The Last Stand: Review of Avengers: Infinity War

Avengers: Infinity War

Directors: Joe and Anthony Russo

By Alex Watson

Marvel fans everywhere have been waiting for the day their heroes would square off against big bad Thanos. Well, Avengers: Infinity War is unlikely to disappoint. Throwing in everything but the kitchen sink for the ultimate showdown, directors Joe and Anthony Russo pull off one hell of a balancing act. While its conclusion may polarize viewers, no one can deny the sheer thrill levels of this instalment.

Overlord Thanos (voiced by Josh Brolin) is continuing his reign of terror while seeking the rest of the infinity stones. The Avengers are attempting to put a halt to his progress, but their efforts are proving futile. Not helped by the strained relations between Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr) and Captain America (Chris Evans). Also, the Hulk (Mark Ruffalo) seems to be suffering from severe performance anxiety.

From the first frame of Avengers: Infinity War the Russo Brothers shoot to thrill. The arrival of Thanos was forever teased in early instalments, but his first full outing is a major success. A hulking purple monster, this man is a pulverising force to be reckoned with. However, there is also a depth to him at key points which is surprising. Especially when examining his difficult relationship with adopted daughter Gamora (Zoe Saldana). Rather than beginning with an orgy of CGI, Infinity War war starts with a jolt as certain characters we know and love are... dealt with. In this instalment, our love is truly tested and there will be gut-wrenching moments. Thanos is a ruler whose madman tendencies are weirdly philosophical and his logic comes off as cold and calculated.

Our Avenger teams are broken up into several brilliantly formed factions. Stark and Dr Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch) must not only contend with their own ego's but also with Peter Parker (Tom Holland),  Peter Quill (Chris Pratt), Drax (Dave Bautista) and the other Guardians. Thor forms a delightful and hilarious threesome with Rocket (Bradley Cooper) and Groot (Vin Diesel). Finally, the exiled warriors of Civil War Steve Rogers, Hulk, Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson), Bucky (Sebastian Stan), Falcon (Anthony Mackie) and the King himself T'Challa (Chadwick Boseman) take up fighting residence in Wakanda.  The sheer quality of this cast alone could power this picture, but instead, each of these teams brings their own unique brand of charm. Thanos knows how each character ties into each group and this is where he emerges as a formidable opponent. Each time one of the squares off against him, it can mean potential ruin for the earth. Emotions run deep in this one and there will be many acts of sacrifice- prepare yourself for some hard moments.

The best aspect of Avengers: Infinity War is how the Russo's are able to make this such a fun ride. There are little moments throughout which are simply brilliant such as Thor and Quill attempting to one-up each other at family backstories. Also, several minor MCU characters make wonderful reappearances to leave no stone unturned. The third act is usually a problem is most Marvel movies, but this time the Russo Brothers brilliantly pull each character together for one hell of a finale. Making so much look so cool and effortless is not an easy task, but this time excitement levels are through the roof. However, then comes an ending which will likely floor its audience. I won't give away a sliver of information, but I will advise the audience to expect everything and be prepared for some tragic moments. Thanos is not considered the ultimate bad guy for nothing and squaring off against him will leave severe damage.

Josh Brolin's voice alone gives shivers down our spine whenever Thanos appears on screen. A thumping and unpredictable villain, his whole logic of splitting the universe in half is skewed. However, in the hands of Brolin he makes it look so compelling and underneath his exterior, we see a tortured soul. The rest of the cast, as usual, works wonderfully together. Having Downey Jr and Cumberbatch share screen time makes for some wonderful and egotistical petty squabbles. Chris Hemsworth has now given Thor such natural on screen humour that he wins each scene he appears in. Mark Ruffalo is also scene stealingly brilliant as Bruce Banner and his frustration and embarrassment at the Hulk not wanting to come out is consistently funny.

Avengers: Infinity War is the big get together Marvel fans have always wanted. On sheer enjoyment alone- this is unmissable.

Dark Places: Review of You Were Never Really Here

You Were Never Really Here

Director: Lynne Ramsey

By Alex Watson

Lynne Ramsey is one of the most talented filmmakers alive. Sadly, she seems to like to wait long spells in between movies. You Were Never Really Here comes nearly seven years after her acclaimed piece 'We Need to Talk About Kevin'. However, it has been worth the long gap and thanks to a powerhouse turn by Joaquin Phoenix, this is a dark and twisted ride that depicts a very troubled character.

Joe (Joaquin Phoenix) is a former FBI agent and Gulf War veteran who suffers from PTSD. Haunted by flashbacks of his violent upbringing and of the deaths he has witnessed, Joe now works as a hired gun. Recruited by Senator Votto (Alex Manette), he is asked to retrieve his kidnapped daughter Nina (Ekaterina Samsonov) from a brothel. Soon, it becomes clear that there is way more at stake and Joe finds himself neck deep in one hell of a conspiracy.

You Were Never Really Here is a movie that both shocks and delights in equal measure. Joe is a man who specializes in brutality when it comes to dealing his victims. Ramsey however, resists the urge to play him as the stone cold killer whose revealed to have a heart of gold. In his interactions with his sick mother (Judith Roberts), we see a gentle and loving soul. In reality, Joe is a man drowning and as we see him reliving all his past torments, you can see he is barely holding on. Throughout this picture, we hear a child's voice counting backwards from 35. This almost ghostly voice gives us a window into the abusive cycle that Joe life once was. 

The mission to retrieve Nina begins like any other but quickly something way more sinister rears its head. Impressively, rather than focusing on providing as much gore as possible, Ramsey tries a whole new tack. We are rarely shown much blood or violence, but when we do it is disturbingly memorable. In one scene, we see Joe only from CCTV camera's going from room to room deposing of bad guys. Ramsey displays a deft touch when it comes to her direction and she seems to play this film against type in some places. Each scene feels like it has been carefully considered and some are beautifully shot. Joe sinking in a lake surrounded by air bubbles is a particularly moving scene and DP Thomas Townend makes us feel like we're immersed with him.

While some viewers may find this a rather vague affair and some will gripe that in only 85 minutes, it is impossible to flesh this one out. But Ramsey has created a film that will stick with you long after the credits roll. Its third act, in particular, brings Joe and its audience to some pretty disturbing conclusions. Due to the extreme amount of tension and mental anguish, its unlikely anyone could take much more than Ramsey dishes out. You Were Never Really Here is a very dark ride, but there is light at the end of the tunnel for those who stick it out.

Few actors could have mustered up the hulking intensity for Joe quite like Joaquin Phoenix. A mostly wordless performance, Phoenix's body language reflects everything Joe needs to say to his audience. His restraint of this character is also particularly impressive- Phoenix gives hints as to the sheer trauma this man has suffered, but his performance never gives away more than it needs to. We often forget just what a great talent this man is and few actors alive are better at playing wounded souls than Phoenix.

You Were Never Really Here is a movie that showcases you what an incredible directing talent Lynne Ramsey really is. How long will it be before she drops her next project?

Voices Carry: Review of A Quiet Place

A Quiet Place

Director: John Krasinski

By Alex Watson

John Krasinski has always been a dependable character actor. Stepping behind the lens, he reveals another very talented side of himself. Along with real-life wife Emily Blunt, A Quiet Place is one the most original and terrifying concepts that horror has offered in some time. Silence is the keyword throughout Krasinski's film and audience members should think twice about purchasing concessions because any rustling may cause people to jump.

Lee Abbott (John Krasinski) along with his wife Evelyn (Emily Blunt) and children Marcus (Noah Jupe) and Regan (Millicent Simmonds) live a secluded life on a rural property. The population of earth has drastically decreased as a group of invading aliens kill people based on hearing sounds. As a result, the family must live in total silence and try not to attract the alien's attention.

From the very first frame, A Quiet Place is designed to be stomach clenching. Quickly we learn about the dangers that the world now faces. In a very original twist, the aliens are in fact blind and attack based on sound, not sight. The Abbotts are family still reeling from a very personal tragedy in the opening sequence of the film. Evelyn is now heavily pregnant and the prospect of carrying a child into this new world is truly terrifying for them. Krasinski makes every small noise feel like impending disaster- a broken lamp, a scream or any tiny element of sound will mean a potential attack! Sound not only carries but it can also protect the family as well. In one scene, Lee teaches his son how the loud running stream next to them will mask any small noises. This family is permanently stuck in survival mode and this is part of what makes so appealing. Throughout they demonstrate a brand of smarts which give them the jump on their enemies when they most need it.

Throughout this film, there are red herrings to some potential disasters. An exposed nail will lead to one of the tensest sequences this picture can offer. For a movie that incorporates such little dialogue, it is impressive how layered the characters are. Lee is a man who simply wants his family to be safe and is obsessively looking for a weakness in his enemies. His fractured relationship with Regan is one of the pictures core elements. His daughter is deaf and suffers from terminal guilt over the earlier events of the movie- in her mind, she believes her fathers holds her responsible. Evelyn is the mama bear who is trying to hold it all together will still fearing for their own safety. Krasinski demonstrates a great eye and each shot in the movie feels authentic and carefully considered. While he does give one too many unnecessary jump scares, this blend of horror is completely unique.

A Quiet Place is strongest whenever a threat is present. Taking inspiration from classic horrors such as Alien, Krasinski makes us sit in silent terror as the Abbotts become the hunted. With some slick and memorable camera work by DP Charlotte Bruus Christensen, Kraskinski is able to draw his audience into this world and make us feel like we're also trapped with them. The third act also demonstrates how deeply this family love goes and there are moments of pure heartbreak which are also thoroughly uplifting. This picture refuses to simply descend into a shoot-em-up finale and instead it delivers an incredibly smart and unexpected payoff. The most terrifying part about this movie is that in this world- literally, no one can hear you scream.

John Krasinski is also on top form with his acting as well. Delivering most of his dialogue through sign language or expressions, Krasinski's turn speaks volumes. He able to convey a father's unlimited love and concern for his children using a very minimalist approach. Always an actor that we have thought capable in big films, Krasinski is now seen a brand new light. Emily Blunt adds some star power to this picture, but she matches her husband throughout. Through her silence, we can feel her characters unease but we can also sense the inner strength that she has to survive in this cruel world.

A Quiet Place is a horror film that earns points on its concept alone. A nerve-shredding and highly suspenseful affair, John Krasinski has arrived on the directorial stage.