Summer of the SuperheroArts & Life
Part1: The Avengers
Ifyou are a bit of a geek, then it was certainly a summer to remember.Marvel’s The Avengers, which was released early in May, kicked offthe season of superheros and villains. Accumulating over 1.4 billiondollars, it ranked third in box office revenue, only after JamesCameron’s epics Titanic (1997) and Avatar (2009). The film’searnings were well-deserved, and it was worth the hype that had leftmany fans in anticipation, counting down the days until release.
Iffor some reason you haven’t seen the Avenger’s yet, it might beimportant to prep yourself by watching all the prequels: Iron Man(2008), Iron Man 2 (2010), Captain America (2011), Thor (2011), andThe Hulk (2008) (but pleasenote: Mark Ruffalo didn't play the Hulk inthis version). It’s a great way to get excited and familiarizeyourself with the story lines and characters, especially if you arenot a comic book follower. While re-watching each movie, beforeseeing The Avengers, I was engrossed in the story lines and was ableto see how they were all brought together. One thing the filmmakersdid extremely well was combine the stories seamlessly. This goesespecially for the Captain America story; The Avengers started rightwhere Captain America left off.
Thefirst time I saw The Avengers, it was amazing. The second time I sawThe Avengers, it was even more amazing. It had a perfect balance ofplot, action, and comedy. If you haven't seen it yet, GO! The movie,which was over two hours, flew by. In my opinion, one of the reasonsit did so well at the box office is that it appealed to children andadults. It had a great mix of action and comedy, never triggeringboredom. And stick around after the credits for a comical scene thatmade me laugh quite a bit.
Thebest news of all is that all the actors who play main characters havesigned on for what is rumored to be six new movies which will bedivided up between their own series and The Avengers. Thor: The DarkWorld (aka Thor 2) is now being filmed, while Captain America theWinter Soldier is being released in 2014, and Iron Man 3 in 2013.Finally, The Avengers 2 has been announced to release in 2015. Sovery exciting, I suggest you join the club!
Ifyou are a bit of a geek, then it was certainly a summer to remember.Marvel’s The Avengers, which was released early in May, kicked offthe season of superheros and villains. Accumulating over 1.4 billiondollars, it ranked third in box office revenue, only after JamesCameron’s epics Titanic (1997) and Avatar (2009). The film’searnings were well-deserved, and it was worth the hype that had leftmany fans in anticipation, counting down the days until release.
Iffor some reason you haven’t seen the Avenger’s yet, it might beimportant to prep yourself by watching all the prequels: Iron Man(2008), Iron Man 2 (2010), Captain America (2011), Thor (2011), andThe Hulk (2008) (but pleasenote: Mark Ruffalo didn't play the Hulk inthis version). It’s a great way to get excited and familiarizeyourself with the story lines and characters, especially if you arenot a comic book follower. While re-watching each movie, beforeseeing The Avengers, I was engrossed in the story lines and was ableto see how they were all brought together. One thing the filmmakersdid extremely well was combine the stories seamlessly. This goesespecially for the Captain America story; The Avengers started rightwhere Captain America left off.
Thefirst time I saw The Avengers, it was amazing. The second time I sawThe Avengers, it was even more amazing. It had a perfect balance ofplot, action, and comedy. If you haven't seen it yet, GO! The movie,which was over two hours, flew by. In my opinion, one of the reasonsit did so well at the box office is that it appealed to children andadults. It had a great mix of action and comedy, never triggeringboredom. And stick around after the credits for a comical scene thatmade me laugh quite a bit.
Thebest news of all is that all the actors who play main characters havesigned on for what is rumored to be six new movies which will bedivided up between their own series and The Avengers. Thor: The DarkWorld (aka Thor 2) is now being filmed, while Captain America theWinter Soldier is being released in 2014, and Iron Man 3 in 2013.Finally, The Avengers 2 has been announced to release in 2015. Sovery exciting, I suggest you join the club!
AlmeeraJaffer is a third year student studying MIT and sociology. She is anavid movie watcher and frequently reviews films for her blog, A Byteof Simplicity
Part2: The Amazing Spiderman
Marvel’ssecond submission to the roster of summer blockbusters came to us inthe form of The Amazing Spider-Man, directed by Marc Webb. With thereinstatement of ‘Amazing’ to the title, and a refreshed cast,namely Andrew Garfield as Peter Parker, and Emma Stone playing GwenStacey, the film seeks to separate itself from the previousSpider-Man trilogy, which ended in 2007. Since its release, the casthas been met with acclaim from fans and critics, who were especiallypleased with the on-screen chemistry between Garfield and Stone,currently on display off-screen as well.
Thefilm adapts a streamlined, fast-paced plot, holding your attentionfairly well for two hours. Peter Parker’s character is introducedas a young boy lost in the chaos of his parents abandonment andsubsequent (and mysterious) disappearance.Timequickly shifts, and we encounter teenaged Peter, an unpopular nerd,who has inherited an ill equipped interest in the pursuit of justice.When Peter uncovers a briefcase that once belonged to his father, itscontents - important scientific documents - later prove to beimperative in completing the research initiated by his father and hisfather’s former research partner, Curtis Connors of OSCORP. Parkerutilizes his scientific brilliance and completes his father’sresearch, but with his breakthrough Spider-Man also gains monumentalpurpose.
The plot has been congratulated by many comic book fans foradhering more accurately to the Spider-Man traditions found in thecomics, such as the invention of the device that shoots webs. Peter’scharacter is also true to the original, with a more compellingbalance between his lack of popularity and incredible intelligence.Naturally, he becomes sarcastic and slightly cocky following hisnewly acquired power as Spider-Man. The film explores characteristicthemes found in the comics, notably Parker’s struggle with theissue of fault. This adaptation of the Spider-Man story, whencompared with its predecessors of the early 2000’s, appears to beinspired more strongly by Stan Lee, the creator of Spider-Man, andhis early accounts of the superhero.
The Amazing Spider-Man is signedoff with Marvel’s signature, a mid-credits hint toward a sequel,leaving audiences buzzing about possible villains, and pining fortheir next dose of arachnid action.
Marvel’ssecond submission to the roster of summer blockbusters came to us inthe form of The Amazing Spider-Man, directed by Marc Webb. With thereinstatement of ‘Amazing’ to the title, and a refreshed cast,namely Andrew Garfield as Peter Parker, and Emma Stone playing GwenStacey, the film seeks to separate itself from the previousSpider-Man trilogy, which ended in 2007. Since its release, the casthas been met with acclaim from fans and critics, who were especiallypleased with the on-screen chemistry between Garfield and Stone,currently on display off-screen as well.
Thefilm adapts a streamlined, fast-paced plot, holding your attentionfairly well for two hours. Peter Parker’s character is introducedas a young boy lost in the chaos of his parents abandonment andsubsequent (and mysterious) disappearance.Timequickly shifts, and we encounter teenaged Peter, an unpopular nerd,who has inherited an ill equipped interest in the pursuit of justice.When Peter uncovers a briefcase that once belonged to his father, itscontents - important scientific documents - later prove to beimperative in completing the research initiated by his father and hisfather’s former research partner, Curtis Connors of OSCORP. Parkerutilizes his scientific brilliance and completes his father’sresearch, but with his breakthrough Spider-Man also gains monumentalpurpose.
The plot has been congratulated by many comic book fans foradhering more accurately to the Spider-Man traditions found in thecomics, such as the invention of the device that shoots webs. Peter’scharacter is also true to the original, with a more compellingbalance between his lack of popularity and incredible intelligence.Naturally, he becomes sarcastic and slightly cocky following hisnewly acquired power as Spider-Man. The film explores characteristicthemes found in the comics, notably Parker’s struggle with theissue of fault. This adaptation of the Spider-Man story, whencompared with its predecessors of the early 2000’s, appears to beinspired more strongly by Stan Lee, the creator of Spider-Man, andhis early accounts of the superhero.
The Amazing Spider-Man is signedoff with Marvel’s signature, a mid-credits hint toward a sequel,leaving audiences buzzing about possible villains, and pining fortheir next dose of arachnid action.
MaryChantel Hall is in her third year studying English and History atKings University College. This is her first time writing for TheRegis.
Part3: The Dark Knight Rises
Whenyou think of a typical Hollywood superhero movie, two things usuallycome to mind. One, there’s your classic good vs evil framework,where an individual with super-human powers upholds the morals andvalues of everything good. Second, you expect 90 minutes of non-stopblood-pumping action that absorbs most dialogue and characterdevelopment. The Dark Knight Rises isn’t your typical superheromovie, in fact, there is no one with super human powers at all.Instead, there is something wholly and authentically human about thecharacters in this film.
Everycharacter’s past not only dictates their present agenda, butcreates a story in which viewers can sympathize with them. Eventhough Batman (Christian Bale) is the hero of the story, the linebetween good and evil is blurred so well that the drama never ceases.The story is more about Bruce Wayne trying to find himself afterhanging up the cape, than Batman returning to save Gotham City fromBane’s (Tom Hardy) almost sociopathic ideology of totalobliteration.
Thefilm begins almost eight years after Batman killed Harvey Dent (AaronEckhart) and locked The Joker (Heath Ledger) behinds bars. BruceWayne has hung up his cape and gone into hiding during peacetime inGotham City. He is called upon when Bane and his army infest Gothamcity and scheme to bring the city to its knees. Wayne finds a reasonfor Batman to re-emerge from the Batcave and start kicking someserious ass. Batman, along with a couple new faces: Catwoman (AnneHathaway) and a young police officer who still believes in “TheBatman” (Joseph Gordon-Levitt), cross paths while trying to fulfilltheir respective beliefs in this roller coaster of a film.
ChristopherNolan is one of the only directors left in Hollywood that understandshow important a role human emotions play in “superhero” movies.Mind you, we all want to see an entire city collapse into smoulderingrubble. To experience this, on the big screen, while beingwholeheartedly invested in the characters affected by suchdestruction, is something every film should strive for. Even thoughno antagonist will ever match the deviously dark and chaotic mind ofthe Joker, Nolan still manages to
sustainthe almost magical world of Batman. This epic conclusion to Nolan’sBatman trilogy is nothing short of fantastic.
Whenyou think of a typical Hollywood superhero movie, two things usuallycome to mind. One, there’s your classic good vs evil framework,where an individual with super-human powers upholds the morals andvalues of everything good. Second, you expect 90 minutes of non-stopblood-pumping action that absorbs most dialogue and characterdevelopment. The Dark Knight Rises isn’t your typical superheromovie, in fact, there is no one with super human powers at all.Instead, there is something wholly and authentically human about thecharacters in this film.
Everycharacter’s past not only dictates their present agenda, butcreates a story in which viewers can sympathize with them. Eventhough Batman (Christian Bale) is the hero of the story, the linebetween good and evil is blurred so well that the drama never ceases.The story is more about Bruce Wayne trying to find himself afterhanging up the cape, than Batman returning to save Gotham City fromBane’s (Tom Hardy) almost sociopathic ideology of totalobliteration.
Thefilm begins almost eight years after Batman killed Harvey Dent (AaronEckhart) and locked The Joker (Heath Ledger) behinds bars. BruceWayne has hung up his cape and gone into hiding during peacetime inGotham City. He is called upon when Bane and his army infest Gothamcity and scheme to bring the city to its knees. Wayne finds a reasonfor Batman to re-emerge from the Batcave and start kicking someserious ass. Batman, along with a couple new faces: Catwoman (AnneHathaway) and a young police officer who still believes in “TheBatman” (Joseph Gordon-Levitt), cross paths while trying to fulfilltheir respective beliefs in this roller coaster of a film.
ChristopherNolan is one of the only directors left in Hollywood that understandshow important a role human emotions play in “superhero” movies.Mind you, we all want to see an entire city collapse into smoulderingrubble. To experience this, on the big screen, while beingwholeheartedly invested in the characters affected by suchdestruction, is something every film should strive for. Even thoughno antagonist will ever match the deviously dark and chaotic mind ofthe Joker, Nolan still manages to
sustainthe almost magical world of Batman. This epic conclusion to Nolan’sBatman trilogy is nothing short of fantastic.
G.P.Parhar is completing the fifth year of his Honours Specializationdegree in Philosophy with a Minor in Creative Writing. He writesscreenplays, poetry, creative non-fiction, and academic papers. Thisis his second article for The Regis.
