My friend! It's good to hear from you, Motorman!
I miss you too man, and hope the others are still checking the board on occasion as well. I'll update you on live in Malk-ville momentarily, but first, I shall join the discussion on those same two films...
The Force Awakens - loved it. Loved it, loved it, loved it. I agree wholeheartedly on the similarity to the OT, particularly Star Wars itself: I understand where the criticism came from, but can understand the filmmakers' reasons. And one thing is clear: the scenario may be similar to Star Wars, but the characters are very different, in the best possible way. Rey, Finn and Poe are NOT Luke, Han and Leia, they're their own characters with very different reactions to the whole thing, so that helps lessen the similarities. Crucially though, they still, like their OT counterparts, embody the spirit of Star Wars. It's been a long time since I had so much fun at a non-superhero blockbuster, and even some of the superhero movies have been a drag lately. Speaking of which...
Motorman, you're my friend, and I love you and respect your counsel in all things, so it pains me to say this, but: I'm afraid I couldn't agree with you less on Batman v Superman. If anything, I think the critics went easy on it.
Positives first: I agree with you on the visuals. Snyder's visuals have always been his strong point, and this had some fantastic imagery, and the design, particularly around Batman and all his gadgetry, was superb. Could have done with it being a bit more colourful (yes, it's a Batman film, but it's also a Superman film and Wonder Woman's cinematic debut, plus even the Nolan Batfilms were more colourful than this one), but from a design standpoint, it was perfect. The Superman suit is great, Wonder Woman's armour was brilliant, and the Batsuit has never looked better for my money.
Staying positive: the cast. Everyone's great (as far as the material lets them be, more on that later). Ben Affleck is superb as Batman, I'm so glad he's shown all the haters who's boss. DareDevil the character got his redemption from the '03 film in the form of his Netflix series: now Affleck gets his by being possibly the best big-screen Batman yet (though Michael Keaton will forever be "my" Batman). Gal Gadot, similarly, did very well with admittedly-limited screentime. I was one who'd written her off based on her (very-underwritten) role in the Fast & Furious movies being the only thing I knew her from, but she's got me convinced the Wonder Woman film will be a success now. Amy Adams is always a delight, and I maintain Henry Cavill has the potential to be the definitive Superman, or at the very least hold his own against the mighty Christopher Reeve.
But then... the script. I'm sorry, I went in really wanting to love this movie. I want a DCCU on a par with the MCU, but this script... I just can't get behind it. Zack Snyder has learned all the wrong lessons from reading Frank Miller comics. He demands certain moments just because they look cool, without giving thought to who the characters are and what their motivations should be. David Goyer's typical (and hypocritical) disdain for the superhero genre that made his career ("Heroics are childish! Angst, casual murder, more angst and super-manly wall-punching is where it's at! God, I'm so much more grown-up and awesome than these comics fans, brah!") exacerbates this issue, they bring out the worst in each other, and poor Chris Terrio is left punching up a script that by necessity turns Superman in a selfish, whining, miserable asshat instead of the big blue paragon of hope he should be. If Zack Snyder hates Superman this much (and that's fine, we all like different things), why does he keep making films about him? "It's not an 'S'. On my planet it means 'mope'."
Batman is treated a little better, mostly because Batman is already a bit of a jerk and fits Snyder/Goyer's viewpoint more closely. But even then, they push him further down that road. This film basically turns Batman into The Punisher, then turns Superman into Batman to fill the Bat-void, then doesn't give a damn about the Super-void.
Someone on Twitter, can't remember who now, pointed out that if the recent small-screen Punisher is a more likable hero (when he's supposed to be an antagonist, no less) than your big-screen Superman, then your Superman has a problem.
And it's SO VIOLENT. I get that action is important in these things, and Batman in particular is always edgy, but this really pushed it. This is a Superman film that opens with Jimmy Olsen getting shot in the head, execution style, by a gang of terrorists. There are multiple, very scary nightmare sequences, including one where Batman is snapping necks like there's no tomorrow - and make no mistake, that was only a dream sequence because Warner Bros wouldn't let Snyder cross that line in-canon, and he was damned if he was giving up that visual.
A Superman film that children can't watch (and they really shouldn't watch this) shows a fundamental misunderstanding of Superman as a character.
Sorry for the rant, I've been avoiding the BvS boards because of trolls and because people are quite happy to post Civil War spoilers on the BvS boards and vice versa, so i haven't really been able to get a lot of this stuff off my chest. Suffice to say as a film fan I was merely disappointed: I thought the script was convoluted, it was sloppily edited, and the resolution of the titular conflict made no sense. As a fan of DC comics, I mega-loathed it with a white-hot rage like the fury of a thousand exploding Kryptons. I have as much disdain for Zack Snyder's handling of these characters* as he clearly has for the characters I love, and I am terrified for Justice League now.
Civil War - seeing it at midnight on Thursday night with the wife, then again on Friday night with a heap of friends (we've hired out a screen at our local cinema for a private party - Mrs Malk can't get the Friday off work so she booked the midnight screening to make up for it). I'm very, very excited. BvS has taken the wind out of my sails a bit in terms of looking-forward-to-a-superhero-event this year, but The Winter Soldier remains my favourite CBM ever so I'm convinced the Russos are safe hands.
Personal life: not much to report. Katie & I got a kitten last week, which is awesome. Her name is Arwen and she's amazing. My furniture is getting destroyed but I can's stay mad at her, she's too cute. Work continues to go well, but otherwise life in the House of M is unchanged.
Sorry to hear your daughter's so far away Motorman, but college is good. Is she enjoying it? Hope all else is well with you, and I join you in anticipation for Doctor Strange. Also: Suicide Squad! Not sure what to expect, but I liked those last 2 trailers. Still hating Joker's look, though I'm sure Leto will turn in a good performance, and hoping it's the film that turns me round on the DCCU. Otherwise, looking to you, Wonder Woman!
Hope to hear from you again soon Motorman, and from any of you, Klara, Apolo and Darkman.
Love to all,
Malk
*Aquaman is holding his breath in that cameo. Aquaman. Holding his breath underwater. Aquaman. That's how much this guy "gets" these characters.
"Hey, everyone."
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