Movies - BGCP Comic Con

Review – The Predator (2018)

22nd June 2021

Review – The Predator (2018) Directed by: Shane Black Written by: Shane Black & Fred Dekker Produced by: John Davis & Bill Bannerman Starring: Boyd Holbrook, Sterling K. Brown & Olivia Munn Release Date: September 12th 2018 (UK) Introduction Recently, I decided to go back to go back re-watch Shane Black’s The Predator for review. This is a film that you can look at in a couple of different ways. You can either look at it and take none of it seriously; in which case this is a fairly fun, if extremely dumb action sci-fi romp. Or you can take a bit more seriously, – which I think the moviemakers want you to; – in which case it is an all-over-the-place mess that is unbearably cringey at times. Direction The main problem here is that I am not sure how the director wants us to take this film because the tone is all over the place. Some of the film’s characters play it totally straight and other are clearly just having a laugh with the ridiculously cheesy material they have been given to work with. Cast The cast are generally okay, but it is as if they are all working on totally different movies. Boyd Holbrook, Alfie Allen and Olivia Munn are taking the whole thing pretty seriously and playing it straight, Meanwhile, everyone else around them plays it comically and the clash of tones never really sits well throughout the movie. On paper, I should have loved this film. I am a long time Predator fan, I love the original and I think that Predators is a solid sequel too, (let’s not mention Predator 2.) I am also a fan of Shane Black and you are telling me that the guy responsible for the Lethal Weapon movies, Kiss Kiss Bang Bang and The Nice Guys is making a Predator movie? That sounds awesome! Unfortunately though, it really isn’t. VFX Additionally, the VFX in the film is also pretty inconsistent. At times some of the effects look okay, but at others the CGI is painfully obvious. Strangely, it is particularly poor on The Predator himself. The CGI makes him feel really weightless and oddly light and floaty, which is kind of the opposite of how the Predator is supposed to look as he moves around onscreen. The whole ‘hunter becomes the hunted,’ trope used in the movie actually serves as an appropriate metaphor for what this series has become. The once king of action sci fi is now on the back foot and being outdone by bigger, stronger competitors. Thus, try as he might, by comparison the OG hunter can’t stand up to it’s superior successor. Conclusion In summary, this not the best Predator movie by a long shot, but it’s definitely not the worst either. There are some laughs to be had and some cool kills sprinkled through the film. However, there are definitely better action/sci fi movies that have dropped in the last few years that are far more worthy of your time. [yasr_multiset setid=2] [yasr_visitor_multiset setid=2] If you enjoyed Dan’s review of The Predator, you can check out what he thought of Fantastic Beasts here. 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 www.bigglasgowcomicpage.com

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Review – Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them

30th April 2021

Review – Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them Directed by: David Yates Written by: JK Rowling Produced by: JK Rowling Starring: Eddie Redmayne, Colin Farrell & Johnny Depp Release Date: November 18th 2016 It is that time again. That time that I decide I hate myself enough to revisit one of the worst movies I have ever seen for review. This time I decided to go back and review Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them, (AKA: JK Rowling and the Never Ending Quest for More Money.) Full disclosure going in; I have never been a fan of the Harry Potter franchise. I’ve read a few of the books and seen a few of the movies and it just hasn’t ever been my thing. Honestly, I’m not even a fan of fantasy in general. I think that Lord Of The Rings is garbage and the worst parts of Game Of Thrones were the fantasy elements, (well that and the ending!) The last Harry Potter movie I saw was the fourth one I think? However, I was willing to go into this movie with a clean slate and hopefully have it win me over and unfortunately it didn’t. Also this review will contain spoilers if you care about that sort of thing. This film is a prequel to the other Harry Potter movies, this time set in America rather than Britain and telling the story of the events that led to the great wizarding war between Dumbledore and Grindlewald. These films did have potential in that sense; to see what would have essentially been WWII fought with magic could be really cool. Unfortunately all we get here is setup and when we get to the sequel it was an even bigger let-down. Fantastic Beasts opens with Eddie Redmayne’s character, Newt Scamander going to New York from London to set free one of the beasts that he keeps inside his Tardis-like brief case. Then he ends up in a bank and meets a ‘Nomaj,’ which is this film’s lazy version of a ‘muggle,’ who we learn is a simple lonely guy that just wants to open his own bakery and that’s another character cliché ticked off the list. We now have the double act of the nerdy, snivelling protagonist and the overweight, sympathetic sidekick. Also, for the rest of this review I will be referring to the baker character as fat bloke. This isn’t to be derogatory, but is purely because the script relies on the, ‘fat, jolly, sympathetic, pathetic loner’ stereotype and passes it off as a character arc. If the script isn’t treating the character with any respect, then why should I? So fat bloke it is then. Of course, the two of them have the exact same briefcase and after some cartoony looking CGI animals escape from Redmayne’s case in the bank the suitcases predictably get mixed up. Then the fat bloke gets his bakery loan declined and returns home with Redmayne’s suitcase. This is followed by more bad CGI animals open the case and attack the fat bloke. Redmayne’s character then gets arrested by some wizarding inspector for letting the, ‘Nomaj,’ (urgh) get away after seeing the animals in the case and is taken to the New York Wizards base, I guess? Then it’s revealed that the wizarding inspector that arrested Redmayne is a pretty subpar inspector and she is trying to redeem herself in the eyes of her superiors. So in front of this high wizard council she confiscates the case from Redmayne and opens it only to reveal a bunch of cakes inside. Yes, really… Who writes this garbage? What Rowling is doing to Harry Potter is worse than what Lucas did to Star Wars during the prequels at this point. So Redmayne gets set free and he goes to fat bloke’s house to find him lying on the floor, then some more bad CGI later the inspector turns up and they take him back to her house to meet her sister? Friend? Does it matter? She ends up becoming the love interest for fat bloke. Then, for no apparent reason Redmayne and fat bloke enter the case and he shows fat bloke all this crazy stuff that apparently humans aren’t supposed to see. Then Redmayne does some more snivelling and decides they have to sneak out of the girls’ apartment and recapture the animals that escaped in the bank and from fat bloke’s apartment. They get a couple of the beasts back then they go to central park to find Redmayne’s horny rhino and they dress fat bloke up in a leather rhino costume and use him as bait then they ice skate for a bit and capture the rhino. Again, really… I am not making this stuff up for satirical reasons. After this, we see real life bad guy Ezra Miller playing some sort of weird emo child who is beat by his mother and is working with Colin Farrell to find a big bad dark spirit that is killing people around New York. Colin Farrell is definitely the best thing about the film at this point. After this a bunch of other stupid crap happens, such as Ron Perlman and John Voight coming into the movie, showing a ray of potential and then being totally wasted. The movie drags in the middle, but eventually after some more fat jokes, bad CGI and snivelling, all of the creatures are captured and Ezra Miller turns into a black death cloud or some such nonsense. Then he boosts around New York, ruining everyone’s day as he goes and so Redmayne and Farrell follow him down to the subway to stop him. Redmayne seems to be talking him down and then Farrell shows up and essentially tells him to join the dark side. Then there is a CGI wand battle and the council from earlier show up out of nowhere and kill the black cloud of death. Then Colin Farrell gets annoyed and in the

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Review – Overlord (2018)

5th May 2021

Review – Overlord (2018) Directed by: Julius Avery Written by: Billy Ray Produced by: JJ Abrams Starring: Jovan Adepo, Wyatt Russell & Pilou Asbaek Release Date: October 7th 2018 I got to revisit Overlord for review last night and I really enjoyed seeing the movie for a second time. I remember being really hyped when the trailers for this movie first dropped as I am a huge fan of the Wolfenstein series, which the trailers for this really reminded me of. The movie opens with a fantastically shot plane crash sequence that manages to convey a sense of extreme intensity as Private Boyce jumps out the exploding plane that was carrying his squad and plummets to the ground below. This sequence also does a brilliant job of setting the kind of tone of the movie that the audience can expect going forward. Surprisingly, the Nazi zombie stuff doesn’t actually make an appearance until about a third of the way through the movie and the first act is spent telling a more traditional and realistic war story and setting up the relationships between the characters that we are following. Even when we do start to see some of the weirder stuff taking place, it is fairly reserved in comparison to what you might be expecting. This isn’t Dead Snow or Wolfenstein. However, that doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s underwhelming, as the few amount of monstrosities that we actually get to see are impactful and feel genuinely threatening. The cast are serviceable in their roles, even if they are fairly stereotypical. The stand out is Pilou Asbaek, who may know as the evil Euron Greyjoy from Game Of Thrones. Here, he plays the dastardly, villainous Nazi with a venomous snarl that really tells you everything that you need to know about his character and his intent. The one negative I had with the movie were the few telegraphed jump-scares that the filmmakers threw in to remind us that this is supposed to be a horror movie, but thankfully there aren’t too many of these present throughout the film. Overall, this is a fun action/horror movie set against the backdrop of the Second World War that is a blast to sit through. There is plenty of cringe-inducing violence and gore created by mostly practical means that will scratch the horror itch that some audience members may be looking for. Although this might not quite be the movie that you was expecting going in based on the trailers, I can’t say that you will come away disappointed. [yasr_multiset setid=2] [yasr_visitor_multiset setid=2] If you are a horror fan and you enjoyed Dan’s review of Overlord, check out what he thought of Gerald’s Game here. 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 www.bigglasgowcomicpage.com

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Review – Mortal Kombat (2021)

26th April 2021

Review – Mortal Kombat (2021). MMA fighter Cole Young seeks out Earth’s greatest champions in order to stand against Outworld in a high-stakes battle.

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Review – Upgrade (2018)

26th May 2021

Review – Upgrade (2018) Directed by: Leigh Whannell Written by: Leigh Whannell Produced by: Blumhouse Productions Starring: Logan Marshall-Green, Michael M. Foster & Betty Gabriel Release Date: August 31st 2018 (UK) Prior to the release of Upgrade, I wondered what Leigh Whannell could do out with the Horror genre. He is perhaps best known for writing the first 3 Saw movies, (AKA the good ones,) and the Insidious trilogy. I think it is fair to say that he has proved himself as a titan in that genre at this point. However, I always wondered what it would be like to see him expand to another style. In a similar way that we saw James Wan do in the last decade. Well this is it. Upgrade is a Sci-Fi movie that doesn’t follow the most unique concept in the genre, but does it in such a fresh and fun way that it works incredibly well. Upgrade also does a really good job at making you feel some genuine emotions of sadness and pity, something that I really didn’t expect to get from a movie like this. When it comes to the action and violence in the movie, Upgrade embraces it’s B-movie inspiration and gives us some awesome grisly practical effects along with some cool action choreography to go with it. There are some elements to the plot that may seem bizarre to those not familiar with the more campy side of this genre. The movie also does slightly feel like a video game at times. However, I don’t feel that this is to the movie’s detriment and instead, actually adds to the fun ride that the film is taking you on. I also like the way that the movie ends. Although the reveal of who the big bad was going to be is seen coming from a mile away, what happens afterward was really surprising and pretty bold and risky. It seems like the film is going one direction. A direction that would have been a really poor, cliché ending for a movie like this. Then it goes in totally the opposite direction. Expectations are subverted and the film ends on a genuinely unexpected note. Whether you like the ending or not, the guts that it took to pull it off deserves some praise. Overall, Upgrade is a really fun watch. It has its high octane action sequences as advertised in the trailer. However, it also has some surprisingly tender, heartfelt moments to go along with all of the stunts and gore. It is definitely worth a watch if you are a sci-fi fan looking for a thrilling, bloody good time. [yasr_multiset setid=2] [yasr_visitor_multiset setid=2] If you enjoyed Dan’s review of Upgrade, check out what he thought of Venom here. 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 – Hardcore Henry (2016)

23rd June 2021

Review – Hardcore Henry Directed By: Ilya Naishuller Written by: Ilya Naishuller Produced by: Ilya Naishuller & Sharlto Copley Starring: Sharlto Copley & Tim Roth Release Date: April 8th 2016 (UK) The original trailer for Hardcore Henry is one of the most intriguing trailer I have seen in the last 10 years. I was already excited to see this movie and then the reviews were released and they just made me want to see it even more. Revisiting the film, my hype levels weren’t quite as high, but Hardcore Henry still managed to exceed my expectations a second time around. I mean, this film was never going to win any Oscars, but if what you are looking for is a non-stop thrill ride full of over-the-top action, then wade right in. There are no holds barred here, this is proper action done in a unique way. The method of shooting isn’t perfect as it uses a great deal of shaky cam. So much so that it ends up obscuring some of the fast paced fight scenes and stunt choreography, which is a shame as the stunts are really spectacular and they only ramp up as the movie progresses. I loved Sharlto Copley in District 9, but he hasn’t wowed me too much since then, until I saw his performance in this movie. This performance really shows how diverse he is and there is a certain musical number involving him that is definitely one of the highlights of the movie, but I won’t spoil it here. In fact I can’t really say anything about his character without spoiling him other than his name is Jimmy and he is awesome. The villain in this movie is ripped straight out of a cheesy video game, but he is kind of so bad that he’s good. He looks like the Targaryan brother from Game Of Thrones, he sounds like someone doing a bad John Malkovich impression and he has telekinesis powers to boot. His powers are never explained, but he is basically a jedi without a lightsabre from an 80’s electronic music video. Actually, comparing this movie to a video game is probably the most accurate way to describe it. Think a modern sci fi game that plays like classic Doom and you aren’t far off, which in my opinion is one of the most epic concepts ever conceived. However the concept is only the starting blocks of a project like this one, the execution has to be great as well to stop the movie from only ever being remembered as a throwaway neat idea. Thankfully the execution is effective here both figuratively and literally. This is one of they movies where you feel like a kid again while you watch it and it is glorious to experience from start to finish. The special effects are actually pretty good for what is presumably a pretty low budget film. They are over the top and fantastically ridiculous, but they add to the madness of the piece and they are a feast for the eyes. The soundtrack is pretty spot on too. It perfectly melds with the insane, fast paced, badass tone that the filmmakers were aiming for and helps to keep that high octane feel going for the duration of the flick. Hardcore Henry is not a perfect movie by any stretch, but for what it is it delivers in a big way. It is highly entertaining and whether you enjoy this style of movie or not, it is hard to take your eyes off of the screen for the hour and a half that it is on for, this movie is going to grip you and take you for a high-stakes mental ride whether you like it or not. If you are into over the top action and ridiculous stunts and set pieces, then I could not recommend this movie more. [yasr_multiset setid=2] [yasr_visitor_multiset setid=2] If you enjoyed Dan’s review of Hardcore Henry, check out his review of Nobody here, which was also directed by Ilya Naishuller. 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 – Nobody

24th April 2021

Review – Nobody Directed By: Ilya Naishuller Written by: Derek Kolstad Produced by: Tobey Maguire & David Leitch Starring: Bob Odenkirk, Christopher Lloyd & RZA Release Date: June 9th 2021 (UK) If you’ve seen the trailers for Nobody, then you already know exactly the type of movie that you are in for. That is not a slight against the movie, it is just to say that there are no great twists here or subversion of audience expectations. The question in looking at Nobody for review is; does it fulfil its purpose and deliver on that intention? Thankfully, the answer is hell yes, it does! If like me you are a Better Call Saul fan, then you will have a pre-conceived notion of who Bob Odenkirk is as an actor at this stage in his career. That was my one main concern going into this film; can Odenkirk pull off being a believable badass at this stage in his life? Again, the answer is hell yes, he can! Odenkirk is phenomenal as Hutch Mansell in this movie, he delivers in both the role of a washed up nobody leading an unfulfilled life and as an unrelenting killing machine. He really looks the part after the two years he spent training for this role and although a stuntman was used in a few brief instances, Odenkirk does nearly all of his own stunt work in the film. After seeing some of the stunts performed in the movie, this fact is extremely impressive for a guy pushing 60. Derek Kolstad’s writing in Nobody is also huge factor in what makes this film great. Kolstad also wrote the John Wick movies, so we already know that the guy knows how to write action. What I really appreciated though was the pacing of the action and the pacing of the movie overall. There is enough set-up to the character of Hutch that we are invested in him by the time that the first punch is thrown. I also enjoyed the tongue-in-cheek nature present in a lot of the film’s scenes. The action choreography is as intense and exhilarating throughout the movie as you would expect. Something that I did really like though was how brutal and gritty the fight sequences were. In the John Wick movies, although the action is exciting to watch, it sometimes feels a bit too clean and smooth, whereas here it is a lot rougher and more visceral. As much as Hutch Mansell is a badass killing machine, he is also pretty rusty having not done it for years and this is really felt in every hit that we see him take. His fighting style is far from the fluid, ninja-like style of John Wick and closer to a brawler or a bare-knuckle boxer. I liked seeing that and appreciated that it wasn’t like he just flicked a switch in order to go from washed up dad back to total badass. The rest of the cast in the movie were also great. It was nice to see Christopher Lloyd also showing some serious badassery in his old age and I also enjoyed the brief appearances made by RZA and Colin Salmon. The film is also well shot by Pawel Pogorzelski. The cinematography choices combined with the nice use of lighting made for some really good looking shots. I also really enjoyed the soundtrack in the film and felt that each song choice really complimented the scene that it was used in, without feeling forced or distracting. Lastly, I don’t think there was any question that the director of Hardcore Henry knows how to shoot action, but just in case there was, Ilya Naishuller really shows that he is able to direct complex, fast moving action and stunt-work in Nobody. The action is all captured beautifully and really allows everyone on camera to show exactly what they are capable of doing within an intense fight scene. Overall, my thoughts after watching Nobody for review is that it’s a phenomenal geriaction dadsploitation movie. If you are fan of Better Call Saul, John Wick, or just action movies in general then you should check this one out. I had a brilliant time with it and even ended up watching it twice in one weekend because I enjoyed it so much. It does what it says on the tin and is hugely entertaining throughout. [yasr_multiset setid=2] [yasr_visitor_multiset setid=2] If you enjoyed Dan’s review of Nobody, check out what he thinks of The Raid: Redemption here. 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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Is Thor: The Dark World the MCU’s Lowest Point? A Retrospective Review

Thor: The Dark World Review – MCU’s Worst Movie?

4th February 2026

Is Thor: The Dark World worth watching in your MCU marathon? We review the flawed sequel, analyzing its forgettable villain, tonal issues, and why it is often ranked as the worst Marvel movie. The Verdict at a Glance Introduction: The MCU’s Identity Crisis In the grand tapestry of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), Thor: The Dark World (2013) occupies a difficult spot. Sandwiched between the Shakespearean drama of the first Thor and the psychedelic comedy of Thor: Ragnarok, this sequel struggles to find its footing. While it was a financial success, critical and fan reception has soured over the years. Is it simply a skippable chapter, or is it a fundamental misstep in Marvel history? This review breaks down why the God of Thunder’s second solo outing is widely considered the franchise’s “black sheep.” The Plot: A Generic Fantasy Slog The story picks up post-Avengers, with Thor (Chris Hemsworth) bringing order to the Nine Realms. However, an ancient enemy returns: Malekith (Christopher Eccleston) and his Dark Elves, who seek a weapon known as the Aether (the Reality Stone) to plunge the universe into eternal darkness. When Jane Foster (Natalie Portman) accidentally absorbs the Aether, she becomes a target, forcing Thor to bring her to Asgard and eventually team up with his treacherous brother, Loki (Tom Hiddleston). Where It Went Wrong Malekith: The “Who?” of Marvel Villains The film’s fatal flaw is its antagonist. Christopher Eccleston is a fantastic actor, yet he is buried under prosthetics and given zero character depth. Malekith has no relatable motivation—he simply wants to destroy the universe because he likes the dark. In an era of complex villains like Thanos or Killmonger, Malekith is shockingly one-dimensional and entirely forgettable. A Tonal Mess The Dark World tries too hard to be “Game of Thrones” in space. It abandons the fish-out-of-water charm of the first movie but lacks the bold, colorful humor that Taika Waititi would later bring to the franchise. The result is a movie that feels gray, dreary, and overly serious without the emotional weight to back it up. The Wasted Talents of Natalie Portman Jane Foster is reduced to a plot device. Rather than an active participant, she spends the majority of the film as a living vessel for the MacGuffin (The Aether), fainting or being carried from room to room. It is no surprise that Portman took a long hiatus from the MCU after this entry; the script gave her nothing to do. Boring Exposition Much of the dialogue consists of characters explaining fantasy pseudoscience to one another. The pacing drags significantly in the second act, making the 1 hour and 52-minute runtime feel much longer. The Saving Graces It isn’t all bad. Here is what keeps the movie watchable: Final Thoughts: Essential Viewing Only for Completionists Thor: The Dark World is a film that checks boxes rather than telling a compelling story. It introduces an Infinity Stone (The Aether), but fails to make us care about the journey. If you are doing a full MCU rewatch, you might feel obligated to sit through it. However, if you are looking for entertainment value, this is easily the most skippable entry in the Infinity Saga. It is a harsh reminder that even Marvel Studios isn’t invincible. Pros: Tom Hiddleston’s Loki; High production value; Important for Avengers: Endgame context. Cons: Forgettable villain; Dull color palette; Weak script; Wasted supporting cast. Where to Buy & Watch If you need to complete your collection or want to see the introduction of the Reality Stone, you can purchase the film below.

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Review – X-Men: Apocalypse (2016)

23rd April 2021

Review – X-Men: Apocalypse Directed by: Bryan Singer Produced by: Bryan Singer & Stan Lee Written by: Bryan Singer & Simon Kinberg Starring: James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender & Oscar Isaac Release Date: May 18th 2016 I remember when this movie first released and received very mixed reactions from both critics and fans. At the time, I fell on the more positive side of the fence and actually kind of enjoyed this movie for what it was when I saw it for the first time in the cinema. It is amazing how things change… I revisited X-Men: Apocalypse for review last night and found it very difficult to get through. The year is 1983, 10 years after the last X-Men movie, Days Of Future Past; as in the kind of 10 years where no one ages a day. We know that it is 1983 because some of the young mutants go and see Return Of The Jedi in the cinema. The hairstyles and fashion statements are suitably 80’s, which is actually a very appropriate motif to choose as it adds a more comic book feel to the movie and forces it to stick to a brighter colour palette than some of the previous X men outings. Another positive is the return of Quicksilver, who has another grandiose slow motion scene in the film, but unfortunately it is not as well choreographed as the one in DOFP and somewhat falls flat in comparison. The design of Apocalypse in this movie is something that I just could not get behind. There were points where it took me out of the movie entirely and although Oscar Isaac is a great actor and he does his best with this portrayal of the ancient mutant even he can’t make this film palatable. The other major downside to his character is that he is significantly nerfed in terms of his powers here. He does feel mildly powerful at points, but never overwhelmingly so and when the final confrontation does take place, it feels like he is holding back. This could be explained in a contrived manner by saying that he doesn’t want to kill mutants, because they are all his children, but if the success of his plan depends on it then he shouldn’t even hesitate, he should just wipe all the X-Men out in an instant like we know that he can. The tone is another issue I have with the movie, it is extremely inconsistent throughout and never reaches the level of threat or peril that it is aiming for. However, this isn’t the fault of the cast or the performances they give. MacAvoy and Fassbender stand out here as you would expect, their relationship also remains one of the most interesting parts of the plot. Isaacs’ performance is also suitably threatening and sinister, the only thing lacking in his character other than the odd design choice, is how short he is next to the other mutants. He doesn’t have to be huge like in the comics and cartoons, but making him a little bit more physically imposing with clever camera tricks would have went a long way in adding to the character. Jennifer Lawrence is fine here as usual, even if it does seem like she doesn’t want to be there in certain scenes. Young Cyclops and Jean Grey are perfectly serviceable, although Sophie Turner’s American accent does come and go in certain scenes. Even Peters does his best as Quicksilver and the actress who plays Storm here is also pretty convincing, as is the young English actor who plays Angel. Nightcrawler is also a welcome addition to the roster as I feel that he has been criminally underused since the second X-Men movie and his power set is definitely one of the most interesting in all of the X-Men movies, also the actor playing him here does a good job throughout the film. The special effects are noticeably shabby throughout the film, especially when you remember that this movie came out in the same year as Captain America: Civil War. This was also the last X-Men movie directed by Bryan Singer and knowing what we know now, good riddance. The direction in this movie certainly isn’t anything to write home about anyway and the cinematography is also pretty lazy and by-the-numbers. Overall, upon re-watching X-Men: Apocalypse for review, it has not aged well at all. I don’t often say that about movies that are only five years old, but here we are. If you remember this one being okay back when you first saw it in the cinema, then please don’t do what I did and revisit it because you will only be disappointed. [yasr_multiset setid=2] [yasr_visitor_multiset setid=2] Check out Dan’s review of Captain America: Civil War here. 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 – Captain America: Civil War

3rd January 2026

10 years later, Captain America: Civil War is still the smartest movie Marvel ever made. From the debut of Spider-Man to the rise of Thaddeus Ross, here is why you need to re-watch the Avengers’ breakup in 4K. ⚠️ Affiliate Disclaimer This article contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. If you buy through these links, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. The Verdict at a Glance The “Empire Strikes Back” of the MCU In 2026, we are living in the aftermath of the Sokovia Accords. With President Thaddeus Ross (Harrison Ford) now transforming into the Red Hulk in Captain America: Brave New World, the events of Civil War have never been more relevant. Released in 2016, this wasn’t just “Captain America 3″—it was “Avengers 2.5.” It took the fun, quippy tone of the franchise and shattered it. It dared to ask: What if the good guys are dangerous? Here is why Civil War remains the gold standard for superhero storytelling. The Villain Who Actually Won Thanos might have erased half the universe, but he eventually lost. Baron Zemo (Daniel Brühl) is the only villain who truly won. He didn’t have a magic rock or a laser beam. He had a grainy VHS tape and patience. By revealing the truth about Tony Stark’s parents, he fractured the Avengers so badly that they lost to Thanos in Infinity War. Watching his quiet, cerebral manipulation today is chilling. The Airport Battle: The Ultimate Comic Book Splash Page We have seen bigger battles since (like Endgame), but we have never seen one this creative. The 17-minute sequence at Leipzig/Halle Airport is a miracle of choreography. It balances 12 heroes perfectly. Ant-Man turning Giant? Spider-Man webbing up Falcon? Hawkeye firing Ant-Man on an arrow? It is pure joy. In 4K HDR, the colors of the costumes against the grey concrete look incredibly sharp. The Debuts of Titans It is easy to forget that this one movie introduced Spider-Man (Tom Holland) AND Black Panther (Chadwick Boseman) to the MCU. T’Challa arrives fully formed: regal, dangerous, and driven by vengeance. His chase scene (running faster than cars) is still one of the best practical stunts in the series. And Peter Parker? His clumsy, chatty introduction remains the best version of the character we’ve seen. The Emotional Finale Most superhero movies end with a sky beam. This one ends with a fistfight in a bunker. The final brawl between Steve, Bucky, and Tony isn’t about saving the world; it’s about betrayal. When Tony screams, “He killed my mom,” you feel it. It is arguably the best acting Robert Downey Jr. ever did in the suit. How to Watch: The Definitive Editions To appreciate the details—like the texture of Black Panther’s vibranium suit or the scuff marks on Cap’s shield—you need the physical disc. ? The Best Experience: Captain America: Civil War (4K Ultra HD) The 4K transfer is a significant upgrade over streaming. The airport scene (shot on IMAX cameras) fills the screen, and the Dolby Atmos audio track makes the clash of Vibranium vs. Repulsors sound terrifyingly real. ? The Source Material: “Civil War” by Mark Millar The movie is very different from the comic, but the original 2006 book is a classic. It features the Fantastic Four and X-Men (who weren’t in the movie) and a much darker ending. ? The “Choose Your Side” Merch Are you Team Cap or Team Iron Man? This movie divided the fanbase, and the merchandise lets you pick a side. Final Thoughts Captain America: Civil War is a masterpiece of tension. It proves that you don’t need an alien invasion to create high stakes—you just need characters you care about trying to kill each other. If you are watching Thunderbolts* or Captain America: Brave New World in 2026, you must revisit this film. It is the origin story for the modern MCU’s political chaos. Where to watch next: The fallout of this movie splits the timeline.

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