| We call them fools, those who are unable to resist the slightest chance that love just might exist! |
Well, summer of 2012 is here. A big summer for those who, like me, are a sucker for superhero blockbuster movies. So let's take a minute and review the comic book big-screen offerings this summer had to offer, shall we?
Marvel's THE AVENGERS
I would be lying if I said I hadn't been awaiting this movie since my college years at least. Captain America, Iron Man, Black Widow, The Incredible Hulk, Thor, and Nick Fury all in one! Having waited this long for a movie of that magnitude, I am pleased that they not only didn't mess it up, but made what could be considered the best superhero movie ever, and certainly the best of 2012! Unfortunately I didn't get to see this one in 3-D, but still left the theater satisfied that my box office dollars weren't wasted. That is saying lot for me, because I couldn't help but notice they basically had remade the last Transformers movie with Marvel Comic Book heroes in place of the Autobots and yet I STILL loved it!
D.C.'s The Dark Knight Rises
First and foremost on this one, I express my heartfelt and sincere condolences for those injured or killed during the Aurora, CO midnight screening. May those responsible be brought to justice!
NOW, having said that, on with the review. Tim Nolan apparently is wrapping up this franchise with this one, but for me, it kind of ends on a sour note. 2 hours and 44 minutes long, the action is only about 44 minutes by itself! The rest of it is a 2-hour-long political statement, which I'm sorry, but I do NOT willingly pay for superhero movie tickets hoping to see that! If I want political BS crammed down my throat, I'll go sit on Facebook some more, thank you!
Although to be fair, it was nice to see Bane was more than just the incredible Hulk on plant-based steroids this time, and I did get a kick out of the Liam Neeson cameo, but overall was highly disappointed by this one. Then again that last Batman movie would have been a real snooze-fest without Heath Ledger, so I suppose I should have seen this coming.
Marvel's The Amazing Spider-man
Having been a big fan of the Sam Raimi franchise, I wasn't crazy about this one. Costume change I could live with, and I liked the Lizard being brought to life on screen. One of the things that killed it for me was NO J. JONAH JAMESON!! However well Dennis Leary acted in an attempt to make up for that, it just wasn't the same. I also much prefer Toby Maguire's quirks over Andrew Garfield's, but that is debatable so I guess it just is what it is.
Overall, though, I can say I understand the thought process behind this reboot. Namely, Toby Maguire's Spiderman in with the Avengers? No, I get what's happening here, so looking at it from that perspective this movie was decent for what it needed to be. Hopefully we'll get to see Spidey in future installments of the Avengers!
































