Postcards From the Backrow June 2011

By Paul Birch on Jun 27, 11 06:36 AM

FIVE REASONS to go and sit in the dark this summer...

The summer wouldn't be summer without a whole plethora of blockbusters waiting for the general public at the cinema. This year is no different with the studios lining up a whole host of movies based on comic book characters and books. The summer releases mean big money for the studios, a successful movie will generate a lot more income from merchandising and more importantly guarantee sequel opportunities. G.M. Jordan reports.

So what is going to get you into the darkness this summer, what can I tempt you with apart from a jumbo bucket of Transformers popcorn or a keg of Cars II cola?

So what is going to get you into the darkness this summer, what can I tempt you with apart from a jumbo bucket of Transformers popcorn or a keg of Cars II cola?

THOR

Ok, technically it was spring but Thor proved that Marvel Studios could produce a movie that would appeal to movie goers on many different levels. The story is basically a Shakespearian tragedy so the studios bosses made a smart move and recruited people who do Shakespeare very well. Kenneth Branagh signed up to direct his first superhero flick and brought along Sir Anthony Hopkins to play ole' one-eye himself, Odin, with Tom Hiddleston scene stealing as the trickster god, Loki.

Chris Hemsworth did a very good job of portraying Marvel's arrogant god of thunder. Thor has to be a moody, brash, spoilt brat otherwise his banishment to Earth wouldn't mean much. After all, if you are a god what could be a worse fate than a New Mexico desert? Hemsworth certainly makes the part of Thor as his own and with a love interest in Natalie Portman the screen is literally filled with beautiful people.

There is plenty of action to satisfy action adventure fans, with comic book readers enjoying the inside joke of having the legendry Walt Simonson and J.M. Stracynski, two of the best loved creators from the Thor comic appearing as in cameo's. There is also a nod to the forthcoming Avengers film with Jeremy Renner appearing as bowman Hawkeye and Samuel L. Jackson once again popping up as Nick Fury.

GREEN LANTERN

Not one of DC's standout characters as far as the general public is concerned but with Batman in production, Superman waiting for liftoff and Wonder Woman banished to development hell, Ryan Reynolds gets to put on the Lycra and save the world this year.

When a dying alien crash lands on earth he bequeaths his power ring to Hal Jordan (Ryan Reynolds). With the ring comes an induction to the Green Lantern Corps, basically an intergalactic police squad but without Frank Drebbin.

Much of the action takes place in space which is refreshing as most DC movies are based on Earth, even Superman sticks to fighting crime inside our atmosphere.

Mark Strong appears to be the man to go to if you want menacing bad guys and once again he puts in a stellar performance as Sinestro, so once again the Brits lead the way as baddies.

What makes Green Lantern interesting isn't Reynolds, as an actor he is as interesting as a wet lettuce; it's the supporting cast and Bond director Martin Campbell that appeal more. Joining Campbell and Strong are Tim Robbins, Peter Sarsgaard and Blake Lively as Carol Ferris.

Now I haven't seen Green Lantern yet but I have spoken to people who have and out of 10 an impressive 7 liked it, more importantly only 3 of those had read the comic version. I did recommend they pick up the newly released Green Lantern: Emerald Knights dvd that is an anthology of short Green Lantern Corp tales and is very good.

CAPTAIN AMERICA: THE FIRST AVENGER

Marvel is really getting the movie bug and hitting the target when it comes to making big gains at the box office and getting ready for next year's ensemble movie The Avengers (don't expect Emma Peel or John Steed to make an appearance this is based on Marvel's superhero team comic, The Mighty Avengers). Director Joe Johnston tells the story of how a skinny soldier with a heart the size of his helmet becomes super soldier Captain America, scourge of the Nazis and defender of truth, justice and the American way.

Chris Evans dons the leather as Captain America, and this is the third time he has tackled a comic book character on the silver screen (Johnny Storm in the atrocious Fantastic Four movies and Jensen in The Losers). Hugo Weaving loses his nose to play Red Skull and Dominic Cooper gets the job of portraying Iron Man's daddy Howard Stark.

Much of the movie was shot in the UK and from the trailer it certainly looks like they have managed to nail the right feel for the era. The action looks slick and Evans finally gets to show us he can carry a blockbuster, if he does it well enough he won't be acted off the screen by the likes of Samuel L. Jackson, Robert Downey Jnr. and Chris Hemsworth in next year's blockbuster.

The problem with Captain American: The First Avenger is the Red Skull, Hugo Weaving is such a fantastic actor that most other thespians wilt in his company, Natalie Portman didn't manage it in V for Vendetta, Keanu Reeves failed in The Matrix trilogy and in the Lord of the Rings trilogy he outshone the rest of the cast even by playing emo-elf Elrond.

COWBOYS AND ALIENS

Harrison Ford, Daniel Craig, big ships, big guns and horses, enough said.

With no Bond for a while Daniel Craig must have thought somebody was playing a joke on him when the script to this comic book adaptation fell through the letterbox. In fairness it could all have gone horribly wrong but word from the comic cons where there were test screens say it has all the hallmarks of being a movie to see. Iron Man director Jon Favreau was charged with bringing the film to the silver screen and he doesn't, literally, spare the horses.

1873 and aliens arrive on Earth to take over, standing in their way is gunslinger Daniel Craig, retired colonel Harrison Ford, House's Olivia Wilde and a whole posse of cowboys.

It could all be very silly but it actually works. Having seen the trailers for the last few months in various places it does appear to be a film you should sit up and take notice of. It is definitely my must-see movie of the summer.

X-MEN: FIRST CLASS

After X-Men: Last Stand failed to impress at the box office and in the fans hearts, the dire X-Men Origins: Wolverine failed to kick-start the franchise. Marvel have gone back to the 1960s to tell the story of how it all began for Professor X and Magneto, who not only put together their school for gifted youngsters but also manage to sort out some nonsense involving nuclear missiles.

After originally failing to net Kick-Ass director Matthew Vaugh for the previous X-Men run Marvel finally managed to get their man for X-Men: First Class and he brought his own writer to the table, with the phenomenal Jane Goldman (Stardust and Kick-Ass) adding extra polish to the finished script.

James McAvoy takes on the role of Professor Xavier, with Michael Fassbender taking control of metal as Magneto, but the surprising inclusion is Kevin Bacon as baddie Sebastian Shaw. Bacon is not really known as a blockbuster actor - apart from Footloose he has rarely made an impact on the box office - he is however fantastic in most of the parts he plays and there seems to be a new trend of attracting serious actors into films based on comic books. They don't just dial in their roles they actually enjoy them and breathe life into the part. Remember when Marlon Brandon turned up in Superman? He appeared to be there just to pick up a cheque and enjoy the onset catering.

First Class might not be your first choice for escaping the tedium of Wimbledon or the cricket but it is a good solid movie with a great cast of characters. It works as a period film, as a comic book adaptation and as an ensemble piece. Adults will enjoy it, kids will love characters like the Beast and Marvel will love you for taking a chance and proving that you don't have to have endless special effects pounding your senses to make a film work.

ROUND-UP

If you are missing a blue fix after Avatar you might be looking forward to The Smurfs. Yes the cute little Smurf's have their own movie and are transported to New York where they must find a way home.

Rise of the Planet of the Apes: James Franco having proved he can actually act in the fantastic Howl goes back to take on a blockbuster role as a scientist who plays god and jumpstarts evolution in apes (and it all goes horrible wrong for mankind).

Some kid called Harry Potter finishes up his epic journey into adulthood in The Deathly Hallows II. If you ever wondered why Potter fans have never had the chance to buy a Harry Potter comic then my guess is that if you go back and find a copy of Neil Gaiman's The Books of Magic (DC Comics) from the early 1990s you might find your answer.