Cinema Review: Star Wars: The Force Awakens (12A)

Starring: Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, Mark Hamill, John Boyega, Daisy Ridley, Adam Driver, Oscar Isaac

Director: JJ Abrams

Runtime: 135 minutes

This is probably both the easiest and the hardest review I have ever had to write. Easy because there is so much to love that I could go on for ages, but the hardest because this film should be seen without so much as a hint of a spoiler. I was extremely lucky and managed to avoid all the internet nonsense that has caused so much controversy over the weekend. I will do my very best to review without ruining the experience of watching the movie.

Picking up thirty years after the Battle of Endor, the galaxy is still not at peace. The evil Empire has now been replaced by the extremely ruthless First Order, led by General Hux (Domhnall Gleeson) and the mysterious Kylo Ren. It's up to the Resistance, featuring old and new characters, to stop these new villains.

And that's it. Yes, I know it's not a lot to go on but you have to take my word for it, the less you know, the better the experience will be.

The new characters are brilliant. John Boyega and Daisy Ridley are outstanding as Finn and Rey respectively. Their chemistry is off the chart and leaves the audience begging for more. Oscar Isaac as Dameron Poe, although not on screen as much as originally anticipated, is so instantly likeable it's scary. These three are certain to become legends by the end of this saga.

And speaking of legends, you know you're special when you walk on screen and an entire cinema cheers. That's what happened when Han Solo (and Chewbacca) first steps onto the Millennium Falcon. There is something so very comforting having the original actors back in the franchise, it almost felt like they never went away.

The main villain of this movie is, of course, the red lightsaber wielding Kylo Ren. There is so much I want to say but I won't so not to spoil anyone's enjoyment. Suffice to say, Adam Driver, an actor I'm not normally keen on, nails this part and his character adds so much to the piece that I'm actually glad he was cast (yes, that's my humble pie well and truly consumed).

I have never been in a cinema where 10 words on a screen cause so much whooping and clapping, but from the moment that famous phrase 'A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away...' appeared on screen, you knew what was about to happen was something truly special. This film has everything; laughter, tears, gasps, amazing effects, edge of your seat moments and enough action to keep you enthralled to the end.

Is it perfect? No, but it was the perfect beginning to what promises to be an amazing trilogy. JJ Abrams has given the fans what they wanted and it will be a very tough job for Rian Johnson to follow in Episode VIII.

This film has to be watched, and is one of the rare movies that I am gladly going to see at the cinema more than once.



Cinema Review: Spectre (12A)

Starring: Daniel Craig, Lea Seydoux, Christoph Waltz

Director: Sam Mendes

Runtime: 148 minutes

Thanks to the success of Skyfall back in 2012, Bond number 24 has been one of the most highly anticipated movies of the year. Could director Sam Mendes repeat the magic of 007's previous outing?

 Set not long after the events of Skyfall, the film begins in Mexico City during the Day of the Dead celebrations. A wonderful tracking shot follows our hero from city streets to a hotel room, over rooftops and into the pre-credit action sequence. This film had a tough act to follow (the train sequence of Bond 23) but this one surpasses it, even beating Bond's cuff straightening entrance with a more 'comfy' exit (you'll know what I mean when you see it).

The film continues, following Bond back to London and through Rome, Austria and Tangier, as he comes across his greatest foe yet.

Continuing the theme from Skyfall, questions are asked about whether the 00 project is necessary in a world of constant surveillance and unmanned drones. A conversation between M and new character C (Andrew Scott) mirrors that between Q and Bond from the previous film. The team of writers have given us a film that is as relevant as it is entertaining.

However, don't expect everything to be completely grounded in reality. Gadgets are synonymous with the classic Bond films and they finally make a comeback in the Daniel Craig era, although in a more subtle way than previous outings.

The gadgets, and indeed the majority of the humour, is delivered by Ben Whishaw's Q, who has a more developed role this time around. The relationship between Quartermaster and agent is fun and at times, almost brotherly.

As well as the gadgets, the other well know element of a Bond movie is the girls, and I have to say that they are as capable as they are beautiful. I just have one small complaint.

Much was made of the casting of Italian actress Monica Bellucci, mostly surrounding her age. The star of films such as Irreversible and Brotherhood of the Wolf was 50 years old when she was cast as a love interest for 007. Finally, the makers of Bond had seen sense and picked a woman for her beauty and sexiness rather than her date of birth.
For me, this was the best news ever. I have adored Ms Bellucci for years and I was extremely excited to see her in this film.
My gripe is that there was not enough of the gorgeous Italian bombshell. Sure, she gets a love scene with Daniel Craig, but she is barely on screen for five minutes, which I feel is a wasted opportunity. For all the publicity given to her age over the fact that she is a wonderful and beautiful actress, she isn't given the time to shine.

However, that isn't to say that fellow Bond girl, Lea Seydoux, isn't good. In fact, quite the opposite. As Dr Madeleine Swann, she is innocent enough to require Bond's protection, but capable enough to hold her own, especially in the train scene mid-way through the film. In my opinion, the casting directors had found an actress that had many of the characteristics of Bond's great love, Vesper Lind. The aforementioned scene on the train provides many instances when she displays Eva Green-like qualities.

The villains can make or break a Bond film. Gone are the days of metal teeth and killer bowler hats but that doesn't mean a decent bad guy can't have a novelty trait or two.
Ex WWE wrestler, Dave Bautista, never seemed the most likely candidate for film star status, but he has certainly started his acting career off well with a starring role in Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy, and now a turn in Spectre.
With no dialogue to worry about, it is Bautista's menacing frame that dominates the role, but he does it so well. With several chase scenes, and one brutal close quarters fight, Mr Hinx is a formidable henchman. And that novelty trait, you'll just have to wait and see.

Every good henchman needs a dastardly boss and this comes in the shape of Christoph Waltz's Franz Oberhauser. Where Silva's entrance in Skyfall was grand, Oberhauser's is understated but more menacing. Rumours have circulated since the cast was announced surrounding Waltz's role, but nothing is as straightforward as it seems.
Waltz's screentime is also quite limited considering the long runtime, but he has such a presence that it is quite forgivable.

And as for the man himself? This is Mr Craig's forth outing as James Bond and it is almost impossible to imagine another actor in the role. The killer attitude and suave sophistication are present, as well as a decent dose of humour. The relationship between himself and the supporting characters, including Q, Moneypenny and M, has developed enough to make this film even more of a joy to watch.

As myself and the mister came home from the cinema, the inevitable conversation of which is the best Daniel Craig film so far, cropped up. In my opinion, Skyfall still ranks as number one, but this is not very far behind.
The runtime did not feel overly long; at no point did I feel bored.

I also went to see the film on an IMAX screen which meant that the explosions were literally ground shaking, an added bonus in my opinion.

If Daniel Craig never steps into Bond's shoes again, this would be a suitable goodbye. However, with one more film supposedly left on his contract, and that film being number 25 in the series, I imagine the producers will be desperately trying to get him back, and I for one will definitely not complain.

I'm back!!!!

I know, I know, it has been a while, but I am finally coming back to blogging after a summer hiatus.

I had a manic few months which started when I finally finished my degree. Within 6 weeks, I had an interview for a part-time teaching position which then became a job offer for a full-time teaching position.

I have been trying to wrap my brain around lesson plans, marking, schemes of work and being responsible for around 100 students... it has certainly been an experience.

But my first love is, and forever will be, film. I haven't had the time to visit the cinema as I did before but I plan to change that, and fast.

Tomorrow, I will be going to see the brand new James Bond film, Spectre, and I will be posting a review here on Tuesday.

So, if you want to know if I still have it, whatever that may be, keep visiting the blog, as well as my Twitter and Facebook pages.

Cinema Review: Ant-Man (12A)

Starring: Paul Rudd, Michael Douglas, Evangeline Lilly, Corey Stoll

Director: Peyton Reed

Runtime: 117 minutes

After the anticipation and excitement generated for Avengers: Age of Ultron, you'd be forgiven for thinking that Marvel's latest film might be something of a damp squib. It certainly hasn't created the same hype that surrounded the second collaboration of Earth's mightiest heroes.  However, as the saying goes, "good things come in small packages" and Ant-Man is definitely good. In fact, I would go so far as to label it a great movie.

For the uninitiated, here is the basic plot. Scott Lang (Paul Rudd) is a gifted electronic expert who was imprisoned for 'stealing' four million dollars from his corrupt ex-employers and refunding it to various customers. As the film begins, Lang is released from San Quentin and tries desperately to go straight for the sake of his young daughter Cassie. Redemption is found in the shape of Hank Pym (Michael Douglas) who requires Scott to perform one last burglary, but this time one that will save the world.

I initially thought that Paul Rudd was an odd choice for a superhero role, being better known for appearances in comedies on both the big and small screen. I'm glad to say that as Scott Lang, Rudd gives the audience his funny side as well as convincing us that he is a desperate father willing to do anything for his child. It's also clear that Rudd has been down the gym in preparation for the part; the hard work certainly paid off.

Michael Douglas also does well as Hank Pym, the creator of Ant-Man and ex SHIELD employee. For fans of the comics, the Pym character is a PG version of what has come before; Douglas plays Hank as a loving father, husband and mentor.

With every great superhero film, there needs to be a great super villain. Corey Stoll portrays Darren Cross, Hank's protege who now runs Pym Technologies and is desperately trying to create an army of 'Yellowjackets'. As Cross, Stoll gets to be an evil genius in a business suit and manages to stay on the right side of smarmy.
I would have liked to see a bit more of Yellowjacket, but there is a nice little pay off with a great confrontation between the two tiny characters.

I was never a fan of Evangeline Lilly when she found fame in the TV series Lost. However, her appearances in The Hobbit films renewed my faith in her and I have to say that I like her even more in this film. She is a strong character who is forceful without coming across as a bitch. I am actually excited for her rumoured return.

If Captain America: The Winter Soldier brought political thriller into the Marvel universe, then Ant-Man introduces the heist film genre. This isn't just about a man in a special suit which makes it all the more entertaining. There are some great characters and set pieces and little Easter Eggs to keep all the fans happy.

And viewers will be happy to know that this film has gone old school; there are 2 stingers, one mid and one post credits, so stay in that seat until the very end!

Book Review: Easy Street (The Hard Way)

As readers may or may not know, I love Ron Perlman. Love him to the point of obsession. From Sons of Anarchy to The Ice Pirates (yes, even that piece of crap), I have gladly given viewing figures to anything that has him on the cast list. So when he released his autobiography, Easy Street (The Hard Way) it was a no-brainer about what would be the first book I read after finally finishing my degree.

For the earlier part of his career, Ron Perlman wasn't a face anyone would recognise because his roles normally involved layers upon layers of prosthetic make-up. He was a neanderthal caveman, demented hunchback and a loveable beast. But don't take me word for it, Perlman details all these roles and more as he delves into his career. He also writes about his family, the tragedy that he faced as he was growing up. He is also very candid about his depression and opens up about his personal details.

The book reads as if Ron was talking directly to you; lots of contractions, colloquialisms and many, many swear words. But that's how you could imagine him speaking and it makes it easier to connect with him as he recalls as the highs and lows of his life.

Perlman talks about his many experiences on different sets, meeting legends of film such as Marlon Brando and Sean Connery. He has praise for many, and those he didn't like, well, he skirts around these issues and leaves a lot of reading between the lines. He doesn't come across as someone afraid to speak out so I'm assuming that he is just being polite and not willing to bad mouth anyone unnecessarily.

If you take only one thing away from this book, then there is no doubt that it would be Ron Perlman's passion. Passion for acting, music, family. It oozes out from every word on the page. It was inspiring to read his story and I found myself identifying with him at several points.

Reading an idol's story is always risky; what if the person that comes across is not one that you like? Luckily this book has served to reinforce my love for Ron Perlman and even given me a new perspective on him.

Even if you are not a fan of the Hellboy star, this book is an extremely interesting text. I would also recommend it as a must read for anyone in the business that is show!

Cinema Review: Jurassic World (12A)

Starring: Chris Pratt, Bryce Dallas Howard, Vincent D'Onofrio

Director: Colin Trevorrow

Runtime: 124 minutes

Every once in a while, there are films that come along and change movie history. Back in 1993, that film was Jurassic Park, a motion picture that made a generation of cinema goers believe that dinosaurs could truly exist in the present day.
The two sequels that followed didn't quite live up to the original and the last time we saw any hint of a dinosaur was in 2001, back on Isla Sorna (Site B). But now, the park, first introduced to the viewer all those years ago, is back... but was it a good idea to resurrect the franchise?

Jurassic World is set 22 years after the events of Jurassic Park, but now the park, first dreamed of by John Hammond, is a reality, with people visiting in their droves; think Universal Studios or Sea World, but with prehistoric creatures. However, visitor numbers have started to stagnate and the park decides to try and create a brand new attraction that will get people excited again. Of course, as with all Jurassic Park films, the dinosaurs have other ideas and everyone on the island is put in danger.


The story isn't massively original; dinosaurs get loose and start to kill everyone. Instead, Jurassic World has to rely on the visual effects and human cast to create a film worth the ticket price. And it has produced the goods, although it is by no means a perfect movie.

The stars of the film are most definitely the dinosaurs. It is easy to believe that these animals are real. I worried that it might have been a case of 'been there, done that' but I was still hugely impressed by the array of creatures on the screen. There are a few new species but all the old favourites are present too.

As is obvious from the trailers, the biggest of the human stars is Chris Pratt. As 'raptor trainer and ex Navy man, Owen, he has most of the best lines and action pieces. Pratt uses the right mix of comedy and drama to make this a character everyone loves and cheers for.

Poor Bryce Dallas Howard is given the role of head bitch; the park's manager, Claire. She sees only numbers and statistics, having no sympathy for animals or staff she is in charge of, even finding it difficult to relate to her own nephews. Her character could be seen to be similar to the role Saffron Burrows had in Deep Blue Sea. However, it's a credit to how good of an actress Dallas Howard is as she manages to develop her character into one that the viewers eventually warm to, although some of that could be attributed to the chemistry she has with Owen.
And one main gripe I have, as a woman myself, is how on earth did she do all the running in heels??

Jurassic World follows the franchise tradition by including younger characters who are thrown into the danger. So here we have the aforementioned nephews who are visiting the island and their aunt Claire who they haven't seen for a few years. This time around, I found it difficult to like the two boys (the eldest is so unlikeable that I was praying for him to be eaten) and just couldn't warm to them until much later in the movie (again, when they share screen time with Pratt... coincidence or does that man have a magic touch?)

Again, there is a human bad guy (we can't blame everything on the poor dinosaurs) and this time around it comes in the hulking shape of Vincent D'Onofrio's Hoskins. Although not as intimidating as in his recent portrayal of Wilson Fisk (Marvel's Daredevil) he is nonetheless a suitably slimy antagonist in the little time he is on screen.

Jurassic World manages to pose the question yet again; who is the real villain, man or dinosaur?

This film looks great, has some moments of real tension and a finale that makes you want to jump up out of your cinema seat and cry 'YES'. No, this is not an original tale, but there are enough new elements to keep viewers hooked. The dinosaurs, both new and old, are certainly worth seeing on the big screen and I will say no more about them as they need to be seen to be appreciated.

Bond Retrospective: Dr No (1962)

Starring: Sean Connery, Ursula Andress

Director: Terence Young

Runtime: 110 minutes

A world famous film series, spanning over 50 years, and featuring gorgeous actresses, fantastic gadgets and spectacular action sequences, all started back in 1962 with a movie based on an Ian Fleming novel.

In this retrospective, I will be looking at all of the films featuring Britain's finest spy, reviewing each one and judging them on the five elements that make a Bond film... a Bond film:
the girls, the gadgets, the cars, the villains and the title songs.

James Bond is sent to Jamaica on a mission to discover the whereabouts of a colleague, who himself was investigating the disruption of American rocket launches. Once there, he works with Felix Leiter of the CIA, and meets Honey Ryder, an innocent woman who is dragged into Bond's adventure.
The assignment leads to an island owned by the mysterious Dr. No.

When we first meet Bond, he is dressed in a tux, playing cards and flirting with a beautiful woman. This is the spy that audiences know and love. As his infamous introduction is uttered, the theme kicks in and we start a journey that will eventually become synonymous with all Bond films.

Having never read the books, I can only base my opinion on how I think a spy should be. Sean Connery has the looks and charm to make the character loved by men and women alike. However, he also possesses a killer, steely-eyed look of an assassin, as evident in one scene where he kills a man in cold blood. This Bond means business.

The film screams 60s; from the pop-art inspired opening sequence to the hair and fashion of the cast (the ladies in particular). Even the story revolving around the space race is very much of the decade. 

The film is a good watch and, for fans of the franchise, a welcome sign of things to come.

Car: As the first film, the elements that make up a 'classic' Bond movie haven't yet been established, and that includes the wheels driven by Connery. Apart from a hire car used to travel to Miss Taro's house, there is no main vehicle to rave about. 4/10

Gadgets: Again, not too much to write about in his first outing. The outrageous apparatus provided by Q branch has yet to surface. This film does have the one and only appearance of Peter Burton (in the role that would go on to be filled by Desmond Llewelyn in future films). As Major Boothroyd, he is the man to provide Bond with his signature Walther PPK. 5/10

Girls: As would become tradition, there is usually a few meaningless trysts before the main lady makes her play for the hero. The ladies are all stunning but Ursula Andress is in a class all of her own. From her emergence from the water, she captivates Connery and the audience with her stunning good looks. It's an entrance that many have tried to imitate (even in another Bond film, but more about that another time) but none have bettered. However, it's not just how she looks that makes the character memorable. Honey Ryder is a figure of innocence but manages to display a darker side when she confesses to killing a man with a poisonous spider. She almost faints when Bond is forced to kill a man in the water but she doesn't shy from the fight when they are being captured. I'm not suggesting that this first film had a feminist outlook, Ryder wears next to nothing for most of her screen time, but she certainly wasn't just a damsel in distress. 9/10

Music: It's the classic theme throughout, from the opening sequence to the end credits. So good, it still sends a shiver up my spine to this day. However, it might have been fun to hear somebody try to sing something cool or sexy including the lyrics 'Dr. No'  9/10

Villain: Dr. No himself is talked about throughout the movie but is only seen in the final third. I feel like more could have been made of his bionic hands (covered by black PVC-like gloves). He is suitably well spoken, intellectual and slightly creepy; enough to make him a decent bad guy. However, he really is a mere gateway to the bigger and badder members of SPECTRE. 6/10

The name's Bond, James Bond.

With Bond number 24, titled Spectre, due for release in November of this year, I have decided it is a good time to revisit all of the super spy's films.

So, I will be re-watching every movie, from Dr No to Skyfall, and reviewing each one. I will also be looking at the five main elements that have become synonymous with Bond; the gadgets, the girls, the car, the villain and the theme song.

Cinema Review: San Andreas (12A)

Starring: Dwayne Johnson, Carla Gugino, Alexandra Daddario, Paul Giamatti

Director: Brad Peyton

Runtime: 114 minutes

Back in the 1970s, disaster films were big; The Poseidon Adventure, The Towering Inferno and the Airport movies, to name but a few. While not destined to go down in movie history as a fellow classic, new film San Andreas taps into that same vein and produces a fairly entertaining picture.

Starring Dwayne Johnson (a big enough actor that he can now drop 'The Rock') as a rescue pilot who, in the aftermath of a massive earthquake in San Francisco, has to rescue his family before the next one hits.

The plot is simple enough, a man does everything to save his (soon-to-be-ex) wife and daughter in the wake of a natural disaster. Travelling by land, sea and air, Johnson's character, Ray, is a man who will do anything for his family. And that's essentially what the movie is about. Ray doesn't run around shooting and beating people up (save for one small moment that reminds the audience of Johnson's action man credentials). Instead he gets to act, with real emotion and depth that he doesn't always get a chance to display. No, it isn't an award garnering role, but he does well enough to make the viewer care.

 He is ably assisted by Carla Gugino as his wife (for now) who has one of the best lines of the film (every parent will understand when they hear it uttered). She is a great fit for the role; feisty enough for the action parts, but she also plays the loving partner and mother very well.

With some films, the daughter tends to be a whiny, self-obsessed nightmare (yes, I'm looking at you Transformers 4). How refreshing then that Alexandra Daddario plays a strong female who gets to be as much a hero as her on-screen father. Her two companions (including a potential love interest) may have been awkwardly squeezed into the film, but it was nice to see the boys having to rely on a woman.

With all great disaster flicks, there has to be a scientist who nobody listens to until it is too late. San Andreas presents us with Paul Giamatti, who has the unenviable task of filling the audience in on all the science and technical chatter. As such a great actor, I expected more from him, but there was only so much Giamatti could do with the character. He does at least have one very funny line amongst all the worrying and hiding under tables.

The destruction of San Francisco is impressive and the film does produce genuine moments of tension. But, there are some dubious moments, such as an unexpected cameo from a pop icon and some added shmaltz that almost ruins the film; both of which are completely unnecessary. The film is held together by stunning visual effects and the charm of Dwayne Johnson.

With so many big name films being released in 2015, this could get lost among the big boys. However, if you're at a loose end, this is engaging enough to justify a cinema ticket.

I did it!!!

Well, that's all folks. After 6 years of studying for a degree alongside working, being a mother and an awesome blogger, it has finally come to an end.

I'm just chilling for a bit now, but I will be back to watching, reviewing and writing about films asap... including my first trip to the cinema in over a month (been too long!)

Normal Service Will Resume Shortly...

So, I know Silverscreen Snob has been a bit quiet of late. Have I lost the will to watch films? Has the cinema lost all its appeal? Has my Blu-ray player exploded, thus rendering me incapable of viewing movies?

Of course not!!

The truth is that I am currently in the middle of my very last university project. Six years of hard work is almost over and I will finally graduate at the grand (young) age of 34.

However, this means that unfortunately I haven't had the time to review all the films I have seen. Although my last cinema trip was to see Avengers: Age of Ultron, I have still been watching films at home, most recently Man of Tai Chi and Mission Impossible II. I will do my best to try and review these asap, but until then, I implore you to please be patient with me while I stress out over English Grammar in Context (sounds sexy, right?)

Please feel free to check out some of my older reviews, visit Silverscreen Snob on Facebook or Twitter or keep checking back for more ramblings from my over-stressed brain.

From keepcalm-o-matic.co.uk

Avengers: Age of Ultron (12A)

Director - Joss Whedon

Starring - Robert Downey Jr, Chris Evans, Chris Hemsworth, Mark Ruffalo, Scarlett Johansson, Jeremy Renner, James Spader, Elizabeth Olsen, Aaron Taylor-Johnson

Runtime - 141 minutes

Marvel fans, comic book fans, super hero fans, film fans across the globe have waited for this movie with baited breath. And did it deliver...?

It has been three years since Earth's Mightiest Heroes first teamed up to save the world from Loki and his Chitauri army. Now, Iron Man, Captain America et al. are back to face an enemy much closer to home.

The plot, if you really didn't know by now, centres on Tony Stark's attempts to make an artificial intelligence that could help control his peace-keeping robot force. However, things don't go according to plan and instead the team are faced with Ultron. If that wasn't bad enough, our heroes also have to contend with the Maximoff twins; enhanced human beings created by Hydra, and driven by revenge.

The film delivers more of the things that made the first Avengers so good; fantastic action sequences, great characters and a wicked humour weaved through it all.
The actors in this film don't disappoint, continuing to deliver the characters that we all know and love. However, this time around we finally get to see a bit more of Hawkeye and he almost steals the show, with some of the best lines and a great rousing speech towards the end. It was fantastic to see what Jeremy Renner could actually do with his role.

 The two newbies, Quicksilver (Aaron Taylor-Johnson) and Scarlet Witch (Elizabeth Olsen) held their own well on screen. I much preferred both their performances here than I did when they teamed up for Godzilla last year. And the question as to who is the better Quicksilver, Taylor-Johnson or Evan Peters (from X-Men: Days of Future Past)...? Peters' character was played mostly for comedic effect (which he did brilliantly) but Taylor-Johnson has darker origins which makes him a more serious Quicksilver. However, he does warm up as the film progresses, making it a very close call between the two Kick-Ass actors (in fact I still can't decide between them).

Massive kudos to James Spader for his portrayal of Ultron. If you have ever watched the TV series, The Blacklist, then you know exactly what you're in for. The voice (obviously) and the mannerisms are all the same as Spader's character of Red, just in metallic form. This is not a bad thing; Ultron is a force to be reckoned with and you couldn't imagine anyone else performing the role.

As with the first film, there are some manic and explosive set pieces. My own personal favourites include the final battle and the Hulk Vs Hulk Buster face off. The show down is even more destructive than the trailer indicates, with outstanding effects and that humour evident all the way through. What makes it so good though is the final reaction of Mark Ruffalo, still in his big green guise.

The Age of Ultron canvas hanging in my living room

This film isn't perfect, of course it isn't. With so many characters and so many plot points, there may be audience members that come away not 100% satisfied. But those people will probably be very few in number. As a fan of the Marvel film universe, to me this was a fast-paced, thrilling and funny film that entertained from minute one to the mid-credit stinger (there is nothing post credits).
Joss Whedon has set the bar extremely high for the Russo brothers, who are due to take on Avengers: Infinity War. I for one will miss Mr Whedon's eye for a good visual, strong female characters and hilarious one-liners that has made this movie as marvel-ous (sorry) as it is.