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Reviews
The Marvels (2023)
Fell way below expectations, but had its moments
The Marvels is a film that has been building up since the beginning of Phase 4 and after waiting over two years to see how this story unfolds, I can say with confidence that Marvel definitely fumbled the bag with this one and has made one of the worst films in the MCU. For the positives, Brie Larson's Carol Danvers/Captain Marvel makes her long awaited return after traveling the galaxy alone since Avengers: Endgame and I have to say, her character definitely feels more fleshed out here than in the original Captain Marvel film and I was glad to see her return overall. The standout star of the entire film though had to be Iman Vellani as Kamala Khan/Ms. Marvel. She steals the show in every scene she is in and shines the brightest out of the main stars. Teyonah Parrish also returns as Monica Rambeau and makes her long awaited superhero debut as Photon, while also having some of the best moments of the film as well. The chemistry between the main three actresses work overall and I was glad to see them finally come together on the big screen. The visuals for the most part were breathtaking while also stunning as well. For the negatives, Samuel L Jackson returns as Nick Fury after being last seen in Secret Invasion which I was not a fan of and after seeing him in this, as much as I like him as a actor, Nick Fury was definitely not needed for this film and he gives probably the worst performance of his entire career in this film. It felt like the Nick Fury we got here compared to Secret Invasion are two entirely separate characters. Also the villian Dar-Benn played by Zawe Ashton was probably one of the most poorly written and worst villains to ever come to the MCU. When it comes to the plot choices and dialogue, some of the choices made were obviously not the right ones and the dialogue was also some of the worst I've ever heard in a film period. Overall, The Marvels succeeded with bringing our three main hero's to the big screen in style while also setting up what's to come in the future, but with poorly written plot choices, bad dialogue, unnecessary characters, and a weak villain, makes this film below average for a MCU film. Rating 5/10.
Secret Invasion (2023)
A bit of a mess, but has its moments
Secret Invasion is the first series to join Phase 5 of the MCU and one that I looked forward to just as much as Loki season 2, but unfortunately, this is one of the bigger letdowns lately to come to the MCU. After Nick Fury learns of a invasion on Earth by the secret society of shapeshifting Skrulls, Fury returns to Earth to help stop the invasion of the world with the help of the Skrulls previous leader Talos, Maria Hill, Sonya Falsworth, and Talos's daughter G'iah who herself has infiltrated with the Rebel Skrulls. So first off, the series is not all bad and definitely has some great moments, but there were just some elements and moments throughout the show that I thought were a bit predictable and felt extremely rushed as if there was a certain deadline for the show. The first two episodes gets off to a really great start. Especially with espionage playing a role in the show making it feel completely different from anything we have seen in the MCU in the past. Samuel L. Jackson's take on Nick Fury in the series was overall great and I was glad to see his character finally come back to the MCU after being absent for so long, as well as diving into his past in order to get a better understanding of what's led him to where he is today. There are definitely moments particularly towards the last couple of episodes of the series that had me scratching my head towards his character by some of the choices he makes, as well as some of his reactions, but overall it was great to see Fury back. Ben Mendelssohn returning as Talos really brings the best of his character out in this series and is definitely one of the highlights of it. Every scene that Fury and Talos were in was a delight to watch as they were some of the most memorable moments of the show. Olivia Coleman as newcomer to the MCU Sonya Falsworth stole the show in every scene she was in and was definitely another highlight of the series. Cobie Smulders as Maria Hill was also great to see again, although she wasn't used as much as I thought she was intended to be. Emilia Clarke as Talos's daughter G'iah I thought overall was fine in her role. The problem I have with her character is that I felt that they didn't explore nearly enough for us to get a better sense of her character such as her emotions and her choices as I felt her character was a bit unbalanced and underwritten. Kingsley Ben-Adir as the villain Gravik I thought was the best choice for the character and also had some of the best moments of the series. The only problem I really have with his character is like Thor: Love and Thunder did, they wasted the villains potential which was one of the series biggest takeaways for me. When it comes down to the rest of the series itself after the first two episodes, it really does have its moments, but by the time it gets to the last couple of episodes, things really start to go downhill with being predictable, certain moments being unexplained, certain characters deaths meaning nothing, and making the world of the MCU more chaotic than it already was and needed to be. Overall, Secret Invasion is a entertaining watch with a terrific cast, but with a underwhelming plot and expectations not being lived up to, this MCU series turns into a bit of mess. Rating. 6.5/10.
Oppenheimer (2023)
One of the best films of 2023
Oppenheimer is the first film to come from Christopher Nolan's new journey in filmmaking by switching it up a bit to make probably one of the best biopics in the past decade. The story follows J. Robert Oppenheimer on a mission to help develop the atomic bomb that will affect the world as we know it, while also showing us the political dilemma that is caused by it, as well as the affect it has on himself and others close to him. Cillian Murphy as the title character J. Robert Oppenheimer gives probably the best performance of his career as well as one of the best performances of the year and I'm glad that Christopher Nolan finally gives him his time to shine after taking a backseat in Nolan's previous films throughout the years. Emily Blunt as Kitty Oppenheimer I thought fit her role well, although I wished we could have explored her character a bit more. Matt Damon as General Leslie Grooves Jr is a great addition to the supporting cast and is one of the best characters of the movie. Robert Downey Jr as Lewis Strauss absolutely nails his role and also gives a great supporting performance in this film. Florence Pugh as Jean Tatlock was also great, although I felt her role in the film was to be more absurd with Oppenheimer rather than supportive of him like I thought her character would be and I also figured her character would of played a larger role than what was anticipated, but overall, she was fantastic as always. The score for this film is probably one of the best scores I've heard since Nolan's The Dark Knight (2008) and the actual atomic bomb scene was incredible to watch. I also like how Christopher Nolan was able to give audiences insight and show how dangerous a atomic bomb can be and the affect it has on people. If there's any cons I have, the way sexuality/nudity is handled is a bit strange, but also I can see why it's handled that way and the third act starts to drag a bit, but other than that, there's not really much to complain about. Overall, Oppenheimer is not only probably one of the best films of 2023, but also one of the best biopics in the last decade that will be revisited for years to come.
Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse (2023)
One of the best animated films ever
Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse is hands down one of the best animated films ever. It brings us a story that we're so invested in as a audience that by the time the end credits roll, we don't want it to end. The animation, the story, the characters, and the voice acting alone make this film as special as it is. Shameik Moore returns once more as Miles Morales and he gives his best performance as the character that we have seen yet. Hailee Steinfeld as Gwen Stacy shines brighter than ever and I was finally glad to get a backstory for her character. Oscar Issac proves he can play any character in any Marvel franchise or universe for say as Miguel O'Hara/Spider-Man 2099 proving why he is still one of the best actors currently working in Hollywood today. It was also good to see Jake Johnson's Peter B. Parker return with his new baby, although his screen time gets severely cut in this film compared to the last film. Jason Schwartman as the villain Spot I'm not gonna lie I thought was just going to be a typical villain, but I was dead wrong. He brings his A game for this film and gives us a villain that is not only comical at times, but very menacing and disturbing that leaves a chill down your spine and keeps you so invested on what he might do next. Daniel Kaluuya's Spider-Punk and Karan Spin's Spider-Man India were some of my favorite of the new Spider-Man's to come to this film. I also loved the voice performances from Brian Tyree Henry and Lauren Vélez as Jefferson Davis and Rio Morales. The other cameo's we got were great as well. Most people have said they didn't expect it to hang off on a cliffhanger like it did and that was one of the films takeaways, but honestly I was more than satisfied with the end result by how speechless I was after viewing the film. Overall, Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse is probably not only one of the best animated movies ever, but also one of the best comic book movies ever as well and I can't wait for Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse. Rating: 9.5/10.
Scream VI (2023)
A horror franchise that's heading in the right direction
Scream VI is a breath of fresh air for horror fans as the next chapter in the Scream franchise. After surviving the Ghostface attacks in Woodsboro, the Carpenter sisters and the remaining survivors relocate to New York City to put what has happened in Woodsboro behind them and move on with their lives in order to start school. But when a new kind of Ghostface killer emerges unlike no other, it's up to the Carpenter sisters, the remaining survivors of Woodsboro, some old, and new faces to uncover the new Ghostface's plot and stop the killings from happening again. So first off, Melissa Barrera and Jenna Ortega as Sam and Tara Carpenter are even more likable than in the previous film and I'm glad that they are the protagonists for the franchise moving forward. Neve Campbell's Sidney Prescott is definitely missed in this film, but her character was also not necessarily needed either. I'm glad they kept it open for her character to either return in a future installment in the franchise or to have the happy ending she's definitely deserved. Personally, I think where the last film left off was a more than perfect sendoff for her character and having the Carpenter sisters be the protagonists of the franchise. Courtney Cox as Gale Weathers was also good to see return, as she finally gets to have a one on one showdown with the killer herself finally after waiting years to see this encounter, although I do feel like some of the choices for her character such as source material and dialogue in some cases weren't always the best and not everything was explored with her character like it could have been, but she managed to do great in this film. Hayden Panettiere returns as Kirby Reed after leaving her characters fate undetermined since Scream IV and it was definitely great to see her return to the franchise. Samara Weaving made a great appearance as Laura Crane although I felt like she was underused by a lot. Josh Segarra as Danny Brackett is probably my favorite of the new cast members to join this film. Mason Gooding and Jasmin Savoy Brown as Chad and Mindy were also great to see return from the previous film. The other new cast members were great. If I have any cons at all about the film, it's that some of the source material as well as dialogue wasn't always the best and they keep using the CGI young Billy Loomis as Sam Carpenters spirit ghost that I didn't mind them using in the last film, but in this one it was definitely unnecessary. Overall, Scream VI is another franchise entry done right with it's amazing protagonists, set pieces, and plot twists that'll keep you guessing until the end. Rating 7.5/10.
The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special (2022)
Another great special presentation for the MCU
The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special is one that fans have been waiting awhile for and after waiting so long to see more of the Guardians of the Galaxy, we finally do here, showing us a side of certain Guardians we haven't seen until now. The story most follows Mantis and Drax as they set off on a mission to Earth to give Peter Quill/Star-Lord the best present and Christmas they could possibly give him. So first off, Dave Bautista and Pom Klementieff as Drax and Mantis being the lead characters of this special was absolutely perfect and I loved the chemistry between the two throughout the special. It was also cool to see a new version of Vin Diesel's Groot as well as getting a proper introduction for Maria Bakalova's Cosmo the Spacedog. Chris Pratt's Peter Quill/ Star-Lord is sidelined for a majority of the special, but when he does appear he steals the show. Karen Gillian's Nebula, Bradley Cooper's Rocket Raccoon, and Sean Gunn's Kraglin were also great to see come back in this special. The best part about this special is how they finally brought Kevin Bacon as himself in the MCU and he did not disappoint one bit. Overall, James Gunn has done it once again with this Marvel Studios Special Presentation that is not only entertaining, but very heartwarming that gives us a look at what the Guardians have been up to as well as more about them, while also giving us a glimpse into what the future holds for the Guardians of the Galaxy. Rating 8/10.
I Am Groot (2022)
A great take on Baby Groot
I Am Groot is one of many shorts that follows Baby Groot during his time between Guardians of the Galaxy (2014) and Guardians of the Galaxy (2017). Vin Diesel returns to voice Baby Groot in these shorts as he helps captures the newfound Baby Groot on a path of self discovery and exploration. The visuals are great, the short stories are also excellent, and Baby Groot himself is as great as always as I felt this was what fans have been always wanted to see if they could see how Baby Groot became the Groot that we now know in the MCU. I was also glad to see Bradley Cooper make a brief appearance in one of the shorts as Rocket Raccoon as I thought he was a great addition to the short. Overall, I Am Groot is a great addition to the MCU with its shorts on Baby Groot with its stunning visuals, exploration on the character Baby Groot, and heartfelt moments that shows us why Groot is one of the most sentimental characters of the MCU. Rating 8/10.
Werewolf by Night (2022)
I wanted more by the end
Michael Giacchino's take on Werewolf by Night that is Marvel Studios first special presentation is by far one of the best projects to come out of Phase 4 of the MCU. When a group of monsters hunters unite to honor their leader on a dark and mysterious night, they must enter a deadly cat and mouse game with the reward being the valuable and powerful Blood Stone that belonged to their fallen leader. So for starters, the two leads Gael García Bernal and Laura Donnelly are absolutely fantastic as the leads Jack Russell and Elsa Bloodstone. The chemistry between the two is magnificent and it made me want more of the two together. Harriet Sansom Harris as Verussa Bloodstone was absolutely menacing as hell and is one of the best parts of the special. I was also glad this special finally introduces us to Ted/Man-Thing as he is a character I've been wanting to see in the MCU for a long time now. The horror elements of the show also helps shape it into being one of the darkest projects to come to the MCU so far as well as being one of the most violent projects too. Overall, Werewolf by Night is hands down not only one of the best projects of Phase 4, but a winner for the MCU as it helps the MCU get ahead of some of the set backs Phase 4 had with the help of its horror elements, brutal violence, and astonishing storytelling. Rating 9/10.
She-Hulk: Attorney at Law (2022)
Could it of been better? Yeah, but it's still satisfying
She-Hulk: Attorney at Law is known to be probably most people's least liked TV show that has come to the MCU. Honestly, this show is not all bad and has some really great moments that are memorable. When attorney Jennifer Walters who is also the cousin of Bruce Banner/Hulk accidentally contracts the powers of the Hulk, she must learn how to use her newfound powers while also balance her life as a attorney at law. So first off, Tatiana Maslany as Jennifer Walters/She-Hulk is absolutely perfect casting for the character of She-Hulk and is one of my favorite casting choices to come out of Phase 4 of the MCU. I was also glad and thought it was perfect on how she was able to break the fourth wall throughout the show. Ginger Gonzaga as Nikki Ramos is a great side character that helps Jennifer on her journey throughout the show as well as Josh Segarra's Pug. Other great characters that make a appearance on the show such as Mark Ruffalo's Bruce Banner/Hulk, Tim Roth's Emil Blonsky/Abomination, and Benedict Wong's Wong. The best character appearance of the entire show is definitely Charlie Cox's Matt Murdock/Daredevil that finally properly not only shows us more of the Matt Murdock we briefly seen in Spider-Man: No Way Home, but also introduces us to his alter ego Daredevil into the MCU and the chemistry between Daredevil and She-Hulk is probably some of my favorite moments of Phase 4 of the MCU. If I have any complaints, it's that halfway through the show after Hulk's, Wong's, and Abomination's appearances the show falls flat for a couple episodes until the show picks back up when Daredevil makes a appearance as I felt the episodes between that gap were unnecessary to the show as well as some of the dialogue wasn't the best as some lines worked better than others including the jokes. Overall, She-Hulk: Attorney at Law is able to make the best of what is given to it that starts off great, then falls flat halfway through, then saved near the end with the help of great character appearances, comedic moments, and Tatiana Maslany's incredible take on the character Jennifer Walters/She-Hulk that also gives us a sign or look at what's the come in the MCU moving forward. Rating 7.5/10.
Ms. Marvel (2022)
A great take on the MCU's newest teenage hero
Ms. Marvel is one of the few tv shows to come to the MCU that I didn't really expect to like going into it, but after watching all six episodes, I can gladly say that Marvel Studios has pulled off Kamala Kan/Ms. Marvel's introduction into the MCU. When fangirl and wannabe superhero Kamala Kan finds a bangle that is related to her family's history and that has other outside sources interested in it, Kamala must discover her family's history and secrets while also tackling the teenage life of her own, while on top of it is also discovering her alter ego. So first off, Iman Vellani as the title character Kamala Kan/Ms. Marvel is a more than perfect casting choice and is one of the best castings ever in the entire MCU. The way she is able to capture the struggles of being a up and coming superhero while also being a teenager is entertaining while also thrilling to watch at times. Yasmeen Fletcher as Nakia Bahadri is also a great addition to the show. Matt Lintz as Bruno Carrelli is definitely my favorite side character of the show and I see why Matt Lintz was almost cast as Peter Parker/Spider-Man in the MCU before Tom Holland was, but his role in this show fits him well. Other supporting characters such as Kamala's family and friends are also great additions in their own way while also exploring her culture and way of life. If I have any complaints, I say the way they handled the villains of the show could of been handled way differently as I felt they didn't fully live up to expectations. Also there were some scenes I felt were unnecessary to the story, but was able to be overlooked. Overall, Ms. Marvel is a more than fine addition to the MCU that has one of the best casting choices in Iman Vellani's Kamala Kan/Ms. Marvel, that has me waiting patiently to see her once again in the MCU. Rating 8/10.
Moon Knight (2022)
One of the best MCU shows ever
Moon Knight lives up to expectations as Marvel's own caped crusader that offers brilliant performances, satisfying action, and great character arcs. When a troubled man with multiple personality disorders enhances the power of the Egyptian Moon God known as Moon Knight, he must use it and navigate his way to stopping mysterious cult leader Arthur Harrow from unleashing the Egyptian God Ammit into the world. So for starters, Oscar Issac as the title character or should I say characters Marc Spector/Steven Grant/Jake Lockley/Moon Knight/Mr. Knight is absolutely fantastic and give's probably one of the greatest performances ever to come to the MCU. Ethan Hawke as Arthur Harrow was definitely a highlight of the show and helped make the show what it is. May Calamawy as Layla El-Faouly was a character I was not expecting to like at all and that I absolutely fell in love with and the chemistry she had with all of Oscar Issac's characters in the show is just astonishing to watch. Overall, Moon Knight is one of the best shows to come to the MCU period and I cannot wait to see more of these characters again in the future. Rating 8.5/10.
Hawkeye (2021)
A fun and entertaining MCU show
Hawkeye finally explores and gives Clint Barton/Hawkeye a chance to shine in his own standalone show as well as introducing us to new archer Kate Bishop. After the events of Avengers: Endgame, Clint Barton is still reeling the lost of Natasha Romanoff/Black Widow while also trying to give his family a good Christmas and put his past as the infamous masked assassin Ronin behind him. On the other hand, Kate Bishop is a young woman who wants to become a superhero like her icon Clint Barton/Hawkeye while her mother on the other hand wants her to grow up and be like her. When a black market auction goes sideways and Kate is mistaken for the infamous Ronin, Clint and Kate must team up to take down the track suit mafia whose leader is wanting Ronin for their own personal reasons while also uncovering a murder mystery conspiracy. So first off, this is hands down the best performance Jeremy Renner has given as Clint Barton/Hawkeye as he is able to capture the grief, the trauma, and the aftermath of his character's actions while also trying to be the best family man he can be. Hailee Steinfeld as Kate Bishop is absolutely perfect casting and I couldn't imagine anyone else in the role than her. The relationship between Clint and Kate as the superhero duo is some of the best chemistry to come to the MCU in a long time. Alaqua Cox as Maya Lopez/Echo is also perfect casting and fits in her role more than well. Vera Farmiga as Elenanor Bishop was also great to see join to the MCU. I was also glad to see Florence Pugh return as Yelena Belova, showing more of her grief and aftermath of Natasha Romanoff. Finally I was also glad to see Vincent D' Onofrio make his MCU debut as Wilson Fisk/Kingpin. Overall, Hawkeye is a great addition to Phase 4 of the MCU as it finally explores more of the character Hawkeye as well as introducing us to Kate Bishop, while also looking forward to what's to come in the future. Rating 8/10.
Venom: Let There Be Carnage (2021)
Let There Be Carnage
After the events of Venom (2018), Tom Hardy returns once more as Eddie Brock/Venom who is still learning the ropes of being a antihero while also dealing with his relationship issues with Venom. When a dangerous psychotic serial killer Cletus Cassidy gets his hands on the Carnage symbiote, Eddie and Venom must put their differences aside to stop the dangerous killer from reigning terror upon anyone else. So first off, Tom Hardy as Eddie Brock/Venom I thought was great. The only problem I really have with his performance is not so much as the Eddie Brock side of his character, but more of the Venom side of his character. In the first Venom, his voice and characters mannerisms when it comes to Venom was more sinister while here it sounds more like a jokester that imitating Venom instead of playing the sinister Venom we have all come to love, but other than that, Tom Hardy's performance is fine. Woody Harrelson's Cletus Cassidy/Carnage was also fine, but not as dark as I was hoping for him to be, as I felt he was trying way to hard to be the sinister character we hoped for, but instead gave us a performance that was somewhat different than what we were expecting. Michelle Williams's Anne Weying I was also glad to see make a return for the sequel. Naomi Harris's Shriek was probably the most interesting character of the entire film although I felt that they could of explored her character's past a bit more than what was shown. Stephen Graham's Detective Mulligan was also a great addition to the film, although his character left me with more questions than answers. Overall, Andy Serkis's take Venom: Let There Be Carnage is a sequel that is just fine enough to be part of Sony's new Spiderverse and a alright addition to the Venom franchise that also looks forward to the future for Eddie Brock and Venom. Rating 7/10.
Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings (2021)
Way better than expected and a great character introduction
Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings is one of the best projects to come out of Phase 4 of the MCU. Before seeing the film, I honestly thought this film would not live up to expectations at all. In the end after viewing it, I was dead wrong as it lived up to the hype and expectations that fans hoped for. Living a normal life in San Francisco California, Shang-Chi's life is interrupted when his past life forces him to confront the sins of his past and become the person he was truly meant to be. So first off, Simu Liu as the title character Shang-Chi was born to play this role and pulls it off masterfully. Awkwafina as Katy I also thought was great and her chemistry with Simu Li's Shang-Chi is perfect. Tony Leung Chiu-wai as Shang-Chi's dad Xu Wenwu/ The Mandarin was absolutely incredible, showing us the grief he has, while also showing us how sentimental he can be making him my favorite character of the entire film. Meng'er Zhang's Xu Xialing was also a great addition to the film as well as Michelle Yeoh's Ying Nan. I was also glad to see the return of Ben Kingsley's Trevor Slattery from Iron Man 3 and is another one of my favorite characters of the film. When it comes to the visuals and the story, they are some of the best to come out of Phase 4 and probably one of the best origin stories to come the the MCU in a long time. Overall, Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings lives up to expectations as the next great MCU film that has great visual, a incredible story, and great character arcs that also looks ahead to what's to come in the MCU moving forward. Rating 8.5/10.
Black Widow (2021)
Not the best film MCU, but it worked
Taking place after the events of Captain America: Civil War and before the events of Avengers: Infinity War, Scarlett Johansson returns once again as Natasha Romanoff/Black Widow who is now on the run for helping Captain America and Bucky Barnes escape the U. S. government. When a mysterious new foe known as Taskmaster appears out of the shadows, Natasha must face her past and round up new characters from her past to take care of the unfinished business she thought she put behind her. So first off, Scarlett Johansson's Natasha Romanoff/Black Widow definitely gives this her best portrayal of her character that she has ever given. Although as much as it is her film, the standout character of the entire film is hands down Florence Pugh's Yelena Belova. She is astonishing while also stunning in the role and the film wouldn't be what it is without her character. David Harbour's Red Guardian is also a highlight of the film. Rachel Weisz's Melina is also a fine addition to the film, although I wish we would of gotten more screen time with her character. Ray Winstone's Dreykov was alright, but definitely didn't feel like he was a established enough villain for audiences to actually care about who his villain is as he doesn't have as much screen time. Taskmaster was also a huge let down by the end and I was not huge fan of the character choices they chose for the character. Besides that, some of the fight scenes were absolutely great in this film as well as the cinematography. Overall, Black Widow is a proper sendoff for the character Natasha Roman, while also passing the torch to a new Black Widow, making audiences look forward to what's to come. Rating. 7.5/10.
Loki (2021)
A one of a kind look at a great antihero
Review for Season 1: After the events of Avengers: Endgame, Loki from The Avengers (2012) has escaped with the tesseract and is captured by a mysterious organization known as the TVA that manages all of time. When Agent Mobius offers Loki a chance at freedom and redemption, Loki takes him up on his offer to hunt down a variant of himself while also learning that the TVA is not what it seems to be. So first off, Tom Hiddleston is at his best as Loki in this show. The way he captures his characters mannerisms and how clever Loki can really be is entertaining while also thrilling to watch. Owen Wilson's Agent Mobius is one of the standout characters of the show and it wouldn't be as great as it is without him. Sophia Di Martino as Loki's other variant Sylvie is absolutely stunning and flawless. Her chemistry with Tom Hiddleston's Loki is probably some of my favorite out of two characters interacting with one another in the MCU. Gugu Mbatha-Raw as Ravonna was also great. I wished we would of gotten a little more screen time and more of a backstory for her character. Tara Strong as Miss Minutes is great voicing the character. Richard E. Grant as Classic Loki was a dream casting come true and was definitely one of the standouts when he was on screen. Finally, Jonathan Majors as He-Who Remains which is a variant of Kang the Conqueror is a absolute standout and steals the show in every single scene he is in, while also showing that he is just as talented and great as the rest of his fellow cast members. When it comes to the exploration of the timeline while also officially entering the Multiverse saga with this Phase 4 TV show, I thought was well executed and I hope they explore more of it in the future. Overall, Loki Season 1 is hands down some of the best television for the MCU we have gotten so far and I can't wait to see where they take things in Loki Season 2. Rating 9/10.
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 (2023)
A great send off for the Guardians of the Galaxy
After years of waiting for the long awaited Guardians of the Galaxy Volume 3, audiences alike have finally got to see this one of a kind film and it is unlike any other film that has ever come to the MCU and stands out on its own. It's definitely the most darkest and most emotional film to ever come to the MCU, making sure it pays its tributes and giving each of its characters a moment to shine bright. This movie reminds all fans alike what makes the MCU as great as it is. It gives us characters that we have come to love, the best and most proper send off they could have. After dealing with the loss of Gamora, Peter Quill must bring together the Guardians for a mission to save one of their own that may be the end of them if not successful. Hands down the stand out characters of the film is Peter Quill/Star Lord and Rocket Racoon, bringing us a side of the characters we have never seen before and probably the best versions of the characters we have ever seen. This was hands down Chris Pratt's best performance as Peter Quill/ Star Lord and shows us how far he is willing to go in order to save those he loves. As heart breaking as the scenes were to watch, I was glad that James Gunn was able to tell Rocket's full story on how he became who he is as unsettling as it was to watch at times. It shows how while also why he is one of the most important and broken characters ever in the MCU. Zoe Saldana's Gamora was also fantastic bringing us a different side of her character we have never seen before. Dave Bautista's Drax had some of the funniest lines of the entire film as well as Karen Gillian's Nebula. I was also glad to see more of Pom Klementieff's Mantis using her powers. Vin Diesel's Groot I also thought was a highlight of the film, bringing us a different kind of Groot than we have seen in the past. Maria Bakalova as Cosmo the Spacedog was great at voicing the character. Sean Gunn's Kraglin I was glad to see have more screen time than any of the other Guardian films and show off his own set of skills. Chukwudi Iwuji's High Evolutionary is absolutely terrifying, psychotic, and probably one of the most hateful villains of the MCU and the way he is able to capture all of his character's mannerisms is while also unsettling to watch, but fascinating, because of how good of a actor he really is making his villain one of the best in my opinion in the MCU just by how menacing he is. Will Poulter's Adam Warlock I was finally glad to see come the the MCU and he did not disappoint, although I felt like he wasn't used quite as much as he was anticipated to, he still had a great introduction for the MCU. When it comes to the visuals, this is definitely the most visually stunning of all of the Guardians of the Galaxy films. Overall, James Gunn has pulled off the proper send off for some of the greatest characters to ever come to the MCU, using great character arcs, a unsettling while also sometimes disturbing tone, great visuals, and a incredible story that leaves you feeling sad, but satisfied with the end result. Rating 10/10.
The Falcon and the Winter Soldier (2021)
A great way to explore these characters
After the events of Avengers: Endgame, Sam Wilson/Falcon is now working with the United States Air-Force and is tracking a dangerous terrorist organization that involves the super soldier serum. On top of that, he surrenders the shield that Steve Rogers/Captain America gives him to the United States government and they decide to replace Captain America with Army Ranger John Walker. Meanwhile, Bucky Barnes/The Winter Soldier is dealing with the trauma as well as consequences of being The Winter Soldier after being brainwashed by Hydra and is disappointed in Sam for giving up the shield to the government. When Bucky decides to join Sam on his hunt for the terrorist organization, it will put their skills to the test as well as their patience for one another. So first off, Anthony Mackie as Sam Wilson/Falcon was fantastic to see again, making his performance in this my favorite out of all of his portrayals so far of the character and I was finally glad to see the long awaited backstory for his character. Sebastian Stan as Bucky Barnes/The Winter Soldier was great as well to see again, bringing us the trauma, the grief, and redemption arc for his character that we've waited so long to see. Daniel Brühl's Baron Zemo I was glad to see again since he is one of my favorite MCU villains and was finally glad to have a brief backstory for his character. Erin Kellyman as Karli Morgenthau I thought was a alright villain, although I get her reasons for being the villain, I felt some of her choices wasn't always the best and kind of sloppy, but overall it somehow worked. Wyatt Russell as John Walker/Captain America/U. S. Agent was perfect casting and I can't wait to see more of him. Overall, The Falcon and the Winter Soldier is a great addition to the MCU TV shows that make you wish there were more of it by the end. Rating 8/10.
WandaVision (2021)
A great way to start off Phase 4 of the MCU
WandaVision is the first of a handful of shows to come to the MCU, kicking off Phase 4 in style. Living suburban lives, super powered beings Wanda Maximoff and Vision are living the life they have always dreamed of, until they begin to suspect that not all is what it seems. The series is colorful, stylish, and often very dark at times for it being in the MCU, bringing us a story unlike no other that's been in the MCU. When it comes to the two leads, Elizabeth Olsen and Paul Bettany as Wanda Maximoff and Vision are the best versions of their MCU characters that they have ever been, making us want more of the both of them together by the time all nine episodes are done. Kathryn Hahn as Agatha Harkness was fine. She was definitely the oddest character of the whole show, but overall was fine. Teyonah Parrish's Monica Rambeau was definitely one of my favorite characters of the show and I can't wait to see her more in the future. I was also glad to see the returns of Jimmy Woo and Darcy Lewis played by Randall Park and Kat Dennings. Overall, this is definitely one of the weirdest, but stylish projects to the MCU, that kicks off Phase 4 in style that also shows that some stories can be shown as TV shows. Rating 9/10.
Spider-Man: Far from Home (2019)
Spider-Man on vacation
After the events of Avengers: Endgame, Tom Holland's Peter Parker/Spider-Man returns after being blipped for five years by Thanos's snap and is still dealing with the loss of his mentor Tony Stark as well as trying be the best Spider-Man he can be. When Peter decides to take a European vacation that's a class trip and ask his crush MJ out, he thinks it will be relaxing time away from being a superhero. When four elemental creatures disturb his vacation and a new mysterious hero shows up known as Quintin Beck/Mysterio, Spider-Man must team up with Mysterio, Nick Fury, and Maria Hill to stop the entities before it's too late. So first off, Tom Holland's Peter Parker/Spider-Man is fantastic as always bringing us a emotionally distressed side of his character we haven't seen until now. Samuel L. Jackson as Nick Fury is great as Peter's new mentor in this film, although I don't think he was used as much as he was intended to be, but was still great. Jake Gyllenhaal as Quintin Beck/Mysterio is perfect casting at its finest while also bringing us one of the greatest Spider-Man characters we have ever seen to life on screen. Zendaya as MJ was great as well and I was glad she had more screentime this time around. Jacob Batalon as Ned was funny in every scene he was in. Cobie Smulders's Maria Hill was also a great addition to the film. Maria Tomei's Aunt May and Jon Favreau's Happy Hogan had great chemistry together. Overall, Spider-Man: Far From Home definitely lives up to the hype as one of the best Spider-Man films, while also giving us a scent of what's to come in Spider-Man's future and Phase 4 of the MCU. Rating 9/10.
Avengers: Endgame (2019)
The end of a era
Avengers: Endgame changed the film industry as we know it, becoming not only one of the greatest superhero films of all time like Avengers: Infinity War did, but one of the most successful films in cinematic history with all twenty two MCU films, leading to this. After suffering unimaginable losses at the hands of Thanos in Avengers: Infinity War, Tony Stark is lost in space with Nebula with only short time left to live. When they are rescued and brought back to earth by Captain Marvel, the remaining Avengers decide to hunt Thanos to try to undo what's been done. When they find Thanos and discover the infinity stones are destroyed, the Avengers have no choice, but to accept their losses and move on. After some time has passed and a quantum trapped Ant-Man emerges to offer the Avengers a chance to undo what's been done, the Avengers assemble for what could be the final time if not successful to undo Thanos's reign of terror on the universe no matter what it takes. So first off, this film absolutely lived up to the hype and expectations fans were expecting, giving us a superhero film unlike no other. Robert Downey Jr as Iron Man gives probably my favorite performance ever as the character in this film that shows what it truly means to be Iron Man. Also, Chris Evan's Captain America in this movie I felt was also the best version we have seen of the character. Chris Hemsworth's Thor was great, although I felt some of the writing choices for his character wasn't as great as Infinity War, but overall he was good. Mark Ruffalo's Bruce Banner/Hulk brings us a new side of the character we haven't seen until now. Scarlett Johansson's Natasha Romanoff/Black Widow is stunning as always. Jeremy Renner's Clint Barton/Hawkeye/Ronin is great as well and is one of the standout characters of the entire film. Lastly Josh Brolin's Thanos was terrific as well, although he wasn't in it nearly as much as Infinity War, they still did a great job with his character. The visual effects, to the stunt choreography, and the set pieces for this film were unlike anything that's been done in films before and was pulled off masterfully. Overall, Avengers: Endgame is a great conclusion to the infinity saga that brings us great character arcs, amazing action sequences, dazzling visual effects, a magnificent story, and also looks forward to what lies ahead for the future of the MCU. Rating 10/10.
Captain Marvel (2019)
A great fun thrilled adventure
Captain Marvel is another great superhero origin story for MCU. The story follows Captain Marvel as a extraterrestrial Kree warrior who finds herself in the middle of a ongoing battle with her forces and beings known as Skrulls. When a mission goes sideways and she ends up on earth in 1995 , she teams up with S. H. I. E. L. D. agent Nick Fury to uncover the Skulls plot that also might lead her to believe she's lived another life on earth as fighter pilot Carol Danvers. First off, Brie Larson as Carol Danvers/Captain Marvel is one of the best casting choices to come to the MCU in a long time and is one of the best castings of Phase 3 of the MCU. Samuel L. Jackson's Nick Fury is great as well, portraying the CGI younger version of the character. Ben Mendelsohn as Talos is definitely one of the standout characters of the entire film and helps shapes it into what it is. The least favorite character of the film for me was Jude Law's Yon-Rogg. It wasn't necessarily his performance, but more of the source material that is given to him. Lashana Lynch as Maria Rambeau is really great and I wished we had gotten a little more of her character. Annette Bening as Wendy Lawson/ Mar-Vell was having fun with every scene she was in. Overall, Captain Marvel is a great introduction for the character Captain Marvel into the MCU while also giving us a glimpse of what's coming ahead for the MCU. Rating 8/10.
Venom (2018)
A fun and entertaining watch
Venom is the first film to come to Sony's newly found Spiderverse. The story follows journalist Eddie Brock, who after causing conflict between him and the powerful head of the Life Foundation Carlton Drake, Eddie not only loses his job, but the love of his life Anne. After the Life Foundation acquires symbiotic lifeforms that they conduct on human subjects for testing, things turn deadly quick and a employee of the Life Foundation asks Eddie Brock to expose the truth, only when Eddie investigates, he has symbiote known as Venom take control over him with a purpose of his own. When a symbiote known as Riot takes control of Carlton and is set on bringing more symbiotic lifeforms to Earth, it's up to Eddie and his symbiote Venom to save the world from a global invasion. So first off, Tom Hardy as Eddie Brock/Venom is the perfect casting for this film and his performance is highly underrated too, bringing us a Eddie Brock/Venom unlike anything portrayal we have seen before. Michelle Williams's Anne is great as well and I loved the chemistry between her and Tom Hardy's Eddie Brock/Venom. Riz Ahmed as Carlton Drake/Riot I thought did his best. Sometimes I felt his emotions he should of have in certain scenes with his character especially when he's being sinister wasn't always the best I felt in some scenes, but he managed to do a great job. The stunt choreography and the set work on this movie is great as well as some of the visual effects. Overall, Venom is highly underrated for the type of film it is, bringing us a antihero's story to the screen, in a way unlike any other. Rating 8/10.
Ant-Man and the Wasp (2018)
A more than solid addition to the MCU.
After helping Captain America in Captain America: Civil War, Scott Lang/Ant-Man has taken a plea deal in order to be closer to his daughter which requires probation and a ankle monitor which also requires him to be on house arrest. Also while he's at it, he's starting up a security business with Luis and the rest of his friends called Ex-Con. Life is going decent for Scott, until a dream of being back in the Quantum Realm and a encounter with Hank Pym's long lost wife makes him question what's real and what's not. When Hank Pym and Hope van Dyne build a tunnel to the Quantum Realm to rescue Hank's wife Janet, Scott must put his freedom at risk once again while teaming up with Hope's new superhero ego The Wasp and help them bring Janet back to the real world while also having new foes after them as well. So first off, this is probably my favorite version of Paul Rudd's Ant-Man bringing us the best version of the character we have seen so far. Evangeline Lilly's Hope van Dyne/The Wasp is fantastic and definitely the standout character of the film this time around. Michael Douglas's Hank Pym I felt in this film I thought was also the best version of the character we've seen so far. Michelle Pfeiffer as Janet van Dyne was a great casting choice for the character. I just wish we would of gotten a little more of her character, but the way the film is paced is why, but overall she's great. It's also noting that Michael Peña's Luis is funnier than ever in this Ant-Man showing us a little more of his character here than in the previous Ant-Man. Hannah John-Kamen as Ava Starr/Ghost is menacing, bringing us a type of villain we haven't in the Ant-Man films until now. Lawrence Fishburne I was very glad to see join the MCU as Bill Foster and had some of the best lines of the film. The rest of the cast did great as well. The action, the visuals, and story were twice as good as the previous Ant-Man. Overall, Ant-Man and The Wasp is a solid addition to the MCU that introduces us to great new characters, while also showing us what the possibilities could be ahead for the MCU. Rating. 8.5/10.
Avengers: Infinity War (2018)
A film that lived up to expectations
Avengers: Infinity War is hands down one of the greatest superhero films made to date. It brings every current MCU hero together to fight the common enemy that fans alike have been waiting years to see come to the big screen. When mad titan Thanos is on a mission the collect all six infinity stones, it's up to Iron Man, Hulk, Thor, Captain America, Black Widow, Black Panther, Doctor Strange, Wong, Spider-Man, The Guardians of the Galaxy, and the rest of the remaining Avengers to fight the powerful titan in a fight to save the universe. So first off, The Russo Brothers did a fantastic job bringing all these hero's together for this film. Robert Downey Jr is great as always as Iron Man putting his new nanotechnology to good use. Chris Hemsworth Thor is magnificent, bringing us probably one of the best versions of the character we have ever seen. Mark Ruffalo as Bruce Banner/Hulk is also great even though we got more of Bruce Banner instead of Hulk in this film. Chris Evans as Captain America is great as always showing us more of his character that is now on the run including Scarlett Johansson's Natasha Romanoff/ Black Widow and Anthony Mackie's Sam Wilson/Falcon. The Guardians of the Galaxy are great too with there interactions with some of the Avengers. Zoe Saldana's Gamora stands out the most out of all them in this film. Chadwick Boseman's Black Panther is also fantastic that is not only just joining the fight against Thanos, but bringing the whole nation of Wakanda with him along for the fight including Sebastian Stan's Bucky Barnes/The Winter Soldier who is also great. The best character throughout the whole film that really made this film as great as it is, is Josh Brolin's Thanos. He really brings the long awaited character to the big screen in fashion, as the film mostly follows his journey to collect the infinity stones, while the Avengers try to stop him. On the journey, he must deal with what his destiny is, tragedy, and stopping anyone that gets in his way. Thanos is so far my favorite villain to ever come to the MCU mainly, because I think he has the best purpose out of any villain in the MCU for what he's doing and the way it's captured is absolutely extraordinary. Overall, Avengers: Infinity War is hands down one of the greatest superhero movies ever made, while also bringing us all the hero's we've waited so long to see in one film as well as bringing us one of the greatest superhero villains we have ever seen. Rating 10/10.