Avengers: Infinity War (3D / first-pass / SPOILER-FREE)
Cert: 12A / 149 mins / Dir. Joe Russo & Anthony Russo / Trailer
Short and sweet; no spoilers; only broad opinions; you know the drill.
Ten years. Nineteen movies. Good lord. Even in this age of media-saturation, the combination of consistent quality and sheer volume that Marvel have achieved with their Cinematic Universe is otherwise unheard of. Even the weaker entries are better than most of their rivals can produce. But have the comic connoisseurs set a bar that only they can reach, or made a vibranium rod for their own backs?
Following directly on from Thor: Ragnarok and Black Panther, Avengers: Infinity War is the culmination of a decade's worth of interconnected storytelling - and the third 'crossover' entry whereby the heroes and villains get together for an almighty two-hour-plus fight scene. This is also the third saga-entry directed by the Russo brothers, Joe and Anthony, after helming Captain America's second and third outings (the latter of which was basically an Avengers movie anyway, to be fair).
So, things come to a head when Thanos finally makes a play to collect all six infinity stones - the reality-bending gems which have been our MacGuffins throughout the story so far. Crossing the galaxy and causing various factions of our favourite heroes to cross paths in the process, alliances are forged, bonds are tested and lines are crossed. This is the supergroup to end all supergroups.
Now it's no spoiler to say that with a run-time of 'only' two and a half hours, there's a lot of plate spinning going on, here. By necessity, Infinity War is a series of separated vignettes, pulling towards a connected conclusion (although again, that's what the whole series has been). The Russos hold things together well and keep everything focused, but the story is - and I mean this in the nicest possible way - absolute mayhem. Other than bursts of reminder-exposition in the first act, there's little in the way of spoon-feeding, and the film relies on its audience being up to speed with the state of the MCU. Every frame of every scene matters, nothing is wasted, and Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely's screenplay deftly combines action, humour and genuine emotion, all soundtracked by Alan Silvestri's majestic score.
The writers' decision to spread events across the cosmos is a wise (and fitting) one, and means that even at its most chaotic, the viewer never loses sight of who's in a scene and why. Little that happens here will necessarily cast a new light on the old movies, but characteristics and relationships we've previously seen are built upon, not just wheeled out for the sake of audience recognition.
And most importantly of all, there is a sense of consequence and finality in this movie. Maybe not all of it, but that's the nature of the beast*1. Crucially, this feels like some questions finally being answered, rather than another episode in a super-soap opera. The MCU can - and will - continue to expand after this, but the ramifications of Thanos will be felt for years to come...
Best bit: "WE WILL DEEP FRY YOUR KEBAB."
The business-end (not spoilers, but highlight-to-read anyway):
Is there a Wilhelm Scream?If there is, it's not obvious. Is there a Stan Lee cameo?There is a one, yes. Is there a mid-credits scene?There isn't a one, no. Is there a post-credits scene?Yes, there is. Stay for this.
*1 Because Marvel Studios' announced scheduling-plans are out there for all to see, and I defy anyone to not have a rough idea of that list in the back of their minds while watching Infinity War. [ BACK ]
DISCLAIMERS:
• ^^^ That's dry, British humour, and most likely sarcasm or facetiousness.
• Yen's blog contains harsh language and even harsher notions of propriety. Reader discretion is advised.
• This is a personal blog. The views and opinions expressed here represent my own thoughts (at the time of writing) and not those of the people, institutions or organisations that I may or may not be related with unless stated explicitly.
Black Panther (second-pass / 2D / SPOILERS)
Cert: 12A / 134 mins / Dir. Ryan Coogler / Trailer
Perhaps only I could spend half a review wringing my hands about trying to be A Good Liberal™, while at the same time taking seven weeks to re-watch the most culturally-significant Marvel Cinematic Universe film to date. And it only stands out because I'll usually give these movies a second-pass in a week of them being released. But no, I'd spent the time between mid-February and the end of March looking at the listings and saying 'oh good, it's still on next week - I'll catch it then'. What can I tell you? I've had a lot of absolute filler to see in the meanwhile.
But on the plus-side, I've also had plenty of time to let my initial viewing of Ryan Coogler's Black Panther bed-in. And the good news is that the film is every bit as grin-inducing and awe-inspiring as it was the first time. Perfectly cast and brilliantly directed, what stands out is how effortless everyone makes this look (more often than not, the sign of gargantuan amounts of effort). More politically complex than other MCU entries both on-screen and off, some films in the series seem to fade slightly as they're superseded and sequelled; not so much ageing badly but becoming almost quaint in comparison with newer fare. But like Captain America's first outing, this could be could be one of the movies which gets better with each viewing.
But what I, personally, enjoyed the most about Black Panther is that it features the best and most brazen homage to The Phantom Menace you'll see this year (and quite possibly, ever).
To wit…
i. A Prelude To War...
Knowing a decisive battle is imminent and that they're outnumbered, our rag-tag heroic group goes to see the gruff, disinterested leader of an isolationist clan to ask for vital help in repelling an invading force. The leader doesn't want to get involved in what he sees as 'external' politics, but is eventually swayed by realising that co-operation is the key to larger victory.*1.
ii. Death Of The Mentor…
A convention of The Hero's Journey, our protagonist sees their elder and mentor - the last connection with the status of being a student - struck down before them, by a foe they too will have to face. It's at this point that the hero has to branch out on their own, only able to rely on what they've learned, and develop it for the fight ahead.
iii. On The Ground…
The finale begins. Out on the grassy plains, tensions erupt in a clash featuring a mix of melee weapons and energy-shields. culminating in a moment where the aggressors suddenly and unanimously cease their attack.
iv. In The Air…
Meanwhile, a slightly meek and surprisingly-gifted pilot, proves his worth in an impromptu mission that sees him taking out enemy fighters (and in a craft which was previously unknown to him) and landing that one crucial shot, just in the nick of time.
v. …and Blade-to-Blade
The climactic duel between the hero and antagonist takes place away from the ground and air battles, in an underground industrial complex where the combatants get separated mid-fight by an intermittent energy shield.
The Phantom Menaceis great.
I know it, Ryan Coogler knows it*2.
Well, tonight's crowd thought so.
Seven weeks into its run, and with Ready Player One, Tomb Raider and Pacific Rim: Uprising playing in the same building, and Black Panther was still packed out.
At the soonest opportunity, yes.
Maybe best so far, but you know everyone involved is on an upward trajectory here.
No, because you're going to think it's great as well.
*1 Although to be fair, while TPM's Padmé convinces Boss Nass to help on-the-spot, Nakia and Ramonda's plea to M'Baku is met with continued petulant neutrality. When M'Baku and his army do appear at a crucial moment during the ground-assault, that's closer in tone to Han Solo's return in the battle of Yavin from A New Hope. [ BACK ]
*2 By this point, some of you may be thinking "oh, so if it's a film you happen to love then it's 'an homage', but if it's a film you think is rubbish then it's 'a shameless rip-off'?'". Yes. Yes, that's almost exactly how that works. Thank you for noticing. [ BACK ]
DISCLAIMERS:
• ^^^ That's dry, British humour, and most likely sarcasm or facetiousness.
• Yen's blog contains harsh language and even harsher notions of propriety. Reader discretion is advised.
• This is a personal blog. The views and opinions expressed here represent my own thoughts (at the time of writing) and not those of the people, institutions or organisations that I may or may not be related with unless stated explicitly.
Black Panther (first-pass / 2D / spoiler-free)
Cert: 12A / 134 mins / Dir. Ryan Coogler / Trailer
There's little doubt about it, 2018 is a busy time to be a geek. The dust has barely settled on Star Wars: The Last Jedi and while Lucasfilm begins (finally) to ramp up publicity for May's Solo outing, their Disney stablemates Marvel Studios are ready to strike with the first prong of the year's theatrical trident. Yes, February sees the hotly-anticipated debut feature of Black Panther.
Based on the 1966 comic hero created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, the character made his first Marvel Cinematic Universe appearance in 2016's Captain America: Civil War. As the prince of the technologically advanced but isolationist African nation Wakanda, T'Challa (Chadwick Boseman) saw his father murdered in a terrorist attack masterminded by Hydra during the Sokovia Accords conference in Vienna. Already routinely donning the anonymous Black Panther outfit to protect the interests of his people both home and abroad, T'Challa was suddenly handed the responsibility of being their public-facing king, too.
With the aid of a prelude scene taking place in Oakland, California in 1992 (before returning to the 'present day' setting), this is where co-writer Joe Robert Cole and writer/director Ryan Coogler pick up the thread. Recurring Marvel antagonist Ulysses Klaue (Andy Serkis) has hatched a plot with Erik Killmonger (Michael B. Jordan) to take control of Wakanda and exploit its vibranium resources. T'Challa, barely ready to lead his people let alone defend them from a threat this egregious, will have his work cut out. Perhaps luckily then, our hero has help from his tech-guru sister, Shuri (Letitia Wright), leader of the clan's army, Okoye (Danai Gurira) and warrior and old flame, Nakia (Lupita Nyong'o).
Now, it's probably not unfair to say that throughout the movies of the MCU, the standalone, 'in-between' chapters are more interesting than the climactic Avengers ensembles. But even in a great year like 2017, two of Marvel's entries to the canon were sequels and the third was an in-universe reboot. The general critical consensus came to be that a little variety wouldn't be a bad thing.
From a sociopolitical standpoint, a headlining hero like T'Challa is long overdue, of course. But there's still the feeling that this particular film about a character largely unknown to 'civilian' audiences wouldn't have been made at all were it not for the confidence imbued in Marvel Studios from the success of Doctor Strange and Ant-Man, two other 'fringe' characters made palatable by strong casting and snappy dialogue. Although even with these earlier stories, the structure itself was more than a little familiar (Doctor Strange is basically a retooled Iron Man, while the same goes for Ant-Man and Captain America: The First Avenger).
So what's needed to push the franchise forward is a tale of relatable characters with realistic concerns, in a setting familiar enough to feel natural, but unusual enough to allow for the more fantastical elements of the story. And in this regard, Ryan Coogler delivers masterfully. Black Panther is an intelligent movie which doesn't sport a superiority complex, it's intense without morosity, it's fun without feeling silly. Outstanding work.
T'Challa's character is mentally sharp, but with neither the genius nor arrogance of Tony Stark or Steven Strange. And while he has faith in his physical abilities, this never spills over into the outright brashness of Captain America, Thor or Hulk. Black Panther is merely a costume, a mantle; T'Challa is the focus, and he succeeds because of those who stand by his side. While the movie may bear the Black Panther's name, all heroes are equal here.
Chadwick Boseman gives a fantastic, thoughtful performance centre-stage, but it's the ladies who really steal the show, for two reasons. Firstly, T'Challa's nature is largely stoical, with hints of reticence when it comes to making the big decisions placed at his feet. Shuri, Okoye and Nakia however, are far more gregarious and focused when it comes to combat. Secondly, and perhaps more importantly, Black Panther wears a mask/helmet to fight; the ladies don't. As a result, Wright, Gurira and Nyong'o can be far more expressive throughout, leading a fantastic cast including spirited performances from Angela Bassett, Forest Whitaker and Daniel Kaluuya. Martin Freeman is also in the film.
The neatest part of course, is that Black Panther instantly feels like it's a part of the larger Marvel universe, and not just by means of the returning characters and plot-references. The production-team have the tonal quality of the MCU honed completely by this point so we'd expect little else, but throughout the 134 minutes, there's the feeling that these characters belong firmly in the timeline and we're just surprised we haven't met them before now. The knowledge that some of them will be returning in the upcoming Avengers: Infinity War is welcome, indeed.
Black Panther is Marvel Studios playing another strong hand. The film doesn't necessarily leave the viewer with the same hyperactive buzz as Thor: Ragnarok or Spider-Man: Homecoming, but then it has far more thematic plates to spin. And as usual for this sort of thing, there's far more for the MCU-fan to take in than can be gleaned from the first sitting.
Not that you'll need a reason to watch this more than once…
The business-end:
• Is there a Wilhelm Scream? I'm not sure...
• Is there a Stan Lee cameo? There is.
• Is there a mid-credits scene? There is.
• Is there a post-credits scene? There is.
DISCLAIMERS:
• ^^^ That's dry, British humour, and most likely sarcasm or facetiousness.
• Yen's blog contains harsh language and even harsher notions of propriety. Reader discretion is advised.
• This is a personal blog. The views and opinions expressed here represent my own thoughts (at the time of writing) and not those of the people, institutions or organisations that I may or may not be related with unless stated explicitly.
