Captain America: Civil War

Marvel movies are my guilty pleasure – I could watch the same Marvel film 5 times in a row and not get bored. I have seen The Avengers over 10 times, and if you ask me right now if I’d like to see it, I would still be game. The third Captain America film does not disappoint.

Why is this a Captain America movie, and not an Avengers movie, you ask? I don’t know what to say except that this movie is basically about Cap’s values and his friendship with Bucky. Yes, most of the other Avengers are in this film but the focus of it is Captain America. You could consider this as an Avengers 2.5 – I sorta do – but it is a Captain America 3. Consider it a sequel to both Age of Ultron, and Winter Soldier.

This movie focuses on the events after Age of Ultron. The weight of the event is visible on our heroes, especially on Tony Stark because he created Ultron and so feels responsible for the entire incident. This, in turn, makes Tony want to keep the team ‘in check’. After the events of Age of Ultron, another event takes place involving the team which results in more collateral damage forcing the UN to create the Sokovia Accords (Superhero Registration Act) which basically means that the team will be under the UN – responding to missions only the UN gives them. Iron Man is all for it however Steve Rogers is not. Steve sees it as another group with different people who has different agendas. This prompts the team to create two sides – Team Cap or Team Iron Man.

We see full-on Avenger v Avenger battle. Punches were thrown, new characters introduced, friendships were hurt.

“Here you get Ant-Man v Spider-Man, Hawkeye v Black Widow, Scarlet Witch v Vision, The Winter Soldier v Black Panther and Captain America v Iron Man, all rolled into one. And that is what you call the ultimate Marvel superhero event.”

I don’t think I need to mention how perfect the cast are for their roles. I adore every single actor in this franchise, which now includes 19-year old Tom Holland as Peter Parker. His Peter Parker is funny, quirky, goofy and instantly lovable.

Team Cap or Team Iron Man? Hell, I’m Team Marvel!

The movie is not just all action – though there is a substantial amount of it – but it also has emotional points. It’s friendships, camaraderie, loyalties.

I love every single Marvel film, but this is by far the best one yet.

I talk about spoilery stuff next, if you haven’t seen the movie, stop here.

Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them

To say I’m anticipating the release of this movie is an understatement. I was literally jumping up and down after they announced it was going to be made into a movie. Another movie set in the Wizarding World? Yes please! And two more movies after this one? Hell yes!

Seeing the trailer a year later gave me major feels. The first trailer begins with someone using the spell ‘Lumos‘, and from then on I felt like I was home. That’s what this movie makes me feel: it makes me feel like I’m finally home after years of being away. I was crying by the end of the first trailer because the familiarity of it all, plus the use of Hedwig’s Theme, was a bit overwhelming for me. It’s a new story, but in a familiar world and I couldn’t be happier. The Wizarding World is my home, and it always will be.

The Martian by Andy Weir

I bought an ebook of The Martian by Andy Weir because I own it on bluray but I wanted to read the book first before I saw the movie, which is what I always do. Man, I loved the movie adaptation. I love how it stayed true to the book, I never say this often so yay The Martian! Matt Damon did a fantastic job as Mark Watney.

This book is about Mark Watney, a botanist who was accidentally left on Mars by his team because all 5 of them thought he was dead. Mark was forced to live in a planet where his supplies are limited, and where pretty much everything could kill him, including the atmosphere’s gas. It isn’t until later than the people from NASA finds out that he’s alive, and much later they establish contact with him. NASA didn’t hesitate in making plans on saving him, but it wasn’t easy. Complications arose, plans were changed, lives were put to risk but through it all, Mark strived. Mark grew potatoes on a planet where nothing grows, Mark made water on a planet without a drop of it. Mark persevered, and he did not lose hope – okay maybe he did once or twice but only briefly.

I finished reading the book a couple of hours ago and I immediately watched the movie for the first time after. I liked that the movie stayed true to the book. It was a great adaptation I reckon, and that’s not something I say often.

I enjoyed reading this book – I enjoyed the thrill, the suspense, the adventure and most of all, the humanity expressed. Billions of people around the world rooted for Mark to survive, for Mark to return home. Why? ‘Cause that’s what we do.

“The cost for my survival must have been hundreds of millions of dollars. All to save one dorky botanist. Why bother?

Well, okay. I know the answer to that. Part of it might be what I represent: progress, science, and the interplanetary future we’ve dreamed of for centuries. But really, they did it because every human being has a basic instinct to help each other out. It might not seem that way sometimes but it’s true.

If a hiker gets lost in the mountains, people will coordinate a search. If a train crashes, people will line up to give blood. If an earthquake levels a city, people from all over the world will send emergency supplies. This is so fundamentally human that it’s found in every culture without exception. Yes, there are assholes who just don’t care but they are massively outnumbered by the people who do.”

 

Captain America: Civil War

This is definitely one of my most anticipated movies coming out this year. I mean, seriously, who isn’t looking forward to this movie? Some asks me whether I’m Team Cap or Team Iron Man, and honestly I’m not sure. I think I’m more Team Cap because of what he stands for, but Tony also makes a valid point. Choosing a side is just not a clear-cut decision.

P.S. Scarlet Witch ftw!

P.P.S. Captain America: Civil War comes out in Australian theaters on April 28. This is an American poster, that’s why it says May 6. Ha! We get something first for a change 😉