Acerbic witted, hilarious and totally unconventional, Deadpool is like no superhero movie you’ve ever seen before. Ryan Reynolds deserves great credit for fighting studio interference and delivering what will undoubtedly be his signature role in a film that is only too happy to stand out from the crowd...
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Thankfully jettisoning the lavish comic-book style of the latter Rocky movies, Creed follows the template of the original classic and delivers a devastating one-two combination of heart and muscle. Stallone has arguably never been better and Jordan proves this is where he belongs. A great credit to director Scott Coogler with what will no doubt be the first of a brand new franchise... Fascinating, captivating and utterly immersive - this is quite possibly the film of 2015 and unquestionably Depp’s best performance in decades. Evoking a golden age in film-making whilst also having plenty for the modern audience to sink their teeth into, Black Mass is a sleeper-hit that will surely enter the Oscar equation in some form next February… On the surface, Ridley Scott's latest foray into space acts as a cross between Castaway and Apollo 13 but actually manages to stand alone as something truly unique. Featuring a superbly under-played performance from Matt Damon this is tense, funny, intriguing and utterly immersive. One of the most rounded films of the year... In what is quite easily the best acting performance of an already impressive career, Tom Hardy delivers a stunning two-punch knockout in his explosive performance as London’s most famous gangsters. Legend is a thrilling, intriguing - and at times damn-right funny - insight into the twins who ruled a city and is surely a cast-iron guarantee that awards season will be heavily influenced by it’s lead actor… Part biopic, part grand-standing statement on street life in the late 80s, Straight Outta Compton is a pounding and energetic tour-de-force and a must-see for anyone influenced by the early gangsta rap era. A somewhat drawn-out final third can’t dent what is an extremely compelling documentation of one of the most influential groups in modern American culture… An attempt to reboot what is easily Marvels weakest franchise to date doesn’t pay off in the slightest. Weighted down by far too much scientific subtext this is a world away from the studio’s best work, a strong cast and directing pedigree can’t save what is nothing more than a mundane and disappointing effort… Despite being unable to maintain the momentum of a hugely impressive opening and a minor gripe about character utilisation there are definitely enough plus points to make Terminator: Genisys the best addition to the franchise since the golden days of Terminator 2: Judgement Day… Sir Ian McKellan’s take on perhaps the most famous literary character of our times is a risk that pays off in abundance. With what is the most authentic and humane portrayal of the great detective that has ever been produced, Mr Holmes deserves immense credit. It may not be to everyone’s liking but for those who aren’t afraid to try something new this is an intriguing glimpse into the man behind the myth… Plodding, predictable and filled with zingers of cringe-worthy dialogue, San Andreas is likely to disappoint all but the most ardent of disaster film fans. One to avoid, and a worrying slide for Johnson who’s early acting-career promise seems to have spluttered of late… An attempt at both a modern day Wizard of Oz and a wake-up call to the human race as a whole - the underlying theme is certainly a noble one but one that will probably be missed by Tomorrowland’s main target audience. A good family film none the less - even if it does rely heavily on the child within us to really relate to it... Immersive, spell-binding and visually stunning whilst also containing a surprisingly intelligent plot to support it; Mad Max: Fury Road is one of the most frenetic action films in years and a success on every single level. This is pure adrenaline-fueled entertainment at it’s most chaotic and anarchic best… With a homage to what was a golden age of movie-making, and a nostalgic return to more practical ways of film-production, Big Game offers a more-than-passable family adventure that will no-doubt entertain before being quickly forgotten... With somewhat of a stumble from Marvel Studios when compared to it’s recent triumphs, Avengers: Age of Ultron still has just enough wit, spectacle and entertainment to be one of the must-see movies of 2015... Formulaic, simple - and at times a little silly, John Wick is never dull and entertains throughout. A fine return to form for Reeves and a welcome shot in the arm for a flagging action market that seems to have forgotten what it was that it once did best... Despite a superb break-out performance from Jasmine Trinca and an intensely interesting portrayal by Sean Penn that both require a look, the insipid action sequences and some woeful miscasting ensure that The Gunman doesn’t quite hit the target... A frustratingly patchy 'action' film that yearns to be something better but never quite has the guts to follow its desires. Neeson delivers an almost clichéd performance that isn't helped by an unoriginal script or the lack of chemistry with his co-star. A missed opportunity that will quickly be forgotten... Despicable Me hooks-up with ET in a cute and colourful tale that highlights how our differences actually make us more alike. The endless fun, neatly knitted together with emotional resonance, should strike the perfect balance to entertain both kids and adults alike... Much more than a standard biopic, Selma instead acts as an authentic snapshot of one of the most iniquitous periods in human history. A highly-emotive and strikingly powerful drama that will no doubt act as the start of something special for both its star and director... East meets West in a Disney/Marvel collaboration that attempts to become more than the sum of its many varied parts. Visually impressive, and with enough comic moments to entertain the parents aswell as the kids there’s enough here to get excited about. Just don’t expect Big Hero 6 to be as ‘big’ as it could have been… Diverting, lively, and overall great fun, with plenty of laughs for the average cinema-goer and more than enough genre components to keep the more serious cineaste entertained. Firth in particular is on spectacular form... |