BLACK PANTHER : WAKANDA FOREVER - Monday 14th November 2022.

I saw the M Rated 'BLACK PANTHER : WAKANDA FOREVER' this week, and this American Superhero film is based on the Marvel Comics character of Black Panther, as portrayed by Chadwick Boseman in the 2018 film 'Black Panther', and who tragically died from colon cancer in 2020. This is the sequel to that 2018 film and is the thirtieth film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and is once again Directed and Co-Written by Ryan Coogler. The film saw its World Premier screening in Hollywood on 26th October, was released worldwide last week having cost US$250M to produce and having so far grossed worldwide US$401M, has generated largely positive critical acclaim and is the final film in Phase Four of the MCU.

The film opens up with Princess Shuri (Letitia Wright) frantically trying to synthetically recreate in her lab the heart-shaped herb that could potentially save the life of her dying brother King T'Challa of Wakanda. The Queen Mother of Wakanda Ramonda (Angela Bassett) enters the lab with tears in her eyes proclaiming that her son, Shuri's brother and the King of Wakanda, T'Challa, has passed away and now joins their ancestors. 

We then fast forward a year and a joint expedition force by the CIA and US Navy Seals is somewhere in the mid-Atlantic Ocean. Deep down on the seabed is a vibranium detecting machine that has located a source of the world's strongest metal thought previously to exist only in Wakanda. The expedition is attacked and wiped-out by a group of blue-skinned water breathing ocean dwelling superhumans led by Namor (Tenoch Huerta) the King of the underwater city of Talokan. The CIA later lay claim that Wakanda was responsible for the attack on the mid-Atlantic expedition. Later, Queen Ramonda is invited to attend something resembling the United Nations where she is pressed by other countries to share their vibranium, but she flatly refuses believing that they would use it against Wakanda and to bring about widespread destruction. 

On the first anniversary of T'Challa's death, Ramonda takes Shuri out into the bush so they they can grieve together and burn their funeral ceremonial robes on the camp fire as is the custom. Namor appears out of the river confronting them both, having easily evaded Wakanda's advanced security systems. Blaming Wakanda for the vibranium race, he gives them an ultimatum - deliver to him the scientist responsible for the vibranium-detecting machine, or he will attack Wakanda without mercy.

Okoye (Danai Gurira) convinces Ramonda to allow her to take Shuri with her to locate the scientist - after all what could possibly go wrong? They learn from CIA agent Everett K. Ross (Martin Freeman) that the scientist in question is Riri Williams (Dominique Thorne), a nineteen year old student at MIT, and arrive at the university to confront her, and convince her to come to Wakanda with them. The group is tracked down and pursued first by the FBI and then Namor's warriors, who defeat Okoye before taking Shuri and Williams to the underwater city of Talokan to meet with Namor. Back in Wakanda and Queen Ramonda is angered to say the least that Okoye failed to safeguard Shuri, and so strips her of her title as General of the Dora Milaje. Ramonda then travels of Haiti to locate Nakia (Lupita Nyong'o) who has been living there since the blip and who did not return to Wakanda even for T'Challa's funeral. Ramonda enlists Nakia's help to locate and return Shuri and Riri to Wakanda. 

Namor meets with Shuri and shows her his underwater kingdom of Talokan, which he has protected since the 16th century and is rich with vibranium. Bitter at the surface world that once rejected him, Namor meets with Ramonda and offers an alliance with Wakanda against the other nations of the world but promises to destroy Wakanda first if they don't cooperate. Nakia helps Shuri and Riri escape, and Namor retaliates with an attack against Wakanda's capital city, during which Ramonda drowns while saving Riri. Namor vows to return in a week with his full force, as the citizens of Wakanda are relocated to the mountains for their own safety.

Meanwhile, Ross is arrested by his ex-wife and new CIA Director, Valentina Allegra de Fontaine (Julia Louis-Dreyfus), for covertly exchanging classified intelligence with the Wakandans. Using a remnant of the herb that gave the Talokan's their superhuman abilities from a bracelet given to Shuri by Namor, she reconstructs the heart-shaped herb and ingests it in liquified form, giving her superhuman abilities. She then meets with Killmonger (Michael B. Jordan) in the Ancestral Plane, who urges her to seek revenge. 

With her new super powers Shuri puts on a new upgraded Black Panther suit and is quickly accepted by the other Wakandan tribes as the Black Panther. Despite M'Baku's (Winston Duke) strong desire for peace, Shuri is determined to exact vengeance on Namor for Ramonda's death and orders an immediate attack on Talokan. Preparing for battle, with Ayo (Florence Kasumba) assuming the mantle of General of the Dora Milaje, Shuri bestows the new Midnight Angel body armour upon Okoye, who in turn recruits Dora member Aneka (Michaela Coel) to join her. Riri creates an Iron Man type powered exoskeleton suit to help the Wakandans in battle. 

The Wakandans lure Namor and his warriors to the surface as a battle ensues, with the relentless Talokan's seemingly gaining the upper hand. Shuri traps Namor in a fighter aircraft, intending to dehydrate and therefore weaken him. The aircraft crashes on a desert beach and a fight ensues. Shuri gains the upper hand and releases an explosion which burns into Namor's back causing him to fall onto the sand just out of reach of his life giving ocean. Shuri holds a spear to Namor's throat, but realises the similarities between their life journey's and implores him to yield, offering a peaceful alliance between their nations. Namor accepts, and their fight ends.

Namor's cousin, Namora (Mabel Cadena), is angered at Namor's surrender, but he reassures her that their new alliance will allow them to conquer the surface world at some point in the future. Riri returns to MIT with the blessing of Shuri who extends the warm hand of friendship leaving behind her exoskeleton suit, while Okoye rescues Ross as he is being transported to captivity. In Shuri's absence, M'Baku steps forward to challenge her for the throne. Shuri visits Nakia who has returned to Haiti where she burns her funeral ceremonial robe allowing herself to finally grieve over T'Challa. In a mid-credits sequence, Shuri learns that Nakia and T'Challa had a son who is now eight years old, and that his name is Toussaint (Divine Love Konadu-Sun), who Nakia has been raising in secret away from the trials and tribulations of Wakanda and the throne. Toussaint reveals his Wakandan name is T'Challa, Prince T'Challa the son of King T'Challa.

'Black Panther : Wakanda Forever' pays a fitting tribute to the passing of King T'Challa, aka Black Panther, and indeed Chadwick Boseman that is heartfelt and emotional without being forced or contrived. The roles of Bassett, Huerta, Wright and Nyong'o especially are right on the money with each of them delivering compelling and relatable performances that keep the story grounded with a sense of realism. The CGI effects and the continued world building of Wakanda is impressive enough too, as are the action sequences which are delivered at an effectively staged pace so as to allow for characterisation development to come through in between and which is likely to bode well for the story arc when 'Black Panther III' eventually hits our screens at some future date. That said, the second act stagnates a little and I found my mind wandering and asking myself when was the pace going to pick up, and at 161 minutes runtime, this is over extended by twenty minutes I suggest. 'Wakanda Forever' was unlikely to hit the dizzying heights of the first 'Black Panther' instalment but when it boils down to the continuation of the story and establishing a foundation upon which to further build the next film in the 'Black Panther' franchise, then this film delivers on that premise. As of earlier this month, Director and Co-Writer Ryan Coogler and Kevin Feige, the Chief Creative Officer of Marvel Entertainment were revealed to have discussed a potential third Black Panther film.

'Black Panther : Wakanda Forever' merits three claps of the Odeon Online clapperboard from a potential five claps.

-Steve, at Odeon Online-

BLACK PANTHER : Sunday 18th February 2018.

I saw 'BLACK PANTHER' last weekend, and herein Marvel Studios unleash another Superhero into our movie going world in this stand alone origin offering of 'Black Panther' (aka King T'Challa of the fictional African nation of Wakanda). The character created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby first appeared in the comic book 'Fantastic Four #52' in 1966 and depicts T'Challa as the King and protector of Wakanda. Along with possessing enhanced abilities achieved through ancient Wakandan ritual, T'Challa also relies on his genius intellect, rigorous physical training, martial arts skills, access to cutting edge technologies and accumulated wealth to ward off his enemies. Back in 1992 Wesley Snipes first muted his desire to work on a Black Panther film, and over the following ten years the project was further developed but eventually came to nothing. Then in 2005 Marvel announced that Black Panther was one of ten characters from its portfolio that would be developed as part of its Cinematic Universe. In 2011 a Scriptwriter was hired, and in 2014 the project was greenlit. Chadwick Boseman was cast in the role of T'Challa and made his first appearance in 2016's 'Captain America : Civil War' in which his character sides with Iron Man/Tony Stark. And so here we have this eighteenth film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe and Directed and Co-Written by Ryan Coogler for US$200M. The film Premiered in the US at the end of January and went on general release around the world last week. The film has received widespread critical acclaim, noting especially the Direction, casting, action sequences, costume design and, in a first for Marvel starring a predominantly black cast. Box Office receipts so far stand at US$492M.

The film opens with a montage of scenes depicting the history of Wakanda, and how centuries ago five African tribes went to war over a meteorite containing vibranium (Wakandan vibranium absorbs sound waves and other vibrations, including kinetic energy. Absorbing sound waves, vibrations, and kinetic energy makes this metal stronger. Captain America's shield is made from vibranium). A warrior consumed a 'heart-shaped purple coloured herb' that was affected by the metal and gained superhuman capabilities. He became the first 'Black Panther', and united all tribes (except the Jabari Tribe who declined) to form the nation of Wakanda. Over time, the Wakandans used the vibranium to develop advanced technologies and wealth but isolated themselves from the world by posing as a poor Third World country, for fear that they would be exploited and overthrown if their mineral wealth was ever discovered.

We then jump to 1992, to Oakland, California where we see a bunch of young boys shooting hoops in their apartment block backyard. King T'Chaka (John Kani) pays an unexpected visit to his undercover brother N'Jobu (Sterling K. Brown). Black market arms trader, smuggler and all round gangster Ulysses Klaue (Andy Serkis) gained access to Wakanda secretly and stole a small quantity of vibranium. T'Chaka accuses his brother of collaborating with Klaue, a fact that is verified by N'Jobu's friend and fellow Wakandan undercover citizen Zuri (Denzel Whitaker). T'Chaka orders N'Jobu to return to Wakanda and stand trial for his crimes, but when he refuses and turns on Zuri, T'Chaka kills him, albeit reluctantly. A young lad in the back yard drops his basketball, and looks up to the sky to see two rotating circles of blue light hover above the apartment building and then disappear at great speed into the night sky.

We now are in the present day, and after King T'Chaka is killed, his son T'Challa (Chadwick Boseman) is the rightful heir to the throne. After extracting his love interest Nakia (Lupita Nyong'o), an undercover Wakandan spy and War Dog, from a rebel convoy deep in the Nigerian jungle, T'Challa and Okoye (Danai Gurira) the head of the Dora Milaje, the all-female highly trained and very capable special forces of Wakanda, who serve as T'Challa's trusted and fiercely loyal bodyguards, return to Wakanda to be with his mother Ramona (Angela Bassett) and younger sister Shuri (Letitia Wright) for the coronation ceremony.

At the ceremony, presided over by an older Zuri now (Forest Whitaker), the Jabari Tribe's leader M'Baku (Winston Duke) challenges T'Challa for the crown, which is his right to do so. The leaders of the other tribes are all given the opportunity to challenge also but respectfully decline. The Jabari have however, a long standing axe to grind with 'T'Challa and his kind. T'Challa overpowers M'Baku forcing him to yield rather than be killed, and so the opponent is permitted to leave, and the victor is crowned King.

While this is going on, over in England, Klaue and Erik 'Killmonger' Stevens (Michael B. Jordan) are planning to rob an ancient vibranium artifact from a museum in London. They successfully do so, and make their escape. T'Challa learns of the vibranium artifact heist and that Klaue was involved, and that further, he now plans to sell it in Busan, South Korea. W'Kabi (Daniel Kaluuya), T'Challa's close friend and love interest of Okoye, and who lost both his parents at the hands of Klaue, urges his King to hunt down the arch villain and either return him to Wakanda, or kill him. T'Challa, Nakia and Okoye travel to Busan to a secret underground casino location that is the designated exchange point for the sale of the vibranium artifact. There T'Challa comes across CIA Agent Everett K. Ross (Martin Freeman) who is the undercover buyer of the artifact, there on his own mission. When Klaue arrives on the scene it's not long before a firefight breaks out, with the action quickly moving to  a car chase outside on the streets of downtown Busan. Klaue is apprehended by T'Challa, aided by Nakia, Okoye and Shuri remotely.

Ross interrogates Klaue with T'Challa and Okoye looking on behind a mirrored window. Klaue reveals to Ross that Wakanda is in reality no third world country as they would have everyone believe, but a super developed technologically advanced and very wealthy country - Ross struggles to believe him. Just then Erik blows a hole in the wall, and extracts Klaue. In the ensuing exchange of gun fire, Ross takes a bullet intended for Nakia and is badly wounded. In the fleeting moments as Klaue and Erik make their getaway, T'Challa notices a ring hanging from around Erik's neck that is identical to the one worn by him too. T'Challa commits to have Ross taken back to Wakanda, where their technological wizardry can save his life, rather than pursue Klaue at this time.

With Shuri attending to Ross, T'Challa confronts Zuri about the ring seen hanging from around Erik's neck. Zuri is naturally reluctant to tell him the story, but does so. He explains that N'Jobu had intended to share Wakanda's technological advancements and their weaponry with the descendants of African peoples around the world, in order that they could rise up and beat their white oppressors. When King T'Chaka killed N'Jobu they left behind his young son, Erik, so as not to add complication to their story. Erik would become a US Black Op's soldier, who by reputation for the number of enemy kills notched up during his career earned the name 'Killmonger'. Erik kills Klaue, and takes his body to Wakanda where he is marched in front of T'Challa and the other tribal elders, where he reveals his heritage and his true claim to the throne.

Erik challenges T'Challa to a ritual combat for the right to the throne, which T'Challa accepts. First Erik kills Zuri for the crime of covering up his fathers death all those years ago. He then battles it out with T'Challa overpowering him, and ultimately tossing him over a waterfall from a high cliff. With T'Challa now out of the way and presumed dead, Erik, now known as N'Jadaka ascends to the throne of Wakanda, with W'Kabi and his tribal army standing by his side. Ramonda, Shuri, Naki and a now fully recovered Ross decide that it's time to get the Hell outta Dodge and flee. Okoye decides to stay for she is loyal to the throne - no matter who sits on it. N'Jadaka orders that preparations be made at all haste to distribute Wakanda's advanced weapons to ready in waiting field operations located around the world, in order that they can now rise up in force against their age old oppressors.

Meanwhile, having trekked over mountain terrain, Ramonda, Shuri, Naki and Ross arrive at the Jabari Tribe seeking aid from their Chief M'Baku. He declines, but leads them to the unconscious body of T'Challa fished out of the waterfall before he drowned, and rescued in payment for him sparing M'Baku's life during the earlier challenge for the throne. He is however, in a comatose state. Naki feeds T'Challa the herb she extracted before she left, enabling his body to self heal. T'Challa asks M'Baku for help but again he declines, saying that his debt is now repaid - a life for a life!

T'Challa returns to do battle with N'Jadaka and to overthrow the new pretender, who has now ordered and mobilised W'Kabi and his army to attack T'Challa, and for a fleet of aircraft to head out each carrying a stash of vibranium weapons for distribution to awaiting brothers at various points around the globe. While the battle for the upper hand is ongoing, Shuri commands a reluctant Ross to remotely pilot an attack aircraft to down those others en route to the worldwide destinations before they are able to leave Wakanda's airspace. Ross, a former Air Force pilot (conveniently) abides and is successful in his mission (naturally!)

The Dora Milaje, led by Okoye flanked by Shuri and Naki arrive to battle it out with N'Jadaka who has his own Black Panther suit, making him almost invincible. M'Baku and his Tribe of Jabari eventually arrive to provide much needed support against W'Kabi and his army, who eventually yield when confronted by Okoye.

All of this commotion, leave N'Jadaka to fight it out hand to hand with T'Challa, which they do in the depths of Wakanda's vibranium mine. Using some sort of electro magnetic force, T'Challa is able to disable N'Jadaka's protective suit, for just long enough to administer a fatal wound with a vibranium dagger. T'Challa offers to heal N'Jadaka, but the wounded man declines being healed and imprisoned, for dying a free man. And so be it! In the closing scene T'Challa and Naki are back in Oakland where it all began. He has purchased the apartment block where N'Jobu died all those years ago, and the one next to it, and the one next to that too. He intends to establish an outreach centre where Wakanda's technology and scientific learning's will be introduced to the world in a controlled and coordinated way for future generations to benefit from. Watch out too for the obligatory mid-credits and end-credits sequences, and Stan Lee's cameo.

'Black Panther' shines on just about every level. It sits up there easily with the best that Marvel has so far dished up in its seventeen previous outings from its Cinematic Universe. It has action set pieces, its has moments of humour, it has heart and emotion, it has colour and depth, it has a storyline that is rooted in African culture and tradition infused with every ultra modern scientific technological gadget you can possibly dream up, and it has believable relatable characters delivered to us fully realised by an almost entirely coloured ensemble cast. All these ingredients when combined with top notch production values, excellent cinematography, a great soundtrack, and safe assured Direction by Marvel's youngest Director to date in Ryan Coogler, all add up to a rich, satisfying origin Superhero offering that has something to say in today's world that is relevant and important. Recommended viewing, you won't be disappointed.

-Steve, at Odeon Online-

Birthday's to share this week : 4th - 10th September 2016

Do you celebrate your Birthday this week?

Martin Freeman does on 8th September - check out my tribute to this Birthday Lad turning 45, 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 4th September

• Jocelyn Moorhouse - Born 1960, turns 56 - Director | Producer | Writer
• Damon Wayans - Born 1960, turns 56 - Actor | Writer | Producer | Director
• Noah Taylor - Born 1969, turns 47 - Actor

Monday 5th September

• George Lazenby - Born 1939, turns 77 - Actor
• Werner Herzog - Born 1942, turns 74 - Director | Producer | Writer | Actor
• Michael Keaton - Born 1951, turns 65 - Actor | Producer | Director
• Paddy Considine - Born 1974, turns 42 - Actor | Writer | Director
• Raquel Welch - Born 1940, turns 76 - Actress | Singer
• Rose McGowan - Born 1973, turns 43 - Actress | Singer
• Carice van Houten - Born 1976, turns 40 - Actress  

Tuesday 6th September

• Rosie Perez - Born 1964, turns 52 - Actress | Producer | Choreographer
• Naomi Harris - Born 1976, turns 40 - Actress
• Idris Elba - Born 1972, turns 44 - Actor | Writer | Producer | Director  

Wednesday 7th September

• Dario Argento - Born 1940, turns 76 - Writer | Director | Producer | Actor
• Toby Jones - Born 1966, turns 50 - Actor
• Leslie Jones - Born 1967, turns 49 - Actress | Writer
• Julie Kavner - Born 1950, turns 66 - Actress | Singer
• Evan Rachel Wood - Born 1987, turns 29 - Actress | Singer  

Thursday 8th September

• Martin Freeman - Born 1971, turns 45 - Actor
• David Arquette - Born 1971, turns 45 - Actor | Writer | Producer | Director  

Friday 9th September

• Hugh Grant - Born 1960, turns 56 - Actor
• Adam Sandler - Born 1966, turns 50 - Actor | Writer | Producer | Singer | Songwriter
• Eric Stonestreet - Born 1971, turns 45 - Actor
• Michelle Williams - Born 1980, turns 36 - Actress | Singer  

Saturday 10th September

• Chris Columbus - Born 1958, turns 58 - Director | Producer | Writer
• Colin Firth - Born 1960, turns 56 - Actor | Producer | Singer
• Guy Ritchie - Born 1968, turns 48 - Director | Producer | Writer
• Ryan Phillippe - Born 1974, turns 42 - Actor | Producer | Writer | Director  
• Harry and Luke Treadaway - Born 1984, turn 32 - Actors

Martin John Christopher Freeman was born in Aldershot, Hampshire, England to mother Philomena Norris and father Geoffrey Freeman, an officer in the Royal Navy. His parents separated when he was young, and his father passed away when Martin was ten years of age. He attended the Salesian School, in Chertsy, Surrey - a Comprehensive Roman Catholic Secondary School, and then Brooklands College in Weybridge, Surrey to undertake media studies. At fifteen he joined a youth theatre group before deciding to make a career out of acting, when he joined the Central School of Speech and Drama in London.

His screen acting career launched with television in 1997 with an episode on 'The Bill', and then 'This Life' and 'Casualty' and 'Picking Up The Pieces', with his appearance in the 1998 short film 'I Just Want to Kiss You'. His first feature length film role came with 'The Low Down' in 2000, with his next in 2002 with 'Ali G Indahouse' with Sasha Baron Cohen, Michael Gambon and Charles Dance.

Six episodes on 'Bruiser', two on 'Lock, Stock . . .', five on 'World of Pub', three on 'Helen West', four as Lord Shaftesbury on 'Charles II : The Power and the Passion' with singular turns on 'Black Books' and 'Linda Green' kick started the new decade. In the meantime there were made for television movies including 'Men Only', 'The Debt', 'Margery and Gladys' before 2003's 'Love Actually' with Hugh Grant, Colin Firth, Liam Neeson, Bill Nighy, Emma Thompson and Keira Knightley.

All of these gave way to what is probably regarded as his breakout role as Tim Canterbury on the iconic television series 'The Office' which ran for just two seasons over fourteen episodes from 2001 to 2003 with Ricky Gervais. This was followed dup with two seasons running over twelve episodes on 'Hardware' from 2003 to 2004 and then a single series over six episodes on 'The Robinsons' in 2005. He had a cameo appearance in the Simon Pegg and Nick Frost 'Shaun of the Dead' film, followed up by his starring role in 2005 as Arthur Dent in 'The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy' with Sam Rockwell, Bill Nighy and John Malkovich.

'Confetti' came next in 2006, with Anthony Minghella's 'Breaking and Entering' that year with Jude Law. 2007 saw Justin Theroux's 'Dedication' with Tom Wilkinson, Billy Crudup and Mandy Moore; 'The Good Night' with Gwyneth Paltrow, Penelope Cruz, Michael Gambon and Simon Pegg; then 'Hot Fuzz' with Simon Pegg and Nick Frost once again. 'The All Together'; Peter Greenaway's 'Nightwatching' and made for television films - 'The Old Curiosity Shop', 'Svengali', ''Micro Men' and the mini-series 'Boy Meets Girl' and 'Nativity' brought the decade to close.

2010 began with 'Wild Target' with Bill Nighy once more and Emily Blunt; 'Swinging with the Finkles' with Mandy Moore once more; 'What's Your Number' and 'Animals' before his turn as Bilbo Baggins in Peter Jackson's ''The Hobbit : An Unexpected Journey' in 2012, 'The Hobbit : The Desolation of Smaug' in 2013 and 'The Hobbit : The Battle of the Five Armies' in 2014. The full length feature film of 'Svengali', and 'The World's End' with Simon Pegg and Nick Frost completed their 'Three Flavours Cornetto' trilogy.

Made for television movie 'The Eichmann Show' in 2015, 'Whiskey Tango Foxtrot' and 'Captain America : Civil War' bring his big screen features up to date. Of course let's not forget the highly acclaimed 'Fargo' Season One with Colin Hanks and Billy Bob Thornton with Freeman's turn as Lester Nygaard in 2014/15, and the equally acclaimed 'Sherlock' which has run for fifteen feature length episodes since 2010 with Freeman as Dr. John Watson to Benedict Cumberbatch's Sherlock Holmes.

Over the years Freeman has lent his voice talents also to the short film 'Lonely Hearts' in 2007; 'The Pirates! Band of Misfits' in 2012; 'Saving Santa' in 2013; 'Robot Chicken' in 2015 and another short film 'Stick Men' in 2015 too. Next up and currently filming is 'Cargo', new Miami based crime thriller television series 'StartUp', and in pre-production 'Official Secrets' with Harrison Ford, Anthony Hopkins, Paul Bettany, and Gillian Anderson, and then 'Funny Cow' and 'Ghost Stories' all due in 2017.

All up Freeman has 74 acting credits to his name and has seven award wins including a Primetime Emmy and BAFTA for 'Sherlock' and another 26 nominations. Freeman lives with his partner of fifteen years, Actress Amanda Abbingdon with whom he has starred in the likes of 'Sherlock', 'The Debt', 'The Robinsons', and 'Swinging with the Finkles'. They have two children together, Joe (born in 2006) and Grace (born in 2008). 

Martin Freeman - known for playing passive, restrained, mild-mannered characters often put in extraordinary situations that often reach a breaking point; has played his fair share of literary heroes - Arthur Dent in 'The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy', Dr. Watson in 'Sherlock' and Bilbo Baggins in 'The Hobbit'; is a pescatarian (eats fish and seafood, but not the flesh of other animals); and keeps his roles grounded, real and always varied. A very Happy Birthday to you Martin, from Odeon Online, and a neighbour who grew up just down the road in Salisbury.

-Steve, at Odeon Online-

What's new in Odeon's this week : Friday 1st January 2016.

Well another year has come to an end at the movies that has seen blockbusters aplenty with the likes of 'The Avengers : Age of Ultron', 'Jurassic World' and ending with 'Star Wars : The Force Awakens' that continues to notch-up the mega bucks even as you read this and is sure to become the biggest Box Office hit of this year . . . at least! In between we saw biographical offerings 'Foxcatcher', American Sniper', 'The Imitation Game', 'The Theory of Everything', 'Selma', 'Legend', 'Straight Outta Compton' and 'Bridge of Spies'; further Sci-Fi instalments including 'Mad Max : Fury Road', 'Terminator : Genysis' and the conclusion of the 'Hunger Games' saga; spy drama including the return of Bond in 'Spectre', the return of Hunt in 'Mission Impossible : Rogue Nation', and the enormously entertaining 'Kingsman : The Secret Service'; whilst not forgetting police dramas 'Sicario' and 'Black Mass' with 'The Martian', 'A Most Violent Year', 'Inherent Vice, 'Creed', 'The Gift', 'Ex Machina' and 'Crimson Peak' giving us plenty to like, and two of the more notable foreign language offerings 'Leviathan' and 'Wild Tales' rounding out this Reviewers more memorable movies of the past 12 months. If you missed any of these in the last year, get yourself off to your local DVD store or download when you can - you won't be disappointed . . . promise!

And so to 2016, and raising the curtain on a new cinematic year we have a big action remake of a classic cops & robbers film from the early 90's; a hugely successful and popular super sleuth character reimagined for the 21st Century but still grounded in his 19th Century origins; and a mid 20th Century loveable cartoon strip getting the full 3D CGI animation treatment and his first big screen outing in 35 years. Of course there's also a whole swathe of recently released films still doing the rounds that you can catch at your local multiplex too, and, as Reviewed and Previewed on these pages in previous weeks. Check them out too if you need some inspiration.

Whatever you decide to watch at your local Odeon to kick start your new year, you are once again cordially invited to leave your own feedback in the Comments section below this or any other Post - we'd love to hear from you! Meanwhile, enjoy your film!

POINT BREAK (Rated M) - Kathryn Bigelow's action crime thriller released in 1991starring a young Keanu Reeves, Patrick Swayze, Gary Busey, Lori Petty and John C McGinley would rate as one of this Reviewer's favourite films of all time. I have seen the film more times than I can recall, and still love it after repeated viewings and not because of the stellar performances but because of the dialogue, the action, the energy and the spectacle of the film - it was made for just US$24M and went onto make US$84M in the final analysis. And now in 2015, 'Point Break' has been remade for a whole new audience who probably don't even know of its 'classic' predecessor. This new version was made for US$105M and has so far grossed US$55M following its initial release in China on December 4th.

This retelling Directed by Ericson Core, speaks of a similar story involving Johnny Utah (Luke Bracey in the Keanu Reeves role) as the FBI Agent with a penchant for extreme sports who goes undercover to thwart a bunch of professional criminals who masquerade as extreme sports enthusiasts . . . or is it the other way around? These crims are headed by Bodhi (Edgar Ramirez in the Patrick Swayze role) whose sports agenda is to chase the path to enlightenment via 'The Oaski 8' - named after Ono Osaki, an eco-warrior who challenged the extreme sports world to a series of eight ordeals that honours the forces of nature. After a series of 'Robin Hood' type robberies the FBI close in whilst Bodhi and his group strive to complete the eight challenges dragging Utah along to prove himself, with Angelo Pappas (Ray Winston in the Gary Busey role) looking on closely. Watch out too for Bojesse Christopher who played young 'Grommet' in the 1991 film popping up again here as FBI Director Chapman. Delroy Lindo also stars. Featuring some breathtaking scenery and some jaw dropping stunts, will this be enough to live up to the high expectations set for this remake? I'll let you know!

SHERLOCK : THE ABOMINABLE BRIDE (Rated M) - No, this is not the next Guy Ritchie instalment in the Downey Jnr./Law franchise, but a Christmas Special of the hugely successful British television series starring Benedict Cumberbatch as Holmes himself and Martin Freeman as long suffering and fiercely loyal sidekick Watson. This film has a limited release only on the big screen and sees the duo in a 1905 London in what is a stand alone episode and not a continuation from where the last episode left off. All the characters are here from the TV Series that you'll recognise - just the era is different, a little more sinister and a little more conspiratorial with the web of intrigue coming a little closer to home for this dynamic duo.

 SNOOPY AND CHARLIE BROWN : THE PEANUTS MOVIE (Rated G) - The Charles M. Schulz much loved comic strip first appeared in October 1950 and ran for the next fifty years until early 2000 running through 17,897 strips during that time. This animated feature if the first film in 35 years and the fifth full length film in the series history. Directed by Steve Martino and made for US$99M the film has so far grossed US$173M, and stars the voice talents of Noah Schnapp as Charlie Brown and Bill Melendez as both Peanuts and Woodstock through archival recordings given that he died in 2008. Here, lovable beagle Snoopy embarks upon a heroic epic quest to thwart his arch nemesis, The Red Baron while Charlie Brown strives to win the heart and mind of The Little Red Haired Girl voiced by Francesca Capaldi, who has just moved into the neighbourhood and whom he has developed an instant attraction to. The film has already picked up several awards and a string on nominations - what's not to like about these long running lovable characters brought to the big screen in glorious 3D animation! One for all the family!

Three films to tempt you in the new year week ahead, and when you have done so share your thoughts and come back to our readership with your welcome commentary for all to share. In the meantime, best wishes to one and all for 2016, thanks for your ongoing interest in 2015, and keep watching the movies, at the movies.

See you at the Odeon.

-Steve, at Odeon Online-

THE HOBBIT : THE BATTLE OF THE FIVE ARMIES : Monday 29th December 2014.

I sat in a packed theatre last night with a bunch of mates to see Peter Jackson's final instalment in 'The Hobbit' series and the culmination of 15 years of his life dedicated to the works of J.R.R. Tolkien, and bringing two great works of literary art to the big screen spread over six epic films. Much has been said already about this final chapter 'THE HOBBIT : THE BATTLE OF THE FIVE ARMIES', and it seems that critical opinion has been divided so far from what I've read and heard. Come what may, as of 30th December the film has already amassed a global Box Office haul of US$573M against it's production budget of US$250M, and from this standpoint there are certainly plenty of bums on seats in the movie theatres generating a solid return in ticket sales already. In all likelihood this final chapter will top US$1B by the end of its cinematic run taking the trilogy well beyond US$3B - with DVD and TV rights still to go!

I enjoyed this film, as did my movie buddies, and like the other five instalments of the two books this is a must see on a big screen. Peter Jackson knows how to deliver spectacle on an epic scale, and six films in and using all the cutting edge technology at his finger tips he does not disappoint, and, does so with a deft touch having honed his skills admirably along the way during the last decade and a half.

Naturally this film continues immediately where 'The Desolation of Smaug' left off, and we see the dragon Smaug (Benedict Cumberbatch) circling over Laketown after the Dwarves have banished it from the Lonely Mountain. Needless to say Laketown is torched - there is death, widespread destruction and mayhem before Bard The Bowman (Luke Evans) takes down Smaug using the black arrow from atop a burning bell tower. Meanwhile the helpless Dwarves and Bilbo look on from inside the mountain as the town succumbs to fire and The Master of Laketown (Stephen Fry) comes to a sticky end trying to escape with his stash of gold. As this unfolds already Bilbo (Martin Freeman) notices a change in Thorin (Richard Armitage) as the 'dragon sickness' begins to take hold, and his obsession with his reclaimed gold, riches and wealth becomes all consuming and more important than life itself. Things will only get worse before they get better!

As word begins to spread across the lands that Smaug has been destroyed and the mountain reclaimed so the Elves and the Orks converge on Erebor to stake their claim and take what is believed to be theirs. As Thorin sinks deeper into his despair in searching for the lost Arkenstone and obsesses more about his gold and his new power as the Dwarf King, so he distances himself from the other Dwarves and eventually Bilbo too. The Orks summons a second army from Gundabad to converge on Erebor taking out Dale where the displaced people of Laketown are now taking refuge in the shadow of the Lonely Mountain.

At this point the army of Elves have arrived as has Gandalf (Ian McKellen) recently rescued by Galadreil (Cate Blanchett), Elrond (Hugo Weaving) and Saruman the White (Christopher Lee) from Dol Guldur. Sadly, this is all we see of Galadriel, Elrond and Saruman and I can't help feeling Cate, Hugo and Chris were short changed in this outing when perhaps their ongoing involvement could have been a little more meaty! Overcoming the Orks (temporarily) Bard attempts to convince Thorin to allow the folk of Laketown into Erebor for safe shelter from the advancing army, but Thorin is so wrapped up in his own  obsessive little world that he will have none of it and would rather bring on war than risk sharing a single gold coin with anyone else, despite the earlier commitments he has made!

And so it's on for young and old, man and beast as the Elves and the Men prepare to storm the Lonely Mountain. As they prepare to do so the Orc reinforcements arrive with Goblins and giant war hunger bats and other grizzly creatures to wipe out everything in their path. At which point Thorin's cousin Dain arrives (Billy Connolly - almost unrecognisable in his make up, except for his dead give-away voice which is  delight!) with his Dwarf Army bringing up the rear. During this conflagration of converging opposing forces Thorin hallucinates in a nightmare of voices, memories and visions eventually snapping out of his obsessive stupor and sees the error of his ways and what it has almost cost him. He musters his fellow Dwarves and Bilbo and together they all jump headlong into the fight with Dwarves, Elves and Men all doing pitched battle with the marauding Orcs and their Goblin followers with a bunch of giant swooping eagles who come out of nowhere to help save the day for our tiny friends, bringing said battle of five armies to a somewhat abrupt halt!

It's bloody and it's messy but on screen it is a spectacle to behold as the might of the battling armies spread forth leaving death and destruction on all sides. The magnitude of this is well conceived and well delivered in all its CGI glory. Meanwhile we have other smaller hand to hand fights as Thorin seeks to destroy Orc leader Azog (Manu Bennett) at nearby Ravenhill aided by Dwalin (Graham McTavish), Kili (Aidan Turner) and Fili (Dean O'Gorman) where ultimately is doesn't end well for any of them. As this is going on so Legolas (Orlando Bloom) is fighting it out with Azog's right hand Orc, Bolg (John Tui), and you can guess which one of these two survives to fight another day!

In the end the Orcs are vanquished and retreat, their leader is slain, but there are casualties on all sides - Dwarves, Elves and Men, but Erebor is saved and with it the riches contained therein. Bilbo returns to The Shire accompanied by Gandalf and we learn that 13 months have passed by since he set out on his epic journey. Gandalf leaves Bilbo saying that he will maintain a watchful eye on the little Hobbit, and in the closing scene we see the older Bilbo (Ian Holm) sixty years hence reflecting on his previous journey and toying with the gold ring still in his possession when Gandalf knocks on his door, and he springs up to greet his old friend.

Jackson has been criticised for spreading a relatively short concise story (unlike the 'LOTR' tome) into a three instalment film event spanning over seven hours of run time, but in the final analysis I think he can be forgiven for his enthusiasm, his commitment and his energy in delivering another filmic event on a grand scale, and, for dedicating such a large proportion of his life to this labour of love. So far, US$2.55B in combined sales for this series, and counting, says something . . . and the movie going public are voting with their wallets - good on 'em! This is a fitting end to the series, sets up the first film in the 'LOTR' trilogy with a few well placed references, and whilst at times the CGI is just a little off kilter and some of the dialogue a little questionable, I am happy to recommend this film to you.

   

-Steve, at Odeon Online-