Avengers Assemble: Iron Man

With two of his own films, a third in the works and a superhero collaboration film, Iron Man is undoubtedly a popular avenger, if not the most popular. In 2008, Iron Man was introduced, closely followed by the sequel in 2010 and calls from comic book fans for an Avengers movie.
The Iron Man films follow genius Tony Stark, his technically advanced armoured suit and the problems he encounters with technology and those who wish to stop him.

Just like Thor, Iron Man stars some big names. Jeff Bridges and Mickey Rourke are just two from a long list. however, unlike Thor, a well known actor was cast to play leading man, Tony Stark and the armoured superhero, Iron Man. Robert Downey Jr played the cocky, big headed, playboy, genius to a tee and I can't imagine anyone else in the role. He's the kind of character you want to hate because he has everything (he's smart, good looking and has loads of money), but you can't help loving him. you want to be his friend and help him, especially in Iron Man 2. I love Robert Downey Jr in this film because he is both funny and serious. He likes to joke about. Two films means two villains, the first  being played by Jeff Bridges. Obadiah Stane is a character that you expect to be a villain because of the way he looks, with his shaved head, bushy beard and expensive suit. I personally hoped he wasn't evil, just out of love for Jeff Bridges. But, alas he couldn't be good and as the villain, I think he did quite well. The second villain, played by Mickey Rourke, is seriously pissed off Russian Ivan Vanko. Out of all the avenger villains he is my least favourite because he seems to annoy me. I don't know why, I just don't think he's a great villain. He is covered in tattoos and harnesses Iron Mans power in whip form. I must applaud Rourke on his Russian accent because it couldn't have been easy loosing the American and learning a new language in a short space of time. The women of Iron Man are great role models because they are independent, smart and strong. Pepper Potts (Gwyneth Paltrow) must also be applauded for putting up with Tony Stark for so long. the best part about her character is seeing her interact with Stark. Her refusal to flirt back with Stark, gives you a reason to laugh at him because he doesn't get everything he wants. The multiple names S.H.E.I.L.D agent, Natasha Romanoff (Scarlettt Johansson) shows that women can kick any man's butt (women 1-0 men). I do have to quickly mention the director's cameo as Happy Hogan. Jon Favreau plays Strak's bumbling sidekick in a way. He is Strak's driver and without him he would be lost, especially at the race in Iron Man 2.
There's not a lot you can say about the setting of the Iron Man films as they are set in the real world. However, I like the use of Flushing Meadows for the Strak Expo and the role it plays in the narrative of Iron Man 2.
The majority of Iron Man is spent building and improving the suit, whilst kicking some evil butt along the way. You're practically taken step by step through the changes of the suit. The suit itself took me back to when i was a kid watching the animation. They look so similar. Improvements are made throughout the narrative of Iran Man 2 as well. Once again, just like Thor, there was comedy, action, sci-fi  and a little romance. the films seemed more real than the other avenger films because they were set in the real world and the stories seems more achievable. Maybe the Iron Man suit will exist in the future. If it does, I nominate Robert Downey Jr to control it.
There are obviously links to the other Avenger films. The S.H.E.I.L.D agent (Clark Gregg), Natasha Romanoff and Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson) are present. The Stark Expo is similar to the one held by Tony Stark's dad, Howard Stark in Captain America: The First Avenger.
Overall, I think the Iron Man films are my favourite avenger films because I like the character of Tony Stark and the way Robert Downey Jr plays him. I also like the relationships he has with Pepper Potts, Natasha Romanoff and Happy Hogan.

Avengers Assemble: Thor

Thor, son of Odin, Norse god of thunder and comic book hero came to screens near you in 2011. The film tells the story of Thor, a god exiled from his homeland of Asgard to Earth by his father Odin, King of Asgard. Whilst on Earth, Thor forms a relationship with Jane Foster. However, he must stop the person who threatens to destroy Earth, Asgard and the home of the Frost Giants, Jotunheim.

From Anthony Hopkins to Natalie Portman, Thor starred some big names. But, lead character Thor was played by a less established, Chris Hemsworth. This lack of star typecasting made his character more relatable for the audience, than other superheroes. The cocky, big headed attitude and being brought down to Earth (literally in Thor's case) has been experienced by most people at some point in their lives. Thor is one of my favourite superheroes and in my opinion this has to be attributed to Hemsworth's performance. his cheeky smile, caring but, serious performance gave Thor's personality depth that doesn't tend to exist in superheroes. Where as Thor's brother, Loki, shows very little emotion which adds to your suspicions of which side he is on. Tom Hiddleston (Loki) creates a 'mask' to hide all of Loki's emotions behind. This can also be seen in Anthony Hopkin's portrayal of Odin, but to a lesser extent. Odin  is quiet, responsible and level headed. However, you feel that if you get on the wrong side of him the full force of the gods anger will be released on you. A rarity appears in Thor. Jane Foster (Natalie Portman) is smart and for lack of a better word 'normal.' This doesn't tend to happen in superhero films. Women who are smart tend to be glamorous. After watching Black Swan it was nice to see Natalie Portman playing a 'normal,' relatable character. The only character that I didn't rally like was Young Thor. He's only in a small scene, but in that time I just wanted to tell him to go to his room for being so full of himself. What else can you expect from a boy born to be a god and a king?

Set across three worlds; Asgard, Earth and Jotunheim, Thor is a prime example of how to create worlds using CGI that are, for the most part, believable. Thor's home, Asgard, and Jotunheim were constructed with amazing detail. Asgard's gold buildings, glass rainbow bridge (The Bifrost) and extravagant decorations, all showed off the wealth and power of the gods. The beautiful setting makes it the ideal place to go on holiday (minus the conflict, of course).Whereas, you wouldn't want to be taking your holiday snaps in the cold depths of Jotunheim. Inhabited by the Frost Giants the once great city is shrouded in darkness and falling apart. You feel cold just looking at it.

The costumes of the humans and Frost Giants aren't spectacular, just plain (the Frost Giants don't wear much). But, the costumes of the gods are just as amazing as the detailed Asgard. Each god has an individual style; rich colours, gold, metals, capes. Another way to show off their wealth and power.

In terms of the actual story, what was there was good. I particularly liked the mixing of myth and reality, science and magic. My favourite quote is "Your ancestors called it magic, but you call it science. I come from a land where they are one and the same." Thor contains action, sci-fi, comedy and romance. One of my friends complained that there wasn't enough action, but personally I liked the fact that there was less action because it was more like storytelling. It's what you expect from a film based on a comic book that is based on a myth.

Being an Avenger, Thor is linked to the other films. It features Agent Coulson (Clark Gregg) and Nick Fury (Samuel L.Jackson). It also references Tony Strak (Iron Man) in the destroyer scene.

Overall, I really like the film because of the mythical content and it was different to your usual superhero film. Plus, Chris Hemsworth walks around topless in one scene and I feel that is a good enough reason to watch the film. :D

Note: I will remind you to do this in each post. Please watch to the end of the credits.

Avengers Assemble (Soon)

Calling all Avengers (fans), Avengers Assemble is released on the 26th April 2012; the long anticipated movie bursting with superheroes. In the run up to the release I will review the movies leading up to the Assemble (except The Hulk movies because they have no link to the others and in my opinion they're not as good as them either), ending with the review for Avengers Assemble.
So, stay tuned.

Note: If you decide to watch the films please watch through the credits to the end because there is a scene that links to the next/other films. 

The Hunger Games (2012)

MAJOR SPOILER ALERT!

Sorry if I sound like a raving fan girl, but I finally had enough money to go to the cinema and see The Hunger Games. I had recently read the books by Suzanne Collins and my expectations couldn't have been higher. As with every film adaption of a book, I was expecting it to totally destroy the book, but to my surprise it didn't.
There is so much I could say about this film and I apologise if I seem to be rambling on.
I had already visualised the characters when I read the books and I wasn't entirely sure about their choice of some actors. My first concern was with the main character Katniss Everdeen, played by Jennifer Lawrence. I could only imagine her playing the strong, hunter side of Katniss and I found it hard imagining her in the 'star crossed lover' scenes with Peeta Mellark, played by Josh Hutcherson. But, I have to say now that I've seen the film I can't imagine anyone else playing Katniss. She palyed both sides of Katniss, the caring and the strong, really well. Another character I wasn't sure about was President Snow, played by Donald Sutherland. Snow wasn't exactly how I imagined the character to look, but his personality was perfect. You could really sense that he had an evil side hidden behind a mask. The rest of the cast was amazing. I expected a lot from Josh Hutcherson and his portrayal of Peeta was exactly how I'd imagined the character. He was my favourite character in the books and now the films. I also liked Amandla Stenberg as Rue because she seemed innocent.
The costumes for the tributes and the people of the Capitol were out of this world. Odd dresses, wigs, make up, but it was the girl on fire dress that made renowned designers get out their drawing pads, designing their own versions of the dress that was 'on fire'. The actual dress was amazing, bright orange with matching jewels and the effect that it was on fire. It was beautiful.
The most surprising part for me was the narrative. As I had read the book, I wasn't expecting to be surprised. Along with excellent cinematography, the director actually managed to make me jump, even when I was expecting it to happen. This is something that most film adaptions of books have failed to do. I was also surprised by something new altogether. Before I saw the film I had heard that they had added something to the narrative that wasn't in the book. You never 'see' the people running The Hunger Games, the Gamemakers. I'm glad that they added it because it made the games seem more horrific as it highlighted the fact that it was supposed to be an entertainment show for the people of the Capitol.
I did have one issue that isn't really with the film. The BBFC gave the film a 12A rating and some gore had obviously been cut out of the film to achieve this rating. But, parents are complaining about the rating being too low and I agree. It should have really been rated a 15 and they could have kept all of the gore. I know this throws up issues for some teenagers who aren't quite 15, but there were children in the cinema that I didn't think the film was really appropriate for because they were too young and probably didn't understand what was going on.
The Hunger Games met my expectations and exceeded them. It was a truly great film and I would happily watch it over and over again. It was an amazing adaption and I can't wait for the sequel.