Rewatched: Marvel Films – Part 3 (22nd May 2020)

Rewatched: Marvel Films – Part 3 (22nd May 2020)

by Phil Hobden A Blog The Blogs

With Disney + driving in the UK, Phil has decided to introduce his daughter to the wonderful world of Marvel films.  Mostly in order.  Here are my updated thoughts on each of the MCU films we watch (we may miss out The Incredible Hulk)…

Note scores reflect my updated IMDB ratings.

Avengers: Age Of Ultron (2015)

Avengers: Age Of Ultron is darker, less humorous than its predecessor and for sure deserved a lot of its mediocre press when it was released.  That said years on (and only my second watch of the film) it holds up better than I expected.  But Ultron is still the best and worst of Marvel’s MCU in one place – great characters with iconic performances, cutting edge effects and a feel of earn history but a dial it up to 11 mentality that wears you down by the end and effects that at times seem unfinished.  Yup it has great action but probably 20 minutes less would have made it more fun. Still better than I remembered!

 

★★★★★★★★★★

—

 

Guardians Of The Galaxy (2014)

Guardians Of The Galaxy remains one of Marvel’s best movies.  It’s not just the amazing casting (although that plays a part) but the story & direction by James Gunn is on point.  The best thing here is that it’s just something totally different from what’s come before – talking Racoons, fighting trees, space battles… it was just so refreshing after a number of Earth bound adventures.

 

★★★★★★★★★★

—

Captain America: The Winter Solider  (2014)

Six years later and Winter Solider remains my favourite Marvel film.  It’s action packed with one of Marvel’s best story lines ( a story line that actually mattered in the grand scheme of things), is directed near perfectly AND has Frank Grillo.  What more could you want?

 

★★★★★★★★★★

—

Iron man 3 (2013)

Iron man 3 is still one of the best Marvel films.  From Shane Black’s whip smart script and direction to Downey Jnr firing on all cylinders, to a decent villain and THAT twist… it’s a fun ride and often very untypical in it’s approach to what is often a rather stilted genre.

 

★★★★★★★★★★

—

Thor: The Dark World (2013)

Considered tone one of the weaker Marvel MCU films, actually Thor: The Dark World is great fun even if it does fall apart a little in the final act.  Again this is Hemsworth and Hiddleston’s film and benefits greatly when they are on screen (and even more so when they are together) but it’s funny, charming and well paced.  Well worth a rewatch.

 

★★★★★★★★★★

—

Iron Man 2 (2010)

Iron Man 2 was never my favourite Marvel film and, in fact, may well be the only MCU film i’ve only seen once. Rewatching ten years on a lot of the same issues remain but overall it’s not a terrible film, its just not anywhere near as good as the original Iron Man.  Whiplash is a good enough Villain but the more, bigger, louder motif just honest play off.

 

★★★★★★★★★★

—

 

Iron Man (2008)

The Film that started it all… Iron Man is still a rock n roll action movie with an unlikely lead, an even more unlikely director and enough balls out moments to wow.  The oldest MCU film still holds up well and again the casting is spot on.  Yup the end fight could be better but Iron man is top draw cinema.

★★★★★★★★★★

—

Thor (2011)

Thor was MUCH better all these years later.  I always thought of it as the weaker origin film but it’s funny, charming and good fun, whilst still carrying a lot of baggage for the wider MCU to come. Hemsworth really was born to play this role.

★★★★★★★★★★

—

 

Captain America: The First Avenger (2011) 

Solid, fun and well done, this feels like a film I should like more.  But still all these years on it just seems to drag at times and the action is flat. Captain America: The First Avenger is far from being a bad film but it’s probably the weakest origin film of the initial Avengers.

★★★★★★★★★★

—

 

Marvel’s The Avengers (2012) 

All the groundwork paid off as Marvel delivered it’s first ever super hero team up.  The Hulk was back (and done right this time), Hawkeye and Black Widow joined the team and director Joss Whedon delivered the goods. The Avengers is still a high watermark and reminds you just how well put together Phase 1 really was.

★★★★★★★★★★

 

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Rewatched: Marvel Films – Part 2 (25th April 2020)

Rewatched: Marvel Films – Part 2 (25th April 2020)

by Phil's Quick Review A Blog The Blogs

With Disney + driving in the UK, Phil has decided to introduce his daughter to the wonderful world of Marvel films.  Mostly in order.  Here are my updated thoughts on each of the MCU films we watch (we may miss out The Incredible Hulk)…

Note scores reflect my updated IMDB ratings.

Iron man 3 (2013)

Iron man 3 is still one of the best Marvel films.  From Shane Black’s whip smart script and direction to Downey Jnr firing on all cylinders, to a decent villain and THAT twist… it’s a fun ride and often very untypical in it’s approach to what is often a rather stilted genre.

 

★★★★★★★★★★

—

Thor: The Dark World (2013)

Considered tone one of the weaker Marvel MCU films, actually Thor: The Dark World is great fun even if it does fall apart a little in the final act.  Again this is Hemsworth and Hiddleston’s film and benefits greatly when they are on screen (and even more so when they are together) but it’s funny, charming and well paced.  Well worth a rewatch.

 

★★★★★★★★★★

—

Iron Man 2 (2010)

Iron Man 2 was never my favourite Marvel film and, in fact, may well be the only MCU film i’ve only seen once. Rewatching ten years on a lot of the same issues remain but overall it’s not a terrible film, its just not anywhere near as good as the original Iron Man.  Whiplash is a good enough Villain but the more, bigger, louder motif just honest play off.

 

★★★★★★★★★★

—

 

Iron Man (2008)

The Film that started it all… Iron Man is still a rock n roll action movie with an unlikely lead, an even more unlikely director and enough balls out moments to wow.  The oldest MCU film still holds up well and again the casting is spot on.  Yup the end fight could be better but Iron man is top draw cinema.

★★★★★★★★★★

—

Thor (2011)

Thor was MUCH better all these years later.  I always thought of it as the weaker origin film but it’s funny, charming and good fun, whilst still carrying a lot of baggage for the wider MCU to come. Hemsworth really was born to play this role.

★★★★★★★★★★

—

 

Captain America: The First Avenger (2011) 

Solid, fun and well done, this feels like a film I should like more.  But still all these years on it just seems to drag at times and the action is flat. Captain America: The First Avenger is far from being a bad film but it’s probably the weakest origin film of the initial Avengers.

★★★★★★★★★★

—

 

Marvel’s The Avengers (2012) 

All the groundwork paid off as Marvel delivered it’s first ever super hero team up.  The Hulk was back (and done right this time), Hawkeye and Black Widow joined the team and director Joss Whedon delivered the goods. The Avengers is still a high watermark and reminds you just how well put together Phase 1 really was.

★★★★★★★★★★

 

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Rewatched: Marvel Films – Part 1 (6th April 2020)

Rewatched: Marvel Films – Part 1 (6th April 2020)

by Phil Hobden A Blog The Blogs

With Disney + driving in the UK, Phil has decided to introduce his daughter to the wonderful world of Marvel films.  Mostly in order.  Here are my updated thoughts on each of the MCU films we watch (we may miss out The Incredible Hulk)…

Note scores reflect my updated IMDB ratings.

Iron Man (2008)

The Film that started it all… Iron Man is still a rock n roll action movie with an unlikely lead, an even more unlikely director and enough balls out moments to wow.  The oldest MCU film still holds up well and again the casting is spot on.  Yup the end fight could be better but Iron man is top draw cinema.

★★★★★★★★★★

—

Thor (2011)

Thor was MUCH better all these years later.  I always thought of it as the weaker origin film but it’s funny, charming and good fun, whilst still carrying a lot of baggage for the wider MCU to come. Hemsworth really was born to play this role.

★★★★★★★★★★

—

 

13. Captain America: The First Avenger (2011) 

Solid, fun and well done, this feels like a film I should like more.  But still all these years on it just seems to drag at times and the action is flat. Captain America: The First Avenger is far from being a bad film but it’s probably the weakest origin film of the initial Avengers.

★★★★★★★★★★

—

 

5. Marvel’s The Avengers (2012) 

All the groundwork paid off as Marvel delivered it’s first ever super hero team up.  The Hulk was back (and done right this time), Hawkeye and Black Widow joined the team and director Joss Whedon delivered the goods. The Avengers is still a high watermark and reminds you just how well put together Phase 1 really was.

★★★★★★★★★★

 

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Avengers Assemble (2012) – A Rewatched Quick Capsule Review

Avengers Assemble (2012) – A Rewatched Quick Capsule Review

by Phil Hobden Quick Review

Phil’s Quick Capsule Review:
So Disney Plus launched and I went back to where it all started.  Yes Avengers Assemble changed the landscape of modern cinema.  Yup Iron Man was more significant in terms of launching the MCU but The Avengers/ Avengers Assemble showed that a multi-layered set up across multiple films and characters could be brought together in a film that gave (almost) everyone their moment in the sun whilst being coherent, fun and full of memorable moments (and quibble lines). It also nailed the Hulk after multiple miss steps.  Avengers Assemble is still the best of all the Avengers movies AND one of the best MCU films.  It also wipes the floor with Justice League but you already knew that.  Essential.

Best Bit: Attack on New York

Buy, Stream, Avoid: Buy

If You Liked this Try: Iron Man, Thor , Captain America

★★★★★★★★★★

 

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Phil’s Quick Capsule Review & Friends ESSENTIAL LIST For Decade (2010-2019) Part 2: Captain America: Winter Solider, Guardians of the Galaxy, Mad Max: Fury Road, Nightshooters, The Social Network, Toy Story 3, Whiplash

Phil’s Quick Capsule Review & Friends ESSENTIAL LIST For Decade (2010-2019) Part 2: Captain America: Winter Solider, Guardians of the Galaxy, Mad Max: Fury Road, Nightshooters, The Social Network, Toy Story 3, Whiplash

by Phil's Quick Review Quick Review Year In Review

The votes are in.  The Long List been reduced to just 13… and here they are, the Phil’s Quick Capsule Review & Guests list of the FILMS TO WATCH for the Decade (2010-2019).  In no particular order:

 

#7: Captain America: Winter Solider (2014)

As Steve Rogers struggles to embrace his role in the modern world, he teams up with a fellow Avenger and S.H.I.E.L.D agent, Black Widow, to battle a new threat from history: an assassin known as the Winter Soldier.

 

 

#8: Guardians of the Galaxy (2014)

A group of intergalactic criminals must pull together to stop a fanatical warrior with plans to purge the universe.

 

 

 

#9: Mad Max: Fury Road (2015)

In a post-apocalyptic wasteland, a woman rebels against a tyrannical ruler in search for her homeland with the aid of a group of female prisoners, a psychotic worshiper, and a drifter named Max.

 

 

 

#10: Nightshooters (2018)

An action thriller about a group of filmmakers who find themselves on the run from a violent horde of criminals after witnessing a brutal gangland execution. Unable to flee the derelict building they have been shooting in, the hapless film crew must use their technical skill and cinematic knowledge to defend themselves. The stunt man is a martial arts master, the special effects guru disregards safety and sets lethal traps, and the sound department strategically lay radio mics to detect when the hoodlums are on their way. Cue lots of thrills in a cat and mouse game of survival.

 

 

 

 

#11: The Social Network (2010)

As Harvard student Mark Zuckerberg creates the social networking site that would become known as Facebook, he is sued by the twins who claimed he stole their idea, and by the co-founder who was later squeezed out of the business.

 

 

 

 

#12: Toy Story 3 (2010)

The toys are mistakenly delivered to a day-care center instead of the attic right before Andy leaves for college, and it’s up to Woody to convince the other toys that they weren’t abandoned and to return home.

 

 

 

 

#13: Whiplash (2014)

A promising young drummer enrolls at a cut-throat music conservatory where his dreams of greatness are mentored by an instructor who will stop at nothing to realize a student’s potential.

 

 

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Doomed: The Untold Story of Roger Corman’s the Fantastic Four (2015) – A Quick Capsule Review

Doomed: The Untold Story of Roger Corman’s the Fantastic Four (2015) – A Quick Capsule Review

by Phil Hobden Quick Review

Phil’s Quick Capsule Review:
Doomed: The Untold Story of Roger Corman’s the Fantastic Four takes a look behind the scenes of the never released (but often pirated) version of Marvel’s superhero franchise. It’s fascinating stuff – from a cast and crew with loft ambitions to shady dealings by everyone from Corman to Stan Lee.  There’s extensive interviews with all the key players (well except those on the ‘other side’) and lot s of behind the scenes and film footage to salivate over.  If you want to see what marvel was like before it became the company we all now know and love, this is the film for you.  Well worth a watch (and probably still better than Fox’s Fantastic Four films)

Best Bit: The actual film footage

Buy, Stream, Avoid: Stream (Prime)

If You Liked this Try: Fantastic Four, Lost Soul: The Doomed Journey of Richard Stanley’s Island of Dr. Moreau, Best Worst Movie

★★★★★★★★★★

 

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Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 2 – A Rewatched Quick Capsule Review

Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 2 – A Rewatched Quick Capsule Review

by Phil Hobden Quick Review

Phil’s Quick Capsule Review:
Filled with humour, action and heart, Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 2 is a most enjoyable follow up to the smash hit original that manages to build on that films successes whilst successfully expanding the universe, characters and wit on what came before.  It goes without saying that the cast are uniformly excellent (with former WWE wrestler Dave Bautista being a real stand out) and new comers such as Russell & Stallone just adding to the overall coolness.   It’s not perfect – the pacing of the final act and the inevitable fall into CGI things fighting CGI things let it down but there’s enough investment in the characters, warmth and humour (and man it’s a funny film, probably the funnest of the year so far) to allow you to overlook these.  So not as good as the original BUT still a success in it’s own right and still well worth a rewatch!

Best Bit: The Opening 

Worth A Rewatch: Yes

If You Liked this Try: Guardians Of The Galaxy, The Avengers, Ant Man

★★★★★★★★★★

 

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Rated: Marvel Cinematic Universe (up to Spider-Man: Far From Home)

Rated: Marvel Cinematic Universe (up to Spider-Man: Far From Home)

by Phil Hobden A Blog

RATED looks at EVERY Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) film and gives a QuickReview as well as putting them in order of BEST to, well, Iron Man 2.!  Updated as and when a new Marvel (Studios) film is released…

(Note scores reflect my original IMDB ratings)

Best: Captain America Winter Solider

A cold war thriller with Robert Redford and a mini Avengers team up.  Add in the always awesome Frank Grillo and a genuinely interesting script and you have Marvel’s strongest cinematic outing.

★★★★★★★★★★

——

 

2. Guardians Of The Galaxy

Massively far out of Marvel’s usual comfort zone, Guardian’s introduced spaceships, talking racoons and a giant tree person. Cracking script, expert action and a heap of fun.

★★★★★★★★★★

——

 

3. Iron Man 3

The Iron Man film that broke a lot of Marvel fans, Shane Black took the playbook and ripped it up.  Twists, turns and a cute central relationships made this a different take on the norm and was all the better for it.

★★★★★★★★★★

——

 

4. Thor: Ragnarok

Well this was a bundle of fun.  The previous Thor films have been okay but Ragnarok delivered a brilliant romp which dragged in The Hulk, a handful of memorable new characters (Korg!)  and some great set pieces to end up being one of Marvel’s best films yet.

★★★★★★★★★★

 ——

 

5. Avengers: Endgame

Funny, emotional, heart breaking and smart – Endgame ties up 21 films worth of story across 12 years almost perfectly.   Bitter sweet for sure but Marvel totally stuck the landing.

★★★★★★★★★★

 ——

 

6. Marvel’s The Avengers 

All the groundwork paid off as Marvel delivered it’s first ever super hero team up.  The Hulk was back (and done right this time), Hawkeye and Black Widow joined the team and director Joss Whedon delivered the goods.

★★★★★★★★★★

——

 

7. Spider-Man: Far From Home

Far From Home takes the ball from both Homecoming and Endgame and runs with it.  A charming, funny and emotionally charged MCU film…  it delivers real relationships, a superb villain, an interesting enough story and characters you really care about.

★★★★★★★★★★

——

 

8. Spider-Man Homecoming 

Funny, charming, with Marvels best villain and best Spiderman (yup sorry Andrew Garfield) Homecoming is a joy of a film that is by far the closest to what the comic book Peter Parker is.

★★★★★★★★★★

——

 

9. Avengers: Infinity War

Shocking, well paced and with one of Marvel’s greatest screen villains Avengers Infinity War ALMOST delivered on it’s considerable promise.  Almost.

★★★★★★★★★★

——

 

10. Iron Man

The Film that started it all… Iron Man was a rock n roll action movie with an unlikely lead, an even more unlikely director and enough balls out moments to wow.

★★★★★★★★★★

——

 

11. Captain Marvel 

A great origins story, a fun film and a great soundtrack – what more could you ask for really?

★★★★★★★★★★

——

 

12. Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 2

Loud, silly and funny as heck, Vol. 2 isn’t quite the tight film that it’s 2014 original is but it’s a hell of a lot of fun.  Add in an amazing cast (including Stallone, Hasselhoff and Russell) and you have another winner from Marvel…

★★★★★★★★★★

——

13. Ant-Man

Ant-Man is a heist movie. With Ants.  And fights on toy trains.  It’s crazy but it’s also full of charm, humour and fun.

★★★★★★★★★★

 

——

14. Black Panther 

Black Panther takes a different approach to the usual Marvel film, yet falls into a lot of the same traps of relying a bit too much on visual effects at times.  That said it’s one of Marvel’s most intimate stories and whilst not perfect is a really strong entry into the increasingly bigger MCU.

★★★★★★★★★★

——

 

15. Ant-Man & The Wasp

Ant-Man & The Wasp is GREAT fun.  It’s also totally forgettable and delivers what is possibly Marvel’s weakest villain to date.  Not bad by any stretch just off pace of the original.

★★★★★★★★★★

——

16. Doctor Strange

Off the big screen Doctor Strange looses a little but this visually stunning film shows that marvel are still interested in pushing the envelope as far as you can in mainstream blockbusters.

★★★★★★★★★★

——

17. Captain America: The First Avenger 

Solid, fun and well done, whilst it has little rewatch appeal Captain America again took a different approach and gave us a couple of Marvel’s most enduring characters.

★★★★★★★★★★

——

18. Captain America: Civil War

It’s not bad.  It just didn’t gel with me as much as it did others. Don’t get me wrong there’s a lot to like and again it plays with the expected formula, but ultimately i’m just not that keen to go back to it.

★★★★★★★★★★

——

19. Thor: The Dark World

I liked The Dark world MUCH more than others.  Okay so it’s flawed for sure but it’s crazy fun.

★★★★★★★★★★

——

20. Thor

Thor was a sold film, tasked with the near impossible job of making a god fit in a world of men.  It does it well but not one you’ll rewatch much.

★★★★★★★★★★

——

21. Avengers Age Of Ultron

Marvel’s first disappointment, Age Of Ultron was all show and little else.  Too big, too dumb and too long.

★★★★★★★★★★

——

 

22. The Incredible Hulk (2008)

It has charm and the casting works well but ultimately The Incredible Hulk (whilst FAR better than the Ang Lee version) just doesn’t have enough to recommend it.

★★★★★★★★★★

——

 

Worst : Iron Man 2

The idea was fine but sadly most of the film misses.  Even Mickey Rourke (yes one of the oddest Marvel villains ever) can’t save this.

★★★★★★★★★★

 

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Spider-Man: Far From Home (2019) – A Quick Capsule Review

Spider-Man: Far From Home (2019) – A Quick Capsule Review

by Phil Hobden Quick Review

Phil’s Quick Capsule Review:
Far From Home shows that Marvel is in safe hands post Endgame.  A confident, funny and charming sequel, in many ways it’s a better film than Homecoming (and in some less so) and once again delivers one of Marvel’s better villains in Mysterio – charmingly played by the excellent Jake Gyllenhaal.  But for all the crash bang wallop of the film (and there is a lot), it’s the central relationships that make this film work so well.  Be it Ned & Betty or Spiderman & MJ… you can’t help but fall in love with these characters once again. Zendaya especially shines as the honest, twitchy MJ and gives us one of the most honest love stories the MCU has ever told.  Yup it suffers from TOO much CGI and the stakes, whilst making perfect sense, are set so high that it needed risk which just isn’t there.  It’s the small moments that shine in Far From Home. So despite its few faults and unobtainable stakes, the film and the cast delivers.  Three for three this year with the MCU.

Best Bit: THAT post credit scene

Cinema, Stream, Avoid: Cinema

If You Liked this Try: Spider-Man: Homecoming, Captain America: Civil War, Spider-Man 2

★★★★★★★★★★

 

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Spiderman Week: Spiderman: Homecoming (2017) – A Quick Capsule Review

Spiderman Week: Spiderman: Homecoming (2017) – A Quick Capsule Review

by Phil Hobden Quick Review

Phil’s Quick Capsule Review:
A year on Spiderman: Homecoming is still a top draw Marvel film.  Keaton’s Vulture, Holland’s Peter Parker, even the support from Favreau and Downey Jr enhance the film and it’s still great to see a teenage Spiderman (yes I’m looking at you Garfield).  There’s still pacing issues (second time around the film takes a while to get going) but it’s worth it for scenes like that in the car and the odd Ferris reference.

Best Bit: The car

Buy, Stream, Avoid: Buy

If You Liked this Try: Spiderman, Spiderman 2, Ant-Man

 

★★★★★★★★★★

 

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