Mac's Movies

UK Release Date:  28 April 2017 Certification:  12A Director:  James Gunn Cast:  Dave Bautista, Bradley Cooper, Elizabeth Debicki, Vin Diesel, Karen Gillan, Pom Klementieff,  Chris Pratt, Michael Rooker, Kurt Russell, Zoe Saldaña, Sylvester Stallone Rating:   67 % Review: Following on from 2014's smash hit Guardians of the Galaxy , Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 replicated the majority of the film's success whilst failing to capture the magic of the first.  Similarly, to its predecessor Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 immediately involves you in the world with an energetic opening. Another dancing scene - this time to 'Mr Blue Sky' - focusing solely on Baby Groot rather than the action surrounding him. Instantly, making the audience aware that the Guardians haven't changed from their first outing. The rest of the soundtrack is magnificent with 'Come a Little Bit Closer', 'Father and Son' and an immaculate scene set to Fleetwood Mac's 'The Cha...

UK Release Date:  31 July 2014 Certification:  12A Director:  James Gunn Cast:  Dave Bautista, Bradley Cooper, Vin Diesel, Karen Gillan, Djimon Hounsou, Lee Pace,  Chris Pratt, Michael Rooker, Zoe Saldaña Rating:   88% Review: Back in 2014 no one could have anticipated the fame that James Gunn's Guardians trilogy would garnish. A breath of fresh air in a world saturated by unoriginal comic book movies made entirely for a cash-grab and riddled with Easter eggs. Guardians of the Galaxy is riveting. There's a magic quality surrounding the film that can't be escaped, full of heart and joy.  The soundtrack isn't the reason for the film's success but it sure helped contribute towards it. James Gunn created a delightful mix of music from the 60's and 70's, encapsulating the feel of the film during every scene. With every needle drop started through a speaker or walkman the characters are experiencing every sound along with the audience, immersing the viewer ...

UK Release Date:  03 May 2023 Certification:  12A Director:  James Gunn Cast:  Dave Bautista, Bradley Cooper, Karen Gillan, Chukwudi Iwuji, Pom Klementieff,  Will Poulter, Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldaña Rating:   87% Review: Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3  is a breath of fresh air within the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). So much so that it has already found its way to third place in my ranking of the franchise. James Gunn delivers the perfect ending to the Guardians with his swan song.  James Gunn never fails to deliver when it comes to the soundtrack of his films - it's became somewhat of a guarantee throughout his career. He often states that he writes in music before any dialogue, giving scenes added essence.  Each needle drop is executed both realistically and wonderfully.  The film began with one of my favourite openings of all time.  The way it built into the title crawl was epic.  I think the opening is perfect and is enhan...

UK Release Date: 6 May 2022 Certification: 12A Director: Sam Raimi Cast: Benedict Cumberbatch, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Xochitl Gomez, Rachel McAdams, Elizabeth Olsen, Benedict Wong Rating: 59% Beware - there are some strange spoilers below. Review: I think where the movie fell flat for me was the lack of direction. It's a bit of a mess. The whole plot is essentially Wanda going on a killing spree because her made up children don't exist. Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness isn't a sequel to Doctor Strange and it isn't a full exploration of the multiverse either (only choosing to delve into three different universes). So what actually is it? I still don't really know. Sam Raimi wasn't a great appointment in my opinion, it really feels like one of his movies, he just chucks ideas onto the screen.  For me, each time Benedict Cumberbatch appears as Doctor Strange, his performance improves. He embodies the arrogance but also caring nature of the character. Pl...

UK Release Date: 03 September 2021 Certification: 12A Director: Destin Daniel Cretton Cast: Awkwafina, Fala Chen, Ben Kingsley, Tony Chiu-Wai Leung, Simu Liu, Michelle Yeoh, Meng'er Zhang Rating:   67 % "I speak ABC" Review: Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings is the MCU's take at a martial arts story inspired by movies like Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon . The movie isn't void of it's MCUisms but it's a decent o rigin story that expands the world and introduces a new likeable character.  Shang-Chi is played by Simu Liu in his breakout role. He's charismatic, caring and I'm very excited to see him as a new leading man in the MCU. But  Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings focuses on the villain and   Tony Chiu-Wai Leung is brilliant playing the real Mandarin. Destin Daniel Cretton did a good job working around the racial stereotypes that are often associated with the comic book version of the character.  He sells every emotion and  wa...

The MCU is easily my favourite movie franchise. Over the course of 13 years they've made 27 movies, with many more in the works, and raised just over $25 billion at the box office. So following the start to phase four and the release of Spider-Man: No Way Home , I've decided to re-rank the movies in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. 27. Thor: The Dark World 26. Iron Man 2 25. Ant-Man and the Wasp 24. Captain Marvel 23. Eternals 22. Black Widow 21. Iron Man 3 20. Guardians of the Galaxy: Vol. 2 19. Thor 18. Avengers: Age of Ultron 17. Spider-Man: Far From Home 16.  Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings 15. The Incredible Hulk 14. Doctor Strange 13. Black Panther 12. Captain America: The First Avenger 11. Spider-Man: Homecoming 10. Ant-Man 09. Iron Man 08. Guardians of the Galaxy 07. Spider-Man: No Way Home 06. Thor: Ragnarok 05. Captain America: Civil War 04.  Avengers Assemble 03. Avengers: Endgame 02. Avengers: Infinity War 01. Captain America: The Wi...

UK Release Date: 15 December 2021 Certification: 12A Director: Jon Watts Cast: Jacob Batalon, Benedict Cumberbatch, Willem Dafoe, Jon Favreau, Jamie Foxx, Tom Holland, Alfred Molina, Marisa Tomei, Zendaya Rating:   79 % The finale to Spider-Man's first trilogy in the MCU doesn't disappoint.  Review: Similar to Avengers: Endgame , Spider-Man: No Way Home is a cinematic spectacle that is an absolute must watch. I was unfortunately unable to see the movie upon release due to having to isolate but I was lucky enough to avoid the majority of spoilers online. Similarly, there is no way that I'll be able to talk about this movie without revealing spoilers - you have been warned.  I'd always liked Tom Holland as Spider-Man due to his charisma and like-ability but I feel he really steps up in Spider-Man: No Way Home . You can physically see him maturing over the course of the MCU becoming more and more confident. He's also able to show a little more depth and his abi...

UK Release Date:   24 October 2017 Certification:  12A Director:  Taika Waititi Cast:  Cate Blanchett, Idris Elba, Jeff Goldblum, Chris Hemsworth, Tom Hiddleston, Anthony Hopkins, Mark Ruffalo, Tessa Thompson, Karl Urban, Taika Waititi  Rating: 85 % "I'm made of rocks, as you can see, but don't let that intimidate you." Review:   Thor: Ragnarok is by far the best entry in the Thor trilogy. Taika Waititi is able to bring a different, more vibrant feel too in all honesty a boring character. I'm very excited to see what direction he goes in next year with the release of Thor: Love and Thunder .  The cast is exceptional in this movie. Chris Hemsworth finally gets to show off his comedic chops as Thor which has since made him one of my favourite characters in the MCU - the opening scene just sets up the feel for the rest of the movie. I utterly enjoyed seeing Mark Ruffalo added to the cast in a buddy cop role. His role was of course influenced by...

UK Release Date:   27 April 2011 Certification:  12A Director:  Kenneth Branagh Cast:  Kat Dennings, Idris Elba, Clark Gregg, Chris Hemsworth, Tom Hiddleston, Anthony Hopkins, Natalie Portman, Rene Russo, Stellan Skarsgard  Rating:  72% "Whosoever holds this hammer, if he be worthy, shall possess the power of Thor" Review: When rewatching Thor , I enjoyed it much more than I remembered. Kenneth Branagh's Shakespearean style really works as we're introduced to the God of Thunder.  The movie's greatest quality is also it's biggest downfall, the setting. Asgard is absolutely beautifully shot with the grandeur of the world on full display and a swelling score to up the elegance. However, when  Thor  switches it's focus to New Mexico it loses me a little. I know that the purpose was to make Asgard seem as impressive as possible by choosing a dirty and run down location but it didn't work for me - it just made me want to switch the attent...

UK Release Date:   29 April 2016 Certification:   12A Director:  Anthony and Joe Russo Cast:  Paul Bettany, Chadwick Boseman, Daniel Brühl, Don Cheadle, Chris Evans, Tom Holland, Scarlett Johansson, Robert Downey Jr, Anthony Mackie, Elizabeth Olsen, Jeremy Renner, Paul Rudd, Sebastian Stan Rating: 86 % United we stand. Divided we fall. Review: Based on one of the greatest comic book's of all time, Captain America: Civil War is the finale to my favourite trilogy. The Russo's do a great job at merging characters from solo ventures.  Of course the parallels are there between the DCEU's  Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (which I enjoy a lot more than most)  and  Captain America: Civil War  but the latter did a great job at creating a story that would shape their universe for years to come.  A lot of reviews at the time of the movie's release stated the movie was pretentious and simply an unofficial 'Avengers 2.5.' Howe...

UK Release Date: 26 March 2014 Certification: 12A Director: Anthony Russo, Joe Russo Cast: Chris Evans, Frank Grillo, Samuel L. Jackson, Scarlett Johansson, Anthony Mackie, Robert Redford, Sebastian Stan Rating: 97% "On your left" Review: The  perfect action movie. The Russo's introduction to the MCU is their finest and also the series' best. Captain America: The Winter Soldier is the perfect example of how to do a sequel right - It has so many iconic action scenes and lines whilst applying it's trade in the spy genre and introduces many fan favourites for the first time.  Captain America's last appearance in Avengers Assemble was heavily criticised by fans because they felt he was too goofy compared to his comic counterpart. However, the Russo Brothers do a great job at making Steve Rogers grounded, grittier and sufficiently more serious superhero that is fit to lead till the very end. This is also partly down to Chris Evans who incredibly makes...

UK Release Date:  29 July 2011 Certification:  12A Director:  Joe Johnston Cast:  Haley Atwell, Chris Evans, Tommy Lee Jones, Sebastian Stan, Stanley Tucci, Hugo Weaving Rating: 80 %   Captain America is and always will be my favourite superhero. Review: Based during World War II, Captain America: The First Avenger is the fifth venture into the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The movie explores Steve Rogers, a skinny kid from Brooklyn, who becomes Captain America to help win the war.  The best thing going for the movie is it's hero, not Captain America but instead Steve Rogers. He was already a hero before he 'became' one, all Steve wants to do is stop bullies. His personality doesn't change even when his body does.  Chris Evans obviously plays a huge role in making the character feel grounded, getting even better as the MCU progresses. Cementing himself, alongside Robert Downey Jr (as Iron Man), as irreplaceable actors in their roles. Sebastian Stan's Buc...

Late last week, Kevin Feige and some of the MCU cast members announced at San Diego Comic Con (SDCC) Phase Four of the MCU. Feige also announced some other movies and some Disney Plus TV shows but I will purely concentrate on the Phase Four movies today.  H ere is my reaction to what was announced.  Black Widow Black Widow is slated for release in May 2020. It will be directed by Cate Shortland and will star David Harbour, Scarlett Johansson, Florence Pugh and Rachel Weisz. It will explore Black Widow's origins and her time in the much referenced Budapest. Eternals Chloe Zhao will direct Eternals which is set to be released in November 2020. Bryan Tyree Henry, Angelina Jolie, Richard Madden and Kumail Nanjiani will star and the movie promises to explore The Eternals and The Deviants and how both shaped Earth's history and civilisations. Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings Shang-Chi is known as the Master of Kung-Fu and the movie will be directed by Destin Da...

UK Release Date: 2 July 2019 Certification: 12A Director: Jon Watts Cast: Jacob Batalon, Jon Favreau, Jake Gyllenhaal, Tom Holland, Samuel L. Jackson, Tony Revolori, Angourie Rice, Marisa Tomei, Zendaya Rating:   74 % London Calling. Review:  I cannot review Spider-Man: Far From Home without giving away major spoilers. Please bare this in mind if you haven't seen the movie. [Spoiler] J ake Gyllenhaal is perfectly cast as Mysterio. All comic book fans will know that Mysterio is one of Spider-Man's main villains. There is an expositional scene in the bar that had the potential to ruin the movie but Jake Gyllenhaal nailed it.   The returning cast are once again excellent, especially Tom Holland, who in my opinion is the best actor to play Spider-Man on screen. And special mention to Jon Favreau, who gave his best performance as Happy Hogan. The movie isn't set in Midtown Science and Technology School as Peter is on an European field trip (to Venice, Pragu...

UK Release Date: 5 July 2017 Certification: 12A Director: Jon Watts Cast: Jacob Batalon, Donald Glover, Jon Favreau, Laura Harrier, Tom Holland, Robert Downey Jr, Michael Keaton, Tony Revolori, Marisa Tomei, Zendaya Rating: 76 % Just You're Friendly Neighbourhood Spider-Man. Review: Spider-Man Homecoming is the first MCU solo Spider-Man movie and you can tell it is an MCU production, which is no bad thing. It has more jokes, more action and of course cameos from other MCU characters. Tom Holland and the rest of the cast are amazing in Spider-Man: Homecoming . For me, Tom Holland is the best actor to play Spider-Man. He is perfect for the part - suitably cocky as Spider-Man and equally insecure as Peter Parker. It is incredible that he is this good at such a young age [when Spider-Man: Homecoming came out Tom Holland was only 21 years old, making him the youngest actor to play Spider-Man].  Michael Keaton creates one of the best villains in the MCU with his portrayal...