to do so! Hugh’s literally looking like he never aged and will always be the first man to play Logan in the big screen - and that legacy is so well respected by Kevin Feige and movie director Shawn Levy that his performance in this film is absolute top notch and brings manly tears to fanboys hearts. He is and will always be WOLVERINE and there’s a punctuation mark attached to that, bub!
Of course the main man and very talkative lead has to be acknowledged too, and Ryan Reynolds never skips a beat breaking the 4th wall and making people laugh with his performance as Deadpool. Wade Wilson is a man who will shut up and loves to get a lot of people pissed at his antics, and his delivery is so on point it’s amazing to finally see the character join the Marvel Studios family and dish out some R-Rated jokes and brutal kills in an MCU film. His banter with Jackman’s Logan is pure cinematic gold, and you’ll laugh and get a kick out of this Lethal Weapon odd couple duo from start to finish. It also helps that the soundtrack of the movie is a kickass selection of nostalgic and iconic tracks - led by Madonna’s “Like A Prayer” which will have you humming and singing until you see the post-credits scene and walk out of the theater happy.
Of course there’s more to Deadpool & Wolverine than just its two main stars, and you also have to give props to Emma Corrin as Cassandra Nova, Morena Baccarin as Vanessa, Rob Delaney as Pete Wisdom, Leslie Uggams as Blind Al, and Matthew Macfayden as Mr. Paradox. All performed their roles brilliantly and well to serve the plot, and there are also PLENTY OF SUPPORTING ROLES AND CAMEOS that I want to refrain from mentioning as this movie should be experienced by all and I’m saving those surprises for you to see.
While certainly not a perfect production and it has its flaws (which are minor and only concern pacing and the plot), I really enjoyed Deadpool & Wolverine and it’s the kind of film Marvel Studios’ needed to put out to bring fans back to the MCU game. With this entry we see Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman deliver their A-Games as Wade Wilson and Logan, and they deliver superhero action without any reservation or restraint to the applause and cheers of fans worldwide. Lots of fanservice, easter eggs, and iconic tracks. It’s fun, brutal, and absolutely A MUST WATCH, BUB!
2023 heralds the beginning of a new phase for the Marvel Cinematic Universe - with Phase 5 officially beginning with the release of the first Marvel Studios film of the year in "Ant-Man and The Wasp: Quantumania". Much like its size-changing protagonists and heroes, a lot of hype and expectation has been riding on this sequel to 2015's Ant-Man and its 2018 sequel Ant-Man and The Wasp - because it not only continues the story of Scott Lang and the Pym family, but also marks the introduction of the villain who literally is the big bad threat of The Multiverse Saga in Kang The Conqueror!
Thanks to the folks at SM Cinemas as well as Walt Disney Studios PH, Marvel Philippines, and Stratworks, I was able to catch the special advance screening of Quantumania on IMAX - and on Valentine's Day no less! You can check out the highlights and coverage on the video below just before we jump into the review!
Ant-Man and The Wasp: Quantumania IMAX Premiere on Valentine’s Day! (Feb. 14, 2023)
Now that the film's out in cinemas, here's my review for Quantumania! SPOILER ALERT so read at your own risk!
One of the most anticipated sequels of the growing Marvel Cinematic Universe finally opens in theaters this week, as the newest Thor film called “Thor: Love and Thunder” opens in cinemas in the Philippines today and on other international territories while the US gets it this July 8!
As the fourth installment of the Thor saga, we see the God of Thunder going on adventures as a Space Viking alongside the Guardians of the Galaxy, until a new threat emerges in Gorr the God Butcher - who seeks to kill all gods and see his unholy crusade and mission realized. Coming out of "retirement" and racing back to his allies and friends in New Asgard, Thor is also reunited with the reassembled Mjolnir... And its new wielder in his ex-girlfriend Jane Foster, now known as the Mighty Thor!
One of the most fascinating things about the Marvel Cinematic Universe is that it continues to grow and push the boundaries of what we can expect not just from Marvel Studios movies - but the superhero genre and Hollywood cinema as a whole. As everyone slowly returns to a sense of normalcy while also learning to live with the pandemic, our side of the world finally gets the return of Marvel films released on the same week as the US! Being an international release we get it a few days early - and the very first MCU movie for 2022 is none other than the long awaited Doctor Strange sequel and next Phase 4 installment in “Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness”!
Thanks to the folks at Marvel Philippines, Walt Disney Studios PH, and SM Cinema - my friends and I got to see this highly anticipated Marvel movie - which is directed by Evil Dead and Spider-Man films director Sam Raimi and stars Benedict Cumberbatch as Stephen Strange/ Doctor Strange, Elizabeth Olsen as Wanda Maximoff/ Scarlet Witch, Benedict Wong as Wong, Xochiti Gomez as America Chavez, Chiwetel Ejiofor as Mordo, and Rachel McAdams as Christine Palmer. The film continues plot threads established by past installments such as Doctor Strange (2016), Avengers: Infinity War (2018), Avengers: Endgame (2019), WandaVision (2021), What If…? (2021), and Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021), so there’s a lot of backtracking and watching to do if you haven’t been keeping up to date with Marvel Studios projects and want to be up to speed with what’s going on in the MCU.
This is a NON-SPOILER review for the film, so I won’t go into detail on what happens (and the internet has a tons of leaks), so if you plan to see this with fresh eyes stop here. Otherwise continue on and see what I think of this 28th film in the MCU!
It's been a while since I've written anything in this personal space of mine - and it's been over a year actually since the pandemic began and we all had to shutter inside our respective bubbles and spaces! As a result of several lockdowns and shifts in several industries, the films and movies we'd typically enjoy watching inside cinemas were moved to streaming and digital platforms. While that made things safer and more convenient, it still wasn't the same as the theatrical experience - which films like Spider-Man: No Way Home greatly benefit from and absolutely need to be seen in the big screen.
With the return of cinemas in the Philippines last November, most of Hollywood's offerings for 2021 were able to make it to theaters - including Black Widow, Shang Chi, Dune, No Time to Die, and Eternals. Spider-Man: No Way Home was scheduled for release during mid-December 2021 in most territories around the world, but unfortunately due to other factors beyond our control - the film was delayed to January 8 this year.
Thanks to Columbia Pictures Philippines, I FINALLY got to see the movie a couple of days ago in a special screening along with fellow moviegoers, fans, and webheads, and to say this is the perfect and emotional love letter to Spider-Man fans of all generations is an understatement. Literally everyone who grew up loving all the Spider-Man live-action films NEED to see this - but since we're still in a pandemic and watching cases go up as of this writing, I advise everyone to be safe and weigh in their options before going out to see this film. Mask up and make sure you're vaccinated, and like Spider-Man always says - "With Great Power Comes Great Responsibility".
That being said, here's my review - and SPOILER WARNING to those who want to avoid any!
2019 marks Marvel's 80th Birthday, and fans in the Philippines are invited to celebrate and honor all the superheroes and characters born from the House of Ideas in a special exhibit that's right at SM North EDSA The Block!
Teaming up together with SM, Marvel is proud to honor 80 long years of comic book storytelling that has grown and branched out to different forms of media - including movies and television! From the assembling of Iron Man, Captain America, Thor, Hulk and the rest of the Avengers in the Marvel Cinematic Universe to the growing roster of superheroes in the pages of comics - fans worldwide have every reason to celebrate eight long decades of Marvel fandom! What's more - the Philippines has its own Marvel heroine to celebrate and be proud of in the form of Wave, aka Pearl Pangan and a character found in the action-role playing game "Marvel Future Fight"!
So come on down to SM North EDSA and celebrate 80 years of Marvel Comics starting this August 27th! Displays from various Marvel collectors and fans are featured there, as well as exclusive merchandise and collectibles from the folks at Filbar's and Hot Toys!
For more information, visit the officialMarvel Facebook page, SM, and Filbar's! Use the hashtag "#Marvel80atSM"!
It truly has been a great two years for Spider-Man fans. Not only has the wallcrawling wonder been making a big splash in his native comic book environment, but he's also has a VERY SUCCESSFUL Playstation 4 game by Insomniac Games and made appearances in TWO EPIC Avengers films that brought together all of his fellow heroes from the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Those films, along with the Academy Award winning animated movie "Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse" has shaped our hero's future into a very bright one... And I can safely say that the latest live-action tale in "Spider-Man: Far From Home" is just another example of why we call this character AMAZING.
Thanks to the folks at Columbia Pictures Philippines, I was able to view a special media screening for Far From Home together with friends in the press and some of my fellow personalities in the Spider-Man Fan community.
To say it was nothing short of Spectacular is putting it mildly - this long awaited follow-up to 2017's "Spider-Man: Homecoming" just made its predecessor look like an appetizer to the main course that is this sequel! It's definitely that good, and it's an experience and treat that will certainly go with the best theaters and IMAX theater you can swing nearby to once this movie opens in theaters this July.
So without any more delays, here's my straightforward and NON-SPOILER REVIEW for "Spider-Man: Far From Home"!
It's the end of an era for fans of the X-Men Movies franchise, as the curtain call comes with the release of this long awaited final entry to the "revised timeline" saga of films that began with 2011's "X-Men: First Class". After a number of reshoots and delays that postponed production of the movie, "X-Men: Dark Phoenix" finally graces theaters worldwide and picks up right where the last mainline entry left off - putting the X-Men right at the top of their game and becoming worldwide heroes and celebrities. However as the title suggests, one of their own becomes unstable and a danger to everyone she is close to - leading to a conflict that will test and break the very foundation of the team and everything they have done to help and protect their fellowman.
Thanks to 20th Century Fox Philippines, I was able to watch this final installment at the studio's office for a private press screening - and it was both an X-citing and emotional experience since this is truly the end of an era. With Disney's purchase of Fox and all of its assets, Marvel's Merry Mutants are now going to be incorporated into the growing Marvel Cinematic Universe when the proper time comes. It's just a matter of waiting for that moment to happen... But at least with Dark Phoenix, we have a true ending that while isn't quite the perfect sendoff many expect and wanted, it's still something to watch if you have been following and keeping tabs with this cinematic universe and storytelling that helped build the foundations of the superhero movie genre we all know and love today.
So without any more delays and diving straight into the review proper - here's my thoughts on "X-Men: Dark Phoenix".
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.
If you told me years ago there would be a Spider-Man movie featuring all the different kinds of webheads and wallcrawlers out there today in comics - I would have been beside myself and freaking out at how exactly that would come together. Fortunately - seeds were planted by Marvel and comic book writer Dan Slott on how to exactly get around this problem by actually bringing ALL SPIDER-MEN AND WOMEN TOGETHER in the 2014 comic book crossover called "Spider-Verse". That storyline saw every conceivable variation and alternate universe Spidey come together to battle a common threat - and through that narrative came the possibility of actually adapting the concept for cinematic purposes and having more than just Peter Parker and his alter ego appear in the big screen.
Fast forward to 2018, and Columbia Pictures, Sony Pictures Animation, and Marvel have put together something that is undeniably one of the most AMAZING films to feature our friendly neighborhood hero and everything that he stands for - "Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse". The first animated Spider-Man film to expand on the character and his other alternate counterparts, Into The Spider-Verse does feature Peter Parker, but puts most of the spotlight to young and relative newcomer Miles Morales - better known to comic book readers as the other hero to bear the name Spider-Man! First appearing in the Ultimate Marvel Universe and created by writer Brian Michael Bendis and artist Sara Pichelli, Miles is the heart of this animated feature - serving as the main character and thread that tells one huge yet special story of a power, responsibility, and what makes Spider-Man such a beloved character throughout the world.
Thanks to the folks at Columbia Pictures Philippines, my teammates of Spider-Verse PH and I, along with a few good friends got to see a VERY SPECIAL advance screening of "Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse" a few days ago, and I was literally BLOWN AWAY not just by the visuals and the fact it was pure fan service, but because it is a true LOVE LETTER to all of us Spidey fans who have adored, admired, and idolized the character and what he stands for. Spidey Co-Creator Stan Lee, who passed away earlier this month, would have been VERY PROUD to see this movie if that's any indication of how great this is.
What makes this movie different is what makes it so AWESOME. Check out my thoughts on "Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse" below.
Sometimes it pays to be the little guy among the bunch of heavy hitting superheroes with their own movies, and in the case of Marvel Studios' 2015 film "Ant-Man" - the gamble to introduce a size-changing superhero who also happens to be the creation of Stan "The Man" Lee, Larry Lieber, and Jack Kirby paid off in spades when it was introduced as a concept that was part superhero flick/ part heist movie. Originally under the direction of Edgar Wright, the "Ice Cream Trilogy" director also wrote the screenplay alongside Joe Cornish. However, Rudd left the project in 2014 due to creative differences - with Peyton Reed stepping in to take over directing duties and bringing the final product to the big screen on July 2015. Opening to critical acclaim and with veteran actor/ comedian Paul Rudd emerging as a hilarious and awesome casting choice for the main role alongside a stellar supporting cast that includes Evangeline Lilly, Michael Pena, and Michael Douglas, a sequel was definitely happening... And it has finally arrived in theaters!
Thanks to Walt Disney Studios Philippines and Marvel Philippines, I got to see the aptly titled sequel "Ant-Man and The Wasp" last week - which brings Peyton Reed back in the director's seat and Rudd and Lilly reprising their roles as the titular Pym Particle using heroes. With a great balance of action, drama, and comedy, this is one Marvel Cinematic Universe film that definitely deserves to be put out there following the emotional impact of the previous MCU movie, Avengers: Infinity War. No spoilers will be served on this review of course... But I will say that this is an ASTONISHING SEQUEL. Here's my full review for the movie, which is now playing in theaters!
Ever since he made the "R-Rated" schtick look cool and awesome with his 2016 superhero landing hit film "Deadpool", The X-Men Movies spinoff was destined to have a sequel with Ryan Reynolds back in the role as "The Merc with a Mouth" along with some new elements added to make it more bombastic and insane than ever. How about adding Josh Brolin as Cable, and Zazie Beetz as Domino? Not enough - HOW ABOUT X-FORCE?! That's going to put in more chimichangas up the ass than anyone ever asked for - and with the return of Weasel, Dopinder Colossus, Negasonic Teenage Warhead, and of course Wade Wilson's sweetheart Vanessa, there's a lot riding in this follow up that should make fans very happy.
Thanks to 20th Century Fox PH, I got to see this AWESOME SEQUEL not once but TWICE - for the worldwide celebrated "Deadpool 2 Fan Event" last May 11th, and then on May 15th a day before the movie opened officially in theaters! Words cannot describe how much of an experience that was for me and my pals - and I got to do an impromptu cosplay of Cable as he appears in the film. He's a total badass, and Josh Brolin getting to play ANOTHER comic book character after wielding the Infinity Gauntlet AS THANOS in Avengers: Infinity War just blows my mind!
So now going on Week 2 (with the film earning a WHOPPING $300 plus million in the worldwide box office), here's my review on Deadpool 2!
For the past decade we've been treated to a historic cinematic superhero journey of epic proportions - starting with Robert Downey Jr. putting on his armored suit and becoming Iron Man; Chris Hemsworth lifting that mighty uru hammer Mjolnir as Thor and introducing us to the kingdom of Asgard; Chris Evans emerging as the finest Super Soldier hero the world has ever known and wielding the shield as Captain Americ; And inevitably the gathering of Earth's Mightiest Heroes together in one solid team-up film in "The Avengers" that literally opened the door to new possibilities. The Marvel Cinematic Universe has truly been quite the ride... And now it faces its ultimate test with the arrival of Thanos and his quest to gather the Infinity Stones in "Avengers: Infinity War".
In other words - this is THE film celebrating 10 YEARS of the MCU, as well as all the heroes we've come to know and follow with their respective storylines finally converging in this event that threatens the universe as we know it. Together with the rest of the world, we've all waited for ten long years for things to come together like this, and to see characters like Doctor Strange and the Guardians of the Galaxy interact with Iron Man, Spider-Man, and the rest of the Avengers is quite the spectacle. Years of patience and perseverance paid off, and Kevin Feige and his team from Marvel Studios deserve all the credit and accolades they get for making this entire thing possible.
After seeing the film a couple of times, I can honestly say that everything here will shake you to the core. We've been so used to our heroes coming out of any situation unscathed... But they've never faced a threat like Thanos - and he is very much an unstoppable force that will test our heroes AND the audience as well as you watch this two and a half hour flick directed by The Russo Brothers. Again, EVERYTHING has led up to this moment, and here is my review of "Avengers: Infinity War".
Naturally, this may contain SPOILERS, but "Thanos Demands Your Silence", so that's a fair warning and I will go light with the reveals.
Superhero films have become the norm in the Hollywood film industry this day and age, and that has much to do with the success of Marvel Studios' Marvel Cinematic Universe - which celebrates its tenth anniversary this year after beginning an ambitious and daring project of uniting several films together under one shared continuity. That began with 2008's "Iron Man", which bore fruit as Robert Downey Jr. took to the skies as the armored alter ego of Tony Stark and helped inspire the events that led to the assembly of the Avengers. Today the MCU is in the middle of "Phase Three", and this year will bring three more films that will add more stories and characters to the growing film dynasty of the Marvel Universe - including the long awaited solo movie of the fictional superhero known as the Black Panther - the identity of the protector and defender of the fictional African nation known as Wakanda.
Thanks to Marvel Philippines and Walt Disney Studios PH, I had the chance to see one of the most anticipated films for this new year a few days early before hitting theaters - which is on Valentine's Day in the Philippines! As a dedicated comic book collector and follower of the MCU, I've been looking forward to T'Challa's solo film for a long time - more so with the recent raving reviews brought about by critics and viewers alike who got to see early premieres and screenings c/o Marvel. Now that the movie is about to debut this week everywhere worldwide, I can honestly say without spoiling that this is a VERY DIFFERENT kind of superhero film - culturally significant for an African based superhero like this and transcending the basic premise of good versus evil as tradition and ideology clash in a battle for a nation and the future.
It's been a couple of years since we last saw a certain Thunder God appear in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (barring a cameo appearance in last year's Doctor Strange post-credits scene), but now the Odinson has returned - and he's brought along a fellow absentee Avenger who's presence is equally memorable thanks to the circumstances of both heroes' situations. As his journey leads him to the path of Ragnarok, the warrior known as Thor returns to stop an evil long hidden away that threatens to consume his home realm of Asgard and everything he holds dear in the film "Thor: Ragnarok" - the seventeenth film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe which brings Chris Hemsworth back as the "God of Thunder" along with Mark Ruffalo as Bruce Banner and his jade giant alter ego, the Incredible Hulk!
Thanks to Marvel Philippines and Walt Disney Studios PH, I got to see the film in a special premiere screening last October 18th at the new Ayala Vertis North cinema - and indeed it felt like coming to the halls of Valhalla just by walking into a nicely decorated "Thor: Ragnarok" entrance adorned with Asgardian decor and featuring Heimdall's sword in the front! I brought along my trustee comic book version of Mjolnir to represent the Thunder God as well! So without any more delay, here's my review for "Thor: Ragnarok" - which opens in the Philippines on October 25th! SPOILERS MAY FOLLOW, so read at your own risk!
There comes a time when a hero finally makes his long awaited return to a place he rightfully belongs to, and in the case of your friendly neighborhood Spider-Man he is now at home with the Marvel Cinematic Universe thanks to the deal Sony Pictures and Marvel Studios a few years back that allowed the wallcrawler to join the multimillion dollar shared film universe filled with superheroes based on Marvel Comics. That meant rebooting and reintroducing Peter Parker/ Spider-Man to the MCU with a new actor, and that role fell right into the hands of one Tom Holland - a young English performer who has an extensive background on acting and dancing - qualities that befit a young and nimble Spidey!
Making his debut in last year's "Captain America: Civil War" where he was recruited by Robert Downey Jr.'s Iron Man, Holland's Spider-Man emerged as a quick fan favorite - becoming a witty, energetic, and very green addition to the MCU. After the fallout of that film and the division of the Avengers, it became very clear that we would see Tony Stark mentoring his new protege just like his comic book counterpart did - thus one of the key elements of the inevitable sequel was established. Add the fact audiences will see Peter's young High School and teenaged life fleshed out for the first time, and you have "Spider-Man: Homecoming" - the new Spidey film that certainly prioritizes the words "FUN" and "AMAZING" all around it.
Thanks to the folks at Columbia Pictures Philippines, I was able to see the film a weekend just before its release in a special "Spider-Man: Homecoming Fan Screening" where my team of webheads in Spider-Verse PH was invited! We went straight from ToyCon 2017 just to see the wallcrawler swing into theaters once more in young and rejuvenated fashion, and WE WERE NOT DISAPPOINTED. We loved the film and wore our respective Spidey suits to see it, and it was SPECTACULAR beyond words.
This review is meant to express how much I enjoyed the movie, and to invite fans new and old to see this wonderful film that redefines "Great Power and Great Responsibility" for a new generation with the webhead filling his rightful spot in the MCU!
When you have something good going following a successful blend of action, story, and one awesome soundtrack, it's always best to follow up with a sequel that channels those same energies and unfolds into a continuation that improves on the first movie's merits. In the case of James Gunn and his second outing with Marvel's interstellar bunch of heroes that are the "Guardians of the Galaxy", he stays true to the spirit of the original movie's success by giving us something that feels all too familiar and not much of a departure from the 2014 Marvel Studios film that takes us to the cosmic side of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Here we have a clear example of what a director has plotted well and wants to convey in straightforward linear fashion a group of unlikely allies and the story that pulls them together to save the galaxy from a great threat - and once again it works so beautifully that this is just another reason why Marvel Movies are so beloved and enjoyed by fans worldwide.
Thanks to Walt Disney Studios Philippines, I got the chance to see the film along with other fans, fellow cosplayers, and press on April 20 - a few days ahead of its local release date on April 26th and weeks before it comes out in the US on May 5th. Suffice to say, I WAS NOT DISAPPOINTED and Vol. 2 speaks to the hearts of comic book fans, 80's nostalgia, and those who enjoy a good blend of 70's/ 80's music channeled into a space adventure of AWESOME proportions. Now that it's been a few weeks since it opened up in theaters, here's my review for GOTG Vol. 2!
“His Time Has Come.” Those words could not be more true with the release of 20th Century Fox’s “Logan” - the final film in the Wolverine trilogy of X-Men spinoff films that sees everyone’s favorite feral mutant facing his greatest challenge yet in life and legacy, as well as marking the final time Australian actor and Academy Award winner Hugh Jackman will play the role he carved into film history for 17 years since the original X-Men film released in 2000.
Last Monday, I got to see "Logan" c/o 20th Century Fox Philippines (and suited up with cosplay friend Mislaine as Wolverine and X-23 respectively to boot)... And to say it's breathtaking and X-CELLENT is just a few short descriptions of what is possibly one of the BEST films I have seen ever, going beyond the superhero genre even. That being said here's my review... And there may be slight SPOILERS here but nothing that gives away the main beats or ending to this powerful film in the X-Men film franchise.
