Avengers: Endgame (2019)

The wait is finally over. The incredible story that began years ago with the very first Iron Man film - but was most recently continued in Avengers: Infinity War - comes to its final conclusion with this film. And what a conclusion it is: it holds the title of being the only Marvel film so far that has made me cry.

I must be very careful what I write, and how much I tell of the story here, as there may still be people out there who haven’t seen the film yet. Sure, it’s been in cinemas for nearly a week, but not everyone goes to movies the day that they open, and any small detail could spoil the enjoyment or suspense for you.

The story picks up shortly after the final events of Avengers: Infinity War, with Thanos having obliterated fifty percent of all living creatures on Earth. As you may recall if you were among the audience, this also included a large number of our heroes: Spider-Man, Doctor Strange, nearly all the Guardians of the Galaxy, Scarlet Witch and the Wasp, to name but a few.

The remaining Avengers - Captain America (Chris Evans), Iron Man (Robert Downey Jr.), Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson), the Hulk (Mark Ruffalo), Thor (Chris Hemsworth) and Rocket Raccoon (voiced by Bradley Cooper) are desperately seeking some way that they can reverse Thanos’s (Josh Brolin) destruction, bring back their friends and family, and save the world yet again.

We know from the trailer (so this can’t be a spoiler) that there are some new additions to the team who weren’t present during Avengers: Infinity War, namely Captain Marvel (Brie Larson) and brilliant comic-relief character Ant Man (Paul Rudd).

To be honest, I really don’t think I can say any more than that in terms of the plot. I realise that anyone could probably have worked out that much on their own without ever seeing it, but honestly, anything else I say past those few opening scenes would inevitably contain significant spoilers, and I don’t want to do that.

The script for this film, by Christopher Markus & Stephen McFeely is very good, beginning with the incredibly bleak tones one would expect following the events of Avengers: Infinity War, moving on to the attempts to salvage whatever hope these heroes can, to the ultimate conclusion of the film almost three hours later (yes, it is a long film, but there is a lot that has to happen). These writers stay true to the characters at all times, which makes for some interesting - yet satisfying - conflict. The script is infused with just the right amount of humour at various points to provide a welcome break from the serious dramatic nature of the story (I spent a fair amount of the film’s running time in tears, and these funny moments throughout were definitely welcomed).

Trent Opaloch’s cinematography is incredible, with plenty of contrasting moments between light and dark, and beautifully-framed shots of the action sequences. I know I’ve said this before with other comic-book-to-film adaptations, but every frame of this movie (especially the high-action moments) looks just like it could have been lifted straight from the pages of a comic book).

The score, composed by Alan Silvestri, works perfectly with the high-action moments, but also with the moments with less tension and excitement. It may not be as innovative a score as that from Black Panther - another Marvel film - but it is still a beautiful score nonetheless.

The performances of the entire cast (and there is a huge cast in this one) are superb. Hemsworth and Rudd in particular have really stepped up for this final film in Phase Three of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. However, special mention should go to Robert Downey Jr. who, though appearing in basically every Marvel film in the entire MCU, is a far better actor in this film than in any of the others, in my opinion.

Directors Anthony and Joe Russo (who also directed Avengers: Infinity War) have really outdone themselves with this film, bringing us a story that will thrill audiences the world over. Take my word for it, if you have enjoyed any one of the Marvel films (and I mean any single one of them), then you must see this film. If you are able to, see it on the big screen with an audience; it’s well worth the expense.

This is without a doubt the single greatest film Marvel has ever done.

10 out of 10.

Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004)

From the slightly twisted mind of Charlie Kaufman comes a film about the memories that make us who we are.

One day on a train journey he isn’t sure why he is taking, Joel (Jim Carrey) meets Clementine (Kate Winslet), and the two start up a conversation.

Fast forward a little bit, and the two are becoming very close. In fact, things are progressing nicely as far as Joel is concerned.

Then all of a sudden, he discovers Clementine doesn’t want to see him any more. This is an incredibly jarring moment for Joel, and his life as he knows it begins to fall apart very rapidly.

He receives a card in the mail saying that Clementine has undergone a ground-breaking new procedure at the so-called Lacuna Institute – run by Dr. Mierzwiak (Tom Wilkinson), where all memories of Joel have been erased. He is instructed not to try to contact her as this will only confuse and upset her.

After some research of his own into the Institute and the procedure, Joel decides he must undergo the same procedure, as living with memories of Clementine that he isn’t able to act on is just too damn difficult.

But getting rid of memories that in fact make him who he is proves to be more difficult than he had first thought.

Charlie Kaufman’s screenplay is absolutely incredible. There are so many intricately woven subplots and timelines going on here that it is impossible to understand everything that is going on with only one viewing of this film. In fact, having seen it myself at least six times, there is still more and more I discover with each subsequent viewing (And let me assure you, your understanding of the film will change the more times you watch it, too).

Director Michel Gondry, who also seems to specialise in films that are a little more on the surrealist side of reality, is truly in his element here as well. Although this is the only film directed by Gondry that I have seen that he did not write himself, so the tone is very different from a lot of his other projects.

The performances by both Carrey and Winslet are also superb. In my opinion, this is one of the best films Jim Carrey has done, certainly one of the best serious dramatic roles he has portrayed. The cast all seem to be well grounded in the reality of this film, and their portrayals are heart-achingly true to the reality the film creates.

Other notable cast members include Elijah Wood, Mark Ruffalo and Kirsten Dunst as Lacuna employees who turn up to run the procedure on Joel. All three of them bring their own unique skills to their roles, and the three of them work extremely well together.

As already mentioned, this film will give you plenty to think about, particularly on a repeat viewing. It is well worth taking the time to get your hands on; you will thank me for it.

Without a doubt, this is one of my favourite films of all time.

10 out of 10.

Begin Again (2013)

Begin Again tells the story of newly-out-of-work record producer Dan (Mark Ruffalo) and sometime-songwriter Gretta (Keira Knightley) and their endeavours to record and release an album in the outdoors of New York City, after the record company Dan co-founded refuses to sign her.

In fact, the city of New York actually functions as a character of sorts in the film. We are taken on a journey through the many sights and sounds of the city, in a film that must be described as a 'love letter' to the city itself.

Dan's quasi-relationship with his ex-wife (Catherine Keener) and daughter Violet (Hailee Steinfeld) supports the film also, as a subplot that provides further background into Dan's character, portrayed masterfully by Mark Ruffalo (then again, is there any film in which Mark Ruffalo hasn't portrayed his character masterfully? If there is, I'd be surprised)

Gretta has her own backstory/subplot as well, of course. She has recently broken up with her boyfriend, singer Dave (Adam Levine of Maroon 5 fame), and her previous hurts provide great fodder for her songwriting. She lives with long-time friend Steve (James Corden), who also helps out Dan and Gretta with the album, along with a few other colourful characters sourced from Dan's long list of contacts in the music industry.

This film is a wonderfully pleasant way to spend a couple of hours. Yes, it has its ups and downs, but then again, so does life. This film does an adequate job of portraying one particular slice of life for the characters.

Standout performances come from Mark Ruffalo (as previously stated), Hailee Steinfeld and acting-newcomer Adam Levine, who does a pretty decent job of crossing over to film.

The film has a lot of heart, and a lot of great music (as long as it's to one's taste, I guess!)


7 out of 10.

Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015)

This film continues the story of Marvel's Avengers, a film franchise that began with the first Avengers movie in 2012. The film was written and directed by Joss Whedon (creator of Buffy the Vampire Slayer and the spin-off Angel as well as the short-lived TV series Firefly), based on the comic books by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby. In fact, Stan Lee has a cameo in this film, as he often does in films based on  Marvel comic books. Whedon also wrote and directed the first Avengers film, and the cast have all returned, which one would think would bode well for a sequel. 

I admit I have not seen the first Avengers film, nor have I read the comic books. In fact, I saw this movie without ever having seen a trailer or any TV spots, so I went in with little idea of what to expect, other than a superhero movie. I have seen many of the films featuring individual heroes from The Avengers however, so I was a little familiar with some of the main characters.

On to the review itself. The film begins with the Avengers trying to take back Loki's sceptre. While doing so, they are almost thwarted by two new villains: The Twins, Pietro and Wanda Maximoff (Aaron Taylor-Johnson and Elizabeth Olsen).

Returning to their headquarters, they regroup. Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.) and Bruce Banner (Mark Ruffalo) begin working on an AI system they call Ultron, a device intended to help them bring peace to the world. Unfortunately, the system turns rogue and breaks free of the computer and takes up residence in one of Stark's robots (James Spader).

It is now up to the Avengers to defeat Ultron, who initially teams up with The Twins in an effort to destroy the world. 

I must admit, I did not expect to enjoy this film as much as I did. A film so dependent on visual effects might be considered to be lacking in character, story or acting prowess. This is none of the case on any of those three fronts. Then again, when has Joss Whedon ever let his audience down when it comes to character or story?

The final battle sequence is truly something to behold. And, trust me, you will want to sit through the final credits. 

An enjoyable way to spend two and a half hours, and let your mind and imagination be whisked away and thoroughly entertained and amazed. 

7 out of 10.