SPOILER FREE REVIEW ‘Spiderman: Homecoming’ Swings Onto The Big Screen With Humor And Diversity

 

Poster for Spiderman: Homecoming

BY JALESSA CASTILLO, TIMES STAFF WRITER

As you’re swinging through the bustling streets of New York you sense a citizen in trouble. Coming to the rescue just in time you save the day and leave the police with the subdued criminal. You rush to school…just in time for the tardy bell to ring. Oh the joys of being the friendly neighborhood Spiderman.

With an astounding 93% on rotten tomatoes, some estimated earnings of $117M domestically and over $250M worldwide during its July 7th opening weekend on alone, and taking the #1 spot on the box office, it’s obvious that ‘Spiderman: Homecoming’ is a success with critics and fans. But what makes this movie such a sensation? While plot and humor definitely play major roles, the diversity of the characters brought to life by director Jon Watts seem to bring this movie over the edge.

The movie follows Marvel’s classic character, Peter Paker (Tom Holland), as he struggles with balancing his personal life and that of his crime fighting alter ego, Spiderman. In a refreshing twist, this second big reboot of the franchise skipped the overplayed origin story and picked up after the events of Avengers and Captain America: Civil War. In wake of the previous films the overzealous Parker thrives for a new mission after helping Iron Man (Robert Downey Jr.) fight Captain America (Chris Evans). When a group of wronged workers ban together with the protection of villain, The Vulture (Michael Keaton) to create advanced weapons with alien technology, the titular character takes it upon himself to stop them.

Holland brings a charming performance to the character, portraying the overly ambitious Parker without making him unlikeable. Meanwhile, the supporting characters are not just there for show, in fact they each play an important part in the web slinger’s personal arch.

Starring as his best friend Ned is Jacob Batalon, a Filipino actor who was born and raised in Hawaii. His performance brought the most laughs, and had the audience thinking about how they would react if they discovered their best friend was a masked vigilante. It was nice to see a young Spanish actor play such a vital role in such an anticipated movie and he was not the only one who was representing the minority community.

Zendaya played Michelle, and while I won’t reveal who her character turns out to be, I will say that her being cast was an excellent change. As a young woman of mixed race, she portrayed the character as highly intelligent and reserved yet with enough confidence to make quips about our society, including refusing to tour a national landmark due to its racist roots.

Another two characters that helped bring diversity to the screen was Laura Harrier’s character Liz, who was the main love interest of Peter Parker, and Tony Revolori’s Flash, who was Parker’s high school bully. It was a nice switch as both roles in the comics are depicted as having a completely white ethnicity, while these actors didn’t, which really helped to make the setting of New York believable.

Furthermore, as a Queens, New York native, I can attest to the notion that Watts was able to capture the feeling of New York’s iconic borough. From the neighborhood corner store and playful banter over which sandwich spot is the best to the mixture of different people, the movie was able to combine some of the attributes that give New York its exemplary stature.

Additionally, the movie threw in a few subtle references for devout Spidey fans, one lesser known one was that actor Donald Glover, who appears in a small role for the film actually voiced the web shooter’s future protégé, Miles Morales in the animated series ‘Ultimate Spider-Man: Web Warriors’.

In conclusion, ‘Homecoming’ incorporated a major plot twist with the humor of classic teenager flicks and created a fun watch for the whole family! It would not be a Marvel Movie without a Stan Lee cameo and after credit scenes, so if you go to see it make sure to look out for them. I would highly recommend seeing it as it is sure to become a feature in Marvel’s Cinematic Universe. My rating is 5 Spiderman masks out of 5.

Movie Review: “Wonder Woman”- Changing How We View Female Superheroes

 

Snippet of the Wonder Woman (2017) Movie Poster

BY JALESSA CASTILLO

At last a female driven superhero movie hit the cinematic screen, and in a big way! Taking the lead in the box office for two consecutive weekends, making $570 million worldwide, as well as being one of the best films in the DC Cinematic Universe has certainty cemented Wonder Woman as one of the greatest superhero movies of all time.

Incorporating storylines from her original 1941 comic debut in All Star Comics #8, her 2011 DC Comics relaunch dubbed the New 52, and the 2016 DC Rebirth of the comics helped to please almost all of the fans that may have preferred one story over the other.

Gal Gadot shines as Diana Prince/Wonder Woman, as she incorporates the fearless nature of a warrior princess from the island of Themyscira with the curiosity of someone new to the modern world, specifically a 1910 England amid a World War.

Although there is no question as to whether the scenes of her fighting along-side soldiers on the battlefield were amazing, I think that some of the best battles were filmed while on the Amazon-Filled Island of Themyscira. The incredibly tough women from the island made almost everyone in the audience want to sign up for sword fighting and bow-and-arrow lessons.

Additionally, Chris Pine as the valorous Steve Trevor and Lucy Davis as Trevor’s cheeky secretary were performances that brought heart and moments of comedy to an otherwise more serious and action filled movie. Along with the other members of their unit Charlie (Ewen Bremmer), Sameer (Said Taghmaoui), and The Chief (Eugene Brave Rock) they captured the familial bond commonly associated with soldiers in battle.

The use of slow-motion fighting and fantastical flips mid-sword battle made the combat scenes stand out from other movies set within the same genre.

Not to mention that Gadot being 5 months pregnant during the shooting of the movie made those stunts even more impressive! In fact, when she could no longer hide her growing baby bump the crew used the help of “movie magic” to hide it from movie goers. They cut out a hole in her costume and covered her belly in a green material, creating a portable green screen, which they later digitally altered to look like the armored abdomen of Wonder Woman.

Another feature of the movie that I personally enjoyed was the refreshing twist put on the romance that is introduced in the movie. Rather than deterring Diana from her original cause or making her seem as anything less than the independent woman and warrior she is, her love for Steve Trevor (Pine) only fortified her compassion for mankind and even aided her in developing her full powers.

Concluding, Wonder Woman was a great watch that was wonderfully directed by Patty Jenkins. In a predominantly male dominated genre and field it is great to see a female at the helm of making a comic book based movie and one starring in it. Not to say that the movie was anti-men, actually it was a great eye opener to many inequality issues, including racial stigmas, and emphasized the importance of men and women working together to get a job done. I would recommend it to anyone who doesn’t mind seeing a leading lady in action while also celebrating the men that support her.

The Lion King Roars Into The Dr. Phillips Center

Photo: Joan Marcus

BY JALESSA CASTILLO, TIMES STAFF WRITER

ORLANDO - Based off Disney’s 1994 classic, it was no surprise that when one of Broadway’s longest running shows came to the Dr. Phillips Center anticipation over attending the performance was high.

Directed by Julie Taymor, the show opens with the classic number “Circle of Life”. The opening was one of the most amazing live sequences I have ever seen. Starting with Rafiki (Buyi Zama) singing the opening notes, a variety of actors with magnificent animal costumes entered the stage and walked through the audience. As the drumming beat and sweet lyrics filled the theater, the sight of actors on stilts dressed as giraffes, a group of actors portraying a gigantic elephant, a captivating actress portraying a cheetah, and other animals bowing before the presentation of baby Simba was breathtaking. In order to appreciate it you must arrive on time, as anyone who is late will not be allowed into the theatre until the song is finished.

The plot of the show closely followed the original story by Roger Allers and Rob Minkoff. Mufasa (Gerald Ramsey) was a powerful and commanding leader yet a patient father as he tried to raise his son Simba (Joziyah Jean-Felix alt. Ramon Reed) to be the next king. The wildebeest stampede, which was amazingly choreographed, and the death that followed was just as traumatizing as when I saw it as a child.

While the first act follows Simba and Nala (Danielle W. Jalade alt. Glorida Manning) as children, the second act begins as adult Simba (Gerald Caesar) is getting accustomed to life with his new friends Timon (Nick Cordileone) and Pumbaa (Ben Lipitz), who’s characters along with Zazu (Greg Jackson) brought the most laughs.

When Simba’s scheming, yet charming, uncle Scar (Mark Campbell) takes over the pride lands with the help of his hyena goons Shenzi (Martina Sykes), Banzai (Keith Bennett), and Ed (Robbie Swift), a grown Nala (Nia Holloway) decides to leave the pride in search for a solution. She ends up finding Simba and with the help of Rafiki encourages him to return to Pride Rock. The climax builds as Simba defeats Scar, relieving his mother Sarabi (Kimber Sprawl) and the other lionesses of his cruel leadership, and takes over as the rightful King.

Some of the stand out performances were “Be Prepared” in which Scar and the hyenas convolute their plan, “Shadowland” where Nala explains why she must leave, and “He Lives In You” (Reprise) which was a breathtaking rendition of when Simba is reminded by Rafiki that he carries on his father’s legacy.

Additionally, the costumes, masks, and make-up displayed during the performance were masterfully designed. Julie Taymor, Michael Curry, and Michael Ward encompassed the beauty of Africa’s rich culture and channeled it into the looks of the actors.

The show would not have been as spectacular if not for the work of the touring orchestra, conducted by James Dodgson. In addition to the live orchestra, on each side of the theatre sat percussionists that used maracas, drums, and other instruments to absorb the audience in the story and create realistic sound effects.

What gives this show extra pizzazz is that despite its notoriety as an animated film it still stands alone in excellence as a musical. Rather than constantly comparing the two productions, the play added depth to the character’s emotions via new songs, in addition to Elton John and Tim Rice’s timeless melodies, and fantastical set-pieces that brought the story to life.

The Lion King continues its reign at the Dr. Phillips Center until March 11. Get tickets or information on upcoming shows by visiting www.drphillipscenter.org.