Category: Marvel

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Marvel’s Runaways Is Like A Teenage Version Of Its Netflix Siblings!

Marvel’s first show on Hulu feels very much like it should be on Netflix with Daredevil and his pals, but in this case they moved the action over to LA, so they didn’t have to deal with all that.  It is also feels like they aged it down just a touch, so that it would be more appropriate for teenage viewers.

The show is about a bunch of kids who think their parents are just everyday billionaires and super-scientists, but one night during one of their parents’ meetings they find out that their parents are involved in something troubling.  They obviously take it upon themselves to figure out what is going on, and they find out that they may not be as average as they thought they were as well.

So far the show is a little uneven, and the budget seems to be constricting them a bit, but it is fun to watch these kids deal with learning that their parents may be evil, while at the same time figuring out that they may have the power to stop their parents.  It is a little X-Men-y, but that is quite all right, and the natural separation that is caused by moving everything to the west coast works in Runaways favor.

As with most shows featuring a bunch young actors, the acting is a mixed bag, but in general it is pretty good.  Though what the show really has going in its favor is James Marsters (AKA Spike from Buffy).  It is always a treat to have him show up.  Also, I am once again not sure if his character has a soul or not.

The first season has seemed like a pilot so far.  Like they are testing the waters with this new show and streaming service, but not going all in.  Regardless, I have enjoyed Marvel’s Runaways, and I hope it keeps getting better.  The show has only aired four episodes, so maybe it finds firmer footing as it goes.

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The Gang Is All Here For Avengers: Infinity War!

The first full trailer for Avengers: Infinity War has landed, and it is as epic as you would expect for something that eight million movies have been building towards.  It was fun to see everyone in one trailer, and it looks like it will be a good flick.  It won’t be long now until we see the first real finale in the Marvel Cinematic Universe according to Marvel Studio boss Kevin Feige.

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Baymax Returns But He Has Lost Some Dimension

Big Hero 6: The Series had its big premier with the short film (AKA two part episode) Baymax Returns, and while it was entertaining and fun, it was missing some of what made the original movie so good.  Namely, emotional depth.  The feature film Big Hero 6 was all about family and the importance of properly dealing with loss.  Big Hero 6: The Series is apparently going to be an easy breezy kids show.

Baymax Returns is pretty much what happens in the credits of the Big Hero 6 movie.  Hiro finds Baymax’s chip and starts to recreate him.  Meanwhile Fred is trying to convince the team to continue to be superheroes.  They on the other hand feel that their job is done.  Of course this would be a crappy show if they were right, so they are forced to continue to protect San Fransokyo from new threats.  Also, it turns out that they really like being superheroes.

I had a good time watching this show, and if you are a kid in the eight to thirteen demo, you will probably love this show.  It is hilarious, and the animation is well done (at least so far).  Plus, it has a great cast of characters.  The series just doesn’t pack the emotional punch that original Big Hero 6 did, and honestly it makes sense that a weekly TV show wouldn’t.  Disney is trying to sell merch not make kids cry, but it just feels hollow in comparison.

I am not going to rag on Disney XD anymore for making a pretty good show.  It will no doubt be another hit to add to their already impressive staple.  I just hope that Big Hero 6: The Series is successful enough to warrant another film, so we can explore the emotional dimensions of these characters further.  Instead of just laughing at their silly jokes and gaping at the pretty, fast moving action.

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Dynamite Wants Red Sonja To Get Some Of That Wonder Woman Money!

Dynamite Entertainment, the current publisher of Red Sonja comics, has optioned their fiery red headed barbarian to Millennium Media to be turned in to a feature film … again.  Last time it didn’t go so well making only $6 Million on a $17 Million budget, but they think with the success of Wonder Woman that now is the time to try again.  I am not so sure.  While her currant comic book run has been successful, Red Sonja is not the women’s power icon that Wonder Woman is.  She is more of a pin-up, and kind of always has been, but they have tried to change that recently.  All that being said, it has been a while since someone has made a good sword and sandals epic, so here is hoping they do Hyrcania’s fiercest warrior justice!

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Ragnarok Came For Thor, And It Was Glorious!

Thor finally got the movie he deserves.  It is big, loud and silly, and he got to bring his friend from work along for the ride.  That is not to say Thor: Ragnarok is a perfect movie, just that it is way better than Thor’s two previous films, and Taika Waititi proved that a director’s unique talent and style can add to a film not just take away from its marketability.

As far as timeline goes, Thor: Ragnarok takes place some time after Thor: The Dark World, but not much longer after Doctor Strange.  Thor apparently has been busy looking for Infinity Stones, but he was not having much luck, so he has decided to make sure that the prophesy about Ragnarok (the end of Asgard) never comes true.  Things were looking up until his long lost sister Hela comes to visit and throws a wrench in his plans.

Thor: Ragnarok is probably the funniest of the MCU films.  There are jokes and sight gags galore.  It is apparent that Taika Waititi set out to make this movie a comedy above all else, and the comedy is what works best.  Whether it be buddy moments between Banner/Hulk and Thor, or the brother versus brother one-upmanship of Thor and Loki.  It is all great, and it all works well.

What works less well are the action scenes.  It is almost like they were thrown in to remind us that this is a Marvel movie.  Like some suit reminded Waititi that Ragnarok sill needed its three or four major MCU action sequences.  They are not bad, but they are just not as good as the film’s lighter moments, and some of them feel a little obligatory.  What is worse is that all the money seemed to spent on The Hulk and the movie’s amazing sets, so the CG for all the fights and chases don’t look quite right.

The actors from all the previous films continue to be great, but the new additions really hold their own.  Obviously we all know that Cate Blanchett is extremely talented, and she was clearly enjoying herself as the over the top Hela, snarling with glee in all her scenes.  Tessa Thompson was also very good as the conflicted Valkyrie.  Not to mention this movie also throws Karl Urban and Jeff Goldblum in to the mix, and those two almost always make any movie better.

Thor: Ragnarok is the movie that the MCU needed.  It is funny and unique and it reinvigorates Thor and Loki’s characters.  Before I was kind of done with them, but now I can’t wait to see what they get up to from here on out, and any extra time spent with Ruffalo’s Hulk, is time well spent.  So grab your tickets and your popcorn and go see Thor: Ragnarok.  It is a ton of fun.