Creed II

CREED II
2018 | Dir. Steven Caple Jr. | 130 Minutes

"Are you here to prove something to other people, or prove something to yourself?"

Viktor Drago, son of disgraced Russian boxer Ivan Drago, challenges Adonis Creed's claim to the world heavyweight title in a bid to repair his family's tarnished reputation. When his beloved mentor Rocky Balboa refuses to train him to fight his dangerously desperate opponent, Donnie nearly loses everything dear to him. Guided by Rocky's wisdom, Donnie finds true motivation to confront the shadow of the past and face the future with a renewed sense of purpose.

Helmed by up-and-coming director Steven Caple Jr., Creed II is a satisfying second act to the story of Adonis Creed. Though the plot follows story beats that mirror the original Rocky sequels, the major events of Donnie's life are handled with a much more nuance and thematic gravity, exploring the pressure to meet expectations, and the burden of maintaining a lasting legacy made more poignant with the concept of fatherhood playing a key role.

While the featured boxing sequences are competently executed, and occasionally downright brutal, they are the least impressive parts of the film, constructed and paced with noticeably less flair than Coogler's exemplary work featured in the first film. The sportscaster commentary running through the key fights is overwrought and distractingly melodramatic at times. Caple's style is up-close-and-personal, and is decidedly the picture's biggest strength, perfect for quiet moments of intimate human drama, drawing excellent performances from the cast particularly in tender scenes centered on Donnie and Bianca.

Through his consistently magnificent performance, Michael B. Jordan handles Donnie's struggle with feelings of inadequacy and self-doubt with sensitivity and considerable skill. Sequences covering Donnie's pain and frustration during the low points of his story are at least as powerful as the obligatory training montages leading up to the climatic fight. As Bianca, Tessa Thompson is once again absolutely magnetic, showcasing her phenomenal range of talent as an actress and as a singer. The chemistry shared between Jordan and Thompson is palpable and, like the first film, this sequel just wouldn't work without this onscreen couple.

Not simply a one-dimensional opponent to pit against Donnie, Viktor Drago's motivation is relatively grounded, slightly complex, and emotionally poignant. Florian "Big Nasty" Munteanu brings Viktor to life with a surprising amount of pathos, establishing the formidable contender as a truly suitable foil to Donnie. Dolph Lundgren reprises his star-making role as Ivan Drago, an exponentially more experienced actor than he was when he initially played the character over thirty years ago, bringing gravitas (and a larger vocabulary) to the part. Munteanu and Lundgren are very convincing portraying an obsessively driven son and his vengeful overbearing father.

Slightly older, slightly wiser, but just as endearingly clumsy with his words and sentiments, Sylvester Stallone comfortably slips back into the role of his best character, albeit with a smaller, less pressing story to tell in this installment. Returning as Mary Anne Creed, Phylicia Rashād is particularly wonderful during an amusing dinner scene shared with Donnie and Bianca early in the film and remains a strong and warm presence throughout. Wood Harris also returns as trainer Tony "Little Duke" Evers in a larger role with more opportunities to demonstrate his seemingly effortless charisma. Though he does his best playing the part of the manipulative fight promoter Buddy Marcelle, Russell Hornsby is somewhat underutilized in the paper-thin role.

While Creed II doesn't reinvent the classic underdog narrative, it offers a familiar uplifting experience like the most nourishing comfort food. Fans of the original Creed and the Rocky series as a whole will find it to be an excellent natural addition to the saga of cinema's most iconic heavyweight boxing heroes.


FRAGMENTS
- Brigitte Nielsen returns very briefly as Ludmilla Drago from Rocky IV, serving as more of a concept than a full character

- In a touching cameo appearance, Milo Ventimiglia reprises the role of Rocky's son Robert last seen in Rocky Balboa

- To claim the title of World Heavyweight Champion, Donnie soundly defeats Danny "Stuntman" Wheeler once again played by real-life boxer Andre Ward returning from Creed

- Ludwig Göransson's excellent musical score builds upon themes he established in Creed and continues to use Bill Conti's Rocky themes in thoughtful and powerful ways; although understandable, it's slightly disappointing that Göransson did not use any of Vince DiCola's music from Rocky IV for the Ivan Drago


SUPPLEMENTAL STUFF
- Video: Ari Lennox "Shea Butter Baby"


007 CONNECTIONS
- Dolph Lundgren (Venz in A View to a Kill)


MCU CONNECTIONS
- Wood Harris (Officer Gale in Ant-Man)

- Sylvester Stallone (Stakar in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 and Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3)

- Tessa Thompson (Valkyrie in Thor: Ragnarok, Avengers: Endgame, Thor: Love and Thunder, and The Marvels)

- Michael B. Jordan (N'Jadaka/Erik "Killmonger" Stevens in Black Panther and Black Panther: Wakanda Forever)

- Florian Munteanu (Razor Fist in Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings)

Ant-Man and the Wasp

ANT-MAN AND THE WASP
2018 | Dir. Peyton Reed | 118 Minutes

"Maybe you just need someone watching your back, like a partner."

After violating the Sokovia Accords, Scott Lang is under house arrest while his allies Hank Pym and Hope van Dyne are forced into hiding. During the final days of his two-year sentence, Scott is begrudgingly recruited by Pym and Hope to embark on a rescue mission. Standing in their way are the FBI, a ruthless illegal tech dealer and his thugs, and a mysterious wraith-like combatant.

Director Peyton Reed delivers a brisk superhero comedy that improves on nearly every aspect of his initial Ant-Man film. Plenty of fun and laughs are to be had from Scott's scale-shifting antics courtesy of a malfunctioning "work-in-progress" suit and Paul Rudd's natural charisma. Hope suits up as the Wasp and is clearly a more capable fighter than Scott, allowing Evangeline Lilly to really shine as the de facto action star of the picture. Together with Michael Douglas' perpetually grumpy Hank Pym, their excellent chemistry carries the wholesome narrative centered on the value of family topped with several layers of humor and semi-nonsensical sci-fi jargon.

Michael Peña, Tip "T.I." Harris, and David Dastmalchian return respectively as chatterbox Luis and his associates Dave and Kurt who've since started a security company perhaps inadvisably named X-Con. While Peña is granted additional screen-time, his comedic stylings are somewhat more tiresome this time around with the notable exception of an extended truth-serum-induced rant. Also returning are Judy Greer and Bobby Cannavale as Maggie and Paxton in much smaller roles. Conversely, Abby Ryder Fortson's Cassie plays a much bigger role, sharing some of the film's most funny and touching scenes with Paul Rudd's Scott.

Though her character is slightly underdeveloped, Hannah John-Kamen does an admirable job as Ava Starr, the tormented Ghost on a desperate mission. As Bill Foster, Laurence Fishburne is underutilized as Ava's surrogate father and voice of reason. Randall Park is perfectly cast as the slightly dopey FBI Agent Jimmy Woo as is character actor Walton Goggins as the slimy Sonny Burch. Michelle Pfeiffer is absolutely radiant in her brief appearance as Janet van Dyne.

All-around, the visual effects are excellent. Ghost has a unique and inspired look as the surrounding translucent images of her waver between the immediate past and present. The prologue of the film and several flashback scenes feature Michelle Pfeiffer, Michael Douglas, and Laurence Fishburne convincingly de-aged digitally. The scale-changing action is taken to an entertaining new level during the climatic chase sequence through the streets of San Francisco as Pym's modified cars shrink and grow to dodge and disable enemy vehicles in addition to the titular heroes' constant size shifts. Though brief, the deep-dive into the Quantum Realm is appropriately trippy.

Ant-Man and the Wasp is a light zippy visually-exciting adventure with real heart. Its loose, fast-paced plot is elevated by a fantastic cast and inspired action. Fans of the first Ant-Man movie, and followers of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, should find this sequel to be more than a worthy continuation of the smaller and larger narrative.


MID-CREDITS STINGER
The Pyms send Scott into the Quantum Realm to collect energy particles but leave him stranded when they unexpectedly...


POST-CREDITS STINGER
Arthropod drum solo during a state of emergency.


STAN LEE CAMEO
Stan the Man's car is destroyed as he reflects on the 60s.


FRAGMENTS
- Bill Foster mentions working on a project called "Goliath" with Hank Pym, a reference to Foster's superhero alter ego in the original Marvel Comics

- Ghost and Sonny Burch are Iron Man foes in the original Marvel Comics


SUPPLEMENTAL STUFF
- Video: Christophe Beck "It Ain't Over Till the Wasp Lady Stings"

Incredibles 2

INCREDIBLES 2
2018 | Dir. Brad Bird | 118 Minutes

"Done properly, parenting is a heroic act... Done properly!"

In an effort to repeal superhero prohibition, telecommunications mogul and superhero fan Winston Deavor approaches Elastigirl with an offer to improve public perception on supers. Mr. Incredible begrudgingly takes on the role of stay-at-home dad while Elastigirl tracks a mysterious mind-controlling villain. Meanwhile, Baby Jack-Jack's unpredictable powers develop at a hilariously alarming rate.

Released over a decade after The Incredibles, Brad Bird's long-awaited sequel is a serviceable superhero movie that's funny and full of heart, but it doesn't quite reach the lofty heights of its predecessor. Helen's solo adventures feature several breathtaking set pieces and action beats, most notably a high-speed chase sequence featuring a custom-built motorcycle tailored to her unique powers and a close-quarters brawl in a cage fashioned with bright mesmerizing strobe lights. However, while there are a couple of neat set-ups involving portal-hopping courtesy of the fresh-faced superhero Void, the climatic set piece aboard a massive speeding ship falls a bit flat.

Bob's character arc taking care of the children is much more captivating than the mystery at the center of Helen's story. The struggling, sleep-deprived father does everything he can to be a good dad to a temperamental teenage daughter, a hyperactive son, and a baby developing new and wild abilities - a situation that is naturally comedic. Jack-Jack's nighttime battle with a raccoon in the backyard is epic and absolutely hysterical.

Holly Hunter, Craig T. Nelson, Sarah Vowell, Samuel L. Jackson, and director Brad Bird reprise their roles without missing a step. Character actor Bob Odenkirk is effortlessly enthusiastic as Winston Deavor while Catherine Keener brings a natural charming and relaxed nature to the role of Deavor's tech genius sister Evelyn. Sophia Bush doesn't leave much of an impression as Void.

Incredibles 2 is a delightful action-packed sequel that works much better as family comedy than as a superhero movie. It just doesn't quite maintain the magical balance achieved by the original picture. All in all, it is a worthy continuation that should please both fans of the genre and fans of Pixar films.


JOHN RATZENBERGER AS...

- The Underminer


A113

- The movie Violet and Tony go to see is "Dementia 113" (a reference to Francis Ford Coppola's Dementia 13), the letters and numbers for A 113 on the right-facing movie theater marquee are red instead of black


PIXAR INTERCONNECTIVITY

- The ball from 1986 Pixar animated short Luxo, Jr. is painted on a piece of furniture in Jack-Jack's Room


FRAGMENTS

- Brad Bird reportedly threw out three scripts for a sequel to The Incredibles before committing to this one

- Actors Bob Odenkirk and Jonathan Banks (who replaces the late Bud Luckey as government agent Rick Dicker) appeared together on the critically-acclaimed television series Breaking Bad and its spin-off series Better Call Saul

- Catherine Keener essentially plays an evil hypnotist once again


MCU CONNECTIONS
- Samuel L. Jackson (Nick Fury in Iron Man, Iron Man 2, Thor, Captain America: The First Avenger, The Avengers, Captain America: The Winter Soldier, Avengers: Age of Ultron, Avengers: Infinity War, Captain Marvel, Avengers: Endgame, Spider-Man: Far From Home, and The Marvels)

Avengers: Infinity War

AVENGERS: INFINITY WAR

2018 | Dir. Anthony and Joe Russo | 149 Minutes

"Perfectly balanced, as all things should be."

Intergalactic warlord Thanos is determined to collect all six Infinity Stones. A defeated Thor teams up with unlikely allies to forge a new weapon to slay Thanos. Stranded in space with company he does not care for, Tony Stark formulates a desperate plan against the unstoppable enemy. To prevent Thanos' invading forces from taking the Mind Stone, Steve Rogers and Earth's mightiest heroes seek aid from King T'Challa and the warriors of Wakanda.

Immediately following the events of Thor: Ragnarok, and picking up the storythreads from all previous MCU movies, Avengers: Infinity War jumps right into the action, offering virtually nothing in the way of exposition. Its biggest flaw as a film is that it simply doesn't work as a stand alone story, but this is hardly a problem for viewers who are already deeply invested in Marvel Studio's shared-universe saga, as this latest chapter of the series was definitely crafted just for such viewers. Taking an astonishing and surprisingly compelling narrative choice, the filmmakers place the heart of the movie in Thanos and his belief that his motivations are purely altruistic, convinced that he is saving the universe in his quest to wipe out half of its population. After only briefly appearing as a vague threat to the heroes for years since the first Avengers movie, this picture is undeniably Thanos' story. While it isn't necessarily the most thought-provoking plot, there's a certain tragic quality to it even taking into consideration the cruel and violent actions taken by him and his underlings. The heaviest theme of this installment as a whole is sacrifice, a theme that is highlighted many times over.

The feature is an action-packed visual smorgasbord. Its lead character, the giant menacing CGI-rendered Thanos built around Josh Brolin's brilliant voice over and motion capture work, struggles to suppress his emotions in order to do what he believes needs to be done. Thanos shows off the unique powers of each Infinity Stone in some truly flashy ways. Though thin in characterization, Thanos' four children voiced are visually distinct and extremely exciting to watch in action as they take on the Avengers and their allies. The creepy Ebony Maw played by Tom Vaughan-Lawlor and Proxima Midnight played by Carrie Coon are particularly notable. Traversing more worlds than any single Marvel Studios picture before, the feature truly feels like a universe-spanning story. The plentiful fight sequences throughout the movie are expertly choreographed, escalating the stakes to near-unbearable levels. The massive multi-front climactic battle, intercutting between several far-off locations, is particularly breathtaking.

Tonally, the picture demonstrates the full range of Marvel Studios' entire eclectic catalogue, occasionally shifting gears rather rapidly. From the first scene and onwards, Thor's journey in this movie is utterly heartbreaking and yet he spends much of his screen time humorously interacting with Rocket and Groot. Tony Stark's frustration in dealing with tag-along Peter Parker, the no-nonsense Doctor Strange, and the all-nonsense Peter Quill undercuts the astronomically high odds against them as they prepare to face the most powerful being in the universe. The tension remains high but the quips and one-liners seldom let up. This may possibly be jarring to some viewers, but it's perfectly consistent with the shared universe's bathos-laden storytelling.

Above all, the filmmakers impressively balance and shuffle the sizable cast of characters. Each hero not only gets their own opportunities to shine but they interact with each other in amusing and surprising ways, too. In no universe would Tony Stark and Stephen Strange ever get along. Peter Quill's intense jealously over his crew fawning over pirate-angel Thor is priceless. When Shuri meets Bruce Banner, she immediately demonstrates that she is brighter than him and all his PhDs. Bucky teaming up with Rocket is a surefire recipe for laughs. Natasha, Okoye, and Wanda form a magnificently formidable trio. While most of the heroes aren't afforded complete character arcs - the story for this one remains focused on Thanos after all - these moments are pure magic just as they were in the first Avengers film.

Epic. There is no other word that adequately describes it. Culminating ten years of multiple shared-universe storylines, Avengers: Infinity War is Marvel Studios' biggest, most ambitious movie yet. It should prove to be an extremely rewarding experience for all longtime fans of the massive multi-picture ongoing cinematic narrative -- and absolutely confounding to everyone else.


POST-CREDITS STINGER
In a moment of desperation, Nick Fury pages an old friend.


STAN LEE CAMEO
Stan the Man is a school bus driver.


FRAGMENTS
- A blue Tobias Fünke from Arrested Development appears in Taneleer Tivan's collection

- Ludwig Göransson's theme for Wakanda from his Oscar-winning Black Panther score plays when we first see Wakanda in this film


SUPPLEMENTAL STUFF
- Video: Alan Silvestri "Forge"


007 CONNECTIONS
- Benicio del Toro (Dario in Licence to Kill)

- Dave Bautista (Mr. Hinx in Spectre)

Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri

THREE BILLBOARDS OUTSIDE EBBING, MISSOURI
2017 | Dir. Martin McDonagh | 115 Minutes

"She got killed, still no arrest. How come, I wonder. Because there ain't no God, and the whole world's empty, and it doesn't matter what we do to each other? I hope not."

Furious mother Mildred Hayes buys ad space in a remote location in the small town of Ebbing, Missouri, to chastise the local sheriff for his inability to solve the case of her teenage daughter's brutal rape and murder. Public opinion quickly turns against Mildred due to the open secret of the sheriff's failing health. As the situation escalates, Mildred acts on her worst impulses, and the most unlikely person in town discovers a potential lead on the case.

Martin McDonagh's Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri is a powerful drama about one mother's absolute refusal to let go as she lives in the unbearable aftermath of an unspeakable crime. While there are comedic moments in the film, the majority of any humor to be had is morbid, and the violence perpetrated in the narrative is sudden and shocking. While Mildred's anger is undoubtedly righteous, the story is one of displaced and misplaced rage, of the products of domestic abuse, and of people uniting under a dubious cause for dubious reasons. The film plays out like a true crime story in which events unfold in an unpredictable manner and easy solutions are nowhere to be found.

The picture's fantastic cast is led by the ever-brilliant Frances McDormand as Mildred, absolutely personifying a thirst for vengeance that severely compromises all logical judgement. Playing a racist, violent, and incompetent white trash deputy who may not be beyond redemption (the unequivocal heart of controversy for the film), Sam Rockwell gives the performance of his career. The cast also features excellent performances from a selection of some of the best character actors available including Woody Harrelson as the dying Sheriff Willoughby, Lucas Hedges as Mildred's wary son, Caleb Landry Jones as the dopey owner of the billboards, Peter Dinklage as a local with an unrequited crush on Mildred, John Hawkes as Mildred's abusive ex-husband, and Clarke Peters as the new sheriff and sole voice of reason.

Grim, funny, often upsetting, but always captivating, Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri is a story of misguided anger and the search for justice and meaning, a search that may never end. The film is challenging, thematically rich, hopeless to a certain degree but hopeful in other ways, and hands down one of the best films of 2017.


FRAGMENTS
- Caleb Landry Jones appears in two Best Picture Oscar Nominees that were released in 2017: this film and Get Out

- Lucas Hedges appears in two Best Picture Oscar Nominees that were released in 2017: this film and Lady Bird

- Kathryn Newton appears in two Best Picture Oscar Nominees that were released in 2017: this film and Lady Bird

- I was particularly thrilled with Clarke Peters' reassuring presence as a straight-shooting lawman, not too far removed from his iconic role as Lester Freamon on The Wire


MCU CONNECTIONS
- Sam Rockwell (Justin Hammer in Iron Man 2)

- Kerry Condon (FRIDAY in Avengers: Age of Ultron, Captain America: Civil War, Avengers: Infinity War, and Avengers: Endgame)

- Peter Dinklage (Eitri in Avengers: Infinity War)

- Christopher Berry (Randy in Spider-Man: Homecoming)

- Kathryn Newton (Cassie Lang in Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania)