Kong: Skull Island (SPOILERS)

The Eight Wonder of the World...

The story of King Kong is a legendary tale. It has been done time and time again. In 2017, the great ape has returned to the big screen once again, though instead of having the same story repeated once again, we were offered something a little different. For the most part, it worked, though there were a few flaws here and there. With that, I will go over what made Kong: Skull Island a success, and what didn't. 

UPS

1. Kong. When it comes down to the most essential item of this film, I think the crew nailed this aspect, because the great ape is freaking awesome!!! Throughout this whole movie, Kong was quite the spectacle to behold (I can only imagine what it'd be like for this Kong to be in the big city,) all while kicking all sorts of ass along the way (he even eats a freaking octopus at one point.) Oh, and the best part is, unlike other versions, this Kong lives. That's right, he lives! I am looking forward to seeing this mighty beast again in future films. 
2. The other monsters were also very cool creatures to behold. To imagine that there is an island filled with so many magnificent beasts would be quite spectacular (though living on that island would probably be a freaking nightmare.) I enjoyed their presence as much as I did Kong's. 
3. John C. Reiley. As much as I enjoyed the rest of the cast (except one, which I'll get to in my downs,) Reiley easily stole the show (though not enough to overshadow Kong.) Throughout the movie, he portrayed a character with an arc that, while having been done a million times before, was done particularly well here. Not only did he provide some of the best comedy in the film, but he was also incredibly badass, and if there's one thing you can't go wrong with, it's a lovable badass, and I think Reiley really pulled that off spectacularly in this film. 
4. The fact that this film knew what it was and made the most of it. This was a very fun adventure that I had a lot of fun experiencing, and all in all I felt like I was on a roller coaster ride that went all out and would not stop. Any movie that could make you feel like that is worth the watch in my book. 
5. The post-credits teaser. That's right; the moment every fan has been waiting for has come at last: Kong and Godzilla will face off! Only this time, it's not just them. There's also Mothra, Rodan, and King Ghidorah. All I'm going to say is, get ready for the Monster Mash!

DOWNS

1. The subplot with Toby Kebbell. Don't get me wrong, I have nothing against Kebbell as an actor, but he was wasted here. He was basically shambling around the jungle in what is basically a lone wolf situation, and while this introduces us to more of the cool creatures of Skull Island as well as showcase Kong's badassery (it is here where we see him dine on some raw calamari,) it adds nothing to the plot and is nothing more than filler, which is solidified when he dies. And one more thing: what was that accent???
2. The fact that it's hard to remember any of the characters' names. Seriously, the only way you're going to remember who's who in this movie is by knowing who their actor is or the fact that their characters are basically monster movie stereotypes. Other than that, be prepared to go "oh no, r.i.p...what was his name again?" half the damn time, cause that's what's going to happen.

OVERALL

Kong: Skull Island is a very fun movie. It's not as good as Logan was and it's not the best Kong movie either (that honor goes to Peter Jackson's 2005 version.) Nonetheless, I enjoyed it, and if you're looking for a movie to have an absolute blast watching, I'd suggest you go give it a shot.

Well that's it for this blog, guys. Next time, I'll review Beauty and the Beast.   

Logan (SPOILERS)

So this is what it feels like...

Best Comic Book Film? Close. Best Marvel Film? Closer. Best X-Men Film? Now we're talking. Best Wolverine Film? HELL YEAH!!! Almost everything about this film was damn near perfect, and in this review I'll go over what made this film work as well as what didn't work so well. With that here we go:

UPS

1. Hugh Jackman and Patrick Stewart both give their best performances as Wolverine and Charles Xavier respectively. This is reportedly the last time both actors are playing these characters in a feature film, and boy did they make the most of it. The amount of pain and loss that these characters have gone through is brought to a head in this movie, and Jackman and Stewart make damn sure that these emotions resonate with the audience. From the beginning of this movie to the end where both these characters are dead (That's right, DEAD!), it's quite the roller coaster and Jackman and Stewart pulled it off spectacularly, with some people going so far as to say they are worthy of Oscars and you know what, I can't help but agree. That said, they didn't have to work too hard because...
2. The entire cast did a wonderful job. From Stephen Merchant to Boyd Holbrook, every actor and actress made the most of what they had, though the real standout in this already excellent ensemble is Dafne Keen, who rivals both Stewart and Jackman as having the best performance of the movie. As Laura/X-23, Keen does a magnificent job just by using her facial expressions to convey her emotions, and when she goes full-on Little Miss Wolverine, all potential enemies beware. That said, when she does speak, we get to understand her more vulnerable and emotional side, with one particular line (you'll know it when you hear it) bringing tears to the eye. A new beginning is arriving, and with that beginning comes a new team, and I would not be surprised to see Ms. Keen lead the way.
3. The tone in this film is quite fitting. It's dark and bleak, but has a glimmer of hope within it. The time of the X-Men is over, and by the end, all remnants of that time are gone. Despite this, there is hope within this dark time, as the torch is passed on to a new team who will pave the way to a new beginning. The end of one era leads to the start of something new, so though things seem down, there's always something there to lift you up, a feeling that I feel Logan captured perfectly.
4. The R-Rating, not because I prefer R-Rated comic book movies, but because I feel it gave Hugh Jackman the chance to really cut loose and portray Wolverine full-on without any restraint. Because of this, we get to experience Wolverine in spectacularly bloody fashion. Though some of the excessive language felt a bit unnecessary, I do appreciate that they want to make Wolverine's last outing as faithful as possible. 
5. And finally, how could I make a list of what was great about this movie without mentioning the Deadpool teaser at the beginning, because no matter what, IT'S FUCKING DEADPOOL!!!

DOWNS

1. The Munson Family subplot. While the scenes the main trio shared with the Munsons themselves were quite touching and helped us breathe a little before the emotional hell that was to come, the subplot featuring them at odds with a group of asshole ranchers felt a little unnecessary and ultimately disrupted the pacing of the film. At least we were treated to a rather memorably gory scene afterwards that featured those guys as the guests of honor ;)
2. X-24. Not the character himself or the concept around him, but what him being used in this film does. As much as I find the idea of Wolverine fighting a younger version of himself to be cool, I couldn't help the fact that using a character such as Sabretooth would be better. Likewise, if X-24 were in a different film (like such as replacing Deadpool in X-Men Origins: Wolverine,) I'd be fine, but considering he's in a film where where he was just introduced about halfway through the film (and by the way, he comes right the fuck out of nowhere) and is responsible for the deaths of two of the most important characters of the franchise, I feel a bit of the impact that goes with their deaths is taken away a bit. This could be my personal bias talking, but that's just how I feel. 

OVERALL
Logan is an amazing film and a great way to start the month of March. James Mangold did a superb job directing it and I hope to see him do more projects for the franchise (an X-23 spinoff perhaps?). As for where it stands among other films in the Superhero genre, it is easily the best X-Men/Wolverine film and quite possibly one of the best superhero movies of all time. As for where it stands in the industry of Marvel, I think I shall make a list for that sometime in the future (probably even sometime this week.) This is a great film that I recommend for anyone...well, except maybe the little ones.

That's it for this blog, guys! Hope you enjoyed it. Next I will review Kong: Skull Island.