Trailer Round-Up

This week has seen the release of trailers for some of this year’s biggest movies. If you have missed them, here is a quick recap…

The Avengers

Last week’s Super Bowl saw the premiere of the new trailer of The Avengers. The clip reveals the band of heroes from the Marvel universe. Spiderman is noticeably absent, although the clip below illustrates why one of Marvel’s most famous characters does not seem to appear. Although the trailer is short, it seems that Captain America, Iron Man and the Hulk take centre stage. It will be interesting to see the role Jeremy Renner’s Hawkeye will play, as one of the lesser known superheroes. The Avengers is released on 27th April 2012.

The Amazing Spider-Man

It was clearly Marvel trailer release week. The Amazing Spider-Man trailer was revealed earlier in the week, to much excitement. The first thing that sprung to mind was that it looks a bit CGI-heavy, much like 2002’s Spider-Man (the effects of which now look quite dated). The Amazing Spider-Man is being filmed in 3D, so perhaps the effects will look more seamless in this format. The aspect which is appealing at the moment is the casting of leads Andrew Garfield and Emma Stone. The Amazing Spider-Man is due for release on 4th July 2012.

The Bourne Legacy

The Bourne series is one that I need to revisit. I liked the first film, but need to watch the two sequels again to solidify my opinion on them. This summer a new instalment is released, with Jeremy Renner taking over from Matt Damon. The trailer for The Bourne Legacy is a rather stylish affair for the first half, before the more traditional reveal of scenes. After his appearance in Mission: Impossible Ghost Protocol last year and The Avengers this year, Jeremy Renner is fast becoming the go to guy for big action blockbusters. The Bourne Legacy is out on 15th August 2012.

The Amazing Spider-Man Trailer

Four years after the last Spiderman film comes the trailer for reboot The Amazing Spider-Man. From the footage here, it appears that Marc Webb’s film is very similar to the first film in terms of the origin story. Nonetheless, the film stars young talents Andrew Garfield and Emma Stone, so perhaps it will offer something more. The effects in the trailer are not that impressive, but may look better in the finished film as it is being filmed in 3D. The Amazing Spider-Man is released on 3rd July 2012.

Film Review: Thor

Everyone seems to get their own superhero movie these days. Even Thor, well known but not the most popular of Marvel characters. It is refreshing that these lesser heroes take the spotlight once in a while, a break from the frequent instalments and re-imaginings featuring the most popular comic book protagonists (Spiderman, to name but one).

Brave and brash Thor has always been confident that he would become king. When his coronation ceremony is interrupted, Thor seeks revenge and inadvertently reignites an ancient war. Cast out of Asgard by his father Odin, Thor is banished to Earth…

Thor is an entertaining blockbuster that should please fans of the comic and general cinemagoers alike. The narrative is what one would expect from this genre. It is neither disappointing nor illuminating. Still, Thor distinguishes itself from its contemporaries as much of the action takes place in a fantasy realm. Even the scenes set on Earth occur in indistinct surroundings; the dessert of New Mexico instead of Spiderman‘s New York or The Green Hornet‘s Los Angeles.

Momentum is good in Thor; director Kenneth Branagh keeps the action moving. There is a good balance of action set pieces and conversation-heavy scenes. The ‘fish out of water’ comedy works well, and is a good contrast to the grandiose nature of what is at stake in the film.

Effects in the film are generally good, although some sequences are heavily laden with CGI. Not much in either of the two other-worlds looks real, but perhaps that is the point. Art direction in the fantasy realm scenes is fantastic; there is a real sense of spectacle. The use of 3D is inoffensive. It is easy to forget that the film is in 3D. While it is certainly a good thing that the use of 3D is not distracting, there does not seem to be a point in paying extra to see Thor this way.

Chris Hemsworth offers a good performance as Thor. He looks appropriate for the role, and offers a sincerity that is believable. Anthony Hopkins is decent as Odin, although the actor seems destined to play the grand patriarch for the rest of his career. Tom Hiddleston is suitably ambiguous as Loki. Natalie Portman has little opportunity to show range, thanks to the lack of character development.

With the references to other characters in the Marvel realm, Thor feels at times merely a precursor to the hotly-anticipated movie The Avengers. Nonetheless, Branagh’s well-crafted film is very entertaining.

Film Review: I Am Number Four

D.J. Caruso’s I Am Number Four is an enjoyable sci-fi adventure film. It is not strikingly original, but is entertaining nonetheless.

John Smith is a teenager with a secret. Although he appears to be a regular teenage boy, John is one of nine children saved from an alien planet. He is also the next target for enemies who wish to destroy him…

I Am Number Four is based on the novel by Jobie Hughes and James Frey (who write under the pseudonym Pittacus Lore). The film combines science fiction and action elements with a teen movie. It functions in a similar way as that grand progenitor Buffy the Vampire Slayer, albeit with less humour.

In some ways, I Am Number Four is a typical Michael Bay production. Although the film does not contain his usual excessive symbols of patriotism, several other hallmarks are present. The overblown action sequences are featured in I Am Number Four, as well as Bay’s usual character types. Moreover, the film is a paean to small town America, with its idyllic depictions of Sarah’s home town. This idealised version of the American small town becomes grating at times, given its fairy-tale like qualities.

The narrative is fairly run of the mill, with few surprises. The ending of I Am Number Four echoes Sam Raimi’s first Spiderman film. There isn’t the desired conclusion where all ends are neatly tied up. Instead, Caruso suggests further chapters to the story. It is slightly unsatisfying that details of the background are not detailed fully; these presumably saved for future episodes.

The production values of I Am Number Four are solid. Special effects are good, except the battle between the two monsters where the CGI is very obvious. The soundtrack is bursting with contemporary artists, intended to give the film an aura of coolness, in all likelihood.

Performances are varied in the film. Alex Pettyfer is a suitable lead, but seems to have been cast for his looks and physique rather than his acting skills. Dianna Agron and Callan McAuliffe provide adequate support as Sarah and Sam. Timothy Olyphant gives a well-rounded performance as John’s guardian, Henri. Teresa Palmer, however, is lacklustre as Number 6. Her delivery is poor, and her stilted portrayal is upstaged by an animated performance by the dog.

While I Am Number Four will leave audiences entertained, it is questionable how successful it will be as a franchise. It lacks the charisma to pull back viewers, though perhaps a future film will show more spark.