Today's Triple News: Dawn of Superman's Odyssey

News! News! We got news here!:

http://www.moviescene.nl/p/156430/eerste_foto_superman_in_batman_v_superman

We already got a small tease of Ben Affleck's Batman (with Batmobile!) for DC's upcoming superhero extravaganza, now it's the Man of Steel's turn. Good timing, as fanboys were about done nitpicking over every conceivable little detail of that one released picture, so now they can drool over another one for a month or so. There's little to go on here though, as the only really bit of news it contains is that Superman (Henry Cavill again) will visit Gotham City. A likely event, considering the title Batman v Superman (Dawn of Justice, etc.). Of course, you can argue that Batman might have traveled to Metropolis (which he still may), but Superman is the once who's faster than a speeding bullet which allows him to travel the globe in the blink of an eye so it's easier (and proably less strainful on the budget) for him to do so. Otherwise, not that much of note here. The Superman costume has scarcely changed from the previous movie. Gotham looks a bit bleaker and more Gothic in appearance than it did in Nolan's Dark Knight trilogy, but that was to be expected, as this movie would turn more to the pages of the comics in an attempt to set itself apart stylistically from those exquisite films, as well as from the sunnier, brighter city of Metropolis with which it will share the screen. The big question this picture hints at first and foremost is one of a story nature: what is Superman doing in Gotham? Once again turning to the title (as there's little else to go on at present), the most in you-face answer is he'll be getting into fisticuffs with Batman. Next question then is, why will they fight? And that leads to more questions, and so on and so on. Which ensures fans will have plenty of material to debate until the next photo is released. Good thing too, as they still need to wait two more years for the definitive answers.

http://www.moviescene.nl/p/156416/stalingrad_regisseur_maakt_odyssee

Interesting director's choice in this politically tense day and age. Art adheres not to the borders of man, especially when loads of money are involved. Will it be good art though (if there even is such a thing)? Bondarchuk's epic love story Stalingrad met with rather mixed reviews, though its accoloades include highest grossing film in Russia and first non-American film shot in IMAX 3D, thanks to its impressive visual effects which thoroughly suit that format. So, strong box office results for prior work, innovative international use of technology and experience with big budget spectacle, coupled with a chance to win favours with the Russian industry, all come with Bondarchuk, which are enough reasons to sway studio executives to hire him. In terms of story, the Odyssey has proven itself to hold up for several milennia, so it can survive this latest attempt no doubt. As for the execution, the visual side seems secure as far as the budget allows. As for the character side, therein lies the greatest challenge. I would suggest casting a solid, capable actor in the title role (as the movie is called Odysseus), and his name is Sean Bean. His take on Odysseus was one of Troy's redeeming features and I would love to see some more of that. Then again, it might not be such a good idea for Bondarchuk to suggest his film is a sequel to Troy, which it's not intended to be. Even though I get the feeling that final product was right up his alley in terms of directorial execution, as it was maligned for much the same reasons Stalingrad was (except for the absence of Orlando Bloom's poor acting skills).

http://www.moviescene.nl/p/156428/trio_korte_films_slaat_brug_tussen_apes_films

I was already stoked for Dawn of the PotA (first few reviews are fortunately showered in praise!), so these three short films (collectively titled Before the Dawn) miss their mark in convincing me to go see a film I was already convinced to go see. Considering they are rather short on apes - silhouettes and sound effects is all we get - I don't think anybody watching them that didn't know another PotA film was coming feels the sudden urge to get in line for admission tickets. Their primary purpose seems to assure confused folks that missed the connection between both films have something to fall back on to enlighten them as what caused the abrupt and expansive change in status quo for both apes and humans. However, as is the case with any good viral marketing, this backstory can be missed when considering the movies proper. The information provided here serves as a decent background that does not need to be seen specifically to enjoy the motion picture experience. Nevertheless, they do add a little bit of sense and character to the rebooted Apes universe as a whole, even though the quality of these three films varies. The idea of staging the demise of human society over different time periods since the outbreak of the devastating simian flu plague is infective (obvious pun there, sorry). The first film is easily the weakest, just a quick piece intended to be emotionally charged but ending up rather dull. The second one spices things up considerably by comparison, showing just how seriously everyday life has changed in a brief timespan, while also introducing a new threat to the survivors that was absent from the first short but is of course what we'll all go and pay to see with most anticipation (apes, I mean). The third film, which is longer than the other two combined and therefore might be accused of having an unfair advantage to hook us in the most, is the most chilling, disturbing and dramatic of the trio. Which is a mean feat, considering it deals with an object more than it does with people, be they human or primates. It's a very imaginative and subtle yet effective way to show how much one side has deteriorated while another has risen, with both sides ending up in an existential state of balance. I doubt any of the characters introduced here, human or artificial, will end up playing a substantial role - more than a cameo, that is - in the upcoming theatrical movie proper, but they don't need to. Before the Dawn is just a neat and helpful bit of background story but if you don't know it's out there, it's not likely to diminish your viewing experiece of the movie it serves.

Today's News: will the real Mandarin please stand up?

Remember the MovieScene news I posted here earlier about that secret Marvel project Sir Ben Kingsley was working on? You better, since I only posted it last week. Seems the beans have been spilled over this one earlier than anticipated, as it has now become apparent what exactly the project involves:

http://www.moviescene.nl/p/151265/ben_kingsleys_marvel-project_onthuld

Way to respond to controversy, Marvel. You finally realized you screwed up a classic bad guy -  something the fans had to tell you themselves - so now you feel like making amends. Too late, the damage has been done: Iron Man 3 was a hugely disappointing movie. You could have saved face if you had attached this one-shot as an epilogue to that film, instead of making it available on the BD-release of an upcoming Marvel flick (which will then also be soured by this heavily polarizing topic). Now it just appears as if you are capitalizing on the misery of your loyal followers by offering them an alternative to your own failure. Nevertheless, I am gratified Iron Man 3 wasn't the end for the Mandarin, since it never even included a proper beginning for this powerful and popular member of the Golden Avenger's rogue gallery. It was a farce, plain and simple. And maybe, jusy maybe from the ashes of this farce a new villain shall rise to claim his revenge (which might include killing Ben Kingsley's character, which would be fine by me). Considering the number of equally ticked-off Marvelites that want their Mandarin hot and bothered, this sort of conflict marketing might work in the studio's favour in the longer run. But for now, it seems like a clear sell-out to please as many people as possible.

But who will play the genuine Mandarin article? It could be Ben Kingsley himself, which would both be ironic and repugnant, considering the complete waste of his talents involved in his previous excursion into the Marvel Cinematic Universe which would continually be brought to mind. Another grand actor seems more likely. Perhaps even an actual Chinaman. Though if he must be of oriental origine, the studio will no doubt turn to Ken Watanabe as he's the go-to-Asian for Hollywood. It matters not, as long as this fake Mandarin will soon be forgotten. Who cares about actual incorrect social and racial casting if fictional characters' legacies are harmed?

Animatrix, The

Rating ***/*****, or 6/10

A total of nine short films makes up the whole Animatrix, which in itself is an expansion of the Matrix universe as seen in the trio of Matrix films. Released on home video (though one of these did make it to cinemas as a short film attached to Dreamcatcher) between the release dates of The Matrix Reloaded and The Matrix Revolutions, the Animatrix seemed largely an attempt to cash in on the Matrix hype (like the video game Enter the Matrix did too, simultaneously) at its height when the second film has just been released and confused audiences worldwide, and before the third film would hit theaters and disappoint... well, everybody. The Animatrix does honor the many Japanese influences of the Matrix films, and is animated for the most part in typical anime style, while also directed for the most part by Japanese directors. The quality of the films varies. Of most interest are those films dealing with the origin of the machines and the Matrix itself (The Second Renaissance Parts 1 and 2), while some of the other films touching upon the Matrix world less directly range from being modestly entertaining (Beyond, Program) to utterly bizarre (Matriculated). A true mixed bag, but a worthy attempt.

Starring: a great number of voice artists, among them Keanu Reeves and Carrie- Anne Moss

Directed by numerous directors, including Peter Chung and Mahiro Maeda

USA: Warner Bros, Pictures, 2003