CAPTAIN AMERICA : CIVIL WAR - Monday 2nd May 2016.

'CAPTAIN AMERICA : CIVIL WAR' which I saw earlier this week, is the next instalment from the crew at Marvel, the thirteenth film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe and the third in the Captain America series following on from 'The First Avenger' in 2011 and 'Winter Soldier' in 2014. This is so far slated to be the final standalone Captain America film, although Chris Evans who plays Steve Rogers/Captain America reappears in the upcoming two-part 'Avengers: Infinity War' due in May 2018 and May 2019, and has stated his willingness to reprise his role further should Marvel be open to this, now that his initial contract has ended. Australia is among the first to get the theatrical release of this film, with the UK going live last week too, and North America on May 6th. So far ahead of its US release having opened already in 37 territories, the film has grossed US$225M. Directed by Anthony & Joe Russo, we have an all star cast of acting talent and superhero muscle who come together and battle it out head to head and toe to toe one year after the events of 'Age of Ultron'.

Following the last Avengers outing there has been another international event that brings The Avengers under the spotlight for all the wrong reasons. Opening up we see Captain America (Chris Evans), Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson), Falcon (Anthony Mackie) and Scarlet Witch (Elizabeth Olson) on a tour of duty in Lagos, Nigeria chasing down Crossbones (Frank Grillo) who is in possession of a biological weapon. After the initial opening set piece Scarlet Witch mistakenly causes a bomb to be thrown into a near high rise building killing Crossbones and many innocents including relief aid workers.

As a result of this back at Avengers HQ, the Secretary of State Thaddeus Ross (William Hurt) convenes a meeting with The Avengers. He advises those gathered that as a result of recent events in New York, Washington, Sokovia and now Nigeria where there has been too much excessive death, destruction and collateral damage that governments around the world are now calling for a level of control and accountability for when The Avengers should be called upon, and for them to be overseen by a greater authority so regulating superhuman activity, and the potential fallout from it. The United Nations have drawn up 'The Sokovia Accords' setting up an international governing body who will have complete jurisdiction over the group of ever expanding superhumans.

Tony Stark/Iron Man (Robert Downey Jnr.) agrees that regulation is needed and supports such an Act feeling the guilt from creating Ultron and the wonton damage and death of innocents this caused. Steve Rogers/Captain America is opposed to it believing that despite the fall out they have made the world a safer place, and need to be free to intervene when the time and circumstances dictate.

As the Accords are due to be ratified in Vienna with many of the world's leaders and Black Widow looking on and representing those of the Avengers in agreement, an explosion kills the King of Wakanda amongst others - and very quickly The Winter Soldier/Bucky Barnes (Sebastian Stan) is identified as the bomber. The Kings son, T'Challa (Chadwick Boseman) who is by his side at the time of the explosion swears revenge on Bucky Barnes, and so begins his one man crusade against his quarry, but first he'll need to get through the divided Avengers who have now split into two with their divided loyalties on either side falling into two differing factions headed up in the one corner by Tony Stark and in the other by Steve Rogers, each with Bucky in their sights too and for different reasons.

When the authorities close in, Bucky is captured and so too are the now rogue Avengers, but its not long before they all thwart their captors and Rogers makes off with Barnes to learn what he knows about the bombing. It is revealed that Colonel Helmut Zemo (Daniel Bruhl) was behind the bombing and is intending to release five other Winter Soldiers each deadlier than Barnes, from a HYDRA mountain hideaway in Siberia, each frozen ready to be reanimated when the time is right - and that time is now for Zemo.

While this is going on in the background Stark convinces the Secretary of State to allow him to bring Rogers and his rogue Avengers in, believing that he can convince them to see reason. He is given 36 hours to do so. Stark recruits T'Challa and a young web slinging kid who has grabbed his attention - Peter Parker (Tom Holland) to support him, Black Widow, War Machine (Don Cheadle) and Vision (Paul Bettany).

Rogers meanwhile has recruited Ant Man (Paul Rudd), has brought Hawkeye (Jeremy Renner) out of early retirement to join him, Falcon, Barnes and Scarlet Witch, and this team also has Sharon Carter (Emily VanCamp) now working for the CIA on side too. Things come to a head when worlds collide and the differing factions battle it out head to head at Leipzig/Halle Airport in the greatest superhero stand-off ever seen that is a jaw dropping sequence with a few surprises in store, and just the right amount of tongue in cheek humour to add the necessary levity.

Needless to say whilst they are all Superheroes in their own right no one gets permanently damaged, but some do get locked up in maximum security as a result of their antics. This leaves Rogers and Barnes to chase down Zemo before he reactivates the other Winter Soldiers who could bring a whole new world of pain. This leaves Iron Man left to retrieve the situation and make amends with Captain America if he can. What is revealed in the secret mountain hideaway however, no one was prepared for and only causes a further rift between Stark and Rogers that results in a fight to the 'near' death for the two of them and Barnes. Subsequently the two divided Avengers factions split far and wide with Rogers aided and abetted by a new ally in the form of The Black Panther.

You can expect big things from this film, with the first two grossing US$1.09B and such a formidable collection of assembled Superheroes. This would rank right up there as one of the best if not THE best Marvel big screen adaptation to date. It is everything you want from a blockbusting Superhero movie and more - maturity; great action set pieces; a solid story line; characters you have come to know, love and respect; just the right amount of humour; a few surprises; and a line up of Superhero talent never before amassed on the big screen, and going head to head. Who knows what might have happened if Thor and Hulk were in the mix too - but they do at least get an honourable mention as being AWOL somewhere, but who knows where? It's a great package, and paves the wave as the introductory film to the MCU Phase 3. See it on the big screen - this has set the standard by which others will be judged.

Watch out for the obligatory Stan Lee cameo as he delivers a FedEx parcel for Tony Stank, and the early credits sequence and another right at the very end - both setting up future stand-alone and combined features. All in all - very entertaining, and well worth the price of your ticket and all the optional extras you buy with it too.

-Steve, at Odeon Online-

What's new in Odeon's this week : Thursday 28th April 2016.

Last week I opened up with the animated feature films you can expect to see during the balance of 2016, giving you an early Review of six of those Top 12, and here this week we conclude with the final six due for release toward the latter end of the year. As before, check the release dates nearer the time, as times may vary for a whole bunch of reasons.

• 8th September - 'THE SECRET LIFE OF PETS' - Directed by Chris Renaud for Illumination Entertainment for US$75M, this film stars in voice mode Kevin Hart, Steve Coogan and Albert Brooks amongst many others.
• 15th September - 'PETE'S DRAGON' - combining both live action and animation this is a Walt Disney Pictures remake of their 1977 film of the same name, and Directed by David Lowery and starring Robert Redford, Bryce Dallas Howard and Karl Urban. The Dragon in this piece will be CGI animated created by Peter Jackson's Weta Digital.
• 22nd September - 'STORKS' - from Warner Animation Group this is Directed by Nicholas Stoller and Doug Sweetland, and was Produced and Written by Stoller too, with the voices of Kelsey Grammer, Andy Samberg and Keegan-Michael Key.
• 8th December - 'TROLLS' - with a budget of US$120M from DreamWorks Animation and based on the ever popular Troll Dolls, this animated musical comedy is Directed by Mike Mitchell and Walt Dohrn and stars an ensemble voice cast including Justin Timberlake, Gwen Stefani, Anna Kendrick, Russell Brand, John Cleese, Christopher Mintz-Plasse and Zooey Deschanel.
• 26th December - 'MOANA' - this 56th animated feature from Walt Disney Animation Studios is a musical fantasy set in ancient Oceania, somewhere in the South Pacific and is Directed by Ron Clements and John Musker and stars Dwayne Johnson.
• 26th December - 'SING' - this animated animal based musical comedy is the second production this year from Illumination Entertainment and for US$75M is Directed by Garth Jennings and stars Matthew McConaughey, Reese Witherspoon, Seth MacFarlane, Scarlett Johansson, John C. Reilly and Taron Egerton.

This week then, there are five new filmic offerings to get you out amongst it at your local multiplex or independent theatre. Kicking off another big screen blockbusting comic book adaptation from those talented folk at Marvel that sees many of our much loved Superhero characters go head to head in all out war against each other . . . and how will it all end? Then, slowing down the pace an Adelaide based film of a Real Estate Agent battling his inner demons to come to terms with his life; and then a comedy about mother's leading up to the one day of the year we should all show our Mums some love. Following this there is the big screen adaptation of a much loved and classic 1970's BBC wartime comedy series; and rounding out the week a Japanese foreign language film of pancakes, bean paste, the young and the old, discrimination, acceptance and cherry blossom.

Having seen you movie(s) of choice in the coming week, why not share your cinematic musings, views, opinions and observations with your like minded film buffs here at Odeon Online. You can do so in the Comments Box below this, or any other Post - we'd love to hear from you. In the meantime, enjoy your film.

'CAPTAIN AMERICA : CIVIL WAR' (Rated M) - the next instalment from the crew at Marvel, sees this the thirteenth film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe and the third in the Captain America series following on from 'The First Avenger' in 2011 and 'Winter Soldier' in 2014. This is so far slated to be the final standalone Captain America film, although Chris Evans who plays Steve Rogers/Captain America reappears in the upcoming two-part 'Avengers: Infinity War' due in May 2018 and May 2019, and has stated his willingness to reprise his role further should Marvel be open to this, now that his initial contract has ended. Australia will be among the first to get the theatrical release of this film, with the UK going live in cinemas on 29th April, and North America on May 6th.  Directed by Anthony & Joe Russo, we have an all star cast of acting talent and superhero muscle who come together and battle it out head to head and toe to toe one year after the events of 'Age of Ultron'.

Following the last Avengers outing there has been another international event that brings The Avengers under the spotlight for all the wrong reasons. Involving more collateral damage, governments around the world call for a level of control and accountability for when The Avengers should be called upon, and for them to be overseen by a greater authority so regulating superhuman activity, and the potential fallout from it. Tony Stark/Iron Man (Robert Downey Jnr.) agrees that regulation is needed and supports such an Act, but Steve Rogers/Captain America (Chris Evans) is opposed to it. This results in The Avengers splitting into two with their divided loyalties on either side falling into two differing factions heard up in the one corner by Tony Stark and in the other by Steve Rogers. Whilst this 'civil war' between the two factions rages on the world is threatened by a new enemy.  Starring Scarlett Johansson, Jeremy Renner, Paul Rudd, Anthony Mackie, Don Cheadle, Sebastian Stan, Elizabeth Olson, Paul Bettany and Emily Van Camp in the roles we have seen them in before, with new characters added from the Marvel Cinematic Universe being Black Panther, Spiderman and Helmut Zemo with a few notable others too. You can expect big things from this film, with the first two grossing US$1.09B and such a formidable collection of assembled Superheroes. Watch out for the obligatory Stan Lee cameo, and the possibility of a post-credits sequence!

'A MONTH OF SUNDAYS' (Rated PG) - Directed, written for the screen and Produced by Matthew Saville, this Australian film sees Anthony LaPaglia as Adelaide Real Estate Agent Frank Mollard - a middle aged recently divorced guy going through a mid-life crisis to end all mid-life crises. He can't move on from his former marriage, he can't connect with his teenage son, and as for his job in real estate - he can't seem to sell a house in a housing boom! All of this though he is in denial about, and then one evening he receives a phone call from his mother . . . who died a year ago! Of course it's a case of mistaken identity and a wrong number, but Frank is so taken in with the woman at the other end of the phone - Sarah (Julia Blake), and vice versa that an odd yet quietly comforting relationship begins to unfold between the two. Also starring Justine Clarke as Wendy - Franks ex-wife and John Clarke as Phillip, Frank's boss. Described as a film about parents, children, regrets, mourning, love, work, houses, homes and getting a second chance . . . even as a Real Estate Agent!

'MOTHERS DAY' (Rated M) - released just in time for Mother's Day in Australia this Garry Marshall Directed comedy has an ensemble cast, and has all the touchstones of his earlier romantic comedies around notable diary dates 'New Year's Eve' and 'Valentine's Day'. This film centres around an upcoming Mother's Day and how a bunch of seemingly unconnected individuals intertwine and reconcile the relationships they either have, our don't have, with their mothers.  In particular there is a television host Miranda (Julia Roberts) who gave up her only child at birth for adoption, a divorcee Sandy (Jennifer Aniston)and mother of two  whose ex-husband has just married a younger woman, and a woman Jesse (Kate Hudson) looking to cement a relationship with her mum after learning that her parents marriage is failing. Also starring Jason Sudeikis, Jon Lovitz, Timothy Olyphant, Britt Robertson and Shay Mitchell.

'DAD'S ARMY' (Rated PG) - I was never a fan of the long running and much-loved BBC television sit-com that ran from 1968-1977 and aired for 80 episodes, so it is unlikely I'll be dashing out to see this latest feature length offering. Set in 1944 with the end of WWII in sight, the Home Guard under Captain Mainwaring's (Toby Jones) watchful eye is suffering from low morale and lack of purpose. Within no time however, to lift their spirits a glamorous journalist arrives in the shape of Rose Winters (Catherine Zeta-Jones) to report on how the small platoon is bearing up and what keeps them busy. In the meantime, the authorities have detected a radio signal from Walmington-on-Sea to Berlin, and our band of aging soldiers at the ready just happen to reside and be stationed in Walmington-on-Sea. Suspecting foul play at the hands of a spy, this gives the Home Guard Dad's purpose and meaning, and the chance to contribute finally to the war effort. Directed by Oliver Parker and starring Bill Nighy, Tom Courtenay, Michael Gambon, Ian Lavender (from the original line-up) and a host of other fine English acting talent. See it for nostalgic reasons . . . 'you stupid boy'!

'AN' (Rated M) - aka 'Sweet Bean' is a lesson in restraint where less is definitely more! Based on the story 'An' by Durian Sukegawa this Japanese film is Directed and written for the screen by Naomi Kawase. This slow and simple story surrounds middle aged Sentaro (Masatoshi Nagase) who operates a small bakery making dorayaki (a red bean pancake confection) that is a popular spot with locals and school kids. When he places a notice seeking an assistant to help out in his little shop, he is approached by Tokue (Kirin Kiki) an older woman in her seventies, who's states that she had always wanted to work in such a bakery. Because of her age and her slightly deformed hands, Sentaro initially rejects her application, but upon tasting a sample of her own bean paste he has a change of mind - as hers is something far better tasting that the commercially produced bean paste he has been using. As the business takes off and becomes more in demand, so the customers come to realise that Tokue's hands were deformed by a disease, and as a result sales begin to drop off and Sentaro has to let his assistant go. What unfolds after this turn of events is a story of discrimination, forgiveness, acceptance and much more than a humble back street bakery selling street food. A slow burn meandering and at times emotional film that won't be for everyone, but is sure to find an audience.

Five new films, and five very different films at complete opposite ends of the spectrum, so there is no excuse not to find something that appeals. Get yourself out to a movie in the week ahead, and then share your thoughts with us here - in the meantime, I'll see you at the Odeon.

-Steve, at Odeon Online-

Birthday's to share this week : 7th - 13th June 2015.

Do you celebrate your Birthday this week?

Chris Evans does on 13h June - check out the tribute to this Birthday Boy turning 34, at the end of this feature.

Do you also share your birthday with a well known, highly regarded & famous Actor or Actress; share your special day with a Director, Producer, Writer, Cinematographer, Singer/Songwriter or Composer of repute; or share an interest in whoever might notch up another year in the coming seven days? Then, look no further! Whilst there will be too many to mention in this small but not insignificant and beautifully written and presented Blog, here are the more notable and noteworthy icons of the big screen, and the small screen, that you will recognise, and that you might just share your birthday with in the week ahead. If so, Happy Birthday to you from Odeon Online!

Sunday 7th June

• Liam Neeson - Born 1952, turns 63 - Actor
• Karl Urban - Born 1972, turns 42 - Actor
• Ronald Pickup - Born 1940, turns 75 - Actor
• Michael Cera - Born 1988, turns 27 - Actor | Writer | Producer | Director
• Bill Hader - Born 1978, turns 37 - Actor | Writer
• James Ivory - Born 1928, turns 87 - Director | Producer | Writer

Monday 8th June

• Jerry Stiller - Born 1927, turns 88 - Actor | Producer
• Griffin Dunne - Born 1955, turns 60 - Actor | Producer | Director
• Frank Grillo - Born 1963, turns 52 - Actor

Tuesday 9th June

• Johnny Depp - Born 1963, turns 52 - Actor | Producer
• Michael J. Fox - Born 1961, turns 54 - Actor | Producer
• James Newton Howard - Born 1951, turns 64 - Composer | Songwriter
• David Koepp - Born 1963, turns 52 - Director | Producer | Writer
• Natalie Portman - Born 1981, turns 34 - Actress | Producer | Director

Wednesday 10th June

• Elizabeth Hurley - Born 1965, turns 50 - Actress | Producer
• Leelee Sobieski - Born 1983, turns 32 - Actress
• Jeanne Tripplehorn - Born 1963, turns 52 - Actress
• Gina Gershon - Born 1962, turns 53 - Actress
• Jurgen Prochnow - Born 1941, turns 74 - Actor

Thursday 11th June

• Gene Wilder - Born 1933, turns 82 - Actor | Writer | Director
• Hugh Laurie - Born 1959, turns 56 - Actor | Writer | Director | Producer
• Shia LaBeouf - Born 1986, turns 29 - Actor
• Peter Dinklage - Born 1969, turns 46 - Actor | Producer

Friday 12th June

• Dave Franco - Born 1985, turns 30 - Actor | Writer | Producer
• Frances O'Connor - Born 1967, turns 48 - Actress

Saturday 13th June

• Ally Sheedy - Born 1962, turns 53 - Actress
• Kathy Burke - Born 1964, turns 51 - Actress
• Stellan Skarsgard - Born 1951, turns 64 - Actor | Producer
• Chris Evans - Born 1981, turns 34 - Actor | Producer | Director
• Malcolm McDowell - Born 1943, turns 72 - Actor | Producer
• Tim Allen - Born 1953, turns 62 - Actor | Producer
• Simon Callow - Born 1949, turns 66 - Actor
• Aaron Taylor Johnson - Born 1990, turns 25 - Actor
• Kodi Smitt-McPhee - Born 1996, turns 19 - Actor

Christopher Robert Evans was born in Boston, Massachusetts and grew up in Sudbury. His mother Lisa Capuano is an artistic Director at the Concord Youth Theatre, and his father Robert Evans is a dentist. He has two sisters - Carly and Shanna and a younger brother Scott. Raised as a Catholic he graduated from the Lincoln Sudbury Regional High School and then moved to New York to attend the famed Lee Strasberg Theatre and Film Institute.

Although he enjoyed time in stage production at school, his first break came in 2000 in the television series 'Opposite Sex' followed up by one off appearances in 'The Fugitive' and  'Boston Public' with his film debut coming in 2000 too with 'The Newcomers' followed by 'Not Another Teen Movie', 'The Perfect Score' and 'Cellular' taking up the first five years of the new decade. His big break though came in 2005 playing Johnny Storm/The Human Torch in the live action 'Fantastic Four' which made US$331M and so prompted a second outing in 2007 with 'Fantastic Four : Rise of the Silver Surfer' which grossed another US$289M. 2007 also saw the release of 'London', 'TMNT (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles)', 'Sunshine', 'The Nanny Diaries' and the animated Sci-Fi film 'Battle for Terra'  to which he lent his voice talents.

'Street Kings' followed  with Keanu Reeves and Forest Whittaker, 'Push' with Dakota Fanning and Djimon Hounsou, 'The Losers' with Idris Elba and Zoe Saldana, and 'Scott Pilgrim vs. the World' Michael Cera and Anna Kendrick coming next.

Having starred in two comic book adaptations in recent years - 'The Losers' and 'Scott Pilgrim vs. the World'  his transition to Marvel Comic book fare with his own Superhero franchise was almost inevitable. And so in 2011 - 'Captain America : The First Avenger' was released grossing over US$370M as lead character Steve Rogers/Captain America.

That same year, 2011, there was RomCom 'What's Your Number' and the year after that the epic Marvel stable 'The Avengers' with his character now established alongside those of  Iron Man, Thor and Hulk. 'The Iceman' and 'Snowpiercer' followed before his cameo again as Steve Rogers/Captain America in 'Thor : The Dark World' in 2013 and then his own franchise vehicle once more in 2014 with 'Captain America : The Winter Soldier'  which grossed a very respectable US$715M.




Next up, Evans turned his hand for the first time to Directing and Producing himself in the modest US$3M 'Before We Go' before going back to his Team Mates in 'The Avengers :Age of Ultron' released earlier this year, and so far has made US$1.325B making it the sixth highest grossing film of all time after just a month or so on general release. His third instalment as Captain America comes in 'Captain America : Civil War' which is currently filming for a 2016 release with the next two 'Avengers' instalments - 'Infinity Wars Parts 1 & 2' due for release in May 2018 & 2019 respectively. After these, he says, he will turn his attention more to Directing and less to Acting.

Evans has 39 acting credits to his name, two Producer credits for last years 'Playing it Cool' and 'Before I Go' and a Director credit too for 'Before I Go'. He has had three award wins and 23 other nominations so far.

He dated Jessica Biel from 2004 to 2006, and Actress Minka Kelly in late 2012 but they split in 2013. He is close friends with Scarlett Johansson with whom he has so far starred in six films. He supports the LBGT movement (Lesbian Gay Bisexual & Transgender) and takes an active interest in Buddhism.

Chris Evans - comic book hero, buffed up star still on the rise and tap dancing bachelor (which he does to relieve stress & anxiety, taught by his mother) - Happy Birthday to you from Odeon Online.

-Steve, at Odeon Online-

CAPTAIN AMERICA : THE FIRST AVENGER - archive from 10th August 2011

Saw 'CAPTAIN AMERICA' last night - the latest Marvel franchise offering. Directed by Joe Johnston for a production budget of US$140M this film grossed US$371M and did no harm in establishing the future story line of 'The Avengers' and in turn set up the 'Winter Soldier' sequel, and in turn 'Civil War' due for release in mid-2016. Here we have another Marvel all star cast with a storyline set largely during WWII, as various characters are set up in origin style that will continue the storyline and interwoven plots in subsequent films as the Marvel Universe is rolled out in future years.

Chris Evans plays the title role having shaken off his earlier 'Fantastic Four' mantle & here puts in a convincing turn as our unlikely hero. lifted out of the 40's eventually into the noughties! After an initial glimpse of the present day, Steve Rogers as the underweight, beanpole weakling tries to enlist for US military service but is rejected time after time because of his physical and health related issues. After eavesdropping on a conversation with his good friend Sergeant James 'Bucky' Barnes (remember this name for later[played by Sebastian Stan]) a scientist allows Rogers to be recruited into the WWII US Military Reserve as part of 'Super Soldier' experiment.

While this is going on in the good ol' war bashing USofA, back in war stricken Europe, Nazi Officer and megalomaniac in waiting Johann Schmidt (Hugo Weaving) is poised on the edge of world domination with the help of the 'Tesseract' which he has uncovered in the Norwegian town of Tonsberg. As we have come to know from successive Marvel films - the Tesseract has untold super powers. Back at base camp in the US Rogers is chosen to be the guinea pig for an experiment overseen by one Howard Stark (Dominic Cooper), and when the requisite level of power, super-serum and vita-rays is applied in a confined space, then voila, Captain America is born - six foot eight, pecs of steel, guns of iron and a determination to bring peace to the world. 

Schmidt meanwhile has now morphed into 'Red Skull' after a disfiguring accident in his scientific mountain lair, and with the Tesseract in his possession he believes he is on course for world domination, but of course hadn't counted on the new powers of Steve Rogers - newly crowned 'Captain America' thanks to the success of the earlier 'Super Soldier' experiment. Ultimately the Tesseract will be Red Skulls downfall, but result also in Captain America crashing into the Arctic ice where he will not be discovered until the present day.

All is good in the end as you would expect from the Marvelverse, and this new action hero sets up the story arc for the next outing which sees the film end with a current day scene in Times Square where our 'First Avenger' awakens after a 70 year sleep to be enlisted by Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson) for a mission that could have far reaching implications on the world as we know it. For Steve Rogers though he is a 1940's soul in a 2000's world and there is a period of readjustment that has to be had . . . for any more however, you'll just have to tune into the successive films in the ever growing ever popular ever blockbusting Marvel Universe.

This origin story sets up the upcoming 'Avengers' offering and does so in fine style. Hugo Weaving is suitably menacing as the Nazi 'Red Skull' Hell bent on world destruction & Tommy Lee Jones leading the US Army charge as Colonel Chester Philips with Stanley Tucci, Toby Jones and Neal McDonagh entertaining & putting on a solid collective rendition of this more widely known popular comic book hero. In closing this sets the tone for Marvel and does it well. A convincing story from rich source material, solid performances, well rendered graphics and imagery, and a franchise in the making. Very entertaining all round.

-Steve, at Odeon Online-