I saw Black Widow...

 

Black Widow is a full-adrenaline, character-driven winner and much of its success springs from to its sultry lead: smokin' hot Scarlett Johansson. She takes her iconic character, Natasha Romanoff, to new Marvel-ous heights in this tardy but vivacious, vengeance prequel. 

Directed by Cate (Berlin Syndrome) Shortland and written by Eric (Thor 3) Pearson, Jac Shaeffer and Ned Benson, the prime plot occurs between Civil War and Infinity War (circa '16), but not before we get a flashback explanation as to how an adolescent Widow came to be. The transformation ties to her makeshift family and a heap of deceit, but that's only the start of this energetic thriller, which plays like Flint meets Bourne meets Bond, with ample Emma Peel, Honey West and Modesty Blaise wedged in. 

By the way, William Hurt's General Thaddeus "Thunderbolt" Ross makes a crafty return (reminding us how much we miss the Hulk), and the movie's premiere (supporting) characters, Yelena Belova (Florence {Midsommar} Pugh), Melina Vostokoff/Widow #1 (Rachel {the Mummy} Weiss); Alexei Shastokov/the Red Guardian (David {Hellboy} Harbour); and Rick Mason (O.T. {Maxxx} Fagbenle), are identifiable enough to secure a faithful, cinematic fan base (due in large part to the performers' frothy interpretations), but their presence exists first and foremost as Ramanoff support. This leaves our eponymous, get-even gal to take the reins as she battles the dangerous duo of Dreykov (Ray Winstone) and his mimicking henchman, Taskmaster (Olga Kurylenko), who command a limber Widow vanguard that can leap into lethal attack at the mere press of a console key. 

The action sequences, in particular the from-America-to-Cuba prelude and the big, prison-break scene, place this chapter on a par with Marvel's creme de la creme (and with all the anticipated, resulting humor to tip each explosive spurts), but all in all, the plot remains streamlined once it skids beyond its obligatory set-up. To embellish the aforementioned, Lorne (Megamind) Balfe's strapping score empowers the high-flying espionage with each stupendous chord. 

And of course, there's Johansson. It always swings back to her, doesn't it? As Romanoff, she's an Eric Stanton dream come true as she kicks, swats and somersaults about in her second skin (whether the suit be black or white). I could watch her for hours on end if only awarded the chance (and that's even if she wore nothing but plebeian gear). 

Despite its unjust delay, I believe Black Widow was worth the wait, and it was satisfying to see the movie up on the big screen, making this freedom-fighting chapter a reminder of what so many were so quick to abandon. Then again, those sorts wouldn't have the spine to dig Black Widow, now would they? This product is clearly chiseled for those who hold liberty high. 

Now let's hope the installment draws enough dough to deliver a Black Widow/Hawkeye sequel-prequel or at least launch a Widow counterpart from a parallel portal for Phase IV. Hey, whatever triggers more Johansson can only be beneficial. 

Stranger Things 3: A Strange Summer Starts

The anticipated third season of Netflix's "Stranger Things" kicks off July 4th. courtesy of creators Matt and Ron Duffer. 

As with previous seasons, the Upside Down will be explored for the eight-episode sequel, with our young and old protagonists provoked and impacted along the way. There are also mall, Cold War and carnival backdrops, bracketed by generous, summer warmth. Sounds sweet...

To extend the ambiance, our humble, Hawkins, Indiana characters return: Millie Bobby Brown as El (aka Jane Hopper); Finn Wolfhard as Mike Wheeler; Natalia Dyer as Nancy Wheeler; Caleb McLaughlin as Lucas Sinclair; Nicole Ferguson as Erica Sinclair; David Harbour as Jim Hopper; Noah Schnapp as Will Byers; Winona Ryder as Joyce Byers; Charlie Heaton as Jonathan Byers; Cara Buono as Karen Wheeler; Sadie Sink as Maxine Mayfield; Darce Montgomery as Billy Hargrove; Joe Keery as Steve Harrington; Paul Reiser as Dr. Sam Owens; and good ol' Gaten Matarazzo as Dustin Henderson, who (per advanced insinuations) has a juicier part this time, though I think he pretty much devoured the scenery with his weird pet in Season 2, don't you?

Joining the gang is Maya Hawke as Robin, Cary Elwes as Mayor Larry Kline and Jake Busey as Bruce: the latter two horror/fantasy-film veterans. (Supposedly, the Duffer brothers sculpted Bruce for Busey, inspired by his role in Peter Jackson's "Frighteners". Even so, Bruce appears more journalistic than murderous, unless that's just a ruse.)

For better or worse, the founding gang has aged, which means for the kids, they (and we) will likely experience growing pains. Would moodiness and mush work as the emphasis? Aren't the gooey monsters supposed to be the show's adversarial crust? Ah, heck, I'm probably worrying over nothin'. The Duffers surely wouldn't screw with success. I mean, it's not like they've handed the reins over to Kathleen Kennedy.

The bottom line: I've no notion how Season 3 will fly. I can only presume that the favorable, '80s nostalgia will prevail: you know, those references to Steven Spielberg, Joe Dante, Tobe Hooper, Richard Donner...Stephen King. (I wouldn't mind a little hellraising Clive Barker woven in there, too, but hey, I ain't callin' the shots here.) Sources dare to declare that "Fletch" figures into the tapestry, as well as Nancy Drew and the Hardy Boys: peculiar additives, but they could click if handled right. Maybe...

I just don't want things to get strained. If there's even the slightest trace of slippage, I trust the Duffers would throw in towel. I (and I'm sure most viewers) would rather see a shorter, quality span than something remembered for being beaten into the ground. In other words, it wouldn't hurt to give the concept a nice, long rest, and then in a few years, the kids could return as adults to fight a new day: no "It" recasting required. Capeesh?

I saw Hellboy Rebooted..

The latest movie based on Mike Mignola's "Hellboy" may not be titled the third, but that's sure as hell (pardon the pun) what it is. 

To enforce the matter, Neil "Dog Soldiers" Marshall emulates Guillermo del Toro's fiery style. Even Andrew "Eureka" Cosby's screenplay (based on Dark Horse's "Hellboy in Mexico"; "The Storm and the Fury"; "The Wild Hunt"; and "Darkness Calls") oozes of the first flicks, with an irreverent yet bittersweet glow. David "Stranger Things" Harbour's Hellboy looks and sounds like Ron Perlman's, even if he comes across a tinge more or less adolescent. When our big, red lug springs into action, it's for London, England's Bureau of Paranormal Research and Defense (and to a lesser extent, the adjacent Osiris Club), but it might as well be smack-dab in Connecticut or Colorado--sorry, make that Trenton, NJ (I'm home-base biased, you see)--for all of its transcendental similarities. 

Yep, "Hellboy '19" is in a nostalgic cover-all-bases (even if it pulls the timeline back several notches to justify its "reboot" status), which is good for those who cherish atmospheric continuity. For those who want something all-together different, it's better to go elsewhere, but then those folks probably aren't Hellboy fans to begin with, so to hell (tee-hee) with them. (Oh, there are some R-rated, "Evil Dead"/"Hellraiser" trimmings throughout this chapter, but all in all, the noble retread reflects the brassy ilk that most associate with Mignola's creation, whether on page or film.)

For this particular plot, our horned, bulbous-fisted brawler confronts a supernatural vixen: the formidable Nimue, the Blood Queen, a wicked knockoff of the Lady of the Lake of Arthurian lore, portrayed by fantasy-film siren, Milla Jovovich. This redesigned persona is comic-based (for those who relish Hellboy's purest history) and out to avenge a "wrong" from centuries past.

This does propose an interesting situation for Hellboy, since the two emanate from the same, troubled realm (and share, therefore, some of the same, angry angles), but who we kiddin'? Hellboy is the hero (or anti-hero, for those inclined to debate such trite concerns), and he's not gonna stray.  It's how he holds his position that counts, and as long as he does... 

On the flip side, one could argue that the film's preeminent attraction (i.e. driving force) is Jovovich. She smokin' hot (even when she's unassembled and all ashy lookin'--strange but true), and like Amber Heard's Mera, who splashed "Aquaman" to super-sexy heights, she springs "Hellboy" to an ironic, heavenly vantage.  

Though my valorous assessment may cause some to cringe, I'll have 'em know that there's nothin' wrong with stickin' quality cheesecake (even of the weird kind) into a production. The comic-book/superhero genre is one of the few left where that's acceptable. Whenever the ol' standby can be inserted, all the better, and boy, does Jovovich ever do it justice.  (It's too bad, though, she didn't enter "Hellboy" as "Resident Evil'"s Alice. That would have made a cool crossover, though I suppose if fans want Alice to team with anyone, it's Kate Bekinsale's "Underworld" Selene.  Hey, maybe one of these cinematic days...)

In addition to the gorgeous Jovovich, Ian McShane (one of the best actors ever) does a stand-up job as Hellboy's stand-in dad, Trevor Bruttenholm (played by Kevin Trainor and John Hurt in the del Toro chapters). McShane supplies a brinier interpretation than we've seen before, though nowhere near as audacious as the actor's Mr. Swearengen of "Deadwood". Still, on the opportunist occasion, that Old West crassness comes through, which grants a welcome, sardonic undertone to the escalating, colossal calamity. 

The rest of the cast is as efficacious and yes, reminiscent of those before, with Sasha Lane as Alice Monaghan; Penelope Mitchell as Ganeida; Stephen Graham as Graugach; Daniel Dae Kim as Ben Daimio; Alistair Petrie as Lord Adam Glaren; Thomas Haden Church as Lobster Johnson; Laila Mose as the Gatekeeper; and Brian Gleeson as good ol' (and quite dusty) Merlin.  

Even with its first-rate cast, "Hellboy '19" might still be perceived as just another overstuffed B flick (though aren't all Lion's Gate releases?), but for many of us, that category clicks. Who needs all that prim-and-proper, Oscar-contender crap anyway?  

I don't know if this "Hellboy" will have a big enough pulse to draw the general public, which is key to sequel clinching, but I do hope it does well.  I want a "Hellboy 4" (better yet, a weekly series), no matter who directs, writes or stars, so long as the tone stays eccentric, wry and infernal.

Netflix Unleashes More Stranger Things...

Netflix/the Duffer Brother's "Stranger Things" won over folks with its Stephen King/Steven Spielberg/Tobe Hooper/Joe Dante/Richard Donner formula. Heck, that's why we've gotten a sequel. Of course, many of us have a natural hankering for the weird and wonderful, especially if the content is blessed with quality characterizations. Without question, in this age of sometimes overbearing bang-bang thrills, something small yet enchanting is most appreciated and despite a sequel overflow, worthy of continuation.

To clinch the pot's peculiar sweetness, Netflix has reinstated a terrific cast: Winona Ryder as Joyce Byers; Noah Schnapp as Will Byers; Charlie Heaton as Jonathan Byers; David Harbour as Chief Jim Hopper; Millie Bobby Brown as Eleven (yeah, like any of us thought she'd remain absent); Finn Wolfhard as Mike Wheeler; Natalia Dyer as Nancy Wheeler; Caleb McLaughlin as Lucas; Gaten Matarazzo as Dustin; and leaping into the action, Sean "Lord of the Rings/The Goonies" Astin as RadioShack manager Bobby Newby and Paul Reiser as Dr. Owens. (Many are wondering if Owens will be a more-or-less congenial equivalent of Mathew Modine's Cronenberg-ish Dr. Brenner. Time will tell, but Reiser's link to "Aliens" alone justifies his enigmatic inclusion.)

The new serial kicks off on Halloween '84, with our Hawkins, Indiana-based, boy heroes masquerading as the Ghostbusters. How apt! It doesn't take long before they're mimicking (at least to a subtle extent) their cinematic counterparts. Indeed, more other-dimensional interference has struck and to spice it up, more '80s ambiance saturates it. 

The latter is another reason why "Stranger Thing" hit a chord with viewers. The time frame is presented realistically and never once spoofed. Therefore, the characters' participation in it, particularly the kids, stays identifiable, whether one experienced the '80s or not. (For the record, the show's approach distinguishes it from something like Donner's "The Goonies", which though an '80s product, presented its cast with garrulous oafishness. I do realize some fans would argue that the Neflix series contains more than a few nods to that excitable youth fest; but in my estimation, Season 1 leans more toward Joe Dante's "Explorers", with sprinklings of Fred Dekker's "Monster Squad", than Donner's hit.) 

In addition, where Season 1 exudes a Richard Matheson "Little Girl Lost", Hooper/Spielberg "Poltergeist" atmosphere (with its ghostly permeation and resulting entrapment), advance publicity implies an "E.T." influence for the follow-up. Yep, it appears we'll befriend a little, otherworldly entity in this new undertaking. From that, we can also infer there will be as much a continuation of "Twilight Zone" and "Outer Limits" in the revived plot as Stephen King. (Personally, I'd love to see "Stranger Things" explore at length the Upside Down realm, and I also believe a similar tactic would work for a "Poltergeist" sequel/prequel.)

Right now we can only guess if this Duffer Brother extension will match the original, but the odds favor success; however, I also hope its probable success doesn't make the phenomenon so huge as to overshadow its fictional content. Season 1 commenced with little fanfare, but built a faithful, grassroots following. Once that was achieved, "Stranger Things" then became an award-winning, mainstream sensation, with political tangents and grandstanding attached. 

For some, that might be cool, but for me, such baggage becomes a distraction. I hope Season 2 strives to please its original audience, instead of appeasing any hollow clique that latched on later. Awards and peer acknowledgement are swell (and in this case, deserved), but those fringe benefits don't guarantee viewership from start to finish. 

"Stranger Things 2" begins Oct 27, where all episodes can be binge-digested. Thank you, Netflix.