‘Ant-Man and the Wasp’ Review: Marvel’s Tiniest Movie Packs A Big Punch

After the universe changing Avengers: Infinity War, Marvel Studios needed a palette cleanser, and Ant-Man and The Wasp certainly delivers. In many ways a sequel to the first Ant-Man and Captain America: Civil War, Marvel’s 20th film has enough laughs and action-packed moments to keep audiences entertained throughout.

Starring Paul Rudd and Evangeline Lilly in the title roles, Ant-Man and the Wasp is a partner-oriented movie. Lilly’s Hope Van Dyne certainly kicks a lot of butt on her own, but both heroes work better together. So far, Marvel has focused on releasing solo and team oriented films, so the focus on a duo is an interesting change of pace. Not only do Scott Lang and Hope compliment each other on and off the battlefield, but the movie also shows Hank Pym reflecting on his own life and the value of partnerships in an intimate and touching way.

Scott, who’s stuck on house arrest as a result of breaking the Sokovia Accords in Civil War, has been focusing on being a dad and starting a security consulting business with his friends. At the same time, Hank Pym and Hope Van Dyne believe they found a way to rescue Janet, Hope’s mother, from the quantum realm and they need Scott’s help. Seeing Scott balance his fatherly responsibilities and his heroic duties makes for a fun dynamic and it’s clear that the character is willing to do anything for his daughter. The moments where he and Cassie, once again played well by Abby Ryder Fortson, interact clearly show the audience that he is a loving, warm person who puts his family first. Scott’s attempts to be a good dad not only result in some of the funniest scenes in the movie, but they also help establish him as a good person outside his superhero adventures.

Also read: ‘Ant-Man And The Wasp’ Star Talks Cassie Lang’s Possible Superhero Future

Rudd and Lilly may get top-billing, but Ant-Man and the Wasp is a strong ensemble film. Michael Douglas turns in a solid performance in his second stint as Hank Pym, a genius scientist forced to rely on others to get things done. The Marvel Cinematic Universe’s version of the character is somewhat of a douche, but the films have completely watered down his abusive, angry tendencies. Outside of the superhero action, Michael Peña delivers another high-energy, hilarious performance as Luis. Randall Park joins the MCU as the silly and incompetent Agent Wu, the individual who is tasked with ensuring Scott complies with his house arrest.

After seeing Killgrave and Thanos spread chaos in the last year, Ghost seems like a bit of a let-down. Hannah John-Kamen turns in a solid performance as Ghost, a young-woman who painfully and uncontrollably changes her quantum state, but the character falls a bit flat. She’s trying her best to deal with the tragic cards she’s been dealt and is still recovering from her time being a forced agent of S.H.I.E.L.D.. She’s not necessarily evil, but she’s not interesting either. The character has a few interesting moments, and she looks cool in a fight, but Ant-Man and the Wasp would have been just as entertaining and thought-provoking had she been removed from the film.

Like the first film, Ant-Man and the Wasp is at its best when it pokes fun of its own premise. Even though Scott is familar with this world, he still serves as a gateway for the audience into some of the deeper science. As Hank and Hope bicker back and forth, Scott coyly asks if they just “put quantum in front of things to sound smart?” The chase sequences inter-mixed with shrink technology are unlike any high-speed pursuits I’ve seen before and the final results are the perfect combination of explosive stunts and physical comedy.

Also read: Kevin Feige Confirms ‘Brand New Heroes’ Will Join The MCU After ‘Avengers 4’

There are moments where this film tries a bit too hard to recapture the charm of the original. Luis tells another funny story, but it feels like an attempt to recreate a comedic beat from the first film instead of a new joke. Don’t get me wrong though, Ant-Man and the Wasp is a funny movie that uses the cast to the best of their comedic abilities. Rudd once again gets a writing credit, which makes sense considering some of the funniest moments are just small, one-off lines that Rudd could have uttered in any movie.

The movie is entertaining, but it is never extraordinary. Outside of the lively music, composed by Christophe Beck, nothing stands out from a film-making perspective. All of the CGI effects are fine, but none of the visual moments stand out compared to some of the other enticing moments Marvel has showed to audiences in recent years.

Also read: Kevin Feige Teases How The Eternals Will Explore MCU Mythology

Ant-Man and the Wasp continues to prove that Marvel knows what they are doing. While the small sequel certainly isn’t the studio’s best film, or even its most exciting this year, it is definitely enjoyable. By focusing on personal relationships and humor, Ant-Man and the Wasp circumvents a lot of the stereotypical sequel problems and turns out to be a satisfying, emotionally-charged film. Make sure to stay for the after-credit scene (the first one is more entertaining and essential than the second) because both Ant-Man and The Wasp have an interesting future in store.

Final Score: 7/10

10 Characters Who Need To Appear In The All-Female Marvel Movie

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Out of all the rumored Marvel Cinematic Universe projects in the pipeline, an all-female Avengers movie is one of the most exciting. An Avengers squad composed of only female heroes, A-Force is one of the most powerful teams in the Marvel Universe and they are ripe for a big-screen adaptation. Now that the cinematic universe’s roster of female characters has been slowly filling up, it seems like the perfect time to take this team to the big screen. Add to that the fact that both Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige and Valkyrie herself Tessa Thompson have expressed interest in an A-Force movie and it seems like a safe bet.

With Avengers: Infinity War now in theaters, it makes sense for the Marvel Universe to expand their team lineups. Captain America and Iron Man can only entertain audiences for so long, so the Marvel Cinematic Universe needs to add some heroes to keep fans entertained long term.

Hit Next to discover the 10 characters who need to appear in the all-female Marvel movie! 

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The Man of Steel #5 Review: Is Superman Down For The Count?

One would hope that, after reading the penultimate episode of a limited series, you would come to understand exactly what is going on. However, the fifth issue of Brian Michael Bendis’ The Man of Steel leaves us with more questions than answers. This seems to be the ongoing theme of the book. So much time is spent setting up different side-plots. There are scenes that should only be happening for five minutes that have taken four issues to get through. Yet, here we are, with dangling side plots, an uninteresting villain, and mysteries that are not quite interesting enough to compel you to keep reading. It feels as if Bendis has been killing time for five issues.

Also read: DC Universe’s ‘Titans’ Won’t Have A Panel At SDCC 2018

It feels like this story is meant to set up Bendis’ Superman run, but it’s unclear if that’s a good thing or not. Sure, it seems to be bringing some changes to Superman’s status quo, but in doing so The Man of Steel fails to function as its own story. Now, had this just been a part of Bendis’ Superman run, that would be just fine. However, a limited series just isn’t right for this collection of issues. Maybe everything will come together in the end, but there’s only one issue left and Bendis certainly has is work cut out for him if he intends to wrap things up by the end of this.

Again, it’s not all bad. The characters are fun. Bendis’ dialogue is magnetic. Superman seems like a much more fun and dynamic character here. Even when the Justice League briefly shows up in this issue, Bendis does an excellent job of finding each character’s unique voice. Still, it’s all just lost in a flurry. Reading this book has felt more like work than enjoyment. Trying to keep track of the different plots, while also trying to figure out how they are important to Superman and the central storyline has, at this point, become exhausting.

Also read: Artwork Depicts Ben Affleck As Batman From DC Rebirth

By now, you’ve likely already decided if you’re going to be reading Bendis’ Superman and Action Comics. Even though this story is quite coming together, the potential for the writer’s take on the character is apparent. Hopefully, even if The Man of Steel doesn’t get it together in the end, it will leave us all with something to explore in future stories. It’s just unfortunate that this is the most we can hope for from the series. If you still can, you should wait on this one. It will almost definitely be more effective in a collected edition, but we won’t know until next week’s final issue if this story will offer us a satisfying ending to this exhausting tale.

Final Score: 6/10

10 Things To Expect From San Diego Comic-Con 2018

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It’s finally summer, which means San Diego Comic-Con 2018 is just around the block! The biggest pop-culture event of the year, all of the biggest names in comics, movies and television will come together at the San Diego Convention Center and share their plans with their biggest fans. Hundreds of people will be dressed as their favorite characters as they search through back-issue bins, look at exclusive prints and talk with their fellow nerds.

Marvel Studios won’t be showcasing any upcoming movies in Hall H this year, but there are still a lot of exciting things to look forward to. Dozens of new comics will be teased by the major publishers. Movies will be announced and secret cast members will be revealed.

Hit Next to learn more about 10 exciting things you should expect to see at San Diego Comic-Con 2018!

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The Man Of Steel #4 Review: Superman Fights To Avenge Kandor

There are only two more issues of The Man of Steel left before Bendis resumes the standard Action Comics and Superman lines. The last issue was careful to bring stakes to Superman’s battle with Zaar, issue four does not manage to properly capitalize on that emotional potential. This arc has been a bit of a mixed bag so far and it’s still unclear as to whether or not this story will come together in the end.

Also read: ‘Superman: The Animated Series’ Gets A Live-Action Intro Using ‘Man Of Steel’ Footage

After three issues of build-up, Superman and Zaar finally meet. Unsurprisingly the two start to fight and Supergirl also gets in a few punches herself. Since Zaar destroyed Kandor in the Fortress of Solitude, both Kryptonians have plenty to fight for here. Still, Kara is the only one who seems at all affected. Bendis does try to explain this away with Superman’s internal monologue, but it still leaves this fight feeling empty.

Bendis is playing with time here in a dangerous way. No, he’s not trying to implement time travel, but the events of this issue seem to take place at three different periods of time. While it’s admirable for Bendis to try and bring such a unique device to Superman, it really does not pay off here in any way. In fact, it makes this issue feel exhausting to read. The action is fun, but the jumbled mess of a plot leaves much to be desired.

While this battle is going on and reunions are being had, one cannot help but wonder what is going on with those dangling plot threads from previous issues, like the fires popping up all over Metropolis. There are only two issues left, and it feels like Bendis has been doing nothing but killing time. Will these subplots just serve as a setup for his future Superman stories? If so, inserting them in this miniseries seems to be a bit of a mistake.

Still, Bendis once again nails the dialogue. Almost every character interaction found in this issue is an absolute blast. However, with no emotional connection to the story, the fun dialogue is much less impressive. The Man of Steel, at this point, feels more like an appetizer than a full meal. We are being teased with big events and while we expect them to occur in this mini-series, it is becoming increasingly more likely they will not.

Also read: ‘Death Of Superman’ Animated Film Leaks Online Ahead Of Official Release

Maybe this story will play out better in a collected edition. However, as it is right now, The Man of Steel is not worth the hype and certainly not worth picking up every week for a month in a half. If you’re wondering if you should just wait for Bendis’ Action Comics and Superman stories, you can rest assured that you’re really not missing too much over here, aside from some enticing cliffhangers every now and then.

Final Score: 5/10

10 Young Actors Who Could Replace Ben Affleck As Batman

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After suiting up three times, rumors are suggesting that Ben Affleck will not play Batman in Matt Reeve’s upcoming solo film. Apparently, Reeve’s script focuses on a younger Batman instead of following a Caped Crusader who is already well-established into his crime-fighting career. Hopefully, whatever story Reeves has cooking up is worth the recast and will showcase this younger Batman kicking butt on a scale movie-goers have yet to see.

To replace Ben Affleck, DC is pivoting to a younger actor who could potentially be a part of the cinematic universe for years to come. Batman is likely the publisher’s most popular character, so they need to choose an actor who could be an imposing presence on their larger film library moving forward. Ben Affleck’s version of the character is certainly enjoyable, and the warehouse fight in Batman Vs. Superman is likely Batman’s coolest battle on the big-screen, but DC needs a younger, more lively Batman if they want their films to match Marvel Studios.

Hit Next to discover 10 young actors who could replace Ben Affleck as Batman! 

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‘Marvel’s Luke Cage’ Season 2 Review: Sweet Christmas It’s All About The Villains

When Luke Cage appeared in the first season of Jessica Jones and it was announced that he’d segue into his own series, fans were excited to see Marvel’s wokest hero getting his time in the spotlight. Luke Cage season one was nearly masterful. The first half of the season has one of the greatest arcs for a villain that I’ve ever seen in a Marvel/Netflix series. That all falls apart in the latter half of the season when they introduce us to a much different villain and then the plot starts to get wacky and a little bit zany. Cage also appeared as a centrifugal character in the Marvel/Netflix team-up The Defenders. What we saw from him in that series seemed like the second season of Luke Cage could be a little bit different.

After a rocky start, Luke Cage season 2 develops itself into something masterful. The first five or six episodes build up the story and villains leading us on a very different journey for our hero. Cage gets caught up in a war that withstands his tenure in Harlem, giving the antagonists a chance to shine. The show may be called Luke Cage, but don’t get it twisted — season two is all about the villains. If season one introduced us to some brilliant antagonists with Shades and Mariah, season two uses a nitro boost and shifts them into an arc that involves money, guns and a lot of family drama. It’s like the producers took what worked in season one and put them right in the center of the story. The story envelops the villains as they’re put at the forefront and Luke Cage gets caught up in a war between Bushmaster and Mariah Stokes while trying to protect Harlem. By the end of the season, we see a much different Cage because of it and I’m not sure if that’s a good thing for the character but it’s an interesting thing for the series.

Also read: Brie Larson Teases ‘Captain Marvel’ Will Move Planets In The MCU

Mike Colter is back as Luke Cage and it feels like he’s finally found his footing in the role. He’s the overseer of Harlem and after a stint in prison, he’s now dealing with the fame that comes with being a bulletproof, super-powered black man. The late Reg E. Cathey plays Cage’s estranged father and as with any performance by Cathey, he knocks it out of the park. Cathey’s dialogue and chemistry with Colter plays so well on screen you actually believe they’re related. Simone Missick is back as Misty Knight and she’s got a new arm. Misty is back in the Force and is dealing with her missing limb as well as being treated differently by her co-workers as well as her superiors. The arc that she has this season turns her character into something great and very relatable. She’s dealing with whether she believes in police work or vigilantism and Missick is a delight in this role.

Rosario Dawson returns as Claire and she is a catalyst for Luke’s growth this seasons as tensions run high between them, causing some interesting things to happen to Luke. Dawson doesn’t have much to do this time around but she does deliver a powerful speech that lingers throughout the season. Finn Jones returns as Iron Fist and he’s a completely different character. Netflix brass probably paid attention to complaints and gave him a soft reboot. I’m actually looking forward to seeing more of him in the second season of Iron Fist. His interactions with Luke were beyond perfect and it was like seeing a Heroes for Hire comic book in live-action. I would really love for them to have a spin-off. Jessica Henwick also makes an appearance as Colleen Wing and she has a great Daughters of the Dragon moment with Misty Knight busting some heads in a bar. Her role in this season is more so as guidance to Misty to dealing with her injury as well as helping her get that cool new Rand Industries arm. With the little screen time she received, you can’t help wanting more of Colleen Wing.

The supporting cast that stood out in season one is back and all of the characters do a damn good job at helping Cage. Sugar, Bobby Fish and D.W. all return and have a role to play throughout the season. Ron Cephas Jones as Bobby Fish is something the series can’t do without. His mentoring of Cage after Pops’ death is very important to the series and it shows in season two. Sugar was one of Cottonmouth’s thugs in season one and Luke scared the crap out of him leading him to where he’s at in season two and his entire arc is brilliant, to say the least. You could even say that Sugar is quite possibly the heart of the series. D.W. was the kid selling bootleg DVDs in season one and in season two he’s one-upped himself. He has become good friends with Cage and business is definitely booming. His final scene was one of the most powerful moments of the season.

Also read: That Rumored ‘Avengers 4’ Title Has Been Debunked

The villains were the main event of Luke Cage season two. From start to finish, the focus was on Alfre Willard’s Mariah Stokes. Alfre Willard showed us through each episode of season one how far she and Mariah was willing to go and season two turns that up a notch. Mariah has spent the last two seasons becoming a force to be reckoned with. We all thought she met her match with Luke Cage, but introducing someone just as powerful without Cage’s compunction for being polite puts the fear of god in her. Willard’s performance in season two is something I’ve never seen in a series. Her powerful delivery is one of the best performances I’ve seen in a Marvel series and it almost rivals Jon Bernthal’s performance as The Punisher in Daredevil season two. Mustafa Shakir’s Bushmaster is a nuke that turns Harlem into a war zone. Bushmaster is a villain that makes you second guess your position in the series. His backstory is so disturbing that you almost feel for him and understand his actions. His performance was full of rage, pain and vengeance and you almost want him to succeed. The clashes with Cage are some of the best fights I’ve seen in the series and I wouldn’t mind seeing more of Bushmaster. Theo Rossi is also back as Shades, the villainous henchmen of almost everyone in the series. This season, Shades has a lot going on and Rossi plays the role masterfully. The emotional layers of Shades are slightly peeled off ,and by the ending, Rossi and Shades will shock you.

Overall Thoughts: Luke Cage season two is definitely better than its predecessor. It’s a slow build but once it picks up this is definitely a series you’d want to binge. Mike Colter brings it as Cage. Misty Knight’s arc will be very empowering to viewers of all ages. The cameos are some of the best things any Marvel series has done on Netflix. This season’s focus on its interesting villains and powerful message is at the forefront. If you’re a fan of the Marvel/Netflix offerings, this is definitely the next series you should watch.

Score: 8.5/10

The 10 Strongest Members Of The Avengers, Ranked

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Without a doubt, the Avengers are the mightiest team in the Marvel Universe. When villains hear Captain America yell “Avengers Assemble,” they know they need to get out of there ASAP. Jam-packed full of some of the strongest superheroes in comics, super villains need to think twice before messing with The Avengers. Over the years, the team’s various incarnations have saved the Earth from all kinds of destructive plots.

The powerful heroes on the Avengers are the only thing that stand between Earth and destruction on an almost constant basis. Without every one of the Avengers listed below, the Earth and all its inhabitants likely would have already met their death at the hands of a dastardly villain like Doctor Doom or the Skrulls.

Hit Next to read on about the ten strongest members of the Avengers! 

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Patrick Wilson’s Orm Revealed In New ‘Aquaman’ Image

A brand new image from Warner Bros. and DC’s upcoming Aquaman movie has surfaced online, revealing Patrick Wilson’s Orm, the iconic comic book villain better known to fans as Ocean Master.

You can check out the photo below.

More to come…

Source: EW

10 Marvel & DC Villains Who Can Take Down Thanos

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Thanos may have just taken down some of Marvel’s finest superheroes in Avengers: Infinity War, but he’s not the deadliest villain in comics. Both DC and Marvel are full of characters who are more powerful than the Mad Titan.

Admittedly, whenever Thanos is in possession of all six infinity stones he is the most powerful being in the universe, but anyone can harness that power if they successfully gather all the necessary components. If anything, Thanos is just incredibly patient and willing to wait to achieve his goals, a trait not many supervillains in DC or Marvel have. With the gauntlet, Thanos is essentially an immortal God who can snap his fingers and turn entire worlds to dust, but without it he’s just another villain who wants to rule the universe. He’s clearly a strong and terrifying guy, but if he were to face any of these villains without his Gauntlet, Thanos would be in big trouble.

Hit Next to learn more about 10 DC and Marvel supervillains who can take down Thanos!

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The Man Of Steel #3 Review: Zaar Knows How To Piss Off Superman

As The Man of Steel picks up the pace, Bendis sets Zaar’s revenge tale on a collision course with Superman. Unfortunately, there are still some dangling plot threads left feeling extraneous. Though the first few issues were something of a mixed bag, Bendis’ vision for Superman and his future become more and more clear with each installment. This may not be the Superman story you want right now, but it’s a promising sign of whats to come.

Also read: Zack Snyder Shows Off Jor-El’s Gun, Reveals ‘Man Of Steel’ Codename

Again, the strong points of this series fall on the characters. This Superman is just so much fun to hang out with. When Bendis brings in a few other heroes for him to interact with, Superman becomes that much more pleasant. Batman has a brief cameo in this issue. Though Bendis writes a somewhat cartoon-like version of the character in this issue, the interaction is a lot of fun. Less fun is Supergirl’s introduction to the story.

We knew since Action Comics #1000 that Supergirl would be playing a role in this story. Once you read this issue, you’ll be grateful she’s around. She and Clark clearly have a very loving, familial relationship. So, this issue’s tragedy is that much more difficult to see them experience. It’ll make you wish to see the two meet under better circumstances.

While the Zaar story line is coming to a head, the side-plots are becoming a problem. The issue begins as Superman tries to figure out why so many buildings in Metropolis are burning down. We also don’t address the fact that Clark and Lois are allegedly on the rocks. Do we really need any of this right now though? For a six-issue mini-series, this all just feels like filler. To be honest, I’d rather focus on either of those plots than Zaar. However, this series needs to commit to one story because the overall plot is inching along.

Also read: New Chief Creative Officer Jim Lee On The Future Of DC Comics & Geoff Johns’ Exit

Man of Steel hasn’t quite become a slog just yet, but it’s come very close to doing so. In fact, each issue so far has more or less ended the same way. Bendis’ refusal to capitalize on this ending is worrisome and could mean that the battle we’ve been heading to won’t be as impactful as teased. Still, there is fun to be had here. Superman fans will no doubt eat this mini-series up. However, if you’re not a big fan of the character, this story may not be enough to hook you.

Final Score: 6.5/10

10 Marvel & DC Villains Who Can Take Down Thanos

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Thanos may have just taken down some of Marvel’s finest superheroes in Avengers: Infinity War, but he’s not the deadliest villain in comics. Both DC and Marvel are full of characters who are more powerful than the Mad Titan.

Admittedly, whenever Thanos is in possession of all six infinity stones he is the most powerful being in the universe, but anyone can harness that power if they successfully gather all the necessary components. If anything, Thanos is just incredibly patient and willing to wait to achieve his goals, a trait not many supervillains in DC or Marvel have. With the gauntlet, Thanos is essentially an immortal God who can snap his fingers and turn entire worlds to dust, but without it he’s just another villain who wants to rule the universe. He’s clearly a strong and terrifying guy, but if he were to face any of these villains without his Gauntlet, Thanos would be in big trouble.

Hit Next to learn more about 10 DC and Marvel supervillains who can take down Thanos!

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‘Superfly’ Review: A Swagger-Filled, Action-Packed Remake

Youngblood Priest is back and ready to make his mark on the world in Superfly. Directed by Director X, the remake of the 1972 classic blaxploitation film follows Priest, a successful cocaine dealer, as he navigates the streets and penthouses of Atlanta to earn one final, massive payday before leaving the industry for good.

Set in Atlanta, instead of Harlem like the original, Superfly is a fun, entertaining summer movie that doesn’t shy away from making important statements about the status of Black America. Chop full of humorous scenes where Priest and Eddie smoke blunts and plan their future, the movie also touches on important issues like police corruption and narcissism. While the story may include depressing topics, it is constantly enjoyable and retains a break-neck pace that keeps the plot moving forward. In many ways, Atlanta, a city defined by both exorbitant wealth and desperate poverty, is the perfect setting for this updated take on Superfly. In the ’70s, Harlem was the zenith for black culture in the United States, with big artists like Sammy Davis Jr. and Ben E. King emerging from the city. But today, Atlanta has taken the crown and figures like Future and The Migos dominate the charts and become pop-culture icons.

Trevor Jackson, who is best known for his work on grown-ish, does a great job bringing the suave character to life. In a world full of characters flaunting their wealth, Priest is an incredibly laid-back individual who prefers observing rather than making a scene. Even though the character is somewhat larger than life and goofy, especially whenever he runs his hand through his quaffed hair, Jackson turns in a subdued, muted performance that makes his character seem equally empathetic and intimidating. While Priest may be the protagonist, every key player in the ensemble is given a moment to shine. Straight Outta Compton and Mudbound’s Jason Mitchell turns in another solid performance as Eddie, Priest’s best friend and partner-in-crime. Jackson and Mitchell have great chemistry and Superfly is at its best whenever their characters are cracking jokes and figuring out their next moves together. Lex Scott Davis, who plays Priest’s primary love interest, turns in a powerful performance as Georgia. In the original film, like many movies from the ’70s, women typically were objectified and not given much to do. The modern take, on the other hand, makes Georgia a key player as she helps Priest game the city’s political system for future favors. He may have a relatively small role in the movie, but Big Boi, one half of the group Outkast that first put ATL on the map for hip-hop, turns in an entertaining, sleazy performance as the city’s corrupt mayor.

Also read: Stars & Director X Talk Remaking ‘SuperFly’ For The Modern Era

Instead of feeling convoluted or over-burdened by unnecessary plot points, Superfly has a lean, entertaining story. After witnessing an innocent girl being murdered outside of a club, Priest wants to earn one final score and walk away from the drug-dealing business forever. To make this a possibility, he has to put his massive crew to work and figure out a way to increase his supply all while dealing with a rival gang who wants to take him down. Everything Priest and the people around him do makes sense from a motivational stand point, which makes the film both compelling and easy to follow. The characters serve the story and push the plot forward instead of doing random things that serve no larger purpose.

Director X, who has a background in music videos and commercials, makes small, visual details a key part of the storytelling. Everything from the color of people’s clothes to the cars they drive tells the audience something about each character and the world they live in. Instead of relying on stereotypical gang colors like red and black, X dresses the rival dealers, aptly nick-named the Snow Patrol, in all white. The color coordination doesn’t end there though, as everyone in Snow Patrol drives a white car and even uses a white gun to make sure the audience always knows where their allegiances lie. At one point, a character in Priet’s gang even temporarily joins up with Snow Patrol, and he dons all white to show-off his new allegiance.

Superfly’s marketing may emphasize the movie’s swagger and style, but it also has a few exciting action sequences. Priest is trained in martial arts, but he’d rather use his words than his fists to settle problems. Whenever Priest is forced to fight, Jackson does a great job at making his character seem comfortable and in charge of the situation, even during intense moments. What makes the action scenes stand out is the fact that each sequence has personal stakes and emotional consequences for everyone involved. Each fight is presented as an opportunity to learn something new about a character or how they view their position in the world, andthey’re not just shoved in to make things more exciting. Director X may be used to elaborate set pieces thanks to his work on music videos for Drake and Rihanna, but it’s clear that he’s not fully comfortable shooting fight scenes yet. While they are exciting overall, the sequences are full of cuts that result in some of the fight scenes feeling cheap and over produced.

It’s hard to top Curtis Mayfield’s soundtrack for the original film, but Future does a good job modernizing Superfly’s soundscape. Two of Mayfield’s songs, Pusherman and Superfly, appear in the movie, but otherwise the film is enriched by the trap and hip-hop tracks that interweave throughout the movie. After the success of Black Panther’s soundtrack, spearheaded by Kendrick Lamar, I expect this album to make an equally large splash on the charts. Loaded with everyone from Young Thug to Lil Wayne, the soundtrack drips energy and does a good job pulling the audience deeper into the world.

Even though the remake updated a few things and moved cities, Superfly is clearly a love-letter to the original film. Everyone’s favorite characters are back, but they have evolved to fit this updated take on the franchise. The original Superfly had two sequels, and producer Joel Silver, who’s tackled everything from The Matrix to Transformers, is a big fan of sequels, so if this movie does well enough I expect audiences will be seeing more of Superfly very soon.

Final Score: 7/10 

10 Marvel & DC Villains Who Can Take Down Thanos

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Thanos may have just taken down some of Marvel’s finest superheroes in Avengers: Infinity War, but he’s not the deadliest villain in comics. Both DC and Marvel are full of characters who are more powerful than the Mad Titan.

Admittedly, whenever Thanos is in possession of all six infinity stones he is the most powerful being in the universe, but anyone can harness that power if they successfully gather all the necessary components. If anything, Thanos is just incredibly patient and willing to wait to achieve his goals, a trait not many supervillains in DC or Marvel have. With the gauntlet, Thanos is essentially an immortal God who can snap his fingers and turn entire worlds to dust, but without it he’s just another villain who wants to rule the universe. He’s clearly a strong and terrifying guy, but if he were to face any of these villains without his Gauntlet, Thanos would be in big trouble.

Hit Next to learn more about 10 DC and Marvel supervillains who can take down Thanos!

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