2018 Summer Movie Season - Solo: A Star Wars Story: Review & Analysis

Good Feeling!!! Han Solo Spinoff Film Is Fun and Simplistic Star Wars Adventure!!!

Review By Brandon Porter

Just A Boy And His Wookie

Story Description

With the empire's regime continuing to supplant themselves across the galaxy, people struggle to find their place in this new galactic era. One of which is Imperial Academy dropout Han Solo (Alden Ehrenreich). After being cast out for, in his words, having a mind of his own, Han is eager for a chance to make a name for himself. After joining a ragtag crew of smugglers led by Beckett (Woody Harrelson), Han joins up with childhood friend Qi'ra (Emilia Clarke), smooth-talking swindler Lando Calrissian (Donald Glover), and a young and loyal wookie named Chewbacca for a daring heist that will shape him into the Galaxy's most unlikely heroes.

Han, Chewie, & Beckett on Board The Falcon

Critical and Financial Analysis

The second installment of the Star Wars anthology series has been on a very rocky journey on its way to release. The well-documented production problems combined with the venomous backlash from The Last Jedi has put the film and the Star Wars brand as a whole in a very peculiar position. With fan's faith in the future of the franchise seemingly fractured, Solo A Star Wars Story is doing all it can to stick the landing and be a fun summer blockbuster in a galaxy far, far away. Critically, it's a combination of hits and misses. The film earned a good 70% fresh rating from critics on rotten tomatoes and an average score of 60% from audiences. The film was praised for its action, performances, and overall fun vibe but criticized for some narrative flaws. At the box office, the flight was unforceful. The filmed grabbed the #1 spot in the memorial weekend box office but earned only $83.3 million domestically and $65 internationally. This total is well under expectations and puts Solo in danger of potentially being a box office disappointment. Overall, Solo A Star Wars Story seems like its doing just enough and not enough to be a viable option for moviegoers. The early numbers are signs of worry but there still time for it to find its flow again.

Wow, This Guy Knows Some Maneuvers

Film Review

Since the announcement of a Han Solo spin-off film, the fan base's reaction has been lukewarm, to say the least. Couple that with well-documented production problems the film has endured and it's safe to say that Solo A Star Wars Story has the odds stacked against it. With Director Ron Howard and screenwriter Lawrence Kasden at the helm, Solo A Star Wars Story looks to be the fun cinematic space adventure fans can take pride in enjoying. After seeing the film, I'm very satisfied with the finished product. With the fandom still reeling from the franchises' last entry, Solo manages to do the necessary things to be a fun summer movie and a solid addition to the franchise. Performance wise, the cast is terrific throughout. Alden Ehrenreich is great in the role as a young Han Solo. With so much riding on his shoulders to live up to the legacy of one of Star Wars' most beloved characters, Ehrenreich pulls it off exhibiting all of the character's traits and habits while adding his own unique spin to it. Ron Howard's directing and Kasden's script help Alden deliver a great performance and allows us to buy him as the smuggler. The supporting cast is good as well. Emilia Clarke is fun to watch as Qi'ra as well as Donald Glover being picture perfect as Lando. Jonas Suotamo commands the screen as Chewie playing off of Ehrenreich effectively recreating that iconic banter that has been a staple of the franchise for years. Thandie Newton, Woody Harrelson, Phoebe Waller-Bridge, and
 Paul Bettany round out a great supporting cast. One of the film's biggest strengths is in its humor and action. The comedic vibe of the film fits the tone of the story and the action is fast-paced and full of thrilling moments of fun one can expect from the Star Wars franchise. There are also a few moments in this film that do a great job of blurring the lines between the film content and non-film content. The connectivity the film has with outside media really shows that the new Star Wars canon is slowly blending together connecting to all avenues of story. Overall, Solo A Star Wars Story had the odds stacked against it but managed to pull through and be a solid and straightforward adventure in a galaxy far far away. The series continues to grow in new ways and this new entry in the series shows that this fantastic space opera still has a few surprises left in her.

Rating and Final Thoughts

Funny, action-packed, and filled with plenty Star Wars goodness, Solo: A Star Wars Story does all the right
things to be a simple, straightforward, and overall good time in the galaxy far, far away. 

Great Kid, Don't Get Cocky!!!

2018 Summer Movie Season - Marvel Studios' Avengers: Infinity War: Review & Analysis

Thanos Reigns!!! Third Avengers Film Is Spectacular Gut Punch To The MCU!!!

Review By Brandon Porter

Destiny Arrives

Story Description

For years, he has watched from a distance. Waiting, planning, and manipulating in his own way. Now, the mad Titan known as Thanos (Josh Brolin) is ready to literally take matters into his own hands as he begins his hunt for the six Infinity Stones. With his relentless black order by his side, it's up to Iron Man (Robert Downey, Jr), Steve Rodgers (Chris Evans), Black Widow (Scarlett Johannson), Spiderman (Tom Holland), Doctor Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch) along with the Guardians of the Galaxy and the remains of the Avengers to band together in a desperate stand against a force unlike anything they have faced before. Can they protect the universe from Thanos or will they fall victim to his insatiable wrath?

Tony Stark, Bruce Banner, Wong, and Doctor Strange rise up to defend New York

Critical and Financial Analysis

After ten years and 18 films, the Marvel Cinematic Universe finally gives the long-awaited subsequent finale to its current era of the MCU. Avengers Infinity War represents a decade-long pay off of storytelling that has led to arguably one of the biggest cinematic events in recent memory. Critically, the movie played well with critics and fans. The movie earned a solid 84% certified fresh rating via Rotten Tomatoes while it received a stronger 93% fresh rating from audiences. Financially, the film conquered every inch of the global box office. Infinity War accumulated an astronomical total of $250 million dollars domestically adding to the equally staggering international total of $380 million for a total of $680 million dollars worldwide. The $250 million domestic makes Infinity War the new record holder for biggest opening weekend beating Star Wars The Force Awakens. Overall, Infinity War lived up to the hype in various ways becoming the box office juggernaut it was always destined to be

War comes To Wakanda

Film Review

Since the release of Iron Man 10 years ago, Marvel has become a pop culture juggernaut that has changed the face of blockbuster filmmaking forever. Now after nearly 20 movies and dozens of characters introduced throughout its decade-long existence, the Marvel Cinematic Universe delivers its long-awaited culmination event in Avengers Infinity War. Led by Captain America directors Anthony and Joe Russo and featuring nearly every MCU character, Infinity War looks to be the cinematic event of a generation. After experiencing the full film, I never felt so exhilarated and so broken in all my years watching the MCU or any film. For a movie to have all this build-up, anticipation, and earned the trust of fans and critics, the film takes full advantage of it delivering amazing and devastating moments that rattle the senses and break the spirit of the viewer. To start, the film is merciless from the jump. Largely due to Thanos. Every MCU film has built him up to be the biggest, baddest, and most fearsome villain in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Within the first five minutes, Thanos makes his presence felt with little remorse and zero regard for those in his way. However, the film somehow manages to make him sympathetic despite his horrifying deeds. Thanks to a terrific performance from Josh Brolin, Infinity War makes Thanos a more than a memorable villain that is iconic, layered, and formidable. Combined with the threat of Thanos's wrath, the movie makes it clear that no Avenger, Guardian, and fan favorite MCU character is safe in this film. The movie hits you and hits you hard as the onslaught of emotional carnage reaches a fever pitch right up until the end. That said, the film as a whole is not only a spectacular cinematic spectacle but a celebration of all that Marvel has accomplished in its decade-long existence. With that, there is still a ton of fun to be had. Cheer worthy action sequences, laugh out loud moments, and well-earned story payoffs miraculously balance out the overwhelming doom and gloom aura of the film. The ending of the film is probably the biggest and most heart-shattering moment in the MCU not just for its emotional impact but for its unknown implications on the still growing Marvel Cinematic Universe. Overall, Avengers Infinity War lived up to expectations as a show-stopping crowd pleaser but also left its fans and the MCU in an uncertain predicament with no clear-cut answers in sight. With another part of the story still to be told, Avengers Infinity War just changed the game...with a single snap.

Rating and Final Thoughts

Gut Wenching, Spectacular, Emotional, and Unrelenting, Avengers Infinity War Delivers A Clear Cut Message
To The Public...All You Know Has Just Changed

Hey, Carol Its Earth...We Need You Back...Like...NOW!!!!