Tuesday, April 8, 2014

Captain America: The Winter Soldier






Release Date: Apr 04, 2014
Runtime: 2 hr. 8 min. 
Director: Joe Russo, Anthony Russo 
Cast: Chris Evans, Samuel L. Jackson, Scarlett Johansson, Anthony Mackie, Sebastian Stan, Robert Redford, Frank Grillo, Cobie Smulders, Emily VanCamp.

We've come a long way since the induction of the Marvel Universe, with back-to-back successions of character story arcs. And with each new arrival inciting the demands of evolution, it's been no easy task of assembling this massive franchise. Yet in spite of these challenges, "Captain America" has stealthily surged above the rest, making "The Winter Soldier" the best Marvel production to date apart from "The Avengers." At the heart of the film is a rapt political thriller, giving prominence to S.H.I.E.L.D. and its fearless leader, Nick Fury. But conjointly, it's also an extended study of Captain America, as he struggles to adapt and accept the new world around him. Over his past two outings, Chris Evans has grown exceptionally into the role of the patriotic hero, and his story is arguably the best developed yet. As his outdated morals and beliefs get tested, we see a fissure start to form in his passive demeanor. Alongside him, Nick Fury and Black Widow gain additional screen time, strengthening their roles beyond just supporting characters. Samuel L. Jackson, who's been the sturdy glue of the franchise, faces adversaries even he can't be protected from. Anthony Mackie joins the cast as codename "The Falcon," an ex-pararescueman turned affable sidekick. His aerial combat scenes are just some of the thrill points in the film, showcasing the directing capabilities of Anthony and Joe Russo. With heftier action sequences, a cohesive plot line, and an equally-matched villain, "Winter Solider" is the rare sequel that's exceedingly better than the first. As the end of Phase II leaves for an uncertain future, the impact will be felt in the upcoming "Age of Ultron." Til then, it's time for a new team of heroes to emerge from the shadows: "The Guardians of the Galaxy" arrive August 1st.

Rating: 4½ stars

Sunday, April 6, 2014

The Raid 2: Berandal







Release Date: Mar 28, 2014 
Runtime: 2 hr. 28 min. 
Director: Gareth Evans 
Cast: Iko Uwais, Yayan Ruhian, Arifin Putra, Oka Antara, Tio Pakusadewo.

Two years ago, a little known film single-handedly altered the action landscape, blasting the bars of violence to a whole new level. Pitting fists versus bones in a winner-take-all, subtleties were absolved in favor of brutality. So how do you top one ruthless masterpiece with another? Add more carnage, of course. Gareth Evans returns as writer and director, continuing the story from where we last left off. Rama (Iko Uwais) is now tasked to work undercover and weed out the police corruption from within the crime cartel. But as he learns quickly from prior experiences, there's more on the line than just his life. With greater intensity and brilliant choreography, Evans has really outdone himself the second time around. Edited with an eye of ingenuity, the fights transpire impressively with an air of fluidity. Opposing Rama in a new set of battles are another horde of criminals with no sense of fear. Standouts include siblings "Hammer Girl" and "Baseball Bat Man," names very reminiscent of Quentin Tarantino. With each new scene is a geyser of blood, and no escape from the expo of death. It's the defining trait of this action-packed series, not recommended for the weak and the weary. As for the rest, "Raid 2" falls short of the first film, with less suspense and tension due to its slightly more detailed plot line. What was great about "Redemption" was its single-minded goal, which in turn, confined itself to tight spaces and centralized fights. But duplicating themes is never a strong point of sequels and Evans finds ways to progress on through. With the intention of this being an integrated trilogy, we can expect to see more bloodshed in the foreseeable future. That's bad news for Rama who's taken more beatings than he can sustain.

Rating: 4 stars

Friday, April 4, 2014

Bad Words







Release Date: Mar 28, 2014 
Runtime: 1 hr. 29 min. 
Director: Jason Bateman 
Cast: Jason Bateman, Kathryn Hahn, Allison Janney, Ben Falcone, Rachael Harris.

If you look up the word "a**hole," chances are you'd see a photo of Guy Trilby, Bateman's latest incarnation of brash cynicism. Armed with an acid tongue and zero inhibition, his directorial debut takes front and center stage...at a national spelling bee. We've seen Bateman as the nice guy, as well as the bad guy, but where he excels best is predominantly the latter. Dropping more profanities than should ever be in the presence of a child, it's his apathetic view that brings out the hilarity. Appearing as a 40-year-old competitor, the film has no actual beginning, heading straight into the first event at the outcry of parents. Subsequently, any sort of character backstory is left astray, leaving only a mild curiosity as to Trilby's personal motives. As he pummels and crushes the hearts of little children, it's hard to find sympathy in his egomaniacal conquest. But if there's anyone that can break through that cold exterior, it's Chaitanya Chopra played by Rohan Chand. Together, they develop the most unlikely of friendships, sharing a playful dynamic that establishes the film. Chand's ability to shrug off the ridicule, and even match the wits of Bateman, is more than enough to keep the rapport entertaining. While "Bad Words" may not be the boldest of comedies, it's a step in the right direction for the newbie director.

Rating: 3 stars