Knives Out (2019)

After dazzling all with his sci-fi actioner Looper, directing the greatest hour of television with Ozymandias (Breaking Bad) & helming the penultimate episode of Star Wars saga with The Last Jedi, Rian Johnson returns with an intelligently plotted & ingeniously directed murder mystery that attempts to revive the whodunnit genre by both embracing & subverting it in equal measure. With a star-studded ensemble who all chip in with fab inputs, Knives Out makes for one of this year’s finest films, and is certainly amongst the most entertaining.

The story of Knives Out is set into motion when the patriarch of the wealthy Thrombey family is found dead the next morning after his 85th birthday. Initially ruled as suicide, the case is revisited after a renowned detective is enlisted by an anonymous source to further investigate into the matter & see if any foul play was involved. As he questions each family member & staff who were present during the last gathering to connect the dots, he learns more n more about the dysfunctional family & must filter out their self-serving lies in order to uncover the truth.

Written, produced & directed by Rian Johnson, the story is gripping from the get go, and remains that way until the end. The premise set up is quick, character introductions are swift, and the juxtaposition of lies & truth provided to the audience offers them a better glimpse into each character’s persona. By taking the whodunnit template and turning it on itself, Johnson goes further than just merely following the tropes as his film becomes a completely different puzzle as plot progresses & more details pour in, all without ever sacrificing the genre’s pleasures or affecting the narrative flow.

Johnson’s assured direction makes this film an endlessly enjoyable & wildly entertaining ride but his script is just as impressive, expertly balancing all subplots in a manner that only adds to the suspense while painting the bigger picture at the same time. Add to that, the rich, well-defined & interesting set of characters inhabiting this tale infuse additional flavours to what’s already a delicious cuisine. The twists & turns are aplenty, as expected, but what makes it riveting down to the last frame is how the film never for once loses its momentum and keeps us invested in its mechanics with effortless ease.

The majority of the plot unfolds in a mansion, and the production design team does well to fill the place up and decorate the setting with appropriate props & artefacts that aptly reflect the family’s wealth & fortune. The fluid camerawork, smart manoeuvring, sharp focus, detailed imagery & precise lighting helps capture each moment in a clear, concise fashion while Editing skilfully juggles & intertwines multiple storylines into one tightly-knitted structure that allows the audience to play the game while at the same time stays one step ahead of them. And the pacing is so breezy & perfect that time simply flies by.

Coming to the performances, Knives Out features a stellar ensemble in Daniel Craig, Ana de Armas, Chris Evans, Jamie Lee Curtis, Michael Shannon, Don Johnson, Toni Collette & Christopher Plummer. Craig plays the inquisitive & debonair detective called in to solve the case, and delivers a fascinating input that only gets better with time. Evans is totally relaxed here, and plays his role with carefree demeanour. The rest contribute with top-notch efforts as well, getting along well with one another while holding their own. But the real show-stealer, apart from those sweaters, is de Armas whose character is at the heart of this story, and her modest & beautifully nuanced performance provides the film its very soul.

On an overall scale, Knives Out is one of the sharpest, smartest & slickest examples of its genre that presents Rian Johnson at the top of his game, for he is aware that the viewers like playing detective when it comes to whodunnit stories, and so he devises his modern take in ways that finds new means to pull the rug off our feet, defy our expectations and surprise us every now n then. Also, where many similar examples tend to shock viewers with a final revelation, Johnson’s latest opts for an outcome that’s reasonable enough to wrap the film on a wholly satisfying note. A masterwork of suave direction & sly writing that’s further boosted by a stellar ensemble that delivers on all fronts, Knives Out is Rian Johnson’s best film to date. Strongly recommended.

Avengers: Endgame (2019)

There was an idea: To bring together a group of comic-book superheroes into a shared narrative continuity in which plot elements from their respective stories would overlap with one another, each converging & contributing towards a much wider & consistently evolving universe. This was an idea to see if the comic-book genre of filmmaking could become something more. If it could accomplish on the film celluloid what the pages of those comic-book prints achieved many decades ago. An ambitious but groundbreaking move to say the least, for something of this scale & magnitude hadn’t been attempted on film before, it gave birth to what is now known as Marvel Cinematic Universe and its astounding success didn’t just change the superhero genre forever, its influence was felt throughout the Hollywood industry.

Marvel Studios’ game-changing vision began over a decade ago with Iron Man, which didn’t just provide the ideal start the studio was looking for but also paved a very stable & strong foundation for subsequent instalments to stand upon. However, it wasn’t until The Avengers that the shared universe concept went mainstream. Once their crossover feature proved that the journey the studio had embarked on is not only feasible but also ensured a regular cashflow, every major Hollywood studio jumped aboard to cash-in on this idea by going back to the drawing board to start their own mega-franchises and so far, none have succeeded. Marvel Studios has come a long way since, having given us 21 interconnected films, many of which work just as well as standalone chapters. And this year with their latest entry, the entire saga comes full circle.

Avengers: Infinity War marked the beginning of the end of an era which, over the last decade or so, allowed the comic-book genre to soar heights it had never attained before and in the process, changed the landscape of superhero filmmaking forever. But Infinity War was more than just another instalment in the ever expanding Marvel’s universe. It was less a film & more a cinematic event that was ultimately going to pay off a decade’s worth of our investment in not just these characters but the saga as a whole. And it did. Despite a few shortcomings, the film lived up to the hype, delivered on the expectations, and left everyone shell-shocked with a brutal ending to set a perfect stage for the grand finale that is Avengers: Endgame. This is the last stop. This is where it all ends. Sure the journey will continue for years to come but nothing will feel the same anymore.

The 22nd instalment in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, the final chapter of their Phase III plan, and a culmination of all the narratives preceding it, Avengers: Endgame follows the aftermath of the tragedy that transpired during the final moments of Infinity War when Thanos successfully wiped out half of all living beings in the universe with a single snap of his fingers after retrieving all the six infinity stones. The story concerns the surviving Avengers who are still reeling from their failure and mourning the loss of their friends & family who all disintegrated into dust after the snap and follows their attempts to find a way to undo the whole devastation. When an opportunity finally surfaces, they are more than willing to do whatever it takes to avenge the fallen, and assemble the team for one last mission which, if successful, may restore order to the universe.

Directed by Anthony & Joe Russo, I already mentioned in my review of Captain America: Civil War that the fate of the grand finale of Marvel’s saga is in capable hands after they proved their mettle with their clever handling of the Captain America sequels, and then settled that debate last year with Infinity War. Tying up virtually all the arcs of a narrative that spans 11 years & 22 films with a single film is no doubt a herculean task and the fact that the Russos managed to pull it off in a grandiose fashion is no short of a miracle. Endgame isn’t different from the norm as it adheres to the same Marvel formula and yet it just works. It is a celebration of everything that Marvel Studios had built over the last decade. It delivers the epic extravaganza that is to be expected from a finale. It provides a sense of finality to all the original players in this cinematic universe. And it concludes the decade-long journey on a memorable high by giving the fans exactly what they wanted.

However, despite getting so many things right and delivering on audience expectations, there are still a few shortcomings that are worth mentioning. What Infinity War created in its wake was an existential crisis for our characters who saw half the population turn into dust right in front of their eyes but what Endgame attempts to do from the moment it begins is to quickly skim through that dilemma instead of actually exploring that post-apocalyptic scenario some more to give us a sense of how they have been grappling with the consequences of their collective failure. With its 3-hour runtime, there definitely was enough room to tackle that aspect but maybe the studio didn’t deem it worthy, which is a shame because that would’ve provided an additional emotional weight to their course of action, thus making their attempts to undo Thanos’ destruction all the more rewarding & gratifying. It may not affect the entertainment value but its absence does play a role in determining the quality of its storytelling.

On the plus side, Endgame is a film thoroughly dedicated to the fans, the ones who have stood by this franchise and have followed the roller-coaster journey for the last 11 years, throughout 22 films. It’s for anyone & everyone who invested in this cinematic universe. And with Endgame being the final chapter of the Infinity saga, the writers knew that the hype was going to be off the charts but what they did right was to make this grand finale about the original team. The other characters have vital roles to play too but the primary focus is on the ones who kickstarted this universe and turned it into what it is today. The film indulges in enough fan service without suffocating its own narrative. There are also plenty of callbacks to earlier entries which are carried out in a way that’s vital to its own plot. And finally, there is this third act where the filmmakers decide to switch to top gear and unleash everything they have at their disposal to deliver a truly epic & jaw-dropping spectacle that will be remembered for a long, long time.

Filled to the brim with all the necessary ingredients to please, amuse, entertain, dazzle & reward the viewers, the film scores high marks on enjoyment scale, plus the way all the elements works out, all the loose ends get tied up, and the arcs of several principal characters are brought to completion, Endgame utilises its narrative structure, its 181 minutes runtime, and screen time for its plethora of characters with finesse, all the while making sure that the pace remains steady and the interest in the unfolding events is never lost. Sure a few scenes tend to overstay their welcome but there is a sense of urgency to it that keeps the story moving at all times. The final showdown is a feast for the eyes, an absolute marvel of blockbuster filmmaking that gives the fans everything they could have asked for, and the unhurried approach in the aftermath segment makes sure the goodbyes are proper, heartfelt & fulfilling. Alan Silvestri also brings out the big instruments to deliver an epic score that catapults our emotions to new heights every time that iconic theme kicks in.

Returning to the fold are Robert Downey Jr. (Iron Man), Chris Evans (Captain America), Chris Hemsworth (Thor), Mark Ruffalo (Hulk), Scarlett Johansson (Natasha Romanoff) & Josh Brolin (Thanos). Paul Rudd (Ant-Man) & Jeremy Renner (Hawkeye) also make their way back into the team after having been absent in Infinity War. And we also have Brie Larson (Captain Marvel), Bradley Cooper (Rocket) & Karen Gillan (Nebula) in supporting roles. The original assemble takes the centerstage this time and after having played their respective characters for so long, they deliver excellent performances both individually & as a team, plus their chemistry is as effortless as before. Hemsworth is a definite standout for me, contributing with a hilarious input that only gets better as plot progresses. Evans as Steve Rogers is thoroughly committed to his role, and also happens to be the one who gives us the moment that may as well be this film’s highlight. Downey Jr. is outstanding as expected although more grounded this time than his previous renditions. Ruffalo’s Hulk is a close second to Thor when it comes to fun gags. Brolin as Thanos retains his formidable aura & intimidating quality. And lastly, both Johannson & Renner chip in with better work than ever before in this saga.

On an overall scale, Avengers: Endgame is both the celebration & culmination of all the stories that have surfaced in the Marvel Cinematic Universe to date, and it returns our decade-long investment in these characters with an enormous pay-off that very few grand finales of any saga have managed to accomplish on such a thumping & triumphant note. It may not be a perfect film and has its share of shortcomings but the ending it delivers is so right, fulfilling & appropriate that it wouldn’t even matter anymore if Marvel Studios ultimately decides to push the stop button and discards the process of making more of these episodic films. More than living up to the hype & delivering an emotional pay-off that’s going to be immensely satisfying for most people if not all, Avengers: Endgame is a perfect farewell to a 22-film saga and an undeniably memorable conclusion of an unprecedented cinematic universe that won’t soon, if ever, find an equal. It’s a crescendo of comic-book landscape in contemporary cinema, a rare achievement of blockbuster filmmaking that dares to aim for the impossible and succeeds in every way or shape or form. To sum it up, Marvel Studios’ magnum opus truly marks the end of an era. And what an era it was. Part of the journey is the end. And this is where it ends for me. Thank you for the roller-coaster ride.

Avengers: Infinity War (2018)

And so begins the end of an era. 10 years ago, Marvel Studios put into action an idea they had only envisioned. An idea so bold, original, grand & ambitious that nothing like it had ever been attempted before in cinema history. The plan was to create a shared universe centred on a series of individual superhero films that would later merge into a crossover feature. To create a tapestry of a consistently evolving saga that would borrow plot elements & characters from different films without diluting their individuality. And it worked. It flourished. It exceeded all expectations. And it was so influential that it completely redefined the way this genre is handled nowadays.

It was necessary to pave a strong foundation on which Marvel’s shared universe concept could stand upon. And Iron Man offered them exactly that. Still one of their finest features to date and an origin story that ranks right up there with the best, the first chapter in the Marvel Cinematic Universe marked the beginning of an era that would go on to change the very landscape of comic book filmmaking in the years to come. The crucial moment was in 2012 when Marvel released The Avengers, the crossover feature that they had been planning from the beginning. This was the film that was going to answer if Marvel’s gamble would pay off in big dividends or not. And the rest is history.

The astonishing success of The Avengers instantly put Marvel Studios ahead of all, heralded a new era of superhero films, and they have only strengthened their position over the years. It has been a decade since we embarked on the journey that commenced with Iron Man and in those 10 years, Marvel produced a total of 19 feature films, bringing both new & familiar faces into their ever expanding universe. Everything that has happened in the Marvel Cinematic Universe since its inception has led to this. Avengers: Infinity War is where this decade’s worth of narrative & world-building pays off. And that’s what makes it more than just another MCU instalment. It’s an epic moment, no less than a cinematic event.

The 19th instalment in the Marvel Cinematic Universe and the first of the two planned Avengers films that will conclude their Phase 3 plan, Avengers: Infinity War follows the all-powerful Thanos as he traverses across the universe, looking for infinity stones which together will grant him the strength to impose his will on all of reality and realise his twisted goal of restoring balance in the universe by wiping out half of all lives. Decimating everyone in his path and collecting the artefacts of unimaginable power one by one, the intergalactic despot finally confronts the Avengers & their allies, all of whom have managed to protect the world from every threat in the past, as the fate of Earth & existence itself hangs in balance.

Directed by Anthony & Joe Russo, Infinity War begins where Thor: Ragnarok signed off and the destruction that unfolds in the opening segment sets the tone for the rest of the story. It’s by all means an extremely ambitious undertaking by the Russo brothers but Captain America: Civil War proved that it’s them who were best suited for tackling this massive assignment than anyone else. And for the most part, they do a neat job at it. One major relief comes from the fact that plenty of screen time is allotted to Thanos, the biggest & baddest villain of them all who so far had only been teased in small doses. Infinity War puts him front & centre, almost as if it’s his movie, and the decision to focus on his backstory & motivations really helps the narrative.

With pretty much everyone from previous MCU films making their appearance, Infinity War is filled to the brim with numerous characters we have acquainted ourselves with over the last decade. And though it can be overwhelming and even result in an overkill, grouping them into small factions does make it easy to follow the different segments headed towards same destination. There is more at stake here than previous entries and in Thanos we have a villain who effortlessly lives up to the expectations. His motivation for the sick fantasy that he wants to turn into reality isn’t as strongly appealing as required but it’s still serviceable. However, the film actually lacks that smooth, perfect balance the first Avengers film exhibited in all aspects, and struggles now n then when it comes to juggling its constantly shifting tones.

The visual effects team deserves the maximum credit, for everything from the set pieces to numerous locations to changing backdrops & settings to characters’ appearances & outfits is an end product of their work. It’s their countless hours of visual rendering that makes this grandeur epic a cinematic possibility. Also, despite being darker than preceding chapters, the film isn’t lacking in humour and makes sure to keep its lighthearted vibe alive & kicking whenever there is an opportunity for it. Camerawork is at its finest during moments of action, plus there are plenty of scenes that will make the audience cheer at the spectacle they are witnessing on the big screen. But it can also be somewhat exhausting since CGI-laden action segments don’t carry that lasting effect and may become tiring after a while, which is exactly what happens here.

There are a lot of familiar worlds we revisit in Infinity War, and then some new ones we are introduced to. Production design team does well to add a sense of uniqueness to the new locations explored in this film and the level of detailing in set pieces, both big & small, is quite commendable. Cinematography is splendid, using IMAX cameras to capture the images in sharp detail & crisp clarity, but it fails to make the most of the available technology by operating the cameras in conventional fashion. Colour palette is wonderfully utilised and lighting is apt too. Editing is excellent for the most part, making sure the action keeps surfacing regularly to keep the interest alive but there were several moments that it could have clipped from its already demanding 149 minutes runtime. And last but not the least, Alan Silvestri delivers a rousing soundtrack that further uplifts the film’s larger-than-life aura.

Coming to the performances, barring a few exceptions, the entire ensemble of the MCU return to reprise their respective roles of the Avengers, the Guardians or their allies. The real main attraction is Josh Brolin as Thanos who finally takes centerstage in this film after appearing only briefly in some of the earlier entries. The years of careful threading that has gone into hyping him as the overlord of villainy & darkness ultimately works out in the film’s favour, for Thanos makes up for one formidable supervillain who’s much more intimidating than previous Marvel antagonists and Brolin’s conquering voice & impressive motion capture rendition makes the character stand out even more. There is an attempt to make us invest in him emotionally but it isn’t done well enough. Nevertheless, it’s safe to say that Thanos more than lives up to the hype and overshadows everyone.

As for the rest of the cast, Robert Downey Jr. returns as Tony Stark (Iron Man) with all his charisma & magnetic screen presence in tact and contributes with a confidently assured performance. Chris Hemsworth is even better as Thor and has the most interesting arc of all Avengers in this story. Chris Evans as Steve Rogers (Captain America) is no slouch either and earns his moments to shine. Benedict Cumberbatch plays Doctor Strange with same demeanour as before, plus his interaction with others is a delight to watch. Tom Holland is effortlessly captivating as Peter Parker (Spider-Man) and steals pretty much every scene he appears in. Mark Ruffalo as Bruce Banner (Hulk) is mostly in for comic relief this time. Among the Guardians, Dave Bautista turns out to be most amusing but rest aren’t far behind. There isn’t just enough space for all characters, many roles are reduced to mere cameos, and the ones who stay for longer do well with what they are given.

On an overall scale, Avengers: Infinity War is a highly enjoyable, entertaining & satisfying extravaganza that somehow manages to live up to its enormous hype. An action-packed, big-budget blockbuster of epic proportions, the film keeps delivering one action set piece after another, barely letting the audience breathe, and though it keeps majority of filmgoers engaged, the dramatic portions suffer because of that, thus preventing the film from achieving the greatness that was up for grabs. There’s no denying that the film has plenty of unexpected surprises & unforeseen tragedies in store, and the ending is sure to hit fans hard, but all of it would’ve left a far more powerful & unforgettable impact if we didn’t already know that much of it will be undone in the upcoming Avengers sequel. All in all, despite a few shortcomings, Avengers: Infinity War does pay off 10 years’ worth of investment with an exhilarating action-adventure spectacle and wraps itself up by setting a perfect stage for the grand finale.

Captain America: Civil War (2016)

The Phase 3 of Marvel Studios’ shared universe is off to a rousing start as the thirteenth instalment in the Marvel Cinematic Universe is an expertly balanced, inherently focused & emotionally dense example of blockbuster filmmaking that, despite being stuffed with too many characters, manages to provide each one of them their fair share of screen time but what’s even more impressive is that it is able to accomplish all that without ever taking the centerstage away from its titular character, thus succeeding as a Captain America sequel rather than coming off as Avengers 2.5, which is what many expected it to be.

Set one year after the events that transpired in Avengers: Age of Ultron, Captain America: Civil War follows Steve Rogers whose latest mission to prevent a few mercenaries from stealing a biological weapon results in the inadvertent destruction of public property & deaths of few civilians, after which the United Nations decides to introduce the Sokovia Accords, a measure to keep the Avengers in check. With some in favour of the Accords while others against it, the group is split into two opposing factions, one led by Rogers & the other headed by Tony Stark. Meanwhile, a new villain emerges and attempts to exploit the weak spot within the Avengers.

Co-directed by Anthony & Joe Russo, Civil War finds the duo filmmakers in splendid form as they successfully juggle with the arcs of reprising & new characters without deviating too far from the main premise. By capitalising on the plus points of Captain America: The Winter Soldier, the Russos make sure that the focus remains on Steve Rogers & his journey while other characters weave in-and-out of his story. The swift pacing & uniform flow is effectively maintained as all the subplots it has in store end up contributing to the bigger picture, which is evident in the final showdown, for all the heavy emotions that come into play in that segment feel genuinely earned.

The screenplay is no slouch either, for the writers move the plot forward by betting on the emotions at play here instead of letting its big-budget spectacle steer it to the finish line. Unlike previous entries, the collateral damage incurred in the presence of the Avengers is continuously questioned and there is valid reasoning behind all the choices that these characters make. The disagreement between Rogers & Stark over international oversight stems from their own experiences in the past as the former’s faith in the government is shattered after witnessing the corruption in The Winter Soldier while the latter is willing to submit because he doesn’t trust his actions anymore after what happened in Age of Ultron.

Captain America: Civil War doesn’t really sway away from the established Marvel formula. Instead it distills out the impurities by stepping back from the reckless destruction of buildings & cities, and chooses to introspect its characters & their actions on a deeper level while addressing a few serious themes simultaneously. But its effervescent wit is never lost in the process and is consistent in both delivery & timing. However, apart from its top-tier editing, the technical aspects don’t improve by much and retain the iconography of its predecessors. Set design impress only in bits n pieces. Cinematography employs the frenzy handheld camerawork at first for its action sequences before correcting itself yet it remains ordinary for the most part. And as far as Henry Jackman’s score goes, it’s just forgettable.

Coming to the performances, Civil War features a marvellous ensemble in Chris Evans (Captain America), Robert Downey Jr. (Iron Man), Scarlett Johansson (Black Widow), Sebastian Stan (Winter Soldier), Anthony Mackie (Falcon), Chadwick Boseman (Black Panther), Paul Bettany (Vision), Elizabeth Olsen (Scarlet Witch), William Hurt & Daniel Brühl, with further assistance coming from Jeremy Renner (Hawkeye), Paul Rudd (Ant-Man), Don Cheadle (War Machine) & Tom Holland (Spider-Man). Evans remains the lead despite sharing space with so many people and his performance is very measured. With welcome depth provided to Tony Stark’s arc, Downey Jr. chips in with an emotionally hefty work without ever discarding his innate charm & magnetic screen presence. And with her allegiance torn between the two factions, Johansson’s character finds herself in an interesting spot, which the sultry actress explores quite ably.

Black Panther’s solo-feature is already in the works but his arc still comes full circle in this movie plus Boseman truly nails his part, managing to steal the limelight from the big players on more occasions than one. Stan gets more screen time as well and does a brilliant job in maintaining the dual nature of his character’s persona. Olsen plays her part sincerely. Brühl’s character silently develops in the background and the rationale behind his sinister plan is equally believable, relatable & fitting. Rudd definitely made full use of the window that was available to him yet the most memorable character of them all turned out to be the web-slinging, friendly neighbourhood known as Spider-Man. Appearing in costume in just one sequence, Holland leaves a lasting impression with an energetic performance that brims with vibrancy, excitement & just the right amount of cockiness. The remaining cast members contribute as per the requirement and play their part convincingly.

On an overall scale, Captain America: Civil War is definitely one of the strongest films to come out from Marvel Studios’ canon and is the summer blockbuster to beat this year (for now). The airport fight scene that was so heavily promoted in the trailers fell a bit short on my expectation scale but the film more than made up for it with an intensely fought-out, masterly choreographed & emotionally involving battle between the two team leaders during its climax. By neatly balancing more than a dozen characters in its 2½ hours runtime, the confident direction by the Russos comes with a respite as well as an assurance that the fate of Avengers: Infinity War is in good hands. The latest offering in the Marvel Cinematic Universe is no game-changer but it is quite possibly the finest implementation of the steps the studio follows to create its recipes, and it benefits greatly from its deftly written script. A thoroughly enjoyable, entertaining & satisfying extravaganza for the masses, Captain America: Civil War is absolutely worth your time & money. Delightfully recommended.

Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015)

Back in 2012, everything that Marvel Studios had accomplished since its inception came to its most pivotal moment when their most ambitious effort made its long-awaited debut in cinemas around the world. There were many (including me) who doubted that having so many superheroes in a single feature would result in an overkill, the anticipation from its fanbase was already off the charts & in more ways than one, this ensemble story was destined to fail. But the way The Avengers surpassed every hype & expectation, the way it tore through the global box-office, and the way it was embraced by critics n viewers all over the world is what laid the foundation on which Marvel Studios stands today.

There is no denying that The Avengers was an unexpectedly delightful surprise which exquisitely paid off the huge gamble that Marvel took by not only grossing billions of dollars in box-office collections, eventually becoming one of the highest grossing films of all time, but also ended up as one of the most critically acclaimed pictures of its year. It put to rest every doubt, every preconception & every question anyone ever had about the shared universe idea that Marvel introduced into the world of superhero filmmaking. The monumental success of The Avengers was a game-changer as almost every other studio with comic-book character film rights is now busy creating a similar shared universe.

What actually made The Avengers click so well with viewers wasn’t its accumulation of many superheroes in one feature but the flawless manner in which director Joss Whedon balanced the elements of action, humour & drama into one fascinating extravaganza that offered lots of laughs, spectacle, emotions, entertainment & satisfaction over the course of its runtime. Riding on the excellent platform provided by earlier instalments, the second phase of Marvel Cinematic Universe has had a smooth run in both critical & commercial departments until it all came down to the sequel everyone had been waiting for, which at first did seem like another success but is unfortunately way too messed up in actuality.

The much-anticipated sequel to The Avengers, the penultimate chapter of Marvel’s Phase Two plan & the 11th instalment in MCU (Marvel Cinematic Universe), Avengers: Age of Ultron brings back the team of Iron Man, Thor, Captain America, Hulk, Black Widow & Haweye under one roof once again as this time they face an adversary they never saw coming. Having retrieved Loki’s sceptre from the Hydra facility in an Eastern European country, the team celebrates their hard-earned moment of peace that’s quickly cut short by one of Tony Stark’s artificial intelligent programs that goes horribly wrong, resulting in the birth of the unexpectedly sentient Ultron; a mechanical artificial intelligence that plans to employ Stark’s global defence program by eradicating humanity.

Written & directed by Joss Whedon, just about everything that might’ve gone wrong in The Avengers goes wrong in this sequel as Age of Ultron is an overblown, overcrowded & extremely convoluted mess of an action-adventure that neither succeeds in finding the perfect balance between its different elements nor provides a smooth flow to its narrative like the way it did in its predecessor. Whedon’s direction also lacks the commitment this time & looks tiresome as if he simply wanted to finish the film anyhow & go home. The writing is shabby too for the new characters are poorly handled, the storyline in itself is quite banal, the action is soulless and even though the screenplay boasts a few interesting ideas on paper, its execution on the film canvas is an absolute disappointment.

While its story does head into a darker territory this time, adds greater depth to the arcs of subordinate members of the Avengers & brims with cleverly executed moments of wit, it’s the complete lack of coherence that hurts this film most. The heaviness of the opening act, the nonsensical incarnation of Ultron, the over-reliance on CGI action, the uneven switching between different plot points & several wrong turns that ultimately lead to an uninspiring finale are some of the many things that have a negative effect on the whole experience. Camerawork is chaotic during the action sequences although the visual look is commendable. Editing is bothersome for the story didn’t need to be as long & tiring as it was. And the soundtrack is a rehash of the original that has nothing new to offer.

Coming to the performances, the film brings back Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Chris Hemsworth, Mark Ruffalo, Scarlett Johansson & Jeremy Renner as the original members of the Avengers while the new cast comprises of James Spader, Aaron Taylor-Johnson & Elizabeth Olsen. There isn’t really much to add about Marvel’s reprising cast except for Johansson & Renner whose respective characters of Natasha Romanoff aka Black Widow & Clint Barton aka Hawkeye have a greater presence this time, plus we also get to learn more about their backgrounds. Also, Natasha’s budding romance with Bruce Banner aka Hulk, played by Mark Ruffalo, wasn’t all that necessary to begin with plus the overuse of the green monster in this sequel sort of makes this character redundant like the others.

As for the new additions, James Spader plays Ultron; an artificial intelligence discovered within the gem of Loki’s sceptre which is used by Stark & Banner to bring to fruition the pilot peace program that backfires. Spader’s voice does bring a very compelling quality to Ultron but the character is so poorly conceived in the script that it simply fails to live up to the tag of a formidable villain. Taylor-Johnson & Olsen chip in with fine inputs as the Maximoff twins; Quicksilver & Scarlet Witch respectively, between them the former can move at superhuman speed while the latter is proficient in magic, hypnosis & telekinesis. And we finally have Paul Bettany who, in addition to his role as the voice of Stark’s A.I. companion J.A.R.V.I.S., also takes over the role of Vision; an android created by Ultron.

On an overall scale, Avengers: Age of Ultron is a highly disappointing follow-up to The Avengers that collapses under the burden of its own ambitions in a spectacular fashion. It’s not that this movie ever marketed itself as anything more than a popcorn entertainer but it’s only sensible to expect a sequel that’s on the same radar as its predecessor. Where last year’s Guardians of the Galaxy proved that there are many interesting stories left to tell in Marvel’s repertoire, Age of Ultron points us towards the faint cracks that have begun to appear in their closely structured universe. I don’t really know if it’s the after-effects of Mad Max: Fury Road that made me totally numb to the CGI-heavy sequences it had in store or if those moments really were that lifeless but purely from the storytelling perspective, Age of Ultron definitely isn’t one of Marvel Studios’ finest offerings.

설국열차 | Snowpiercer (2013)

After Park Chan-wook & Kim Jee-woon, the two most renowned filmmakers from South Korean film industry, made their English-language film debut with the gothic chiller Stoker & Schwarzenegger-starring actioner The Last Stand, respectively, it was only a matter of time before director Bong Joon-ho joined them for he has already made his mark as one of the most promising talents to come out from the Asian Cinema powerhouse. And what truly separates his latest picture from the other two master storytellers’ recent films is that despite being an English-language film & featuring a cast of known Hollywood personalities, Snowpiercer never really feels like an American movie but instead has more in common with director’s previous works.

Set in a dystopian future where almost all life on Earth has been wiped out after an experiment to curb global warming goes horribly wrong & throws the planet into an ice age for an indefinite amount of time, Snowpiercer concerns the only human survivors on the planet, all aboard a massive train known as Snowpiercer that travels around the globe via a perpetual-motion engine. Over the years inside the train, a class system has been installed according to which the poor gets to inhabit the tail section of the train while elites enjoy the luxuries at the front. The story mainly covers the mutiny that takes place within the train in which the people at the back join forces to take control of the engine room from the owner but at every doorstep, a new danger awaits them.

Already well-known for his creative ability to play with the elements of many genres at a time & introduce sudden mood shifts in his stories to make the audience go through a roller-coaster ride of emotions, it’s very heartwarming to find out that Bong Joon-ho’s English-language debut sees no compromises from the director in his usual approach to crafting a motion picture. Based on the French graphic novel, Le Transperceneige, the screenplay is deftly adapted from the book but also makes heavy use of humour at unexpected moments & unusual circumstances (one of director’s trademarks) and the smooth yet effective narration with its bizarreness & eccentricity seamlessly manages to keep the viewer’s interest alive throughout its runtime in an efficient manner.

Coming to the technical aspects, the first thing worth mentioning is its brilliant production design. Be it the design of the train, different sections of its coaches or the locomotive engine itself, every single thing is meticulously detailed from top to bottom & makes distinct use of colour palettes. Cinematography makes exquisite use of camera angles, especially in the action sequences, & splendidly captures the dystopian world. Editing is good for the majority of its runtime but it still could’ve used a few more trims in its third act where the film gives out a feeling of derailing a bit but eventually manages to stay on track until the credits start rolling. Visual effects have its highs & lows but it never interferes with the dramatic elements of the story. And music plays a key role in providing the sudden mood shifts whenever & wherever intended.

As far as the performances go, Snowpiercer features an ensemble cast in Chris Evans, Song Kang-ho, Jamie Bell, Octavia Spencer, Tilda Swinton, John Hurt & Ed Harris amongst which Evans gets the maximum screentime & plays the role of Curtis; the one who leads the tail inhabitants in revolt. Jamie Bell plays Curtis’ sidekick Edgar, Tilda Swinton puts up a hamming portrait of Minister Mason & Ed Harris is in as Wilford; the creator of the train & its class hierarchy. But the one who impresses the most is none other than the famous South Korean actor Song Kang-ho in what is a relatively short appearance & he plays Namgoong Minsu; the person who created the train’s door system & whom the rebels need in order to make it to the front. The rest of the supporting cast also chips in with sincere performances, thus leaving nothing major to complain about.

On an overall scale, Bong Joon-ho’s Snowpiercer attempts to take blockbuster filmmaking beyond its own confinements & is a welcome change from the usual effects-laden movies which today’s viewers are more accustomed to. It’s an audacious work of ambition, vision & creativity that’s boldly directed, smartly scripted, spectacularly photographed, nicely edited, subtly themed, sensibly performed & wonderfully scored and even though it may not have turned out to be as impressive a cinema as I was expecting it to be but there’s simply no denying the fact that Snowpiercer is still an exciting & solid work from this steadily rising filmmaker whose remarkable ability to play with contrasting elements of different genres & still cleverly manage to mix them all up into one neatly structured & smoothly narrated storyline continues.

The Avengers (2012)

One of the most entertaining blockbusters of all time, The Avengers may not have the perfection of the holy grail of comic-book adaptations, The Dark Knight or even Batman Begins, but its significant emphasis on perfect balance of humour & action throughout its runtime makes up for a highly rewarding experience that is much more worth than the amount you paid for its ticket. Six Marvel superheroes in one movie, same save-the-world bullshit that we have seen & been disappointed with countless number of times and yet, this movie works in an unexpected but very effective manner and without a shadow of a doubt, is bigger, better and far more amusing & enjoyable than all the previous instalments of Marvel Cinematic Universe combined, and surpasses all hype & expectations with surprising but stunning ease.

When the tesseract suddenly activates at the S.H.I.E.L.D. research facility and opens up a portal, allowing Loki, brother of Thor, to reach Earth & begin his mission of enslaving the whole planet, Nick Fury (director of S.H.I.E.L.D.) reactivates the Avengers initiative, thus bringing Natasha Romanoff, Dr. Bruce Banner, Tony Stark & Steve Rogers together, who are later joined by Thor & Clint Barton, to stop Loki from succeeding with his plan. What follows next is the core element of this film, which is how all these eccentric personalities manage their alter egos against one another to finally unite & fight as a team to defeat one common enemy. Another really good thing is that although each of the previous films dedicated to its superheroes helped in setting the stage for this film, it isn’t a compulsion to watch those films before moving on to this one as The Avengers is strong enough to stand on its own.

Since Marvel released Iron Man, The Incredible Hulk, Thor, Captain America & Iron Man 2, all having slight connection with each other, before The Avengers came up, there really wasn’t any need of a definite character development for any of its characters in this film because that’s what their respective instalments are for. And thanks to that, without wasting any time, this film is right down with its main business from the very beginning. The direction is extremely good as Joss Whedon has crafted an impressive piece of eye-popping, action extravaganza and, to make sure that the film is not overloaded & tiring, filled it up with loads of humour. The screenplay is witty plus the comic timing is brilliantly executed. Cinematography & Editing is carried out amazingly well. Visual effects are pretty great but to some, it might also feel a bit of an overkill. And last but not the least, the original score by Alan Silvestri is a major plus as it strikes the right chord with the ambience of this film from start to finish.

Out of its huge & impressive cast, Robert Downey Jr. reprises his role of Tony Stark (Iron Man) & turned out to be the coolest of them all. Thanks to the amazing wit, charisma & charm he always brings to the screen with great finesse, it’s virtually impossible to not like him. Chris Evans returns as Steve Rogers (Captain America), who gets the most screen time compared to the rest & puts up a fine performance as the World War veteran trying to understand the modern world. Chris Hemsworth as Thor enters the film in the most spectacular fashion & was in character from the very beginning. Scarlett Johansson & Jeremy Renner chip in with justifying performances as Natasha Romanoff (Black Widow) & Clint Barton (Hawkeye), respectively. Another highly impressive performance comes from Tom Hiddleston, who exhibits a magnetic screen presence as Loki. But the best & most impressive of them all turned out to be the character of Dr. Bruce Banner aka The Hulk. Mark Ruffalo has given a soul to Banner unlike anyone before and his Hulk is simply unstoppable, merciless & an absolute show-stealer.

Very rarely, there comes a movie that defies, breaks & exceeds all the sky-high hype & expectations to appease not only its audience but critics as well. Sure there are few plot holes, sure there are some illogical moments & sure it isn’t a ‘perfect’ superhero film, but then again, The Avengers never promised to take itself seriously or even tried to market itself as something more than just a popcorn entertainer. It’s an ambitious adventure for the masses containing all the right ingredients of a genuine blockbuster material and the best thing about it is that nothing gets overdone as everything is in the right dose & very much in equilibrium, be it action, humour, drama etc. All in all, The Avengers is an astonishingly great initiative that will satisfy the majority of its viewers with its wildly entertaining, fun-filled, roller-coaster ride. As for me, I wasn’t expecting it to be this amazing & went in with incredibly low expectations but shockingly & unexpectedly, The Avengers turned out to be one of the most fun experiences I have ever had at movies and, overall, is a perfect popcorn entertainer for all ages. A genuine summer blockbuster.