TheNorm's Top 5 Marvel Movies

There is no doubt that Marvel Studios has become one of the most fascinating phenomenons in recent cinema history. Despite what Martin Scorcese would prefer to believe, these movies are far from mere roller coaster rides. While I can understand why Mr. Scorcese would publicly despise these movies, I have to respectfully disagree with his opinion in regards to the quality and nature of the Marvel Films. Speaking as a movie enthusiast as well as a superhero fan, I am glad to live in a time when mass Superhero entertainment has proven itself to be more profound than we ever could have expected. Marvel Studios has created more than mere special effects-heavy extravaganzas. They have built a world of fantastic stories, robust characters, and in some ways, given a voice to the voiceless. I know that sounds corny, but then again, so are these movies, and that's just fine with me. 

So far, Marvel Studios has released 23 films with many more on the way. So, in recognition of their remarkable achievements, and in preparation for the upcoming Black Widow movie (finally), I would like to take a moment to look back on some of the Marvel films that mean the most to me. The ones that made me proud to consider myself a superhero fan. 

This is TheNorm's Top 5 Marvel Movies. 

#5 - Avengers: Endgame 

The main event Marvel built up to for over ten years, Avengers: Endgame is a remarkable film in many ways. The most significant of which is its narrative. Under the expert guidance of directors Anthony and Joe Russo, The film spends the vast majority of its runtime building up the ultimate "save the day" moment with profound character development, unbelievably witty writing, and emotionally resonating performances from every single member of the cast. All of which makes the climactic final battle against the ultimate evil all the more cathartic. This may very well be the best possible conclusion to Phase 3 of the MCU (Marvel Cinematic Universe) than any of us could have asked for. 

Now, you might be wondering to yourself, "If I love this film so much, why is it so low on my list?" Well, as much as I do enjoy this film, it saddens me that I can't recommend it to anyone, other than established fans. You see, while the majority of Marvel films are enjoyable on their own, the "main event" movies are really for those of us who have been watching these movies since day one. While you could still technically watch Avengers: Endgame without having seen some or any of the films prior, the impact will not be as substantial, because you would be missing vital emotional beats from previous chapters. It would be like starting a book in the middle rather than the very beginning. 

Avengers: Endgame can potentially be enjoyed on its own, but anyone who wants to watch it would greatly benefit from taking their time with the earlier movies first. Therefore, as much as I love this movie, it is not an easy one to recommend to newcomers or casual fans. As opposed to the next film on my list. 

#4 - Guardians of the Galaxy 

One of my friends described this film as "the Star Wars of this generation," and I have to agree. Much like Star Wars, it's a space opera with larger than life characters with sympathetic backstories, a rouge for hire with a partner only he can understand (ala Han Solo and Chewbacca), and a genocidal villain who wants to conquer the Galaxy, not unlike Darth Vader. Even so, the most crucial similarity this film has to Star Wars is its confidence. Because it's a movie loaded to the brim with characters no one ever heard of (outside of die-hard comic fans) and locations that are so out-of-this-world, many people didn't think this would work and were afraid to give it a try. Sound familiar? It should! Because just like Star Wars, it blew everyone's expectations out or the water by delivering a heartwarming story about family and acceptance. Not to mention the utter awesomeness of watching a Racoon wielding a Machine Gun! 

As I said before, this is one of the many Marvel films that anyone can just pick up and watch without having to do a lot of homework. Setting aside its tangential connection to the MCU, Guardians of the Galaxy functions quite well as its own story. It has a little bit of everything for everyone (not just comic book fans) to enjoy in some capacity. 

It holds the #4 place on my list, not for anything negative, but instead is a specific type of enjoyment for me. While I enjoy the right amount of thoughtful brainless fun as much as anyone, I tend to get more personal satisfaction out of the ones with just a little more texture to them. Which brings me to the next film on my list. 

#3 - The Avengers 

This ranks as one of the best Movie Theater experiences I've had in my whole life. I saw this film in theaters four times on the same weekend, and on every viewing, I experienced the same enthrallment as everybody else in the theater. The moment that all of the established heroes came together to save the day, every single person in the audience, including myself, got up and cheered. Aside from attending a few comedies where the audience always laughed out loud together, I cannot remember ever having a shared connection like that with any other movie or audience before. It became one of my fondest memories at the movie theater, right alongside seeing the first Tim Burton Batman film in theaters on opening day. The only thing that might have made this experience more exhilarating is if they hired a group of performers dressed as The Avengers to run through the theater during the climax of the film. Would that have been overkill? Maybe, but it still would have been awesome!  

This movie has it all! Comedy, action, science fiction, commentary, colorful costumes, you name it. It was the first time we had seen all of the beloved characters we had been watching in separate movies on the same screen together. While there is no denying that it is not a perfect movie, it is a positively unbelievable one that deserves its high status in the world of superhero blockbusters. Best of all, it's probably the one event movie that anyone can jump right into regardless of prior history with the earlier films. Sure, there are a few spots here and there that may require a quick Google search or an explanation from a friend who has seen the other films, but aside from that, one can go straight to this movie and have a blast. 

In case you're wondering why this excellent film is in my #3 spot, it's merely because it's not my absolute favorite. Oh, I enjoy it a lot, but the Marvel movies that stick out to me the most are the ones that got bolder with their risks. The ones that decided to take advantage of their prestige and utilize their status to say something profound and topical. Not unlike the next film on my list. 

#2 - Black Panther 

Black Panther is, without a doubt, Marvel Studios' best film ever. Not only is it an all-out entertaining as hell blockbuster. Not only is it the most well written and directed Marvel film, but it is one of the few triple "A" high budgets movies to be made by black artists, starring black artists, with a story that brings to light relevant aspects of the black condition. In an age when Hollywood tends to continue catering primarily to the white male age 18-45 demographic, this is a huge accomplishment! One that Marvel, and indeed all of Cinema, should be proud of. 

This film breaks all kinds of boundaries. It is the first Marvel film to have a three-dimensional and empathetic villain in Killmonger, it features compelling female characters whose strength comes from pride, and it helped to further cement director Ryan Coogler as an artist with conviction. Not to mention becoming the first superhero film to be nominated for the Academy Award for Best Picture. Of course, I would be remiss to not also give a shout out to the gorgeous cinematography by Rachel Morrison. Whos lighting style and camera work speak to my own sense of style. Almost as if we were on the same wavelength. 

While I just said that this is the best Marvel movie ever, and I will forever stand by that statement, it's not my absolute personal favorite. Hence why it proudly sits at #2 on my list. My absolute favorite goes to this film. 

#1 - Captain America: The Winter Soldier 

This is the Marvel movie that speaks to me the most! As an artist, a superhero fan, and as an individual all at once. Yes, the action is beautifully crafted. Yes, the writing is on-point. Yes, it is the best showcase of the incredible directing duo known as The Russo Brothers. Yes, it was the first Marvel film to break away from the expected formula by being more of an espionage thriller. But, all of that is in higher service to the movie's overall themes of questioning authority, the importance of individuality, and always doing what is right regardless of how challenging it may be. If The Dark Knight was a vaguely supportive metaphor for The Patriot Act, then Captain America: The Winter Soldier is its complete antithesis. Because this movie's message can best be summarised in this quote from Edward Abbey: 

"A patriot must always be ready to defend his country against his Government." 

While there have been plenty of stories that carried the same message, it is rare to see it played so vividly and with such conviction in a massive blockbuster like this one. For that reason alone, it remains my absolute favorite of the Marvel superhero films. 

Well, there you have it, folks. My Top 5 Marvel Movies. Now, this has me thinking. As much as I have praised and enjoyed these films, should I maybe balance the scales a bit by making a Bottom 5 list? Maybe discuss some of the Marvel movies that didn't mean a whole lot to me? Let me know what you think. Perhaps there will be another list on the horizon. 

Until then, ladies & gentlemen, I am TheNorm, thank you all for reading. 

Color out of Space - Cosmic horror done right

The works of H.P Lovecraft have been a staple of classic horror fiction. While Lovecraft as a person is not the easiest to identify with (to put it mildly), his works have had a significant impact on the world of horror storytelling. To the point that the term "Lovecraftian Horror" is shorthand for fantastical stories of the unknown, ancient beings, and the strange phenomena that cannot be quantified by modern science. Adapting a Lovecraft story to film can be a tricky endeavor for many reasons, not the least of which is the abundance of racism and agoraphobia found in his works. This new film not only showcases how to appropriately adapt Lovecraft's stories but also shows the triumphant return of a voice in horror cinema who has been in exile for far too long, director Richard Stanley. 

For those of you who don't know or need a quick refresher, Richard Stanley was the initially intended director for the feature film adaptation of H.G Wells's The Island of Dr. Moreau. However, due to an abundance of unfortunate circumstances, Richard Stanley was fired from the director's chair and replaced with John Frankenheimer, who showed up in a vain attempt to save a sinking ship of a movie. As you might have suspected, the film bombed both financially and critically, placing Richard Stanley on the blacklist of directors. Since then. Richard Stanley has remained quietly active in the film world mostly as a writer and occasionally directing short videos. Color out of Space is his first big step back into the world of feature films, and he was undoubtedly the best person for this job.

For a more detailed and in-depth look into the history of the production woes with The Island of Dr. Moreau, check out the documentary Lost Souls available on Amazon Prime. 

Based on the short story by H.P Lovecraft, the film follows a family living on a small farm in the woods. The family seems functional, but it becomes clear that things are not completely fine with everyone. Even so, things begin to escalate even more when a small meteorite hits their front yard emitting strange colors unlike any seen on Earth. Shortly after it lands, it buries itself deep into the ground. Not long after that, all of the vegetation in the surrounding area begin changing into a strange color, creating unusual mutations to everything around them. Making things even worse is that the color has started affecting everyone's minds in various ways, driving everyone in the house to utter madness. Will they survive this strange ordeal, or will they submit to their insanity? 

Back in November of last year, I published an article here on my blog discussing what I believed to be genuine horror. The short version is that the film world these days is oversaturated with gorry jump-scare filled bits of garbage, to the point where everyone just assumes that is what horror cinema is all about. When, in actuality, it is about something much deeper and more profound than that. To me, horror is about uncertainty, not on in rather or not this strange thing that's floating in my bedroom is real or not, but also about how one chooses to react to it. One of the scariest kind of horror stories, at least to me, are the ones where we see how different people respond in extreme situations, and how they may show their true and darker colors becoming more dangerous than any actual monster. Color out of Space is such a story. 

Director Richard Stanley has always been a strange individual, and I mean that in a positive way. In addition to seeming like a more down-to-earth person than you might expect, he also comes across as one of those minds that has developed early—discovering early on what makes him tick. He seems to be one of those individuals with a vivid imagination and a passionate curiosity for the unusual. Not in a pretentious kind of way, but more like a continually absorbing mind that's bursting with ideas that need to be realized. I know it sounds like I'm describing every kind of artist, but in this case, it's genuine. 

The film succeeds where so many modern horror films fail. It has suspense, build-up, genuine human terror, and messed up ideas the likes of which I haven't seen in cinema for a long time. Color out of Space is not a film for everyone, but it is the best of its kind for those who enjoy well-crafted horror, especially for those who are bigger fans of H.P Lovecraft than I am, and I don't consider myself a fan. More like a casual admirer who appreciates psychological thriller stuff that may or may not happen to feature monsters as well. Apparently, this is to be the first in a trilogy of Richard Stanly films based on the works of H.P. Lovecraft. If they keep up this kind of quality, I will be happy to jump on board this train. 

At the time of this writing, Color out of Space is available on VOD (Video On Demand) and, as far as I know, has a limited theatrical run in some areas. It is also likely to be released on disc sometime soon. However you can see this film, if you are of the horror persuasion, I think you will enjoy this one. Take it from someone who didn't grow up a horror fan but discovered a fondness for the good ones later in life. 

Ladies & gentlemen, I am TheNorm, thank you all for reading. 

Onward - A good filler episode

In television, shows will often have what are called "filler" episodes. Segments that are not necessarily of the best possible quality, but are there to fill in the space to meet a required number or length of runtime. Mind you; this is not an automatic sign of poor quality. Some filler episodes turn out to be better than others, but even the best of them tend to be lacking in particular something-or-other that gives the show its identity and charm. It's still entertaining and enjoyable, just not entirely on par with what you likely have come to expect. Onward is not an episode of a television show, but it does feel like a filler episode keeping audiences occupied well enough in anticipation of the more significant presentation. A very well made and entertaining one, but filler none the less.

Set in a world where classical fantasy creatures live in modern urban civilization (and magic now lives in the realm of legend and myth), the story follows two Elf brothers named Ian (Tom Holland) and Barley (Chris Pratt). Their father passed away when Tom was very young, leaving the two boys with their mother and each other. Upon Ian's 16th birthday, his mother gives him a gift from his dad, which turns out to be a magical staff along with a spell that will allow their father to come back to life for just one day. Ian and Barley try the enchantment but don't quite finish it, leaving their resurrected father only halfway developed. With only 24 hours before the magic wears off, the two brothers venture on a quest to find another magical item that will help them complete the spell and spend their day with dad.

As expected from PIXAR, the narrative is pretty solid. It's a classic story about brotherly love, family, coming to terms with loss, and finding one's inner courage. As I stated in my review for Toy Story 4 last year, I have no reason ever to doubt that PIXAR will deliver quality stories. Even so, while this narrative, in particular, does retain some of their usual polish, it doesn't quite have the same level of maturity you would expect. Not to say that the film is juvenile, far from it! It just doesn't have the same level of je ne sais quoi that you get from movies like Monsters, Inc. or any of the Toy Story films. If those movies are an elegant Steak dinner, then Onward is more of a tastefully crafted Cheeseburger. Both are equally enjoyable and made of the same stuff, but one has a little more panache than the other.

Visually, the film is incredibly gorgeous and showcases how far PIXAR, and indeed computer animation, has advanced since its conception. Details and textures look damn near real enough to touch. The designs of the characters and the environments are distinctive and creative. The lighting, and by extension the cinematography, is downright excellent! One of the significant aspects of PIXAR films that make them stand out (aside from profound stories) is their commitment to combining animation with real-world camera effects. Over the years, they've developed programs that can replicate the style of specific lenses, various methods of camera movement, and even the unique looks of multiple types of light bulbs. With every PIXAR film comes a new wonder to behold.

The cast, particularly the two leads, deliver pretty solid performances. Tom Holland and Chris Pratt have excellent chemistry despite them merely providing the voices. Chris Pratt especially gets to be a manic ball of energy he seems to be and is having a blast. Personally speaking, I would love to see him do more voice over work rather than yet another Jurassic World disaster.

Oh, was that my out-loud voice? Sorry.

Onward may not be PIXAR's next most excellent film, but it is a solid piece of work that retains just enough of their usual charm to make it extra enjoyable. It's clearly aimed at younger audiences as reflected in parts of the pacing, which can come across as a little rushed. Even so, it never goes into a full-on hyperactive mode and provides enough universal appreciation for all audiences. If you got an hour and a half to kill, give this one a shot.

Is this movie worth seeing?
Yes.

Is it worth seeing in Theaters?
Maybe.

Why?
If you have kids, then you're likely going to see it on the big screen anyway, and while it is mostly for them, it's not without its bits of adult appreciation here and there. Otherwise, you may prefer to wait for video on this one.

Ladies & gentlemen, I am TheNorm, thank you all for reading.

The Invisible Man (2020) - A competent movie with incompetent advertising

I was fully prepared to utterly despise this movie. It claims to be a new adaptation of one of my favorite science fiction stories as well as a remake of the all-time classic Universal Monster movie of the same title. Yet, even the most fleeting glance at the film's trailer will make it abundantly clear that it is yet another "In-Name-Only" movie. Where the flick in question is an entirely unrelated story with totally different themes and ideas but bears the name of a recognizable property for the sole purpose of boosting ticket sales with the power of nostalgia value. These are a few of the Hollywood practices I detest for many reasons, chief among them being an unforgiving disrespect to the source material and the assumption that the audience is too stupid to recognize it. Even so, despite my reservations, I went into this film with an open mind. Much to my surprise (and annoyance), I can confidently say that while the movie itself is surprisingly good on its own merits, it still manages to fall short due to lazy marketing and wrong-headed choices made by cowardly executives. There is a good film in here that deserves better than this. 

Claiming to be based on the novel by H.G. Wells, the story follows a woman named Cecilia (Elizabeth Moss) who has just escaped the clutches of her abusive sociopathic husband, who also happens to be a wealthy tech genius specializing in optics. A few weeks after her escape, her husband's lawyer informs Cecilia of her husband's death by suicide. By her husband's final wishes, Cecilia is to inherit five million dollars, provided she not commit a crime or be deemed mentally incompetent. Shortly after receiving this fantastic news, Cecilia starts having strange incidences, which cause her to question her own safety and sanity. However, she soon discovers that her husband has not only faked his own death, but has used his optical technological genius to develop a means of invisibility, and has been using it to torment and destroy Cecilia. Now, Cecilia must prove her situation before she falls victim to her husband once again. 

If you have ever read the original book or seen the original movie from 1933 starring Claude Rains, then you know that the story I have just summarized is a massive departure from the source material. Not only in terms of narrative, but also in theme. The works of H.G. Wells have always shared a common theme of the dangers of unchecked science and the catastrophic consequences of ignorance. Not to mention that sometimes people are just jerks who do awful things for no adequate reason other than they can. The story, as presented in this brand new movie, is one of the psychological and emotional traumas of an abused woman embodied by the unethical use of highly advanced science. While you could argue that there is a hint of similarities between the two, that is still not enough to justify sharing the title or association with the works of H.G. Wells. This is yet another case of the I, Robot problem. 

What upsets me the most about this whole situation is that the film itself is, in actuality, pretty damn good. Taken on its own merits, the movie as a whole is well made and genuinely tense. Or at least it would be were it not for the fact that it is titled The Invisible Man. As I said a moment ago, the film is more of a psychological thriller wherein the main character's sanity is continuously questioned. Because of the story's circumstances (that being that the antagonist is invisible), everyone around Cecilia assumes that she's having difficulty dealing with the trauma and that she is being haunted by her own fears. Had the film been given a different title that didn't instantly give away the movies "twist," it might have been a significantly more satisfying experience. Because the narrative plays out in such a way that the audiences could have been fooled into believing that it was potentially a ghost or her own loss of sanity, the reveal of the invisibility would have been much more enjoyable. Instead, because of the trailers and the all-revealing title, we are left watching the characters stumble through what we the audience are already well aware of—thereby resulting in a boring story. 

Writer/Director Leigh Whannell, who previously graced audiences with the science fiction masterpiece Upgrade, delivers a bright and deliberately paced narrative that begs to have its own identity rather than be constrained by its nostalgic association with a literary classic. Maybe Whannell genuinely wanted to "modernize" a classic or an overpaid Studio executive slapped a familiar title onto the script for marketing purposes, we may never know. What I do know is that had the publicity for this movie presented me what the film genuinely was rather than try to win me over with name recognition, I might have been more inclined to give the film a passing grade. As it stands, it is yet another valiant effort by a talented filmmaker to be forever bogged down by incompetent marketing. 

This new take on The Invisible Man is the equivalent of trying to make a Chocolate Cake while blindfolded. You may feel like you know what you're doing, but unless you can get that pesky veil off your face, the results won't be as you hoped. As much as I would like to recommend the movie strictly for its own genuine good merits, I cannot in good conscience do so when there is already too much working against the favor of the film. If you are curious enough, I recommend waiting for the video. Otherwise, track down and watch the original 1933 movie if you haven't seen it yet. I assure you, it is more of what you would expect and is a Golden classic.  

Is this movie worth seeing? 

No. 

Is it worth seeing in Theaters? 

No. 

Why? 

"It is better to fail in originality than to succeed in imitation." 

                                                                                     -Herman Melville 

Ladies & gentlemen, I am TheNorm, thank you all for reading. 

Sonic The Hedgehog - Cute, occasionally funny, and a little hyper

The best way I can describe my feelings about the Sonic The Hedgehog movie is this: I can't say that it's okay, but I also can't say that I didn't like it. While I have plenty of issues with the movie as a whole, there is just enough charm and texture to keep me from declaring it a total trainwreck. It's relatively decent as a video game adaptation and serviceable as family entertainment. Still, it has just as many shortcomings and flaws that keep it from being as fully realized as it wants to be. While I am glad I saw this movie, I am in no hurry to see it again, nor recommend it to anyone other than long time fans of the character. This movie is an experience that is best done only once for curiosity's sake. 

Based on the main character from the video game of the same title, the story follows Sonic The Hedgehog (Ben Schwartz), an alien from another Planet who has been hiding out on Earth for the past ten years. He possesses tremendous power granting him incredible speed and end energy, which he tries to keep hidden from those who would take it from him for evil purposes. This situation puts Sonic into an upsetting position as he longs to make friends. After an accidental outburst placing the local town into a blackout, the military sends in their top investigator of the unusual phenomenon named Dr. Robotnic (Jim Carry). Usually, Sonic would use his Magical Teleportation Rings to escape to another world. Still, by pure accident, he is found by the local Sherrif Tom (James Marsden), who inadvertently causes Sonic to lose his bag of rings through an open portal and fall on top of a skyscraper in San Francisco. Desperate to retrieve his means of transport, Sonic pleads with Tom to take him to the city and help him recover his rings. After coming to terms with the strange circumstances of the situation and feeling a perpetual need to help others, Tom agrees, and the two of them hit the road for San Francisco. All the while struggling to survive Dr. Robotnic's relentless attacks and forming a genuine friendship together. 

Now, it is impossible to review this movie without discussing the Elephant in the room. In case you haven't been following the story, Paramount Pictures had initially scheduled this film a November release of last year. However, when the first trailer was released early that Summer, it caused a massive uproar among Sonic fans and general audiences alike. This outrage was prompted by Sonic's original character design for the film. You see, Sonic, as depicted in the video games, looks like this: 

However, for some reason, the people in charge of the movie designed Sonic to look like this:

This design for the film's main character was atrocious! Not only was it nothing like Sonic's iconic look, but it was also just not pleasing to see! Every human being who saw this design, both fans and casual movie audiences alike, collectively said in one voice, "I don't want to give this my money!" and rightfully so! 

Shortly after this debacle, Paramount announced they would postpone the release of the film so they can change the design. Now, Sonic in the movie proper looks like this: 

So much better than what came before. 

Now, this has also spawned a series of arguments regarding fan input, changing artistic visions, and caving into rabid fanboy outcry. Personally speaking, as a casual fan of the Sonic character, I am glad that they changed the design, purely because of how much more aesthetically pleasing and visually appealing the new model is. I didn't care that he looked more like the original character; I didn't want to see any more nightmare fuel when watching the film. Also, I have to give a ton of praise to the team of animators who worked tirelessly to fix the design, and I hope that they get a big chunk of the profits of the movie. I'm not sure if that will happen, but they deserve it nonetheless! 

Anyway, now that we've gotten that out of the way let's talk about the movie proper. 

The most unfortunate thing about this movie is that they spent so much time fixing the awful initial character design; they didn't also think to polish the script. The writing is probably some of the most frustrating I have ever seen, not necessarily because it was terrible, but because it needed to go through at least one or two more drafts before it was production-worthy. Structurally, the script has all the beats that it needs to hit, it has all the necessary elements for a compelling and sympathetic narrative, and it does have some genuinely great moments of wit. Unfortunately, for every moment of good writing, there is an equal moment of lousy writing. With expositional dialogue that feels forced and unnatural, character beats that happen with no satisfactory build-up or pay off, and an inability to build upon the desired theme of home and real values. The script knows where it wants to go, but it doesn't seem to understand how actually to get there. 

Visually, the film is pretty damn awesome! The special effects, especially where Sonic and his powers are concerned, are genuinely cool and fun to watch. The action scenes succeed in striking that balance between game loyalty and cinematic presentation. The creative use of the teleportation rings for the climactic battle is especially incredible. Even some of the scenes that feel like retreads of ones we've seen in other movies (the scene where the super-fast guy moves around a fight while everything around him is moving incredibly slowly, ala X-Men: Days of Future Past), it still feels fun because of their little spin on it. That's what saves this movie being total garbage, it may not be entirely competent, but it is still pretty fun. 

And, of course, Jim Carry is still one of the funniest people in movies today. Carry is arguably the best he has been ever since Ace Venture: Pet Detective (the first one, not the second). He doesn't steal the show, but he makes his presence welcome and much appreciated. 

I should also mention that I saw this movie in D-Box, which is a recently developed theater gimmick. The idea is that the seat will move along with the action on screen as if you were there yourself, similar to motion-simulating roller coasters. Honestly, while it's undoubtedly a better gimmick than 3-D, I don't think I'll become a big fan of it anytime soon. Yes, you can change the intensity or even turn it off if you choose, so it gets more points for being optional, but you still have to pay extra. Ultimately, I think it is only worth it for the right movie. As for seeing Sonic The Hedgehog in D-Box, I would not recommend it. 

Sonic The Hedgehog may not be the most polished film I've seen in 2020 so far, but if you've got kids, you will likely be seeing this in theaters anyway, so take comfort that it is not a total waste of time. There is just enough charm and entertainment value, mostly from Sonic himself, to provide a decent amount of fun. Otherwise, I only encourage you to check it out purely to support the exhausted animators who fixed what hey could. 

Is this movie worth seeing? 

Maybe. 

Is it worth seeing in theaters? 

Maybe. 

Why? 

It's not well structured, but it is fast-paced, which happens to be just enough in this particular case. Otherwise, just go see Birds of Prey again. 

Ladies & gentlemen, I am TheNorm, thank you all for reading. 

The Mandalorian - This is the way...to be amazing!

In my original video review for Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, I stated that I was eager to see Star Wars content with its own identity. That is to say, a Star Wars story that retained the established universe and lore but was presented in a different genre and tone. Furthermore, this new content needed to be unrelated to any of the traditional characters, storylines, and events. In short, I wanted to see something like a crime drama or even a comedy but set within the world of Star Wars and had no direct connection to any of the previous movies. Now, four years later, I think we finally got our first take on this very concept with The Mandalorian, which is best described as a classical Western interpretation of Lone Wolf & Cub but set within the world of Star Wars. Proving not only that many different and quality stories can be told in this fashion, but also that Star Wars has become a genre in its own right, demanding to be removed from the shackles of nostalgia before it blasts its way out.

Taking place sometime after the events of Return of the Jedi, the story follows a mysterious bounty hunter known as The Mandalorian, who is, well, a Mandalorian, which is basically the Star Wars equivalent of a Ronin warrior, a masterless Samurai. Anyway, Mando (as he is nicknamed) is one of the best bounty hunters in the Galaxy with a promising reputation and steady workflow. That is until he takes on a job to retrieve a mysterious asset by former Imperials who pay handsomely for discretion and efficiency. It seems harmless enough until Mando discovers what the asset is. A child, more specifically, a baby of unknown species who bears an uncanny resemblance to a legendary Jedi. Upon this discovery, Mando cannot in good conscience leave the child in the hands of his client, so he takes it upon himself to rescue the child and take him to safety. This brings about the wrath of his former clients who promptly send every other bounty hunter in the galaxy on his tail. Now, Mondo must keep moving and keep fighting until he can find a solution that will ensure both of their safety.

What makes this series so incredible is its commitment to providing compelling characters and narrative. Unlike the last film, Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, the series doesn't spend its entire runtime weaponizing nostalgia, letting rabid fanboys dictate the scripts, or spitting in the face of narrative cohesion. The Mandalorian takes hold of its own identity while embracing the fantastical aspect of its setting. It generates a genuine emotional connection with the characters and the story as it should by what Star Wars has always been synonymous with. It is more Star Wars than anything else I have seen in recent years.

Jon Favreau, the series creator/prime writer, showcases not only his deep appreciation for Star Wars but also his passion as a storyteller. The story he has created delves deep into aspects of Star Wars lore not often explored. At least not in the visual medium that I can recall. His characters feel three dimensional, sympathetic, intelligent, and worthy of my time and emotional investment. Every single episode feels necessary with very little in the way of filler. I suspect George Lucas is very proud of what Jon has done with his creation.

The cast from top to bottom is absolutely stellar, especially the lead character The Mandalorian himself (Pedro Pascal). Despite spending the vast majority of his screentime with his face covered, Pedro Pascal successfully portrays the character through thoughtful body language and vocal inflections. He never feels one note or dull. His performance is uniquely enhanced by his chemistry with the rest of the supporting cast, all of whom are equally fascinating to watch. Although the best and most notable is, arguably, his relationship with The Child. Who is so adorable and so captivating that it becomes easy to forget it's just a puppet. Not unlike a certain legendary Jedi.

The Mandalorian is precisely the kind of Star Wars content I have been waiting for. It sets the best example for future content while providing a narrative on par with the likes of A New Hope. Star Wars fans will rejoice, and casual viewers will be entertained by the show's own merits. Admittedly, it is a bit annoying that this beautiful show is, at the time of this writing, only available on Disney+ (Disney's new streaming service),  but that should not deter you nor anyone else from watching it. Sign up for the free one week trial or borrow your friend's password. Maybe afterward, you will find something else there that sparks your interest. I already have. However you chose to watch this series, I assure you, it is well worth it.

Ladies & gentlemen, I am TheNorm, thank you all for reading.

This is the way.

Birds of Prey - Deadpool has some serious competition

Birds of Prey: and the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn is a movie that definitely proves two things: First, that DC and Warner Brothers are making progress in making better movies with their superhero comic book properties, and second, that despite what Hollywood would prefer to believe, it is completely possible to make a successful and entertaining blockbuster with an all-women cast. This movie is the result of learning from the mistakes made in the past and building up to become something better. Even better, it does so in a way that still retains its own personal identity. Despite what some have feared, DC is not just trying to completely emulate Marvel Studios formula, although there is no denying that they are taking some notes here and there. Rather, DC is maintaining its own tone and presentation but embracing the inherent goofiness of its source material and having fun with it all. Which, in my opinion, is what they should have been doing all along. 

Long story short, when Marvel Studios began the superhero movie craze, the folks over at Warner Brothers and DC Comics tried to catch up. They did so under the assumption that by being dark, gritty, grim, and disturbing, they would stand out more and be taken more seriously and would have just as much if not more success. Needless to say, this plan of attack backfired on them and hard. After just a few movies (most notably Suicide Squad from which Harley Quinn spawned in the movies) no one had any faith in Warner Brothers or DC Comics' ability to make good quality films with their comic book properties. It has only been in recent years that they finally started to wake up and get a better idea of what makes these movies so enjoyable. Adding the Cherry on top is that this new film takes one of the two only good aspects of Suicide Squad (the second good part being Will Smith) and reshapes it into a loveable bad-ass protagonist leading the way into a better future for Warner Brothers and DC.

Taking place sometime after the events of Suicide Squad (click here if you need a refresher) the story follows Harley Quinn (Margot Robbie), the former puppet of the notorious criminal mastermind known as The Joker. Harley has had enough of Mr. J's abuse and decides to break off their "relationship". Unfortunately, their break up has now put Harley Quinn in the crosshairs of damn near every other crime boss in all of Gotham, especially one Roman Sionis a.k.a. Black Mask (Ewan McGregor), who decides to strike a deal with Harley. If she can recover a special Diamond that he happens to be after, he will use his influence to protect Harley and get everyone off her back. Now, Harley Quinn must fight for her freedom, make some new friends, and determine just what kind of woman she is going to be from here on out.

For those of you who have followed this beloved character in the comics, I can assure you that Margot Robbie, in addition to being just a great actor, completely nails the character in every possible way. Also, the script succeeds in fleshing out every detail doing Harley Quinn justice. Her character is about overcoming trauma, abusive relationships, and embracing a healthy level of insanity. She is one of the few fictional characters who can get away with being bad because she's so good.

Setting aside comic book accuracies, the movie as a whole is just delightfully crazy. Much like the movies Deadpool and Hobbs & Shaw, there is a great deal of silliness to the whole proceedings that is completely and unquestionably embraced by everyone involved. Instead of falling into the overdone aggressively dark and gritty take on these characters, the movie just plays through the story like it's on a sugar high. Sure, it still plays with some of the darker aspects of the story and characters, some of which I personally could have done without, but it just shows enough of it to better compliment the rest of the film's lovely insanity.

The action scenes are some of the best I have ever seen in a DC comic book movie. Choreographed by the guys who did the John Wick films, every action scene is wonderfully crafted, comprehensive, and adds a level of amazement that must be seen to be believed. There is one action scene in particular which, without spoiling too much, involves Harley Quinn making her way through a Police Station using a non-lethal modified Grenade Launcher. To say any more would diminish the scenes awesomeness, but I assure you, it is one of the best parts of the whole film, and instantly became my favorite scene in the entire movie.

The cast is tremendous from top to bottom. Margot Robbie, needless to say, carries the whole film on her shoulders with conviction and enthusiasm. Ewan McGregor is effectively terrifying as the sadistic crime boss and everyone else in the entire cast to a memorable job with their roles. My one nitpick is that one of my favorite actors who is in this film, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, has an awesome role, but does not have a great deal of screentime. Fortunately, the characters that we do spend the most time with are still incredibly entertaining.

Birds of Prey: and the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn is an absolute blast. While the tone and some of the violence might turn some viewers away for understandable reasons, the movie does have the good sense to relegate the more disturbing parts to bite-sized sections of the story in order to spend more time on the really fun stuff. It is the equivalent of a triple-decker Chocolate Cake with Rainbow sprinkles and tri-colored frosting: it may not be healthy for you, but it's so god damn delicious that you can't help but savor every ounce of sinful deliciousness. If you're looking for a crazy distraction from the present dreary world, this is the movie for you. If you're a big fan of DC comics, especially Harley Quinn, then you owe it to yourself to see this movie, because I can assure you, there is nothing else like it.

Is this movie worth seeing?
Yes.

Is it worth seeing in Theaters?
Yes.

Why?
It's the cinematic equivalent of a Unicorn made of Cotton Candy: Rare, unbelievable, and sweet all the way through. Though it may not be for everyone, if you're in the right mood, it will make you feel fantabulous.

Ladies & Gentlemen, I am TheNorm, thank you all for reading.