Runaways SEASON Three

 The Hulu original programming series comes to an end at Season 3, with the introduction of a new villain Morgan le Fay, and finding closure from story arcs that expanded the entire length of the series. The show says goodbye to a talented cast who has made these wayward teens so enduring to us a viewing audience.

Morgan le Fay is a character that Marvel has acquired the rights since the late seventies/early eighties, A magical nemesis of Arthurian legend.  In the comics, Morgan has battled the Avengers and Spiderwoman on both the astral plane and on a grounded reality.  Here she is played by an enchanting Elizabeth Hurley, a model turned actress who for over the past three decades have racked up an impressive acting resume, from Austin Powers to the Raquel Welch remake Bedazzled, in which she played the devil incarnate. To encapsulating the British monarchy and high society in both The Royals and Gossip Girl. It's to Elizabeth Hurley's credit that gives this version of Morgan  le Fay the right balance of being both an enigma and a presence of dark corruptible magic.

The alien race taking human host to live among us comes to surprising end, this season poses the question of  how beings of light who are superior to humans handle a new force comprised of a dark dimension, Light and absolute Darkness cannot co-exist, The show talks about a prophecy, and introduces the teens to a shape-shifting alien. In the mix, there are characters like Nico and Gertz who are dealing with internal struggles of darkness, from mental health and darkness as a pure literally sense from within

The show, manages to use the above mentioned elements and cannibalize its own story arcs into one final battle arc that sees many characters giving subtle closure, by which end,  should the series decide to go into a spin off.  There would be a landscape of characters and ideas that could be revisited and mined if the show were to carry on.  However, after battling the big bad, and unleashing a hidden darkness  from within the group.  The final episode takes place in the year 2022, sharing a fate similar to that of Marvel's Endgame or more closely to Back to the future. The teens revisit themselves at the beginning of the series, and gives us one last exciting adventure a la
days of future's past while give our heroes an anecdotal swan song, that leaves room for possible outcomes and very expected turns.  

Thor: Ragnorak (2017)

 In a interview, Hemsworth indicated that his professional acting job has taken a toll on his personal life, his daughter walked away from him at a parent and child function at school, while he was only there for her in a capacity of a cameo appearance due to commitments to go back to Hollywood for a few more months to be Thor after being gone for nearly half that year already.  

Thor Ragnarok was shot almost entirely in Australia giving the Aussie the opportunity to spend his nights at home with his family and make up for time lost, and repair the strenuous relationship he had put on his family.  Director Taika Waititi also a fellow Aussie pitched a compelling story for this third installment to the producers at Marvel, and with his gift for writing and understanding the balance of comedy he played to Hemsworth comedic strength as seen on the remakes of Ghostbusters and National Lampoons vacation. 

 About month into production Taika and Hemsworth shot series of short films or more commonly known as one-shots; being self aware of the questions being generated amongst fans of why Thor wasn't in Civil War,  Thor 3 had gone into production as Civil War was released in theatres, the shorts were titled Team Thor, near the conclusion of production Taika shot the post credit scene for Doctor Strange , with Stephen Strange and Thor seated having a discussion, it is also of note this was the only time in MCU history that Strange has worn his comic book trade mark yellow gloves.  The Director of Doctor Strange Scott Derrickson thought the scene was perfect as it shows the progression of the character leaping from origins into the more wilder world of the MCU.

Critics and fans praise the film for being a refreshing boost to the character and arguably the crown jewel to the then trilogy of films. Thor Ragnarok did not however crack into the billion dollar mark at the box office, it was just shy of under 200 million dollars.    

To put into some perspective it took just over 10 days of release for the movie's worldwide box office total to surpass Justice League's complete box office total. Considering the movie was released one month before the Justice League debut.

Jessica Jones SEASON Three

 

Its a thrilling and bitter sweet conclusion to a well written and directed series, that saw it's star Krysten Ritter direct her very first episode and technically it was one of the more creative, having a nice training montage that incorporating the most cameras used for a scene than any other show of Marvel Netflix series ,and having a technique in storytelling stemming from Kurosawa's  "Rashomon" where its a  retelling of the same story from a completely different point of view, before getting introduced into the main villain of the season.

With hints of Fincher's Seven; Jessica Jones has met her Moriarty in Gregory Salinger a Dexter Morgan type serial killer, who has mastered every conceivable angle for a crime and manipulation to attack back without getting legally caught. Known to the comic book world as Fool Killer, Jessica also finds herself getting into a real relationship with Eric, a Daredevil villain in the comic books known as Mindwave.  Eric in this season has a superpower of sensing evil in others and uses that to swindle money from others.  The season, brings back Trish and Jessica  from an unforgiveable act from season two, only to be tested again on an almost reciprocal way.  The darkness and misdeeds of Malcolm, Jeri and Trish will be atoned for in their own special way as the series progresses, and Trish's mother Dorothy Walker has the most surprising reveal of all, not just borrowing from a chilling cliffhanger episode  from Dexter; but a revealing hidden truth of her daughter is brought into light that makes you question how much sympathy and blame can be given to this overbearing Hollywood mother.

Showrunner Melissa Rosenberg was planning to exit the series after the third season before getting the news of the series cancellation. Rosenberg has always wrote the first and final episode of every season of Jessica Jones seasons;  and now learning of the show's demise Rosenberg had enough time to craft the final episode to give the show its tonal send off  in the right way and end it just as it began.  Similarly to that of Dexter's season 1 finale vs its series finale, Dexter was given a choice to save his sister or choose a life with his brother. In the finale Dexter chooses the path not initially taken.  With Jessica Jones, she was given the choice of fight of flight, and a ticket to go, but does Jessica choose the path not initially taken?

Infinite (2021)

 

Presented on Paramount +, the streaming service first legitimate motion picture exclusively on their platform. Starring Mark Wahlberg, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Sophie Cookson, and Jason Mantzoukas.  The film has gotten polarizing reviews from critics.  The showing of emotional turmoil on Mark Wahlberg's face was not achieved in this movie of when high stakes or story dictates a situation of crisis.  The counter argument is that maybe he is on his medication and it has taken the edge off his anxiety.  

Few films have their star narrate at the start of the movie, it helps sets up this world, the players, the motivations, and the overall tone of this movie.  We begin the movie in 1985, and move forward to present year 2020 or 2021.   The McGuffin is a device to destroy the world, and its a race to recover  it first, Wahlberg's last appearance was in 1985, and both sides need him alive to recover the missing device.

The movie is based on a novel the 'The Reincarnationist Papers', from author D. Eric Maikranz.  This was his first novel he wrote and self published in 2009.  The author's story is remarkable that he publicized to anyone out there including his readers that as you'll find on the front page of his book he was offering 10% of any advance if his novel can be introduced to a Hollywood producer who would adapt his book into a movie.  As bizarre as it might seem a Junior executive in Hollywood found his book while travelling in a hostel in Nepal  and pushed it forward to the right people to get it made, and according to reports on December 2019 the Junior Executive received his 10% cut.    

Director Fuqua & Wahlberg

Directed by Antoine Fuqua,  who directed Training Day, Southpaw, King Arthur, and the Magnificent Seven. The Screenplay was adapted by Ian Shorr who has written lesser known episodes for television smaller independent films, and shorts.  The reception of Infinite has not been good and success of Ian Shorr's climb into bigger Hollywood productions maybe on shakey ground because of it.                                                                                                                                                 

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              

Old Guard (2020)

Based on the comic book mini series of the same name from Image comics, the collected issues can now be acquired to read as a graphic novels. Its the story of immortals, from whichever century they were born from; they were soldiers who found purpose in their existence by serving a greater good in humanity from the gift of their immortality.  The reciprocal is that the world is filled of hypocrisy and the evils of men and women, The film kind of narrates that over time that this cynical threat is why they remain hidden from the world, and help from the shadows.

The film visualizes they have no super powers or strength, only they just can't die. So its an examination of historic conditions to contain and manage them as they are seen as a threat that can't be understand or controlled.  The film is very grounded in real world applications so the special effects is centered on human repair from incident rather than big gun explosions or elaborate car chases.  The psychological and emotional scars of memory when you out live family and friends. The horrors of confinement and experimentation are touched upon in this film and the era in which extreme measures are practiced are viewed.

That being said, the comic book story was written by Greg Rucka who adapted the screenplay.  Something rarely done in films; Rucka who was in close contact with the director Gina Prince-Bythewood explained changes in script to suit a better interpretation on the screen, as this was the first comic adapted movie she was involved in and had read the original source material.  The comic book artist  was Leandro Fernandez and his work also served as a contributing storyboard when preparing the visual elements of the motion picture.  A fun fact - the budget of this movie was $70 Million dollars, Netflix revealed in its first week of release Old Guard was viewed in 70 Million homes.

Runaway SEASON Two

 

Besides a slower paced opening episode that had a fun opening chase / running sequence, the second season has a much more elaborate story, being both fast paced in character development and advancing the many sub-plots while flushing out a more realized world  that was only established on the first season. 

On the run, avoiding surveillance cameras and digital fingerprints, the group wisely stays off the grid and finds food and shelter at a pride food bank and charity center for the homeless.  The audience is set up to the situation of where we are with every character from last season and where the show will play on from there.  As Nico opens the show opener saying "we really suck at being runaways". 

 The second season is  now 13 episodes as opposed to the initial 10.  This season is broken in half. With the  first seven episodes concluding the story set up from season one. It ends the Jonah storyline and threats posed by Jonah, and the cabal known as pride by reaching and epic conclusion.  The final six episodes keeps the gang as runaways, and slowly deciphers the final words spoken by Jonah right up to the thrilling final moments. The show continues to tackle the concept of mental illness, teenage relationships, and family(s) trying to make amends the only way they know how, but Evil deeds are inherent and family reunions are nigh.   Team leadership weighs heavy on Nico as she battles a darkness from within; juxtaposed to Karolina mastering her light. Chase and Gertrude  deepen their relationship, but Gertrude being off her anxiety medication really displays the complexities of mental illness and stigmas associated with it.  Alex' obsession to bring his family to justice keeps him away from the group, his solo choices could jeopardize the team.  Molly is embracing her heroic powers, but being the youngest member she feels the most alone as she continues to lose people she has comes close too.  This Season establishes the Runaways' Lair, it clearly defines the positions and roles each parent has in pride, and why they and Jonah decided to keep their pack.

Avengers Confidential - Black Widow & Punisher (2014)

Avengers Confidential marks as Marvel's second feature length animated movie to be crafted in a Manga art form, But the first time the character Black Widow headlines a movie title. As for the Punisher, its a first time he is being put in a position worthy of being punished himself, which allows for some interesting character development to be explored. 

Famed Japanese animation studio 'Madhouse',  who brought us classics like Ninja Scroll, One-Punch Man, and the first Beyblade anime series, curated Avengers Confidential- Punisher & Black Widow.  Directed by Kenchi Shimizu (Parasyte: The Maxim). The film follows vigilante Punisher dispatching his brand of justice, however his latest action disrupts a S.H.I.E,L.D. operation, getting him apprehended by Black Widow.  The film rides the line of will they or won't they fight each other until the true threat reveals itself.  Madhouse had released a Marvel animated movie a year prior with Iron Man: Rise of Technovore.  Similar in style to animated movie ghost in the shell, with a  cellular vibrancy of  the classic Akira movie. Confidentials' violent action ramps up with bloodshed only in the third act.

We fast forward to the summer of 2021, several years later Black Widow now headlines a motion picture, a first for the character since making her first appearance back in 2010's  Iron Man 2. Both the  live action and animation similarly treads the fact that Natasha Rominoff  revisits her past, and that of loved ones. Punisher who has been played by 4 leading men over 3 live action theatrical movies and streamed for two season on Netflix.  Have  both been considered ancillary characters in the landscape of marvel comics, they are given their chance to prove they can tell and lead with their own interesting stories.

Avengers Confidential is more about character than action, Punisher's motivation is about putting criminals down permanently so they never have a chance to harm an innocent. This film deposits what if Punisher uncontrollably kills innocents;  A complete violation of his prime directive, or a personal code of ethics. He monstrously kills, and awakens with the blood fresh on his hands. How can Frank Castle punish the Punisher; is one of the main threads linked to this espionage movie.

On paper the movie seems like an interesting read, it's concept art, and color palette is very different from other Marvel animated movies or series,  The ending feels rushed and packed to give the finale a surprise and elevated finish  The journey to unravel who has the stolen technology and what does that mean looses interest  by the fourth city the duo visits by its slow pacing. Its an adult rated story, and its' Manga form of animation offers a hyper self awareness with all the dangers. The final fight though carefully choreographed and plotted , is just noise, easily forgettable and predictable.