Let's Talk Movies: Guardians of the Galaxy

Wow.

Just Wow.

Marvel took a chance with his movie and they've hit a homerun with it. It was certainly a very obscure comic to comic readers, even more obscure to the non-readers. But Marvel just went and did the thing and now they'll be raking in the big bucks.

Here's to taking chances eh? Well, it would've went any other way really. But Marvel had done an awesome job with marketing the whole thing. And now everyone knows who the characters are. ...or at least the main ones.

Story:
~ Peter Quill (also known as the Legendary Outlaw, Star-Lord) has lived his life in space and has managed to acquire an ancient artifact. Unfortunately, everyone wants their hands on it (it feels so Indiana Jones-esque). This starts off the turn of events wherein he meets the members of GotG in different ways and through different means.As they try to outrun Ronan the Accuser, all seems to be lost when he manages to get his hands on the artifact and start total purging of the galaxy.

Review:
~ This movie is the 2nd to the last movie for Phase 2 of Marvel's Cinematic Universe. It sets up any possible "cosmic" storyline  for future movies (sorry but I do not consider any of the Thor movies "cosmic").

The story itself is...somewhat typical as anti-heroes try to save the day from the bad guy. But that's oversimplifying things as the movie gives more than just the story. The movie's characters individual stories are pretty much mentioned in some detail. These characters have already been prevalent in the comics but this is the first time seeing them in the cinematic universe. They didn't veer away from their comic counterparts which is always a good thing. It's also not also so much "out there" that it won't be understood by the regular movie-goer or the MCU's  (Marvel Cinematic Universe) fans. Which means you don't have to really need to read the comics to enjoy the movie. They pretty much made it so that everyone is seeing these characters and their stories and THE main story for the first time. And that's pretty much a big plus because people won't be so confused as to who's who t that they totally won't enjoy the film.

The movie has some pretty awesome visuals. From the landscape of Planet Morag to literally a floating head of a dead celestial named Knowhere, they really made it look like a real space adventure.

living inside a severed floating head of a huge dead organism? ONLY IN SPACE!

Along with the awesome visuals come also the awesome special effects. From CGI Aliens to the SFX done to the actors, it was pretty great. I mean sometimes it was all too much for the eyes as you try to keep track of things happening in the movie.

Star-Lord's ship, The Milano (did they name it after Alyssa Milano?).

You can't talk about a space movie without talking about spaceships! They were all very wonderful to look at. From Star-Lord's Milano to Ronan's menacing Dark Aster, seeing them on the big screen flying around was pretty intense.

The acting was a bit okay though. Chris Pratt was particularly awesome as well as Bradley Cooper. Vin Diesel as Groot...was...well fun and okay since he has  little vocabulary. I was a bit weirded out on how the chose to characterize Drax. I mean Batista was a fit for him but how they chose to portray him lacked something. He had his moments though, they just needed to him  be more of the destroyer persona. Zoe Saldana was also okay being Gamora. But she lacked the aura of being the most dangerous woman in the universe. Take for example Karen Gillan who played Nebula. She was a sweet looking girl who is known for being in Dr. Who. In the movie, she's totally Nebula...she's a bad-ass (she also shaved her head for the role rather than use a bald cap). Her face and facial expressions says it, her moves says it. Zoe's portrayal seems a bit lacking on that part. On capturing how bad-ass Gamora is. She did okay though, it's just that she could've done a bit more. Lee Pace as Ronan didn't seem like a fit  for me. He was an Elven King and then prior to that he was a pie maker. He hasn't really played a real villain yet. He also lacked the mass that Ronan has, as Ronan is a big bulky bruiser. It came as a big surprise how he (Lee Pace) absolutely played Ronan well. He was big, he was menacing, he was the uber villain of the movie. Michael Rooker was also aa surprise for me. Though they made some changes, he surely made Yondu his own character. He made it seem like Yondu was a space cowboy with his attire and accent. I was amazed how they got his "power" right somewhat.

ohai <3

 And what's more better than a great movie? Having a great soundtrack to go with it. Yes, "Awesome Mix Vol.1" is an actual album being sold in record stores. It's part of the GotG OST and it has all the nostalgia bomb songs in the movie. 

Overall, Guardians of the Galaxy just delivers. It is a great movie that's full of action and adventure. It has also a few bits of humor put in that made me laugh so hard. It also chock full of easter eggs that I kept nudging my brother everytime I see one (there is a lot, keep your eyes peeled). It's a must see movie for the comic fans, MCU fans and movie goers alike.

...oh! be ready for post credits scenes. Brownie points for everyone who knows.

Let's Talk Figures!: Marvel Universe X-23

Seems like Crossbones is unaware of things to come...

They've almost done everything to Wolverine and I think one of the best was introducing Laura Kinney, X-23, as a clone of his.

The recent wave gave use X-23 in her X-force regalia. Her time with X-force was prolly the most brutal we've ever seen of her. A calculated yet sometimes feral killing machine. Ol' Logan disapproved but there's no stopping X-23.

Calm before the storm..

First off, I'm glad and thankful that my girlfriend got to reserve and get me this figure at GreattoysOnline. I thought I won't be able to have this fig but she surprised me and got me one.

Anyway...

Unlike the previous MU women that came out, X-23 has a much better mold. Swivel elbows, thighs and ankles are what separates and gives her an edge. Black Widow and Ms. Marvel would've used at least swivel elbows. Other than that, she has the same articulation as most recent MU figures.

Just look at that figure! Perfection! ..more or less. Her face has some nice paint apps and her hair is bendy/rubbery enough to allow a few nice poses. Her face seems a bit older than what she looks like in the comics but its still a great mold.

She only comes with the typical stand. Hasbro really needs to up the ante on accessorizing MU figs. For example, X-23 could've used another pair of feet that has claws and another pair of un-clawed hands. maybe an extra unmasked head while you're at it. Now that would've made this figure truly awesome.

Yep, you can tip her head like so...and now we have our obligatory "brooding" pose.

X-23 is a tall smexy glass of water. A bit taller than most MU women and almost the same hieght as other figures from other 3.75/4" toyline. She really does stand out among the rest.

Over-all she's an awesome addition to your Marvel Universe collection. Especially with the X-force Boxset that's out in stores. 

Now for some fun! Till next figure!

Let's Talk Figures!: Revoltech War Machine

When the news of an IronMan Revoltech came out, alot of people clamored and assumed that a Revoltech War Machine would be next. I was one of them. I was also one of the dozens who went *squeeee* and went giddy like a little girl when Revoltech War Machine was announced and the preview shots went online.


My girflfriend is actually a bigger fan of War Machine than I am so I told her about the news. She pre-ordered one as soon as possible. We were both excited when it arrived. Since its hers, she got first crack at it then she lent it to me for a review.

DAT ASS

He looks so awesome! And the Revo joints hide so well. He's what you expect from Revoltech. All in all the details are top notch. Scale-wise, he's close to 6 inches. I don't have any 6inch figs but I saw a comparison pic of this to the Hasbro WM and Initiative WM and he's just right.


The back isn't as much exciting as the front and those Revo joints seem like inflamed knee joints but it still looks ok. As you can prolly see at the front, his shoulders seem like not level to where shoulders should be. Adjusting it would be ok but it's not really a big deal. His shoulder pads can be moved and adjusted as it is also uses a small Revo joint to freely move. That's a good thing as it doesn't restrict arm movement.


As you have noticed, the upper part of this fig seems a big clunky and heavy. You're actually right, this fig is top heavy but can stand on its own. Unfortunately, when it's time from some posing, you'll need a stand. Preferably the ones for 6 inchers [which I didn't have], all the stands I have wasn't stable enough to support him. And other Revo stands weren't a help since this fig didn't have a while at the back and the holes under his feet is small and can't fit on the stand pegs unless you force it.

A closer inspection on the face shows that the eyes seems to have some quality control problems with the paint. I guess someone didn't use a finer brush..or whatever. The reactor on the chest really just looks so bland. I just wish hat they added a little blue or red to add a little pizzaz. It just looks like an out of place white hole.

You're not called War Machine without some ordinance but since this fig is based from the IronMan 2 Movie version of War Machine, all it has are the gun-arms and that single chain gun on his back. The gun-arms are greatly detailed. It looks as if they can be taken off [I do believe that they can, didn't try though] and WM can hold them and use them as regular guns. The chain gun can be independently moved. It has Revo joints as well and it can be moved from left to right, front and back. Just like how it moved during the last battle with the drones in the movie. It does seem lacking in firepower but since its based from the movie, I can't complain.

Accessory - wise, I found it a bit lacking. Sure the extra hands for posing and the "gun fire" effects are nice but it lacks a figure stand. I know the Iron Man Revo didn't have a stand per se but it did have that "lift-off" effect, that kinda counts as a stand. I'm glad it did have that orange box to keep all the little accessories from being lost but the fact that they didn't include a figure stand was a negative for me [as mentioned above, the fig is top heavy].


Anyway, time for some action!

Wanna know a secret? I did all those action shots while the fig was kneeling. LOL

Anyway, it's a hit and miss for this particular kind of figure. While it's a definite buy for WM fans, it's not as much a buy for Revoltech and Marvel fans alike. The 6inch Hasbro version would still be ideal for a 6inch WM...or so i've read. So unless you're a fan and/or has extra cash, its a good buy.

Tony, draw me like one of your French girls.....

Let's Talk Comics! Cable Returns! Fear Itself: The Mighty!

Hullo again!

Doing my usual rounds on the 'net, I chanced upon to teaser images from Marvel. One is for the current storyline and one for a future storyline [which just so happens to star a character from the future :D].

But first, the teaser image of..THE MIGHTY...Avengers! [LOL]

Anyhoo, the picture above pretty much speaks for itself. If you're following the Fear Itself storyline, you'd be happily surprised [or not] that Tony pulled through with his weapon-making in Asgard and has now equipped most of his Avengers brethren with it. It's looks pretty awesome once you dismiss the fact how Tron-like some of them looks. Wolvie looks more feral, Tony in Destroyer Armor or something that looks like it is something to look forward to. Ironfst's weapon seems like it's just a long chain with a hammer head on the end and Spiderman...wristblades..? Really? Well, they all do seem powered-up, even Doc Strange's trenchcoat seems like enhanced..prolly a +12 Trenchcoat of Agamotto? [LOL].

One more thing that's nice is seeing red She-Hulk...with a sword that fits her. I would like to see her more around the marvel U. It seems that for now she's confined within the pages of the Hulk Comics. Hopefully with this, she'll be more "active".

This make's the ending for the storyline really interesting. We all know everything'll turn out ok but what're the implications? I'm inline to find out. 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

There's no rest for the weary as after the whole Fear Itself brawl is over [and possibly the "Revengers" story arc as well]. The Avengers seems to in trouble...this time by a mutant who came back from the dead, Cable in Avngers: X-Sanction.

Well, we all know [most of us really] that Cable sacrificed himself to save the team sent to the future back home safe. Thus resulting in his death and the hatred of Hope Summers to Cyclops. Nothing was left except for his bionic arm! and then these...who couldn't lament over these iconic shots:

A few months later we're being teased with alot of pictures and hearsay and now [with the picture of Cable among the dead Avengers] it seems that they are bringing him back. Now this completely nulls my "Nate Grey/Xman is going to become Cable" theory I mentioned in the last comics post but it's interesting nonetheless.

Alot of questions pop up upon seeing the new teaser picture. I can't think up of new theories for this one but hopefully there'll be more info on it soon.

Let's Talk Comics!

Hi guys! After my first toy review, let's talk shop about comics. I'm not really going to go into detail for now,just a few brief summaries of a few comic books I've read the past few weeks as well as the storylines.

I'm sort of on the fence liking and not liking both the "Fear Itself and "Spider Island" storylines from Marvel. I mean in "Fear Itself", they've taken out Bucky and there's a dark forboding feeling that Thor will be really, really hurt [and/or die]. It does have a few ok points as we see Tony sacrifice his pride and sobriety to help the heroes out.

"Spider Island" is a different thing. It's like the "Clone Saga" again but juiced-up on steroids. Everyone [seemingly] gets spider powers courtesy of the Jackal [Spiderman/Peter Parker obsessed much?] and he goes power mad with it along with his spider crew [one of which is Captain America[?] according to an issue of Venom]. I guess the only thing I like is the possible re-emergence of Scarlet Spider, Ben Reilly! I've seen and geeked out on the teaser picture about it and I can't wait to see if he really comes back.

"Schism" is an Xmen storyline currently unfolding and it features a break up of the Xmen due to their different views. Mostly [as I've seen on the preview pics], it'll Cyke and Wolvie beating the hell each other out. Surprisingly, on those pictures, my respect for Cyke grew more as he manages to both attack and defend from the attacks of Wolvie and a Sentinel[?] despite being cut bad. The two teams under Wolvie and Cyke has already been made known and its shows that even blood relation won't be a factor as Rachel Summers and Havok are on Wolverine's side. Questions do abound though, like why is Sebastian Shaw even doing in Cyke's line-up? And [from the comments I've seen] where are the other X-kids?

One note on the Xmen thing though, since this is all coming down and X-Man/Nate Grey is back and regaining his strength, will this all be a prelude to the upcoming "Cable Reborn" storyline? And why do I have a hunch that Nate will "be"/"become" Cable...?

I've recently read the New Avengers Annual and it featured WonderMan's "Revengers". Basically they're all heroes themselves...or at least most are anti-heroes. Good to see ol' D-Man out if his Wolvie look-a-like costume though. Anyhoo, from what I've read, the whole thing feels like it's just WonderMan butt-hurting about the Avengers not listening to him.There isn't really any agenda at all. I guess we'll have to wait and see.

Moving over to the DC side and it's reboots. I didn't read "Flashpoint" and didn't finish reading "Brightest Day" so to be honest, I don't get what the heck is going on [LOL]. But I decided to pick up a few #1's. Green Arrow seems great so far. A seemingly young Green Arrow and his crew battling evil. I like his "trick" arrows too. They're much more complicated than I thought.

I also read Stitchery and I didn't get what's happening. All I know that thy're recruiting Apollo and then get their butt kicked. I even LOL'ed at the part where J'onn said that he's a Hero but when he needs to be a Warrior, he can be one in StormWatch. Hmm, too X-force much?

 JLA is a re-telling of how they all came to be in one team. Bats and GL show up in the first issue. I really liked their rapport and how Batman is still such a bad-ass...and how GL is a pompous douche at times. We get a surprise at the end of the issue and the inevitable cliffhanger but it's worth it.

JLI on the other hand....well, it's nice to see how they tried to do the whole thing. I had fun reading the team's rapport with each other. Booster is trying so hard. Rocket Red is poking fun at August General In Iron' name [but really, who in the world would be name a hero that?] and Guy Gardner wouldn't be caught dead with the team but he will eventually [I think] since Ice is also with the team.

Well, that's it for the meantime. Hope you enjoyed reading! Till next time~