Category: Superhero Movies
Thor: Ragnarok: Hammering home the comedy
by Matt Ward
Superheroes to the rescue! After a lackluster summer at the box office, Hollywood hit back in a big way as Disney sent a film to the big screen for the first time since June with “Thor: Ragnarok.” The latest in the ever popular Marvel Cinematic Universe franchise brought home $121 million nationally, giving moviegoers their first slam dunk reason to head to theaters since … Read More Thor: Ragnarok: Hammering home the comedy
Spider-Man Homecoming: A hero’s true homecoming
by Matt Ward
There have been five Spider-Man movies to hit the big screen prior to Marvel’s latest blockbuster, “Spider-Man: Homecoming,” debuting last weekend. Though several early films are heralded as among the best superhero films of all time, none have ever felt as authentic to the comic book version of Peter Parker than “Homecoming” does. Finally, the Spider-Man movie we’ve all been waiting for is here. … Read More Spider-Man Homecoming: A hero’s true homecoming
Logan: Visceral, gripping tale brings new life to superhero genre
by Matt Ward
Hugh Jackman has been synonymous with the comic book hero Wolverine since his debut in Bryan Singer’s “X-Men” arrived on screen in 2000. Seventeen years later, Jackman takes his final bow as the claw-wielding, self-healing mutant in James Mangold’s “Logan,” a brutally daring epic that wows audiences from start to finish with its dark tone and ruthless efficiency. The haunting, heartfelt character-driven drama is … Read More Logan: Visceral, gripping tale brings new life to superhero genre
Suicide Squad: Roll with the punches
by Matt Ward
Bad guys you may or may not have ever heard of get coerced into fighting for good in the latest “superhero” film from Warner Brothers and DC Comics. “Suicide Squad” is a largely enjoyable mess of a movie where director David Ayer invites viewers on a nearly two-hour thrill ride, but moviegoers have to concede some things first. Sure, you’ve likely never heard of … Read More Suicide Squad: Roll with the punches
X-Men Apocalypse: As the world ends
by Matt Ward
Superheroes once again battle to save the world from the end of days in “X-Men: Apocalypse,” sure to be one of the summer’s biggest films. Ripped straight out of one of Marvel Comics’ most celebrated storylines, the ninth film in the X-Men franchise follows a team of mutants as they battle Apocalypse, the world’s first mutant returned to Earth after centuries underground seeking to … Read More X-Men Apocalypse: As the world ends
Captain America Civil War: No spoilers edition
by Matt Ward
Perhaps the biggest flaw in blockbuster films, especially the superhero variety, is that they rarely account for all of the carnage, death and destruction left behind by all of the fight sequences and explosions audiences come to expect from these big-budget cinematic cash cows. “Captain America: Civil War” refuses to shy away from the consequences of war, making it the centerpiece of the entire … Read More Captain America Civil War: No spoilers edition
Captain America Civil War: An incredibly spoiler-filled review
by Matt Ward
This is a incredibly spoiler-filled review of Captain America: Civil War. Do not scroll past the trailer unless you have already seen the film. It may ruin the entire experience for you. Seriously. Don’t do it. There will be a spoiler-free review of this movie as well. This isn’t it. Also, nearly all of Cinematic Considerations is written in third person form. This column … Read More Captain America Civil War: An incredibly spoiler-filled review
Fantastic Four: Reboot of comic book classic falls flat
by Matt Ward
Someone in Hollywood better take note quick. Indie darling and rising character actor Miles Teller needs a star vehicle ASAP, but “Fantastic Four” just isn’t it. It’s hard not to feel bad for the star of last year’s Sundance winner and Academy Award nominated “Whiplash,” who played the perfect whipping boy to J.K. Simmons in the heavy drama. To go from one of the … Read More Fantastic Four: Reboot of comic book classic falls flat
Ant-Man: Who knew ants could be so badass?
by Matt Ward
How much audiences will enjoy “Ant-Man,” the latest superhero blockbuster from Marvel Studios, directly relates to how much they enjoy Paul Rudd. By stepping far away from the big, bruising characters like Thor and the Hulk or the dynamic Iron Man and Captain America, Marvel is banking on Rudd, a comic actor, to keep things moving in a positive direction as superhero movies become … Read More Ant-Man: Who knew ants could be so badass?
Avengers Age of Ultron: Bringing the band back together
by Matt Ward
What exactly do we as viewers want out of superhero movies anymore? Last weekend’s release of the cinematic blockbuster “Avengers: Age of Ultron” has moviegoers questioning themselves and everything they know about the emerging titan genre of cinema. It’s almost as if it’s not enough for a quality superhero movie to be engaging and thrilling and witty with quality direction, a good script and … Read More Avengers Age of Ultron: Bringing the band back together
What we talk about when we talk about Birdman
by Matt Ward
It shouldn’t come as a total shock that “Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)” — a very inside acting film — would continue the trend of movies like “The Artist” and “Argo,” winning the Best Picture prize at Sunday’s Academy Awards. Now three of the last five films to win the most prestigious award in Hollywood are about Hollywood, actors or some combination … Read More What we talk about when we talk about Birdman
Big Hero 6: Disney pairs family friendly, superhero genres for success
by Matt Ward
There’s been a dearth of family-friendly films this year, and what limited selection there has been is underwhelming to say the least. Enter a fluffy white, lighthearted balloon robot with a “non-threatening, huggable design” named Baymax to save the day. Disney’s latest animated release “Big Hero 6,” loosely based on the 1990s Marvel comic book series is a heart-warming tale about love and loss, … Read More Big Hero 6: Disney pairs family friendly, superhero genres for success
Cinematic Considerations 