Marvel Universe 2018

Ant-Man and the Wasp (2018)

This movie takes place after Captain America: Civil War in the MCU timeline. With something like 19 movies, it’s hard to keep track of all these because they tend to bounce around. The Ant-Man films are like Marvel lite. The violence is toned down and the comedy is ramped up. It’s very funny. This movie at times, felt like a family film with all its tender father/daughter moments and messages, but it all works and it’s a lot of fun. It’s PG-13, but feels like PG. The story isweak. There is a lot of talk about Quantum Realms and honestly, I found all that pretty dull. The villians were fine. The Ghost was interesting and the other bad guy was a stock character from a hundred other movies. I’m glad though they weren’t after world domination which led to another giant epic noisy battle. The characters are all very likeable and you root for them. The charm of these people are infectious and I really enjoyed the bad ass of the Wasp. Credit Evangeline Lilly for that. Stick around for the end credits as you’ll get another cookie which ties into the next Avengers film as well as a laugh out loud moment. I love how all these are connected and Ant Man and the Wasp is another winner in the assembly line of the MCU. (***)

Avengers: Infinity War (2018)

In a packed house on a beautiful Sunday afternoon in IMAX 3-D, I caught the biggest film of the year. This will break a lot of records. I enjoyed immensely. It has its problems, but if you go into this knowing that the movie will not come to any conclusion (Part 2 is due out next year), then you’ll be fine and just need to go in and enjoy yourself. With over 20 Avengers, there is not only a battle against Thanos, but a battle for screen time. Some Avengers have very little todo, while others make just a cameo appearance. There are a handful of heroes who don’t appear and will have to wait for the next installment. At clocking in at 2:25, the film does a good job at moving things along. You never get bogged down with one battle as they go back and forth between planets, space, Wakanda, Nowhere (that’s a place), New York, etc. This being a Marvel film there is plenty of humor and my favorite thing about this movie is the anticipation of who is going to show up next. This is a pretty violent movie, but I bet your kid will cry bloody murder if you don’t take him/her so go ahead and check out Marvel’s biggest, baddest & boldest film yet. (***1/2)

Black Panther (2018)

I was with a sold out house for 10a Sunday morning showing of the hottest film of this young year. This film is the “goods”. It has a terrific cast, male & female. Chadwick Boseman apparently can play anyone since he’s already been Jackie Robinson, James Brown & Thurgood Marshall. Lots of strong characters, a solid villian and the cinematography is beautiful. There is an action sequence in South Korea that stands out for me and you’ll know what I’m talking about when you see it involving a remote control car. The movie does drag in spots and at times it felt a little long, but overall this is terrific entertainment. It is violent at times, but if your child has seen the other Marvel movies, they’ll be fine. It also offers up a good message. Stay for 2 extra scenes, both of which support the next Avengers film. (***1/2)