2013 saw a lot of Summer Blockbusters or did it? With many of them now coming out of Theaters and going on to DVD/Blu-ray, we want to help you find the jems and miss the flops.
Picture from comicsbeat.com
Iron Man 3: Skip
Tony Stark in his first outing on his own since the widely successful Avengers falls short of being anything new or exciting. Many of the villains feel like retooled versions of past Iron Man villains. Disney’s new Marvel Movie Empire is surprising bare in this movie, and not in a good way. The surprise character bait and switch was the third strike therefore making Shane Black’s Iron Man 3 a definite Skip. (Don’t worry nothing Thor, Captain America, or even Avenger related happened in the whole movie)
Star Trek Into Darkness: Rent
J.J. Abrams’ Star Trek universe was shaped in the first film and is explored in the sequel. BBC Sherlock star Benedict Cumberbatch excels as a cold and calculated villain. Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto and the rest of the returning cast feel much more at home compared to the first film. While suffering only mildly to some plot hiccups and attempting to re-brand a classic villain, this sequel does not really disappoint. Overall the film should be seen by Trekkies and non-trekkies alike, a definite Rent maybe even a buy.
Man of Steel: Skip
Henry Cavill bears the crest of the larger than life Superman in Zach Synder’s Man of Steel. Synder’s DC universe is a dark one void of heroes and that does not change with the appearance of the Man of Steel. Several plot elements feel rushed and many aspects are left strangely open. If you are wanting to watch a better Superman movie than Superman Returns, then go elsewhere because as the name indicates this is not a Superman movie. If you want to try it out don’t waste money on it wait for it to come on Netflix.
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Lone Ranger: Rent
Johnny Depp side kicks Armie Hammer’s Lone Ranger out of the leading saddle, making Tonto the lead role. Contrary to popular opinion the switch is a good one, it builds a literal narrative in an organic way. This re-imagination of the folk hero minimizes romance and builds on an American mythos with supernatural intrigue. No way is it the movie of the century and no I have not watched/listened to any Lone Ranger series nor have I seen The Legend of the Lone Ranger but I feel its at least worth the Redbox rental.
Pacific Rim: Buy
Guillermo Del Toro blends multiple fandoms and exposes an inner childhood dream through cataclysmic robotic and alien titans brawling for supremacy. Pacific Rim’s cinematic universe breaks through many of the recent American giant monster film flops. The film gives a unique perspective and is a visual masterpiece, one that definitely should be seen over and over!
The Wolverine: Rent
Hugh Jackman is The Wolverine and this film really shows that. Wolverine gets a much better shot at a focus than the 2009 X-Men Origins: Wolverine. With 5 other appearances Hugh does not have to convince us of anything and director James Mangold knows that and instead uses that time to show a plot that speaks to the inherent character and sets up future Wolverine appearances. While it all sounds great it is still not entirely a new idea but worth seeing. The mid-credit scene alone is almost worth the rental cost. Overall it seems that we will not be breaking our piggy banks open to buy DVDs. Our suggestion to the movie industry is that to win over at least this fan group, keep the plot simple and direct,while telling a unique story someone wants to hear.
The Phoenix Download 