Avengers: Endgame – 2019

Score: 10/10

Marvel Scale Score: 10/10*

*Since it seems that really Marvel can do no wrong, I have decided to implement a special scoring scale just for Marvel Movies. So while the first score is the absolute one compared to any other movies outside Marvel, the second one is strictly comparing this one to other Marvel Movies.

 We have come to it at least, the great movie of our times! Avengers: Endgame is by far the best movie that Marvel has ever made to date, edging a little bit in front of its predecessor, Avengers: Infinity War. It is an epic movie from start to end and you will go through a rollercoaster of emotions that you rarely get to experience in a movie theater. I can definitely say already that this will be the best movie of 2019 and it is one that you can’t afford to miss. It doesn’t matter if you like the genre or not, this one is a MUST SEE for everybody on the face of this planet…

The story is interesting. Everybody was anticipating it and yet we were all taken by surprise, at least in parts. Some characters die, some characters retire, but everything is done in a decent way, a way that does them justice. There is nothing here that will leave fans angry, everything is handled with grace and there is simply no fault in the story. Everything makes sense, everything clicks and you just want to see this one over and over again…

The characters are the ones we know already, the ones we love so there is nothing more I need to add here. Marvel is and always has been the king of casting, every actor seems born for the role and they prove it once again here. Absolutely stellar performances from every single member of the cast and since they are so many, I will skip the usual listing of their names. I mean it’s impossible to list them all without basically writing another page and none of them deserve to be left out… Brilliant, absolutely brilliant acting!

The road here was long, and if you want to really enjoy the movie to the maximum level, you will have to go back and watch every other single film released in the MCU. But trust me, it’s worth it, the saga is amazing from start to finish. This was the 22^nd movie in the universe and it manages to capture the essence of all the others and distill it in 3 hour marathon that leaves you satisfied and wanting more at the same time. Truly a showcase of how to build a universe from the ground up with patience and attention to detail.

The special effects, the music, the dramatic moments, everything comes together so good here, it’s just mesmerizing to see every single element completing the others and offering us something epic. Epic is the perfect word to describe this film, as it has so much emotion and so much panache and basically it moves you regardless if you are a fan or not. There is so much to learn here, so much to think about and even though it is only fantasy, it says so much about us as a race and about the things that are so important for us.

Since this is the review, I do have to mention some tiny flaws, that even though are not enough to affect the score in any way, still managed to annoy me a tiny bit. Firstly, the beginning of the movie is long and boring, it starts with a lot of drama and not much action and it got a bit stale at points. I was waiting for it to start already and thank God it made up for it when it finally fired on all cylinders. The other thing I have a problem with is the all women come together in the battle scene. I mean yes, it was done well, yes, it was fun, but seriously Marvel, did we really need that scene there? To what? Show us that women save the day? It took me completely out of the movie because it feels so forced… I’m sure glad that all the female characters managed to come together in that exact same spot in the middle of a hectic fight just for the movie to showcase a feminist moment, so glad I tell you… :)))))

In conclusion, there is simply nothing to take away from the perfect score this movie gets. Whether you like superheroes or not, what Marvel has managed to accomplish over 22 films is epic and never before seen. It is truly the best superhero movie ever made and I will not be surprised if in a couple of weeks it will become the highest grossing film of all times, I will not be surprised at all… Marvel deserves it fully and I can’t wait to see where they go from here and what new roads filled with amazing experiences they have in store for us. Thank you Marvel for offering us Avengers: Endgame, it is the only thing appropriate to say… Thank you!

Deadpool 2 – 2018

Score: 10/10

What can I say about Deadpool 2? I mean it was exactly what I expected and more. It was one of those very few movies about which I expect a 10 out of 10 even before seeing them. And it did not disappoint. If you liked the first one, you will love this, because it is just more of the same and actually more over the top. Some say that it’s formulaic, but heck, if the formula works, why change it? I loved this movie and I can say that you will also love it. It doesn’t matter if you like superhero movies or comic books, you will love Deadpool 2 because it is just that type of movie that nobody can hate…

The story is interesting and it makes sense. I think this is the main positive thing I can say about the story, that it makes sense and it doesn’t seem forced or artificially inflated. You understand everything that happens, it seems logical and it leads to some very rational outcomes. That is rare in a superhero movie and that offers a very good platform for the characters to manifest themselves and for the sheer humor and gull of this movie to explode, delighting the audience. This is not a complex tale that you have to struggle to comprehend, this is a straightforward narrative that leaves room for the actual movie to impress.

The characters are great. They are developed, they are powerful and they manage to make you care about their lives and about what their outcomes are. Every single actor does a great job and you relate to almost all of the decisions. Nothing seems forced, everything flows in a natural and engaging way. I have to praise all the performances here from a stellar cast. Great job to Ryan Reynolds, Josh Brolin, Morena Baccarin, Julian Dennison, Zazie Beetz, T. J. Miller, Brianna Hildebrand and Jack Kesy.

The humor is the main quality of this franchise and the second installment duly delivers. The jokes are funny, powerful, there is a lot of meaning to be found, a lot of references. In short, if you are familiar with pop culture and comic books and superhero movies, this one is an absolute treat. I was laughing out loud in many moments and I can honestly say that its 119 minutes just flew bye. Ryan Reynolds was born for this role and he embodies the character to perfection. And by going full on meta, the movie opens the door for every type of audience. You simply can’t watch this without appreciating at least some of the jokes and this is why this is one of the funniest super hero movies I have ever seen.

It is a superhero movie, so we do have to talk about the special effects and the CGI. The movie isn’t focused too much on the fights, and that is a good thing. The banter is what’s important here and the characters interacting is by far the most interesting thing about it. Putting that aside, what special effects and CGI we do get are done amazingly well and you will be fully immersed into the experience. I wonder if future instalments under Disney will feature more imposing fight scenes and special effects… For me, what we got here was a perfect bland between action and humor that manages to leave almost all the viewers in awe.

In conclusion, Deadpool 2 is definitely a must watch. You will laugh, you will care about everything that happens and you will want more in the end. A lot more. Because this is the only problem with the Deadpool franchise, that we don’t have more of it. I seriously hope they will make a lot more movies with the character and also X-Force. I am wondering how Disney will be able to incorporate this franchise into the MCU, but since they have not done wrong up until this point, I do feel optimistic. So go watch this one and never forget, keep your pants dry, your dreams wet, and remember, hugs not drugs! 😛

Avengers: Infinity War – 2018

Score: 10/10

I mean, seriously, I don’t even know where to start. It’s mind-blowing, it’s amazing, it’s perfect, it’s by far the best movie of 2018. Avengers: Infinity War is exactly what I expected it to be, a rollercoaster of emotion and a powerful example of what a carefully constructed multiverse can offer when it fully comes into force. It’s a brilliant movie and it offers you emotion after emotion. You can’t watch this without getting hyped and you will not feel the minutes going by. It’s long at 149 minutes but my God I wanted more, I wanted much more… I have praised Marvel movies in the past but this one is simply the icing on the cake. It’s a perfect movie from start to finish and you cannot afford to miss it!

The story is amazing. All of the little clues and post credits scenes from previous movies have paid off. It has heart, it is powerful, it has emotion, amazing music, one liners, everything that you could want from a superhero movie. You are engaged from the very first second and everything has an air of grandiose stakes. The world is coming to an end and the heroes that we grew up with are trying to save it. Amazing!

The characters are the ones we love and they are all showing us their best. I mean there is really no point talking about it more. It’s a stellar cast, like, all the huge names are here, they all pour their hearts on screen, they click, it’s simply amazing and it’s the coronation of the MCU and the previous 18 movies. Amazing and it will be long, but I have to praise Robert Downey Jr., Chris Hemsworth, Mark Ruffalo, Chris Evans, Scarlett Johansson, Benedict Cumberbatch, Don Cheadle, Tom Holland, Chadwick Boseman, Paul Bettany, Elizabeth Olsen, Anthony Mackie, Sebastian Stan, Tom Hiddleston, Idris Elba, Peter Dinklage, Pom Klementieff, Karen Gillan, Dave Bautista, Zoe Saldana, Vin Diesel, Bradley Cooper, Gwyneth Paltrow, Benicio del Toro, Josh Brolin, Chris Pratt and Samuel L. Jackson for their performances. I mean seriously, look at this list of names… Marvel, OMG!!!!

Thanos! Like I can’t believe that in a movie like this, where you have ALL the heroes, my favorite character was the bad guy. I mean honestly, Josh Brolin’s performance is brilliant and every single act of the villain makes sense. He is correct in everything that he says, he evolves, he has emotion, he is all powerful, like, it’s simply the best villain I have ever seen in any superhero movie until now. I actually rooted for him towards the end and I wanted him to win, and considering that he was going against some of my favorite superheroes off all time, I am truly impressed that the movie made me feel this way. Thanos rules! Thanos forever! 🙂

This is how you do an ensemble cast movie. I mean we have here everyone from the Marvel universe, and by everyone I truly mean everyone. You get all the big superheroes in one movie, superheroes that each got their own movies before this, superheroes that all have sideline stories, love interests, agenda’s, everything comes together. And yet, like magic, everything fits. Every actor gets some share of the spotlight without making the movie feel weird and too complex. The action flows and you get to recognize each hero’s trademarks. This is an amazing feat and anyone planning to do movies with multiple protagonists should learn from this one. Marvel, there are no words to describe how great you are!

In conclusion, Avengers: Infinity War is THE MOVIE. For superhero fans, for movie fans, for anybody. If you live on this planet, you have to watch this film. And if you want the experience to be complete, before you watch this, take all the movies that have previously appeared in the MCU and watch them. You will understand everything that is going on and you will be amazed at the details and hidden meanings that fill up this universe. This one will remain in history as one of the best, if not the best, superhero movies of all time. I can’t wait for the sequel on May 3 2019 and I can only hope it will be as good as this one… I would say I want it to be better but frankly at this point I can’t see how that would be possible… So surprise me Marvel, if anyone can do it, you can…

Logan – 2017

Score: 9,5 / 10

Now this is how you do a superhero movie. One of the best films I ever saw and definitely one of the best superhero movies ever made, Logan manages to offer you a perfect blend of emotion and action, making you marvel at the beautifully choreographed fights and at the same time feel emotion for every single character. It is the best movie in the X-Men series and a perfect send-off for one of the most loved characters in the franchise.

The story is powerful, visceral and full of symbolism. You see many of your beloved characters at their most vulnerable moments, and that is a nice change of pace from the usual Marvel shenanigans. The transitions from scene to scene are done naturally and they help the overall message of the film. It is a complete transformation for our heroes and you have satisfying ends for all of them.

Speaking of the characters, they are amazingly done. It is one of the best parts of the movie, and every single actor manages to do a great job and appear to the public as believable and relatable. We have an amazing cast here, and I have to single out so many actors, because they all do great work. We get astonishing performances from the likes of Hugh Jackman, Patrick Stewart, Boyd Holbrook and Stephen Merchant, with special praise for Dafne Keen who, at just 12 years old, has identified herself already as a true star of the next generation.

I can’t talk about Logan without praising the special effects and the CGI. They are not in your face and manage to complement the story perfectly. Another special mention has to be given to the fight scenes. We have waited for years for Wolverine to do this, and finally, in his farewell movie, we get to see the beast unleashed and at its gruesome best. And the little girl, the X-23 has some of the most amazing actions scenes I have ever saw put to film. She is a truly worthy successor for Wolverine and I can’t wait for future movies featuring her awesomeness.

At 137 minutes, the movie seems a tad too long, and I wouldn’t have minded to not see a couple of scenes in there. This would have been a definite 10 out of 10 if it wasn’t for this and also for the total air of despair of its final act. Hugh Jackman as Wolverine was an amazing fit and knowing that this was his last movie playing the role made everything even more emotional for me, a little bit too much. I know that was meant to be the idea, but still, for me personally, it was too much and it made me unable to fully rejoice in the experience.

In conclusion, Logan is a movie that everybody should see, at least once. It is a visceral and powerful drama that shows you a character we all love at its most vulnerable. An amazing tale of power, belief and resistance. Couple this dramatic story with great cinematography, amazing acting and excellent effects and you have the recipe for a true classic, one that will be for sure a standard for future comic book movies. A simply amazing experience which I can’t recommend enough. This X has become a true legend…

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 – 2017

Score: 8/10

The Guardians series is the most funny of the Marvel Universe and you go into volume 2 expecting that. And yes, you receive it in droves, as this movie tries to go even farther than its predecessor in the humor department. You are laughing all the way, and it is relaxing to see a movie of such magnitude not taking itself to serious. It makes the viewing experience more enjoyable and its success is what prompted Marvel to include more humor in Thor: Ragnarok and I guess in every single entrance of the multiverse which will follow. We like our superhero movies to be lighthearted and funny and this will not change.

The action is interesting, the special effects are amazing, and the characters are developed even further than in the first one. You learn a lot of backstory that helps define each character and you start to discover the red line of their past that makes them act the way they do. The cast is stellar, and when you have Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldana, Vin Diesel, Bradley Cooper, Sylvester Stallone and Kurt Russell all in one movie, nothing can go wrong. Every single actor delivers an amazing performance and you can see they had so much fun doing this film, which gives it an extra layer of likeability. Dave Bautista as Drax the Destroyer is simply amazing, and almost steals the movie with his rough humor and absurd lines. You find yourself laughing out loud in the theater and enjoying every second of it.

The story is good, a little bit convoluted in points, but streamlined quite well in the final act. The CGI is good, the grand action scenes offer enough awe to justify them, and all in all the conflict manages to keep you involved until the end. Also, speaking of action scenes, Yondu’s arrow massacre is one of the best action scenes I have ever seen in a movie, making you laugh and leaving you speechless at the same time. The action in the movie is superb and right up there with what Marvel has offered us across the years.

The movie is a little bit too long at 136 minutes and its 4 post credits scenes are starting to push the limit a little bit, especially since one of them is another useless cameo from Stan Lee. 2 post credits scenes are ok, but going past that for me is just fanboying for the sake of fanboying and nothing more. The music is good, a nice selection of songs, although I feel that they are not as fresh as the ones from the first movie.

And this brings me to my only criticism of the Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, that it is far too similar in my mind with the first one. It simply does not have the same wow factor and you kind of feel like you have already been there and done that. This takes away a little bit from the overall enjoyment, although it did not have an effect on the box office results, with Vol. 2 earning more than the original. I just hope that for volume 3, which is slated for a 2020 release, Marvel will change the formula a little bit and shake things up.

In conclusion, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 is a very good movie, which I recommend to any comic book fan. A great installment in the Marvel Cinematic Universe and a worthy successor to the first Guardians movie. Oh, and the smaller dumber Groot is by far the best plant I ever saw in a movie. 😛

Spider-Man: Homecoming – 2017

Score: 9/10

Marvel does it again. Spider Man is a character that has suffered a lot at the hands of Sony, and the endless reboots were starting to make it feel actually tedious. But then, finally, one of the lost boys came home and Marvel got the rights back, thus could introduce the superhero to their universe. It started with Civil War, and audiences fell in love with the witty Tom Holland, starting the huge hype of expectation for the first solo movie. We were all expecting a different type of approach from the previous adventures of the web slinger, and that is exactly what we got, and then some.

Spider-Man: Homecoming is a beautiful movie and a perfect example of what Marvel can do. It is the studio’s recipe for success and it has been applied so many times that people can go into the theater knowing perfectly what they will receive. The movie is integrated in the universe but not overly obsessed by it, so you do not have useless scenes that are there just to set things up. The characters are lighthearted, like in all Marvel movies, and that means you can enjoy the action and laugh without having to worry about tragedy after tragedy. It is a change of tone that has benefited Spider Man above all else superheroes, because we are talking here about the only guy that can rise in the comics to the levels of Deadpool when it comes to banter and jokes. Now we also have that in the movies, and if Kevin Feige sticks by his initial idea to make future instalments follow the example of the Harry Potter movies and cover one school year at a time, then we will be expecting many more blockbuster’s in the coming decade.

The action scenes are beautiful, with a highlight on the boat scene, which was unique and heartwarming. The special effects pop on screen and the CGI is made well, discrete but powerful. You can relate to the world of a teenager, you feel for him when he faces problems we have also faced in our lives. The blending of a normal life of a 15 year old boy and his desire to build a career as a superhero is done amazingly well and offers us a different perspective into the genre.

Tom Holland is a treasure in this movie and he plays the part of Spider Man to perfection. Marvel does it again with choosing a perfect actor to fill a role and it is only fitting that this actor stars in his first solo movie in the MCU Universe alongside Robert Downey Jr, arguably the best casting choice made for a character in the history of superhero movies. The supporting cast is good, Michael Keaton impresses as the villain and Marisa Tomei is the aunt we all dreamt of having, if you know what I mean. 😛

Spider Man: Homecoming is easily in the top 3 superhero movies of 2017 and by far the best Spider Man Movie to date. Its light, packed with action, and manages to enchant the public from start to finish. It’s a little bit too long at 133 minutes, but you never feel bored watching it. A strong entrance in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, not the best but right up there. Definitely a must see for every superhero fan and a classic that future generations will enjoy. In the end, who doesn’t want to see DC’s older Batman playing a villain in a Marvel movie…?