Captain America: Brave New World

The MCU saga continues . . .

Sam is the new Captain America*. Thaddeus Ross** is president and wants to re-form the Avengers. And Celestial Island*** is the latest topic of concern; made of Adamantium, the world debates if it is better to share or fight over the wealth. Wanting the former, Ross attempts diplomacy at the Celestial Island World Summit. But Ross has a dark secret that may destroy the best-laid plans . . . and he may be his own worst enemy.

Captain America: Brave New World reminds us of the two most forgettable movies in the MCU (see below links) and then contributes to that by being itself largely irrelevant. There were good themes (of the need to reform, take responsibility for your own actions, never give up, and give each other grace), but these were minimally developed (and confusingly so). The confusion revolves around several bad guys, each with a blend of motives that leaves the audience wondering who we are supposed to root for (or against). The action was 'meh' and I was unclear if or how this drove the overall MCU storyline forward. As is increasingly common, you need to be familiar with several (many?) prior MCU releases in film and television. Ultimately, this felt more like a long television show. This came out 1.5 years ago . . . I don't normally wait so long to watch MCU movies, but I didn't miss anything by doing so here.

Rating: C

*See the TV series The Falcon and the Winter Soldier

**See The Incredible Hulk. Then a General (and played by another actor), Ross has risen to POTUS.

***See The Eternals.

Spider-man: Brand New Day

Continuing from last time . . . [no spoilers below save what was evident in trailers or in No Way Home]

Peter Parker lives in loneliness as he reels from the events of No Way Home. Aunt May is dead. The world doesn't know him; even his besties MJ and Ned have no memory of him. And things are about to get worse . . .  for powerful new threats appear on the horizon even as Peter wrestles with changes in himself. Can people with powers live a normal life, with friends and family to enjoy and help? Or does the great responsibility that comes with great power mean he is destined to do this alone?

It has been a long time (4.5 years) since the last Spidey movie, and it was nice to see the MCU progress this storyline. A few observations:

- This film strikes a markedly different tone from the others; it was 'heavier' and more poignant as various characters grapple with loneliness and pain. It felt less like a typical action-oriented Marvel film and more psychological.

- The characters were done well. It was fun seeing Punisher's incorporation into the movies (after several television series), though they made no attempt to explain why he was suddenly on the scene. Hulk was cool, too. Others were also great, but I won't share details to avoid spoilers.

- The story was alright. Some of the plot twists were obvious; others were unexpected. They do keep you guessing. It does not stand alone; you need to be familiar with prior films, though I guess that is expected at this point.

- The message was simple: we need others ("friendship is magical," I joked with my boys—My Little Pony's tagline is apt here). 

Is this the best Spider-man movie ever? Some so claim . . . I'm not convinced. It is a good film, but I'm not sure it is the best one.

Rating: A

Batman vs. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles

The Foot Clan is in Gotham, stealing experimental tech. Shredder is with them . . and he has a partner. If they have their way, the city will fall and evil will last forever. Batman is on the case, but he'll need help. Maybe some teenagers with ninja skills. Turtle mutants.

I expect any 'cross-IP' offering to be a money grab and thus had low expectations for this 2019 movie. I was wrong; I loved it. The plot is predictable ("the worlds of Batman and TMNT collide; chaos ensues"), the message minimal (but solid), but where this film shines is the humor—it was hilarious. We laughed out loud through the whole film. There are a few instances of language or scary images, but this is a winner, best enjoyed by those familiar with both franchises.

Rating: A

Supergirl

Kara Zor-El is an orphan, sent away as a child from the last city of Krypton to live on Earth like her cousin, Kal-El. She visits occasionally but spends more time on other worlds, trying to drown her pain in drink as she lives out a lonely existence in her spaceship with her dog, Krypto. One day, she encounters Ruthye, a girl bent on vengeance for her family, all of whom were murdered by the Brigands. Those same criminals will soon tranquilize Krypto, giving Kara just days to find them and the antidote. Kara and Ruthye both battle their inner demons as they wrestle with what it means to live in a broken world. Can Krypto be saved? What about their souls?

This film, the second entry in the DC Universe (DCU) after Superman, was darker than its predecessor (beware lots of violence and some language) but still wrestled with good questions and themes. Kara drowns her pain in addiction; Ruthye thirsts for vengeance. Both are wrong, both recognize that in the other, and both help each other find a better way. Ultimately, this film is about the reality of pain in our lives, helping each other through it, and doing good regardless of the pain done to you. Worthy themes indeed. I share more analysis (with spoilers) below.

Rating: B

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Brief analysis (with spoilers)

Kara and Ruthye both have deep pain . . . and deep problems.

• Kara doesn't really have a home . . . for her, home is wherever her dog Krypto is. Having left Krypton at a much older age than Superman, her heart is heavy. Her dying parents send her to Earth, where they know she will survive and have great power (drawn from any world with a yellow sun). Their message to her: "you must be good" and "protect the powerless." She does these things . . . sometimes. She carries her grief with her and would rather forget her cares in the bottom of a glass; when Ruthye asks her "When did you stop feeling angry?" Kara replies "any day now." She knows drinking won't solve it, but she keeps on.
• Ruthye is consumed with anger and a desire for vengeance. Kara recognizes it immediately and tells her "revenge is overrated," reminding her several times that "revenge won't get you where you want to go" and "if you kill him [the one who murdered her family], it won't take your pain away." Ruthye retorts that drowning in drink isn't the right way, either.

As the two women travel together, they both learn to confront their own weaknesses through the rebukes of the other (which leads to a temporary falling out). They later recognize reality: "I wish it never happened . . . I wish it could go back to the way it was before . . ." but know they cannot. So how do they deal with things as they are? They walk with each other through the pain, and help each other see the light. 

• Ruthye recognizes both the flaws and beauty in Kara, saying "you're not always perfect but you're good. Thank you for taking me with you." 
• Kara helps Ruthye walk away from an opportunity for vengeance, arguing that "your family is with you. Your life will be your revenge." As Kara's parents encouraged earlier in the film to live and do good for the sake of her family, so now she exhorts Ruthye to do the same. 

Intriguingly, after Kara helps Ruthye walk away, she returns to the antagonist and stabs him twice. "This one is for my dog . . . and this one is for what you did to that girl's family." This seems to fly in the face of the 'don't take vengeance' message she just presented to Ruthye. Is that hypocrisy? Potentially; on the one hand, it sure seems like it. On the other, the bad guy makes it clear he is going to keep on doing terrible things, so Kara may be doing it as a form of justice. She could also be taking the vengeance on herself so Ruthye isn't burdened by it. It's an intriguing ending that makes you think.

At the end, Kara returns to Earth and meets her cousin. She decides it is time to stay on Earth for a while . . . she will no longer run from her pain.

Kara is an interesting character. Several times she has the opportunity to get the antidote, but saving others always comes first. She consistently displays both good and selfishness. Watching her wrestle with that is the focus (and highlight) of the film. 

Masters of the Universe

Prince Adam's world is shattered as a child when Skeletor invades Eternia. Years later, Adam lives in exile on Earth, desperately seeking the sword of power that will enable him to return and fight back. When he makes his return, he is shocked at the state of his world. But he is just Adam—always weak, always the runt. Does he have the power?

I enjoyed this movie much more than I expected. It is nostalgic and the humor is good (but doesn't make sense unless you are familiar with the eighties television show). It is delightfully (and intentionally) corny in places—it doesn't hesitate to make fun of itself (and in so doing, the cartoon of old). It has a few spots of language and innuendo, which I found mystifying and out of place with the intent. But it also packs a surprisingly deep message. 

This film seems to both reflect and reject post-modern thinking. Adam learns that power is not necessarily brute force—that kindness and empathy are powerful in their own right—but at the same time, there is evil in the world that can't be cured with therapy or listening; there are Skeletors out there that need to be defeated with power. In this sense, the movie is a mix of stark eighties moralism (which featured heavily in the cartoon) and a more modern emphasis on compassion and understanding. And, surprisingly, I think they got the right mix.

Rating: B+

The Mandalorian and Grogu

Shortly after season 3 of The Mandalorian television series and paraphrasing the opening crawl (found here):

Though the Empire has fallen (this is set after Return of the Jedi), Imperial warlords remain scattered throughout the galaxy. As the fledgling New Republic works to secure systems, they have enlisted the help of the Mandalorian and his young apprentice Grogu to hunt down these criminals in the Outer Rim. 

Here, Mando and Grogu get their hardest mission yet: tracking an elusive warlord whose whereabouts are known by the Hutts. But to get their cooperation, Mando has to do them a favor . . . and can the Hutts be trusted?

There was a lot I enjoyed about this film. I love the time period, it was fun seeing more of the Hutts (and some characters that appeared in previous series or films), the effects were good, some of the characters/moments were amusing, and the overall message was outstanding. Mando summarizes with this line:

The old protect the young. Then the young protect the old. This is the way.

That theme of sacrificing for the good of others is powerful.

I didn't love everything. It was scarier/darker in places than I expected (lots of monsters; beware if your kids are watching). The delivery was quite linear with no side-stories or sub-plots; it had points where it plodded along as a result. It didn't do much to close out the overall story of the title characters, which seemed bizarre. But my main complaint: this felt like two episodes of the television show stitched together, with a climax about halfway followed by a long dead period as the next storyline built up. 

Ultimately, this movie felt like they starting planning a fourth season of the television show, then abandoned that and decided to make a movie instead. I think it would have been better (and more powerful) as a mini-season. If you're a Mando fan, watch this, but you can wait until it hits Disney+.

Rating: B

The Super Mario Galaxy Movie

Continuing the story from The Super Mario Bros. Movie . . .

Bowser Junior wants revenge—and he knows how to get it. Kidnapping Princess Rosalina, he intends to harness her power to destroy worlds. Can Peach, Mario, Luigi and crew stop him? 

Much like the first film, don't expect character development or much in the way of story or message (though Mario does show grace to his enemies on several occasions). Those (big) things aside, there were elements to enjoy. The animation is spectacular, the music is a well-done homage to classic video game fare, and there are plenty of nods to various Nintendo titles. If you are unfamiliar with the video games, I don't see you enjoying this. But if you are—even a few of them—you can find something to enjoy.

Rating: C+

Project Hail Mary

The Sun is being eaten. Earth has just decades before it cools to the point of mass extinction. The world launches a one-way interstellar spacecraft to study the one known star unaffected by this phenomenon . . . and send the results back to save the world.

Scientist Ryland Grace wakes up on-board the spacecraft with no idea how he got there. He's alone . . . and Earth's only hope. Or is he? When he encounters an alien craft near the unaffected star, hope is born. But it will require sacrifice.

This movie is outstanding. It's an amazing blend of story, mystery, suspense, humor, effects, and message. It is at its core a powerful look at the need for others and self-sacrifice. Highly recommended.

Rating: A

X-men Origins: Wolverine

Logan (aka Wolverine) was heavily featured in the first three X-men films from 2000-06. This 2009 film looks at his backstory. 

Logan his brother Victor are different. with claws and regeneration abilities, they seem nigh-immortal and destined for unending battles, fighting in the Civil War up to present day. And Colonel Stryker has taken notice. 

Stryker recruits them for his strike force, and they live as mercenaries fighting around the globe—until Logan has had enough. He abandons the team and seeks a new life.

With peace, a girlfriend, and job as a lumberjack in the Canadian Rockies, Logan enjoys solitude for a few years . . . until he learns that someone has been hunting down his old team. He will be forced to confront his past—and face his future—with everything on the line.

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I wanted to like this movie, and there were elements that satisfied (like the action, some of the twists, and seeing Gambit make his big-screen debut). But ultimately, I think this movie suffered from trying to do too much. Was the focus on Wolverine? His relationship with his brother? His enmity towards Stryker? The rise of Deadpool? The origin of the X-men? Or just being a simple action-laced spectacle? The answer is yes and no to all of those. 

Stepping back to look at the X-men franchise, it gets confusing. Wolverine has a trilogy of his own (2009-2017), which is interlaced with (and yet separate from) the other films. Ultimately, this movie was subsequently retconned with the X-men:First Class series (2011-19), especially Days of Future Past. See my overview page for the X-men films and links to each. It is best enjoyed as an action-filled romp that held promise but tried to deliver on too many fronts and was since superceded by better tales.

Rating: B-

Venom

When journalist Eddie Brock tries to expose Life Foundation owner Carlton Drake as a criminal, he loses everything—his job, his reputation, his relationship. But he will soon gain something much more . . .

Carlton Drake's company has found alien life, and is secretly studying the specimens on Earth. These symbiotes cannot survive on their own; they need a suitable host. And one just got away . . .

As a symbiote bonds with Brock, he discovers his tremendous new powers even as he learns the terrible truth: this is an invasion force. Is there anything he can do to stop them? And will his parasite—who calls himself Venom—let him?

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I finally got around to watching this 2018 film today. It was . . . okay. 

- Tom Hardy stole the show . . . he must have had a lot of fun playing this character. He does a great job wrestling with his new-found "dual nature."

- It was different than the typical superhero flick, as this is about an antihero. You're not sure whether you're rooting for or against Venom.

- The plot had its good points but suffered from uneven development. It starts off nicely, but without warning or much explanation, Venom's goals and motivation shift mid-movie. Then a bunch of other stuff happens that was poorly explored.

- I wasn't clear on what the message was. Maybe it is about co-dependency and how we need each other. Or maybe it's that everyone is a loser, so do what you can to look out for yourself.

- It was scary and gross in places. 

Overall, the potential for something amazing was there—a superhero movie off the beaten track—but it didn't quite deliver.

Rating: C

Thunderbolts*

Shortly after Captain America: Brave New World . . .

Yelena Belova, Black Widow's sister, mourns her passing as she struggles with other demons in her past. And everyone has regrets—John Walker, the failed Captain America. Red Guardian, silent father. Bucky Barnes, brainwashed killer. Ghost, tormented soul. Many of these are sent, individually, on one final mission with a promise to wipe their past and start anew. But things take a turn when they discover they've been set against each other to clear crooked CIA director Valentina Allegra de Fontaine's name. They join forces but face a great foe. They're not super, and not heroes. But if they stick together, they may just make it.

I did myself a disservice by skipping Brave New World; that omission left me confused, and I only vaguely remember the immediately preceding MCU films. That aside, this film took a markedly darker and more pyschological tone than the standard MCU offering. The themes were failure, regret for past sins, loneliness, and the need to belong. Yelena summarizes: "There's something wrong with me. An emptiness. I thought it started when my sister died, but now it feels like something bigger. Just a void." The movie looks at that. A worthy theme to be sure, and one message (sticking together despite failures) was top-notch. The humor was decent. But it is dark, so approach with caution.

Rating: B

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows

Last time, Shredder was defeated and imprisoned. But he won't stay down . . . and when he escapes from prison with help from powerful beings (including Krang and scientist Baxter Stockman), the turtles realize more is at stake. Much more. Krang is enlisting Shredder's help to find three pieces needed to build a transdimensional portal and unleash the power of the Technodrome . . . and only the turtles can stop them.

This 2016 sequel was much the same as it predecessor: an over-the-top fast and frenetic visual spectacle that was full of humor and not much else (character development, plot, or message). That said, I enjoyed this more than the first film. The humor was better, and it was fun seeing live-action visualizations of Krang, Rocksteady, and Bebop. The message was little-explored but dealt with teamwork despite differences and seeking acceptance in a world that forced the crew to live in the shadows. It was entertaining as a nostalgic nod to the nineties ninjas cartoon. It could have been more, but it was a fun romp.

Rating: B-

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (2014 film)

The Foot Clan terrorizes New York City, but help can be found below. Four Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and their father/sensei Splinter are determined to stop the Clan and their leader, Shredder. But the Turtles may not be ready . . . and Shredder is out for blood. Their blood. If he gets it, he can create unimaginable devastation . . . 

This 2014 film is an dizzying action-packed spectacle. It blows away the 1990 TMNT film on that front, and the humor is decent, but it falls short in almost every other area. The plot and character development is extremely rushed. The message is 'believe in each other.' The acting isn't great. I didn't expect much depth from a Michael Bay production (who acknowledged that he makes movies for teenage boys), and I didn't get it. My son liked it though.

Rating: C

TMNT: Mutant Mayhem

The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles have lived their lives in hiding and fear. Longing for acceptance, the boys will do anything—good or bad—to get it from humans. But when efforts fail, and Superfly terrorizes the city, the turtles must be heroes whether or not they're accepted by those they save. 

I give this 2023 movie high marks for its stylized (if sometimes frenetic and overwhelming) animation, humor, and general message. I like how it portrays characters doing both good and bad to be accepted—and how both fail when that is the sole goal. It has a gritty, urban feel. There is more cursing then I'd like from the villain. Splinter's character is intriguing. This is a re-imagining of the TMNT franchise, and it mostly works. In general, recommended.

Rating: B+

Wonka

As a child, Willy Wonka dreamed of making the world's best chocolate with his mom. And she promised she would share the secret. But when she passed away, Willy is forced to find his own way in the world. 

Years later, Willy makes his way to the city, where his creations dazzle the population . . . and draw the attention of three evil chocolate makers. They are determined to take him down . . . can Wonka and his friends follow his dreams, or will the greedy always beat the needy?

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Delightfully absurd, this musical/comedy (a prequel to Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory) is a treat. It celebrates dreams, imagination, and the importance of sharing life selflessly with others. Recommended.

Rating: A-

TMNT 2: The Secret of the Ooze

Shortly after last time . . . New York is safe and enjoying it pizza, for the turtles defeated Shredder and his Foot Clan. Or did they? Both are back, and worse, they have a vial of the same ooze that created the turtles. What dastardly creatures will they create with it . . . and have the turtles met their match? And what will they learn of their own origins?

I was disappointed in this 1991 sequel. The tone is sillier and clearly geared towards kids (not inherently bad, but a departure from the original, which the entire family could enjoy). The messages were sparse and undeveloped, relegated to a line here or there that hinted at something greater but never delivered. The best quote brimmed with potential but was left hanging:

Do not confuse the specter of your origin with your present worth.

The movie was rife with nineties pop culture (including Vanilla Ice), which I got but would be lost on today's audience. It was funny in places (though often juvenile humor). Ultimately, this was an action spectacle for kids that did more to revisit the past movie than develop the story or characters.

Rating: C-

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1990 film)

New York City is in the throes of a crime wave; a mysterious organization known as the Foot Clan is rumored to be behind it all. But hope is not lost . . . for a radioactive ooze twenty years earlier gifted a rat and four turtles with considerable growth and intellect. Combined with ninja skills gained from the rat's teachings, these heroes in a half shell will fight for justice as . . . the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Will they be enough to find and take down the Foot?

This 1990 film, based on the 1987 TV cartoon series (which was itself based on the 1984 comic series) was a huge hit in its day. And watching it again today with my kids . . . I still loved it. Yes, it is cheesy and dated. But it is light-hearted, the action holds up surprisingly well, the comedy is good, and the messages are mostly solid, looking at the importance of true family/community, right thinking, and repentance.

"TMNT" was a cultural force in the eighties and nineties—the original cartoon ran until 1996 (there have since been several others), the 1989 video game is a classic, the movie franchise got two more sequels and then a reboot in 2014. It is still in enough demand to warrant an upcoming Magic: the Gathering release. I'm not as familiar with the later offerings, but the original stuff is still just great by me.

Rating: A-

The Flash

Barry Allen is fast. Really fast. Harnessing his 'speed force' as part of the Justice League, he uses his powers to help humanity. When he discovers he can walk through time, he journeys to the past to save his parents from tragedy (and, later, to correct mistakes). But doing so has a ripple effect and changes many other things—and starts to mess with the fabric of time itself. The Flash must choose: can he accept failure and tragedy? Or is it worth destroying the universe to right the wrongs of the past? 

This film got mixed (but mostly negative) reviews, which is one reason I wasn't in a rush to see it (it came out two years ago). That said, I enjoyed it more than I expected. It focused on an important theme: the reality of failure and tragedy—the wrongs we do and the wrongs done to us—and their role in shaping our lives. When Flash realizes he might be able to stop his mother's murder, he doesn't realize how that event was necessary. Batman enlightens him: "Those scars we have make us who we are. We're not meant to go back and fix them." And elsewhere, as Flash struggles with how to fix things, he is reminded that "Not every problem has a solution. Sometimes we just have to let go." While the movie doesn't get all the right answers, I think it is important to think on this. We all have regret for our past actions and pain we wish didn't exist, but if God is sovereign and good, even the sins and horrors of humanity can end up playing a positive role. And our desire to go back and change things is ultimately humanity trying to be God, which is what made us fall in the first place. 

Theme aside, the movie had mixed elements. It plays on the rich history of DC movies, combinng them with time travel weirdness, to feature cool cameos (so being familiar with older films will aid your enjoyment). The humor was decent in places. The CG was weirdly (but I understand deliberately/artistically) bad at times. The film invested too much in action/spectacle and too little in character/message. There is some foul language. And in the end, it's clear Barry didn't fully learn the lesson. But overall, it wasn't terrible.

Rating: B-

K-Pop Demon Hunters

The Huntr/x are a K-pop girl group. They are also [secretly] demon hunters, charged to protect the realm through song and violence. But one of their members has a secret . . .

The Saja Boys are a K-pop boy band. They are also [secretly] demons, charged to get the population under their sway to steal their souls. But one of their members has a secret, too . . .

The natural and supernatural worlds collide in this musical tale of living with your faults and fears in a society that teaches you to hide. 

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My initial take on this was "frenetic, bizarre, and catchy." From the same studio that animated Across the Spider-verse, you see the stylistic similarities. The music was good (one song reached #1 in the real-life charts), the humor was zany but fun, and the point was awesome—I think. Let me explain.

The main characters in the film wrestle with their faults and fears, the repeated refrain being "our faults and fears must not be seen." But charged to fix the world, they cannot fix themselves despite their best efforts—and hide as a result. They fear being known, assuming that such knowledge would erase any love others have for them. And they can't let go of their past failures, listening to their demons that won't let them forget: "all we get/deserve is to live with tons of pain and misery." The result? They are alone, and the demons are near victory. What is the way forward?

According to the film, the point is to be open about your faults and failures and "bring jagged edges to the light." Be there for others and know you are not alone. See the scars as part of yourself, and "see the beauty in the broken glass." And sacrifice yourself for the good of others, giving your soul to others rather than taking. 

There are a ton of good messages here. The only point that gave me pause—and which wasn't explained in the film—was whether brokenness should prompt any degree of repentance or sorrow. If it was calling you to see beauty in the broken glass or despite it. One line spoke of "darkness and harmony," and I couldn't tell if they meant making peace with the fact that we are fallen people [but to strive against it] *or* making peace with the fact [and embracing it]. That's a huge difference. I will assume the best, though, and give this film high marks. See it for yourself and let me know.

Rating: A

The Fantastic Four: First Steps

Four years after the accident that granted them all powers, the Fantastic Four is reeling from a pleasant surprise: Sue is pregnant. But the excitement is short-lived, for a herald arrives pronouncing doom to the Earth . . . for Galactus, Devourer of Worlds, is coming. And not even this fantastic crew may be able to save the planet this time.

I liked the retro-futuristic aesthetics of the film. And it hits on important themes (sacrifice, being part of something bigger, and family). But on the whole, this one just didn't do it for me. Like the recent Superman film, we're dropped into an existing world—this is [perhaps mercifully] not another origin story, and that's okay. But the plot was so rushed that I had a hard time caring. When it scraped against important themes, it failed to deliver. Other aspects, like the music and humor, were average or ignored. And I had a hard time seeing Pedro Pascal as Mr. Fantastic. There were certainly cool elements, and it may be the best Fantastic Four film to date. But that's not saying much.

Rating: C+