|
|
Post by tarkintino on Jul 15, 2021 17:54:31 GMT -5
Just out of curiosity, is there any link to the character, Dottie, from Agent Carter and the whole evolution of the Black Widow program? That was what I wanted to see more of, after she was introduced into Agent Carter and the episode they did with Peggy and the Howlers hitting a Russian facility. Marvel Studios has essentially disavowed anything produced by Marvel Television at this point after the falling out between both companies two or three years ago. Kevin Feige has made it pretty clear that Marvel Studios is moving forward, and any connections now are going to be from shows produced by them directly (the Disney+ shows). So Agents of Shield, Runaways, Cloak and Dagger, Agent Carter, the Netflix shows, etc. have basically been shuffled off to the cornfields. So to answer your question, no, and that's not surprising. ...another major reason why the MCU is so lacking in substance--most of the best modern Marvel output were the Netflix series, most standing head and shoulders above the quip-overdosed, "biggest EVER" explosion fest, especially of the last "phase." Of the Disney+ series, The Falcon/Captain America and the Winter Soldier was strong. Because of its quality, I'm really I looking forward to Captain America 4 (which Malcolm Spellman is writing now).
Black Widow: it was an uninspired film, and next pointless, as its not really giving audiences information about Black Widow that was necessary to know for the overall presentation or understanding of her character in the movies. This was more of a set-up for the Yelena character appearing in the forthcoming Hawkeye series more than a Natasha movie, and that was not good for the Black Widow's final appearance.
|
|
|
|
Post by BigPapaJoe on Jul 16, 2021 0:42:16 GMT -5
Marvel Studios has essentially disavowed anything produced by Marvel Television at this point after the falling out between both companies two or three years ago. Kevin Feige has made it pretty clear that Marvel Studios is moving forward, and any connections now are going to be from shows produced by them directly (the Disney+ shows). So Agents of Shield, Runaways, Cloak and Dagger, Agent Carter, the Netflix shows, etc. have basically been shuffled off to the cornfields. So to answer your question, no, and that's not surprising. ...another major reason why the MCU is so lacking in substance--most of the best modern Marvel output were the Netflix series, most standing head and shoulders above the quip-overdosed, "biggest EVER" explosion fest, especially of the last "phase." Of the Disney+ series, The Falcon/Captain America and the Winter Soldier was strong. Because of its quality, I'm really I looking forward to Captain America 4 (which Malcolm Spellman is writing now). Black Widow: it was an uninspired film, and next pointless, as its not really giving audiences information about Black Widow that was necessary to know for the overall presentation or understanding of her character in the movies. This was more of a set-up for the Yelena character appearing in the forthcoming Hawkeye series more than a Natasha movie, and that was not good for the Black Widow's final appearance.
Daredevil is rumored to make an appearance in the next Spider Man film. The MCU is heading towards the multiverse arena, so anything they put in the closet, they can essentially dust off with that reasoning in their back pocket if they need one. I do agree the Netflix shows were pretty awesome. It's a shame the business side reared it's ugly head, and fans of some of those shows were left at the altar. Hopefully things change, and more harmony is on the horizon. |
|
|
|
Post by Icctrombone on Jul 18, 2021 6:35:04 GMT -5
I streamed the movie and watched it over 2 days. I enjoyed it. It had lots of action and I was shocked at her origin story. All the characters had personality and were compelling. My only negative is that Taskmaster was a disappointment. I like the comic concept of a person who can duplicate another persons moves without tech. Plus, she's not going to be a recurring villain. Taskmaster is a big fail for me. Seeing that a family is more than DNA was nice touch.
|
|
|
|
Post by berkley on Jul 22, 2021 2:23:09 GMT -5
I liked Florence Pugh as Yelena - I thought she more or less stole the show from Scarlet Johansson. I have a viewer/performer chemistry problem with Johansson - she looks great, but I always find her delivery of her lines so bland and monotonous it just kills the character for me. Pugh, in contrast, really succeeded in bringing her character to life.
I usually like Rachel Weisz in anything I see her in but for some reason she didn't stand out for me in this rôle. Not sure if it was the writing, the way they had her looking, or what. Not that she was bad, but she's usually a highlight in any movie she's in and I didn't find that here.
The guy who played the Red Guardian was good in that he brought off most of his comic bits successfully, but then was it a good idea to have his character mostly played for laughs?
Taskmaster - yeah, I agree, kind of a wasted character - and I'm not particularly a fan of the character in the comics.
Overall, I thought it was OK, though probably about a half-hour longer than it needed to be. It could be that I'm just a bit burned out on Marvel movies, as this one felt very familiar all the way through.
|
|
|
|
Post by codystarbuck on Jul 22, 2021 8:46:49 GMT -5
Honest Trailer....
So, wait; Drakoff is the Mandrill, minus the monkey body?
|
|
shaxper
CCF Site Custodian
Posts: 22,871
|
Post by shaxper on Jul 22, 2021 13:32:42 GMT -5
Honest Trailer.... So, wait; Drakoff is the Mandrill, minus the monkey body? Glad they pointed out the Taskmaster/Original Film Deadpool resemblance. |
|
|
|
Post by berkley on Jul 23, 2021 0:02:30 GMT -5
The guy who played the Red Guardian was good in that he brought off most of his comic bits successfully, but then was it a good idea to have his character mostly played for laughs? Maybe I should clarify that - I'm questioning the writing there, and the decision-making of the producers and/or director, not the actor: I thought he did a very good job in executing what I assume he was being asked to do. But I think more could have been done with the character, who really was meant to be the Soviet equivalent to Captain America - an idea that is indeed brought forward in the movie but, once again, played strictly for laughs. And I don't deny that it worked, as far as it went - those comedy bits were pretty funny, for the most part. But at the same time, I can't help thinking there was a missed opportunity there. Maybe some day they can bring in Steve Gerber's Red Guardian - was she the daughter of the original? - as a more serious character. |
|
|
|
Post by tarkintino on Jul 29, 2021 13:33:03 GMT -5
|
|
|
|
Post by codystarbuck on Jul 29, 2021 18:13:46 GMT -5
The guy who played the Red Guardian was good in that he brought off most of his comic bits successfully, but then was it a good idea to have his character mostly played for laughs? Maybe I should clarify that - I'm questioning the writing there, and the decision-making of the producers and/or director, not the actor: I thought he did a very good job in executing what I assume he was being asked to do. But I think more could have been done with the character, who really was meant to be the Soviet equivalent to Captain America - an idea that is indeed brought forward in the movie but, once again, played strictly for laughs. And I don't deny that it worked, as far as it went - those comedy bits were pretty funny, for the most part. But at the same time, I can't help thinking there was a missed opportunity there. Maybe some day they can bring in Steve Gerber's Red Guardian - was she the daughter of the original? - as a more serious character. No, she was Tania Belinsky, a surgeon who took up the identity to protect dissidents, in Siberia, before coming to the US. |
|
|
|
Post by Roquefort Raider on Jul 30, 2021 10:09:28 GMT -5
I read an article about that this morning and it seems pretty clear-cut, if Johansson's contract does say what her attorneys say it does. Disney can't defend itself by saying "well, there's covid and all, and things have changed". If that's the case, you ask to renegotiate the contract so the actress doesn't lose income due to her film being streamed instead of opening in theatres as per the previous agreement. I don't think Disney was actively trying to deprive Johansson of her money, but that's what their actions led to; her position strikes me as eminently justified. (Again, if her contract does specify "movies are to open in theaters first"). |
|
|
|
Post by majestic on Jul 30, 2021 10:26:42 GMT -5
I liked it. I loved the interaction between the Family and the KuneKune pigs! Yelena and the Red Guardian were awesome.
|
|
|
|
Post by brutalis on Jul 31, 2021 17:54:38 GMT -5
Saw the movie today and enjoyed it for what it was meant to be. Nice attempt to place a lot of the Russian concepts from over many decades of comics. Widow has always been a mid-tier concept so it wasn't likely for her having multiple movies. Ted Guardian was fun, if only they had provided a moment in his younger days to highlighting him as a super soldier so he wouldn't come across as such an in-joke.
Overall the "family" unified the plotline and how wicked is it knowing there is an "army" of Widow"s out there doing good in the world? That in itself would make for a fun movie or Streaming series. What they can do with Taskmaster could make for some interesting stories as well.
They missed out on a subtle introduction of Mutants into the MU with the decades of historic villainy of the creator of the Red Room. Movie really needed a Hawkeye moment other than his name dropping throughout. Or a Nick Fury walk through scene instead of the lame Thunderbolt Ross usage.
So an over all middle of the road MU which manages to show the cinema MU can and should be doing more than superhero movies alone. I want more depth like a Sgt. Fury and Howling Commando's, a big Western team up, some Werewolf by Night or Black Knight in Camelot or Union Jack/Spitfire in WWII adventures.
|
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Jul 31, 2021 21:02:47 GMT -5
Putting it on Disney+ at the same time as theatrical release was an incredibly stupid idea. It's been pirated to hell and back. Can't blame what's-her-name for suing but now they'll drop her too.
|
|
|
|
Post by Jesse on Oct 8, 2021 18:24:03 GMT -5
Finally watching this on Disney plus definitely an enjoyable fun action movie and Florence Pugh was pretty badass in this.
|
|
|
|
Post by Roquefort Raider on Oct 12, 2021 20:02:52 GMT -5
Late to the party as ever!
I agree with several of the opinions above: Florence Pugh really stole the show! I loved how this movie created several characters that we can care for, and avoided lazy angst-ridden scenes where Mom, Dad or Baby Sister die so the main character can gnash their teeth. The family dynamic was pretty cool and optimistic! Weisz was pretty convincing too, David Harbour is always a riot, and Johansson just is Natasha, now, the way Evans has become Captain America or Hemsworth is Thor.
Taskmaster didn't do much, true, but she wasn't the main villain anyway... just another henchman (henchwoman), like Crossbones in the Captain America films.
One thing I loved is how Natasha was a darn good spy in this film. The way she got Drakoff to reveal his plan evoked the way she had bamboozled Loki in The Avengers, and it was great to see her operating at full strength instead of moping about her family, the way other writers might have decided to go for.
There were fewer jokes than in a typical Marvel movie, but that's not necessarily a bad thing; besides, I liked the few that were there (like the Crimson Dynamo joke).
Overall, this felt like a story that genuinely deserved to be told, and not like a franchise-exploiting film done by numbers.
|
|
