Movies - BGCP Comic Con

Review – Spider-man: Far from Home (2019)

2nd September 2021

Review – Spider-man: Far from Home (2019) Run Time: 2hrs 13mins Directed by: Jon Watts Produced by: Kevin Feige Written by: Chris McKenna & Erik Sommers. Starring: Tom Holland, Jake Gyllenhaal, Zendaya, Jacob Batalon, Samuel L. Jackson, Marisa Tomei and Jon Favreau Release Date: 2 July 2019 Production company: Marvel Studios Full Spoilers Retrospective Review Introduction I’m delighted to be taking another trip down MCU memory lane to retroactively review Spider-man: Far From Home for BGCP Comic Con. Shortly after the events of the epic conclusion to the Infinity Saga, Avengers: Endgame, we find Peter Parker/ Spider-man dealing with the loss of his mentor, Tony “I am Ironman” Stark. Peter is also readjusting to life after being snapped back into existence after five years, when the Avengers undid Thanos’ dusting of half of all life in Endgame. Aunt May knows he’s Spider-man now but it’s not given much weight, she supports him in it, even encourages him. Peter’s going on a trip to Europe with school and conveniently, all of the supporting cast from Spider-man: Homecoming who would have naturally returned were snapped just like Peter so there’s plenty of familiar faces to join him on the trip. Peter was hoping to get away from that superhero life monsters from another reality require his attention. He meets a new hero, Quentin Beck played by Jake Gyllenhaal the last surviving hero fro… It’s Mysterio, he’s the bad guy, it’s all a lie. Story Ok so the plot is somewhat convoluted. These ‘monsters’ show up, attacking random spots around the world which draws the attention of Nick Fury and Maria Hill, (really Skrulls, Talos and his wife Soren who we met in Captain Marvel). They are acting on behalf of the real Nick Fury and are duped by the story of the Elementals that Beck (stage name) tells them. They team up and meet Peter on the Vienna stage of his school trip, as the water Elemental attacks. ‘Fury’ basically forces Peter to join them in the fight against the Elementals as strangely none of the many heroes that appeared in Endgame are available to help out. All this being a ruse by Beck to obtain the world security system/AI – EDITH. The control of which was left to Peter by Tony after his death. EDITH is operated through a pair of unmistakably Robert Downey Jr sunglasses, that ‘Fury’ delivers to Peter in Venice. The security system is a fleet of weaponised drones on stand by in a space station in Earth’s orbit. With EDITH, you can have a multi weapon killer drone that can be at your target at a moments notice. Demonstrated in a poor fashion when Peter accidentally sets a drone on another student while they’re driving through the country on a tour bus. It’s just the silliest scene, Peter leaping out of the moving bus through the skylight, web whipping the attacking drone onto the ground in an explosion that no one on the bus heard, all while Peter lands back in the bus, with no one the wiser. Behind the scenes Beck drops exposition in a fantastically theatrical monologue to his secret coconspirators after he tricks Peter into handing EDITH over to him. Beck was the man who invented the ‘BARF’ hologram technology used by Tony Stark in Civil War. Stark fired Beck for being unstable leading him to band together with other former Stark employees to collectively become ‘Mysterio’. Beck and co want access to EDITH and the fleet of drones to stage an ‘Avengers level threat’ that will place Mysterio as the next Ironman and give the cabal the keys to the world. A plan that doesn’t stand up to much scrutiny. How well would Mysterio’s illusions hold up if he had to interact with any of the other heroes in the MCU. A big mix of people with various skills and intelligences that would smell something fishy in Mysterio’s bowl. Buuuuut Quentin Beck or whatever his real name is, was fired by Stark for being unstable. I think this plan makes sense as the plan concocted by an unstable person. Jake Gyllenhaal is so captivating in the role that it doesn’t bother me for long. Hijinks Running parallel to the main plot is the antics of the rest of the class and the their chaperone teachers Martin Starr and J.B. Smoove. I love both actors but felt they had a lot of stinker comedic lines that fell flat. The first film to depict the events of the snap or the ‘Blip’ as it’s called here, outside of Infinity War and Endgame, wisely removes all the horror of the event and plays it off comedically. The John Huges-y vibe of the last film continues here but it is given an extra sub genre of a holiday film. Cuteness Spider-man: Far From Home is also part romantic comedy. The romantic strands between Happy Hogan (Jon Favreau) and Aunt May (Marisa Tomei) as well as Ned and Betty and give the supporting cast a little more focus. While they’re fun, the real cutesy stuff comes with Peter and MJ’s blossoming relationship. A minor hurdle in their pairing comes from Brad the same student Peter nearly had EDITH killed by accident. He wasn’t snapped but there isn’t anything that that novel about his character besides. Peter has been planning to express the emotions he has developed for MJ since we last saw them together on this school trip. Holland and Zendaya have a great natural chemistry together. Looking back from 2021 we could be forgiven to whimsy that it mightn’t have just been their considerable acting talents caught on camera. Zendaya in particular gives a wonderfully earnest and grounded portrayal of a more introverted Mary Jane than we had seen before. I feel like Kirsten Dunst’s Mary Jane could be seen as shy in certain ways and more outgoing in others. Zendaya’s MJ is more guarded than shy. I like the introverted straight talker we’re seeing here. MJ while put in danger a

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Review – Ant-Man and the Wasp (2018)

15th August 2021

Review – Ant-Man and the Wasp (2018) Director: Peyton Reed Producer: Kevin Feige Writers: Chris McKenna, Erik Sommers, Paul Rudd, Andrew Barrer Gabriel Ferrari. Starring: Paul Rudd, Evangeline Lilly, Michael Douglas, Michelle Pfeiffer, Hannah John-Kamen, Michael Pena, Randall Park. Introduction After the mammoth event that was Infinity War, the scope of the MCU seemed that much larger. How does a universe that keeps growing get brought back to size? Enter, Ant-Man and the Wasp. The sequel serves as the eighth film in the third phase of Marvel’s Infinity Saga, and brings back Paul Rudd as the charming pint-sized (and occasionally over-sized) hero. Despite taking place after one of the franchise’s biggest films, the film provided audiences with a lighter film that was, at the time, a much needed refresher. For this review, I revisit Ant-Man and the Wasp (2018) to see how it fairs as a standalone film within the MCU. Plot I’ll start this off by saying that I still love this film, and for many reasons. One of the film’s greatest qualities, is that it serves as a reminder that Marvel films can be fun and heart-warming, without some cosmic level threat. The film itself is not even directly influenced by Thanos and the snap – and the film is so much better for it. Ant-Man and the Wasp shows what happened to Scott after Civil War. Following his trip to Germany and violation of the Sokovia Accords, he is now in house arrest. However, he must reunite with Hank Pym (Michael Douglas) and Hope Van Dyne (Evangeline Lily), to save Hope’s mother, Janet (Michelle Pfeiffer), from the Quantum Realm. After his own stint in there, Scott has become entangled with Janet and is the key to her rescue. Saving Janet is not going to be so easy. A maniacal gangster (Walter Goggins) and a new villain, Ghost (Hannah John-Kamen), are on the hunt for Hank’s lab and technologies for their own purposes. Characters & Writing As a film within a major franchise, the film gives space for it’s characters grow and gives the cast a chance to shine. Paul Rudd continues to bring his boyish charm as Scott Lang/Ant-Man, and it’s hard for audiences not to love him. His focus on his family and the fact that he may not always be the best superhero, or man, makes him endearing to watch. The rest of the cast also shine, in a somewhat over-stuffed film. In particular, Evangeline Lilly, finally gets the opportunity to suit up and kick ass as the Wasp. The film seems to make up for the long overdue need for a fully fledged female superhero. Evangeline seems incredibly comfortable slipping into the Wasp’s wings and gets to deliver some of the film’s best action sequences. Michael Pena continues to be the films main comedy relief, delivering some of the films more laugh out loud moments. With the inclusion of newcomer Jimmy Woo, played brilliantly by Randall Park, the cast seems a lot more developed and more comfortable together on this second outing. Nevertheless, as impressive as the film is, it does have a few drawbacks. Mainly that a few characters don’t get as much development as others. Ghost, while played brilliantly by Hannah John-Kamen, is a tad under developed, despite having a decent set up. The film also never really plays into Ghosts relationship with Bill Foster (Laurence Fishbourne). Considering the film’s emphasis on family, it seems like a missed opportunity. I’ll also admit, that the film’s explanation of certain elements can be a little thin in places. We never really get to discuss how Janet has managed to survive in the Quantum Realm for over thirty years, which seems like it should be important. Also, considering the Quantum Realms important to the MCU’s future, I would have liked more emphasis on it. Cinematography It would be difficult to talk about this film, without mentioning how beautiful the cinematography is. Like the first Ant-Man, the use of scale in this film is beautiful. The art of shrinking, growing oversized, and then going back to normal size serves as some of the films more comedic moments. The use of visual dimensions throughout the film also deserve some recognition, as it is some of the best use of visuals in the MCU. The alteration of sizes, particularly during a car chase sequence, is a feast for the eyes. One scene in particular that stands out, would be when Hank goes to rescue Janet from the Quantum Realm. What the film lacks in explanation, it makes up for in visuals. The striking technicolour adds to the trippy affects of the realm and adds to the visual magic of the film. Overall thoughts Overall, I still think Ant-Man and the Wasp is a fun and light-hearted film. Director Peyton reed hones in on what made the first Ant-Man so loveable and introduces larger elements that will play a major role in the future of the MCU. All in all, it’s an excellent self-contained story, that reminds us of the importance of the little guys in a larger universe. If you enjoyed our review of Ant-Man and the Wasp (2018) and would like to re-watch the film, then drop us a rating or a comment below. [yasr_multiset setid=2] [yasr_visitor_multiset setid=2] Buy tickets for BGCP Comic Con in and around Glasgow Scotland – BUY TICKETS Check out all of our Comic, Movie, Television and Videogame Reviews HERE and our Podcasts/Interviews HERE If you want to be part of the BGCP community, Join us on Discord, Twitter, Instagram etc then click HERE

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Review – Free Guy (2021)

14th August 2021

SUMMARY Ever wondered when you’re playing Grand Theft Auto just what that NPC you just ran over with your car and robbed is up to these days? Well his name is Guy. He lives in the Free City, works at a bank, has a goldfish named Goldie and he’s about to change the gaming landscape and the world all in the name of love! Groundhog Day meets Grand Theft Auto with Ryan Reynolds as a concept being the magnetic pull between them. CINEMATOGRAPHY The cinematography is versatile throughout the film, offering an array of shooting styles for whatever the occasion requires. There is perhaps an overdependency on slow motion which is used quite indifferently all over the film, like a throw it at the wall and see if it sticks mentality. An interesting but sure to be divisive element of the CGI is the perception of the video game in the real world. When the scene is within the game it’s characters are fully live action and appear as if they are from the real world, however from the outside looking in, Free City becomes computer generated like that one Red Hot Chili Peppers music video. As I say, this will divide viewers but I believe it is is justified. WRITING Not even a minute in we are presented with a Tim-Milleresque sandbox of nihilistic chaos while the dissonant and unforgiving innocence of Ryan Reynolds monologues about the film your now laughing hysterically at. To say this is the whole plot would be correct but inaccurate as laced throughout this certified action comedy is Levy’s brilliant satire on AI and modern society. With it’s setting based in the world of video games both literally and professionally, there are a tonne of fan service with references to games like Halo, Half-Life, Portal and Grand Theft Auto as well as real world gaming culture like Let’s Players, technological advancements and loads of appropriate terminology, all treated and delivered with passion and understanding. If you don’t know what an NPC is however, those references will be lost to you. Fear not as there is more than enough fun to be had throughout the film. OVERALL In conclusion, Free Guy is a tremendously fun and excitingly wholesome film. What the film lacks in gripping dramatic stakes is made up for with insane action set pieces and blisteringly accurate social commentaries all delivered by a top notch cast just having fun with each of their roles. What could have been a throw away Non Replayable Film turned out to be the hero we need and the the video game film we deserve! It was a surreal experience walking out of the cinema and into the real world again, all I could think about was that I was in Free City without sunglasses! It takes a special kind of film to change your perception of the real world. It’s not a good film…it’s a GREAT film! [yasr_multiset setid=2] [yasr_visitor_multiset setid=2] Let us know in the comments your thoughts on Free Guy (2021), your favourite video game adaptation and don’t have a good day…have a GREAT day! Buy tickets for BGCP Comic Con in and around Glasgow Scotland – BUY TICKETS Check out all of our Comic, Movie, Television and Videogame Reviews HERE and our Podcasts/Interviews HERE If you want to be part of the BGCP community, Join us on Discord, Twitter, Instagram etc then click HERE

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Review – Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 2 (2017)

11th August 2021

Review – Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 (2017). Let’s see how James Gunn did with our review of his 2017 film Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2!

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Review – Fear Street Trilogy

15th August 2021

Review – Fear Street Trilogy Directed by: Leigh Janiak Produced by: Peter Chernin, Jenno Topping and David Ready Screenplay: Phil Graziadei, Leigh Janiak, Zak Olkewicz and Kate Trefry Cast: Kiana Madeira, Olivia Scott Welch, Benjamin Flores Jr., Julia Rehwald and Fred Hechinger Release Date: July 2021 Based on the source material of R.L. Stine’s Fear Street books, the Fear Street Trilogy of moviesis the latest offering from Netflix to combine angsty teenage characters with horror, gore and ameshing of subgenres which will delight and potentially frustrate fans alike. Let’s take a deepdive into the three films and find out what everyone’s talking about. I’ll talk about eachinstallment and then give you a wider overview of themes and where it could go next, bewarned this may contain some spoilers – I have tried to avoid this but it’s tricky so if youhaven’t seen all three be aware! Fear Street Part One: 1994 We begin with a brutal murder in the town of Shadyside, where centuries of horrific eventscaused by a witches curse have plagued the town’s residents and affected everyone’s lives forgenerations. Locals believe they are to blame in some way for the bad happenings, and are atodds with the folks living in neighbouring Sunnyvale, who prosper with their white mansionsand manicured lawns. Our Scooby-like gang is soon drawn into the murders, when Sam (OliviaScott Welch) has a vision of the witch Sarah Fier and becomes a target for all the previouskillers spawned by the curse who are apparently indestructible and out for her blood, literally.Sam’s brave girlfriend Deena (Kiana Madeira), her brother Josh (Benjamin Flores Jr.) and theirfriends scramble to escape the killers, hatch a plan to end the curse and save the town. Ithoroughly enjoyed this, from the gory killings we get to see onscreen (you’ll never look atsliced bread the same) to the chemistry between the cast – this is a great homage to 90’s greatssuch as Scream and there’s a lot of nostalgic fun to be had in revisiting 90’s internetconnections, sensibilities and soundtrack. Director Janiak knows exactly when to nod and winkto the audience with jet black humour and when to take a step back and allow the actors toprovide us with emotional moments to invest in the characters. The plucky teens soon realisethe witches curse will not be lifted so easily and it’s up to them to continue the fight and solvethe mystery. Review – Fear Street Trilogy continues below Fear Street Part Two: 1978 Having survived the events of the previous movie and with noted casualties, the remainingmembers of the group discover that there was a survivor to a massacre in the 70’s and seek herout to try and find out what to do next, as Sam is possessed by evil. The first large chunk of thefilm is told in flashback by C. Berman, who we discover survived at summer camp using herwits and with a little help. The film presents us with new characters, a psycho killer who givesthe actual creeps and ties in some more background story linking one of the killers from the1950s. Two bickering sisters at camp try to get along when the killings strike, but just who ifeither of them survived? Who is C.Berman? We also get to meet a younger incarnation ofSheriff Goode and the first hints for those paying close attention, that the curse is not all itseems. Taking horror tropes from movies like Halloween and 70s slashers this was myabsolute favourite of the three. At one point, 3 female characters sit together to problem solvetackling the killer and this might not seem something significant, but it’s so rare to see thiswithout the discussion being about boyfriends or makeup and it definitely passes the Bechdeltest. The female characters really give us strong heroines to root for and plenty of tension infollowing who’s slaughtered next. Let’s just say those virginal pure types are not necessarilyrewarded over the teens who decide to partake in drugs and sex! The ending leaves us with yetmore questions as Deena scrambles to use what she learned about camp nightwing. Fear Street Part Three: 1666 In attempting to reunite Sarah Frier’s hand with her remains, Deena is on a quest to help Sam(who’s still thrashing against a radiator Exorcist style) and finally lift the witch’s curse forgood. Transported back in time to, yes you guessed it :1666, Deena experiences what happenedto Sarah and the events that lead up to her being put to death by the townsfolk. Actors reappearto play additional roles and have great fun with this, although the period accents are more thana little ropey from some. Is that meant to sound Cornish? Welsh? Shakespearean?. A visceral,immersive world is created and you can practically smell the horse manure, (everyone’s) BOand the local drunk/conspiracy theorist ‘Mad Tom’ – played with absolute relish by McCabeSlye. After being caught making out in the woods with the local pastor’s daughter, Sarah isaccused of witchcraft as the homophobic and pitchfork weilding locals think she hassummoned the Devil and caused the contamination of the water supply and farm animals toturn cannibalistic. As Sarah is hanged from a tree (now the site of the Shadyside mall), shevows never to forgive those responsible and haunt them forever. As the truth unfolds, itbecomes clear that the history of Shadyside is all connected by Satanic rituals and an obsessionwith power. A classic team up at the mall brings us the final showdown. Keep watching for themid credit scene that gives us a glimpse of how the story could continue. Overview of the trilogy & themes At the heart of all the movies is teenage life and all the self-discovery, angst and difficulties weall remember. A strong theme of oppression and overcoming prejudice is there too with thecentral queer love story perfectly framing idea that being ‘different’ can be dangerous & evendeadly. Director Janiak provides us with a feminist perspective and this is very satisfying, thereare no final girls or damsels to be rescued here and the female characters are all fleshed outand given their own motivations for their

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Review – Blade Runner: 2049

30th July 2021

Review – Blade Runner: 2049 Directed by: Denis Villeneuve Written by: Hampton Fancher & Michael Green Produced by: Ridley Scott & Yale Badik Starring: Ryan Gosling & Harrison Ford Release Date: October 5th 2017 After recently revisiting the original Blade Runner, I decided to revisit its follow up; Blade Runner: 2049, for review. Revisiting this movie was a blast, as it is probably one the greatest sequels ever produced. First off, this movie is a feast for the eyeballs. I won’t go on about the visuals too much, as I’m sure at this point that you already well aware of how good looking this movie is, all I’ll say is this; the movie deserves to be viewed on the biggest screen possible. What is even better though, is unlike a certain Zack Snyder film, Blade Runner 2049 has more to it than just surface level, pretty visuals. Denis Villeneuve is one of my favourite directors working in Hollywood today. The run of movies he released between 2013 and 2017 was nothing short of astounding, beginning with Prisoners and ending with this film. Additionally, he has achieved the impossible here by managing to pull off a truly fantastic sequel to a 35 year old classic. I love almost every part of this movie. The direction is masterful to watch, with the movie being moved along at a deliberate, purposeful pace, rather than rushing through from action scene to action scene. The sets used in the film are out of this world, some props are really cool to look at and the use of mostly practical backdrops makes a huge difference as opposed to using an abundance of green screen. Rodger Deakins’ cinematography is utterly astonishing, you could honestly screen grab an image from any time stamp in this movie and it would work perfectly as a beautiful desktop background. I also think that the performances are fantastic and everyone does a great job in their respective roles. Although Ford doesn’t appear until the movie’s third act, when he does he is great. Gosling commands his leading man role as we’ve come to expect him to. Robin Wright and Dave Bautista are the other standouts for me in terms of their performances. The more technical elements of the movie work perfectly in tandem with the story being told as well. The special effects are beautifully implemented and the lighting in the movie adds a whole other layer of visual depth as well. The score also works for the tone that the movie was aiming to achieve. Additionally, the script is solid and tightly woven. The only thing I will say is; if you were to go into the film expecting a sci-fi action blockbuster, you will come out disappointed. This is a slow paced, sci-fi noir, detective story. There are a few sparse moments of action and it does feel impactful when it occurs, but it is not the focus of the movie at all. The one small element that bothers me in this movie is Jared Leto’s performance. He never fails to take me out of the movie and is the only cast member who doesn’t feel like a real character within this world. Maybe I’m just being biased, as Jared Leto has always annoyed me in general, but for me he is the one bad part of this near masterpiece. Thankfully he doesn’t get that much screen time, so it could have been worse. Also, the fact that David Bowie was originally cast in that role adds an extra sprinkle of salt in the wound. Overall I love Blade Runner: 2049, but I can see why people find it somewhat divisive. For me though, the vast majority of this movie’s parts are absolutely fantastic and come together to form a journey that you must experience for yourself. [yasr_multiset setid=2] [yasr_visitor_multiset setid=2] If you enjoyed Dan’s review of Blade Runner: 2049, check out what he thought of the original Blade Runner here. Don’t forget to like us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Discord and join our official Facebook Group. Check out our new Podcast and subscribe to the channel on Youtube, Spotify, Apple and Google. Buy tickets for BGCP Comic Con in and around Glasgow Scotland – BUY TICKETS Check out all of our Comic, Movie, Television and Videogame Reviews and News from Glasgow, Scotland, UK and the US, HERE and our Podcasts/Interviews HERE If you want to be part of the BGCP community, Join us on Discord, Twitter, Instagram etc then click HERE

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Review – Blade Runner

28th July 2021

Review – Blade Runner Directed by: Ridley Scott Written by: Hampton Fancher & David Peoples Produced by: Ridley Scott & Hampton Fancher Starring: Harrison Ford, Rutger Hauer & Sean Young Release Date: September 9th 1982 I first watched Blade Runner around twenty years ago and in my dumb kid-brain, I put it into the same category as Star Wars. They were both sci-fi movies, both made in a similar era and they both starred Harrison Ford. I think that the first version I saw was the director’s cut version. I then went back to Blade Runner at the age of 12, when the ultimate cut was released in 2007 and at the time, I felt that the setting and the world were still incredible, but the plot and characters in the movie left a lot to be desired. Recently, I decided to go back and re-watch the directors cut of Blade Runner for review and then follow it up with Blade Runner: 2049. The biggest shock that I experienced during this most recent re-watch what that I realised that I had totally forgotten just how excruciatingly slow this film is. The whole thing moves at a snail’s pace and half of the run-time is spent looking at Harrison Ford’s reaction shots. I had it in my head that the pace of Blade Runner was similar to that of A New Hope, but I was way off. I get it, it’s not a sci-fi action flick, it’s a hard-boiled, contemplative detective film, but it really is a slog to sit through. And that is coming from a guy that loves a slow burn movie! I still feel the same way about this movie that I always have, the world and the setting that the story takes place in are far more interesting than the movie itself, (something else that Blade Runner has in common with Star Wars!) There is a reason that so many other movies have borrowed elements of Blade Runner’s amazing setting over the years and used them as inspiration for their own set design. To this day the sets and the majority of this almost 40-year-old film’s visuals still look great, that is an achievement not to be scoffed at. I will always appreciate Blade Runner for what it did for sci-fi movies that came after it, but if you saw this film as a kid and are thinking about going back to re-watch it again to see how well it holds up, I would actually recommend against it. This movie was so much better in my head than it was when I actually re-watched it and I somehow like it less now after re-watching it. However, this certainly should not take away from the importance and influence of this film and if you consider this a classic, it would be hard to argue that point with you. [yasr_multiset setid=2] [yasr_visitor_multiset setid=2] Speaking of things that blatantly ripped off the aesthetic of Blade Runner, you can check out our review of Cyberpunk: 2077 right here. Don’t forget to like us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Discord and join our official Facebook Group. Check out our new Podcast and subscribe to the channel on Youtube, Spotify, Apple and Google. Buy tickets for BGCP Comic Con in and around Glasgow Scotland – BUY TICKETS Check out all of our Comic, Movie, Television and Videogame Reviews and News from Glasgow, Scotland, UK and the US, HERE and our Podcasts/Interviews HERE If you want to be part of the BGCP community, Join us on Discord, Twitter, Instagram etc then click HERE

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Review – Batman: The Long Halloween, Part Two

27th July 2021

SUMMARY After the gruesome death of the forgotten son of the Falcone family, Batman finds himself back to square one in the Holiday investigation. As the festive fear continues and suspects are picked off one by one, so to does trust begin to unravel. The question isn’t who is Holiday? anymore, but who do you believe in? ART As I’ve already stated in my review for Part One, the animation style fails to capture the noir-driven aura of the original graphic novel. For those that would argue that replicating the style in animation is impossible, I point you towards the animation studios behind Batman: Gotham Knight and The Animatrix. That aside however, very little attempt was made to at least capture iconic scenes of the comic in it’s own style. Once again, the animation itself is nothing special and can be uncanny valley levels of awkward in scenes of dialogue. Little to no expression or emotional details atop actors trying their best to bring this film to life is just another reason why this adaptation fails to capture the gravitas and Sin City-esque grit of the original comic. WRITING In my previous review for part one I expressed my dislike and interest for the events of the comic being either altered or simply ripped from the script entirely. My interest leaning purely on the potential for an alternate version of The Long Halloween so to justify the changes. Thankfully, this is the case with some additions and focus that in hindsight make sense for the story it’s going for but it was an unusual and frustrating route to take us there. Like The Riddler? Me too! Too bad he’s omitted from the story here. Hope you like Oxford and half assed paternal and maternal issues instead! I wish I could say that the story had some positives to it, perhaps in time when I rewatch it it will stand up. I will say that there are neutral additions to the story, in that they aren’t comparatively good but they aren’t bad either. The film here takes a lot of influence from the Nolan trilogy, to the point where scenes play out like an animated adaptation of Batman Begins and The Dark Knight and they are heartpoundingly thrilling! Ironically, both films were based on the original The Long Halloween comic. My issue with this though is that it distracts from the story to the point where some holidays are simply montaged over; missing out crucial plot details of the Holiday killings and even the mystery of the Holiday Killer itself! OVERALL In conclusion, Batman: The Long Halloween, Part Two is a thrilling adaptation of the original comic with the potential for cult success, overshadowed by the fact that it isn’t a faithful adaptation. Now and as a whole, this should have been called Batman: A Long Halloween as this is not THE Long Halloween we all know and love. With generic animation, pacing issues and pointless omissions on top of a new twist, you’ll enjoy this film best with no context of the original comic or at the very most as a lesser version of the story with the promise of what’s to come… [yasr_multiset setid=4] [yasr_visitor_multiset setid=4] Let us know in the comments your thoughts on Batman: The Long Halloween, Part Two, your thoughts on the adaptation as a whole and be sure to check out my review for Batman: The Long Halloween, Part One and Dan’s review of Batman: The Long Halloween comic! Buy tickets for BGCP Comic Con in and around Glasgow Scotland – BUY TICKETS Check out all of our Comic, Movie, Television and Videogame Reviews HERE and our Podcasts/Interviews HERE If you want to be part of the BGCP community, Join us on Discord, Twitter, Instagram etc then click HERE

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Thor (2011) Review: Does the God of Thunder’s Origin Story Still Hold Up?

3rd January 2026

Revisit the beginning of the Asgardian saga. We review Thor (2011), analyzing Kenneth Branagh’s Shakespearean direction, the debut of Tom Hiddleston’s Loki, and whether the Phase 1 classic stands the test of time. The Verdict at a Glance Introduction: The MCU’s First Big Gamble Before 2011, the Marvel Cinematic Universe was grounded in the tech-based reality of Iron Man. Thor was the franchise’s first leap of faith into high fantasy, magic, and cosmic gods. Directed by Kenneth Branagh, the film attempts to blend Shakespearean family drama with modern superhero tropes. Looking back more than a decade later, Thor feels distinct from the rest of the MCU. It lacks the improv-heavy comedy of Ragnarok, opting instead for a sincere, theatrical tone. But is it a classic, or just a stepping stone? The Plot: A Tale of Two Realms Thor (Chris Hemsworth), the arrogant but powerful prince of Asgard, reignites an ancient war with the Frost Giants. As punishment, his father Odin (Anthony Hopkins) strips him of his powers and banishes him to Earth—specifically, a small town in New Mexico. While Thor learns humility among humans (and falls for astrophysicist Jane Foster), his brother Loki (Tom Hiddleston) uncovers his own dark origins and plots to seize the throne of Asgard. What Works (The Worthy) The Perfect Casting It is impossible to imagine anyone else in these roles. Chris Hemsworth nails the transition from arrogant warmonger to humble hero, bringing a physicality that sells the character immediately. However, the real star is Tom Hiddleston. His nuanced performance as Loki provides the MCU with its first genuinely tragic villain, setting the stage for his dominance in The Avengers. The Shakespearean Drama Kenneth Branagh brings a level of gravitas to the Asgard scenes that elevates the material. The conflict isn’t just about punching bad guys; it’s about fathers, sons, and the burden of legacy. The dialogue in the throne room feels weighty and significant, giving the film a unique flavor compared to the quip-heavy scripts of later Marvel movies. Fish-Out-of-Water Humor The film is at its best when Thor is struggling with earthly customs. The famous “Another!” scene, where he smashes a coffee mug in a diner, remains one of the most charming moments in Phase 1. What Doesn’t Work (The Unworthy) The “Small Town” Problem For a movie about space gods, a surprising amount of the runtime is spent in a dusty parking lot in New Mexico. The budget constraints of Phase 1 are visible here. The Destroyer armor battle in the climax feels less like a planetary threat and more like a small skirmish in a cul-de-sac. The Romance While Hemsworth and Portman are both talented, their romance feels rushed. They fall in love over the course of a long weekend, largely based on Thor being attractive and polite. It lacks the spark that Tony Stark and Pepper Potts had. Overuse of Dutch Angles A common critique of the film is the cinematography. Branagh loves a “Dutch angle” (tilting the camera to the side). Once you notice that almost every shot in the movie is tilted, it becomes distracting. Final Thoughts: A Solid Foundation Thor (2011) is a charming, if slightly uneven, entry in the Marvel canon. It did the heavy lifting of introducing magic to the MCU, paving the way for Doctor Strange and Guardians of the Galaxy. While it may feel small compared to the cosmic epics that followed, the emotional core of the Thor/Loki relationship makes it essential viewing. Pros: Hiddleston’s debut; Asgardian production design; Sincere emotional stakes. Cons: The bleached eyebrows on Thor; Forgettable action set pieces on Earth; Forced Hawkeye cameo. Where to Buy & Watch To witness the start of the Odinson’s journey, check out the links below [Stream on Amazon Prime Video] [Buy Thor (2011) 4K Ultra HD + Blu-ray on Amazon] [Buy Thor (2011) Standard DVD on Amazon]

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Review – 1922

27th July 2021

Review – 1922 Directed by: Zak Hilditch Written by: Zak Hilditch (Screenplay) Stephen King (Novella) Produced by: Zak Hilditch & Sammie Astaneh Starring: Thomas Jane, Molly Parker & Dylan Schmid Release Date: October 20th 2017 Earlier in the year, I wrote a review for the Netflix adaption of Gerald’s Game by Mike Flanagan. 1922 was another Stephen King story adapted for Netflix, released just a month after the surprisingly phenomenal Gerald’s Game adaption. This meant that although 1922 is a very different movie to Gerald’s Game it was inevitably compared to Mike Flanagan’s surprise triumph upon its release. Going back to revisit 1922 for review four years later, it is in no way a bad film and it is unfortunate that it was released in the shadow of Gerald’s Game. The movie is set up nicely, showing an older, shaken man writing out his confession in hopes of appeasing the guilt that has plagued him since he murdered his wife Arlette. We then see a younger version of the man. His name is Wilfred and we learn that he is very protective of the three things that he feels, ‘belong,’ to him; his son, his wife and his land. Arlette professes a desire to sell the farm and move to the city, an idea that Wilfred outright refuses to go along with. The land that the farm is on belonged to Arlette’s father and so it is now in her name, meaning she has the final say officially on selling the land. Wilfred tries to bargain with her, saying that he will buy the land from her in instalments, but Arlette knows that she can get a better price elsewhere and won’t have to wait years to receive the payment. This leads Wilfred to start planning his wife’s murder. Wilfred knows that his son wants to stay on the farm as well and so he manipulates him into helping him carry out and cover up the murder. From this point on we have our ghost story. I’m actually rather hesitant to call it a ghost story, even though strictly speaking, it is one. This is more a tale of how guilt haunts a man beyond carrying out the heinous deed and how no bad deed goes unpunished. I don’t want to spoil too much here for those who reading who still have yet to see the film, but what follows is a relentless and depressing tale of regret and loss. The cast in this film are great, Thomas Jane does a great job in the lead role of a man willing to go to any morbid lengths in order to retain what he believes belongs to him. Molly Parker and Dylan Schmid also do well in their roles as Arlette and Henry, respectively. The supporting cast is also solid. The other stand out thing in the movie for me was the set design. I found the farmhouses and barns to be extremely believable and felt that the sets really added to the overall tone that the movie was going for and sold the era effectively as well. My main complaint of the movie is the lack of any significant scares. The movie sets up a fairly creepy atmosphere at times, but never capitalises on it. A Stephen King ghost story that released the week before Halloween should be way scarier than this. Back when the film first dropped in late 2017, I thought I was getting a truly chilling movie to sink my teeth into. Instead I got a movie showing a desperate man’s fractured psyche and the guilt he has to deal with in the aftermath of a despicable deed. Sure, all of that still makes for an interesting idea for a movie, it just isn’t exactly what I wanted out of this movie. Overall though, 1922 is a very well made movie and for what it is it is great. Although it didn’t quite meet my personal expectations that I had for it back when it released that is my own problem rather than the movie’s. Four years separated from the trailers and build up to this film’s release, I actually feel like I can appreciate the film more and would even go as far as to say it is a hidden gem. As with any Stephen King story, the plot of 1922 makes for an interesting adaption and takes you on a dark journey and leaves you wondering about you own moral decisions in life. The film is no doubt successful in what it sets out to do. I just wish that it had scared me slightly more. [yasr_multiset setid=2] [yasr_visitor_multiset setid=2] If you enjoyed Dan’s review of 1922 and are into your Stephen King stories, you can check out our review of It: Chapter One here. Don’t forget to like us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Discord and join our official Facebook Group. Check out our new Podcast and subscribe to the channel on Youtube, Spotify, Apple and Google. Buy tickets for BGCP Comic Con in and around Glasgow Scotland – BUY TICKETS Check out all of our Comic, Movie, Television and Videogame Reviews and News from Glasgow, Scotland, UK and the US, HERE and our Podcasts/Interviews HERE If you want to be part of the BGCP community, Join us on Discord, Twitter, Instagram etc then click HERE

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