Comic Con 2015 Stuff: I was NOT there! [Part 1]

Tags

Characters: Batman, Characters: Bruce Wayne, Characters: Clark Kent, Characters: Lois Lane, Characters: Martha Kent, Characters: Superman, Movies: Batman v. Superman, Movies: Captain America The First Avenger, Movies: Captain America The Winter Soldier, TV: Daredevil

But there’s plenty to talk about! My two main focuses are going to be the trailers for Suicide Squad and Batman vs. Superman over a course of two posts. But I’m also gonna squeal about some other announcements. PART 1!

[Spoilers for Superman v. Batman]

HERE IT IS!

Hell. to the yeah.

PROS:

1) The fact that this is finally happening. How many of us have dreamed of this moment ever since comic book films became a thing? I’m one of the few who’s psyched over Ben Affleck playing Batman and I think he’s going to OWN this. I don’t know how close they’ll get to The Dark Knight Returns Batman/Bruce Wayne, but seeing as he’s hugging/protecting that little girl, it’s safe to say he’s not an angry “get off my porch!” kinda old and bitter yet.

2) Another try with Superman. I really hope this movie makes Superman popular again. People are all over Captain America now which is the bees knees, but Superman has also stereotypically been brushed off as a goody goody- which he is not. I think Man of Steel tried to show this but it kinda back fired. Many viewers brushed off Cap cuz Captain America: The First Avenger wasn’t very strong but The Winter Soldier showed Cap for what he really is: a badass. I hope this film does that for Supes.

3) WOMEN. There are four, count ’em, FOUR females in this trailer. In major roles. Amy Adams as Lois Lane, Diane Lane as Martha Kent, Gal Gadot as Wonder Woman and Holly Hunter as the US senator going after Superman. I’m not a big fan of Adams as Lois (Erica Durance is the PERFECT modern Lois in my eyes) but I like the idea that this character is alive and going strong. Also these guys just don’t know how to write her and oh god she’s going to die isn’t she Martha is of course the back bone for Clark and the link to his humble beginnings and moral code AND OF COURSE… Wonder Woman is REAL.

GUYS. THE HOLY TRINITY IS REAL.

4) Robin.

I NEED them to talk about the role of Robin. Not just Dick or Jason or Carrie as Robin but what the idea of losing that kid would be like to Bruce. This is a huge opportunity for DC because no one has touched the idea or concept of the side kick in the whole of any comic cinematic universe. What would be the MCU/DCCU repercussions of endangering a minor? What if they died or lost their minds? (this guy has a crazy theory related to Suicide Squad, pun might be intended…) Could a concept like the teen titans ever be considered in the DCCU? The possibilities are deliciously ripe.

CONS:

1) Martha: WTH? Anyone else find her words sort of… out of character? At first she says “Be their hero… be anything they need you to be, or be none of it”. AKA eh whatever you choose, son, I dunno. Then she says, “you don’t owe this world a thing, you never did.” … but you just told me to be their hero…

you aren’t helping, mom

Am I missing something?

2) Lois Not Being a Reporter.She has two shots in this. Lois is once again, there to support SM. She better do more than just look up in the sky in awe/fear… she is just as important a feminist character as Wonder Woman, I would argue even MORE so.

3) Jesse Eisenburg as Lex. I uh… I don’t, uh…. just… I don’t get it. From the get go I thought it was a weird rumor but then it was confirmed. How is this a “future” story (older Batman, SM has been SM for awhile, aka this is not origin story time) yet Lex is only what, 30? I have zero idea what his role is in this whole thing and they haven’t given me a reason to care.

Also you guys could tone down the crazy chorus going on throughout the whole trailer. Yeesh.

Based on the reappearance of Zod’s (dead) body, we can assume Hunter’s character is wagging her finger at SM’s destruction of Metropolis in Man of Steel as well as his doing’s in this film (the latter being the final straw), which is a super interesting way to go (the same way in Netflix’s Daredevil universe, the people of New York have to deal with the aftermath/destruction of The Avengers film).

Overall I’m very excited but if this really is the foundation for the DCCU, I hope this whole universe lightens up a little.

Part 2 will be up soon!

LC

P.S. also kudos for THIS split second! (X)

Why “Captain America” is the Perfect Theme for Captain America

Tags

Characters: Captain America/Steve Rogers, Movies: Captain America The First Avenger, Movies: Captain America The Winter Soldier

Spoiler Alert for Captain America: The First Avenger and Captain America: The Winter Soldier

Steve Rogers’ life sucks. He was super sick growing up, got beat up and couldn’t serve his country when it was most important. Both his parents died when he was still really young. He’s turned into a super soldier but still gets crap from people, particularly from the higher ups (what the hell was even up with that?). He full on fights in WWII (PTSD much?), he fails to save his best friend (and brother, let’s be honest) from falling to his death, he never gets to spend real time with or develop a relationship with Peggy before he sacrifices himself. Then he’s not even given a chance to die peacefully; they bring him back to just start fighting all over again. He fights some more, Avengers movie happens, he goes off alone at the end. Sucks.

Captain America reminds me of Superman in the way audiences react to him. The only thing cheesier than the big blue boy scout is a guy who represents a 1940s hyped up version of American patriotism named Captain America. I thought the score in First Avenger really did Steve a disservice. It was so over the top and fanfare-y, those who don’t know the character really missed the point of the guy. Any die-hard fan will tell you Cap is not some blind patriot but is headstrong, logical, brave and essentially hopeful. I think Henry Jackman’s track “Captain America” perfectly encapsulated that.

From this point on, I highly recommend you grab yourself some headphones and listen to the track as you continue to read. Here is the track on YouTube.

Going back to my first paragraph, Steve’s been through some crap. He’s essentially alone in every way. “Captain America” starts out low and quiet, mysterious and with a hint of sadness. At about 1:25, the “spy” film influence beings to come in. Cap takes out the guys on the launch ship, kicks some butt and is really good at it. At around 3:00, we’re full on tactician. Captain America leading his team, bright white star on his chest, Captain America inspiring the Commando’s or the Avengers to go forward, no fear, trust your team mates, and let’s win this thing.

At 4:14 is the height of Caps “comicness”. Special moves, cheesy comic lines, Cap being the poster child for American heroism, explosions, fanfare, fighting with Bucky. At 5:30 Cap becomes suspicious (there’s a brilliant slight change in the music, it becomes almost sinister). People are lying to him, his team is backstabbing him, “Cap, we have to register ourselves”. Steve says no.

Steve finds out Bucky’s alive. Everyone is convinced he can’t be saved. Steve is convinced he can. At 8:00, it’s the end of the film, Steve is looking at the Winter Soldiers file. Bucky’s been confined, tortured, brainwashed, and used for decades. Steve is devastated but above all determined, raging with a quiet fury. He believes in Bucky. He will stop at nothing to get his brother and best friend back. He won’t give up. Fade out.

-LC