‘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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‘Incredibles 2’ Review: Doesn’t Quite Match The Original, But Still Excellent

The Incredibles are finally back and ready to save the day in this long-awaited sequel. Picking up literally moments after the first film, Incredibles 2 follows the Parr family as they try to make an impact in a world where superheroes are illegal.  Once again written and directed by Brad Bird, Incredibles 2 doesn’t quite match the original but it’s packed full of heart, humor and big questions.

With superheroes outlawed, the Parr family is making an ethical choice to break the law every time they put on their masks. Without ever taking itself too seriously, Incredibles 2 asks a lot of interesting questions about the efficacy of the law and if it’s okay to break it to do good in the world. Every member of the family, and Frozone for that matter, has a different interpretation of what is right and their personalities all shine through based on what they do in difficult situations. Dash belives his powers define him, and it’s interesting to watch these characters choose to ignore or embrace their abilities as a result of living in a restrictive world. Thanks to newcomers Winston and Evelyn Deavor, a brother-sister duo played by Bob Odenkirk and Catherine Keener who run a massive corporation, there’s a plan to make superheroes legal again and Elasti-Girl is put front and center in a mission to remake the public perception of superheroes.  

Every member of the cast does a fantastic job bringing their characters to life. First-time voice actor Huck Milner is the perfect choice to fill Dash’s shoes and it’s hard to even notice a different performer is behind the character. Craig T. Nelson has a new sandbox of emotions and challenges to deal with as Mr. Incredible and his performance keeps Bob likable and relatable even as he starts to lose his grip. While each cast member may be praiseworthy, it’s really Holly Hunter’s emotional and funny performance as Elasti-Girl that carries the movie. She is an intelligent, resourceful character and Hunter does a great job at constantly making her feel real as she sets off on a new journey without her family. Whether she’s interacting with her family or riding around town on her awesome motorcycle, Hunter’s powerful performance helps Elasti-Girl come across as calm and in control at all times.

Also read: ‘Incredibles 2’ Director Not Interested In Making Sequels To ‘Iron Giant’ & ‘Ratatouille’

While all of Pixar’s films are breathtaking, the animation in Incredibles 2 is, well… incredible. Thanks to the Presto animation system, every character looks ridiculously life-like and detailed. The big set pieces are all beautiful to look at and none of the action scenes come across as visually cluttered or messy, even when multiple characters use their abilities at the same time. Bird understands that the way someone looks and dresses is an extension of their character, and the animation team goes out of their way to incorporate small details into the storytelling. As Bob settles into his stay-at-home dad routine, his hair starts getting messier and the stubble on his face gets darker, two small signs to show that he is no longer in control of his surroundings.

From a design perspective, Incredibles 2 is just as beautiful as the first film. The same 1960s spy-movie influence is there, with extremely dramatic lighting and interesting camera movement. Thanks to the inclusion of a New York-like city, there are more dark alleys and shadows in the mix that all add a dramatic flair to the movie’s visual palette. All of the new characters have an interesting look to them that works perfectly in this world. To match the film’s positive spirit, Incredibles 2 is full of bright tones and lively colors, and at one point Elasti-Girl even makes fun of her new gray costume by saying “I’m not dark and angsty,” a subtle jab at the obsession with darker shades in superhero movies.

With Elasti-Girl taking the lead on the solo superhero missions in Incredibles 2, Bob gets stuck with parental duties a lot more than he did in the original. Seeing this role-reversal is an interesting and entertaining way to better explore the characters’ short-comings and strengths. It’s clear that Bob is desparate to be a superhero again, almost to the point of jealousy that his wife is soaking up the limelight, and it takes him some time to realize that the work at home is just as difficult and important as anything he does in a mask. Watching Bob grow and realize that being Mr. Incredible can extend into every part of his life is a really humanizing experience that makes the larger-than-life character more relatable.

While Jack-Jack has a relatively minor role in the original film, the youngest member of the Parr family is a bigger force in Incredibles 2. It’s hilarious watching the family bicker about who gets stuck with “babysitting duties” during a fight, and Jack-Jack becomes a major asset for the family towards the end of the film. His various abilities all blossom here and the non-verbal character is incredibly expressive. Since the baby doesn’t speak, his mannerisms and even his powers take on an increased importance because they help him communicate his feelings and thoughts in a clever, visual way. The movie is likely at its best whenever the baby is on screen, and a showdown between Jack-Jack and a raccoon in the backyard is so humorous and entertaining it already feels like an iconic Pixar moment.

At its core, the Incredibles franchise is about family, and this movie does a great job at making the characters feel like a real family. It’s clear they all love each other, but that doesn’t stop them from bickering or embarrassing one another in public. These characters may be super, but their family dynamics are the as normal as anyone else’s. There are a lot of hilarious interactions between Dash and Violet that feel like incredibly authentic moments between siblings who love and constantly annoy each other. Watching Bob try to understand his kids and help them with their homework or dating is both touching and entertaining as the character tries to be the best father he can be. The Parrs will do anything for one another, and it’s nice to see the family adapt and grow together as they confront a new set of challenges.

Despite the fact Incredibles 2 is coming out 14 years after the original, the franchise feels just as fresh and entertaining as ever. While the twist in the film is pretty obvious, Incredibles 2 is a clever, action-packed movie that does a good job talking about bigger ideas. Incredibles 2 tackles our society’s obsession with screens and the concept of packaged experiences all while poking fun at politicians who don’t understand people who do good deeds just because they want to help people. Full of entertaining moments for kids and adults, Incredibles 2 is a satirical look at superhero films that simultaneously makes fun of and embraces the genre’s tropes.

Final Score: 8/10

10 Marvel Characters Who Can Replace Iron Man After ‘Avengers 4’

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He may not be the most powerful hero, but Iron Man is clearly the heart of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. His first solo film in 2007 kick-started the shared universe and directly led to the Avengers joining forces on the big screen. After starring in three solo movies and playing prominent roles in three other Marvel films, now seems like an appropriate time for Iron Man, or at least for Tony Stark, to slowly bow out of the spotlight.

Ever since The Avengers, Stark has been obsessed with the bigger threat out in the Universe. Well, Thanos finally launched his primary attack in Avengers: Infinity War and Iron Man is going to have to think creatively to save the universe. Rumors have been pointing for years that Robert Downey Jr. is ready to say goodbye to the Marvel Universe, but if that happens, Marvel will have to send Iron Man out in style. Whether he sacrifices himself to resurrect the universe or just stalls Thanos long enough for Doctor Strange to save the day, the potential loss of Tony Stark will leave a giant, Iron Man-sized hole in the MCU that will desperately need filling.

Hit Next to discover which characters should replace Iron Man after Avengers 4! 

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The Man Of Steel #2 Review: Bendis Keeps Superman Human

Brian Michael Bendis’ The Man of Steel, the writer’s debut at DC Comics, may not have been dazzling, but it laid some important groundwork. Superman is not only one of DC’s most important characters, he is one of the most important characters in all forms of literature. After over a 100 years of stories about the hero, keeping things fresh and interesting can prove a challenge to any writer. Even Bendis is bound to struggle with the task at first. He may not have provided a particularly interesting villain in the first issue, but you likely will not care once you read this week’s installment.

Also read: WB Could Be Building The DC Films Universe Out With ‘Suicide Squad’ Characters

Bendis’ ability to write dialogue is nearly superhuman itself. He brings the same kind of quippy heightened speech that can be found in the movies of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. It is, however, much more difficult to make this kind of dialogue work on the page. All the tone and inflection of the characters must be assumed by the reader. All that is there to guide them is Bendi’s dialogue and the art. Somehow, this works.

Superman is always the most interesting when he is most vulnerable. Too often, the character is represented as a perfect being. That has been used effectively to increase the depth of other characters, but it always leaves Superman as the least interesting. It’s not quite fair. Bendis does a great job in finding Superman’s humanity. A constant parallel is drawn between his impenetrable body and his child-like emotional intelligence. Seeing Superman hurt is not easy or fun, but it’s endearing. Bendis knows exactly how to work his audience.

The only time this issue slows down is when we are brought back to the villain’s side of the story. Perhaps this will no longer be a problem once the two meet, but staying interested in Zaar is an almost impossible task. There’s too much mystery and not enough about him that is uniquely threatening to Superman. While you’re on Earth with Clark Kent and the Daily Planet staff, however, none of that really matters. It’ll make you want to take an assignment from Perry yourself and grab Jimmy Olson on an adventure in Metropolis. The fictional city almost breathes under Bendis’ control.

Also read: ‘Aquaman’ Director James Wan Says First Trailer Will Arrive Soon

The next issue is likely to be the big showdown that was teased at the end of Action Comics #1000. A large action set-piece will be a nice change of pace, but one can only hope that The Man of Steel manages to maintain this emotional depth during the violence. We are left here with more questions than answers, but far more of a reason to come back next week.

Final Score: 8/10

10 DC Comics Heroes That Should Be In The Next ‘Justice League’ Movie

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The Justice League is DC’s premiere superhero team. These characters are the biggest names in the DC Comics universe. Zack Snyder’s Justice League movie introduced six members to audiences in the form of Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Aquaman, Cyborg and The Flash.

Despite the first Justice League film underperforming, there appears to be a sequel in some form of active development over at Warner Brothers. Based on the first film’s post-post scene, the team could be facing off against the Legion of Doom, so it appears the Justice League may need some extra assistance. Luckily there is a wide array of DC characters from the comics to pull from to strengthen the team’s roster.

Here are ten DC Comics heroes we would like to see in the Justice League sequel. Click Next to get started!

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Deathstroke #32 Review: Slade Knows Batman Is Real

Deathstroke’s Batman-centric arc got off to a bit of a rough start. While the central conflict showed a lot of promise, the first couple issues buckled under the weight of all the necessary set-up. So, what we were left with were some shallow characters in fascinating circumstances. In many ways, the story had only raised questions without attempting to answer any. Luckily, this third entry provides everything that was lacking in the previous two issues and kicks off an exciting second act.

Also read: ‘Batman v Superman’ Behind-The-Scenes Image Shows Lex Luthor Getting His Head Shaved

This issue opens with a pretty epic battle between Batman, Deathstroke, and one of Deathstroke’s targets. As Batman explained in previous issues, Deathstroke is no longer allowed to operate as an assassin so long as Damian’s true biological father is in question. Batman makes good on this promise in one of the most thrilling action scenes you’ll see this month.

Still, all this is just to hold you over until we flash back to last month’s cliffhanger when Deathstroke was approached by Talia al Ghul. The conversation that follows this meeting is completely captivating. Without giving anything away, we come to notice that Slade understands Batman in a way that few others in the DC universe do. The two have always had a complex relationship and it’s great to see Priest can fully appreciate that.

Sadly, Wintergreen and Alfred were nowhere to be seen this issue. That’s a shame as the last issue implied that the two would be hatching some sort of scheme together. There is a lot of fun to be had with that dynamic. Hopefully, this story can capitalize on what’s been set up. It’d be a shame to see their relationship amount to little more than brief asides.

Those confessional videos do make a return. When you first begin this issue, their inclusion may be tiresome. Thankfully, the device finally pays off in a big way. It leads right into the end of the issue and will absolutely leave you begging to know what’s next. 

Also read: Jared Leto To Star In His Own Standalone Joker Movie

This story has not always been a sure thing. After this third installment, however, Deathstroke is a must-buy. This is finally becoming the Batman vs Deathstroke story that fans have always wanted. The new addition of a vital character at the end of the issue promises to bring tons of drama to an already high-stakes feud. We are now about halfway through this arc and, while it’s unlikely to affect Batman in any major way, this issue makes it apparent that Deathstroke’s life could change dramatically. The momentum is all there, Priest just needs to bring it home in the last half.

Final Score: 8.5/10

The 10 Strongest Members Of Batman’s Rogues Gallery, Ranked

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Batman may keep Gotham City safe, but his enemies don’t make things easy for him. Stacked with some of the most terrifying supervillains in comics, Batman’s rogues gallery is chopped full of strong individuals who spread death and destruction wherever they go. From their mental plans to pure physical muscles, all of these villains have terrorized the citizens of Gotham and put the pain on Batman multiple times over the years.

Of course, there’s more than one way to be strong. Some of these villains rely more so on their minds or dastardly plots to attack Batman, while others rely on technology or their muscles to bring the pain. Regardless, the stronger the villains, the stronger Batman has to become to stay one step ahead. Without these deadly foes, Batman wouldn’t be the capable hero fans know and love. Every plot may leave him with a few more scars, but all of these villains have pushed Batman to become a better hero for the citizens of Gotham.

Hit Next to learn more about the ten strongest members of Batman’s rogues gallery!

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Doomsday Clock #5 Review: The Legionnaire & The Detective

It’s been two months since the last issue of Doomsday Clock. Much like Frank Miller’s third Dark Knight Returns series, Geoff Johns’ new Watchmen spin-off will now be releasing once every two months instead of monthly. This is not an ideal way to take in the story as it requires a lot on the reader’s part. Doomsday Clock story is complex and sprawling. So, keeping track of all the different plot lines and characters can be different between issues. While normally it’d be best to wait for a collected edition, Doomsday Clock is just too good to wait for.

This issue picks up soon after Adrian Veidt’s attack on Lex Luthor. Despite his hospitalization, the events of the issue set him on a collision course with Batman, who has been reading Rorschach’s journal. That interaction is as thrilling as you’d expect, but somehow it isn’t the most compelling meeting to be found here.

Also read: Zack Snyder’s ‘Watchmen’ Gets A ‘Blade Runner 2049’ Styled Trailer

The new Rorschach has joined forces with Saturn Girl, who you may remember belongs to the Legion of Superheroes. This plotline has been building ever since last year’s Batman and The Flash crossover, The Button. Without spoiling anything, it’s definitely worth the wait. The stark contrast Johns manages to draw between the characters is captivating, but he still manages to keep their relationship believably friendly and cooperative.

The Joker does make an appearance in this issue, as advertised. However, this is a brief moment meant to set up the next issue. Hopefully, you weren’t expecting a Joker-centric plot. This issue also brings in Superman in a more meaningful way, but the character is still kind of on the sidelines for Doomsday Clock.

Also read: HBO’s ‘Watchmen’ Series Rounds Out Its Cast With Regina King, Don Johnson

Aside from the central plot progressing, it’s in this issue that readers will fully be able to understand exactly what is at stake. If you’ve had any reservations about Watchman crossing over with the DC heroes, that will certainly melt away here. The rising global tensions in the DCU perfectly parallel the dystopian Watchman universe. This thematically resonant conflict is every bit as scathing a commentary on modern superhero comics as Watchman was.

Then, of course, there’s that cliffhanger. Once, again Gray Frank’s art works in perfect tandem with Johns’ writing to crescendo into some amazing revelations and a devastating finale. The final moments of this issue will have you begging for more. Once again, this is exactly the problem that Doomsday Clock is currently facing.

It’s hard to believe that we aren’t even at the half-way mark of this series yet. The 12 issue series, which is set one year after the current DC Comics continuity, was intended to catch up with the other series in the DC lineup this November. However, these delays mean that clearly will not happen. In fact, the next issue is taking an even longer break, releasing in August. Surely it will be a long Summer, especially after this ending. Of course, the series is still excellent, but it’s hard to deny that these delays have lessened the reading experience.

Final Score: 8/10

10 Ways Batman Could Join The Arrowverse

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The team of Greg Berlanti and Marc Guggenheim have done something that many thought wasn’t possible: make a TV universe better and more powerful than a film universe from the same company. While it isn’t perfect, there are many ways to improve it and the fans are clamoring for one name in particular.

Batman has been one of the most used comic book characters in almost every medium and with good reason. He’s the most popular character in DC Comics and probably the best depending on who you ask. But would placing Batman in the same universe as Arrow, The Flash and Supergirl work? Should The CW do it? These are the reasons why I think it would and should work.

Here are 10 ways Batman could join the Arrowverse. Hit Next to get started!

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The Man of Steel #1 Review: Bendis Struggles With Superman Debut

After a brief glimpse of what’s to come in Action Comics #1000 and months of teasing, Brian Michael Bendis’ first full issue writing for DC Comics is here. It only makes sense for one of the biggest names in comics to tackle the most famous superhero of all time. Bendis is kicking things off with The Man of Steel, a weekly event series meant to introduce both new and long-time fans to Bendis’ take on Superman. This first issue does little to get you excited for The Man of Steel, but it does plenty to endear fans to a fresh new take on Superman.

Also read: New BTS ‘Justice League’ Image Features Superman & The Flash Racing For The Post-Credits Scene

We start with an introduction to the story’s central villain, Rogol Zaar. It’s difficult to explain how without sounding cynical, but the new foe is unspectacular in every way. It feels like over the last five years both DC and Marvel have been spoon-feeding us these cookie-cutter villains: giant, overly muscular aliens that all look the same and all share the same misguided sense of morality. Zaar is just another of these villains. The design, by artist Ivan Reis, is unspectacular in every way. Honestly, Zaar just looks like Doomsday with hair and an ax. He’s also got a vendetta against Krypton and may have been responsible for its destruction, which are both groan-worthy cliches.

Meanwhile back on Earth, Bendis offers up a complex Superman with a light-hearted personality. Here, Bendis does what he does best: explore character dynamics through breezy and heightened dialogue. It may not be what everyone wants from a Superman book, but it makes for a very fun read. Frankly, a series of short slice-of-life Superman stories sounds much more appealing than another showdown with a bland villain.

Bendis shines during dialogue-heavy scenes, which, as any Bendis fan will tell you, comprise most of everything he writes. However, Reis’ work stands out when Superman takes flight. During an early encounter with two C-list villains, Reis’s artwork brings just as much lighthearted wonder to Superman as Bendis’ dialogue. One can only hope that the two manage two find a balance as the series continues.

Also read: Gal Gadot’s Fake Mustache Video Prompts More ‘Justice League’ Jokes

There’s a lot of potential here, but The Man of Steel #1 is a lackluster debut from Bendis. You cannot deny the immense talent that went into this book, but it still doesn’t make for an engaging story. Instead, you’ll find yourself clinging exclusively to the characters. There’s nothing necessarily wrong with that if Bendis intends to bring those character-heavy moments to the center of the plot, but the uninspired villain will make that all the more difficult. It would be great to be proven wrong in the next issue, but there are plenty of better comics running right now and this issue makes it hard to justify adding this series to your pull list.

Final Score: 6/10

The 10 Strongest Members Of Superman’s Family, Ranked

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Superman is the first and most powerful superhero in the DC Universe. Due to all of his heroic actions, Superman has earned an inspirational role in the DCU and serves as a beacon of hope for many new heroes. In addition to inspiring heroes in the present, his deeds inspired heroes thousands of years later to develop the Legion of Superheroes.

Superman can’t be everywhere all the time, so he’s lucky enough to have a Superfamily behind him to help. Even with his super strength, there’s no way he can stop every criminal simultaneously, so these other heroes all stepped up to help defend innocent people. Whether they are on the battlefield or saving innocent lives, all of these people are proud members of the Superfamily who will do whatever they have to to accomplish their goals.

Hit Next to discover the 10 strongest members of Superman’s family! 

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‘Deadpool 2’ Review: Bigger Isn’t Always Better

Two years after the first Deadpool film stormed into theaters to become the highest-grossing R-rated film of all time, Ryan Reynolds is back as the Merc with a Mouth with a sequel packed with bigger action and a bigger cast. The cast includes Josh Brolin, who makes his debut as the villainous time-traveling mutant Cable in Fox’s (shared?) X-Men universe.

Deadpool 2 is consistently funny, riddled with jokes that continuously hit bigger and better than the last but the sequel gets off to a bit of a rocky start that feels like it’s wading in what made the first film successful before it introduces anything fresh into the mix like new characters and cameos (don’t blink). Morena Baccarin returns as Wade Wilson’s love-interest Vanessa; Karan Soni is back as Dopinder, the innocent and lovable taxi driver; T.J. Miller returns as… well, who cares what his name is, it’s T.J. Miller playing himself, again. The problem with the returning characters — and yes, that includes Dopinder — is that they don’t feel necessary to the plot once it kicks in, which takes a while. This trio of supporting characters from the first film feel shoehorned and stuffed back in for the sequel as if the studio was afraid not to include all of the ingredients that made the first film such a massive success.

Leslie Uggams, Stefan Kapicic, and Brianna Hildebrand are also back as Blind Al, Colossus and Negasonic Teenage Warhead, respectively. While Blind Al continues to be as hilarious as she was before, and the dynamic between Deadpool and Colossus is actually improved upon and even funnier this time around, Negasonic Teenage Warhead feels completely wasted, relegated to callbacks from the first film as her girlfriend Yukio (Shioli Kutsuna) comes to the forefront with a one-note joke that’s recycled in every scene she appears in but still somehow manages to work every time.

Fox tries to make a bold move early on in this sequel with an all-too-predictable twist that can be seen from a mile away. The idea is to motivate Wade to get into a different mindset and while it works within the context of the film, it ultimately feels like a stretch and a completely unnecessary move. But once the movie gets past this and the staples of the first film and finally introduces Brolin’s Cable along with a mutant child named Russell played by Hunt for the Wilder People star Julian Dennison, things finally start to come together, although the first half of the second act also drags with a prison sequence that makes the film feel like it’s going nowhere. Cable has come back from the past at this point and Brolin, who looks incredible, turns in another strong performance like you’d expect.

Also read: ‘Deadpool’ Star Ryan Reynolds Gives Update On ‘X-Force’ Rating

But this movie has a major issue with Cable in that his motivations for wanting to kill Russell aren’t made clear until it’s way too late in the game. However, Deadpool 2 successfully manages to distract you from this by keeping you focused on the humor and action, as well as the introduction of the X-Force members, who are terribly underused. Zeitgeist (Bill Skarsgård) and Shatterstar (Lewis Tan) may as well have been faceless, nameless characters, while Terry Crews’ comedic talents go completely unused. Rob Delaney’s Peter is a highlight but does little more than what was seen in the film’s marketing. But the X-Force has a diamond in the rough, as the standout of the team and the entire movie is Zazie Beetz as the lucky mercenary Domino. After a sloppy first scene that feels like it should have been left on the cutting room floor, Beetz quickly becomes the center of attention, drawing your eyes in every scene she’s in as she holds her own against both Reynolds and Brolin.

The midpoint of the film features an incredible action sequence in which the X-Force attempts to rescue Russell from a convoy transporting mutant prisoners. Beetz crushes the action here and gets featured in what is no doubt the single greatest piece of cinematography in the entire film in which the camera pans around her character as cars crash and trucks flip over to avoid her, although the shot itself is a bit marred by some rough CGI.

Also read: Ryan Reynolds Says Future ‘Deadpool’ Sequels Could Happen ‘Down The Road’

Cable’s motivations eventually get explained and without going too far into spoiler territory, his backstory is a bit derivative of Rian Johnson’s Looper. However, Deadpool 2 manages to make Cable more interesting by making him more than just an antagonist, allowing for a more complex story to emerge as the film breaks into act three. By then, it feels like Deadpool 2 is finally firing on all cylinders and not just relying on references and its raunchy, fourth-wall-breaking humor to carry it. The plot, characters, humor and action escalate into a hilarious, exciting and engaging finale. However, the resolution and one of the film’s final gags ends up sagging and it had me yearning for a Return of the King joke, but the scene itself also featured the film’s most brilliant Easter egg, which served as a callback to a more recent X-Men film (hint: you can hear it but you can’t see it.) The film also includes a long post-credits sequence that I won’t spoil for you because the final scene in this bit has the biggest laugh in the entire film.

Deadpool 2 ultimately lacks the charm that made the first film such a treat. The sequel doesn’t have the advantage that the shock value of the first film’s humor had and struggles to be more than just Deadpool redux before finding its own voice in the beginning. Gone is Tim Miller who directed the first film and exited the follow-up due to creative differences with Reynolds over the direction. Replacing him is David Leitch, who is best known for his directorial efforts on the first John Wick and last year’s Atomic Blonde, but Leitch seems to have left his stylistic sensibilities at the door, foregoing the noirish tones and visuals of his previous films and opting for what feels like a serviceable follow-up to the original. Leitch’s first stab at a superhero film ultimately feels safe, which makes it even less surprising that he’s being scooped for more big-budget blockbusters all over town.

Score: 7.5/10

20 Marvel Movies That Could Be Made After Disney’s Fox Acquisition

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So the impossible has happened: Fox and Disney have recently agreed to a major deal, one which means that — aside from a few limitations with the Hulk and Spider-Man, who have their rights wrapped up with Universal Pictures and Sony Pictures — every major Marvel property will soon be able to appear in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. While the plans for the remainder of Phase 3 likely won’t change that much, barring possible post-credits scenes showing major cameos being added on short notice, this development certainly gives Marvel an embarrassment of riches to work with for future film adaptations.

Since Marvel Studios had previously claimed that they have an outline for the next 20 movies they’ll make without the X-Men, the Fantastic Four, or any of their associated characters, I thought it would be best to similarly go all-out and suggest 20 more for the heck of it.

Here are, in no particular order, 20 movies that Marvel should think about making with a complete MCU at their fingertips. Click Next to get started!

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