THOR - Movie Review!

A Nordic Hello, FreEk Fellows!

The latest offering from the studios of Marvel comics "THOR" hits the theatres this weekend. Following in the footsteps of previous Marvel Films such as IRONMAN, and being a precursor to Marvel's Magnum Opus superhero movie "THE AVENGERS".

yeh reshmi zulfein.....

What it is?: Thor, being perhaps the most "difficult" of comic books being brought to cinematic adaptation, as it tells the tale of the Norse God Thor (Chris Hemsworth), who is punished by his father the almighty Odin (Anthony Hopkins) to earth. Stripped of his powers, Thor learns the meaning of selflessness,sacrifice and courage as he battles monsters unleashed upon earth by his evil brother Loki (Tom Hiddleston)

YEH FEVICOL KA JOD HAI KYA??

What Works?: Set between the heavenly abodes of ASGARD and earth, THOR is perhaps the most lavish of superhero movies in a long time, and it utilises its CGI well! Chris Hemsworth lights up the screen as the macho yet disarming THOR. There abound surprise cameos from various actors including Samuel L. Jackson (Nick Fury) and Jeremy Renner (Hawkeye) make things more interesting

What Doesn't: Despite all its lavish settings and CGI Brouhaha, THOR never manages an emotional connect with the audience, Natalie Portman fails miserably in the role of astrophysicist Jane Foster, Tom Hiddleston's LOKI looks convoluted and never and Anthony Hopkins barely passes muster as an out-of-shape ODIN.

Verdict: Thor comes about as a necessary link between Marvel's superhero movies such as IRONMAN and the forthcoming Captain America, in the aforesaid runup to the Avengers, THOR comes about as a weak link, quite knowingly then the end credits mention that THOR will return in the Avengers Movie; as the chances of the character having its own sequel are very thin!!

Rating:


a dismal two FrEekies!!

The Avengers : The Biggest Superhero Movie Ever!

A Super-heroic hello, my freEk fellows!!!

Over the last few years, comic-book giant Marvel has got its act together and taken creative control of the screen adaptations of its comic book properties. As a result, we got to see the the reboot of the Incredible Hulk, the awesome Iron Man and its sequel. but Marvel isn't done yet!!

Those who have watched the above movies will clearly remember the cameo by Tony Stark
(Robert Downey Jr) in the Hulk movie, which went something like this...

Tony makes the mention of the "Avengers Initiative" in his brief yet snappy cameo! freEks will also remember my previous post where I had scooped out the presence of another superhero in the Incredible Hulk, that superhero being none other than Captain America! take a look...

Not to be content with one Captain America cameo, Marvel also shoved Captain America's trademark shield in both the iron man movies...
IRON MAN 1:

IRON MAN 2:

If that's not all, IRON MAN 2 contained a post-credits scene hinting at the arrival of yet another superhero: THOR!!

Check out Thor's Hammer in the last frame!

The Avengers Movie:
What does this crossover brouhaha mean you ask? Well, the frEek has all the answers! Marvel will shortly roll out movies featuring Thor directed by Kenneth Branagh and starring Chris Helmsworth, the first image has already been leaked out...

chris hemsworth as Thor

The next on the block is of course Captain America directed by Joe Johnston and starring Chris Evans.

Actor Chris Evans will star as Captain America

As a final coup-de-grace, Marvel plans to unite all these characters in what will be known as the "Avengers" movie which in turn is modelled on the comic book superhero team of the same name. Marvel has gone ahead and signed sci-fi director extraordinaire Joss Whedon as the director for the same. Still don't believe it? here's further proof:

The above picture, is a capture from Iron - Man 2 showing a map of "super -powered" individuals across the globe, as indicated from the circles on various continents. These are the superheros that Nick-Fury (Samuel Jackson) wants to unite as the Avengers. Apart from the circles in the Americas ( Iron Man, Hulk) of particular note are the ones in the North Pole (being the frozen Captain America) as well as one in the middle of the ocean could

this be a secret nod to yet the introduction of "NAMOR" who is Marvel's underwater superhero? time will tell!! So there you have it folks, an exclusive freEk-peek at the superhero extravangza starring Hulk, Iron Man, Captain America, Thor and a slew of smaller superheros!

Will this be the greatest cinematic miracle since buttered popcorn or a mish-mash of many genres? We can only wait and freEking watch!!

That Extra FreEky: You always hear it here, first folks!!

IPS CUSTODE?....

Hellos my freeky fellows! and sincerest apologies for this long-in-the-coming (no sexual pun intended) post!
and so to make amends, we feast our scaly gaze on another long-in-the-coming extravaganza, more specifically the cinematic adaptation of what many call the Greatest Graphic Novel (yes, the cool term for comic book) ever....Alan Moore's : THE WATCHMEN!

Set in a bleak 1980s, where the cold war rages on, and Nixon has been elected president of the US, for a fourth consecutive term, the WATCHMEN to a regular comic book, is to compare a Pinto to a Bentley!. sure there are costumed superheros, plot twists and action galore, but the Watchmen deals with far complex issues including the debate over a policed yet content totalitarian society vs. a democratic yet chaotic one; the inherent human need for paranoia, as well as the great power that great responsibility brings. (whew!)
While the novel itself gained cult status; check out the Peanuts tribute above, hell even the Simspons, paid homage to this graphic behemoth.

All this, while lesser heroes in spandex took their shots at the box office (hey, the FANTASTIC FOUR had a sequel even!), all this until Zack "300" Snyder let the world know that it was he, who would bring this masterpiece to the silver screen!! (umm...do yourself a favour, and click on "know"!...NOW!). And then after much internet fuelled casting rumours, a legal disupte and a Hollywood strike later..the world could finally watch..THE WATCHMEN!! (freeking click on the title already!)

The movie, to its credit stays true to the nuances of the novel, add to it; a bleak colour palette, some splendid performances by the cast; including a great voiceover by Billy Crudup as Dr. Manhattan.

Snyder, even manages to sneak in a few extras for the discerning freek, check out the number of the hotel room where, the Comedian (yes, that's a superhero) is murdered....spoiler: (it's 300!) or the scene where a giant Dr. Manhattan sets out to destroy a Vietnam village; in an no uncertain tribute to this classic scene here!

All in all, THE WATCHMEN, without giving away the plotlines, can be said to be true to its source form, and manages to retain viewer interest, quite a mean feat for a superhero movie, that strays away from usual superhero vs. supervillain formula,

so, what are you waiting for, go on, watch....THE WATCHMEN!


Extra Freeky: The greatest graphic novel, in the FREEK's humble opinion is this