Avengers: Endgame – Part 1

I cried, I laughed, I lived and I died – Perfection

Over 10 years, and it all comes down to this…. I am so nerding out as I am sure every MCU fan is.  But as promised this is a SPOILER FREE POST! #Part1

Don't Spoil The Endgame#Don’tSpoilTheEndgame

That of course is going to make it slightly difficult for me to contain my excitement. I will give some basic facts of the timeline (well some of it) and a couple of predictions.

So, lets get to it!

This is the climax, I mean they literally couldn’t have picked a better name for this film, and with every climax there is a worry. Is it going to work to match the imagination of the fan base? Is it going to answer our questions or is it going to be a let-down?

Never fear Marvel is here! As always, they have kept their crucial team of the Russo Brothers directing, the magic writing team of Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely and of course produced by Kevin Feige. This core team to me is how they have kept the franchaise so perfect. In interviews they have always said they knew where it was going to end, and they have almost worked backwards. They admit they re-watched all the previous films because they wanted to have no cliff-hanger and give the characters and fans a definitive ending.

In an interview with Buzzfeed News they have admitted they are taking a break and closing this chapter on their careers.

“[We’re] taking a break,” Markus said. “[The MCU] is obviously about to have a huge injection of new blood. Launching a lot of new things. So it’s going to get interesting.”“But, you know, it’s the best working experience of our lives,” McFeely added. “So, if they call, we’d answer.” (Vary, 2019)

So into the nitty gritty! The film is set 22 days after the infamous snap, and then takes a time jump 5 years into the future…and that’s all I am going to say about the story! See told you – SPOILER FREE!

What I want to focus on is the imagery which is apparent throughout. At the end of Infinity War, we know that the focus is on getting to Thanos’ gauntlet on his left hand. I noticed on the Infinity War posters, you can see hands of the characters, especially because most of their powers are channelled through them.

Infinity War Individual Poster

Now looking at the posters for Endgame, its all about the faces. No hands. But in the film there is a massive focus on the hands. There are lots of close up shots of hands and a lot of the characters are wearing some form of gloves, as in a nod to the gauntlet that holds the worlds fate in its hand. (Not sorry for the pun.)

EndgameIndividual Poster

Even the difference in the colour pallet can be seen, the light and dark. This follows through the film and even through the entire franchise.

So now I have a theory on what is happening after Endgame.

Guardians of the Galaxy 3 is already in development and I can link it into Endgame. At the end of Guardians of the Galaxy 2 – in the post credit scene we see the Sovereign leader showing off her new creation which she calls Adam. Already I am picking up the rebirth of the Universe vibes. So in Endgame we have Thanos in a place called “The Garden”….Marvel are literally setting up the freaking Garden of Eden! Even in Infinity War Thanos says he wants to create Paradise –  “Going to bed hungry. Scrounging for scraps. Your planet was on the brink of collapse. I was the one who stopped that. You know what’s happened since then? The children born have known nothing but full bellies and clear skies. It’s a paradise.” (Russo, 2018)

Garden of Eden is literal Paradise! This cannot be a coincidence. But I guess we will have to wait till 2022 to find out.

So in closing to the end of this Phase of the MCU, as all the fans out there I want to say Thank you to the cast and crew for giving us the ending that we deserved. The story, character arcs, imagery was all perfect and I can’t wait to discuss it more once the Spoiler ban has passed. In a few weeks I will go into more detail of the story and what it means for the characters but for now #ThanosDemandsYourSilence.

#ThankYouAvengers

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Director:  Anthony and Joe Russo

Cast: Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Mark Ruffalo, Chris Hemsworth, Scarlett Johansson, Jeremy Renner, Don Cheadle, Paul Rudd, Brie Larson, Karen Gillan, Danai Gurira, Bradley Cooper, and Josh Brolin

Crew: Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely (Writers)

Genre: Superhero

Rating: 12A

References

Russo, A. &. (Director). (2018). Avengers: Infinity War [Motion Picture].

Vary, A. B. (2019, April 19). How Captain Marvel, Valkyrie, Ant-Man, And Hawkeye Somehow Fit Into “Avengers: Endgame”. Retrieved from Buzzfeed News: https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/adambvary/avengers-endgame-screenwriters-captain-marvel-valkyrie

 

Deadpool 2

 

“Dark, Daring and Dreadfully Delightful!”

Well if you have read my blog before, you probably know how much I loved the original Deadpool – I even got re-tweeted opening up to my friends across the pond (Hi American friends!)

So as you can guess I was really looking forward to the sequel. As with many sequels the original cast players have returned but the same can’t be said for the crew. Tim Miller, the director of Deadpool was originally linked to the project but he parted ways after some disagreements with Ryan Reynolds. According to interviews Reynolds has given, it was over the role of Cable, but it seems to be an amicable split.

Ryan-Reynolds-and-Tim-Miller

“All I can really add is that I’m sad to see him off the film. Tim’s brilliant and nobody worked harder on Deadpool than he did.” (Wilson, 2016) Instead he was replaced by David Leitch, whose recent works include John Wick and Atomic Blonde.

Reynolds has also become a scriptwriter as well as a producer – what do we think to the next one? Reynolds directing????

Another great addition to the Deadpool family is Zazie Beetz – who plays Domino. You may recognise her from most recently Geostorm. I loved her, and he portrayal of the character. In a lot of scenes, I related to her an awful lot!

OK you know the drill

SPOILER ALERT!!! DO NOT READ IF YOU HAVEN’T SEEN IT YET!!!

This film is a lot like it counterpart – lots of dirty jokes, cameos and of course passes at Wolverine!

I loved all the throw backs to the previous film! My personal favourite was the reference to the “1,600 kilos of cocaine somewhere in the apartment – right next to the cure for blindness”, which of course he finds in Al’s apartment right next to a package called “The cure for blindness”. He also takes a shot at the X-Men as we see Wade in Professor Xavier’s wheelchair and even in Cerebro!

We see Wade go through a real journey of self-discovery – mainly through film and pop culture references including but not limited to (Some of my favourites!) :

  • Say Anything – Deadpool-2-Radio
  • James Bond – Opening Credits
  • Flashdance
    Deadpool 2 Poster
  • Chibi-style
    Unicorn Poster
  • Celebrity references – George Michael and David Bowie
  • DC Universe – “So dark, you sure you’re not from the DC universe?”.
  • X-Men – 4-we-get-a-nice-shot-of-wade-racing-through-xaviers-mansion_pgza.640
  • Ryan Reynolds – Going back in time to stop Green Lantern being made

WB has a good sense of humour about it:

WB

  • Wolverine – “Fuck Wolverine. First he rides my coattails with the R-rating, and then, that hairy motherfucker ups the ante by dying! What a dick! Well, guess what, Wolvie? I’m dying in this movie.”
  • Brad Pitt – Before Josh Brolin got the role, Brad Pitt was interested but instead he got a cameo – see if you spot him 😉
  • Avengers – Hawkeye – “With this collar on, my superpower is just unbridled cancer. Give me a bow and arrow and I’m basically Hawkeye.”
  • Avengers – Thanos – “Zip it, Thanos!”
  • Avengers – Hulk – “Sun is getting real low.”

The trailer completely through me off base – which I loved, when you are introduced to the X-Force and then to have them practically all die is a big screw you to the audience!

My only criticism I had was the Wolverine jokes – there was so many and I felt we had already dealt which that. But that is just personal, I know people who loved them all!

A great watch, had me in stitches and I can’t wait for the third one!

4/5

film-reelfilm-reelfilm-reelfilm-reelfilm-reel Outline

Director: David Leitch

Cast: Ryan Reynolds, Morena Baccarin, Josh Brolin, Zazie Beetz, T.J. Miller, Brianna Hildebrand, Jack Kesy

Crew: Rhett Reese, Paul Wernick, Ryan Reynolds (Screenwriters), Ryan Reynolds (Producer)

Genre: American Superheroes, Action

Rating: 15

Works Cited

Wilson, L. (2016, November 15). Ryan Reynolds Addresses Losing Tim Miller on Deadpool 2. Retrieved from Screen Rant: https://screenrant.com/deadpool-movie-ryan-reynolds-challenges-filming/#

 

 

 

 

 

Avengers Infinity War 3D

 

 “Marvel-lous Movie Magic”

I have been waiting for 10 years for this film as have all Marvel fans, and it does not disappoint!

This is part one of Infinity War which means lots of cliff-hangers, unknown character fates and so many possibilities in part two. They were filmed back to back for continuity and was wrapped in January 2018.

The last Marvel film was Black Panther from February and the last time the Avengers were together was 2 years ago in Captain America Civil War.

This story has been planned for 10 years and each character has gone through their character development over multiple films. This is why DC failed in their attempt as they ignored the individual characters. Maybe that is just my MCU love coming through!

I have one problem though – WHY IS BLACK WIDOW BLONDE!?!? There is no mention of this change of hair anywhere in the film! For 8 years since she was introduced in Iron Man 2, always been a red head. I want answers!!

OK rant over – So here it is guys:

SPOILER ALERT!

Even our bad guy Thanos’s background is developed which is a fantastic asset and makes him more relatable. He is humanised during his search for the Infinity Stones, especially for the mysterious Soul Stone, as he sacrifices his daughter Gamora.

 Stones

In previous movies we have just accepted that Thanos wants the Infinity Stones in order to rule the world, as most bad guys do. This time Thanos explains that he is trying to save the world. He believes “Life needs correction” and instead of having everyone starve, kill half the population and then everyone lives a better life. He sees it as a necessary evil and that it takes a strong person to make that decision. Really hardcore! In a flashback we see how Thanos believes he is saving Gamora as a child and trying to distract her from the horrible genocide going on around her. I love the depth of Thanos and it really makes you think would you be able to make a decision like that?

We have seen these sort of decisions before, just to name a few:

  • Avengers Assemble – Iron Man flying through the wormhole
  • Civil War – Should Wanda’s powers be allowed?
  • Guardian’s of the Galaxy – They all handle the power stone to save the world, not just Quill.
  • Doctor Strange – Protecting the Time Stone, regardless of anything else.

Another theme I like following through the timeline is the Ironic role of Wanda’s powers. Scarlett Witch was given her powers after undergoing tests using the Mind stone with her brother. (RIP Pietro!)  Her powers have been up for discussion numerous times, especially in Civil War when the Accords are draw up because of her. Ironically now she is the only person who can destroy an Infinity Stone, a decision (See trending theme!) she has to make sacrificing Vision, who possesses the Mind Stone to stop Thanos.

Now it comes down to the main discussion this film has brought about.

Who is Alive?!?!  Who is Dead?!??

Just as in the world when Thanos clicks his fingers and kills off half of the population, we lose half of our Avengers! I expected to see some deaths but this many no way! I may have cried…no judgment! In my defense it is heartbreaking to see your favourite characters disappear into dust, damn you Christopher Markus & Stephen McFeely. As the screenwriters for part two as well, they have a lot to answer for!

SURVIVORS

TEAM ALIVE

VICTIMS

TEAM DEAD

It isn’t just the Avengers we lose. In the Post credit scene we see Maria Hill and Nick Fury also succumb to the new world order. Before they do Fury, being Fury, makes one final call for help using an ancient pager displaying a blue and red signia.

CAP MARVEL

This is the symbol of Captain Marvel! Oscar winner, Brie Larson signed up to the role which has its own movie currently being filmed and due for release in March 2019. We already knew that she was going to be featured in Avengers 4 and this is our confirmation! We are going through big changes as we head into Phase 4 and a lot of the current cast have fulfilled their contracts and won’t be coming back to the universe after Avengers 4 – We are going to be introduced to exciting new characters. As much as it is going to hurt to lose our fan favourites, I know as a fandom we are going to embrace the next chapter.

Before I finish as usual Marvel has given us some great one liners and I couldn’t resist sharing some of my favourites.

Favourite Quotes:

“I am Groot.” “I am Steve Rogers.”

“Oh, screw you, you big green asshole! I’ll do it myself!”

“What’s the matter with you, kids? You’ve never seen a spaceship before?”

“Dude, you’re embarrassing me in front of wizards.”

“ Kick names, take ass.”

Groot: [in a mocking tone] I am Groot. Peter Quill: Whoa! Drax: Wow. Peter Quill: You got some acorns on you, kid. Rocket Raccoon: Ever since you got a little sap, you’re a total D-hole. Now, keep it up and I’m gonna smash that thing to pieces!”

Rocket Raccoon: You speak Groot? Thor: They taught it on Asgard. It was an elective.”

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Directors: Anthony Russo & Joe Russo

Cast: 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, Danai Gurira, Letitia Wright, Dave Bautista, Zoe Saldana, and Chris Pratt

Crew:  Kevin Feige (Producer), Christopher Markus & Stephen McFeely (Screenwriters), Alan Silvestri (Music)

Genre:  American Superhero

Rating: 12A