The Avengers (2012); action comedy drama film review

Poster artwork for the action comedy drama film The Avengers.

Powerful Pack by Linh

The blockbuster action film from Marvel, The Avengers, that is also called Avengers Assemble in the United Kingdom, and based on the comic book with minor alterations made for the film adaptation is directed and co-written by Joss Whedon (Serenity, The Cabin In The Woods). Most of Whedon’s vision for the film’s premise is realised, and the cast assembled to portray the team of superheroes are superb. Whedon, who is mostly known for his work in the television series Buffy The Vampire Slayer, brings together a group of individuals who all manage to work as a team on the screen. All the superhero characters have already appeared in films leading up to this film’s release, which makes it easier to attract an audience and create a larger fanbase.

AWESTRUCK AVENGERS: Thor (Chris Hemsworth) and Captain America (Chris Evans) prepare for the battle ahead in the film The Avengers. Image: Marvel Studios.

In The Avengers, Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson) of the spy agency S.H.I.E.L.D, is experimenting with the special cube of unlimited sustainable energy called the Tesseract, when he is rudely interrupted by Loki (Tom Hiddleston). Loki uses his sceptre to “cast a spell” on Dr. Selvig (Stellan Skarsgård) and Clint Barton/Hawkeye (Jeremy Renner), making them his followers, then destroys S.H.I.E.L.D headquarters as he departs with the Tesseract. 

Nick Fury sends out orders to his spy agents Phil Coulson (Clark Gregg) and Natasha Romanoff/Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson) to enlist the help of Tony Stark/Iron Man (Robert Downey Jr.) and Bruce Banner/The Hulk (Mark Ruffalo) respectively. Meanwhile, Nick Fury convinces Steve Rogers/ Captain America (Chris Evans) to join the fight against Loki. After the team have captured Loki in Stuttgart, Germany, Thor (Chris Hemsworth) drops in to take Loki and the Tesseract back to Asgard. The team warns Thor that Loki has sent an army to destroy Earth and the Tesseract is missing, so he agrees to hold Loki in custody until they find the Tesseract. However, Loki’s plans of ultimate power and control look likely until the team of superheroes can work together to stop the invaders on land and in the air.

HULK HORROR: Natasha Romanoff (Scarlett Johansson) escapes the rage of the Hulk (Mark Ruffalo) in the film The Avengers. Image: Marvel Studios.

The battle scenes look spectacular and are brilliantly edited so the action from the air and on the ground blend and move smoothly from one character’s fight scene to another.  The hand-to-hand combat and fight scenes leading up to the big battle in Manhattan are excellent; Scarlett Johansson as Black Widow and Jeremy Renner as Hawkeye give each other powerful punches and kicks before calming down to a brief emotional moment of shared history from their past; the forest fight scene between Robert Downey Jr.’s Iron Man and Chris Hemsworth’s Thor is a comical masculinity-contest and seems to help establish an understanding of how they can use their powers “with” instead of “against” each other.

HOTSHOT HAWKEYE: Hawkeye (Jeremy Renner) makes a perfect hit as he leaps through the air in the film The Avengers. Image: Marvel Studios.

Throughout the film, there seems to be an underlying message of “power” and “unity”, which involves the superheroes assembling as a group without losing their own individuality, and the idea of how power can be corruptive and destructive as well as easily shared to assist humanity. The “power” which Nick Fury and Tony Stark/Iron Man seek pertains to an energy source that is clean, unlimited and sustainable which can provide power for everyone’s daily needs. The “power” which Loki craves is the control or domination over others and a desire that they must serve him as their ruler. In an ironic plot-twist, the power of the Tesseract is used to unleash destructive forces upon Manhattan, New York, prompting the superheroes to use their powers to fight back.

HEROIC HEAT: Thor (Chris Hemsworth), Captain America (Chris Evans) and Natasha Romanoff (Scarlett Johansson) fight off a fiery foe in the film The Avengers. Image: Marvel Studios.

The film uses a variety of special effects in audio and visual depictions, including motion-capture technology for Mark Ruffalo to physically portray The Hulk. In the past, the giant green monster was usually computer generated and voiced by Lou Ferrigno. The film’s visually stunning and breath-taking action sequences are some of the best work for the Marvel comic book film franchise. The Avengers exceeded expectations at the box office in Australia in 2012, as it is a fun, exciting and fast-paced film where every scene counts.

AGILE AVENGER: Natasha Romanoff (Scarlett Johansson) lies low as Bruce Banner unleashes The Hulk in the film The Avengers. Image: Marvel Studios.

Director: Joss Whedon

Writers: Joss Whedon (story, screenplay), Zack Penn (story), Stan Lee (comic book), Jack Kirby (comic book)

Cast: Robert Downey Jr., Scarlett Johansson, Mark Ruffalo, Chris Hemsworth, Chris Evans, Samuel L. Jackson, Jeremy Renner, Tom Hiddleston, Stellan Skarsgård, Cobie Smulders, Clark Gregg, Gwyneth Paltrow, Alexis Denisof, Jenny Agutter, Powers Boothe, Harry Dean Stanton, Stan Lee, Donald Li, James Eckhouse, Lou Ferrigno (voice), Paul Bettany (voice)

Producers: Stan Lee, Jon Favreau, Alan Fine, Patricia Whitcher, Jeremy Latcham, Louis D’Esposito,  Avi Arad, Kevin Feige, Victoria Alonso

Cinematographer: Seamus McGarvey

Original Music Composer: Alan Silvestri

Film Editor: Jeffrey Ford, Lisa Lassek

Production:  James Chinlund (Production Designer), Billy Hunter, Randy Moore, Benjamin Edelberg, Richard L. Johnson, Gregory S. Hooper, Jann K. Engel (Art Directors), Victor J. Zolfo (Set Decorator)

Costume Designer: Alexandra Byrne

Languages: English, Russian and Hindi with English subtitles

Running Time: 2 hours and 20 minutes

3D Thor (2011); action adventure science fiction comedy drama film review

Poster artwork for the action adventure science fiction comedy drama film Thor.

Shakespearean Superhero by Linh

Marvel Studios found success with the Iron Man film franchise and have another hit with comic-book film adaptation of Thor, the God of Thunder.  The film bears some sophistication yet with a bit of silliness that sends-up the oddities of mythic hero with modern day human heroics.  Thor’s director/actor, Kenneth Branagh has a solid background in theatre and particularly in Shakespearean plays, so it’s no surprise he has cleverly included references to some of Shakespeare’s heroes in the film.

Thor is set between two worlds – the mythical world of Asgard/Frost Giants and contemporary Earth.  It tells the story of a young head-strong but hot-headed prince and God named Thor (Chris Hemsworth), who sets out to prove his worthiness of being King of Asgard by seeking revenge on his enemies the Frost Giants – a race of people who live in a cold and icy climate.  Crossing the rainbow bridge called Bifrost is the only way to travel from one “realm” to another, and Thor’s hasty actions violate the peace treaty between Asgard and the Frost Giants. His father Odin (Anthony Hopkins) strips Thor of his powers and his hammer named Mjolnir, then banishes him to Earth. Thor’s hammer is also cast down to Earth. As he tumbles towards Earth, Thor is accidentally hit by Jane Foster’s (Natalie Portman) car and his time on Earth teaches him how to be a worthy man without magical powers before he can be a true hero with superhuman powers.

THUNDEROUS THOR: Thor (Chris Hemsworth) shows he is worthy of being King of Asgard in the film Thor. Image: Paramount Pictures, Marvel Studios.

The cast is a contemporary mix of British, American, Asian and Australian actors who do a fine job bringing humour to their characters and action to the film. Australian actor Chris Hemsworth (Red Dawn, The Avengers) reportedly won the role of Thor over his younger brother Liam (The Hunger Games, Arabian Nights) in auditions and he certainly makes Thor sound bold and brash with his Aussie accent and muscled-up physique. Hemsworth was convincing in portraying Thor’s conflicting nature of head versus heart to win his way back into Asgard and into the heart of a mortal woman, to become truly worthy of Mjolnir and be King.

SUPERHERO SUCCESSOR: Odin (Anthony Hopkins) prepares to hand over power to his son Thor (Chris Hemsworth) in the film Thor. Image: Paramount Pictures, Marvel Studios.

Academy Award winner Natalie Portman (Black Swan, Knight of Cups) is the astrophysicist Jane Foster who is obsessed with a phenomenon that involves crossing from one galaxy/universe to another via a bridge in space. Jane’s many years of work is confirmed when Thor lands on Earth, and she shows him how patience and perseverance can achieve wonders.  Portman is excellent as the smart and attractive Jane, and she makes nerdy look sexy.

ASCERTAINING ASTROPHYSICS: Jane (Natalie Portman) is close to discovering astrophysical phenomena in the New Mexico desert in the film Thor. Image: Paramount Pictures, Marvel Studios.

British thespian Tom Hiddleston (War Horse, The Avengers) is outstanding as Loki, the resentful and softly-spoken brother of Thor. Loki has a sad background and Odin had plans to raise Loki as a future King to keep the peace between Asgard and the frost Giants.  Loki rebels against his father and in a final confrontation with Thor, he turns to the dark side. Hiddleston gives Loki the perfect personality mix of steely coldness and vagueness in facial expression that raises questions about the intent of Loki’s actions and thoughts.

The supporting cast moves around the lead characters as helpers, supporters and enemies including Anthony Hopkins, wonderful as Odin, the ageing but diplomatic King of Asgard; raven-haired beauty Jaimie Alexander is tough and fearless as Lady Sif, who is Thor’s friend and warrior in Asgard; Colm Feore is exceptionally evil as King Laufey, the leader of the Frost Giants; Rene Russo has a small role as Queen Frigga, but is elegant and protective as Thor’s mother and faithful wife to Odin; Ray Stevenson is Asgard’s comic relief, warrior Volstagg, whose appetite is as big as his heart; Idris Elba is memorable as Heimdall, the gatekeeper of the Bifrost, and he sees and hears everything that goes on in all nine realms; Stellan Skarsgård seems under-used as Erik Selvig, Jane’s mentor and colleague, but he does appear more in the film The Avengers; Kat Dennings is feisty as the Earth-bound comic relief Darcy, who is the assistant to Jane and Erik.

RAGING RESENTMENT: Loki (Tom Hiddleston) seeks his powers from the source belonging to the Frost Giants in the film Thor. Image: Paramount Pictures, Marvel Studios.

Thor has all the elements of a fun and exciting superhero action film but it has some minor flaws that mostly involve visuals. The numerous scenes that appear lopsided or on an angle may signify confusion or something terrible is about to occur. There are a few too many of such angled scenes and most of the film could do without it. The film is engaging enough to do without the 3D technology, such as in the action sequences and some of its CGI settings. The golden bronze colours of Asgard, its people and the buildings are meant to produce binary opposites with its arch-enemies the Frost Giants, but the CGI used to create Asgard seem dull and could be spruced up with majestic Elizabethan/Jacobean architecture seen during Shakespeare’s days. However, the Asgard architecture is reminiscent of the horns on Viking helmets and does seem strangely apt.

FEARLESS FIGHTER: Lady Sif (Jaimie Alexander) show brawns and beauty during battle in the film Thor. Image: Paramount Pictures, Marvel Studios.

Shakespearean references in the film are fun to spot for those inclined, and they include Thor walking into a pet store and demanding a horse (from the play Richard III) and his duel with Loki involving the “madness” dialogue (from Hamlet). Thor speaks, dresses and displays the customs and mannerisms of an Elizabethan King or Prince in Shakespeare’s plays which rub off on some of the modern day characters, who in turn bow or curtsy to him.

Thor is typically a favourite for comic book fans but is also a great basic introduction for newbies to Norse mythology and its heroes and villains. The film carries common themes of good versus evil and powerlessness and empowerment that most viewers will recognise.  It also follows the usual narratives in epic dramas such as a son attempting to usurp his father to be King, a protagonist discovering his courage to become a hero etc.

If you sit through the entire end credits, while enjoying The Foo Fighters’ song “Walk”, then you’ll be rewarded with a sneak peek at the film, The Avengers.

MYTH MAKERS: Jane (Natalie Portman) and Thor (Chris Hemsworth) compare notes on science and magic in the film Thor. Image: Paramount Pictures, Marvel Studios.

Director: Kenneth Branagh

Writers: Zach Stenz  (screenplay), Don Payne (screenplay), Ashley Miller (screenplay), J. Michael Straczynski (story), Mark Protosevich (story), Stan Lee (comic book), Jack Kirby (comic book), Larry Lieber (comic book)

Cast: Chris Hemsworth, Natalie Portman, Anthony Hopkins, Tom Hiddleston, Colm Feore, Stellan Skarsgård, Kat Dennings, Idris Elba, Clark Gregg, Jaimie Alexander, Ray Stevenson, Rene Russo, Tadanobu Asano, Josh Dallas, Jeremy Renner, Samuel L. Jackson

Producers: Stan Lee, Kevin Feige, Patricia Whitcher, Mike Bodkin, Craig Kyle, Victoria Alonso, David Maisel, Debra James, Louis D'Esposito

Cinematographer: Haris Zambarloukos

Original Music Composer: Patrick Doyle

Film Editor: Paul Rubell

Production: Bo Welch (Production Designer), Maya Shimoguchi, Pierre Buffin, Luke Freeborn, A. Todd Holland, Kasra Farahani, Sean Haworth (Art Directors), Lauri Gaffin (Set Decorator)

Costume Designer: Alexandra Byrne

Running Time: 1 hour and 55 minutes

Mamma Mia! The Movie (2008); musical comedy film review

Poster artwork for the musical comedy  film Mamma Mia! The Movie.

Dancing Disco Divas by Linh
Based on the stage musical, Mamma Mia! is brought to the silver screen with a stellar cast including Meryl Streep, Pierce Brosnan and Colin Firth. Producer of the stage version, Judy Craymer and director Phyllida Lloyd have remained loyal to Catherine Johnson's script, transposing the hit musical from stage to screen.

With the blessings of ABBA band members Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus, who were also the executive producers alongside Hollywood super couple Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson, more than twenty ABBA songs are performed and woven into the narrative.
In the simplistic plot, Sophie Sheridan is about to get married and lives on a beautiful Greek island with her mother, Donna, who runs a crumbling hotel. Sophie has never known her father and dreams of finding him to walk her down the aisle. She finds her mother's diary and invites three candidates who might be father to attend the wedding, without telling her mother.

Triple-Oscar winner Meryl Streep is definitely the stand out performer amongst a talented ensemble cast. Having sung in numerous stage and screen productions, the role of Donna seems to be a vocal fit for the likeable Streep. Even doing the splits mid-air while singing and bouncing about on a bed comes naturally to her. Streep has a powerful vocal delivery and is sensational in her dance sequences. Her highlight is the emotionally gut-wrenching The Winner Takes It All, but other solos of note include Money, Money, Money and Mamma Mia.

Amanda Seyfried, of Mean Girls fame, stars as the wide-eyed and sweet-voiced Sophie, who is engaging and shines with humour in her lead vocals for Honey, Honey, moving and melodic in I Have A Dream and in romantic mode for her duet with Dominic Cooper, Lay All Your Love On Me.

British actress Julie Walters is Rosie, the comical and supportive writer friend of Donna's, who is also a member of the girl power band Donna and the Dynamos. Walters delivers here harmony parts in Chiquitita, Dancing Queen and Super Trouper with aplomb. Her duet with Stellan Skarsgård, Take A Chance on Me is an absolute hoot.

Christine Baranski is the bold and brassy socialite, Tanya, who is also a member of Donna and the Dynamos, with a huge sexual appetite for younger men. She is hilarious in her duet with young suitor, Philip Michael, with Does Your Mother Know?, and provides brilliant harmonies in Gimme, Gimme, Gimme (A Man After Midnight)and I Do, I Do, I Do.

Although the male cast for Mamma Mia! looks stylish, their vocal prowess lacks the intensity and energy compared to the ladies. Pierce Brosnan plays the architect, Sam Carmichael, whose heart still burns for Donna after twenty years apart. Brosnan adds the same suave and smoothness to Sam as he does for James Bond, but his singing is a little rough around the edges. Despite this, Brosnan is capable of carrying a tune (you could even hear his Irish accent while he sings) and he gives his all in S.O.S and Our Last Summer.

Everyone's favourite Mr Darcy, Colin Firth, is amazing as the former rebel rocker turned corporate banker, Harry 'Headbanger' Bright. Firth is the strongest vocally and musically of the male leads, even playing his guitar during Our Last Summer. He lends his talented vocals in harmony for Gimme, Gimme, Gimme (A Man After Midnight) and Voulez-Vous.

Other notable performances come courtesy of Stellan Skarsgård as Bill Anderson, Sophie's third possible father and travel writer whose care-free spirit and larrikin humour provide comic relief; Dominic Copper as Sophie's fiance, Sky, has barely enough screen time, yet he is competent as singer and dancer; and the actors who play the hotel staff and also double as chorus singers and backing dancers throughout were excellent.

Eagle-eyed audiences would be able to spot ABBA members Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus in cameo roles during the middle and the end of the film. Stay around for a special encore performance from the entire cast, that's ABBA-solutely fABBA-ulous.
It's a nostalgic dance down the 1970s dicso memory lane, with sequins, skin tight spandex and silver-soled platform boots. Whether or not you've seen the stage musical, it won't affect your enjoyment of the sparkling and exhilarating spectacle of Mamma Mia! The Movie.

TRIPLE THREAT: Rosie (Julie Walters), Donna (Meryl Streep) and Tanya (Christine Baranski) reminisce about the days of young love on the eve of Sophie's wedding in a scene from Mamma Mia!. Image: Universal Pictures.

Director: Phyllida Lloyd

Writer: Catherine Johnson (screenplay and stage musical)

Cast: Meryl Streep, Amanda Seyfried, Pierce Brosnan, Colin Firth, Stellan Skarsgård, Julie Walters, Christine Baranski, Dominic Cooper, Juan Pablo Di Pace, Rachel McDowall, Philip Michael, Norma Atallah, Chris Jarvis, Ashley Lilley, Colin Davis, Heather Emmanuel, Nancy Baldwin

Producers: Benny Andersson, Björn Ulvaeus, Judy Craymer, Tom Hanks, Rita Wilson, Gary Goetzman, Mark Huffam

Cinematographer: Haris Zambarloukos (Director of Photography)

Original Music Composers: Benny Andersson, Björn Ulvaeus, ABBA

Film Editor: Lesley Walker

Production: Maria Djurkovic (Production Designer), Rebecca Holmes, Nick Palmer, Dean Clegg (Art Directors), Barbara Herman-Skelding (Set Decorator)

Costume Designer: Ann Roth

Running Time: 1 hour and 50 minutes