Movie Man Darian Watching All Night Long

Spider-Man : Brand New Day 

This film is a terrific commentary on mental health and finally after a decade finally feels like the Peter I have been wanting the Marvel Cinematic Universe to show as I love Tom’s Peter but I feel he has had training wheels on for such a long time and here we finally get to see that internal struggle and watch him fall flat on his face and get himself back up with no help which is what the character has always been about. I found myself in constant awe of how greatly this was made if it was from technical point of view the way the it has such a  warm look to the picture as so many of these marvel films not all of them but a lot of them have this washed out look to them and their was finally contrast to the shots and the action sequences are amazingly well done as well. But the best part of the film lies in the writing it is amazingly well told and centred by the best outing Tom Holland has ever done of the character cementing himself as the definitive version of the character not just for this generation but any. Brand New Day is the best Spider-Man film since the 2004 Sequel yes it is that good. 

Firstly, This film is what I have wanted from the MCU for well over a decade in their depiction of the character. The issues I have had from each film is the inability to let Peter Parker fall flat on his face and get up on his own as that has always been one of the core reasons the character resonates with so many people. As in the first one Tony Stark mentoring him was nice but it became a lot, then in the second one the antagonist played a massive mentor role for that film and the film following was just fan service to the max so it has been a constant frustration I have had as I know if given the right script and good direction they can craft a truly special entry to the brand that has not been done in a long time. Now when I heard Destin the director of Shang - Chi was helming the film and not the previous director of the last three I was somewhat relieved because thing is I LOVE Shang - Chi I think that film has such a gripping story with some of the best choreography they have presented in terms of action that really impressed me and so by applying that to the landscape of Spider-Man was very exciting for me. Now what made this film really the heartbeat and overarching feel of the film is the sense of self isolation and depression and last year with Thunderbolts which impressed the hell out of me that Marvel was able to go into darker more emotionally driven places we have not seen them go in quite some time Brand New Day does just that again. What I appreciate to no end is Tom Holland’a ability to always have his ear to the ground of what people want to see in terms of Spider-Man and he spent hours upon hours reading online discussions and digging through multiple conversations to see what he could apply to this film that the others may of been lacking in terms of themes. As the film really digs into a deep place that a lot of young people can relate to in terms of anxiety and not seeking help when you need it the most and then wrapping that up in the landscape of a marvel film and the sheer impact of it and lasting power of this film will be huge. As so many people on a day to day basis struggle to admit when they need to seek help for their own mental health and are actively not doing it because they think by dealing with it on their own or self numbing will fix everything when it actually is a temporary bandaid that will not last and I love how the film makes that the interregnal aspect of this film as not only does it bring awareness to a very real struggle many people face on a day to day basis but to see their beloved guy from queens going through those motions made so many people feel seen and less alone which made for a much more emotional experience. The film is able to make Peter the centre point of the film and his struggles as so many of the other films were so busy setting up future films it lost its way in the sense of who the film was for and sure their are some future set ups for future projects down the line with the Sadie Sink character and a few other things but it limits itself greatly to only a few so the primary focus stays on Peter even with the new characters introduced it surrounds Parker yes but never forgets who the narrative focus is and I loved that. The film also has some terrific action set pieces that constantly one up each other as the hand to hand combat scenes and the sheer way the fights are staged and executed had me locked in the whole way through. This film though’s biggest strength though lies in the writing and the sheer tone of how the film wants to be told with the emotional beats I have addressed them already yes but I cannot get over just how well they were able to tackle them and show such growth with the character which only made me more excited to see the places they can bring him in projects going forward. Brand New Day is a terrific example of what happens when you have the star and its director work hand in hand to craft something that is not just another marvel film but one that the fans have been asking for all the while going places emotionally we have not seen the character go to in decades. 

Secondly, The cast in this film is great but there are two big stand outs for me! Now their is no surprise I love John Bernthal I think he Is such a good performer and we have never really had the chance to see him really have his shot at showing what he could do with the Punisher on the big screen since the 2004 film. What makes his appearance in this film so fitting is he never overtakes the film he comes and goes when it services the story and he leaves you wanting more which is what I hoped would happen you never want a character to overstay their welcome as then it becomes boring or stale and he has the right amount of screen time that just fits greatly and the way he goes about those scenes is funny at moments and extremely emotionally moving in other aspects and he is able to present both ends of those in a very authentic way that leaves you with a big smile on your face. You can tell he is having the time of his life bringing this character to the screen as he has played the character for so long at this point he can slip into the skin of Frank within the snap of a finger as the performance feels so lived in and I loved that quality to it and John brings such a charm and big brother mentality to Peter in a way that never overshadows him but compliments the film John is terrific in this film. Then we have the star of our film Tom Holland who gives a Sensational turn as the web slinger and personally I think cemented himself as the definitive version of the character not just of this generation but of any actor to dawn the outfit. He has a full understanding both psychically and emotionally of how to service this character to the most honest way possible and by doing this beloved character justice and the places he goes emotionally in this film stunned me and split my heart in two he is a force of nature in this film I was floored. Everyone else is so good especially Zendaya who is not in the film a ton but their are a few scenes in specific she has where her and Tom go places that just had me in tears not one weak link in this cast but for sure the stand outs of the film were John and Tom for sure. 

Lastly, Spider-Man : Brand New Day is the best Spider-Man film since 2004’s sequel and trust me I gave myself a lot of thought if this film could dethrone that one and its closer then I thought as the more time goes by the more I think of Brand New Day the more new things I come to love about it and the small details they brought to the film that gives me a deeper appreciation for how this was crafted and told. The film is a reminder you are not alone and that asking for help is not a sign of weakness but a sign of strength and I love how that was so important for them to get across, the action is spectacular and the sheer look of this film from the colour and the framing its a beautiful film to look at and as someone who has been a fan of the character since I was a kid I was smiling ear to ear. Brand New Day is not only the best comic book of the year so far I think it is in the top 3 best comic book films of all time yes it is that good one of the best films of the year and a film that I think will be talked about for decades when discussing great films of this genre. If you can see this film on the biggest screen possible with the best sound system with a packed audience the shared experience of this film will only enhance your enjoyment of it that much more.

This film centres around Peter Parker having a tough time controlling his powers all the while trying to deal with his anxiety and depression being a internal struggle he is having a tough time keeping a hold of

Rated PG 13 : Some Language|Sequences of Action/Violence

Tom Holland : Holland gives the greatest outing of the character in film history! Now I do not say that lightly it took a lot of thinking after I watched the film and I went back a few days later to see it a second time to see if I still felt the same way I did the first time I viewed it and I do if not I feel even stronger about his take on the character. What makes his performance in Brand New Day so memorable is his amazing dedication and respect to the character and it shows He plays a Peter that has been beat down so many times and all the experiences he has had happen to him I won’t say has weighed him down but you for sure can see the scaring on his heart from all the wounds emotionally he has suffered at the hands of others. He knows that he is alone and their is a terrifying realization we see that he has made piece with that and being okay at having a life where no one knows who he is and that he just goes about his day in total isolation the unsettling part of it is that you can see him aching for more human connection and that he is longing for that spark of his to come back but he is robbing himself of that experience by ignoring others advice to help himself he has no issue helping others but doing that internal work on himself he sees no value in anymore as he has been hurt so many times. He keeps tabs on the people in his life that have forgotten him and he knows he made a promise to come back to certain people but he has made what he thinks is the selfless act to remove himself from their lives for good in order for them to stay safe. You can see him painting that smile on his face and putting others feelings before himself But the cracks in his heart start showing and the pains that he has ignored for so long start to show through and the way that Tom was able to access those feelings of deep rooted reserved pain was so real and so raw and brought to the screen in a way that had my heart break for him. It could be a scene where their is very little dialogue on his part and it is just looks from the character but the window into his soul of the eyes he shows tells everything as their is a threat that takes on the city yes but what I think is the most interesting part of his arc is that he is trying to repress his powers which I took as metaphor for repressing who he really is and that internal struggle he faces which is amazingly intergraded into his conflict  as a character.  When he is faced with the person going at him they attack his heart and all of his anxieties and paranoia that circle his brain is ripped out and he is made to confront those things he has fought for so long to ignore and he has to finally deal with them in a way that finally makes him feel not only at peace but better. By the end of the film he isn’t 100% better by any means but he is starting on the path of knowing that he has people that care for him and as simple of knowing that saves him and gives him enough mental strength to keep going and not just shut it out this time and the way we arrive there is tremendous. Holland as I mentioned can be that hero we know he has shown us but brining those vulnerabilities he has never gone to the dark places with this character before and he was more then willing to raise the bar on what he can do in terms of emotional tenderness with Peter that we have not seen from him and its staggering truly solid work. The way he just has a full understanding of where to bring this character is truly inspiring it will make so many kids and just people in general feel so connected to the character in a way they haven’t felt seen in years in a character from a comic book film. Tom Holland is a revelation in this film giving what I can argue is his finest work as An actor up to this point he is completely amazing defining a character to this length is no easy feat and he has cracked it Tom Holland gives a performance full of a Peter Parker that is clouded with anxiety and depression while still putting others first and wow is he magnificent! 

Destin Daniel Cretton : Destin has outdone himself! Now as I spoke earlier his work on Shang - Chi blew me away which he tackled 5 years ago and now he is taking on arguably the greatest comic character of all time and it is no easy feat as the expectations for this film couldn’t of been higher due to the high regard so many people hold this character in. Not only did he give a great entry to the character but he built a character study on depression and anxiety through the lens of Peter Parker which shocked me as I knew the film was going to go back to basics in terms of storytelling I had no idea the sheer lengths he would go to emotionally with the character and I was highly impressed. He fixed a marvel issue that Thunderbolts also did last year which is not letting humour undercut a emotionally driven scene as so many times in these films they will have a heavy scene that is serious in tone but always have this moment of humour to deflate the moment and I always felt bothered by it as it is okay to ride the wave and feel those heavy feelings for a moment and sit with it and here he respects the audience and lets them just stir in that sadness and heaviness of the themes and it is one of the biggest strengths of the film for me. Then when it came to the action it was not like some sky beam or something we have seen before he crafts these well thought out sequences that has you on edge the whole way through and he crafts real stakes for the characters that make you feel if they will make it out or not as he does not play it safe he creates an atmosphere  of uncertainty to keep you guessing where they will end by the end of the film which made it for a more thrilling time. Then for the emotionality of it I love the focus as I mentioned on the mental health of Peter and his self insulation arc and how its about self numbing and asking for help and having the courage to speak up for it the humanity he injects into the story really made it feel like the old Tobey days and it only showed me how much heart has been lacking from these films as Destin infused it with so much of that. The villain itself is not some moustache twirling villain but someone that also is traumatized and is going about it the wrong way and I love how the hero and villain are both traumatized people and trying to find ways in how they deal with their emotional heartache and Destin has so much respect for the character and its world it occupies and not only is he the right person to direct this film I want him to take over the reigns for any future projects of this character as I feel the web slinger is in good hands with him he never compromises story over style and he makes sure their is a story worth telling with a solid foundation of emotional depth for each character and having that totally set before even focusing on the look of the film. Destin goes to show his vision in the MCU is one of the strongest another greatly directed by Destin. 

The Fantastic Four : First Steps 

This film is honestly one of the best films marvel has ever put out! Now their have been 3 films that have come out this year from Marvel and I will say two out of the three they have released I would put in the discussion as being some of the best work they have put out period on the big screen. Now their is so much I have to say about this so I will mention right now this film has some of the best production design, costumes, world building and has an overarching great sense of escapism through the time it takes place it you feel totally transported back to where the film is set. The score is also a highlight all 4 main cast members do a tremendous job at showing great onscreen chemistry while this film as I will delve more into deeper on this focuses more on the heart of the characters rather then just the spectacle of their powers which is what makes this film for me such a compelling film. Marvel is on a high right now in terms of good quality storytelling and this is for me one of their strongest character films aside from Thunderbolts we have had in ages. 

Firstly, Now Marvel for decades has been trying to perfect the formula on the first family of the universe they created for many years now with the failed film from the 90’s that was straight up cancelled then you have them attempting to do it with improved CGI and at the time a up and coming cast with 2005’s Fantastic Four which also ushered in Chris Evans into the world of Superhero films and even though for people from my generation that film was a lot of fun their still were things to work on in order to get it just right. Then in 2015 Sony once again tried another attempted with another on the rise cast this time with Michael B. Jordan and Miles Teller and the only difference was that film went in a very different direction stylistically and tone wise that was not at all in the vein of the comics and it was critically panned and a financial flop. So after all that time people have been thinking will we ever get a fateful adaptation of this team on the big screen when Marvel finally acquired the rights to the characters back it did give hope but it has been years since that announcement was made public and we have been sitting holding our breath to see if this version after all this time will do the characters justice and I can say with full confidence that it 100 percent does. This film drenches itself in everything about the characters and its world it inhabits as the film takes you back to the 1960’s and the way they capture the colourful atmosphere of that time was brilliant and down to the way the camera has this grain like quality to the image was perfect. The film much like Superman is not an origin story it is pre established and we are brought into a world where the Fantastic Four are looked up to as big time celebrities that society looks up to which is nice to see as many other versions have been about how they were rejected due to their powers so using an approach where they are looked at in a positive light was refreshing. Now granted it is not changing the text of how these characters struggle their plenty of inner conflcit going on for each of their respected arcs and it is explored in great detail the filmmakers found a way to achieve showing Galactus in a way that is both accurate to the comic and also be truly menacing was amazing as it was a dream to see him done proper and the way the captured it is truly outstanding. The film does not try to over complicate its plot by having too much going on or tons of side character introductions it is more focused in on telling a solid story that has great character development. For me the biggest strength this film has is in the character work. The film excels due to not letting the style and cool theatrics of the film get in the way of a solid story the film’s central focus is on making sure these characters are brought to life in accurate ways that best reflect the way they were written in the comics. You have Johnny Storm who people see as the sarcastic one that refuses to take a moment seriously constantly having to prove to the group he can do more then just give well timed quips but actually supply something worthwhile to team efforts. Then you have Sue Storm gearing up for motherhood and the exciting journey that will entail and she goes on I think the most emotionally gripping arc of the entire team. Then their is Ben who enjoys the fame and being beloved by the public but you can see he wants someone to grow old with two and even if it is not verbally said it is written all over his face and then you have Pedro Pascal who like Sue is prepping for the coming of their child only difference is he is utterly terrified of how this child may turn out and is thinking of each possible outcome in case things go south with their new child. All of them are dealign with emotional arcs the entire time and the film focuses on that and not really the big overarching action of the film which their is still plenty of their is a outer space sequence in this film that I think is one of the best chase set pieces Marvel has put onscreen in a while. The film takes care of its core characters first and making sure we believe they can be a unit and be seen as a family while also delving into their own personal journey’s and they never comprise that for theatrics which I think is so important as by the time the film ended I felt like I had understood each character and had gotten so greatly invested in all of them individually. None of them felt like they fell into the background this is the second time this year where Marvel has done great Job at focusing on the heart instead of the cool factor of the film as Thunderbolts also was character driven this and Fantastic Four proves that they can do great character building and also have gripping action without one outweighing the other in it’s execution while still delivering the thrills people come for. Fantastic Four soars in terms of writing, the technical aspect of how it totally brings you into the setting that it takes place in while also greatly exploring the highs and lows of each character and getting you to fall in love with each single one of them and investing into how they operate as yes a family but also how they go about showing their love for one another. The Style is great but it is the heart and sharp attention to character depth that makes this film as special as it is. 

Secondly, The cast are all so greatly in tune with who they are playing! Now as I previously have stated each core member of the film is marvellous at how they put their spin on their character now I will though mention for me the two real standouts of the film. First off we have Pedro Pascal who plays Reed Richards the man who is never not thinking of work and here he is still that workaholic that he is known for being in the comics but this time he cannot shake the uneasy feeling that something could go wrong for him and Sue and when they bring a child into this world and he becomes obsessed with always finding the right idea in order to keep them one step ahead of the bad guys. Pedro is able to channel this stress riddled man that is also incredibly family focused and you see the stress slowly eat at him until he becomes all consumed in what he needs to do to protect what he loves. I think Pedro did a terrific job and I am so excited to see what more of the character we will see him explore going forward. Then you have Vanessa Kirby who gives what I think is one of her strongest performances I have ever seen with her take on Sue Storm she plays the Mother and backbone of the team with such emotional sincerity that it moved me and almost brought me to tears. She knows that she is going to be brining a child into this world but she won’t ever let anything comprise that child’s well being but she also knows she has responsibilities to the city she swore to protect but she can do both without having to comprise anyone’s life. Vanessa Kirby soars in one of her all time best performances with her role as the mother who will stop at nothing to protract her child. Joseph Quinn and Ebon Bacharach both give tremendous performances in their respected roles but it is the work from Pedro Pascal and Vanessa Kirby that walks away with this film in terms of emotional electricity that is brought to the screen. 

Lastly, Fantastic Four : The First Steps is one of the best Marvel Films that they have put out in a while this and Thunderbolts is among one of the best back to back films the studio has put out in a very long time. The film operates as a film that does not to retread water of its origin’s but hits the ground running in an already established world with the characters and it explores the highs and lows of their family dynamic and what makes them strong both within powers but emotional strength as well. This film focuses more on the emotional beats of the storyline and not the big cool factor of it all which is where this film is different than most recent Marvel entries. Fantastic Four is able to be pulse pounding, thrilling but also emotionally impactful all at the same Time while giving the most comic accrete depictions of the characters we have seen so far. Overall Fantastic Four : The First Steps is a truly outstanding film and one that will be among so many’s favourite when discussing this phase of Marvel movies. I recommend fans of the Marvel fanbase and just casual movie goers to check this out it is immersive and just fun and if you can see it with a huge screen and  a fantastic audio system you will get the full experience of this film the way it is meant to be seen. 

This film takes place in a world where the Fantastic Four are already established as superhero’s and are looked at as basically celebrities but when a force by the name of Galactus comes to threaten their way of living they have to find a way to save the world and the future of their child is on the line 

Rated PG - 13 : Some Language|Action/Violence

Vanessa Kirby : Kirby is the heart of this film in so many ways and her performance was my favourite out of the entire cast for a multitude of reasons.  Now Vanessa Kirby has always been an actress I have been fond of due to her great choices in the roles she picks that best suits her acting range and constantly finds new ways to present new sides of herself to the audience. Here she plays Sue Storm the heartbeat in so many ways of the team and this time she is tackled with the responsibility of brining a child into this world while also making sure she never compromises the lives of the public but at the same time her material instincts will never her let her jeopardize her loved ones under any circumstances. Their are multiple scenes she shines the core beliefs and values of the character in great detail that will move you for instance when the public is terrified of what is going to happen to them and they have become quite divided over their thoughts on how the Fantastic Four will act she does something she knows in her heart is right which is to go outside and face them head on and speak from the heart. She knows that in order for them to not feel so afraid and angry at them she needs to connect to them on a level where they can relate to as they have powers so the public can support them and cheer them on but then cannot relate to them on a basic level so when she speaks about why having a child to her is so emotionally important to her and stripping away the parts that make her a superhero for a few minutes and to just view her as a mother and a human being shushes any negative words from the crowd and she speaks from her experience that they can understand and after that moment their is a newfound respect for her they have and the group as she is just as scared as the public but they need to know that she and the team are humans that feel the full spectrum of feelings just like them. It is one of the best scenes if not the best acted scene from her she brings this warm and emotionally raw feeling to the frame that makes you feel each line she is constantly at fear what will happen to her child she knows how hard it was to bring it into the world and their is a battle sequence later in the film where her child’s life is on the line and she very much knows if she pushes herself to the full extent to use everything she has she could die due to using to much of her energy but in that moment she is not thinking in terms of herself she just sees her child is in peril and will act to do anything to protect it. She pushes it way past the limit she is supposed too and she is able to contain the threat from putting her child at great risk and the whole team tells her not to do it but uses every ounce of blood sweat and tears to make sure her son is okay even if it means she won’t be. We see her as a wife yes and as the older sister to Johnny but a lot of the film is about her going through the motions of being a mother and the mental, emotional and psychical toll it affects her after her kid is born. Vanessa Kirby does as spectacular job at bringing the character to the screen as she as I mentioned is able to show so many sides to the role that never felt one sided we see her romantic relationship with Reed Richards and how the birth of their child makes a huge impact on their relationship along with how they go about making decisions as a team going forward. Kirby is able to show the importance of motherhood through the lens of Sue Storm while also remaining to the glue that keeps this family intact and remind each other that they are still just people that make mistakes like the next person and as long as they all have each other they can get through anything together. Kirby shows in her eyes how scared she is for her child but also is excited their is a storm of emotions swirling around her brain and her heart at all times and she is able to present that emotional frustration by having it seep out of her eyes and her fragile emotionally well timed delivery. Vanessa Kirby shows why she is the heart of the team while also exploring parts of the character that goes to vulnerable  places we have never seen the role at least on the big screen and she does an effortless job at it by wearing her heart on her sleeve the entire team and giving what I think is the strongest performance of the entire film. I am so excited to see where her arc goes from here but she gives a tremendous first impression Vanessa Kirby is truly terrific as Sue Storm. 

Matt Shakman : Matt gives an outstanding fully realized vision of this world With his debut in the MCU! Now this director has made only 3 feature films before this and both not critically well received so in terms of comic book storytelling he is a fresh face and to give him the keys to The Fantastic Four was a bold move that is something Marvel did back in the early days when they would get an unknown director to take on a huge character. It is. Risk that paid off as his fresh mind really brought new things to this film that made this film one of the best films in recent memory for the studio. Having the film be in large part a film of it’s time that takes place in the 1960’s I think was such a great move as that is when the first issue came out and it never felt corny or like a clique due to the incredible world building it does and the amazing attention to detail within the costume designs, sets and thrilling score that runs through each scene. The film feels like a true life representation of the Fantastic Four in every sense of the word as the film is not an origin story and I am so fine with that because we already know the story so their is no need to go back over what we already know. The film Is set up in an established world where the Fantastic Four are already bonafide celebrities with big marketing brands and are looked up by the public and what is the biggest thing going on in their life right now is Sue Storm expecting a child and the whole way they go about dealing with that. The film explores the areas of each character without one feeling shoved to the background or lacking depth each character onscreen gets their time to shine which is what I love so much about this film. As mentioned you have Ben Grim dealing with wanting to pursue a romantic relationship but also never voicing that to the team but instead keeping it to himself but how long can he go on doing that until it starts eating at him to share that with the others. Then theirs Johnny and his way of always feeling he needs to prove himself to the team and not be looked at as the Team’s jester but can actually be taken seriously and be able to contribute things of value. Reed Richards becomes all consumed in prepping for his child’s arrival when he knows Sue is pregnant as he is worried their could be complications with it’s birth and wants the kid to live a life that is more normal then what he was dealt. Then Sue Storm is excited about bringing a child into the world but at the same time she knows the huge responsibility that lies ahead for her in order to protect that child. So again Matt Shakeman is showing all of their individual obstacles they face and also spend a great deal of the film showing them as a unit and how they lean on each other to lift each other up when they need each other which has always been a core value the characters have represented since the comics. Now the action is great thrilling even their are amazing sequences of action that will have you on edge at times but the driving force of the film that I think makes the film is the sense of emotion and heart that is woven into the writing that really makes the film pop. It is full of easter eggs for the die hard fans of the comics that are all over this film that is so fun to look out for but this finally feels like the Fantastic Four we have been longing for and it never feels over the top with too many characters thrown into the mix it is able to focus in on the characters and sure set up the next set of adventures but it wasn’t messy or distracted it felt very keyed in on what it wanted to tell in terms of story and themes which it executed greatly. Matt Shakman’s energetic and colourful landscape was a perfect match for this material and he proved he was the right person to usher the first family of the marvel universe to the big screen in this MCU and he proved he understands the love people have for these characters and Stan Lee and Jack Kirby would be so proud Matt Shakman did a terrific job. 

Deadpool & Wolverine 

This film is the greatest crowd pleasing  film that marvel has ever made and yes I would even put it above Endgame in terms of fan service and sheer electric audience reaction. Now this film a ton of critics have been mixed on with how the film deals with its story some even calling the way the narrative is done some have called messy and all over the place now as both a fan of marvel and a fan of cinema I don’t understand the mixed reaction some people have had. As the film takes the two most broken characters arguably in marvel’s library and throws them onscreen together in a team up film that yes results in a lot of humour and fun banter back and forth but their is a  shared sadness and tragic nature about them individually they can bond over. The film at the same time though does not rely on Fan service to drive the narrative it is able to craft a story that is in the vein of what Deadpool is known for without disrespecting the legacy of  the 2017 film Logan it is able to handle both characters in a way that never disrespects their arcs. The film for the first time in years felt like an event film that everyone went to go see in a theatre it is full of laughs, some truly heartfelt emotion and eye opening action sequences that I would say is among some of the best Marvel has ever put to screen. 

Firstly, Their is so much I wanna discuss about this film’s ability to tackle its themes and the first one I will say is the film is not your traditional Deadpool film and some people were let down that this film had the secondary characters of the merc with the mouth take a backseat this time around. Now I had a feeling that would happen as this is a massive team up film with two hugely popular characters and with any team up film you can compare it to the Avenger films those films don’t feel like a Iron Man or Captain America film as it is a massive cast assemble piece and this film takes that same approach. The film relies heavily on the team up nature of Wolverine and Deadpool and so if you go in with the mindset this is a team up film and not a solo deadpool film I think you will have a more enjoyable time and not feel like the characters were sidelined as ever since the film was announced it didn’t feel like Deadpool 3 it felt like a huge event movie so I felt I had to mention that as so many have been upset that it didn’t revisit his friends a ton but we should of known that ever since the marketing. Anyway for the way the film deals with its characters in the film is truly fantastic as I have said for years Wade Wilson and Wolverine are among some of if not the most broken emotionally characters in Marvel so getting them to come together they can bond over their trauma and really have a unspoken understanding in ways most can’t relate to.  The film comes to a great conclusion for  Deadpool and also gives Wolverine a truly profound ability to come to terms with his mistakes in a way that will hit you with a wave of emotion. Shawn Levy understood the way to best tell this massive event film as he is known for bringing cool style and amazing visuals to his films but the biggest contribution to his films is the sheer amount of emotion and heart he has in them and so I was so glad he was able to take on the directing chair for this film as he was the perfect person to take on this large scale event film. Now the film never feels like it is showing a ton of amazing visuals with no emotion behind it Shawn was the perfect person to balance the amazing fan service action packed nature of it and the sheer hilarious comedy and still bring some truly heart hitting emotion that would tug at the audiences heart. As the film never feels like it is doing to many jokes that it can’t take itself seriously some of the best jokes come out of moments where you’re asking yourself should I be laughing at that scenes that truly will have your jaw firmly on the floor. He understands the forth wall breaking crude nature of Deadpool and the over the top style he has to his films and brings that greatly to the screen but also has multiple opportunities to let the characters breath in amazingly well thought out emotional moments that will hit you like a bus so the film never feels lost in its style he is able to keep the characters grounded and flesh them out in ways where we are still learning new things from both of them. The sheer way the style and writing is done is fantastic as their are also great easter eggs to the early days of Marvel Films when it was under the umbrella of 20th century fox and if you are a die hard fan you will be very satisfied but they never feel like it is just thrown in to satisfy die hard fans it is smartly positioned where it contributes to the plot that moves it forward. The writing and sheer way the style was done in this film was great. 

Secondly, The performances from both of its leads are excellent! Now It comes to no one’s surprise that both Ryan Reynolds And Hugh Jackman both Brought their A game when it came to showing new sides of these characters as both of them know their respected roles inside and out at this point. Ryan Reynolds gives what I think what may be his best turn as Wade Wilson in this very film as he he plays the character at a point in his life where he is very lost emotionally and wants to feel like he matters and is contributing something to feel like he isn’t just a jester that can’t take anything seriously he is much more then that and has so much more to offer. Taking that look on the character I think was such a great move as he is not just repeating what he has already shown audiences in the first and second film he is delving into parts of Wade that make sense that in my opinion tie up his arc from the first film to this film beautifully.Ryan Reynolds is amazing in the film while also giving that signature style of the character we have come to love but he digs deeper this time showing so much uncertainty that is going on in his life and how he wants guidance emotionally to find his place. Hugh Jackman comes back to play the role of Wolverine now it isn’t the same version of the character that we saw in Logan they don’t disrespect that film this take on the character is a different version of Logan and Hugh after almost 25 years still finds areas of the character to fill in that we haven’t seen explored yet. He is able to slip into that character’s skin like no time had passed at all and gives another truly amazing performance with some of the most emotionally charged moments of the characters entire arc that we have seen from him. Now their are truly great supporting performances in this film but the two big performances that stand out is Hugh Jackman and Ryan Reynolds both giving some of the best takes on the character we have ever seen and its amazing their chemistry together is also electrifying and their banter back and forth is great but their also able to challenge each other emotionally in the more smaller moments and open up to each other in a very touching way. 

Lastly, Deadpool & Wolverine is one of the the most crowd pleasing films of the year that is filled to the prim with Fan Service but dose not rely on it to drive the narrative forward. For people who have been fans of the Marvel films since the early 2000’s your in for a treat and will satisfy long time fans for sure but it also is able to bring the characters they love into areas emotionally we haven’t seen them explore before. Shawn Levy and the whole team involved deliver with great humour that lands every time to some of the greatest action sequences ever put to screens for Marvel but the thing that stood out more then all of that is the amount of heart and sincere emotion that is displayed onscreen at all times throughout the course of this film. Both actors are giving top notch performances that are truly astonishing work and the Marvel brand has had a bumpy couple of years recently through their transition period in order to find their footing since Endgame but DeadPool and Wolverine is the first time I have been so excited for a film from the studio since either No Way Home or Endgame. They have restored so much faith in this studio with their amazing execution with this film and Deadpool and Wolverine is one of marvel’s finest films they have made and a incredibly fun time too be had that will move you. 

This film centres around Wade Wilson tasked to find an anchor being to save his world from being erased and that anchor being has to be a version of Wolverine that can restore balance to his reality 

Rated R : Language Throughout|Gore|Sexual References|Strong Bloody Violence

Ryan Reynolds : Ryan gives a performance of Wade Wilson that is caked in emotional depth while still giving that signature Deadpool swagger and sarcasm that we have come to love. Ryan has been playing this character for 15 years at this point so he has a good grasp on what’s best for the character and knowing where his arc should go. Where he is in the first film is sure more confident for sure but its all because we were just becoming introduced to him and seeing how he handles himself both at work and his personal life which is using humour as a defence mechanism in order to deal with his feelings. The first film covers him feeling desperate to figure out his health situation as he dose not want to wither way to nothing so he undergoes a surgery that finds a solution to his health scares but forever alters how he looks which then takes a massive blow to his ability to look at himself. So he feels his girlfriend would love him less based off how he now looks so he hides from her and even when he faces her he is so scared of what she will think. Then in Deadpool 2 that entire film is about his ability to cope with the loss of a loved one in his life and how it deeply affects his mental well being. We see how his depression is very much at the forefront of the film and that he is incredibly suicidal the second films takes a much darker approach in terms of his arc which I thought was fitting as the character Wade Wilson is very much a heavily traumatized character. Now when we see him in the third instalment he is now wanting to feel like he matters and is contributing to something bigger then him that people can be proud of him for and seeing him take on that emotional theme I thought was so fitting for him as he has been searching for his place since the first film and the place the film ends in terms of his character arc was a perfect conclusion for him as he has been longing to feel accepted and he finally is able to figure it out in the course of the film. We see in the beginning of this story he is doing whatever he has to to prove to his friends and loved ones that he can lay low and have a normal life as he hasn’t been doing crime fighting for sometime he just wants to fit in and doing a 9 to 5 job and just purely normal tasks in order to feel somewhat normal is what he feels is the best course of action for his life at that moment. In many ways we can see he is going through a mid life crisis and even after finding a routine to fall Into he still isn’t happy with himself as he is just doing it to please the people around him and no matter how hard he forces this new lifestyle on himself beneath that smile is a sad guy still feeling like he isn’t enough and Ryan Is able to tap into that emotional denial so greatly in a way that both feels so heartbreaking but makes the audience understand why he is doing this new way of living in order to have some sense of stability in his life and he is able to show that his heart is breaking from the inside without revealing it to others through his sensitive eyes that are full of such emotion. All of this is shown in great detail within the first twenty minutes of the film. We see that when he is called into action to wear the suit again he only does it out of sheer desperation to save his loved ones he isn’t just dawning the outfit to make himself feel better he knows he has responsibilities that he needs to make sure he takes control of as he can’t afford to loose anything as his friends and family are the foundation of his heart and if that is even slightly shaken he will do whatever he has to in order to protect it. When the person throws at him in conversation if he does what is asked of him he can finally feel like he matters which in itself is a emotional manipulation tactic as he already is in a vulnerable state so having someone use that as a way for him to do something for him is not fair as he will listen to them as he will do whatever is needed to belong. When we see him teamed up with Wolverine for the first time in the first act he has to work at getting this emotionally gutted version of Logan to be back on his feet as he finds him in quite the depressed state but to be fair he notices the sadness within him as he already is at that emotional lowpoint in his life already. When We see Deadpool interacting with Wolverine for a good while they aren’t seeing eye to eye as he is very much getting under his skin with anything he says and their is a lot of resistance Logan takes to Wade as he refuses to open up even slightly to him but yet Logan rips into Wade in a way no person ever has that kind of shows him that he sees through the sarcasm and witty behaviour and just sees a tender heart behind all that personality he shows others and if anyone can see past the fake personality to protect their heart its Logan and he just lays into him in a scene that for the first time shuts up Wade. Ryan is able to show the emotional side of Wade and just how sensitive he really is underneath under all those wise comments and fast witty humour is someone that just wants to be loved and that mask of emotion Ryan is able to bring out of the character in such a moving way that brought me to tears. He knows that he dose not have to always make a joke in order to draw people into his character he can let the emotional moments bring people in and show that vulnerable side of his heart onscreen in a way that fleshes the character out in ways we hadn’t seen yet. He knows that Wolverine is ripping into him any chance he gets but there is a part of Logan that understands why Wade is the way he is and deep down there is an unspoken understanding. Their are great moments where you don’t know if its Wade showing his heart through the dialogue or if its a exchange between just Ryan and Hugh as their are some genuinely emotional moments where it feels those two actors are talking to each other directly and using the characters as a filter to connect to one another on a deeper level where acting is not required. Ryan has explored the deepest depths of Wade’s heart in this film and really shows the heart more this time instead of just the humour taking centre stage now he has always found that perfect balance of showing both for sure but here you can see he really let the emotion shine through in ways that will bring tears to your eyes. That being said his comedic timing once again is pitch perfect and knows exactly when a joke will be effective and work for the right moment Ryan poured every ounce of himself into this performance he also I would say is the perfect Deadpool no one can do the role like he can the sheer amount of love, passion and effort he has brought to the role cannot be ignored he is extraordinary in this film in my opinion bringing a great closing chapter to the three film character arc he set out on in the first film Ryan is truly outstanding in this emotionally charged performance of the merc with the mouth.

Hugh Jackman : Hugh comes back as his career defining role The Wolverine delivering an outstanding performance of this iconic character! Now back in 2017 I never thought I would ever write another review with Hugh Jackman playing the character that has come to define his entire career. Now I said then it was his highest achievement at playing that character was in that film and I still stand by that statement as I do think Logan is a masterpiece of storytelling and performance. Now brining back the man that has come to define the character is not easy as you have to do it in a way that makes sense to the audience and does not disrespect the legacy of Logan that was crafted back in 2017. Now I can say with full confidence this film does not disrespect that masterpiece of a film It actually does not insult it in any way is it referenced for sure it is but the Logan we see in this film is a different version. So going through many different timelines to find the one best suited to help Deadpool I think is great way into brining Hugh back that best made sense. Now I have been a fan of Hugh’s portrayal of the character since the early 2000’s when he first took on the role and I can say that I have always wanted to see him in the signature suit of the yellow and blue outfit that is linked to the character through the comics and used on the 90’s animated series. It has taken almost 25 years but finally seeing Hugh Jackman in the comic accurate outfit felt so right and my nerdy self was so excited to see him In action in that outfit and Hugh comes back to the screen like no time had passed at all he is able to slip into the headspace of the character with the snap of a finger. He has played him for almost 25 years so he knows this character from head to toe backwards and forwards now he would never just repeat old character themes we have seen in previous films he is able to access the character in a way and explore new sides to him that he had not tapped into yet which is amazing as even after all this time their are still parts of the character Hugh is showing audiences we haven’t seen explored before that keeps it fresh. Seeing him play the character in a way chained with guilt is nothing we haven’t seen before as his character has always been a person with demons he’s struggled with his entire life he has never had it easy and that’s also why he is so emotionally distant and so guarded due to the repeated trauma he has unfortunately been put through time and time again. So seeing a version of the character constantly be pushed emotionally to open up by Wade Wilson and confront those difficult things he has spent years to repress at times result in great banter between the two actors but it also shows Hugh bring a vulnerability and tenderness to the character in which he can tackle those darker parts of the character’s heart in a very sincere way throughout the course of the film. As their are so many scenes where he is pulling back from Wade and doing his best to keep to himself but Wade just won’t let up and keeps prying and trying to get to the root of why he is so rude to him and when he finds out that the person underneath all that anger is a very sad, broken and tragic man he feels sorry for him and that is the last thing Logan wants is someone to feel bad for him but at the same time their is a relief that he does not have to feel like he is carrying all this pain inside their is a certain relief that he can discuss it to a degree with someone else that has also gone through their fair share of personal struggles. So there is an understanding there even if they don’t outright acknowledge it. Seeing him in the suit was exciting as I wrote earlier but what is so great about him wearing the iconic outfit is their is a entire arc written around the outfit itself and why he wears it as a way of remembering the damage he did to the X- Men it is in a way of never letting himself forget the pain he caused which is so deep and I love that they incorporate such a deep meaning to the outfit I think that was such a smart way not just from a story point of view but also it gives Hugh so much more to use in terms of the character in this film. We have always seen the version of the character that feels like he has never amounted to anything good in life and to see him struggling to live with the guilt and pain he has caused is nothing new for this character but seeing the character go on a emotional journey to relieve that pain and make all the noise in his head go away is powerful as it has been a personal demon of the character for many years. Making that the primary focus felt right as it never felt like it was just repeating things we had seen before as Hugh was able to be seen by people around him that he means so much to others in alternate timelines but he himself can’t grasp why he would matter to anyone as he is the only one that feels like he is not good enough to hear the praise people sing to him which shows just how damaged he is and how much he has been trying to punish himself for the mistakes he made as he feels he isn’t deserving of happiness due to the overwhelming regret he has in his heart that weights him down. Now Hugh is able to also able at some point in the film give Logan that closure and come to terms with his pain in a way where he sees all of what he has gone through all that pain and suffering sure it has been traumatizing and painful but it also shaped him into the hero people know him as so in a way if he didn’t have that pain he wouldn’t be who he is today. Hugh brings that raw heartbreak through his eyes and the overwhelming sense of guilt and sorrow through his voice with each word you can feel the sadness wrapped in rage in his dialogue Jackman has perfected at knowing what direction is best for the character and he brings a great amount of gut wrenching emotion that will move you but also feels right for the course of the character as well. He also can bring that dry wit to the character that results in hilarious moments of great comedic timing from Hugh but he has always been able to find that perfect balance of comedy and dramatic depth in the character that truly makes the character stand out onscreen. He once again delivers another masterful  performance of the Tortured soul that is Logan still after almost  25 years going places emotionally and finding new areas of the character that have yet to be filled in to show the audience and Hugh slips back into the role like no time has passed since we last saw him as the iconic character. He once again delivers another astonishing performance that has some of the best character development we’ve ever seen from Hugh he once again delivers a top notch performance as the Wolverine that I would put next to Logan as his second best performance of the character he is electrifying in this film.

Shawn Levy : Levy brings the perfect ingredient that makes this film in my opinion the best out of the three which is a huge amount of heart to the frame! Now I have grown up watching Shawn’s films and one constant theme in his films I have found is their is a great sense of emotion and a human element that touches your heart and he crafts characters you never forget. Now the characters are already so beloved by so many people and so all he has to do is show them in a setting we haven’t seen them thrust into before which isn’t easy as the bar for this film was set so high as you have two characters everyone loves and it has to service the fans but also not feel like it is relying on nostalgia to carry the narrative forward. He is able to show the characters at a point in their lives where they need one another as Wade is going through a mid life crisis to find his purpose in the world and Logan is riddled with guilt and regret and so both of them in many ways lift one up and are able to find ways to help them both come to terms With their emotional stress going on in their lives by yes humour but also a great amount of sincere emotion that can be felt throughout the whole film. The film is able to be this big farewell to the films of 20th century fox before Disney acquired the studio as so many of the characters that were done under that studio we won’t ever see again so the audience that grew up with those films in the early days of marvel it is in many ways a emotional farewell to those films. The film is able to feel like a well done team up film of these two characters but Shawn is able to flesh out their arcs individually and have them heal one another in a very beautiful way that is incredibly moving. Now Shawn has never done a massive franchise film like this before and for this to be his first stab at it he did a solid Job as he keeps it very much in the vein of deadpool without loosing the charm and fun humour of what makes these films so great. But he also does not just do s rinse and repeat of what we have already seen he goes into areas that the characters have yet to explore and bring them both to a satisfying conclusion and he captures fantastic action sequences that are among some of the best we have seen from Marvel that is both comedic and pulse pounding all at once. Shawn has proven with this film he can take on a huge franchise name like Deadpool and Wolverine and deliver a great popcorn film that will satisfy the audience without loosing focus on what is most important with the story which is the characters and the heart of the narrative. Shawn Levy balances the comedy and drama in a way that one never feels like it is outweighing the other and also make a film designed for fans in a way that has never been done like this before. He brings back Hugh in a way that makes sense and does not insult the masterpiece that is Logan and also show Deadpool in an emotional way we have never seen him before. Shawn was the perfect person to bring this trilogy to a close as you can see the sheer passion and heart he brings to the frame while showing friendship being the key element to the film that he wants audiences to take away from this film. Now it is very much a deadpool film but with great character depth and emotional aspects to it that will move you to tears and Shawn soars as the filmmaker at the helm of this film delivering a truly amazing popcorn flick that will stand out as one of Marvel’s finest films to date!

Thunderbolts*

This is the best marvel film since Winter Soldier! Now I know to many that could be a bold statement but I had to think about it because I love Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 3 but I feel this film exceeds that in terms of character work and storytelling and that is a huge compliment to this film because I love the Guardians Of The Galaxy trilogy. Now their is no surprise to anyone Marvel has struggled in the last couple years to find their footing in terms of where they want this massive universe to go in terms of world building and for the characters that surround it. As Endgame was a 10 year build up of something they worked towards it which is why it worked so well but since that film they have had a problem in terms of how to rebuild the universe people care so much about with new sets of characters that will eventually lead to a massive event film. Now there have been some solid entries like Shang - Chi and the ten rings, Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 3 and I will say this is the kind of film we used to get from marvel that focused on character growth, emotional beats and never compromised style over substance. This was the film we have not seen from the MCU in well over a decade and I think that it does things tone wise and with the themes of the film that have never been touched on to this extent and it has quite the powerful message in it as it tackles themes of Depression, anxiety, suicide, self doubt, identity crisis and the sense of wanting to belong to something that represents hope. Thunderbolts* is a film that will touch your heart and bring a tear to your eye with how well handled the story is and how incredibly fleshed out the arcs of each character is. Thunderbolts * is a film that is a huge course correction for the MCU and one of the strongest films they have made Thunderbolts* is an incredible accomplishment when they put story over style. 

Firstly, This film has so much depth and complexity to it there is so much I wanna break down about it. Now having that trailer come out in the style of A24 and crediting the multiple creatives that have worked on various projects on popular A24 titles I think was such a smart marketing idea to draw people into this film to tell them that this film will be different in it’s approach of storytelling unlike previous entries for this franchise. Now the way this film takes on the key tone of depression is heartbreakingly raw and it never tries to use any humour to lesson the dramatic weight of the moment. The film talks about the struggle of what it is like to not know your place in the world and to try to fill yourself up with things in order to feel more whole in a place in your life where you feel very empty emotionally inside. The film tackles each member’s personal struggle each one being impacted differently either from Anxiety, depression and even suicide and Marvel has never really gone that mature in terms of storytelling for their films before. The other film that comes to mind that delved deep into very mature themes was the first Iron Man and sure other films have discussed serious topics but never to the extent this film does. The character we follow that is struggling more then ever is Yelena and how she has been trying to cope since the loss of her sister and then we again see how other character have their own personal struggles and how they go about expressing their pain in order to cope with it. The film is about misfits who don’t fit in and what happens when they are confronted to have to work with one another and the character of Bob is so vital to the theme of self hatred and depression as the character the void is used as a metaphor to describe the empty part of their heart that fills them up since being broken for so long but that very name the void later on has a face which is dark with yellow eyes and is culminated to be depression, anxiety, self doubt and all those things rolled into negative psychical being which I think is so powerful as it is about not letting the voices in your head get to you. The film easily could of just been another paint by numbers team up film that gave big exposition to fill in the gap to Doomsday for Marvel but it didn’t it went out of its way to tell a entertaining film that will help a ton of people with it’s heavy focus on mental illness and speaking on these very real topics people face in their day to day lives. The film goes places that end up shaping to be the most powerfully impactful Marvel film within the MCU in a very long time and the sheer way it is shown and executed is astonishing. 

Secondly, The performances from everyone is spectacular! Now there are two performances in particular that really stand out for me that left a big impression on me. The first one I will say is Florence Pugh who once again reprises her role as Yelena and explores to a heartbreaking degree the sheer sadness within her heart since the loss of her sister and how mentally she has been dealing with it since then. Florence shows the utter hardships she has been facing since her sister has been gone and how she feels so emotionally numb. Florence Soars in what I think is so far the finest hour of her as the character yet. Then you have David Harbour who reprises his role as the Red Guardian and now I will say he is for sure the comic relief of the group and he never feels exhausting in terms of comedy but it never comes across that way with David’s presence as he knows when to input that comedy gold into a scene to just add a little more energy to the moment and he tops it off perfectly. I liked what he did in Black Widow but what he brings to the character this time around is even better as we also get to see a more dramatic side to him as Yelena’s dad more then ever as she needs him to be her support system and he is more then willing to be that for her and it is very touching. David Harbour does a tremendous job with the comedy wit of the role but also knows when to take a moment seriously and genuinely flesh more about who he is on a human level. The rest of the cast is solid but the two takeaways in terms of performance is for sure Florence and David.

Lastly, Thunderbolts* is the finest Marvel film I have seen in a very very long time it delves into themes of mental illness in a way marvel has never done that will spark so many conversations from this film. The cast assembled all jell so well together and make you genuinely buy into them as a team of misfits that all have things going on in their personal lives and the film explores what is tearing all of them apart emotionally. Marvel soars at giving a film that is not trying to have five million side characters and setting up a whole new sequel that I gets distracted to tell the actual film none of that happens it focused on telling a good story with well rounded characters we have come to love team up and give an entertaining Marvel film and it gave me that fun Marvel feeling I haven’t felt in quite sometime Thunderbolts* is a step in the right direction and one of the strongest entries they have ever put to the screen. Thunderbolts* is Marvel learning after a while to put story over style and the result is a terrific film Thunderbolts* is a damn good film. I recommend everyone go see this film I have been a Marvel fan since I was a kid and I have not spoken so highly about a marvel film like this in a long time please see this on an IMAX screen if you can.

This film centres around group of misfits who are assigned to take each other out but then quickly learn to work together 

Rated PG - 13 :  Some Drug References|Language|Some Suggestive References|Strong Violence|Thematic Elements

Florence Pugh : Florence delivers a heartbreakingly brilliant turn as Yelena this time around! The film picks up after the events of the snap for her as we see how much of her life she has missed out on and is trying to fill in the blanks of her life to make sense of the madness that has gone around her. She shows how hollow her heart has become since her sister has now passed on and how much of a devastating blow that was to her mental health as well as her guiding light through hard times. The film opens with her discussing something is wrong with her there is an inner conflict happening within her that she is struggling to deal with. Now Florence plays the character with her heart on her sleeve as the character is known to use humour to lighten what is usually a serious situation around her and this time she still has that witty sense to her for sure but a lot of the sadness and wear and tear on her heart has for sure become the for front of what is occupying her mind this time around and the way Florence has become such a pro at knowing what best suits the character and which emotional beats to hit in certain scenes to make her pop is excellent timing. You can see the light and brightness dim from her as so much darkness has surrounded her lately it has been hard for her not to just give int to it. As when she was brought up she was made to believe her family was her blood family but then she learns that was all lies and was sold as a child soldier and then after that totally clouded her sense of reality and she finally reunited with her sister after so many years she finally felt like she had her family back but after she looses her sister she takes another emotional blow to the chest and all of these things that have happened to her have started to make her more of a emotionally battered person and she has no idea how to deal with all these things so that is another reason for her sense of loss going on in her head. The way she then is thrust into a situation where she has to get along with people that have their own stuff going on and at first they all do not like one another but they learn they have more in common with each other then they like to think as a ton of them are dealing with their own mental health issues their own ways and in some way they can bond over that. Florence brings Yelena to new places we have not seen her explore as mentioned the comedy takes more of a backseat in terms of the arc of this character this time around and I think that is so well deserved given the nature of what this character has been through it makes sense for her to become more jaded and a lot more emotionally lost then before and I love she takes the time to show that and not just printed like she is fine. She knows she isn’t in the right head space and exploring those flaws and the emotional pain she feels Florence shows in amazing devastating ways that will touch your heart as the arc she has within the first frame is someone who is lost and does not know their purpose and we also see the trauma she has not openly spoken about told visually in heart shattering ways. By the end of the film she has this ragtag group of friends she can lean on and the full circle arc she comes to is a beautiful one and I think the way she went about exploring the place we find Yelena in during the events of this film was outstanding she never repeats the same beats of the character she finds new ways of exploring her and showing dauaicnes aspects of her that keep us learning new things about her which is what makes her such an engaging presence onscreen. Florence Pugh gives a sensational performance of a woman that shows what happens after someone has suffered so much loss and heartbreak what emotionally would be left of that person how hollow and empty would they feel if they felt they had no guiding thing helping them and She explores the psychological torment  that has been going in with Yelena it is her best outing of the character so far Florence Pugh shines once again as Yelena! 

Jake Schreier : This guy did a freaking great job at brining Thunderbolts* to the big screen! Now I know he was involved in the coming of age film Paper Towns a while back and made a few small indie projects but that is really it he hasn’t had much experience in terms of big franchise films and having this be his first is no easy feat. He took on the film like it was a indie project what I mean by that was he was mot trying to be so ambitious and set up multiple things sure their were things he had to line up for the future roadmap of marvel but that was most likely the studio telling him those things to incorporate into the story. As he wanted the film to focus primarily on the emotional and mental well being of these characters and show them at their most vulnerable which is why people like Marvel we like them for the reliability factor we love them for the focus on personal struggles and how they go about sorting that out. Here Yelena is a mess she has no idea where to go in terms of her personal journey her father has barley been in her life since the passing of her sister so she is not exactly happy with him but she wants her family to still be a part of her life when she needs them most. Their is a character brought into the film called Bob who is a great metaphor for PTSD and anxiety and how someone goes about handling themselves with that he also has depression he explores each single character and where their head is at and then he throws them all together and forces them to work together. We learn about what each character has to overcome and each person around them helps lift them up and show them that they are seen and their personal struggles matter in a very emotional way. Jake brought such an amazing sense of heart and awareness to mental health that has not been touched upon in a way like this before the whole sense of the Void and that becoming a person that spreads hate and instills anxiety and self doubt is so powerful he really made a great character piece that Marvel has not had like this in years. The film has great focus on character first and style second as the success of this film comes from the sheer care and heavy involvement of how invested you are into the characters as their have been so many marvel films that care more about the visual appeal of a film they forget to focus in on the characters that surround the setting and Thunderbolts* makes it very Clear that Jake wanted to tell a film that fleshed out these characters while sure giving the fun action set pieces but that is not it’s defining characteristic the part people take away from the film is the way the characters bounce off one another. Overall Jake Schreier did a tremendous job at bringing this team to the screen and I hope he is involved in the future of these characters as he perfectly understands the tone for how these characters should be shown overall he did a solid Job.