There has been a recent wave of superhero movies as of late. Some good, some bad, some great and some not worth mentioning, but how will this year stack up to the rest? That is the question. We are now in a day and age where the superhero can come to life as is was written and drawn in the comic books themselves. But sometimes what’s lacking is story. Beyond the mystical images full of splash and lights and slow motion action it is the story that is some times left behind. The year 2012 just may change that.
I will start with a superhero movie that is not based on a comic book. Chronicle is a story about three high school kids that gain super powers one day. They proceed to use their powers much like any kid that gains power. They use it recklessly. But it seems one goes a bit too far with his deeds. This seems to be pretty fresh take on the genre as not only comic book superhero movies have been become popular but original superhero movies as well. Most of those are never good. But this one seems to break that mold. Chronicle hits theaters February 3 2012.
Next on the list is Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance. Nicolas Cage come back with a, well, with Idris Elba and this would be Elba’s 3rd comic book movie to boot. Cage comes back as Johnny Blaze trying to stop the devil from being reborn in human form. The trailer hit not too long ago and it looks promising. But something about it just does not sit well with me. Ghost Rider uses is abilities in frightening new ways that look great on screen and it seems some pop up in Ultimate Marvel VS Capcom 3. Christopher Lambert is in it as well. Needless to say I am there when the movies come out. Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance rides in to theaters February 17.
Originally a novel by Edgar Rice Burroughs John Carter of Mars has been made and remade in to comics since the ’30s and has even showed up in both Marvel and DC Comics. Taylor Kitsch plays the title character and has also appeared as Gambit in the Wolverine movie. John Carter is brought to you by Disney and will be Pixar’s first live action movie. I am eager to see this movie. It’s full of aliens and strange landscapes, action and cool battles. Needless to say this should be a fun ride; this will be another on my watch list. March 9 2012 is when John Carter lands in theaters.
Starting the summer off with a bang is The Avengers. Now, if you think you know the Avengers as just this spy couple Emma Peel and John Steed, that movie with Uma Thurman and Ralph Fiennes. Don’t worry, this movie has absolutely nothing to do with that and everything to do with Thor, Iron Man, Captain America and the Hulk. This will be the first time the super-group comes together to face off against the mad god Loki, Thor’s brother. If you have been keeping up with all the Marvel Studios movies you will want to see this movie. If you are a fan of Joss Whedon of Buffy the Vampire fame you will want to see this movie. He is probably the best at handling an ensemble cast and giving everyone something to do so no one feels lost or left out. We will see every Avenger doing something cool and interesting with great dialogue to back it up. Go see Avengers May 4, 2012.
Will Smith comes back after his four year break in movies with Men in Black III. This movie had a bit of a tough time getting off the ground but it finally made it. MIB only has a short history as a comic book having been only a mini series of 4 issues and a hand full of one-shots. MIB is now a billion dollar franchise with three movies a successful animated cartoon. I just hope MIBIII is better than part 2. This new movie has Will Smith going back in time to meet a young K(Tommy Lee Jones) played by Josh Brolin. It reminds of an episode of the cartoon where Young K comes to the present. It was an interesting Episode. One thing this movie has is Josh Brolin making himself look Tommy Lee Jones. No prosthetic makeup, just subtle facial twitches like eye squinting that makes it so eerie. He even has Tommy Lee Jones smile down. It is really kind of creepy how well it works. MIB III will erase your memory of MIB2 May 25th, 2012.
Now comes a toy turn cartoon turned comic book. G.I. Joe 2 looks to be better if not a tad bit more faithful when it comes to the look of some characters. Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson plays Roadblock, a power house of a Joe. The trailer starts with most of the Joes getting ambushed with only three surviving the main assault. Duke (Channing Tatum) seems to have died in the blast leaving only Snake Eyes from the previous movie to show back up. The less Channing Tatum the better, I enjoyed the first movie but getting red of the guy that cant act his way out a paper bag instantly makes the movie 10 times better. G.I. comes out June 29th 2012 with an appearance of Bruce Willis as the original Joe, Joe Colton.
Making the summer even greedier for your dollars is The Amazing Spider-Man. With an all new cast and new origin and new villain the teaser poster promises an “Untold Story” of Spider-Man. Just how untold? From the trailer we get a glimpse of Peter Parker’s parents leaving on what seems to be a dark and scary mission. There are a few issues that tell a story of ho they are spies working for S.H.I.E.L.D and in another poster is a small picture of Dr. Connors AKA The lizard with (I think) Peter’s father. So, this just might be somewhat original after all. Amazing Spider-Man is being made to re-launch a new trilogy. In action June 6th 2012 but, lets just see how well it all works out being sandwiched between Avengers and The Dark Knight Rises….speaking of which.
The Dark Knight Rises will be the end of Christopher Nolan’s Batman Trilogy. It recently had a 6 minute prologue in special IMAX theaters with Mission Impossible and the second official trailer is out with Sherlock Holmes. It will be online Tuesday, Dec. 19th. I can’t wait. I am a big Batman fan and Nolan has done fantastic work with the series. This will defiantly be the best out of all of them with Avengers a close second. See you in theaters June 20th 2012. It can’t come soon enough.
And to close will be Dredd. Judge Dredd. A reboot of the Sylvester Stallone movie it was a British comic book in the 2000 A.D. magazine. Karl Urban will take the place of Stallone and may be a more faithful adaptation of the comics. So far Dredd is shaping up better than its predecessor with the promise of a grittier tale. Urban has stated that he will not remove his helmet at all in the movie to keep with that ominous killer thing Dredd has going for him. Dredd ships 21 September 2012.
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