IMAX REVIEW: INHUMANS

3/5

Inhuman League.

IMAX Premiere. 76 Mins. Starring: Anson Mount, Serinda Swan, Ken Leung, Eme Ikwuakor, Isabelle Cornish & Iwan Rheon. Creator: Scott Buck.

Don't judge a series by its pilot...or by its budget. Because maybe it's time to give the show that can't catch one a break. Marvel's 'Inhumans' haven't seen earth for a long time now. Originally slated to highlight a phase 3 movie in 2019, Marvel's other family after The Avengers, the Fantastic Four, X-Men and those Guardians Of The Galaxy a-holes have been through more changes than terragenesis crystals. When all they really needed was a chance to shine and reveal who they really are. Orginally the subwoofer bark of "I Am Groot" himself Vin Diesel was rumoured to join the bite of Marvel's in house canine and do a duo Josh Brolin (or make that three as the voice of 'Infinity War' titan Thanos and 'Deadpool 2' Cable provider once provided the spurs of the wild Wild West's 'Jonah Hex'), or not in this universe Human Torch and Captain America himself Chris Evans in playing two MCU leads. Lending his gravelly baritone to a man of even fewer words in the illuminating and chord lightning striking Black Bolt. But the feature length movie found itself on the scrap heap cutting room floor and an ABC series as easy as 1, 2, 3 found itself furiously fast tracked to right now. Following the small screen success of the Caulson cinematic 'Agents Of S.H.I.E.L.D.' series and the nature of their influential Inhuman subplots featuring their most successful character, Chloe Bennett's Daisy/Sky/Quake aftershock. And now between summoning the firey chains of Ghost Rider and the devil of Hells Kitchen for the Daredevil leading Netflix 'Defender' shows, Marvel are making major moves on televisions and tablets everywhere aswell as theatres. Even bringing a 'Legion' of 'Gifted' X-Men shows shrouded in 'Cloak and Dagger' secrecy. And now with this league of enhanced individuals with special abilities, Marvel is in the end bringing the Inhuman touch to the big screen after all for a one off IMAX event spectacle. Debuting episodes one and two of their brand new show in back to back parts before the whole series comes into season this fall.

Iconic IMAX cameras really take you deep into this vivid world of meta-humans on the dark side of the moon as they zoom into the big spectacle under budgetary constraints kingdom of the city of Attilan and it's vastly impressive, if not wholly immersive world. It still inspires with moon grey concrete structures of power and promise with the workers for this royal family crumbling below. And the ignited bolt throne sits subtely but proudly at the forefront like its mild-mannered if not soft spoken king. 'Dexter' and 'Six Feet Under' show writer Scott Buck has created a scene setting prologue that isn't sending these ascended humans to their graves just yet, no matter what inhumane critics would have you believe. This is Marvel for the 'Stargate SG1' generation. Sure world to world it's got nothing on the ravishing realms of 'Thor's dark world, especially in the year of 'Ragnarok'. But they be Gods we are talking about. These may not be mere mortals, but there is still something very human about them. It may not have the cosmic volumes of an awesome mix of 'Guardians', but this solar system is a little closer to home than you think. Still complete with a family pet that you may want to stroke more than Rocket Racoon...and at least this one would like it. And anytime the dense crater population of this other world feels too boulder and granite heavy then you are leash lead whisked to the sun, shirt and sombrero of beautiful Hawaii. The real paradise here on earth with the up and up downtown Honolulu serving as a great stand in and even step up for central Los Angeles. The oceans and beaches offset by sky scraping palm trees look just as 'next trip booked' inspired on IMAX as its out of this world cinematic counterpart. Looking the part and with fight scene set-pieces that kick the comic art this thing works even if it is a few levels off the mega money, blockbuster stakes of teaming up The Avengers and the Guardians of the frickin Galaxy for an all out war that make the last one between Captain America and Iron Man look...well for want of a better word, "civil". The hulu flower meandering plot too doesn't plod, more prods and coaxingly compells into something that just like the lastest 'Defender' binge-watch stream will have you over eight episodes in a state of wonder.

Royal affairs of brotherhood in this family echo the frosty foreshadowing of Thor and Loki being born into one throne for whom shall be able to lift the hammer. As jealousy follows in the shadowy, sneaky footsteps of those proved unworthy. But the one, true king like James is knighted by Anson Mount's place up-top his lands throne as the silent Bolt. And with a subjected but simmering performance of perplexed power but man of the moment manner, Mount can get no higher than this. Anson ascends following his Wild West turn in 'Hell On Wheels' takes over Diesel to find his true place and calling he answers in sign. And it's a language if learned right that communicates just as much...if not more. The slight Schwarzenegger lookalike with a voice that could terminate everything in sight like two Hulk fists smashed to the concrete can flip cop cars as good as he looks in a suit. Even if the iconic garb of Black Bolt over his crown would be more fitting for this king. His leather look isn't bad to the bone, but he still makes for a sharp dressed man who is more than the robes he wears or the speeches he can't make. What he does without words deserves being talked about more. At the start his child-like look of innocence and adolescent pouting may not lend anyones ears. But when it really catches you it makes for some real indifferent and ingenious looks of a man who would act like that seens as though he rules the thing we can only land on no matter if we've planted a flag or not. It's actually hilarious and the handsome hulking Anson's mounting charisma comes out of his facial expression and gestures like no one else was worthy. And hold these Inhumans bracelet communicators (which really snap on and fold out to some Apple crunching tech like the next Fitbit upgrade) close to your chest and you will feel a beating heart there too. The only thing that could turn him to stone is his queen Medusa. Played with grace by 'Breakout Kings' and 'Graceland' star Serinda Swan, with her red snake like hair hidden below making for some great twisting and knotting action and some hairbrain methods of making sure phones are left on the bedside table when the kingdom can wait. The royal family is complete too with next in line star Isabelle Cornish's mutant like girl on fire. Not to mention former 'X-Men' Omega Man Marvel alumni and 'Lost' and 'Star Wars-The Force Awakens' star Ken Leung as a footsoldier with less need to respawn then a 'Call Of Duty' camper. Seeing the future and the hoof footed Eme Ikwuakor, bringing heavy toes but light hearts to this band of brothers. But it's 'Game Of Thrones' star and vile villian Iwan Rheon who really steals the 'Game Of Avengers' like power struggle show as a Loki like, jealous brother whose only a human with a hell of a lot of the devil in him. Betraying everyone he can, rolling heads until he places the crown on his own one. More than willing to cut the head off the snake to get his way. He has a seat at the table, but he wants the head. The throne. The whole feast. He's got some competiton though in the form of a slobbering Beethoven with a tuning fork on its dome. As despite some suspect C.G. off of Marvel's spare change the loveable Lockjaw is the cutest creature and best genetic modification we've seen since 'Okja' should have turned us all too vegans. Truly mans best friend and another reason why this character and Marvel's cast of one in this universe and beyond has so much more to it than your average assemble of capes and hoods. Once this bolt of 'Inhumans' finds its voice, you'll really hear it shout. So for all you Stan Lee cameo lookouts, before you leave the cinema before the final credits make sure you set your DVR's to record. Because this dog deserves more than a bone. TIM DAVID HARVEY.

Further Filming: 'Guardians Of The Galaxy', 'Agents Of S.H.I.E.L.D.', 'Game Of Thrones'.