Black Widow

"Such a poser."

     It's about time! Marvels first female Avenger (yes I know she's not the first, but you get what I'm saying) is finally getting some of that much earned individual spotlight. After being delayed 3 times, Black Widow is getting released in theatres and Disney+. I know what you're thinking: "Who cares about a Black Widow movie? Why should I?" But Scarlett Johansson and Marvel manage to keep up their bag of tricks, with the help of her grounded character, some more trademark hand-to-hand spy combat, and an awesome supporting cast that makes the whole thing feel fun and engaging.

     Beginning at her childhood in Ohio, we're introduced to Natasha and her "family" (David Harbour, Rachel Weisz) and younger sister Yelena (Violet McGraw). After being discovered for operating as a Russian Cell, they make a daring escape via airplane. Once in the clear they meet up with Russian General Dreykov (Ray Winstone) to give them their spoils, as well as their children. Turns out they were merely raising the girls, prepping them to be given to Dreykov to be trained in the Red Room to turn them into elite assassins. After a moody Bondish intro we're thrust back into Black Widows world of espionage.

Source: The Indian Express

     

     Taking place between Civil War and Infinity War, Natasha is on the lamb, being hunted by General "Thunderbolt" Ross (William Hurt) who's rounding up fugitive Avengers via the Sokovia Accords. On the other side of the world, Nats "sister" Yelena (Florence Pugh of MidSommar and Little Women) is on a mission as a Black Widow Op. After coming into contact with some mind clearing gas, she's freed from the Red Rooms hold on her and goes rogue. Bitterly teaming up, her and Nat seek out to destroy the Red Room once and for all, and to free the other Black Widow agents, all while reuniting their ragtag family in the process.

     David Harbour carries the persona of the Red Guardian well, a nice mix of idealistic narcissism and a thick-headedness that provides a lot of humor. Rachel Weisz has a sort of dry, calculated sense of humor, displayed at the end during the big mission. It's Florence Pughs Yelena however who steals the movie. Brash, sassy, tough, funny, she takes on the role completely and basically carries the thing on her shoulders. I don't mean for that to sound as if the movie is bad, but she proves herself pretty capable of fitting into the superhero mold. The villains continue the ho-hum trend with Winstone as the unusually sleazy appearing Dreykov and Olga Kurylenko as the mimic Taskmaster. It's more about their history and what they represent rather than who they are.

     As much slack as the film is getting for being ill-timed, it still offers plenty of Marvel spectacle and some brief moments of dramatic reflection. Car chases, shootouts, fist fights, each set piece big or smallcontributes a dynamic to the overall package. We finally get an idea of what happened in Natashas past in Budapest, and there's even some interesting geo-political talk courtesy of Red Guardian that I think is going over some peoples heads. CGI wise it's about the same as it's always been. Used more for the big finale, if you've never had an issue with Marvels graphics before you shouldn't here, and if you didn't like them before, continue to not be impressed. 

Source: Metro Weekly

     It's been a long time coming, but Black Widow has gotten her chance to ride off into the sunset. Plenty of action and thrills, with some emotional moments by a strong cast, we get to clean up Nats history as Black Widow while also setting up the future for a new one. Between Marvels Disney+ series and this, things are definitely shaping up for an interesting Phase 4.

8 pockets out of 10

But that's just my opinion. What do you think? Comment below and be a part of the conversation!

 

The Tomorrow War

"Second chances are really hard to come by."

     It must be hard being a cool celebrity. On one hand, you're part of a cool comic book franchise, and the other hand, you got to break out and do other projects to show your range and diversity, otherwise you're pigeonholed for life. Such is the case for Chris Pratt, who's trading his Starlord persona for his best Ryan Reynolds impression in Amazon Primes The Tomorrow War. But what seems like a one dimensional war romp, it actually has a couple things going on for it that make it an enjoyable watch.

Source: AJC

     Taking place a year from now, Dan Forester (Chris Pratt) has had his spirits broken applying for a Military Research Tech job. On Christmas, no less. It brings him down a little bit, but he's got a loving family (Betty Gilpin, Ryan Kiera Armstrong) and plenty of friends. He's one of those guys: goofy, charming. Can't keep him down. The party comes to a halt however when soldiers from 30 years in the future arrive and warn of a grave threat to humanity. An alien race will arrive and bring the world to war, and humanity to the brink of extinction. They've arrived to recruit, with the thought that both past-and future-coalitions combined will defeat the enemy.   

     One year later the worlds population is depleting. With less than 500,000 remaining, the first ever draft is reinstated, recruiting whomever fits the mold to "jump" over to the future war. Here comes Pratts Forester, drafted due to his own death 7 years from now, and prior Special Ops experience. He's joined by greenhands Charlie (Sam Richardson), Dan (Mike Mitchell) and Norah (Mary Lynn Rajskub) and the experienced Dorian (Edwin Hodge) who's down 3 tours. Jumping to the year 2051, they're tasked with retrieving research material by their Commanding Officer (Yvonne Strahovski) who ends up playing more a role than just a cookie-cut military type.

     The beginning is a little muddy, but it takes its time with the premise, which really helps in an odd way. It starts with a cold open, but that cold open doesn't progress our knowledge of the situation anymore than if we had been shown the scene in it's proper context. The time travel rules are kept pretty simple. You can only jump from Point A to Point B, and your recruitment lasts 7 days. Once that's done, and you're still alive, you're sent back. Those who are picked are chosen because of knowledge of their future deaths, thus preventing any existential conflicts of interest. On the human side of things we're shown everyday people taking up arms through the draft, lacking any training. This really helps sell the stakes of the future war, as we're tossing people from our current time into the conflict, regardless if the "death paradox" holds any real merit. The one continuity issue I noticed (which I found funny) was the trigger discipline these new recruits learned in the haste of their recruitment and deployment. 

Source: Koimoi

     Once the enemy, the "White Spikes", are revealed, all hell breaks loose. Nicely designed and detailed (think a quadrupedal velociraptor with armor and can shoot spikes), they instantly prove their threat. The action sequences are tense and compelling, including a hallway sequence that seems to have become an action movie necessity now. Keeping you on the edge of your seat, each encounter has our soldiers attempting to gain and keep control of the situation.

     The second half of the movie explores a whole other front, shifting gears which really gives it its own identity and real stakes. It helps tie up some loose ends concerning Pratts relationship with his father (a surprisingly cast JK Simmons). As I said up above, Pratt tries his best to be Ryan Reynolds in the first half, with charming vulnerability. He manages to take control by the end and makes the performance his own. Sam Richardsons Charlies also provides a good amount of work, being the comic relief but also that one guy you end up rooting for.

     Thinking it was going to be a toss away flick I was pleasantly surprised at the action sequences and direction of the movie. Pratt takes control by the second half, and really drives home a movie about family, sacrifice, and keeping hope. The Tomorrow Wars release is good timing if you're looking for something to watch during our American holiday. 

8 Pratts out of 10

But that's just my opinion. What do you think? Comment below and be a part of the conversation!