Movies: Captain America - Civil War (NON-SPOILER)

This is the third Captain America movie but also as part of the trilogy for Winter Soldier and The Avengers: Age Of Ultron, I would advise that you watch those two before watching Civil War to fully appreciate the emotion but you can just watch this movie on it's own accord. The Avengers have ruffled many feathers while protecting the world from greater dangers. The collateral damage from New York, Washington DC and Sokovia have forced the government to take action and want The Avengers to be held accountable for their actions, wanting the super team to work under the control of the government.

This splits the team right down the middle as they both have valid reasons why they're defending the decision taken. The beauty of the Russo brothers directing which continues from The Winter Solider, is this movie will make you choose a side before the movie starts and way past after the movie has ended, you will be wrestling mentally back and fourth with which side you actually agree with. This plays on your emotions way more than any of the previous Marvel movies. But with all that being said, this movie which should be all depressing and gloomy will have you laughing alot without.

The hand to hand combat from 70s style spy movie The Winter Solider was very grounded and realistic, but this movie with a bit of help from the directors of John Wick has amped the combat scenes to another level. This is an action thriller movie that further brings it home, that The Russo brothers have made Captain America into one of the coolest and slickest heroes in the comic book genre. It's no secret that this movie has a total of 12 superheroes but don't be fooled this is a Captain America movie. 

Falcon really comes into his own in this movie now having been in three previous movies, he's confident in himself being an Avenger and is Cap's ride or die partner in crime. Now with this movie re-introduces us to a fan favourite in Peter Parker/Spider-Man now played by the UK's very own Tom Holland. Andrew Garfield was a great Spider-Man, Holland does a sick job as a awkward, star struck, geeky teenager. The scenes with Spider-Man are priceless considering the deal between Marvel & Sony wasn't completed while this movie was being filmed, however his forthcoming movie titled Homecoming will be alot of fun.

Ladies and gentlemen this movie introduces us to your new favourite superhero. The new kid, my bad the new King on the block in the shape of T'Challa aka Black Panther. He's restless, cold blooded but in a good way, no jokes just all about his business. His reasons for being in this movie and his motivations fit so well. One of the best lines comes from a conversation between the King of Wakanda and Captain America. This guy is so badass that you'll want his solo movie tomorrow and not 2018. 

That airport scene is 17 minutes long and is easily the best action sequences you'll see in ANY superhero movie. I think I would add to that, it is one of the best action scenes I've ever seen. This is a superhero royal rumble with all the players involved getting their time to shine, and at no point do you feel tired or exhausted from this eventful moment. The bad guy isn't really needed in this movie which says alot about how great it is, he does play the part of a plot device. What he brings to the table will have a long lasting effect on The Avengers moving forward and sets up next Avengers chapters nicely. 

This is a civil war and delivers what it says on the tin, this movie pits two of Marvel's A+ characters against each other due to their beliefs on what they believe is morally right. You're emotionally drawn to the outcome of this movie as we've grown attached to these characters from the previous movies which has been growing since 2008. This is easily the movie of the summer and one of the best of 2016. Ranking this in all of Marvel movies this has to be in the top three, this movie is more grown up than those before it due to the stakes but still has the charm and appeal for the kids. 

When the dust has settled and the justified hype has simmered down, the Captain America series will be hailed as one of the best trilogies to hit the big screen. Not bad for a character who was seen as just a soldier. 

P.S. I just signed up to both subscriptions for Odeon and Cineworld unlimited cards just because of this movie.

Captain America: Civil War is out NOW.

Movies: Deadpool Review

For us singletons the release of Deadpool in time for Valentine's Day was a life saver ha! We've met Wade Wilson before in 2009 to be exact in X-Men Origins: Wolverine (but was meant to have his own movie in 2004) and that's all and the last time you will see me mention that movie in this review. Anyway I missed the first 2-3 mins of the movie, due to staff at the cinema treating the preparation of my milkshake like that of a Christmas dinner. 

Deadpool starts as it means to go on, holding no punches and making you fully aware this ain't your average superhero movie. Thanks to the 4th wall breaking he makes you aware of this by taking every chance he can at poking fun at the other superhero movies which are just hilarious. Let's be clear this is a quick-witted superhero/vengeance movie, but the relationship set-up between Wade Wilson and Vanessa adds soul and emotion to the movie which you effortlessly invest in and plays a huge part in telling this story. 

Another smart thing they done with this movie, along side the fact this super fun movie was made with a budget of 50million is making sure you know DP is part of the X-Men universe. Despite being R-rated which is the only way this movie could've been made to fully appreciate it, the re-introduction of Colossus and introduction of Negasonic Teenage Warhead (who are shown in all the trailers, I promise I'm not the spoiler guy), shows that the merc with the super foul mouth can exist in a cross-over PG-13 X-Men movie. The fact he makes a joke about the movie's budget and the X-Men is legendary stuff.This movie makes many current pop culture references which is hilariously displayed in the trailer with NTW taking on Angel Dust. 

The villain is the type of shitter you need in more down to earth movie like Deadpool. This movie isn't a let's save the world one, but more a let's save my girl and get revenge. Ajax is Wade's number one target due to the way he changed his life forever, with his handling of Wade's cancer treatment. These two have some crazy action scenes together and some funny back and fourths, which is made even funnier as it's an American accent against an British one. The crazy thing is you just dislike Ajax from the first moment he appears on screen which makes you want to smack the taste out of him yourself. 

Supporting cast is really strong and they all add to the plot of this movie. In the most recent trailers we see DP in a cab having a conversation with the driver called Dopinder. Trust me when I say this guy is a diamond in the movie. The end product of this movie really shows why Ryan Reynolds was fighting for so many years to get this movie made. The action sequences, jokes, love story and more make this a must see movie, and probably the best movie of 2016 (I know I know the year has just started). It's fair to say with Hugh Jackman hanging up the Wolverine jacket, Fox has now managed to create someone who can carry the touch for the X-Men universe moving forward. 

Oh there is a post credit scene which I would advise you to hang around for, as any fan of Marvel comics will be extra happy about. I can't say anymore than that without going into spoiler territory, and I need to finish write this up so I can start booking another trip to go watch this movie again. Thankfully this movie lived up to and surpassed all the hype that was provided by the smart, funny and social media aware marketing. This movie is easily an 9 out of 10 for me, I would give it a 10/10 but there is a scene between Angel Dust and Colossus that took that 1 away which I'm still upset about (fellas you know the scene I'm talking about), my emotions were hurt HA!

P.S This movie may have the best Stan Lee cameo out of any Marvel movie.

Movie Review: Straight To The Bank

There's only a hand full of rappers who warrant a movie based on their story, the likes of B.I.G. (let's forget the one attempted), Tupac, Run DMC, Wu-Tang Clan  to name a few. Other names you'd throw in that conversation, are Eazy E, Ice Cube, Dr.Dre, MC Ren and DJ Yella gave us the world's most dangerous group in the form of N.W.A.  Now if you're a fan of the raps that are coming out today, the lyrical content from '86 era may scare you into a Sunday church visit. Now this is a blockbuster movie make no mistake of it, just without the crazy action sequences but still delivers on all fronts. The movie smartly introduces us to each member of the group in scenarios that set them up for the rest of the movie. 

See this group were a product of their environment which is clearly evident in the movie. The process behind the iconic F The Police brings with it some scene stealing moments in the movie. Ice Cube's son getting the role of playing his dad could easily be a distraction but who better to play their father than someone who's witnessed it all? Judging by the performance he portrays of his dad, you can be excused for thinking Ice Cube is playing himself. Eazy-E is something like rap's unicorn, a mythical human being that many talk about but only few know of. This isn't a spoiler as it's well documented that Eazy died of HIV, but that and being a part of N.W.A is all I knew about E. After watching this movie I found myself understanding why people connected to him and loved his character. 

The main thing director F. Gary Grey had to do with this movie is make sure it's not labelled another hip hop movie catered to hip hop audience. Yes we've had a Biggie movie (which I hope one day will be re-visited and done properly) but this movie is bigger than just the hip hop going audience. The movie balances humour, betrayal, emotion, and of course the magic behind this group becoming legendary. The backdrop of this movie being in the 80s, and era when police brutality was just an everyday practice, really leaves a lump in your throat due to current affairs. This movie will be in many top ten movies of 2015 lists, as it's way bigger than the hip hop culture which birthed it. My only worry is with the ridiculous but well earned success of this movie, that Hollywood doesn't attempt to bring out a hip hop based movie every other month. Truth be told I don't need to see Young Thug movie!!!