With 'Green Lantern', 'X-Men: First Class' and now 'Captain America' dominating the Summer blockbuster market, this weeks 'DVD Rack' is a 'Comic-Book' special. With a lot of Chris Evans.
FANTASTIC FOUR-THE RISE OF THE SILVER SURFER: Chris Evans may be taking the shield as 'Captain America-The First Avenger' this week but he's no stranger to marvelling us with his super powers. In this installment of the 'Fantastic Four' series Evans' Johnny Storm joins Ioan Gruffudd, Jessica Alba and Michael Chiklis for another great action adventure. This time the iconic silver surfer helped make waves, with the voice of Laurence Fishburne and the CGI of a great special effects team, that stretched it's already thunderous, hot, rock-solid talents to the max. What resulted was a great looking picture, which made for a sublime sequel.
THE LOSERS: Another comic-book film adaptation with Chris Evans, just a little different. These heroes aren't exactly what you'd call super, but still they're by far no losers. Evans, Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Idris Elba, Zoe Saldana, Columbus Short and Óscar Jaenada are the perfect mix for a winning formula. Based on the different 'Vertigo' comic-books this movie towers above the rest because of it's originality. Dark, funny, thrilling and explosive this is a sure-fire cult hit. Jaenada and Short rose their star stock, while Elba, Saldana and Dean Morgan reaffirmed their serious status. Evans meanwhile just had geeky fun as Jake Jensen with his charm and motor-mouth (Evans really does rival fellow charisma hero Ryan Reynolds) taking all kinds of shots. With this film a spent comic-book genre got reloaded.
IRON MAN: With the last 'Avenger' movie 'Thor' surprising and entertaining critics alike and 'Captain America' now in theatres, let's take a look at another avenging friend. With his charisma and charm Robert Downey Jnr breathed new life into the genre with Gwyneth Paltrow by his faithful side. Hilarious and thrilling, the graphics and the action where sublime thanks to Jon Faverau's direction (he'll be missed). Speaking of those missed by the franchise Terrence Howard raised his and the films stock (although Don Cheadle got his 'next time baby'). While fan favourite Jeff Bridges (dude where's your hair?) made a surprisingly sinister, coldly convincing villain.
X-MEN ORIGINS-WOLVERINE: When franchises have run out of sequels, it's time for the prequels and going back to the 'Origins' of X-Men really was something to 'Marvel' at. With all the characters to choose from it was clear that Hugh Jackman's most-popular 'Wolverine' character would sharpen this series. Darker, bigger, more exciting and epic, Hugh was joined by some new friends who now deserve 'Origin' movies of their own. From Liev Schreiber's villain, to versatile superhero Ryan Reynolds (catch him currently as 'The Green Lantern') and all his 'Deadpool' charm and deadpan wit and super-cool Will.I.am. this might just be the best X-Men yet.
SUPERMAN RETURNS: Another one they hated but shouldn't, this should be celebrated. No other superhero movie has re-done and updated a classic series to the modern-day with this much integrity without having to cross-over to the dark-side like their name was Anakin. Still this red cape and boot franchise is about to be re-booted since this movie flopped. Even the DC Comic is getting updated. Gone are the long sleeves, tights (the underpants over the tights has never been a good look) and red boots. Instead some workman boots and jeans are making our hero look more like a construction worker or rock star. Is that a bird? Is that a plane? No it's Bruce Springsteen. Still returning to the topic of this '06 movie it was really no kryptonite for this franchise. Everything looked good from Metropolis to Lois Lane. Kevin Spacey and Frank Langella where also perfect as Lex Luther and Perry White. Still it was the unknown Brandon Routh who soared above the rest. Not only looking and sounding like Christopher Reeve's (R.I.P.) Superman but also making the role his own. Sorry 'Smallville' fans. You have to feel sorry for this kid. He could have saved this franchise but instead they let him go. What more did they want? He lowered a plane on to a baseball field.TIM DAVID HARVEY.
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