Category: MARVEL-Related

TATIANA MASLANY AS SHE-HULK (MARVEL LEGENDS / HASBRO ACTION FIGURE)

Post author By oddmoonmediareviews
Post date May 8, 2023

SUMMARY:

Released by Hasbro in 2022, from the “Infinity Ultron” Build-A-Figure series, this 6-inch+ figure recreates actress Tatiana Maslany’s She-Hulk from the same-named Disney+ television series. In a shade of pale green, the figure is a faithful likeness of Maslany’s take on Jennifer Walters/She-Hulk in her purple-black-and-white workout outfit.

REVIEW:

Given how the quality of the facial likeness may vary, this She-Hulk, otherwise, is above-average. The caveat being that the figure is for display only. Specifically, her various limbs and joints have relatively limited mobility. Case in point: her ankle joints are seemingly the most limber, as opposed to her potentially frail elbows (which still bend well) and wrists. Hence, one is left with few choices re: display poses. The consolation is that the figure can indefinitely stand without a display base.

In terms of its overall production quality, this She-Hulk’s frame is sturdily built and possesses a high-caliber paint job. Though impractical as a kid’s toy, Tatiana Maslany’s She-Hulk proves a welcome addition to Marvel Legends’ roster of live-action homages.

ADDITIONAL CONTENT:

Included are two alternate hands shaped as fists. The Build-A-Figure limb is Infinity Ultron’s left leg (Part # 3 of 6). Though this She-Hulk figure has foot peg holes, a display base is not included.

PACKAGING:

An appreciated upside is the clear plastic shield revealing the figure’s overall quality. Inside its box, the figure is well-protected yet still easy enough to extract from its plastic casing. Celebrating Marvel’s recent live-action spin-offs, the other five figures in this Marvel Legends Build-A-Figure series are identified.

Along with each numbered part of Ultron that figure is assigned, the other figures are: Oscar Isaac’s Moon Knight (plus his white business suit variant); Iman Vellani’s Ms. Marvel; Hailey Steinfeld’s Kate Bishop; Jeremy Renner’s Hawkeye; and Emily VanCamp’s Sharon Carter.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 7½ Stars

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FUTURE FOUNDATION STEALTH SUIT SPIDER-MAN

Post author By oddmoonmediareviews
Post date March 19, 2023

SUMMARY:

Released by Hasbro in 2022, this six-inch Marvel’s Spider-Man wears his black-and-white Future Foundation stealth suit for Fantastic Four missions.

Note: Appearing in multiple languages, Hasbro’s small parts warning implies that this figure may have been previously released overseas, as early as 2019.

REVIEW:

Visually, this figure’s paint job and production quality delivers what its package hypes. Closer examination confirms that this Spider-Man is really a display figure only, as playtime is hardly practical here.

Mobility-wise, aside from its movable arms and legs, the head easily turns, in terms of a full sense of peripheral vision. However, though not of shoddy construction, the elbow, waist, and knee joints are quite stiff. The ankle joints sufficiently move to allow a standing display pose without assistance from a stand.

Overall, this “Future Foundation Stealth Suit Spider-Man” is a classy Hasbro product. As it doesn’t reveal the actual figure, the sole caveat is how Hasbro’s package design pushes the consumer into taking a leap of faith. Specifically, prior to purchase, one can’t preview possible flaws (i.e. its paint job) that this boxed figure may have.

ADDITIONAL CONTENT:

The additional props are two white spider-lines, along with two alternate hands. Though the figure has foot peg holes, a display stand isn’t included.

PACKAGING:

Without a clear plastic window, one is left to assume that the figure’s imagery is accurate. In this instance, the backside portrait specifies all the contents. As to the interior packaging, the figure is well-protected by extra cardboard and a thin sheet of white packaging wrap.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 8½ Stars

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VIBRANIUM BLACK PANTHER

Post author By oddmoonmediareviews
Post date March 19, 2023

SUMMARY:

Released through Hasbro in 2022, this six-inch Marvel Studios ‘Legacy Collection’ mass market figure is inspired by actor Chadwick Boseman’s portrayal of King T’Challa/Black Panther. His cinematic appearances include 2018’s Black Panther and later the two-part Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame.

REVIEW:

Visually, the figure’s look is superb, which matches his general durability. In terms of its mobility, however, one’s options are limited. Beyond his arms and elbow joints moving relatively well, the head pivots left and right to simulate peripheral vision. Still, the waist is solid plastic, so there will be no twist-and-turning action. His legs can do scissor-style kicking motions, but, without either bendable knee or ankle joints, that is as far as leg action goes. The feet are at least well-balanced, which allows indefinite standing without a display stand.

This Black Panther’s appearance is equal to any higher-end Marvel Legend figure. Yet, despite the age ‘4+’ recommendation for playtime, the figure’s most practical potential is for display purposes.

Note: For a child’s use, the most vulnerable area would be the elbow joints, in terms of breakability.

ADDITIONAL CONTENT:

Included as a prop is a metallic spear ‘irradiating’ the fictional vibranium. The figure can grasp this spear with either hand.

PACKAGING:

It’s simple and effective, as the consumer sees exactly what one is getting.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 7½ Stars

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CAPTAIN AMERICA (1990)

Post author By oddmoonmediareviews
Post date November 17, 2022

SUMMARY: RUNNING TIME: 1 Hr., 37 Min.

Directed by Albert Pyun (and with Menahem Golan among its producers), this 21^st Century Film Corporation/Marvel Comics co-production’s release was initially delayed until the summer of 1991.

In 1936 Italy, Tadzio (Massimi) a genius-level child, is forcibly abducted by Nazi forces to serve as its test subject for an experimental process that hideously mutates him. As an adult, he is the insidious super-Nazi, Red Skull (Paulin).

Meanwhile, as of 1943, one repentant Italian geneticist (Cassola) has escaped to the Allies and has provided the same enhanced formula (without the ghastly side effects) to the U.S. military. Their subject is a willing yet frail Steve Rogers (Salinger), who becomes the country’s new secret weapon: Captain America. The geneticist’s subsequent homicide means her scientific secrets have seemingly died with her, leaving Rogers a lone American super-soldier.

In Nazi territory, a failed showdown against the Skull leaves an inexperienced Captain America strapped to a missile programmed to destroy FDR’s White House. Witnessed by a young boy, Rogers’ last-second heroics divert the missile to a safe crash landing in remote Alaska.

While Rogers is left frozen in suspended animation for approximately fifty years, the boy grows up to become the Captain’s biggest fan: U.S. President Tom Kimball (Cox). Sharing Kimball’s secret is his best friend: savvy investigative journalist Sam Kolawetz (Beatty), who is unable to convince the President that the Skull really exists.

Intending to abduct Kimball as a hostage, the Skull and his sinister Italian entourage are stunned by the Captain’s unexpected return. Dodging assassination attempts by the Skull’s daughter (Neri), Rogers retreats to his native Southern California seeking out his trusted girlfriend: the elderly and long-married Bernie (Gillingham). Yet, tragedy follows once the Skull’s forces trace Captain America to Bernie’s family.

With The U.S. President held captive overseas by the Skull, it is up to the Captain and Bernie’s grown daughter (Gillingham) to rescue him from the villain’s seaside fortress. Fittingly, the two recipients of the long-lost Super-Soldier process face off in a last confrontation with the free world’s future at stake.

Steve Rogers / Captain America: Matt Salinger

Red Skull: Scott Paulin

U.S. President Tom Kimball: Ronny Cox

Sam Kolawetz: Ned Beatty

Elderly Bernie/Sharon: Kim Gillingham

Jack: Wayde Preston

General Fleming: Darren McGavin

Valentina de Santis: Francesca Neri

Skull’s Thugs: Donald Standen; Dragana Zigic; Judranka Katusa; Robert Egon; Igor Serdan; & Raffaele Buranelli

Alaskan Surveyor: Norbert Weisser

Newscaster: Jann Carl

1936/1943:

Dr. Maria Vaselli: Carla Cassola

Tadzio de Santis: Massimilio Massimi

Young Tom Kimball: Garette Ratliff Henson

Young Sam Kolawetz: Thomas Beatty

Fleming: Bill Mumy

Bernie: Kim Gillingham

Mrs. Rogers: Melinda Dillon

Lt. Col. Louis: Michael Nouri

Tadzio’s Relatives: Mustafa Nadarevic; Bernarda Oman; Edita Lipousek; & Ljubica Dujmovic

Kimball’s Parents: Ann Bell & Scott Del Amo

U.S. Army Doctor: Scott Paulin (unrelated cameo)

Notes: This film was Beatty’s return to the genre a decade after Superman: The Movie (1978) and Superman II (1980-1981). Though they do not share scenes in this film, McGavin & Dillon portrayed Ralphie Parker’s parents in 1983’s A Christmas Story. Lastly, through exceedingly rare, different edits of this film apparently exist.

REVIEW:

Is Pyun’s film as inept as it is purported to be? That depends really upon one’s expectations. Given Menahem Golan was responsible for producing 1987’s Superman IV: The Quest for Peace, ending up with an underpowered schlock-fest is hardly a shocker. Case in point: unnecessarily spelling out years repeatedly and such obvious locales (i.e., Washington, D.C.) from the get-go is an ominous sign to viewers that Captain America will be plagued by amateur hour theatrics.

More so, if compared head-to-head to DC Comics’ 1989 Michael Keaton/Jack Nicholson-headlining Batman and its mega-million resources, this modestly-budgeted, straight-to-video Captain America is invariably chump change. Pendulum-wise, though, one should consider this production’s good intentions — especially, as it is the only Marvel film depicting Captain America’s familiar star-spangled costume from the comics.

Note: For a more ‘realistic’ soldier-like look, Chris Evans’ MCU incarnation wears a costume resembling Captain America’s alternate-reality Ultimates counterpart.

The credibility accompanying such an asset, however, is sabotaged by an ultra-hokey script (which somehow construes pre-war Italy as Nazi Germany) and predictably cheesy special effects. As a result, too many terrific actors (Cox, Beatty, McGavin, Nouri, & Dillon) are squandered when paired with castmates with significantly less talent. Putting forth a classy effort, Cox work the hardest to anchor the film with reliable acting. Battling a preposterous script, he doesn’t get nearly enough help.

More specifically, the trio of Salinger, Gillingham, and Paulin mostly underwhelm in their roles. Gillingham, to her credit, affects the challenge of playing essentially three roles: Bernie, an elderly Bernie, and her daughter, Sharon. In this regard, she readily surpasses the one-dimensional Salinger, who at least resembles his character. As for Paulin, he presents a generic baddie whose nonsensical backstory does not improve with the Skull’s present-day villainy.

Despite decent production values, this film’s unmistakable mediocrity is reminiscent of a previous box office flop: 1981’s The Legend of the Lone Ranger (starring Klinton Spilsbury). Case in point: Salinger and the similarly unknown Spilsbury both fall far short of replicating Christopher Reeve’s instant big-screen stardom by channeling an iconic super-hero.

Even retaining Salinger as its lead, Captain America’s rudimentary script still could have been salvaged by a screenwriter (i.e., Tom Mankiewicz or Lorenzo Semple Jr.), with a reliable handle on adapting comic book source material for moviegoers. The bottom line is: no matter its considerable faults, Captain America tries harder to put on a good show than either 1997’s wildly misguided Batman & Robin or 2003’s Hulk.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 3½ Stars

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THE TRIAL OF THE INCREDIBLE HULK

Post author By oddmoonmediareviews
Post date August 2, 2022

SUMMARY: RUNNING TIME: 1 Hour, 40 Min.

The second Incredible Hulk TV reunion film premiered on NBC-TV on May 7, 1989. Co-producing with New World Television (Marvel Comics’ then-owner) is Bill Bixby, who also directed the movie off Gerald DiPego’s script. Per NBC’s expectations, Daredevil’s live-action debut serves as a backdoor TV series pilot; the same previously applied to Thor in 1988’s The Incredible Hulk Returns.

In New York City, posing as farmworker ‘David Belson,’ a bearded Dr. David Banner (Bill Bixby) stumbles into a subway gang attack on enigmatic Ellie Mendez (Marta DuBois). After the Hulk’s (Lou Ferrigno) intervention, Mendez shockingly accuses Banner (her Good Samaritan) of the crime, for which he is then arrested and incarcerated.

Defended by blind attorney Matt Murdock (Streethawk’s Rex Smith), Banner subsequently becomes involved in a mysterious, black-clad vigilante’s crusade against mega-mobster Wilson Fisk (John Rhys-Davies). Attempting to evade revelations of his past, Banner becomes Daredevil’s ally against Fisk. Even with the Hulk watching his back, the masked hero’s super-sensitive, radar-like senses may not be enough to thwart the city’s nefarious ‘Kingpin of Crime.’

Dr. David Banner (aka David Belson): Bill Bixby

The Hulk: Lou Ferrigno

Matt Murdock / Daredevil: Rex Smith

Wilson Fisk: John Rhys-Davies

NYPD Capt. Albert Tendelli: Joseph Mascolo

Al Pettiman: Richard Cummings Jr.

Christa Klein: Nancy Everhard

Ellie Mendez: Marta DuBois

Turk: Mark Acheson

Denny: John Novak

John: Dwight Koss

Farm Supervisor: Meredith Bain Woodward

Judge (dream sequence): Don MacKay

Prosecutor (dream sequence): Doug Abrahams

Baliff (dream sequence): Uncredited

Juror (dream sequence): Stan Lee {cameo}

Note: Double-featured with The Incredible Hulk Returns, this movie has been released to DVD.

REVIEW:

Not even mustering a hung jury, this shoddy Hulk team-up should be found guilty of a wasted opportunity. Instead of finally resolving David Banner’s status quo as a fugitive, Bill Bixby opts for super-hero dreck starring far more Rex Smith than Lou Ferrigno.

Resorting to an unsatisfying plot twist, Bixby has no creative justification excluding Ferrigno from his own movie’s fight scene climax. Perhaps the movie’s production budget saved a few bucks this way, but more of Daredevil’s low-grade, martial art aerobics isn’t what viewers tuned in to see. Exacerbating this dubious segment is Fisk’s laughable escape cop-out, as the movie’s cheapo special effects unconvincingly depict a makeshift helicopter.

Before proceeding further, another awful plot device should be addressed. Trial’s unnecessarily dark vibe extends too far menacing Marta DuBois’ helplessly captive Ellie – i.e. one late scene infers she is likely to endure physical abuse or even potentially sexual violence in a supposedly kid-friendly TV property.

Let’s move on to the dream/nightmare sequence, which is the film’s deceptive attempt at justifying its dramatic title. Specifically, an aggravated Banner’s Hulk-out on the witness stand ignites the Hulk’s unwarranted and exceedingly violent abuse of court personnel. This scene’s continuity is so laughably poor that there’s no logical explanation why a heavily-bearded Banner would then transform into an un-bearded Hulk.

Kudos should go to Ferrigno for performing his iconic role admirably well, no matter how the poorly-scripted Trial wastes his screen presence. By comparison, Bixby’s acting is uninspired (like Returns, it’s far short of his Emmy-caliber work in the TV series); meanwhile, Rhys-Davies treats his villainous cardboard role like the paycheck it is.

Finally, Rex Smith’s ultra-bland, ninja-like Daredevil resembles a bargain-basement Batman (no less than a month before Michael Keaton’s first Batman caper). It’s peculiar watching Bixby & Ferrigno pitch themselves as Smith’s guest stars rather than logically vice-versa. A more capable performer (other than Smith and his stunt double) might have salvaged Daredevil’s potential star power, but Trial’s weakly formulaic plotting would have still made it for naught. As compared to its hokey predecessor co-starring Thor, the blah Trial isn’t nearly half as entertaining, let alone re-watchable.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 4 Stars

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THE DEATH OF THE INCREDIBLE HULK

Post author By oddmoonmediareviews
Post date July 24, 2022

SUMMARY: RUNNING TIME: 1 Hour, 35 Min.

NBC-TV televised the Incredible Hulk reunion trilogy’s final installment on February 18, 1990. For New World Television/New World International (Marvel Comics’ then-owner), Bill Bixby directed and executive-produced this film off Gerald DiPego’s script.

Notes: Due to Death’s subsequently disappointing ratings, a potential sequel exploring the character’s subsequent resurrection was scuttled. Hence, rumored possibilities of either She-Hulk (Brigitte Nielsen had even appeared in a glamorous photo shoot as the character) or possibly Iron Man guest-starring in future Marvel-friendly Hulk TV adventures never materialized. Still, Death has been released to DVD.

In Portland, Oregon, an undercover David Banner is now posing as David Bellamy, a mentally-impaired janitor working graveyard shifts. Utilizing his after-hours access to a research laboratory, Banner routinely corrects equations in Dr. Ronald Pratt’s (Philip Sterling) theoretical work analyzing radiation. Once Pratt confronts his secret intruder, Banner senses that his new friend has the necessary scientific resources to finally cure his affliction as the Hulk.

Yet, Eastern European espionage pilfering Pratt’s work sets up Banner and young spy/burglar, Jasmin (Elizabeth Gracen, pre-Highlander: The Series), for a fateful showdown with her ruthless employers.

Dr. David Banner / David Bellamy: Bill Bixby

The Hulk: Lou Ferrigno

Jasmin: Elizabeth Gracen

Dr. Ronald Pratt: Philip Sterling

Amy Pratt: Barbara Tarbuck

Bella: Anna Katarina (aka Anna Katerina)

Kasha: Andreas Katsulas

Zed: John Novak

Betty: Chilton Crane

Brenn: Dwight McFee

REVIEW:

Given the title, it’s no wonder that Bill Bixby & Lou Ferrigno’s last Hulk adventure is so melancholic. Ironically enough, the plot’s dire vibe draws closer in spirit to producer Kenneth Johnson’s TV series than the previous two reunion flicks. Instead of pushing flashy Marvel super-heroes for their own backdoor TV pilots, this finale reverts to the classic Bixby/Ferrigno formula and a decent supporting cast … yet, with middling results.

The inherent problem is that neither star/producer/director Bixby nor screenwriter Gerald DiPego can overcome a lackluster espionage angle that is near-unwatchable without Lou Ferrigno’s Hulk. Case in point: a lame effort at comic relief — revealing a comatose Pratt’s dubious old nickname – should be deemed the less said the better.

Further, it’s readily evident that Death was filmed on the cheap (in Vancouver, Canada) – i.e. as few as they are, Bixby’s patented Hulk-outs are now conveniently relegated off-screen. In one instance, a worked-up Bixby simply tilts over and, seconds later, comes back up as Ferrigno’s Hulk (whose spot-on performance is, at least, reliable as always). Death’s penny-pinching cheats viewers, as the two prior reunion films (one with Thor and one with Daredevil) tried harder pleasing its target audience, no matter how ultra-cheesy the special effects looked.

Ultimately, per Banner’s foreshadowed hint earlier in the script, Death’s poignant final moments briefly display Bixby’s best acting in the reunion trilogy. It’s just unfortunate that this film’s measly production values (and lack of fun in any nostalgic sense) would end Bixby & Ferrigno’s thirteen-year Hulk franchise with a disappointingly weak Death.

Perhaps fans ought to take some solace that the proposed fourth film – The Revenge of the Incredible Hulk was never produced. From the insipid premise DiPego has publicly discussed, one might have seen depicted a resurrected Hulk now possessing Banner’s intellect and/or Bixby’s powerless Banner being compelled to re-irradiate himself to save the day. Frankly, such desperate genre clichés makes Death’s definitive end (instead of its intended cop-out to justify Revenge) sound almost good by comparison.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 3 Stars

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THE INCREDIBLE HULK RETURNS

Post author By oddmoonmediareviews
Post date July 24, 2022

SUMMARY: RUNNING TIME: 1 Hour, 40 Min.

After a nearly six-year hiatus following CBS-TV’s cancellation of the original TV series, NBC-TV broadcast the first Incredible Hulk reunion film on May 2, 1988. Bill Bixby produced and (unofficially) co-directed the movie with its screenwriter/credited director, Nicholas Corea, in the first-ever, live-action team-up of Marvel Comics super-heroes.

Notes: The movie’s co-producers: New World Television (Marvel Comics’ then-owner) and Bixby’s production company excluded series creator Kenneth Johnson from participation. Unlike the two subsequent reunion films, Returns was more scenically filmed in Southern California with a larger budget – i.e. filming Maggie Shaw’s ‘home’ on Malibu’s shoreline; recycling archival footage from the original 1977 TV pilot; and re-editing the TV show’s opening credits segment for this film.

It has been two years since David Banner’s (Bill Bixby) last explosive Hulk-out. Now re-established in Los Angeles, as the enigmatic ‘Dr. David Bannion,’ Banner is romantically involved with his colleague, bio-geneticist Dr. Maggie Shaw (Lee Purcell).

More so, Banner is the project leader for the Lambert Institute’s new ‘Gamma Transponder,’ which is hyped for its massive potential recycling radioactive waste energy. While Banner’s ulterior motive is to use the Transponder to finally cure himself, an Lambert Institute insider sells the Transponder’s experimental technology on the black market.

Banner’s efforts are further complicated by the arrival of former student and now-physician, Dr. Donald Blake (Steve Levitt), with his own unwanted, Marvel-friendly partner: the battle-happy Thor (Eric Allan Kramer). Due to the Hulk and Thor’s repetitive interference, two ruthless Cajun mercenaries and their gang become increasingly desperate to obtain the Transponder’s secrets.

Perhaps even worse yet for Banner is the threat of his old nemesis: tabloid journalist Jack McGee, who smells a connection between this elusive ‘Dr. Bannion’ and the resurfaced Hulk.

Dr. David Banner / Dr. David Bannion: Bill Bixby

The Hulk: Lou Ferrigno

Dr. Margaret “Maggie” Shaw: Lee Purcell

Dr. Donald “Don” Blake: Steve Levitt

Thor: Eric Allan Kramer

Joshua “Josh” Lambert: John Gabriel

Zack Lambert: Jay Baker

Mike Fouche: Charles Napier

Jack LeBeau: Tim Thomerson

Biker Bar Girl: Peisha Arten (aka Peisha McPhee)

Roy (Security Guard): Uncredited

Jogging Beach Girl: Uncredited

Mark (McGee’s Editor – voice only): Uncredited

LeBeau’s Henchman: Nick Costa; Carl Ciarfalio; Bobby McLaughlin; Burke Denis; & Donald Willis

TV Series Credits Narrator: Ted Cassidy (uncredited archival voice)

More Notes: As a double-feature, this title, along with its 1989 sequel, “The Trial of the Incredible Hulk,” has been released to DVD. Among various logic and visual gaffes one might spot, there’s even a verbal contradiction of the original TV series. Blake’s dialogue remembers a then-bearded, academic Banner as “his favorite scientist” and a “resident Merlin” at Harvard a decade before. That claim doesn’t jive with the show’s first-season time frame (1978) where a ‘dead’ Banner was already the Hulk and on the run as a fugitive.

REVIEW:

In spite of its adherence to the TV series opening credits and Lance Rubin’s mimicking of Joseph Harnell’s familiar theme music, The Incredible Hulk Returns makes no pretense to Kenneth Johnson’s insistence upon character depth. Along with its rudimentary dialogue, this film’s easy-to-digest, action-adventure plot is built for undemanding all-ages entertainment, i.e. Thor’s guest presence in a backdoor pilot for his own possible TV series.

It’s then no surprise that Bill Bixby’s normally Emmy-caliber acting seems utterly phoned in this time. Though Bixby isn’t at his best, he still re-establishes the reliable TV magic shared with Lou Ferrigno & Jack Colvin. Consider that a welcome solace, as compared to what little characterization their supporting cast is given to work with.

In particular, the cardboard TV baddies played by familiar suspects Tim Thomerson and Charles Napier too often resort to simplistic clichés and catchphrases explaining their rationale as black market cutthroats. Fortunately, Lee Purcell and Steve Levitt, given their own circumstances, still conjure up likable efforts, along with Eric Allan Kramer’s not-so-mighty/bright yet amusingly goofy Thor.

Overcoming its ultra-cheesy special effects and a deliberately hokey plot, The Incredible Hulk Returns easily surpasses its two successors, in terms of both Hollywood production values and pure entertainment value. Suffice to say, with some help from the first live-action ‘Thor,’ Bixby & Ferrigno’s welcome reunion offers all a Late 80’s TV movie budget reasonably can, with nostalgic charm to spare.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 6 Stars

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SPIDER-MAN 2

Post author By oddmoonmediareviews
Post date May 12, 2022

SUMMARY: RUNNING TIME: 2 Hours, 8 Min.

In 2004, Columbia Pictures released director Sam Raimi’s Spider-Man 2, theatrically and later to DVD. Peter Parker’s (Maguire) dual identity as Spider-Man continues to provoke multiple crises simultaneously. Coping with his beloved Mary Jane’s (Dunst) imminent nuptials to celebrity astronaut John Jameson (Gilles), Peter experiences slow-brewing tension with best friend Harry Obsorn (Franco), who already blames Spider-Man for his father’s death.

Above all, a freak accident sets in motion a deadly feud pitting Spidey against Peter’s former mentor, Dr. Otto Octavius (Molina), soon to be publicly known as the monstrous Doctor Octopus.

Peter Parker / Spider-Man: Tobey Maguire

Mary Jane Watson: Kirsten Dunst

Dr. Otto Octavius / Doctor Octopus: Alfred Molina

Harry Osborn: James Franco

Aunt May Parker: Rosemary Harris

John Jameson: Daniel Gilles

J. Jonah Jameson: J.K. Simmons

Dr. Curt Connors: Dylan Baker

Robbie Robertson: Bill Nunn

Betty Brant: Elizabeth Banks

Norman Osborn / Green Goblin (flashback): Willem Dafoe

Uncle Ben Parker (flashback): Cliff Robertson

Notes: This title is also available in Blu-Ray, including as part of various combo packages, and as a digital purchase. Both Maguire & Molina reprise their roles in 2021’s Spider-Man: No Way Home.

REVIEW:

The film deserves its reputation as the best of Maguire & Raimi’s Spider-Man trilogy, as its surefire creative content (including Danny Elfman’s instrumental score) is balanced by top-caliber special effects. The only caveats would be: first, too many maskless scenes to spell out Maguire’s facial reactions as Spider Man, which should leave Peter’s secret identity fair game to the public; and, secondly, one can cite the ludicrous runaway subway train sequence as a prime example of going ‘maskless’ in public.

Risking a plot credibility-killer, Maguire’s Spider-Man demonstrates a desperate burst of Superman or Hulk-caliber strength when, logically, his arms should have been ripped off. All super-hero fantasies aside, this subway scene should have been reworked, so an unmasked Spider-Man’s powers (not to mention, his secret identity) could still be grounded in some semblance of sci-fi reality. Still, the sequences before and after the subway rescue demonstrate Raimi’s Spider-storytelling at its best.

Though the movie misses the original film’s supplemental rock tunes, composer Elfman continues his Spider-Man repertoire to flawlessly narrate Raimi’s plot. With Maguire and the ensemble cast in vintage form, Spider-Man 2 sets an impressive bar for excellence that even Tom Holland’s Spider-Man films are challenged to live up to.

BONUS FEATURES:

Available languages are English, French 51. (Dolby Digital), and Spanish (Dolby Surround), as each of them has applicable subtitles. Disc 1’s extras consist of: commentaries from Maguire, Raimi, and producers Avi Arad & Grant Curtis; a technical commentary; blooper reel; a ‘Spidey Sense 2’ pop-up trivia track; Train’s “Ordinary” music video; four ‘web-i-sode’ featurettes hyping the film’s theatrical release; and some obligatory trailers.

The more extensive Disc 2 adds various documentaries and featurettes. Specifically, they are:

“Making the Amazing” – a 12-part step-by-step evolution revealing the film’s production through to its premiere.
“Hero in Crisis” explores new problems for Maguire’s Peter Parker/Spider-Man.
“Eight Arms to Hold You” ock-umkentary explains how Molina’s Dr. Octopus was translated from comics to live-action.
“Interwoven: The Women of Spider-Women” is self-explanatory.
“Enter the Web” is a close-up of behind-the-scenes work filming the ‘Pier’ sequence.
an Alex Ross concept art gallery used for the opening credits.
“Spider-Man 2: Spinning the Game” hypes Activision’s video game tie-in.
various weblinks.

PACKAGING:

Each disc has a separate casing. As indicated on the case, the contents are accurately advertised.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 9 Stars

X-MEN

Post author By oddmoonmediareviews
Post date May 12, 2022

SUMMARY: RUNNING TIME: 1 Hour, 44 Min.

Responsible for Marvel’s initial big-budget live-action adaptation, 20^th Century Fox produced Bryan Singer’s first X-Men film. The movie was released in 2000, both theatrically and then to widescreen DVD.

After glimpsing Magneto’s bleak World War II-era origin, the storyline segues to present-day U.S. Senator Robert Kelly (Davison), who controversially pushes the federal government’s investigation of mutant existence. Observing close by and from afar, Professor Charles Xavier (Stewart) and his covert X-Men sense ominous consequences as a result of Kelly’s public power play.

In Northern Canada, the enigmatic Logan’s (Jackman) rescue of young Rogue (Paquin) sets in motion a high-powered showdown between Xavier’s forces and Magneto’s deadly Brotherhood of Evil Mutants. Having first abducted Kelly and then later Rogue, Magneto’s vengeful scheme against the world at large has one obstacle left: the X-Men. Attempting to free Rogue, Logan/Wolverine must trust his new allies, if there’s any chance of thwarting Xavier’s most formidable enemy.

Logan/Wolverine: Hugh Jackman

Erik Lehnsherr / Magneto: Ian McKellen

Professor Charles Xavier / Professor X: Patrick Stewart

Rogue: Anna Paquin

Professor Robert Kelly: Bruce Davison

Ororo Munroe / Storm: Halle Berry

Jean Grey: Famke Janssen

Scott Summers / Cyclops: James Marsden

Mystique: Rebecca Romijn

Sabretooth: Tyler Mane

Toad: Ray Park

Note: This title is also available in Blu-Ray, including as part of various combo packages, and as a digital purchase.

REVIEW:

Given its inadequate running time, director Singer opts to devote sufficient character depth only to McKellan’s Magneto, Jackman’s Wolverine, Paquin’s Rogue, and, to a lesser extent, Davison’s Kelly. As a result, Jackman’s instant star power alone makes him this movie’s undisputed MVP, in terms of pitching his character’s transition from roguish loner to the X-Men’s pivotal loose cannon.

The surplus of other relevant characters (including Stewart’s Professor X and Halle Berry’s under-utilized Storm), otherwise, struggle too often to rise above talking cardboard. Still, there’s consistently excellent CGI and stunt work (i.e. the high-caliber Statue of Liberty showdown), along with sufficient plotting, to make up just enough of the storytelling difference for viewers.

This rudimentary first X-Men film, if anything, lays out the franchise’s bare-bones blueprint all the way up through 2016-2017’s X-Men Apocalypse and Logan. More aptly, its legacy is concocting a watchable (and unconvoluted) prelude to 2003’s far superior X2: X-Men United.

BONUS FEATURES:

Languages are available in English 5.1 Surround Sound; English Dolby Surround; and French Dolby Surround, with English and Spanish subtitles. An insert booklet provides a list of scenes. Extras include: interview(s) with Bryan Singer; a Hugh Jackman screen test; a still gallery; animatics, and obligatory trailers. Ten minutes of previously-unreleased footage is provided to enhance the film’s theatrical version.

PACKAGING:

Remarkably elaborate in mirrored silver, the case slides from the protective box seen below. The disc is well-protected on its casing. The contents listed on the box’s reverse side are accurately advertised.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 6 Stars