The Avengers review

Every year, there comes a Hollywood blockbuster that will send you into a tizzy and give you total paisa vasool entertainment. Such films are generally visual effects-heavy and are superhero films. This one is like the big daddy of all superhero films. Yes, Avengers, it is

Iron Man, Hulk, Captain America, Thor, Black Widow and Hawkeye form this terrific superhero ensemble. Black Fury is the guy who brings this team together to save the earth from the clutches of Loki from Asgard. The Tesseract is an unlimited source of energy and it lands in Loki's hands. He wants to use this to vanquish the earth. The Avengers stand between him and his mission.

Hulk reigns supreme in many scenes when he shows his anger and aggression. The crowd goes crazy during such instances. Iron Man comes a close second with his AC/DC soundtrack, his casual punchlines and style. Thor is brutal with his physique while Captain America shows his mettle when he leads the team in the final showdown in Midtown Manhattan. Scarlett Johansson as Black Widow is sexy to say the least. Jeremy Renner as Hawkeye is stylish with his moves as the master archer.

Ultimately, this is not a movie to be analyzed much. It is to be experienced on the big screen with 3D glasses. The effects are crazy at times as they just come on your face. Nice gimmickry. The last one hour is pure madness. The action on screen makes the child in you go WOW. There are some sober moments in the first half of the movie which is resurrected by the Iron Man's charm. But. the last hour is unanimously marvelous. There is a sequel as well coming up sometime in the near future.

VERDICT: A marvelous action fest from Marvel Studios and a perfect distraction from the terrible Indian summer. Switch off your mind and get consumed by this high octane action fest

Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows (2011)

Professor James Moriarty is taking control of the Western civilization by controlling all the major industries. He intends to create war between the nations by controlling all the supplies. Sherlock Holmes stops him with the aide of Dr. John Watson, as usual with his brains, eye for detail and daring attitude.

John is dragged unwillingly from his honeymoon by Sherlock. John’s wife is sent off with Sherlock’s brother. They trace the professor’s evil intentions to a peace summit in Switzerland and in the end they avert a major disaster

The movie ends with the premise for a sequel after Sherlock is believed to have been dead back in Switzerland. The detective is back for more action in the end.

Hits

• The movie’s period style production design, artistic sets, elegant costumes etc. it is consistent in look and feel, as in the 1^stfilm of this franchise.
• The film really picks up towards the climax. The chess scene between Holmes and Moriarty is splendid. The other parts of the movie are enjoyable only due to the presence of the super charming Robert Downey and Jude Law. Their friendly banter and ‘pulling the legs’ routine is enjoyable as always. Downey’s elegant, casual style and his various makeovers (particularly the lady makeover) are a total crowd pleaser.
• The sequences where the action is visualized in the mind before it actually happens have been used in this edition too, and they work like a charm.
• The visual effects during the chase through the forest are awesome. The use of slow motion to show the effect of the explosives is another high octane idea.
• The in-your-face editing, jerky camera angles reminiscent of Guy Ritchie are there in this movie too.
• The witty dialogs filled with intellect. The dialog delivery style of Robert Downey accentuates their effect. 

Comments

• Hans Zimmer's BG score isn’t extra-ordinary. The signature theme continues from the 1^st edition.
• The villain isn't imposingly portrayed.

VERDICT

The movie picks up considerably towards the end. Otherwise, it falls short of the expected Guy Ritchie brand of cinema. 

Due Date (2010)

The Plot
Peter Highman is supposed to get to LA to be with his wife for their first child's birth. But, he somehow gets mixed up with Ethan Tremblay and his dog, and they end up on the No-Fly list. Now they travel together on a road trip to reach LA. Ethan has to meet up an agent in Hollywood.

They have lot of bumpy adventures like a big accident, getting mixed up with the Mexican border authorities, having marijuana trips, dealing with Ethan's father's ashes that are enclosed in a coffee box, going to the Grand Canyon to free the ashes etc. etc..

Peter is somehow totally irritated by Ethan's nature and open talk. He even tries to leave him behind and drive alone. But, they stick together despite all the bumps and make it on time for the child's birth.

Ethan even removes the umbilical cord of the little baby girl from the mother and he later makes it big on TV while Peter and family look on in delight.

                                                                   
Hits

• Nice pleasant buddy movie with an adventurous road trip thrown in the mix. 


• Some of the jokes cracked by the eternal joker Zach Galifianakis and the reactions of the perennial dude Robert Downey Jr. are a real delight. The masturbation jokes, the moments involving the dad's ashes, the fun at the Mexican border, Ethan's attempts at acting etc. etc. FEEL GOOD TO THE CORE.

VERDICT

Another feel good, pleasant, funny buddy movie from the master of buddy movies Todd Phillips. 

Iron Man 2 (2010)

Whats it about:
The film starts off with Tony Stark reviving the Stark expo, to showcase the best inventions from around the world. He is also having trouble with the element palladium that is keeping him alive. His blood toxicity is too high. The Govt is also against the Iron Man suits saying that many duplicates can come up in other countries, which can post a grave danger. But Stark shrugs it off.
    Then comes Ivan Vanko with his dangerous technology based on drones and he poses a major threat to Stark. Vanko is on a personal vendetta mission. Hammer technologies' boss and Stark's business rival, Justin Hammer recruits Vanko to build something that can put Stark in the shade.
    In the meanwhile, Stark and his buddy Colonel Rhodes have a minor disagreement regarding the Iron Man suits and Rhodes escapes with one of the suits.
    Finally Colonel Fury and his SHIELD team help Stark counter the palladium problem. Stark sees one of his father's old videos and gets an idea for the future. He invents a new element to counter his troubles and succeeds big time.
   In the end Vanko's army of drones take on the Iron Man and his side kick, Colonel Rhodes in another Iron Man suit, and are wiped off totally. Hammer is also put in prison for putting the country in danger with his involvement with Vanko.
    The movie ends with Pepper Potts and Stark smooching and also a premise for another sequel is shown

                                                                         
Hits

• As usual Robert Downey Jr. is a style icon. This role is another cakewalk for the charming hero
• The technology, the visual effects and the production values are out of the world, as usual. The artificial intelligence at Stark's disposal is unbelievably advanced and awe inspiring. 
• Gwyneth Paltrow and Scarlett Johansson are the 2 leading ladies. Both have contrasting roles and are a pleasing sight to the eyes. Gwyneth is her cute self and Scarlett gets to show some action moves too. 
• Don Cheadle is a replacement in this version, as Colonel Rhodes. He has a couple of good lines
• Mickey Rourke as the brooding and macho Vanko is imposing as usual. 
• Sam Rockwell as Hammer excels in some scenes. But the scope of his role is limited. 

Misses

• Too much slam bang and not much finesse, particularly in the last 30 mins. Just a showcase of some mind blowing visual effects. 

VERDICT

Another movie that boasts of the best technical values, a huge star cast and great production standards. Watchable once. 

Iron Man (2008)

Whats it about:
   Tony Stark is the head honcho of Stark Industries, the leading weapons manufacturing company in the world. He is sort of a playboy and lives the high life. He is accused of making profits out of war and destruction. He is initially not bothered about such criticism and continues his pursuits of creative genius. He is one real visionary indeed.
     All this changes after a trip to Gulmira in Afghanistan where he goes to demonstrate the Jericho missile to the US army. He is kidnapped by the 'Ten Rings' group and is ordered to make another Jericho missile for them. Tony and a  doctor ally start working as captives. But Tony uses the arc reactor technology and develops an amazing, high powered sort of an Iron man to overpower the 'Ten Rings' men. He escapes from Gulmira and returns back home, a changed man.
      Tony realizes his responsibility towards the human race and vows to go out of business. But his greedy guardian and his dad's ally Obadiah Stane refuses to budge and asks Tony to keep a low profile. During this time Tony really gets into developing a new really advanced Iron Man that can fly, using the very same arc reactor technology. Tony also gets to know that Obadiah actually wants him dead and has been making double dealings with the Ten Rings.
       Obadiah steals the arc reactor technology from Tony and builds his own huge version of the Iron Man and incapacitates Tony. But Tony uses the spare arc reactor and does one final heroic act and demolishes Obadiah.
       Colonel Rhodes and Miss Pepper Potts stand by Tony at all times and in the end Tony reveals himself to the press as the Iron Man.
                                                                          

                                                                          
Hits

• Supreme technological innovations shown in the scenes where Tony makes the Iron Man suit. It literally gives you the goose bumps when Tony interacts with machines with A.I like Jarvis and Butterfingers. 
• Robert Downey Jr. alternates between being super cool and intense. A star to the core. 
• Gwyneth Paltrow as the naive Pepper Potts is so very cute and like-able. 
• The scenes when Iron Man first reveals himself in the cave fights are thrilling and tense.
• All the Iron Man suit preparation scenes involving Tony and his A.I. machines are superb
• When Iron Man flies almost till the moon like an airplane, it makes you feel in awe.
• Excellent visual effects. Great cinematography. 

Misses

• Jeff Bridges is wasted in a mundane villain role
• The climax fight between the 2 Iron Men gets too bombastic.

VERDICT

Original, different and an entertaining superhero movie.  Technically among the best ever films

Sherlock Holmes (2009)

Whats it about
A stylish depiction of the adventures of Sherlock Holmes and his assistant John Watson in eliminating the dreaded black magic exponent Lord Blackwood. Holmes nabs Blackwood in his 6th act after 5 murders, and succeeds in getting a death sentence for him. But Blackwood returns from the dead and plans to take over the entire world through some shady plans that involves many murders based on some maps, directions and signs (man,ox,eagle, lion)
          Holmes' former sweetheart Irene also gets involved through another professor Moriarty who employs her to get some details through Holmes. Holmes and John have their share of differences over many matters including John's fiancée Mary but, they stick on for friendship's sake and for their sheer brilliance and succeed in putting an end to Blackwood before his final act at the Parliament.
       Finally Holmes proves that Blackwood's schemes and plans were all based on pure science, logic, the fear that he instilled among people and that there was no magic involved

                                                                        
Hits

• Robert Downey Jr. Perfectly cast. As the always rational, logical detective with absolute attention to detail, Downey rocks with his elegant and nonchalant style
• Guy Ritchie's touches. The sequences when Holmes visualizes in his mind what he intends to do before he actually attacks his opponents are mind blowing examples of innovation. 
• Jude Law as Watson is majestic and classic with his manly style and western looks. 
• Hans Zimmer's soundtrack is quite repetitive but ear-pleasing nevertheless. 
• The art direction is terrific. Many scenes look just like paintings. The color schemes make the London of old look absolutely gorgeous. 
• Mark Strong's solid voice is his biggest plus in his portrayal of Lord Blackwood.  

VERDICT

New age style and some surreal visuals/visual effects make the action set in London of 1890 look absolutely stunning. The lead male cast's contribution is no less either.