When the Ultimate Universe started it annoyed me a bit that yet once again, Marvel was tampering with the established storyline of almost everyone. They didn't really change Cap's story though, which was cool.
The movie was good. The changes to the story were acceptable (to me) for conversion to the big screen. Chris Evans did a remarkable job of capturing the essence of both Steve Rogers and Captain America. Tommy Lee Jones stole the show. He was hilarious. He really needs to stick to comedy (or being a villain. The movie where he was Steven Seagal's nemesis is the only Seagal movie I can stand to watch). Stan Lee's cameo was funny as usual. He's looking really old though. It will be a very sad day when Stan the Man dies. I hope he makes it through the Avengers movie. If it's done right, it should be one of the happiest days of his life when it comes out. Excelsior Stan!
The Howling Commandos were in the movie!!! Casting the guy who played Buck Compton (Neal McDonough) in Band of Brothers as Dum Dum Dugan was inspired. Plus it was great seeing the Howlers in action. Although I'm still having trouble with Samuel L. Jackson as Nick Fury. It's hard to erase nearly 30 years of comic book memories of Nick Fury as a grizzled World War II sergeant, or a secret agent, greying at the temples with an eyepatch. Not to mention being a white guy. Sam Jackson is much better as Nick Fury than The Hoff was in the 80s though.
Hugo Weaving as the Red Skull was also inspired casting. He is so deliciously sinister. The guy playing Arnim Zola was also very cool. It was a take on Zola's personality that I had never really thought of. I always knew he was focused on his research to the exclusion of caring about anything else, but his android bodies in the comics always seemed to make him seem silly to me. This more human interpretation of his character made him a much more interesting villain than he ever appeared in the comics.
Enough about Cap for the moment. I will return to that movie for a moment after I tell you about Thor.
Thor ROCKED! The special effects were incredible. The casting was almost excellent. Kenneth Branagh did an amazing job directing. I'm glad they got someone with a Shakespearian background involved. They nailed the storyline from the Ultimate comics Thor.
There was only one thing missing that, I admit, would have made the movie longer. But it was the most compelling thing about the comic version of Thor. Everyone thought he was crazy. He had conversations with people no one else could see. And he started to wonder whether he was actually crazy. The movie brushed up against that theme, but it just made him seem silly.
The other problem I had with Thor was Natalie Portman. She is such an awful actress. She showed so much potential in Leon:The Professional. I just don't understand what happened. She was a large contribution to the SUCK factor of Star Wars - episodes 1-3. She continues that trend in Thor. I don't have any suggestions for an alternate Jane but she has to go!
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This brings me back to Cap. In the comics Peggy Carter was from Virginia. When she showed up on screen with a British accent, I was a bit confused. It worked though. So did losing Bucky while fighting the Red Skull. There wasn't enough time to introduce yet another Nazi villain. Especially that idiot Baron Zemo. I'm sorry but so many of Cap's villains are ridiculous. This guy is a bad guy by virtue of being a Nazi who accidentally glued a carpet to his face. ooooo I'm scared. But I digress.
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I've never really paid attention to the significant others of Marvel's heroes. They were basically there to be held hostage, threatened or provide non-hero interaction for the main characters. The new interpretations try to make them stronger and more independent than their comic book predecessors. However Kirsten Dunst, Gwyneth Patrow, Natalie Portman, Hayley Atwell and, yes, even Jennifer Garner don't exactly radiate self-confidence. At least two of them make me think of Tommy Lee Jones' line "Somebody give that kid a sandwich!" when he first sees Steve Rogers without a shirt on.
I am glad I saw these movies on the big screen (and without the stupid 3D glasses). I would go see them both again and I can't wait til they come out on DVD. I also think I might need to get a PS3 so I can play the Cap video game :)
Enough for today. See the movies. They're good.
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