CAPTAIN AMERICA: CIVIL WAR (2016)

Featuring: Chris Evans; Robert Downey Jr; Scarlet Johansson

Director(s): Anthony & Joe Russo

It seems as if every now and then a bunch of superheros has to jump at each other's throats. So it was with that other Marvel Comics phenomenon, the beloved mutants in the X-Men: The Last Stand (2006). So too was the case recently in DC Comics' Batman vs Superman: Dawn of Justice (2016) and which I reviewed a little while ago. And so is it for Marvel's Avengers in this movie.

After a number of incidents involving the actions of the Avengers resulted in the destruction of property and the death of innocent bystanders that got caught in the crossfire, some world governments want to reign in on the group's powers. While Tony Stark aka Ironman (Robert Downey Jr) can see a degree of sense in it, Steve Rogers aka Captain America (Chris Evans) will have nothing of it. This cause a rift between the rest of the Avengers with some backing Steve and others Tony. Inevitably this leads to war among themselves. The question is: who will win?

Again, nothing that we haven't seen before and even become accustomed to by now. But, hey, who cares? It is still a lot of fun to watch!

I give it 3 out of 5 stars.

Trailer link: 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dKrVegVI0Us

 The opposing sides...

FAST & FURIOUS 8 (2017)

Featuring: Vin Diesel; Charlize Theron; Dwayne Johnson

Director: F. Gary Gray

This remains to be one of my favorite action movie franchises. Even in its eighth guise it does not disappoint or fail to entertain. Sure, it is no pioneering masterpiece but then it was never intended to be any such. Non-stop unadulterated exhilarating fun is what it is.

This time round Dom (Vin Diesel) is forced by bad girl villain Cipher (Charlize Theron) to go up against his old team in order for her to get her pretty little hands on some nuclear missiles. The question is, will he betray his 'family' or will he find a way out of his predicament.

For this movie the whole familiar gang is back plus one or two new faces. The most notable new face however, is none other than that of dame Helen Mirren - and what a treat that is! Again, the story is put together quite intelligently with some interesting twists and turns but simple enough for any thirteen year old (age restriction for this film) to follow. And as expected the action and special effects are absolutely stunning. But for me the baby stole the show...

And that on its own elevates this movie to 4 out of 5 stars!

Trailer link:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uisBaTkQAEs

Toretto's most bad-ass car to date...

THE DARK KNIGHT RISES (2012)

Featuring: Christian Bale; Michael Caine; Tom Hardy

Director: Christopher Nolan

This might be the final film in this particular Batman franchise trilogy but I found it rather wanting. For one it seems to be somewhat of a repeat of Batman Begins just with a different villain. And then there is the unsatisfying ending... almost as if the whole affair so far was a set up for things to come like the pilot episode of a TV series. But we all know nothing ever came; not from Chris Nolan and company anyway.

Since the Batman took the blame for the death of Harvey Dent eight years ago, Bruce Wayne (Christian Bale) became a recluse hardly ever to be seen in public. But then, during one of these rare occasions, his interest is sparked by a mysterious woman called Selina (Anne Hathaway) who turns out to be a notorious cat burglar. And in an attempt to get closer to her he is led into a trap set by a dangerous criminal known only as Bane (Tom Hardy) who is hellbent on destroying Gotham City for once and for all.

Even though there is nothing new or unfamiliar to the recipe for the plot, the movie is gripping and sure to keep you on the edge of your seat. The special effects are spectacular and the action fast and furious... until you come to the final few scenes as already mentioned which is a real let down for an otherwise excellent movie.

Thus, I rate it 3 out of 5 stars.

Trailer link:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g8evyE9TuYk

 Batman's coolest toy yet: the Bat!

THE DARK KNIGHT (2008)

Featuring: Christian Bale; Heath Ledger; Michael Caine

Director: Christopher Nolan

This is of course the movie that posthumously earned Heath Ledger an Oscar. The film was actually nominated for Academy Awards in six categories (mostly technical) and eventually won two: the one for Best Supporting Actor (Heath Ledger) and the other for Sound Editing.

Gotham City is plagued by a crazed criminal mastermind known as The Joker (Ledger). At the same time, the city's new DA, Harvey Dent (Aaron Eckhart), declares war on organized crime and vows to bring all the kingpins to justice. But just as it seems as if he is going to do good on his promise, The Joker strikes back at the heart of the city and it is up to Batman (Christian Bale) to save the day. However, in the process he is forced to make an impossible choice...

In many aspects, this first sequel (in this particular series) follows along the same lines as the first movie, Batman Begins. The main difference lies in Bruce Wayne's sense of purpose. Whereas in the first film he was still very much in search of it, in this one he seems to have found it: as Batman he is the protector of the good citizens of Gotham. But at the same time the question he has to ask himself is if he is prepared to stick to this purpose no matter what.

Again I rate it at 4 out of 5 stars.

Trailer link:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EXeTwQWrcwY

The late Heath Ledger as...                                        The Joker. 

BATMAN BEGINS (2005)

Featuring: Christian Bale; Michael Caine; Liam Neeson

Director: Christopher Nolan

Nobody embodies the spirit and essence of Batman like Christian Bale; not before and not since. And that includes the recent efforts by Ben Affleck in Batman vs Superman: Dawn of Justice (2016). Bale has an intensity about him which is perfect for Batman which cannot be faked, not even by the best of actors. And that makes his particular portrayal of the Dark Knight so much more authentic than anyone elses.

This trilogy of movies starts off with a lost Bruce Wayne (Christian Bale) searching for a purpose in what seems for him to be a senseless existence. And he does so in all the wrong places. So when a mysterious stranger, who goes by the name of Ducard (Liam Neeson), steps into the picture, seemingly to offer him a way out, Bruce decides he has nothing to loose and accepts the offer. But as we all know, if something seems to be good to be true, it usually is. And once this becomes apparent, it is exactly what is needed to trigger and release the bat in the man (so to speak).

And just as Bale is the best suited for the role of Batman, so is Michael Caine in the role of our hero's trusty butler Alfred. Enough said. Watch the movie (perhaps again?) and you'll see what I mean. To my mind this is still the best screen version of this classic DC comic series to date.

Therefor I rate it 4 out of 5 stars.

Trailer link:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=neY2xVmOfUM

Christian Bale