Trailer: The Bourne Legacy

Sign me up. Right now. I’m in.

The biggest question when it was reported that the “Bourne” series would continue sans Matt Damon, was who would replace him, and would it even come close to being as good?

And with this new theatrical trailer, I think we can say, at glass shattering volume, ABSOLUTELY, this looks like it’s going to be amazing.

Jeremy Renner is leading the way, and seems to fit like a glove. His nemesis will be played by Edward Norton, and the new female lead is Rachel Weisz.

The film also stars Albert Finney, Joan Allen, Scott Glenn, Stacy Keach, and Oscar Isaac.

The Bourne Legacy hits theaters on August 3rd, 2012.

Synopsis:

The narrative architect behind the Bourne film series, Tony Gilroy, takes the helm in the next chapter of the hugely popular espionage franchise that has earned almost $1 billion at the global box office: The Bourne Legacy.  The writer/director expands the Bourne universe created by Robert Ludlum with an original story that introduces us to a new hero (Jeremy Renner) whose life-or-death stakes have been triggered by the events of the first three films.

 

Review: The Avengers

Even with the power of science, mythical God’s, or an endless supply of money; alone the heroes we’ve come to know are weak, together they are The Avengers.

It’s been years in the making really, now that all the main heroes got their individual, origin films, Iron Man, Thor, Captain America, countless Hulk remakes, it was finally time to bring them together for the greater good.

The Avengers kicks off where Thor and Captain America: The First Avenger left off after the final credits. The evil Loki, power hungry, and ready to feast on the destruction of earth has an army ready to take over, that’s where Nick Fury of the S.H.I.E.L.D comes in as he assembles the Avengers initiative featuring Iron Man, Thor, Captain America, Hulk, Black Widow, Hawkeye, in order to stop the end of civilization.

Lets start with the script. Joss Whedon, Zak Penn, and co. deserve a ton of credit for writing a witty, smart, and all inclusive dialogue, unlike anything we have seen from any of the Marvel films before. Even with all the tense action packed scenes, there are so many jokes, good ones at that, littered throughout the film to let the audience catch their breath. This most certainly applies to Tony Stark. The script written for Robert Downey Jr. was absolutely, dead on perfect. Stark, in his condescending, and snarky tone makes fun of Thor, Hulk, Captain America, with either low blow jokes or pop culture references from The Wizard of Oz to Point Break. I guess you have to have seen a bunch of films to get some of the jokes, but I was laughing out loud many times that Stark spoke.

Now even though there have been stand-alone films for most of the Avengers, Whedon did a good job of incorporating a small dose of back-story with each character. He didn’t do it in an obvious way, it was more through chitchat with other characters, and it was effective, a sort of catch up system. Helps those who aren’t major Marvel fans, or who just forgot how these super heroes, became super.

After Captain America: The First Avenger, I said that his character would have had a better in a smaller role, and even wrote that in the Avengers film, everyone will be showcased equally, which meant less screen time, but better overall storytelling.

And I was dead on correct.

By giving every Avenger shared screen time, from interaction, to fight scenes, the film flowed so well, never slowed down, and made each character relevant, instead of an afterthought. The balance is so equal, there is never a lull, you never go 20 minutes without Hawkeye, or Thor, the time management, while on the outside might not seem like a big deal, in a film like this where the focus is on more than six characters, it can make or break a movie.

My two gripes had to do with the lighting of the film and the 3D.

There are a ton of scenes shot at night or in cavernous spaces where little, to no light is given to the scenes. It’s so dark it became hard to make out what was happening. Perhaps this can be attributed to the 3D screening I went to, but regardless it seemed to be too dark, for many scenes. Once the daytime shots or ample light shots made their way to screen, there were stunning visuals. The 3D, as ALWAYS was completely unnecessary. It did not enhance the film one bit for me, and this stupid gimmick needs to die, and needs to die now. I can’t stand it, and every superhero film wants to shoot in 3D for whatever reason, please stop. I hate 3D already, and having to wear 3D glasses, OVER my actual glasses, does not make me happy.

But I digress…

For the die-hard fans, this will be paradise. The buildup of Mark Ruffalo ask Bruce Banner A.K.A The Hulk is done so well, and well, no one likes The Incredible Hulk, when he’s angry, and he gets angry a lot here. I can’t say enough about the comedy in the script, I was hysterically laughing at The Hulk, there are subtle things he does with his face, or to other Avengers, that while may not be intentionally funny, I thought were a riot.

What’s more is that each Avenger got more of a persona, you began to really sense whom they are. Chris Evans as Captain America, his whole story about being frozen for 70 years, and coming back to still be the soldier, and alpha male of the group, because that’s the only way he knows how to be. Good luck standing next to Mr. Stark. Captain Steve Rogers actually came off as the most corniest of the Avengers, some of his stupid cliche one liners, had me laughing in embarrassment, I guess you always need that one guy.

Chris Hemsworth as Thor, and Tom Hiddleston as Loki both continued their love/hate relationship for each other, as they battle the God’s, their powers and the bond as brothers. Hiddleston does an amazing job once again as Loki. If you don’t hate the sight of this guy within the first five minutes of seeing him, there’s something wrong with you, he plays the villain like a pro.

It’s fair to say as the audience you’re about to go on a roller coaster, unlike anything Marvel has done before. This compilation was done very well, crafted to perfection that will have every comic book reader practically weeping once the credits roll.

Speaking of credits rolling here’s another *FODDER TIP* — stay in your seat till after the credits finish!!

Since Marvel has started putting out it’s grand spectacles of superhero films, it’s been a bit formulaic. More than a handful of them have fallen on their face, with cheesy production and effects along with less then enticing story lines. Finally, after being incredibly disappointed with Iron Man 2, Thor, Captain America: The First Avenger; they got it right.

The Avengers is the perfect mesh of action packed, show off superhero film combined with a story to make it all tie together, this is for the comic book nerds and the casual fan alike. The excitement level throughout the film remains at a 10. The way The Avengers have to protect earth, while watching New York City get torn to pieces in it’s final half hour of the film, is amazing on screen.

When you have Samuel L. Jackson as S.H.I.E.L.D leader Nick Fury as more then just a one eyed talking head, and Agent Phil Coulson, played by Clark Gregg, stealing scenes, you know you’ve done a bang up job. Even when the mortals, Hawkeye and Black Widow, played by Jeremy Renner and Scarlett Johansson, have significant roles in the film, no one is forgotten, or under utilized.

This is the funniest Marvel Superhero film we have seen to date, the banter back and forth is quick, witty, and doesn’t feel forced. It’s also by far the best overall product from the studio, no question about it. Whedon has directed and sculpted a stunning exhibit for the world to see. What he really has done, is put his mark, his stamp on a story we were all familiar with, yet he made it his own.

The Avengers is 142 minutes of pulse pounding, ass-kicking fun, that makes it impossible not to grin like a kid in a candy store once it’s over.

Rating: 8.5/10

Trailer: The Avengers (2)

The second, highly anticipated theatrical trailer has arrived for one of the years most anticipated films.

The Avengers have formed and are ready to save the world.

As May 4th, draws near it seems like the explosions and action get bigger. We’ve been teased with little hits of The Avengers until now, where we get a full blown, in-your-face preview of what’s to come.

When an unexpected enemy emerges that threatens global safety and security, Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson), director of the international peacekeeping agency known as S.H.I.E.L.D., finds himself in need of a team to pull the world back from the brink of disaster. The star studded cast includes Robert Downey Jr, Chris Hemsworth, Chris Evans, Mark Ruffalo, Scarlett Johansson, Jeremy Renner, Cobie Smulders, as well as Tom Hiddleston and Stellan Skarsgård who are reprising their respective roles from Thor.

Trailer: The Bourne Legacy

“There was never just one” that’s the tag line for the new saga.

When news broke that The Bourne franchise will continue without Matt Damon leading the way, fans were up in arms. Damon had done such a stellar job creating this indestructible super-freak experiment, the franchise was a monster hit.

Damon said he would no longer be doing the films, so in came Jeremy Renner.

Today we get our first trailer for The Bourne Legacy and let me tell you, it looks like we won’t skip a beat.

Starring with Renner will be Rachel Weisz, Edward Norton, Oscar Isaac, Joan Allen, Albert Finney, Stacy Keach and Scott Glenn.

With Renner as the new “Bourne-Like” assassin, and Norton as the villain, this has the right formula to reinvigorate the series.

Synopsis:

The narrative architect behind the Bourne film series, Tony Gilroy, takes the helm in the next chapter of the hugely popular espionage franchise that has earned almost $1 billion at the global box office: The Bourne Legacy. The writer/director expands the Bourne universe created by Robert Ludlum with an original story that introduces us to a new hero (Jeremy Renner) whose life-or-death stakes have been triggered by the events of the first three films. For The Bourne Legacy, Renner joins fellow series newcomers Rachel Weisz, Edward Norton, Stacy Keach and Oscar Isaac, while franchise veterans Albert Finney, Joan Allen, David Strathairn and Scott Glenn reprise their roles.

You can catch The Bourne Legacy August 5th, 2012.

Trailer: The Avengers

During last night’s Super Bowl, there were many trailers, none generated the type of hype that the anticipated The Avengers trailer did.

The film that will kick off the summer of blockbuster Super Hero films, is getting closer and closer.

As we await May 4th, 2012, here is a new trailer for the team of heroes called The Avengers.

New Images for The Avengers

One of the most anticipated films of the year is The Avengers project.

Captain America, Hulk, Black Widow, Iron Man, Hawkeye and others will be teaming up in a motion picture that is sure to be a huge summer hit.

Starring Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Mark Ruffalo, Chris Hemsworth, Scarlett Johansson, Jeremy Renner and Samuel L. Jackson, the film is being directed by Joss Whedon, and we are now getting more and more info on the film.

Here’s the official synopsis for The Avengers:

Marvel Studios presents in association with Paramount Pictures “Marvel’s The Avengers”–the Super Hero team up of a lifetime, featuring iconic Marvel Super Heroes Iron Man, The Incredible Hulk, Thor, Captain America, Hawkeye and Black Widow. When an unexpected enemy emerges that threatens global safety and security, Nick Fury, Director of the international peacekeeping agency known as S.H.I.E.L.D., finds himself in need of a team to pull the world back from the brink of disaster. Spanning the globe, a daring recruitment effort begins. Starring Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Mark Ruffalo, Chris Hemsworth, Scarlett Johansson, Jeremy Renner and Samuel L. Jackson, and directed by Joss Whedon, “Marvel’s The Avengers” is based on the ever-popular Marvel comic book series “The Avengers,” first published in 1963 and a comics institution ever since. Prepare yourself for an exciting event movie, packed with action and spectacular special effects, when “Marvel’s The Avengers” assemble in summer 2012. In “Marvel’s The Avengers,” superheroes team up to pull the world back from the brink of disaster when an unexpected enemy threatens global security.

In case you are not familiar with whose who…

Here we see Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson) and a casual, non-green Bruce Banner (Mark Ruffalo) with Tony Stark (Robert Downey, Jr.).

Chris Hemsworth reprising his role as Thor, Chris Evans as Captain America, Jeremy Renner as Hawkeye and Scarlett Johansson as Black Widow. Tom Hiddleston also returns as the villainous Loki.

The Avengers assemble on May 4th, 2012.

First Look: Jeremy Renner in The Bourne Legacy

Days ago I posted that Matt Damon hand picked Jeremy Renner to continue the Bourne series, and as The Bourne Legacy is underway, we got our first look at the new star.

It’s clear he has the look.

The franchise entry isn’t so much a reboot, but a separate story that takes place in the same Bourne universe. Tony Gilroy, who wrote the first three Bourne flicks, is the director, and Renner will be supported by Rachel Weisz, Oscar Isaac, Joan Allen, Albert Finney, and Edward Norton as the villain.

The Bourne Legacy opens August 3rd, 2012.

Review: Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol

I don’t know how many more mission’s Tom Cruise will go on, but if they will be shown in IMAX, and have great casts they may never stop.

The fourth installment of the impossible is up there with the original, a thrill ride, full of non stop entertainment.

Cruise is back as Ethan Hunt with a few new faces and some old ones as well. The mission this time takes them from Moscow to India to Dubai with explosions galore.

Jeremy Renner, Paula Patton and Simon Pegg round up the crew surrounding Cruise that this time are in the hunt for codes to stop a nuclear launch missile.

Brad Bird gets major credit here for creating such an aesthetically pleasing film, while at the same time keeping such a “guy-film” attitude throughout. Bird was mostly known for animated films before this, so the fact that he was able to churn this out, is a major success.

Cruise did most of his own stunts in the film, along with the stunning building climb, and swing on the massive Dubai Burj Khalifa tower, when you see this in IMAX it is simply a  sight to behold.

Between the sand storm, shots from above in Dubai, car chases and a 90 degree drop in a BMW with Cruise in the driver seat, or an incredible escape from a prison, the films cinematography could have been the greatest catalyst in the film.

You can argue that this was the spark Cruise needed to rejuvenate his career as his last few film choices haven’t been too impressive. Not since Vanilla Sky have I been “wow’ed” by Cruise, his stunts and overall performance here was incredibly entertaining.

In a year where the “big blockbuster” films were major let downs, most of which were action-based, Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol did a great job in saving the action film genre in 2011.

The film is exhilarating, scenes that will push you to the edge of your seat, literally.

The final thing that made the film so great was the chemistry between all four leads, Pegg, Cruise, Patton and Renner all fed off each other well, and it really showed.

A fifth mission is reportedly on the way, hopefully this entire core chooses to accept a return.

Rating: 8/10

Renner Was Damon’s Personal Choice as Next Bourne

When the news came out that Matt Damon would not be reprising his role as the now legendary Jason Bourne, fans were outraged. Possible candidates to replace Damon were thrown around left and right, until one was chosen, and all of a sudden the panic died down.

Jeremy Renner was tagged as the guy to continue the legacy of Jason Bourne, but he won’t be Jason Bourne, just someone similar in the same world.

Now we find out that Damon hand picked Renner to be his successor.

Here is what Damon had to say about choosing Renner…

When Paul Greengrass and I were talking about the character and maybe doing a fourth one a couple years ago and maybe passing it off to somebody, Renner was the guy we talked about. He’s an obvious choice, because he’s such a good actor and can carry a movie.

Those movies are really tough, because you need the guy to be internally tortured about something, and Jeremy’s the kind of guy you could watch.

Recently we have seen Renner in Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol and he has a few more projects on the horizon, but this could cement his stature as a top action actor in Hollywood.

First Look – Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters

Here is our first look at Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters, starring Jeremy Renner as Hansel, and Gemma Arterton as Gretel.

The story is a revisionist take on the classic fairy tale, and a trailer should be out this week.

Arterton recently spoke about the film and revealed that the tone of the film is a mix of Pulp Fiction and fairly tale.How does this movie incorporate the original Brothers Grimm tale? Is that story kind of a prologue?

Yes, it continues it. You see a series of flashbacks with their experience of killing that first witch, which is brilliant. I remember being on set for the final few days of that. The candy house, and the witches are really repulsive and quite frightening. The make-up is out of this world. It’s this bone-chilling scene. Very dark. The girl who plays my character is brilliant, with the horrified expression she has.

Folk-tales like this have been told over and over again, changing every time.

What’s the constant that your movie picks up?

They resonate with your fears, that’s how these fairy tales worked. They scared you into behaving. This one in particular is about abandonment and being lost and parents leaving you. The heart of it is that these kids grow up to be bloodthirsty witch hunters. It’s a bit tongue in cheek, really.

What would Hansel and Gretel be in 15 years time?

Though it’s comedic, deep down it’s about abused kids becoming kind of hyper-responsible?
But it’s also very, very dark, and bloodthirsty and there’s a lot of cursing. It’s kind of got a [Quentin] Tarantino feel, really.

Interesting. So instead of Jules and Vincent, we have Hansel and Gretel. And beyond being killers, they’re siblings who feel they need to protect each other?

We spent a lot of time thinking about that and behaving like brother and sister, making it detailed so it wasn’t just two actors kicking butt, really. Thget boring. In our minds, these are two people who grew up with no parents and they only have each other and the bond they have, and with the complexities of that, some resentment.

You can catch Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters in theaters on March 2, 2012.