Synopsis: “A look at three defining chapters in the life of Chiron, a young black man growing up in Miami. His epic journey to manhood is guided by the kindness, support and love of the community that helps raise him.” (Google)
I thought Moonlight (2016) would be the perfect movie to end my reviews, since it’s a coming-of-age movie, and serves as a great transition as we head into Pride month. I know I’m supposed to be reviewing movies, but that part of this post will be brief. It won “Best Picture” at the Oscars in 2017 so one might deduce that it’s a pretty amazing movie. They’d be right (but Black Panther was also nominated for Best Picture this year… so, maybe that means we shouldn’t always take their word for it), and there isn’t much I could say that hasn’t already been said. It is visually stunning, emotionally moving, and goes into detail about a message that needed to be heard. I wanted to take some time to talk more about the message and what this movie means to me.
The relationships in this movie are complex and not always stable, but the underlying message always remains the same– that although it feels the world is against you at times, you are deserving of love. Young Chiron starts to believe that the homophobic slurs that other children call him define who he is, but he actually has people in his life that lovingly assure him that this is not the case. Those that do not have that support in real life can find that reassurance by watching this movie.
Moonlight is about the struggles that emerge when it comes to identity- more specifically the combination of being black and gay. Representation means everything in an age that revolves around media. To understand why this movie is so important to so many people, it is important to know that this combination is generally seen as taboo amongst the black community. It makes the hardships of being a minority that much more difficult. As a result, members of both the LGBTQ+ and black community have to constantly pretend to be someone they are not, or else put up with discrimination from the people they care about the most. It is a lot of effort to consistently hide an inherent part of yourself, and the shame builds up when the people around you unknowingly speak about your “kind” degradingly. I’ve seen it happen and experienced it firsthand. Watching this movie and realizing that no one is alone in experiencing this is why my emotions were invoked so intensely. This one is a real tear jerker. Watching Chiron grow up and become his true self unapologetically is something that so many young children living the same thing needed to see. It is a beacon of hope in the way that it encourages so many people that it will get better.
Starring: Hailee Steinfeld, Blake Jenner, Haley Lu Richardson
Synopsis: “Everyone knows that growing up is hard, and life is no easier for high school junior Nadine (Hailee Steinfeld), who is already at peak awkwardness when her all-star older brother Darian (Blake Jenner) starts dating her best friend Krista (Haley Lu Richardson). All at once, Nadine feels more alone than ever, until an unexpected friendship with a thoughtful teen (Hayden Szeto) gives her a glimmer of hope that things just might not be so terrible after all.”
Cinematography
7/10
Pacing
8/10
Acting
8/10
Story
8/10
Dialogue
8/10
Editing
7/10
My overall rating
8/10
I don’t think I could have picked a better choice for my coming-of-age themed week than The Edge of Seventeen. Not only did I actually turn 18 this week, but the main character and I are so similar I was a bit freaked. Just one example, but the point where the movie cut to a scene of Nadine watching Futurama really pushed it over the edge for me. Anyone that knows me that’s how I spend a lot of my time, too.
This movie has the perfect amount of darkness and edginess that sets it apart from a lot of other movies in the same genre, and balances it well with the components of a drama and comedy. I found its humor quite refreshing, as it was not cheesy but also never depended on offensiveness or resorted to shock humor. Although there is nothing special about the technical aspects of this movie, I was charmed by its authenticity and heart.
This movie resonated with me so much because of how the main character was portrayed. It was a story about a young teenage girl that did not entirely revolve around stereotypes or a petty high school rivalry. It portrayed her experiences in a genuine way and also made her feelings seem valid. A lot of the time, the issues in teenagers’ lives in films are made out to be trivial, but I think this movie did a good job of portraying how the weight of the problems in our lives truly feels to us sometimes. It was nice to feel empathized with and seen. Although Nadine lashes out sometimes and is extremely grating at others, we are actually given a perspective as to why. A movie about a young teenage girl that is heartfelt and honest is one that I can appreciate.
I wanted to focus on one specific director for this week, and the choice of Edgar Wright was an easy one to make for me. His style of directing is so unique and interesting, so much so that I truly feel no other person could execute such bold artistic choices as well as he has. In no particular order, I’ll be discussing 3 of his most well-known movies: Hot Fuzz (2007), Scott Pilgrim vs. the World (2010), and Baby Driver (2017).
Hot Fuzz (2007)
Hot Fuzz is the second installment of Wright’s “Three Flavours Cornetto” trilogy- succeeding Shaun of the Dead (2004) and preceding The World’s End (2013). I was very confused by the name at first, but apparently there is a running ice cream joke in 2 of the 3 movies. That’s the only thing connecting the 3 movies plot wise. Anyway…
Synopsis: “As a former London constable, Nicholas Angel (Simon Pegg) finds it difficult to adapt to his new assignment in the sleepy British village of Sandford. Not only does he miss the excitement of the big city, but he also has a well-meaning oaf (Nick Frost) for a partner. However, when a series of grisly accidents rocks Sandford, Nick smells something rotten in the idyllic village.” (Google)
In my personal opinion, Wright’s films are some of the most enjoyable and thoroughly entertaining to watch. His creativity and humor are such integral parts of his films, so there isn’t ever a dull moment. Hot Fuzz is a really great example of that.
One of the things I noticed fairly quickly into the movie was how likeable the main character, Sergeant Nick Angel (Simon Pegg) was. In the beginning, he is passionate, skilled, and charismatic, so I just waited until the point in the movie where he made a mistake or his ego got the best of him, but that never really happened. Wright’s way of establishing Nick’s backstory is through dialogue, so many times he is just verbally explaining it to another character. He talks about how he puts his profession before everyone and everything else, but the fact that he acknowledges it himself just makes him seem self-aware and willing to change (which he eventually does). The main character is consistently endearing and extraordinarily talented. Normally characters in movies realize their character flaws when something drastic happens or there is a drastic turn of events in the film. This isn’t a bad thing of course, but I just thought it was worth noting. It is part of what makes the movie so pleasant to watch — the fact that you are always rooting for the man character and want him to succeed.
As a fan of British humor, I do recognize that this movie has the same aspects of a typical British comedy, but I do think that it is executed in a fresh and innovative way. There is a lot of of visual humor, and many of the jokes are clever and subtle. The characters are very distinct and memorable, and they interact with each other in hilariously absurd ways. The action in this movie is also one of the highlights, snd wonderfully assisted by the cinematography and Wright’s creativeness. It’s not cheesy or cliché in any way. It is very fast paced, but not rushed, and is actually satisfying to watch.
Overall, Hot Fuzz is super dynamic, which is what is makes it so engaging. It has the thrill of a murder mystery, the excitement of an action movie, and the wittiness of a comedy. I can see all different types of people enjoying this one.
2. Scott Pilgrim vs. the World
Scott Pilgrim vs. The World is one of my favorite movies of all time (and a lot of other people’s too- for good reason). Every time I watch it I notice something different, and I return to watch it often. It is just that packed with tiny details.
Synopsis: “As bass guitarist for a garage-rock band, Scott Pilgrim (Michael Cera) has never had trouble getting a girlfriend; usually, the problem is getting rid of them. But when Ramona Flowers (Mary Elizabeth Winstead) skates into his heart, he finds she has the most troublesome baggage of all: an army of ex-boyfriends who will stop at nothing to eliminate him from her list of suitors.” (Google)
I think Scott Pilgrim is the best example of Wright’s unique style and talent. For this film, Wright was heavily infused a video-game style, so there are tons of bright, colorful, and frankly unrealistic effects that contrast with the neutrality of the color palette. The juxtaposition of the effects against the seemingly realistic setting is what makes it so captivating. This particular style results in some of the most unique shots I have ever seen in any movie. These factors are all credited to Wright’s talents as a visionary and a director.
Unlike Hot Fuzz, the main character doesn’t really have any redeeming qualities. In fact, at certain points he is pretty unlikeable. I think this movie focuses much more on the visuals and the action than the character development, but it isn’t lacking entirely. I just found myself scratching my head at how he got the girl of everyone’s dreams in about 15 minutes of screen time (probably for plot and pacing, actually). It’s not even like he was a social outcast and secretly a nice guy. He was just a weirdo with an obsession. That is the one issue I have with this movie, although if I’m looking for realism, this might not be the right place to look.
3. Baby Driver (2017)
Scott Pilgrim and Hot Fuzz are drastically different, but they both have the magic and essence of Edgar Wright. For the reasons I stated above they are both pretty special. I know I have spent all of this time praising him, but when it comes to Baby Driver the story kind of changes.
Synopsis: “Baby, a music-loving orphan also happens to be the prodigiously talented go-to getaway driver for heist mastermind Doc. With the perfect soundtrack picked out for each and every job, Baby ensures Doc’s violent, bank-robbing cronies – including Buddy, Bats and Darling – get in and out of Dodge before it’s too late. He’s not in it for the long haul though, hoping to nail one last job before riding off into the sunset with beautiful diner waitress Debora. Easier said than done.” (Google)
I hate to end to end it on negative note, and I know I just wrote many words praising his talents, but this last one does not live up to my preconceived Edgar Wright expectations. Is it a bad movie on its own? Not at all. But compared to the spectacles that are Hot Fuzz and Scott Pilgrim it was a bit of a let down. Maybe he did not have as much creative control as he would have liked or he hit a bit of a rut, as this is his most recent project. Either way, I felt myself wanting more.
It has some artistic qualities towards the beginning, similar to the surreal aspects of Scott Pilgrim. As Baby walks down the street the lyrics of the songs he listens to appear on the buildings he passes. Interesting touch? While this movie does also have some incredible action scenes and a spectacular soundtrack, it has the most commercial/generic feel to it (compared to the previous two movies). I just view it as a slightly better than average action movie.
As a whole, I still definitely respect and admire all of Edgar Wright’s works. Although I was not the biggest fan of Baby Driver, that was only because I had Hot Fuzz and Scott Pilgrim as my references for judgement. I am excited to see what new and exciting magic he can pull out of his brain in the future, though. The sequel to Baby Driver is currently in the works. More excitingly, he is venturing into a new genre- horror! News broke in January of this year that he is directing a psychological thriller starring Ann Taylor-Joy, based on his life in London. The rumored title is Last Night in Soho, but there is no talk of a release date yet. I am looking forward to see Wright’s interpretation of this genre!
Here are a few films that feature some awesome mothers and touching mother-daughter relationships.
The Meddler (2015)
“After the death of her husband, a woman (Susan Sarandon) moves from New Jersey to Los Angeles to be closer to her daughter (Rose Byrne).” (Google)
2. Homecoming: A Film by Beyoncé (2019)
Beyoncé balances the pressure of delivering an elaborate performance at Coachella with the struggles of having just given birth to twins.
3. Home Videos (2019)
Jerrod Carmichael has necessary conversations with his family about black identity, and opens up to his mother about sexuality and how exactly her religion has helped her find forgiveness.
4. Paris is Burning (1990)
These are mothers in an unconventional sense, but earn the title due to the role they play in the lives of young LGBT people that have been rejected by their biological families and have to find where they belong.
5. Room (2015)
“Both highly suspenseful and deeply emotional, ROOM is a unique and touching exploration of the boundless love between a mother and her child. After 5-year-old Jack (Jacob Tremblay) and his Ma (Brie Larson) escape from the enclosed surroundings that Jack has known his entire life, the boy makes a thrilling discovery: the outside world. As he experiences all the joy, excitement, and fear that this new adventure brings, he holds tight to the one thing that matters most of all–his special bond with his loving and devoted Ma.” (Rotten Tomatoes)
6. Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri (2017)
“Mildred Hayes, a hard-nosed mother is seeking justice for her murdered daughter. With no arrests after seven months, Mildred puts up three roadside signs to goad Ebbing police chief into action. But the law – and especially Sam Rockwell’s hot-headed deputy – don’t take kindly to the provocation. And the townsfolk are on their side. But Mildred doesn’t care about ruffling a few feathers. In fact, she’s happy to pluck the whole bird.” (Google)
7. Terms of Endearment (1983)
“Terms of Endearment covers three decades in the lives of widow Aurora Greenaway (Shirley MacLaine) and her daughter Emma (Debra Winger). Fiercely protected by Aurora throughout childhood, Emma runs into resistance from her mother when she marries wishy-washy college teacher Flap (Jeff Daniels). Aurora is even more put out at the prospect of being a grandmother, though she grows a lot fonder of her three grandkids than she does of her son-in-law. ” (Rotten Tomatoes)
Starring: Garance Marillier, Ella Rumpf, Rabah Nait Oufelia
Synopsis: “Stringent vegetarian Justine (Garance Marillier) encounters a decadent, merciless and dangerously seductive world during her first week at veterinary school. Desperate to fit in, she strays from her principles and eats raw meat for the first time. The young woman soon experiences terrible and unexpected consequences as her true self begins to emerge.”
Cinematography
8/10
Pacing
7/10
Acting
9/10
Story
8/10
Dialogue
8/10
Editing
8/10
Score/Soundtrack
9/10
My overall rating
8/10
Watching this movie was quite an experience. So much so that I had to rewatch it twice in order to fully process wtf I had just witnessed.
This movie conjures such intense emotions, whether it be disgust, cringe, or sheer terror. Certain scenes are drawn out for several minutes, and the feelings of dread are amplified thanks to Ducournau’s directorial choices. Specifically, there is a scene where main character Justine tosses and turns in her dorm room bed for minutes and minutes, scratching herself until her thighs are inflamed and bloody. It made me physically wince. I had to look away after a while. I actually gagged at another scene where Justine leans against a toilet and chokes on strands of her hair that she pulls from her throat. Those scenes felt like they lasted forever. I give major props on any horror movie that invokes a physical reaction.
In addition to the length of the scenes, another big contribution to the intense horror factor was the soundtrack. Its strategic placement in scenes really added to the drama, which was such an effective use of the music as opposed to it just being background noise (literally). When Justine has her first taste of human flesh, this startling guitar track immediately begins to play, and you know this is a turning point in the development of Justine’s character. I feel like I’m not doing it justice by describing it with words, so here’s the clip.
The exact part of the scene I reference starts at 2:19. Sorry there aren’t subtitles on this particular video!
Raw is also the most original horror movie I’ve ever seen. Not a semblance of clichés or stereotypical character tropes. It is quite the opposite, actually. The characters are complex and interesting, and the plot takes so many unexpected turns that you find yourself gasping or doing that hand-over-mouth in shock thing. Marillier, Rumpf, and Oufelia deliver outstanding performances, and at times I found myself worried for the actors because I simply did not understand how some of the scenes were being shot. Raw is enthralling, mind-boggling, and deeply, deeply, disturbing.
This is one of those movies you think about for a while after it ends. If you think you can handle it, I’d definitely give this one a try.
Starring: Aubrey Plaza, Kate Micucci, Alison Brie, Dave Franco
Synopsis: “Medieval nuns Alessandra, Fernanda, and Ginevra lead a simple life in their convent. Their days are spent chafing at monastic routine, spying on one another, and berating the estate’s day labourer. After a particularly vicious insult session drives the peasant away, Father Tommasso brings on newly hired hand Massetto, a virile young servant forced into hiding by his angry lord. Introduced to the sisters as a deaf-mute to discourage temptation, Massetto struggles to maintain his cover” (Google).
Cinematography
5/10
Pacing
6/10
Acting
5/10
Story
5/10
Dialogue
6.5/10
Editing
6/10
Score/Soundtrack
6/10
My overall rating
6/10
I know I included the official synopsis above, but that blurb doesn’t really capture the essence of how absolutely wacky this movie is. Just absurd.
Although the movie is set in medieval times, the characters and dialogue are all “modern”. Every time a friendly, older man comes into contact with them, they relentlessly swear at him in order to scare him away. A majority of the movie consists of some really uncomfortable scenes that depict the nuns sexually assaulting a man they believe to be deaf-mute, spliced in with a one-sided lesbian romantic tension between 2 characters, and attempts at a demonic sacrifice because one of the nuns is secretly a witch.
Needless to say, Catholics were less than pleased.
According to an article from Indiewire published in 2017, upon the movie’s release, Catholic group America Needs Fatima sent a petition with over 30,000 signatures to the movie’s distributor, Gunpowder and Sky. Reasonably, they were offended by the immoral behavior and foul language of the characters in the film. Christian website Return to Order gained an additional 20,000 signatures in order to have the distributors pull the movie completely. This may seem drastic, but upon seeing the movie this should came as no surprise.
While there is nothing technically abysmal or spectacular with this movie, it is definitely polarizing. The actors deliver a believable performance and it is shot simply, but the real interesting portions come from the dialogue and story. The casual, conversational nature of the dialogue is accredited to the fact that a majority of scenes were improvised by the actors. It shows, because many of the scenes are loosely structured. Some reviews praise it as a comedic masterpiece, while others are disgusted by the crudeness. It is very simple, yet humorous (if it suits your sense of humor), but it is just blatantly offensive to a lot of people. The juxtaposition of society’s preconceived notion of nuns against these nuns’ deranged behavior is was makes the whole movie. There isn’t really much else to it. The backbone of the appeal is its shock factor, and you either love how demented it is or you are completely offset by just how uncomfortable things get. This movie is about as politically and socially incorrect as it gets, which I personally found to be refreshing, although I certainly know that it is not everyone’s cup of tea.
This week I’ll be focusing on independent films! I’ll be starting with Tangerine, directed by Sean Baker.
Genre: Drama/Crime
Starring: Mya Taylor, Kitana Kiki Rodriguez
Here’s the trailer in case you wanted to get a gist before reading.
Synopsis: “After hearing that her boyfriend/pimp cheated on her while she was in jail, a hooker and her best friend set out to find him and teach him and his new lover a lesson” (Google).
Cinematography
7/10
Pacing
8/10
Acting
7.5/10
Story
8/10
Dialogue
8/10
Editing
6/10
Score/Soundtrack
6/10
My overall rating
7.5/10
Tangerine (2015) is a glimpse into the not-so-beautiful life of two transgender prostitutes trying to make it through a single day in Los Angeles. The trials and tribulations the two, and all of the characters they drag (literally) into their drama, make for an interesting and engaging story. Although this is a story familiar to some, it provided me with an escape from reality for 80 minutes due to how separate its world seemed from mine. It’s refreshing, original, and captivating- feats that are even more impressive because the film is shot entirely on an iPhone 5. It is also 80 minutes of sheer chaos, but it is wonderfully crafted in ways that will make you laugh and/or cry.
The soundtrack was not exceptionally remarkable and the editing was a bit choppy at times, but this movie has a lot of other things going for it that makes up for that. The cinematography definitely has a lower quality, but that is to be expected with an iPhone, and the choice of camera did not noticeably limit its capabilities. When shooting entirely on a singular handheld device, one may presume that the shots would not be particularly dynamic, but I thought the stylistic choices assisted the storyline well. I especially appreciated the wide shots of the main character, Sindee, strutting around Los Angeles. Her walk is very distinct, and in combination with the way those scenes were shot, you really feel her sense of urgency as she handles her business (to put it one way) throughout the city. I also very much appreciated how the color palette corresponded with the story. Before the colors turn dingy and muted at night when things take a turn for the worst, the two main characters are constantly lit by the warm, orange light of the sun (hence the title).
As I mentioned a little bit before this, this movie is extremely chaotic, but in the best way possible. Even with my short attention span and tendencies to get distracted, at no point did I even look away. There are only a few minutes of exposition at the beginning, and the conflict happens almost immediately. The rising action, which makes up a majority of the movie, is never dull and consistently hilarious. The plot is not predictable in anyway, and I actually found it to be pleasantly shocking in a way that makes it original and unique. The resolution is not exactly clear, but I do think that this was a sensible and realistic way to put an “end” to the story. The movie did not tell the character’s entire stories- we just got a glimpse- so the audience expects them to continue with their shenanigans even after the movie ends. The actors, led by new faces Mya Taylor and Kitana Kiki Rodriguez, do their extravagant and dynamic characters justice. Many of the times, the movie feels like it is following real people. The relationship between characters feels very real, and that credit belongs to the the actors the quality of the dialogue and story, and the intimate way it is shot.
Tangerine is unlike any other movie I have seen. If you want an edgy, explicit comedy that is simultaneously heartbreaking and moving, I highly suggest giving it a chance.
Continuing the superhero theme of this week, I decided to go see the other superhero movie currently out in theaters: Shazam!
Directed by: David Sandberg
Cinematography
5/10
Pacing
5/10
Visual Effects
6/10
Acting
6.5/10
Story
5/10
Dialogue
6/10
Editing
7/10
Score/Soundtrack
4/10
My overall rating
6/10
Upon seeing the initial trailers for Shazam! (2019), I was excited! I admired the new direction DC was heading in, as it seemed to be lighthearted and funny opposed to their previous dark and serious releases. After watching the movie, it did indeed have an entirely different tone, but it fails in that it has virtually the same basic structure and plot of any generic superhero movie ever.
For an origin story, I am not surprised, but I can tell you that I was bored watching the movie. Towards the middle, it became a bit stale for me and I just wanted it to be over. The motivations behind the characters were not particularly interesting. Then it falls into the stereotypical plot of a average and/or troubled person that somehow turns into an epic and awesome superhero, while the antagonist is someone that wants revenge for whatever reason and thusly becomes the villain. There is nothing inherently wrong that structure, but it has just been done so many times that it has become boring. I’m sure there were ways to make the movie a bit less generic, unfortunately this movie fails to do so.
A huge issue I had with the movie was the general disconnect I felt as a viewer. I was bored because I was not emotionally invested. It’s an origin story! This is supposed to draw me in into caring about this character being introduced in this cinematic universe. If you did not know, the main character’s power is activated when he says “Shazam!”, and he then turns into a full adult with full superpowers. When his powers are not activated, he is still who he is before he got the powers, a troubled foster kid who struggles to find a family and home. There is a really big disconnect between the two characters, even though they are supposed to be the same person. A lot of the times the difference in the main character’s physical form just seemed to be two different people entirely. I had a hard time believing (or caring about) this story that they were trying to create. The relationships in this movie also seem to develop entirely too quickly, as does the story. There are a lot of characters that we are expected to care about but there just simply is not enough time to. The buildup is weak, but I can say that the very ending is fairly strong and decently enjoyable. Ending on a high note almost offset how bored I was for the entire rest of the movie. Almost.
There is one awesome shot in this movie that involves the main character jumping off a building and activating his powers, but that is about it. There was nothing artistic or interesting about the way the movie is shot. The movie is not bad, just average. Nothing special. The acting was fine (but for a bunch of kid actors I will give them props though) considering the material given. The story was weak, and the dialogue was a bit cheesy and flat. I have no qualms with the editing, and the visual effects were decent. I would make a comment about the music, but I literally cannot remember any specific details about it. I think that speaks for itself.
If you are headed to the movies with family, I do not think this movie is a bad choice. Like I mentioned before, it gets better towards the end. However, if you do not get a chance to see the movie, I can say that you are not missing much.
In honor of the release of the most anticipated superhero movie (actually just movie in general) of all time last weekend, I will be reviewing comic book/superhero movies this week!
Directed by: Anthony and Joseph Russo
Cinematography
7.5/10
Pacing
7/10
Visual Effects
8.5/10
Acting
8/10
Story
9/10
Dialogue
7.5/10
Editing
8/10
Score/Soundtrack
7/10
My overall rating
8/10
Disclaimer: I will try to remain as impartial as possible! (Key word: “try”)
With three phases, eleven years, and 21 movies of the Marvel Cinematic Universe coming before it, Avengers: Endgame (2019) had an unbelievable amount of hype to live up to. If this movie did not construct the perfect ending to all of the stories it had so carefully crafted for over a decade, the entire world (that sounds like an exaggeration but it actually isn’t too much of a stretch) would be disappointed. The Russo Brothers had an enormous task to fill. Fortunately, all of the work put into this movie paid off, and Endgame exceeded expectations of even the biggest of fans.
Epic is the word I would use to describe this movie. Or iconic. As someone who has invested myself so deeply into these stories and characters, I felt almost overwhelmed at times at the level of epicness. I am not alone in feeling this way, and it seems to be a fairly common thing. Don’t worry! Even if you are not as much of a fan I think you will get a bit of that same feeling. The movie is extremely immersive, probably because it is 3 hours long and the universe that has been developing for over a decade seems fully real by this point. The stakes of this movie could not be more high, either. The fate of the entire universe was literally at stake.
Now to go into detail.
I don’t see how the Russos could have culminated 11 years into anything less than 3 hours, so the length is not really an issue, I did have a slight problem with the pacing. The majority of the beginning of the movie is slow, but not boring, and I do think it was intentional in order to create the proper buildup for the sheer awesomeness that is the ending. People were screaming and clapping in the theater towards the end, but I’ll get to that later. The cinematography was nothing particularly breathtaking, and I say that because there were not many specific shots that stood out to me. The visual effects, on the other hand, were absolutely stunning. Thanos is literally a main character made entirely of CGI, but he looks so realistic that at some points I almost forgot that. In a movie that depends so heavily on smooth incorporation of visual effects, I definitely think they were done well. The actors behind the characters also seem to fade away, and the characters almost seem to exist in our reality. The audience is fully emotionally invested into the characters they have come to love over the past decade, which is something no other franchise can even begin to compare with. Another thing I greatly appreciate about the movie was that the story was not predictable in any way, and it took so many unexpected turns. I, along with many other people, could not even believe what we were watching (but I won’t go into spoilers). I had to see it twice to fully fathom what happens and what I just watched. It is a movie you continue to think about after it ends. The dialogue was pretty solid- not too overly cheesy- and flowed well. One issue that I have had with past Marvel movies is that they do not know how to let an emotional or serious moment stand on its own, and always had to interject with some random comedy that did not fit into the scene well. Thankfully, this movie did not have that problem. I had no issues with the editing, and the score, including the iconic Avengers theme, was incorporated well with the action of the movie.
I cannot recommend this movie enough. You may not be too big into superhero movies, but this movie has seemed to work its way into becoming part of our culture. All different types of people all around the world care about the contents of the movie, which is not something that happens a lot. Throughout the entire movie, people were clapping, screaming, cheering, and genuinely fully sobbing. And I saw the movie at 11 AM and 1:30 PM. The hype surrounding it led it to be the biggest opening of any movie ever, making over a billion dollars its first weekend. It was well deserved and basically to be expected. If you have involved yourself in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, this movie is extremely satisfying, even if it is a bit sad. Even if you have not, watch a video of recap of all the movies on YouTube and make sure you go see it!
Indira's Film Reviews 