Thor: The Dark World movie review

THOR: THE DARK WORLD

Wait, I mean--

THOR: THE DARK WORLD

Better. 

Watching this movie, I could practically feel the fangirls writing fanfiction about Thor and Loki.

Thor: The Dark World is both more of what I loved from the first Thor (which wasn't really much, as I wasn't a fan of it) and a lot of what I love about Game of Thrones, all tossed together, and turned into what the first film should have been. 

Thor: The Dark World begins with the story of Malekith, with some of the most LOTR exposition I've seen in a while. But Lord of the Rings this is not, as Thor: The Dark World quickly becomes what feels like a Star Wars (The Asgardians have LASERS!), Game of Thrones (no duh, Alan Taylor directed it) and of course, The Avengers. There is a true variety of genres in this film, and it feels like multiple people directed. It can get very inconsistent and muddled, where at times, it feels like you're watching a lost clip from the Star Wars movies, then a scene filled with drama that was ripped straight out of Game of Thrones, and then, back on Earth with some really well written and witty dialogue (which I am 99% sure Joss Whedon wrote). 

However, Thor: The Dark World's true purpose is just to give audiences a fun two hours that they can just watch fly by while having a blast. For the first half of the film, I made the mistake of turning my brain on, and then I realized that I was having way too much fun with the film to think. Despite this even, there are still some genuinely unexpected twists in the film that elevated the story beyond being nothing more than an excuse to get the characters from Fight Scene A to Fight Scene B. The story isn't paper thin, but it's not a David Goyer or Christopher Nolen penned one either. And unlike Iron Man 3, this film actually moves the overall plot of the Marvel Universe forward, so stay tuned for those after credits scenes folks!

As usual, Tom Hiddleston absolutely steals the SHOW as Loki, working in some of the film's best scenes. However, thanks to some snappy dialogue and actors and actresses that completely sell it and have fun with their roles, it doesn't die down whenever the God of Tricks isn't on screen. I particularly enjoyed Zachary Levi as Fandral (who does an excellent job taking over from Josh Dallas), Jamie Alexander as Sif who's a complete badass, and even Kat Dennings as Darcy, who actually made me chuckle quite a bit. And a shout out to Stellan Skarsgard, who reprises his role as Erik Selvig, who has gone completely insane and... Well, I'm just going to say Anthony Hopkins in Red 2 doesn't even hold a candle to this guy. The only character I didn't really warm up to was Christopher Eccleston (THE MOTHAFRIGGIN DOCTOR) as Malekith, though I can't really blame him, he wasn't really given much to work with in the beginning. 

The film's action sequences are some of the best this year. The action has almost everything your inner 10 year old would love (except for giant robots, go see Pacific Rim). There are airship battles that would be right at home in a sci-fi film, large scale battles (more Game of Thrones influence), and close combat with superpowers. 

The humor in this film works really well also. Just like the Avengers, it has just enough to keep the movie from becoming a Christopher Nolan brood fest, but it never goes overboard, like with Iron Man 3. Oh yeah, and there is a gut bustingly funny cameo about halfway through the movie so... 

While there were flaws I found with Thor: The Dark World, it was some of the most fun I've at the movies since 2 Guns earlier this year. While this definitely isn't Gravity or Man of Steel, this film is mega enjoyable, and you will not regret watching it. 

VERDICT: 3.75/5

+ Great cast

+ Stellan Skarsgard... What the hell, man

+ Tom Hiddleston, of course

+ Tons of fanservice for comic fans

+ Variety of action setpieces

+ Great balance of humor and seriousness

- Malekith isn't a very exciting villain

- Inconsistent tone with the film

- (not really a complaint) Since when  did the Asgardians have Star Wars tech?

Green Arrow #25 review

GREEN ARROW #25

By Jeff Lemire and Andrea Sorrentino

Ladies and gentlemen... The beard is back.

Green Arrow #25 does exactly what I wanted a Zero Year tie-in to do. It doesn't exactly push the story forward, but what it does do is help tie the main character of a book to the story the event is telling without being sappy. What I love most is how Lemire acknowledges the similarities between Batman and Green Arrow's origin, and shakes both characters' mythos' up. Lemire really lets himself go as he cranks out one of his best scripts that feature his trademark knack for character voices, and even adds some Avengers level humor to the book with one of my favoritte pages... Well, you'll know which one it is when you see it. The only complaint I have is that it seems like Lemire's characterization of Ollie's mother feels somewhat off.

But really, the real draw of this book is the art. Sorrentino is THE best artist at DC right now. This guy kicks ass. He uses a realistic style, but somehow still manages to make it look perfect for this. And ever since I, Vampire, I've been praying that we'd be able to seem him draw Batman again... And I wasn't disappointed to say the least. 

The backup story was drawn by Denys Cowans, and I was certainly impressed by the very Bill Sizenewick feel of the art (considering that Sizenewick friggin inked it). It doesn't really do much but set up more of why Ollie and Diggle went their separate ways, but it does it's job.

Green Arrow #25 is the kick-ass tie-in to Zero Year I wanted. I didn't think that a flashback issue could hold any surprises, but it did, tons of them too. Buy this issue, you won't be disappointed.

STORY: 4.5/5

+ Badass Ollie moments everywhere!

+ Now I'd like to see Lemire write a Batman book...

+ Doesn't take it self too seriously, but not campy

+ Nice shout outs to the future of the DCU

ART: 5/5

+ Nails the vibe of Zero Year

+ Consistent

+ Sorrentino draws a badass Batman

BACKUP: 4/5

+ Bill Sizenwick

+ Does its job well

- Art feels redundant coming up on the heels of Sorrentino

VERDICT: 4.5/5

Forever Evil #3 Review

FOREVER EVIL #3

By Geoff Johns and David Finch

I'm back. And so is classic Captain Cold.

Forever Evil has ben turning out to be one of the most enjoyable events DC has put out in a while. And issue 3 continues that trend. Yes, this is turning out to be an event as epic as I imagined it to be, but Johns has found a way to balance both a huge world changing story and just plain old fun comics to create a hugely enjoyable package. Johns is at home writing these villains, as he nails the voice down for each character. I'm loving the new Bizarro, and I can't wait to see what the Crime Syndicate's prisoner has in store for the characters. Unfortunately, Johns does fall into his occasional spur of bad dialogue when writing some scenes, especially with the Rogues. 

I really want to like David Finch's art here, I really do, but his characters frequently have the same face, and there was one page that really bugged me where it seems like Finch just phoned it in. However, Finch redeems himself with some bombastic action pieces, and drawing the most threatening Bizarro ever. 

While quality wise, Forever Evil #3 is a mixed package, its packed to the brim with fun, good ol' comic book fun. Plus, Grid is the nicest mass murderer since Lotso from Toy Story 3.

STORY: 4/5

+ Great work writing the villains

+ More intriguing plot setups

+ BIZARRO!

- Some crappy dialogue

ART: 3/5

+ Nails the action scenes

+ Menacing villains

- Jim Lee syndrome (characters frequently have the same face)

- Really shitty looking page

VERDICT: 3.5/5