Category Archives: Marvel

Do You Love the Marvel Movieverse? I Know I Do!

Marvel Studios, being generally awesome, has put together a massive, 5-minute-long trailer for all of their movies to date. I’m not sure why – other than synergy with Guardians of the Galaxy – but who doesn’t love a reminder that the Marvel movies have all been awesome? Did you hear that Guardians of the Galaxy had a $94 million opening weekend? That’s way above predictions! The film is a hit! Go Marvel!

Good times! Now go see Guardians of the Galaxy again!

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Review: Guardians of the Galaxy

Close encounters of the Marvel kind! They took such a risk with this film. Setting the action in outer space. Introducing audiences to a ton of obscure cosmic characters. But every single risk paid off in a big way, because Guardians of the Galaxy is a phenomenal thrillride of pure fun. I’ll admit to being skeptical when the movie was first announced. But every doubt has been laid to rest with this exciting film. It never slows down, it never feels too forced or weird, and most of all, it has the biggest, most beautiful personality of any Marvel movie yet. This film is all about style and substance.

Guardians of the Galaxy is the laugh-out-loud funniest movie of the year. Parts of it are underdeveloped, but the titular team is the most entertaining ensemble since Serenity.

Movie Rating: 9/10 – Great.

If you’ve never read any of the comics, don’t worry, because none of them matter. Guardians of the Galaxy is its own movie, and you don’t need to know any back story or worry about any comic books to enjoy the film on its own. If you have read the comics, and you know your Cosmic Marvel Universe inside and out, you’re going to want to let go of what you already know. Guardians of the Galaxy makes plenty of changes and alters more than a few characters and concepts. If you hold on to your comic book continuity, it’s just going to be an albatross around your neck.

Embrace Guardians of the Galaxy for what it is: an action-packed romp that raises comedic banter to an art form. I can’t remember the last movie that was this cleverly written. Every Marvel movie has included a bit of humor, whether it’s the occasional one-liner or pratfall. But Guardians of the Galaxy is just flat out hilarious. And almost all of it is character based. When the main characters get going, when the quips and barbs start flying, the film shines like the night sky. If you thought the trailers were witty and fun, they were just the tip of the iceberg. The dialogue in this movie is brilliant, and the actors all shine, making the absolute most of what they’re given.

At least that’s the case for the Guardians themselves. They’re the best part of the film. But everything around them — from Nebula to Knowhere to the Nova Corps — is woefully underdeveloped. The movie basically has some big rubber stamps labeled ‘good guys’ and ‘bad guys’, and after stamping almost all of the supporting characters, it goes back to writing witty dialogue for the Guardians.

Which is exactly why you should see this movie! It’s just plain funny, with a soundtrack of classic 70s and 80s hits that elevate Guardians of the Galaxy into the gem of the summer.

Join me after the jump for my full review. There will be some SPOILERS from here on out, so read at your own risk, movie fans!

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Hench-Sized Comic Book Reviews – 8/2/14

How awesome was Guardians of the Galaxy? I had my doubts in the very beginning, but man oh man, that movie rocked! Physically, metaphorically and musically! Expect my full movie review either later today or tomorrow. Maybe I’ll go see it again!

For now, how about we bask in some comic book love? Though, foolishly, I didn’t bother reviewing the newest issue of Guardians of the Galaxy. What can I say, I don’t particularly care for the comic. But I do love me some Uncanny X-Men, Hawkeye and Harley Quinn, all of which we got to enjoy this week.

Comic Book of the Week goes to New Avengers #21, because writer Jonathan Hickman is really pushing our favorite superheroes beyond the breaking point.

Bye Superman!

Comic Reviews: Batman Eternal #17, Harley Quinn #8, Hawkeye #19, Justice League #32, New Avengers #21, Red Lanterns Annual #1, and Uncanny X-Men #24.

And here’s my review of Cyclops #3.

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I’m Going to See Guardians of the Galaxy Tonight, Who’s With Me?

If you can or can’t make it, maybe you’ll enjoy this LEGO version of one of the TV spots! I know I did!

I love these things. Whoever you are out there who can make these awesome LEGO videos, you are a true Internet magician! Now let’s go see Guardians of the Galaxy!

Ladies and Gentleman, There Will Be a Phil Urich Action Figure

I like collecting superhero action figures. I loved it as a kid, and I still love it now. They’re neat to put on book shelves and just be on display. It speaks to the geek collector in me. Unfortunately, most of my favorite superheroes are pretty obscure characters, and they don’t get made into action figures very often. I could care less about the latest Spider-Man or Wolverine variant. Give me a Multiple Man figure!

Well it seems the impossible has happened. Phil Urich, one of my all-time favorite comic book characters, is getting an action figure. As part of some upcoming Marvel Legends line, we will get Phil’s awesome Hobgoblin figure.

Dreams do come true

Holy crap, that looks awesome. That will be the pride and joy of my collection, people. I know it’s a little bit insane to like action figures so much at my age, but who’s judging? Don’t be a Judge Judy. Get on the cool train!

The figure comes out sometime in 2015, I think. There are some more pictures here. Sweet Georgia Brown, I want that toy.