Aquaman: Movie Review and Press Conference Recap

Christmas season is finally here, and along with it a rollout of what came this 2018 and what were among the best and brightest things many of us had the privilege of experiencing this year. Chief among these is Warner Bros. Philippines bringing one of the most anticipated films to our shores just before the year closes in AQUAMAN - the long awaited DC Films movie starring Jason Momoa, Amber Heard, and an all-star cast of talents that have banded together under the direction of "Saw", "Insidious", and "The Conjuring" franchise director James Wan (who directs his very first superhero film as well).

Just swimming towards its third week in theaters after opening quite early and ahead of US territories, Aquaman has performed EXCEPTIONALLY WELL in Philippine cinemas - grossing over P230.4 Million in its opening weekend AND surpassing 2015's "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" as a result. Worldwide, it has grossed $383 Million, and is undeniably one of the BEST DC Films to be made by Warner Bros. alongside Wonder Woman. The success of course is due to the charismatic performance of Jason Momoa as Arthur Curry/ Aquaman - who first debuted as the character in a slight cameo in 2016's "Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice" and then joining his fellow heroes to battle a common threat in last year's "Justice League". Momoa's characterization of Aquaman - a hero born to an Atlantian queen and human father, is simply embodied in the word "AWESOME". He's the kind of hero who never backs down from a fight and while seemingly an outcast is determined to do the right thing when it matters and emerges as both hero and king by the film's conclusion. Not since Robert Downey Jr.'s take as Tony Stark/ Iron Man have we seen a vastly different take on a familiar comic book icon, and Momoa can lay claim to the fact that HE IS AQUAMAN because of his performance in this movie.

While Momoa headlines the show as The King of the Seven Seas, his supporting cast is also the reason why this live-action superhero film shines. Amber Heard stands by Arthur Curry's side as Mera - a fellow Atlantian and princess who helps Aquaman realize his destiny and guides him to become the hero he is meant to be. Nicole Kidman and Temuera Morrison also star as Arthur's parents Atlanna and Thomas Curry - two people from two different worlds who were never meant to meet and fall in love, but they did and produced a child who would become a representation of what is good in life in both land and sea. Willem Dafoe plays the role of Vulko - the counselor of Atlantis royalty who teaches and mentors Arthur to become the warrior he grows up to be. Patrick Wilson stars as Orm - the half-brother of Arthur Curry who seeks to challenge his birthright as king of Atlantis and become "Ocean Master". Likewise, Yahya-Abdul Mateen II becomes a very personal enemy to Aquaman after their initial encounter and takes up the role of his nemesis, Black Manta.

AQUAMAN – Final Trailer – in cinemas December 12
For all its brilliant casting and direction, Aquaman also bolsters one of the most impressive CGI works and special effects that can be made today - bringing to life the world of Atlantis and the rest of the undersea waters that make up the different kingdoms featured in this adventure. Wan and crew spare no expense in imagining something as beautiful as the capital city, while also digging deeper into Aquaman lore and displaying the horrors seen in The Trench. There's just plenty to talk about and it's better to watch it come to life, as well as the world hopping that Arthur and Mera go through to find King Atlan's trident to help save not only the surface world, but the rest of Atlantis from a war that may very well destroy both worlds as a result.

Undoubtedly one of the BEST superhero films to be made because it FINALLY puts to rest all the jokes unfairly pointed at Arthur Curry since time and memorial, Aquaman is just simply made to be seen by fans and newbies because it is rich with adventure, spectacle, and awesomeness. It puts DC back in the map in making a solid footing to the superhero movie market, and I can't wait to see what comes next in DC Films. Also, I got to go to the Grand Hyatt Hotel press conference and see Jason Momoa, Amber Heard, and director James Wan themselves before the Aquaman Fan Meet at SM Mall of Asia last December 11! You can see bits of that in my Facebook page in photos, as well as a Facebook Live Video too!
Aquaman is NOW SHOWING in theaters in The Philippines and Worldwide! I'd highly recommend seeing it in IMAX 3D too - it is simply gorgeous!

 Rating - 5/5

Movie Review: Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse

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.

Movie Review: Creed II

It's been three long years since the young and energetic Adonis Johnson Creed stepped into the boxing ring and carried on the torch passed on by his mentor/ "Unc" Rocky Balboa in 2015's "Creed" - the very first spin-off film of the long running "Rocky" film franchise and one that follows the career and journey of a new fighter who inherits two legacies from two former rivals turned friends. The first film's director, Ryan Coogler of "Black Panther" fame, made a daring attempt at continuing the Rocky Saga through fresh eyes - this time through the late Apollo Creed's son and how he rose through a huge challenge to carve his own legacy while honoring his father's at the same time.

Fast forward to 2018, and a sequel that was only natural to happen comes forth delivering not just the next chapter for Adonis Creed, but also a fight that acts as continuation of the fight that took his father's life and changed his mentor Rocky Balboa forever. "Creed II" pits the young boxer against Viktor Drago - son of "Rocky IV" antagonist and Russian Boxer Ivan Drago - the man who killed Apollo Creed in an Exhibition Match 33 years ago. After climbing to the top of the mountain and becoming WBO Champion, Donnie's life turns upside down with this very personal challenge - one that complicates his progression as a fighter and soon to be husband and father. As his girlfriend/ fiancee Bianca becomes pregnant with his child and his relationship with his "Unc" Rocky becomes strained over choosing to fight the Dragos, Creed must learn to rise beyond his own demons and his father's shadow to fight for what is more important in his life than anything else.