Captain America: Civil War

The much awaited Avengers-esque movie was a little different from the others. There is friendship tested and affirmed. It's very odd watching these heroes as they are forced to fight each other on grounds that neither is willing to budge on. The cast is excellent as always, adding Daniel Bruhl (Inglorious Basterds, Rush, and Bourne: Ultimatum) and Chadwick Boseman (42 & Get on Up) who are also excellent. The movie centers around the potential that Bucky Barnes/the Winter Soldier has returned and bombed a peaceful meeting, killing T'Challa's (Boseman's) father and many others. Bucky has been in hiding and completely off the grid, so it's a surprise. The debate is also raging on about the Avenger's unlimited global scope and scale on which they operate, under their own control and direction. These issues reach a boiling point and the Avengers split along those lines. Friends fight it out to keep Bucky out of prison, but also for their own future as a group. Who could be trusted to be in charge of the Avengers and what would they let them do? Can they really be told what to do by normal people? Interesting questions are brought up and, as always the special effects/CGI do not disappoint. It's another excellent movie to sit down, eat some popcorn, and be entertained for 2.5 hours to. I did have some beef with how quickly these "brother's in arms" were willing to start punching each other in the face. Similar to Batman vs. Superman, you simply refuse that reason couldn't prevail between friends who have fought side-by-side. Bottom Line: 8.8 out of 10. Another great offering from Marvel, but a cut below the others. Possibly because the eleven year old Jeff was greatly bothered by watching Iron Man and Captain America fight it out, but maybe on the absurdity of things evolving that quickly, I do have a valid point? You be the judge because it's worth watching on the big screen.

The Jungle Book: Not the Cartoon One

Went to the Jungle Book last night based on the strength of Rotten Tomatoes ratings, and they were not far off. This Jungle Book is heavy with CGI, but it's very good. It features Bill Murray as Baloo, Idris Elba as Shahir Khan, Scarlett Johansen as Kaa, Ben Kingsley as Bagira, and Christopher Walken as King Louie. They do a great job, the animation is excellent, and it's a fresh enough take on the story that you aren't bored by. Murray carries a good chunk of it as Baloo. Neel Sethi is excellent as Mowgli and I'm guessing he'll be in some other movies in the near future. John Favreau does a great job with this one. I think I'm going to start referring to fire as "the red flower" and think I'm pretty cool. Bottom Line: 8.4 out of 10. Really solid, but it's not as kid-friendly as the Disney one as a precaution. Worth paying a few bucks to see it in theatres in my opinion. There was a lack of children at the the one I saw interestingly enough.