JR's Movie Reviews - SPIDER-MAN: FAR FROM HOME

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SPIDER-MAN: FAR FROM HOME

Year of Release: 2019

JR's Rating:  (8.7 out of 10, Satisfactory)

"Sigh of Relief After Endgame"

Note: I highly suggest you don't read my review if you haven't yet watched the movie.
SPOILERS AHEAD! 🚩

Spider-Man: Far From Home exudes Marvel class on creating a comical tale for the famed slinging superhero after all the events post-Endgame / post-Infinity War. With Iron Man's sacrifice comes media frenzy for a potential successor; Spider-Man, maybe? With all the pressure around, from Iron Man's death, Aunt May's knowing of Peter Parker's superhero alter ego to another villain up for battle, how will Spidey deal with challenges after "The Blip" when all he wanted was a decent teenage life to spend with his overly weird yet pretty crush.

While the Elementals were shown as destructive on the movie's trailers, Mysterio is the true new super villain that Spider-Man has to fight against in this film. Mysterio settles on fake saving the universe on a sinister attempt to fool Spidey and also gaining worldwide traction to move forward his plans. The problem with today's society relies on what news are real and not real without thinking their real ramifications may it be political, social or economical. It easily targets how people easily believe despite not delving further to the details. The real world threat of fake news is to be despised just as how we disliked what Mysterio was proliferating in this film.

The deal that Sony struck with Marvel Studios (currently owned by Disney) is one of the best decisions they made so recent making better Spider-Man films, both visually and narratively, than it's two "Amazing" predecessors whilst, if not surpassing, matching the three "Sam Raimi" original they made only with a more comedic and vibrant tone. Everything seems to follow Endgame with precision while giving due respect to the heroes of the past. Visual effects are aplenty and done masterful especially when the holograms and illusions are presented. Europe is a great choice for being ground zero of the movie, one to look forward are the colorful tulips from The Netherlands. While there are some direction I didn't like, acting was really spot-on. Tom Holland's take on Spider-Man is oh so amazing making the superhero franchise a must watch come future phases of the MCU.

JR's Movie Reviews - GODZILLA: KING OF THE MONSTERS

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GODZILLA: KING OF THE MONSTERS

Year of Release: 2019

JR's Rating:  (7.2 out of 10, Slightly Good)

"The Rise of the Titans"

Note: I highly suggest you don't read my review if you haven't yet watched the movie.
SPOILERS AHEAD! 🚩

Man playing god by supposedly releasing the same titans that ruled the earth for so long doesn't seem to be a good idea especially when they are very humongous and dangerous. Dr. Emma Russell and an eco-terrorist Alan Jonah believe otherwise. They believe the titans are man's last shot at rehabilitating a world of pollution and calamity that was caused by them. Things go out of order when a "Monster Zero" (Ghidorah) is set loose and instead causes a possible apocalypse of the planet. Despite initially viewed as a threat, Godzilla is entrusted by man to defeat and end this monster once and for all proving indeed he is the king of all monsters.

Releasing the titans into the world seems like a Pandora's Box of disaster yet with hope at the very end. That theory proves wrong when one of those they released isn't filled with any sign of hope after all. Man playing god has been contextualized as an ongoing moral issue up to today. Godzilla: King of the Monsters delves into that and makes us wonder how man's inquisitiveness might intervene with the natural and peaceful circle of life.

Godzilla: King of the Monsters did great on three things - cinematography, visual effects and sound. Else, everything didn't really do well for me. The story and screenplay seems lackluster and convoluted because much of the film focused on the battles of the titans. There was nothing to root for with the human characters leaving all our cheers for Godzilla (and Mothra). With that being said, watch Godzilla if you're for monsters fighting monsters or if you want to be awed by amazing visual effects not if you are looking for a substantial story.

JR's Movie Reviews - GODZILLA (2014)

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GODZILLA

Year of Release: 2014

JR's Rating:  (9.2 out of 10, Impressive)

"Long Live The King, The King Of The Monsters"

Note: I highly suggest you don't read my review if you haven't yet watched the movie.
SPOILERS AHEAD! 🚩

The sheer gigantic beast that is unlike no other, Godzilla is the epitome of destruction, predation and dominance. It doesn't know any ally but it maintains itself as the only king every man and monster should bow to. Man initially viewed him as a threat that man even wanted to kill him for good. But a monster that feeds on nuclear energy can't be defeated with the same weapons that man rely on for destruction. Many years later, another alpha predator makes its presence known. Godzilla rises back from hibernation to fight this MUTO (massive unidentified terrestrial organism) to eventually maintain balance and prove that he is indeed the King of the Monsters.

Godzilla, for me, seems like a symbolism of man's undying desire for destruction and dominance. It's a reference to the many wars and disasters we keep on flourishing to eventually maintain that peace and order. It feeds on nuclear radiation same as how we rely on it to win global conflicts. How we view Godzilla, as an inspiration or a threat, is up to us to distinguish because in the end man has always been the only alpha predator and alpha preserver.

Godzilla reincarnates the godlike beast for the modern-day cinema goer. It's humongous with a unique roar equally terrifying. The CGI to make everything go into motion is truly impressive. On another note, it doesn't fail on equally creating an empathetic family story to complement Godzilla's story. I enjoyed watching this film and it's the reason why I am looking forward to the upcoming movies in this MonsterVerse.