If there’s one thing that just so happened to dominate my social media feeds this weekend when it comes to Avengers: Endgame, it was the shared memory we all took part in, when it comes to how we were introduced to the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and that honestly should come as no surprise. For eleven years ago, on a weekend in May, we all stepped through the doors of our local theater to see a comic book film that quite frankly, transformed our lives in ways we never imagined. Because Iron Man was a film unlike any other, we’d ever seen, since it was a superhero movie, that was actually good!
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I mean, come on, the acting was top notch, the special effects took our breath away, and for the first time ever, it seemed as though someone actually cared about giving comic book characters the respect they deserve on the silver screen and well…what made this movie so transformative is that it signaled the beginning of a long and magnificent journey. For the MCU delivered one incredible motion picture after another following this blockbuster, each one bigger than the last and each one improving in quality and design, and they outright sucked us in as they provided us with adventures that ignited our imaginations and captivated our hearts and now, twenty-two magnificent films later, we’ve come to the end of this powerful journey and really, the big question that hovers over Endgame, is whether or not it is a worthy conclusion to ‘The Infinity Saga’, and the short answer is, you’re damn right it is.

In fact, I’m ready to declare it as the finest superhero movie I’ve ever seen, for quite a few reasons and the first one on my mind is the sheer fact that this is hands down the biggest superhero movie I’ve ever had the pleasure of watching. I mean this sucker is epic through and through, with action scenes that left my jaw on the floor and while that was impressive in its own right, what I truly appreciated about the action and adventure present in this film, is how it made me feel like a kid again. For there are sequences here, that are ripped straight out of my childhood, and likely the childhoods of others, since I know I’m not the only one who would make seemingly impossible moments happen with their superhero toys in the basement or the yard and those moments come to life in this motion picture and that truly sends your heart soaring and the wonder of this film doesn’t end there. 

Because this is also a finale that has a lot of heart, and emotion and I really appreciated the fact that it knew how to balance everything perfectly. For the jokes work exactly when they need to, and they’re a welcome respite from the breathtaking action and they also help to break up the more emotionally powerful moments present in this story and it is important to mention that Endgame is going to tug on your heartstrings and bring tears to your eyes and quite frankly, the less we say about that the better, because you need to experience that first hand. But what matters more about this emotional roller coaster ride, is that it also manages to move you by paying tribute to the saga itself by way of some delightful Easter eggs, the kind that remind you of every wonderful moment you’ve enjoyed over the past decade and those lovely little surprises bring a smile to your face and they serve as the gateway to the film’s best asset, it’s heroes.
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For this, is their finest hour, this, is when the Avengers finally become heroes. And I know what you’re thinking, ‘John, they’ve ALWAYS been heroes!’ and that is justified, but only half true. Because over the course of this long and winding journey, we’ve seen all of their flaws on display, and we’ve seen them battle one another and themselves as a direct result of their fears and insecurities. But here, they put all that aside because there is so much at stake, and it is simply breathtaking to see every last one of them, put the mission and innocent lives above anything else, and watching them transform before our very eyes into the heroes we know in print is simply a thing of true beauty and seeing them come together and battle evil as one, is an outright rush, one that invests you the story completely, since you want nothing more than to see them save the day.

All of these elements make this movie, outright perfect, and the story moves with such beautiful urgency that you never once notice its three-hour run time. But what matters most, is that in many ways, it’s obvious that this story is a thank you to all of the fans who stood by these films, and watched every single minute of this grand and sweeping saga with glee, and our reward for our loyalty, is everything we could have asked for and more from a superhero movie. Because this is the big one, the one that will be talked about and shared for generations due to the fact that it accomplished wonders and honestly, I have no idea how Marvel will ever top this one, and I genuinely hope, they don’t try. For this movie, and the ones that came before it are truly special, and trying to replicate their magic would be downright silly. But, before we move into a bold new future for the MCU, it’s best you see this grand finale of the Infinity Saga in theaters as soon as possible and as often as possible, in order to once again enjoy the magic and the wonder of childhood dreams, come to life…   

I think it is safe to say at this point, that geeks and nerds everywhere are finally starting to wonder, what is going to become of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Because whether we like it or not, this particular chapter in cinematic history is truly coming to a close, for in film and television, nothing lasts forever. Actors age. They desire time with their family, and they want to continue to create new and memorable characters in other stories because the human mind needs that kind of growth, meaning that soon, we will bid farewell to Chris Evans and Robert Downey Jr. and any other actor like that would like to move from the roles they helped to bring new life to.
 
Which means that new heroes and stories will take their place as these talented actors move onto the next phase of their life, which brings us back to my initial question, what comes next for the MCU? Well, it would seem that Marvel and Disney, and quite frankly, competitors such as DC have come to realize that the market is ripe for new heroes and new stories, the kind that inspire people from all walks of life and leave the audience thinking long after the screen has faded to black, and the marked success of both Black Panther and Wonder Woman helped to lay the foundation for the arrival of what is hands down one of the most refreshing superhero films in years, Captain Marvel. 
 
Now that’s a statement that I am certain will raise a few eyebrows because it’s no secret that there is a segment of the movie going nerd population that firmly believes that movies in this vein, you know, the kind that feature a female superhero, have no place in this market and have made their voices loud and clear that they believe this movie is simply no good, and I am here to tell you, that they are flat out wrong. Because Captain Marvel actually has a lot to offer for a superhero film, starting with the sheer fact that it is just outright fun. Every single moment here is just a blast to sit through, and the action, the comedy and the breathtaking visuals make the movie’s two hour run time simply fly by.  

​But there’s more than mere chills and thrills to be found in this motion picture. Because I made mention of the fact that Marvel is attempting to be a touch more cerebral with its films and that definitely applies here. For the overall plot involving the battle between the Kree and the Skrull has familiar overtones, the kind that quite frankly serve as a parallel to our current world and America’s war on terror and how sometimes, an unjust war can lead to the creation of an insurgent enemy, one that is eager to fight back and expose the fact that the ‘good guys’ aren’t as noble as one might think. And while I understand that’s not perfect social commentary by any means, since it is broad and sweeping, for the MCU, a series that is just now getting into such matters, that’s a solid start and a step in the right direction.
 
However, the centerpiece of this story, is Captain Marvel, who by the way is played brilliantly by Brie Larson, and she stands out simply because, her character is given the upmost respect in this story. For her strength and her abilities are never brought into question, and she never needs a man to save her, nor is she sexualized or treated as a pretty object. She’s a hero, plain and simple, one that goes on a complete journey in this tale and one that saves the day in epic and satisfying fashion and really, this is something supremely overdue when it comes to female superheroes on screen and I hope this story serves as the blueprint going forward, because there really does need to be more inclusive films like this one, regardless of the hot air the naysayers are blowing.
 
If anything, it’s safe to call Captain Marvel a flawless superhero film, simply because you walk out of this one with your spirits soaring thanks to its breathtaking visuals and genuinely pure message that reminds us to simply be good to one another and well, I outright loved this film and it is one I highly recommend. Because you simply cannot go wrong with a movie that gets everything right when it comes to the superhero genre, and breaks new ground when it comes to inclusivity, and this entertaining ride is the kind of motion picture that leaves you pondering on it for days and if anything, this movie makes it clear that the future of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, is going to be a bright one indeed.    

While this has been quite the prosperous era for nerds and geeks everywhere it comes to superhero movies on the big screen, I have to fully admit, that I’m reaching a point where I’m experiencing a touch of superhero fatigue. If that means I need to turn in my ‘nerd card’ or be lectured on the fact that I’ve waited a lifetime for this and should settle in and enjoy it, well then lecture away, and I’ll mail in my card. Because the fact of the matter is, it is entirely possible to find one’s self burned out on the things that you love, and you know what? It’s totally okay to step away and take a break from those very things in order to maintain your joy for them.
 
It’s why quite frankly, I’ve put my mind on a superhero diet. One where I’ve avoided those types of films and shows for that matter, so that I don’t find myself bored or resentful of a genre that was neglected on the silver and small screen when I was growing up and this little hiatus if you will, also led me to do the unthinkable, since I took my time in seeing Avengers: Infinity War, becuase I skipped seeing it on opening weekend, and many subsequent weekends after, simply because I didn’t feel the time was quite right to settle in and watch this sprawling epic just yet and in the end, I’m quite glad I made this decision for a couple of reasons.
 
First and foremost, by staying away from this film for as long as possible, absence did indeed make the heart grow fonder because I finally felt compelled to head to the theater to watch this movie and second to that, this little hiatus, allowed for me to truly enjoy what is one of the finest films that I’ve ever seen when it comes to the now eleven year old Marvel Cinematic Universe because Infinity War is simply a joy to watch through and through for just about every single nerdy reason imaginable since hey, all of our favorite heroes finally cross over and hang out together for a couple of hours, a moment we’ve all been waiting for. 

Plus, this was one of the most important moments in Marvel history in print, so to see it come to life on the big screen is nothing short of magical and while many liberties have been and will continue to be taken by Marvel Studios for this adaptation who cares? Because we get to see Captain America, go toe to toe with Thanos in this film. We get to see Tony Stark battle his demons to try and save the day and really, that’s the first major element that allowed for me to enjoy this film so much; the fact that everyone in this film worked so hard to save lives and be the best heroes possible, and I loved that, simply because that kind of nobility is why we look up to these characters in the first place and it was nice to see that on display once again.
 
But, really, the crowning achievement when it comes to Infinity War, is how the movie manages to truly make superhero movies exciting once again and it accomplishes that impressive feat, by way of some utterly breathtaking action sequences. Because the action and adventure in this film are an absolute feast for the eyes and they remind us that this is why we came out see Iron Man in the first place eleven years ago, simply so that we could see the impossible become possible right before our very eyes and truthfully, after settling in to watch this utterly epic film, I have to admit that I was immediately ready for another viewing.
 
Which I suppose means, that perhaps my superhero fatigue is finally on the mend and I guess I shouldn’t be surprised that an Avengers film would be the anthesis to such sour feelings because Marvel just knows how to tap into the magic of the superhero genre and this film is proof of that since it features something for everyone. You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, and you’ll be left in awe in another incredible MCU movie and if by chance you’ve waited to see this one, take the time and check it out, you’ll be glad you did and if you’ve already seen it, well then I’m sure you’ll be doing the same thing I’m planning to do, and watch it one more time before we all see this important chapter in nerdy history come to a close in Avengers: Endgame.

I kicked off my Presidents’ Day Weekend last year by seeing Black Panther… and then I spent much of the rest of that weekend thinking about the film. Poignant, action-packed, and deep, Black Panther firmly plants King T’challa on the Mount Rushmore of Marvel’s best movies.
 
Just four days into its release, Black Panther cleaned house and broke records at the box office. It totaled $235 million domestic, including a $60 million Sunday that ranked as the second-highest grossing Sunday all time. (Not to take a shot at Justice League, but the DC Comics venture totaled just $228 million throughout its entire run!) Among other records, Black Panthercame in as the highest-grossing opening weekend for a Black filmmaker, the biggest solo superhero launch ever, and the biggest pre-summer opening weekend.
 
The staggering number of moviegoers is matched by the quality of the movie itself. Leaving the theater, there were two words floating around my mind as I attempted to sum up the experience: ‘breathtaking’ and ‘smooth’. The more I reflected on it, the more I felt like those two words capture a great deal of the movie.
 
First, let me get a relatively unimportant - and unrelated - thought out of the way. As Back to the Future is my favorite trilogy, I have to geek out and mention that THERE WAS A BTTF PART IIREFERENCE!!! It made me immensely happy.
 
Back to Black Panther. Let’s start with the ‘breathtaking’. T’Challa wasn’t wrong when he said flying into Wakanda ‘never gets old.’ The establishing shots of the nation are stunning and the beauty only increases the deeper you go. Production designer Hannah Beachler and costume designer Ruth Carter did an award-worthy job in giving substance to the landscapes and people of Wakanda. The attention to detail, vibrant colors, and beautiful costumes lent to the overarching visual style that brought Wakanda to life. Finding a balance between bustling cityscapes and the rivers, mountains, and jungles, Wakanda is the perfect backdrop for the action that lies within.

How conflicts and fights are captured can make or break how well a superhero movie makes the jump from comic book pages to the silver screen. The fights in Black Pantherwere top-notch, flowing seamlessly - yet powerfully - and keeping you firmly on the edge of your seat. And, obviously, the Vibranium-loaded Wakanda is going to bring the heat when it comes to tech and gadgets. The movie boasts the best technology seen in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The movie literally took my breath away. When the credits started rolling, I was left speechless, contemplating not only what had just taken place but when I would see it again.
 
Now, onto what made the movie so ‘smooth’. Director Ryan Coogler put together a wonderful movie. As we sit 18 movies deep in the MCU, it can be a little hard for new movies - especially new solo character launches - to make their own way without slogging through all of the connections that need to be made and loose ends to be tied up. But Black Panther stands on its own with the perfect mix of backstory and plot-progressing elements. Any flashbacks or exposition are inserted smoothly. Coogler’s movie is paced tremendously well. Even Stan Lee’s cameo is one of the smoothest and most naturally hilarious appearances to date!
           
The movie excels because of its star-studded, talented cast and their chemistry. Michael B. Jordan’s ‘Killmonger’ explodes into the movie with a memorably badass scene. Then, you can feel the tension between he and Black Panther when they first come face-to-face. Killmonger finishes among the best Marvel villains ever. King T’Challa’s sister, Shuri, is Marvel’s best and brightest genius. Between her knowledge, inventions, and quick-witted comic relief, Shuri has a promising future in Marvel films. The powerful Nakia, played by (the also powerful) Lupita Nyong’o, is a master fighter and intelligence operative. Her ideals and morals play into the politics of the story. Between Killmonger, Shuri, and Nakia, I almost felt a little bit bad for the title character; they outshined him often! The depth of the cast and characters, as well as their storylines and script, were what made this movie so strong.
 
I’ve raved on about Black Panther without yet getting to what is perhaps its greatest quality: its real-life cultural impact. The theater I saw the movie in was filled with people diverse in race and diverse in age; it was truly great to see. When I heard Selena explain the trials of what it’s like being Mexican-American or when I recently saw Mexican culture through the Pixar-lens in Coco, I felt represented. As Wonder Woman showed us what a strong female protagonist could look like, Black Panther could make room in the universe of pop culture for communities that have been traditionally marginalized by the media. A film with a strong Black cast, led by a Black filmmaker and crew, focused on royalty in Africa is already inspiring the next generation. The movie does not back down from its opportunity to be important either. It embraces its role and provides a brilliant social commentary that is as significant today as it ever has been in the United States.

If you haven’t had the chance to see it yet, Black Panther is a movie I would emphatically recommend. In fact, it’s a movie that should be watched twice or more. The number of layers and interconnected storylines it puts forward deserve to be revisited. It is easily a top-5 (if not top-3 or top-1) Marvel movie. Welcome to the party, King T’Challa. Wakanda forever!

A funny thing happened to me on the way to this review. I actually read another review, which stated, and I’m paraphrasing, that the change in Chris Hemsworth’s Thor in this movie, has less to do with the progression of Thor in the storied continuity of Marvel Studios films, and more to do with Chris Hemsworth himself. Since the original Thor dropped in 2011, Hemsworth has been a leading man in deeper dramas, nuanced comedies, and nearly any vehicle the wild land of Hollywood could possibly think of. It makes sense, that once the third single-named Thor film was slated for production, with a new director and script writers, that we certainly wouldn’t see a retread of Thor: Son of Odin, invincible and Shakespearean-spoken god of the original film. Instead, we’d have Thor Odinson, the happy-go-lucky cross-dimensional gent who is just as comfortable punching a frost giant as he is rooming with an Australian office worker named Darryl.
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And while it might be unseemly for a film critic to get all mushy, this is precisely what puts these Marvel films on a grade above any other studio attempting the whole continuity thing. When we first meet Thor in this film, he’s caught in a net and being held aloft by a greater demon named Surtur. (Voice of Clancy Brown) Having not forgotten his lesson to keep his emotions inward, he essentially recaps where he’s been in continuity while projecting on a singed skeleton, then effortlessly dispatches the demon.

Believing he’s already thwarted the apocalyptic event known as “Ragnarok,” he then takes to handling family affairs, first by kicking his estranged brother Loki (Tom Hiddleston) off their father’s throne, then by touching base with Odin (Anthony Hopkins) back on Earth. Odin, surprisingly, furthers the prophecy of Ragnarok by passing away of old age, thus releasing Thor and Loki’s third sibling, The Goddess of Death, Hela (Cate Blanchett). In a single, swift movement, Hela destroys Mjolnir and flings Thor and Loki into deep space.

This is where, predictably, stakes are raised, and conflicts are brought into play. Thor and Loki find themselves on the Gladiator-esque planet of Sakaar, ruled by The Grandmaster, as played by Jeff Goldblum, as eccentrically as…Jeff Goldblum. Thor has to learn how to survive in a world where things aren’t as effortless as they usually are, and Loki has to learn how to seek a path that doesn’t involve his usual sneakiness and backstabbing. Meanwhile, Tessa Thompson enters the gathering as Valkyrie, a disillusioned former Asgardian who now prefers drinking and sport to her loyalty to the kingdom, and, famously we have Mark Ruffalo as The Hulk, far estranged from Earth and happily exerting himself as Sakaar’s greatest champion.
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To speak any more than that about the plot would bring across too many spoilers, but suffice is to say, the mixing of all these different elements, along with the million dollar CG and original film’s cast (Tadanobu Asano, Ray Stevenson, Zachary Levi, and Karl Urban) you get the feeling that this film is a John Byrne-level takeover of the tones and themes that existed in the other two films. While Asgard was a place of gilded castles and floating waterfalls, the acid-tone aesthetic of this film juxtaposes that with visuals you’d expect to see on a Styx album cover. There’s also no escaping comparisons between this and Marvel’s OTHER current box office draw, Guardians of the Galaxy. That film has gone beyond the Thor series in shaping what the Marvel Comics version of outer space is supposed to look like, and it’s a thrill to see director Taika Watiti sip of the sweet rainbow water of that universe.

There really isn’t much more I can fill: it’s a great film. You should go see it, if you haven’t already. The Marvel Comics cinematic universe astounds again, and you’ll enjoy far more than your bucket of popcorn by watching it. 

In Spider-Man: Homecoming, Peter Parker swings the franchise into a tattered version of New York City reeling from the exploits of the Avengers. The movie grounds itself in reality as average people must deal with the ramifications of superhero conflicts. Day to day life for everyone, especially for Parker and Adrian Toomes (a.k.a. Vulture), has shifted because of 'The Incident' as the Battle of New York has left parts of the city destroyed and littered with Chitaurian weapons.
 
Homecoming succeeds because of its ability to immerse itself in the Marvel Cinematic Universe while still taking a step back at the same time. The MCU is currently 16 movies and six TV series deep. The action seemingly runs nonstop in each new film or show that comes out, especially those centered on the Avengers. But Homecoming feels like a nice break from the action. While it is still closely tied to the goings-on of the Avengers and Captain America: Civil War, it really does feel like you’re hanging out with a chipper 15 year old discovering the capabilities of his superpowers.
 
Homecoming is also refreshing in its avoidance of origin stories, proving that we don’t need to see another spider bite, hear a lecture on power and responsibility, or witness the death of Uncle Ben again to be caught in the web of our friendly neighborhood Spider-Man’s tale. Instead, we catch up to Peter Parker fresh off of his acceptance into the prestigious Stark internship (a.k.a. stealing Captain America’s shield after being recruited by Iron Man). He doesn’t have his Spidey senses and he’s still exploring the full potential of his suit and powers, but he’s ready to jettison his high school classes and save the world.

​Tom Holland did a fantastic job of bringing Parker to life as a quirky, eager teenager still figuring everything out. Scenes where he is (unsuccessfully) attempting to web-swing around or where he is testing the suit’s features are particularly entertaining. He nails the classic Spidey humor and one-liners we’re used to, while coming off as a charming and relatable hometown kid. Holland based his interpretation of Parker on Michael J. Fox’s Marty McFly from Back to the Future, a decision that perfectly lends itself to the personality of both Spidey and his alter-ego.
 
The movie did well in an area where other recent Marvel and DC ventures have fallen a bit short: casting and developing a solid, well-rounded villain. Michael Keaton is outstanding in most any role he climbs into and his turn as Vulture is no different. He emerges as a deep character with a clear and understandable motive, a departure from beams from the sky, amorphous blobs, and other 'meh' villains. Keaton is downright terrifying in some of the scenes he appears in, especially as the movie intensifies.
 
Folks that were disenchanted by the idea of another Spidey reboot should be pleased to know that Homecoming feels less like another slog through the same movie and more like a new and refreshing separate entity. Take great actors bringing these fictional characters to life, throw in an intense story, cool action sequences, emotion, and humor, then top it off with a dash of references and other Marvel characters you know and love, and you’ve got Spider-Man: Homecoming. That’s without mentioning that the movie is full of fun Easter Eggs from the Spidey-verse, MCU, and comics. Check out the list below for some of my favorites!

1. I was really hoping for a Miles Morales tie-in when Homecoming was announced. When Donald Glover was cast in an unknown role, I was hopeful but unsure of how they would pull it off. Luckily, Glover did deliver a Miles Morales connection that you may have missed. Glover’s character, Aaron Davis is known as a cat-burglar named 'Prowler' in the Ultimate Marvel comics (and on screen, listed as an alias next to his name). He mentions that he wants Chitauri weapons out of the neighborhood because he has a nephew who lives there. Aaron Davis’ nephew? Miles Morales.

2. I LOVE that Marvel was able to beat DC in bringing the Invisible Jet to the big screen.

3. The impact of the Avengers is felt in everyday life. So much so that Peter Parker’s history teacher includes the Sokovia Accords in his classroom lecture.
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4. Captain America’s goofy gym class and detention instructional videos are a treat. I think Hannibal Burress is hilarious in everything he’s in, and he does a lot to complement those videos as the school’s gym teacher.

5. Peter Parker’s principal is the grandson of Jim Morita, who was a member of the Howling Commandos, the World War II unit Captain America led.

​6. Moving day is pretty exciting for the Avengers. When shipping off boxes to the new Avengers headquarters, Happy Hogan mentions Tony Stark’s Hulkbuster suit, a prototype for a new Captain America shield, and Thor’s belt Megingiord.

7. Nacho from Better Call Saul is now in the MCU! Michael Mando is set up for a bigger role as Scorpion, complete with a tattoo of the arachnid on his neck.

8. Welcome back, Pepper Potts!

9. Minor comic character Jason Ionello and Daily Bugle employee Betty Brant are back in high school! They co-host the school’s morning news show.
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10. The film gives a funny nod to the iconic upside-down Spider-Man kiss between Tobey Maguire and Kirsten Dunst. ​

Well, here it is: the continuing adventures of Gamora, Rocket, Groot, Space Chris Pratt and Space Dave Bautista.

Let’s be perfectly honest here, my opinion of this movie does not in any way matter. You likely heard that this movie was about to come out, and in that small, simple, gleeful part of your mind, you had already bought tickets. And although it sounds like I’m already setting this review up for a fall, I have to admit, it is positively wonderful to me that you would have that sort of reaction. When the plans for the second phase of the already admired Marvel Cinematic Universe came out, and included this as the first film, to be followed in a year by Ant-Man, a lot of us jaded comic book geeks thought that Marvel Studios was using a dead pigeon inside a salt mine to beat a dead horse. It was to the credit of the studio to ultimately make those two eccentric choices work, and while Ant-Manmerely succeeded as a film that was better than any film based on Ant-Man could be, Guardians completely blew us out of the water.

The reasons why are myriad and worthy of deep film analysis pieces in the immediate future, but I think that the main reason why is fundamental: Director James Gunn is capable of providing a film that works both the intimate character arcs of its multi-talented cast and the forward momentum of its general plot simultaneously. He understands that his characters motivate the story, and the story is intended to reach a conclusion based upon the collaborative realizations of each of its main characters. It’s a dynamic that superhero films have been trying to get right since their inception, and Gunn wades through the marathon provided by the concept in a way that makes it look all so simple.

This brings us to Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, a movie that expresses, even in its title, that it is merely 136 minutes of a film franchise that could potentially plow ever on into infinity without catching a breath. The only attention we need to regard its prequel is the fact that our plucky group of space-rogues has spent their time off screen running from the Kree (you know, the blue guys that tried to murder everyone on an  entire planet in the last movie) and the slightly more deadly band of space rogues known as the Ravagers, still led by Star-Lord’s foster father Yondu (Michael Rooker). While attempting to secure a bounty on another previous villain, Nebula (Karen Gillian), they succeed in honking off yet another alien race, the golden-skinned Sovereign, led by Ayesha (Elizabeth Debicki), and find themselves traveling randomly out of the way in the universe in order to dodge her fleet. In the midst of a firefight, they are randomly saved by a single-manned spacecraft, revealing within an undeniable candidate for Star-Lord’s alien father, who is played by Kurt Russel and goes by the name of Ego.

Now, those of us who know our decades of Marvel lore know Ego as a living planet, a relatively minor villain who is only encountered by celestial superheroes passing him in deep space, but, like seemingly, the series as a whole, this movie does the one thing that takes this relatively obscure villain and turns him into a legitimate threat to the Marvel universe as a whole. While his arc is brought to a close by the end of this film, us admirers of Guardians: Volume 1 know that it ultimately isn’t the story, but the journey that takes us there. In the midst of an adventure that can only conclude with Pratt’s Star-Lord eventually confronting Kurt’s Ego about his shattered childhood, we also get the story of how Bradley Cooper’s Rocket learns to better appreciate his teammates. We get the story of how Bautista’s Drax grips with the loss of his family through the eyes of an equally shy and displaced empathic alien named Mantis (Pom Klementieff). We get the the story of Yondu’s crew questioning the softness of his actions, especially when they pertain to his adopted son Star-Lord. We get the story of wayward sisters Nebula and Gamora (Zoe Saldana) and the life they lived under the heel of still-looming villain Thanos. All of these are plot points that I choose to leave generally unspoiled for the movie, so that you’ll be able to appreciate the scope of how they all neatly glide to this film’s ending. The only character that seems left out of the dynamic progression of this film is Vin Deisel’s Groot, who remains a child and is treated like a child by every member of this cast.

Anything else that can be said about this movie exists in the realm of interesting actor-casts and cameo appearances, of which I’ll name just a few: Sylvester Stallone and Chris Sullivan both play ravagers who have a significant amount of rivalry with Yondu. Then there’s another glance at Howard the Duck, as played by Seth Green. Michael Rosenbaum, Ving Rhames, Michelle Yeoh, and Miley Cyrus appear in a group that you’ll be surprised to see in the post-credits….and Stan Lee is in here too, of course.

The legacy of the Guardians of the Galaxy franchise, no matter how many 'volumes' it has, will be looked back as one of pure cinematic fun and excitement. This film, as it was with the predecessor, doesn’t really need to exist. Disney could easily carry the geeky space-adventure bracket with Star Wars, for cryin’ out loud. Still, this movie manages to do far more than achieve its expectations. We can only hope that both Gunn, his excellent cast, and the hearts and minds of its fans, can continue to put their optimism into this promising franchise for years to come. ​

Over the past few years, we've enjoyed some incredible moments when it comes to the Marvel Cinematic Universe. We watched the Iron Man take to the skies. We watched the Avengers save New York City from the Chitauri Invasion and we even traveled to the depths of outer space to watch a loveable band of misfits save the universe from evil. 

Yet, despite finally seeing comic book movies and characters receive the love and care they should have always enjoyed on the big screen, Marvel's films have always come with a minor but significant flaw...their heroes have rarely had to earn the right to be earth's protectors. Yes, they've suffered, yes ,the stories have become dark...but these were always good men and women, always on the right side of history and the cause. It's a flaw we can certainly overlook simply because hey, the Avengers and explosions...but it's only a matter of time before the fans wonder when we will get something deeper out of our heroes and thankfully with Doctor Strange, Marvel has delivered just that, a hero with some depth.

Because despite the epic, trippy and awesome visuals this film provides, alongside buckets upon buckets of action and thrilling moments...Doctor Strange is at its core, a character study, introducing at last the Marvel Cinematic Universe's first everyman in Doctor Stephen Strange. Stephen is...to put it nicely a classy asshat. He's crass, more than happy to speak what's on his mind without a filter or concern for anyone's feelings. He's arrogant and proud because he knows he has a superior intellect and can do the job better than anyone else but despite the fact he can cut into someone with his words as well as with a scalpel and leave them devastated, much of that is overlooked because Stephen is plain and simple a genius surgeon that can save lives and make it look it easy. 

But while that description of the man seems unappealing to the point where it might be uncomfortable to watch him on screen, have no fear...because that's the beauty of this film. It is a complete journey for Stephen since circumstances put him in a place where he loses his respect and his stature and is reduced to nothing, where a search for healing turns into a search for meaning and because the story takes us down this road of soul searching with Stephen, you're instantly drawn in. We come to find that he really isn't that bad of a guy, just a man filled with a fear of failure...like so many of us are in this world and that...is outright brilliant. 

Because in this film, the hero is forced to earn everything. There's no money to build him a power suit, or a serum to give him super strength. He is just a man, without hope, without direction who will do anything and everything to find his way back into relevancy and one who comes to realize that perhaps he can be something more, that he can make a difference in a different way and that makes this film hands down one of the most refreshing superhero stories in years. Of course it helps that Benedict Cumberbatch is absolutely brilliant in the role and we should thank the stars that Marvel pushed the film's release date back to cast him in this part because no one else could have properly done this character justice, since his performance allows for us to bond with this man once he hits rock bottom and we root for him when we realize he is filled with greatness and is fully capable of pulling off the impossible. 

But perhaps the best magic trick this film surprises us with is that this is a movie that fits in perfectly with its other Marvel counterparts in both mythos and quality for that matter when it seems as though it shouldn't, and perhaps the best way to approach this film before heading in to the theater is to know that it is in the same vein of Guardians of the Galaxy in the respect that it is unconventional in its storytelling and design, but make no mistake about it...Doctor Strange is a wonderful film, one that needs to be seen and celebrated as often as possible for its positive message and for finally allowing an MCU superhero to be like the rest of us, flawed, fearful and filled with potential to change the world when our moment arrives.

I must admit that I was a little hesitant to see what would happen to one of the most powerful stories that Marvel put out when this one was released a few years back. In fact, I even took the time to talk about my concerns about the potential changes to this story, many months before it hit theaters. I wanted to how would the registration act would work, how we would have a battle start between heroes since we have already killed off all of our villains and the lack of villains in the Marvel movies as a whole. But thankfully, I wiped the slate in my mind clean before walking into the theater and I am happy that I did, because the writing team of Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely captured our hearts once again with a fantastic script, along with directors Anthony and Joe Russo who were able to help bring this story to life.

Tony Stark is making a groundbreaking address to the students at MIT, and he announces that all of their projects will be funded for this year. When leaving the school however, Tony meets an upset mother who lost her son in Sokovia during the Avengers battle with Ultron. It is hard for anyone to walk away from a mistake this large, but the Avengers are able to do so without any repercussions. Not ever being confronted by anyone that has lost someone in one of the battles that he has been a part of, this hits Tony where it counts and now after another large blowup in Lagos, he knows that something will need to change. 

Being called in by Thaddeus Ross, the Secretary of State, the Avengers are told to put on the breaks and even though they have saved cities, states, countries, even the world, they need to be governed, especially when it comes to the loss of life in the battles that they are not being held accountable for. Tony and James Rhodes believe that this is the right idea for the team and while being given their orders by the United Nations may not be the optimal situation for the team, they need something to change.  Steve Rogers however has a completely different thought about this and with all of the problems that S.H.I.E.L.D. had encountered in the past and with Hydra still heavy in his mind, he will not take orders from anyone any longer.  Refusing to sign the new Sokovia Accords, any person with advanced powers will have to retire from saving the day and all is well until a bomb goes off at the signing conference in Vienna. 

As footage of the bomber is played on the news, Bucky Barnes is implicated as the sole man responsible, but Steve knows that his old friend cannot be behind it. Wanting to reach Bucky before the authorities do, Steve comes out of retirement and tears up the streets and is joined by another vigilante on the hunt for Barnes, The Black Panther, who is looking for revenge for his father’s wrongful death at the conference. Being apprehended by War Machine, Steve, Bucky and Sam are taken to the holding facility, but they have no idea what problems this has in store for them. While Tony tries again to talk sense into Steve, a new player comes into the game as Zemo is looking for revenge as well and is able to activate The Winter Soldier to kill everyone that stands in his way. Seeing that his friend is in trouble, Steve tries to talk to him, but when Bucky is in his special berserker mode, there is no way to stop him without a fight. 

As sides are picked on who will follow the new rules that the Sokovia Accords have laid out, the battle lines are drawn.  While Tony is looking to follow the rules and be directed to where he needs to be, Steve is trying to do the right thing in his mind to stop the madness that might be unleashed upon the world. Knowing that both sides will need more help, the recruitment for reinforcements begins and while Iron Man is able to locate a new hero known as the Spider-Man, Captain America is able to get Hawkeye out of retirement, free Scarlet Witch from the compound and bring Ant-Man to his side.  While the hunt for Zemo is on the top of Captain America’s mind, he knows that his team will have to go all out to get past his former friends that are trying to stop him. The battle begins and does not end gracefully as the injuries are more horrific than anyone would like to admit, but with a group of Winter Soldiers on ice that are about to be released on the world, Captain America cannot afford to lose any more time, much less friends.
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I was very impressed how this movie was able to pull me in, and even though it did not follow the original story from the comics, it did serve its purpose. Watching as Steve Rogers was willing to be the villain was downright amazing to me, especially in a movie under his shield. I loved watching as every hero was able to use their powers to the fullest and I must admit that a reboot of Spider-Man needs to be done with Iron Man watching over his shoulder, because he is a great snappy character and no movie has been able to capture that side of him properly yet. The characters that we have not seen in the Avengers movie stole the show this time with Spider-Man and Ant-Man, along with Black Panther and there is nothing wrong with that in my mind. One of the things that I have always loved about this Marvel Universe is how they are able to be put into awful situations and still be able to joke about what is happening and while Spider-Man is geeking out, Ant-Man is able to become Tony Stark's ‘conscience’, just fantastic. After all these years though, I am still on #TeamIronMan, just as I was back then, and that stance caused a little Civil War here at NTG since Shae is all about that Cap, but hey, we duked it out on a podcast and everything is better and it has to be, because every nerd out there needs to stand with the Avengers come next week.​

Scott’s Review
It is hard to pull away from something that you really like doing, or something that you are really good at. This is your comfort zone and whether it be for work or fun, you know what you are doing and do not want to stop, especially when you are stressed. Sometimes you are told that you cannot do these things anymore for fear of someone getting hurt, or yourself getting in trouble for moving forward with it. But if you cannot find anything better to do, you always find yourself circling back to it, since it could be who you are and what you really enjoy.

After being released from prison, Scott Lang has only one thing on his mind and that is to see his daughter once again. When arriving at her birthday party, Scott sees that he is not welcome in the house, even though he has been trying to turn his life around with a legit job. After getting fired from his job, Scott’s friend Luis has the perfect opportunity for the struggling burglar to get back on his feet, but when he could tell that it was not a legit job, Scott tries to shy away from it. But knowing that this is the only way that he can make some money to get back on the good graces of his soon to be ex-wife, he has no other options.

Arriving at what appears to be an abandoned house, Scott has no problems in bypassing the security systems and makes his way to the vault. Being able to crack the vault door open with ease, he sees that there is only an old suit in the room and does not understand what the score was supposed to be. Taking the suit and trying it on, Scott is changed into a miniature of himself with an unknown voice in his head and has to make his way out of the apartment without being killed by anything he would consider everyday activities. Being transformed back to his normal size, Scott wants nothing to do with the suit and decides to return it to the house, but the cops are waiting for him upon his arrival. Being locked up, Scott meets the voice in his head, Doctor Hank Pym who gives the convict an option for seeing his daughter once again.

Hank Pym does not like what the future looks like for his company and with Darren Cross at the helm, he can tell that his predecessor has more on his mind than making the world a better place. With his Yellowjacket program in full swing, it is only a matter of time before Cross is able to break the formula to shrink down living beings to go along with the super suit he has created.  Hank needs someone to break in and destroy the project before it gets off the ground and Scott seems to fit the bill perfectly. After some formal training, the burglar is ready to take his new suit on a test drive, but it will take more than his knowledge to make it through alive, he will need help from his little friends. With all sorts of ants at his command, Scott is ready to take down the biggest threat he has ever faced, but will it be enough when he finds out that Cross has cracked the secret of shrinking and enlarging organic matter?

Talk about a shot out of left field for the Marvel Universe. I am very disappointed that I did not get to see this movie on the big screen when it was out since the action scenes are out of this world. With more comedy than most of the movies in the MCU, it still has a storyline that fits the bill of what we have seen in the Avengers franchise. I really enjoyed the interactions between Darren Cross and his mentor Hank Pym, it made for a good reason not to trust the future of the company. But Pym’s daughter and her distrust for Scott Lang seemed to steal the scenes, especially when it is shown that she would make a much more fitting choice for the next Ant-Person. I cannot wait to see what happens with Ant-Man in the upcoming Endgame movie, he is so small you might not get to see him, but I am sure he will be there in all of his underestimated glory. Happy Viewing.

John’s Review
Let's all be perfectly honest. When we all heard that the next big Marvel movie that was coming our way this summer was going to be Ant-Man we all raised an eyebrow. After all, the hard-core fans were surprised that Marvel decided a lesser known character from deep in the vault would be getting their own film and for those who were casual Marvel fans...they had no clue who the heck this guy was. 

So naturally, our surprise led to trepidation. We all wondered exactly what Marvel was up to and well, whether or not the movie would be any good when all was said and done. Well, the good news is, this particular entry in the Marvel Cinematic Universe is not only good...it's absolutely fantastic. And it is one you need to seek out and see as soon as possible if you haven’t yet, and here is why. 

First and foremost, this doesn't feel like a Marvel movie in the slightest. Never mind any mention of the Avengers or S.H.I.E.L.D. or any of the usual Marvel staples, this film takes on a life of its own. That's in large part to the fact that this is perhaps the MCU's simplest story to date. There's no grand threat ready to bring down mankind. No incredible super villain. Instead, this is a story about a thief and his biggest caper yet, one that definitely has implication for problems for the world, but that never takes the center stage 

That's simply because of the fact that Scott Lang is in no way the traditional super hero that we have come to know on the big screen. That's in part thanks to Paul Rudd's excellent performance in the film, but also because of the fact that the character as a whole, is an everyday guy. There's no God like powers here, or vast fortune or gamma radiation. Just a good guy who has made questionable choices, one that he flat out paid the price for and that's extremely refreshing to see in the MCU. This is a guy who is relatable on all levels to the audience and the fact that really Scott's journey is about redemption and second chances, the story is easy to get lost in.  

Either way, I'm damn impressed with what Marvel pulled off with Ant-Man. You get all the things you love about Marvel in this motion picture, there's plenty of action, humor and the sense of adventure we have come to expect, all while reinventing the genre they made famous. After all, they've taken a love-able loser and made him into another amazing hero to look up to. One that may not be as glamorous as Captain America, but is just as noble and just as awesome, and one that helped me realize, that I should put my faith in Marvel to make the right decisions.