Movie Review: Captain America: The Winter Soldier (The Non-Spoiler Edition)

The build up was high... The momentum was excellent... And now that the film has finally come out in international territories (which includes here in the Philippines), what may very well be the finest Marvel Cinematic Universe film since 2012's The Avengers is upon us... And it actually could top that superhero blockbuster film in terms of content altogether!

Following a dash to theaters and watching one of the first screenings debuting worldwide before the US, Captain America: The Winter Soldier is a fine example of what a damn fine superhero film sequel should be. I'd be mighty tempted to call this Marvel Studios version of "The Dark Knight", but that's just one of the MANY descriptions I have no doubts this movie will fall under. It's THAT GOOD, and a testament to action and espionage movies in general that keeps the blood flowing with the stakes so high and only one super soldier and his handful of allies to save the day.

Now the film hasn't come out in the US as of this post, and will still be out by April 4 next week. So in the spirit of keeping surprises and SPOILERS away, I will give a generalized opinion of the movie, and will NOT discuss the ending, fallout, or what happens in the two extra sequences that come during and after the credits roll.

So without further ado, here is the "Non-Spoiler Edition" review of "Captain America: The Winter Soldier", distributed by Marvel Entertainment and Walt Disney Studios!

Movie Review: Robocop (2014)

The Future of Law Enforcement has been remade for the next generation, and it's a totally different interpretation altogether.

Way back in 1987, two writers Ed Neumeier and Michael Miner changed the way we viewed Sci-Fi and Action for the future by introducing a character who was literally Part-Man and Part-Machine... A Police Officer turned Cyborg who went under the name "Robocop". The original film released that year was directed by Paul Verhoeven and starred Peter Weller in the titular role as Alex Murphy, who dies in the line of duty and gets a second chance at life by being the tool for a megacorporation's effort to dispatch crime in a futuristic version of the city of Detroit. The focus of the movie was not just Murphy's transformation into Robocop, but his subsequent efforts to find and exact revenge on those responsible for killing him, as well as regaining the humanity he lost after turning into a machine.

Flashforward to 2014, and after two sequels that saw Weller reprise his role for Robocop 2 and Robert John Burke take over for Robocop 3, the film series has been rebooted and is now under the hands of Brazilian film director Jose Padilha, who makes his Hollywood and English film debut with this reimagining of "Robocop". Holding the same plot structure as its predecessor, the film still explores Alex Murphy's transformation into the cyborg police officer... But is handled much more intimately and given more exposition thanks to the involvement of a all-star supporting cast that definitely begs this interpretation of the concept to be watch.

That being said, here's the review of Robocop 2014 - which opened last February 6 in international territories, and February 12 in the US. Thanks again goes to Columbia Pictures PH for bringing the film to our shores!

Movie Review: The Lego Movie

"EVERYTHING IS AWESOME! EVERYTHING IS COOL!"

If you needed to sum up The Lego Movie in a few words (if not for the AWESOME POSTER seen here), then its those lines above from the amazingly catchy song "Everything Is Awesome!!!" sung by Tegan and Sara ft. The Lonely Island, which is featured prominently in the movie featuring those lovable construction bricks and directed by 21 Jump Street directors Phil Lord and Chris Miller. Truly a Lego fan and collector's dream movie come true, The Lego Movie appeals to the kid in you, and interlocks bricks of every kind in an epic type adventure that sees one ordinary guy teaming up with powerful Master Builders in order to save the Lego universe from an evil tyrant bent on keeping things glued together.

That premise, along with an all star line-up of amazing voice talents and some wacky bizarre building block fun makes this movie AWESOME in every sense of the word!

Also, here's a pic from the official Philippine premiere of the film last February 3 (with me dressed as Lego Batman)!

Now here's the review for "The Lego Movie", and Big Thanks goes to Warner Bros. PH again for the advanced screening!