Legion Of The Superheroes 13

Posted In: Legion

Eugene Tovrea says...

Saturated with more symbolism than blood, this remarkable remake has transported the story of Lawrence Talbot back to Victorian times and imbued it with a moody gothic melancholy.Moreover, the protagonist seems much more estranged and foreign than the original character.Not only has he matured in America, but his maternal heritage can readily be construed as Hispanic.In the Anglo/Celtic climes of Blackmoor and London, he is the dark other, with shadowy cultural and ethnic links to the sojourning Gypsies and the estate's Sikh servant.His once adventurous father has sunk into a saturnine lethargy in which he lolls about in tiger and leopard lapelled robes, amidst the mounted heads of long dead beasts.One can almost sense the ephemeral veil not only between man and animal, but that between idleness and evil.

But it is, of course, this misty, human/non-human veneer that drives this tale of old.And, for afficionados of traditional cinematic lore, this retelling should deliver in ways unexpected in modern flicks.Silver is still lethal to lycanthropes, the full moon still triggers transformation, and the bite of the lupinoid monster still bespeaks doom.There are no pentagrams in palms, but the werewolves look horrifyingly Chaneyesque, and their primeval howls can utterly vibrate human viscera.

Fortunately, CGI effects fail to flatten the film's overall creepiness and suspense.The now ubiquitous mow-down massacres do occur, but dim lumination and light-speed animation mute the resultant bloodiness and move the action forward to the attacks' aftermath.Then it's back to the somber, brooding gloom that marks all great horror movies.

Posted on June 9, 2011

Thomasine Bixby says...

I thought this was a pretty good tribute to the classic 1941 original. Some parts seemed kind of boring and you just wanted Lawrence to turn into the Wolfman. Benicio del Toro was a perfect choice for Lawrence Talbot because he reminds me a lot of Lon Chaney Jr. When his brother Ben, is missing, Lawrence returns to his home town to investigate what happened. While visiting some gypsies, a werewolf comes and wreaks havoc. Lawrence is bit and slowly becomes one also. He tries to hide from Inspector Francis Aberline and seeks help from Gwen, his brother's fianc

Posted on June 10, 2011

Maya Gorski says...

This is a fantastic movie!I must admit, I was worried that it was going to become another "My Bloody Valentine"..... all flash and no substance.

Not the case. This film has a very good story, and frankly, it is even more interesting than the original Wolf Man story from the classic 1941 (I think) film.



The scenery is beautiful, and spooky. Especially awesome was the panning of the film images from the moon down through the trees at the beginning of the movie, and vice versa at the end. Great images that signal that a classic good 'ole horror story is about to unfold before the audiences eyes.



The British fog, thicker than a pint of stale bitters, was also done with great effect. Some say "too much fog" was used. People, we're talking about ENGLAND. It gets foggy. Couple that with the fact that it's a HORROR movie...the fog was not overdone...it added to the spooky effect just fine, thank you.



Benicio Del Toro was great as Lawrence Talbot, the unfortunate good guy who, against his will, transforms into a monster when the moon is full.

In some scenes, Del Toro actually looked like Lon Chaney, the fantastic actor who portayed the original Wolf Man.



Emily Blunt......try not to fall in love with her by the movie's end....you'll be hard pressed not to. Blunt portrays Gwen Conliffe (spelling may be wrong on "Conliffe") the beautiful, delicious, widow of Talbot's brother, Ben, who was killed by the Wolf Man. Slowly, Conliffe, realizes that Lawrence, like his brother Ben, has some very noble, dignified similarities. And some unfortunate similarities also, regarding "relations".

You cant help but to feel what Conliffe feels at the end of the movie.....she is "Damned if she does" and "Damned if she doesnt". You cant help but feel for her, and with her, as her emotions jump through the movie screen.

Did I mention that Conliffe is beautiful?Delicious?Okay..just wanted to be clear on that. (Ms. Blunt, if you're out there, please..... call me. No, j/k. I hope that you and your Fiancee have many happy years together.)



Hugo Weaving plays to perfection, the role of the Scotland Yard investigator, who gets the UN-enviable assignment of having to solve the Wolf Man mystery (He's used to sickening, difficult cases, having worked on the "Jack The Ripper"

case a couple of years back.



Anthony Hopkins...what can one say of his performance as Sir John Talbot, father of Lawrence and Ben? The man gives you the creeps,even when he is being nice in the movie. Hopkins carries out his role, and the twist that his character is involved in, to perfection.



This movie features fantastic perfomances, an interesting story with a stunning twist, beautiful scenery (It's hard not to get a chill up and down your spine when The Wolfman leaps onto the concrete statue and howls at the moon, with the city in the distance.)



I enjoyed it alot, and I'm going to say something that many "film purists" will have to go to therapy in order to deal with, so I apologize in advance: I Enjoyed the classic 1941 Wolfman movie, but I enjoyed this movie far more than I did the classic.

Yeah, I said it. I'll say it again. I think that this movie is more enjoyable than the original.



To be sure, the movie does have it's share of disgusting, bloody scenes that would make John Rambo cringe. It's alot like Tim Burton's "Sleepy Hollow".....if you can get past the gore, you'll enjoy the movie.

But it is fully supported by awesome action scenes of The Wolfman leaping out of a hole in the ground, leaping onto rooftops, running on all fours (a "realism" that wasnt present in the classic film) and again, stunning images that far exceed the original movie, when it comes to spooky grandeur and just plain fun.

It's BIGGER than the original film....you feel a part of the film more. The original, although a classic that I love, looks light years behind this movie when it comes to imagery, and action scenes. Such is the advantage of the digital age I guess.





But,when you get right down to it, why must we compare the two movies?Why cant we enjoy the original 1941 film, and enjoy this 2010 update as well?



Why must it be "either or"?They are both awesome films, both will make you feel like it's Halloween. On any day of the year. Both films having been made with the same passion for story telling and exciting audiences that the talented filmmakers at Universal have exhibited.



I cant wait for the DVD....rumor has it, it will be an "Extended Edition" with 17 minutes of footage not seen in theaters. I HOPE that they will also include the Original Theatrical Version as well. I guess I have that "film purist" in me a bit, also. But I dont want the version that I thoroughly enjoyed in theaters to be screwed with. Star Wars fans can relate.





In summary, forget about the armchair experts who are on TV or in newspapers....the only film expert that matters is YOU. See for yourself. Decide for yourself.



As for me, I give it two hairy thumbs/two hairy paws up, sky high....all the way to the moon and beyond..



Howwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwl!

Posted on June 11, 2011

Deedee Borycz says...

I am a huge fan of the classic horror movies. So when I heard about this remake of THE WOLFMAN I so wanted to see it big screen.Didn't get to, but I just finished watching it a few minutes ago on DVD.



The longer this movie went on, the more I found myself psychically talking to the producers and director and saying "don't blow it - don't mess this up!" They must have heard me, because they did it right - then the did it right some more - then they did it right some more - and finally they ended it right.



This is how Hollywood should remake the classics. It's not a straightforward retelling, but it's not a total corruption/aberration either.Instead it's a well thought out, visually delightful tale that honors the original, allows lycanthropy to maintain it's cursed nature, and offers some new treats as well.



It is fairly predictable, but in Gothic horror that is part of the horror. You know what's coming.You know the hero can't avoid what's coming. The tension just increases.



The production design and visuals will please any fan of Victorian Horror. Marvelous parquet floors, sweeping staircases, crumbling Abbeys, London by gaslight, and a gypsy campsite that was itself worth the price of the flick. The shots in the woods of Blackmoor are incredible. I could just watch the scenes with the torch-wielding villagers in the woods again and again.



If you like the old classics you'll probably like this (be warned it's heavier on the gore though).If you need new, or

nudity, or vile language then you'll be disappointed.



If this crew decides to remake other famous monsters of filmland flicks they can rest assured I'll do my best to be at opening night.



Tomorrow night, I'm popping some corn, getting the big box of sno-caps, turning down the lights, and watching it again!!

Posted on June 11, 2011

Daisy Sudan says...

I grew up watching the classic horror movies and no remake has done any of them justice until now.The Wolfman was a fantastic movie and really can stand aloneas it's own version of the Wolfman.Absolutely great story line and of course the Wolfman effect was incredible as were all the special effects.The ending was unexpected but outstanding.The best remake ever. The best horror movie in a long time.

Posted on June 13, 2011

Neda Nuetzman says...

Aside from American Werewolf in London, this has got to be the best werewolf movie to date, IMHO. Loved the dark timbre throughout. Del Toro played a very cerebral character which I found suited the part of a Shakespearean actor. The man-to-wolf transformations were well executed and the stylization of the werewolves were AWESOME. This will definitely be part of my movie collection.



p.s. Did anyone connect the scene where Anthony Hopkin's comes out to free his son with his shotgun to the scene in Legends of the Fall where he does something similar?

Posted on June 14, 2011

Dot Licursi says...

The difference between this Werewolf movie and the the ones in the past was obviously the better acting, Sir Anthony and Benicio were both brilliant in potrayal of their characters. The special effects and cinematography were top notch and the sound was of very high quality. Great movie worth every penny, will buy when on DVD.

Posted on June 14, 2011

Jimmy Dreher says...

Plagued with delays, reshoots, on set bickering and changed release dates Director Johnston's remake/homage makes it to the silver screen, and is a good old fashion scary movie.

Interestingly, the DVD and Blu-Ray release will feature a further 17 minutes of footage, aka "Directors Cut" which according to an interview with the director is mostly in the first half of the movie to build tension, and fill in some back story.

It was said that here (the cinematic) release wanted to be concise and get to the first transformation sequence in as soon as possible to keep the audience attention. This ideal I can understand, as all too often one must sit through an hour of build up to get to the meat of the action (no pun intended) and see what has been teased in trailers and TV spots. Time will tell as to whether these 17 minutes make a whole lot of difference, my view is that it will be a nice to have, rather than a need to have. For me the picture felt pretty complete.

Del Toro is great from the first scene as the grieving brother summoned by his late siblings fianc

Posted on June 15, 2011

Ona Zanders says...

I got these three volumes when they came out seperately.I got copies for my young nephew.Not only are the cartoon episodes from the first season of the Warner Brothers Saturday morning catoon series "The Legion of Superheroes" entertaining for general audience, but they are great to introduce young kids to the "Legion of Superheroes."



The cartoon series is based on a long running comic book series (about 50 years) from DC Comics.



The series wasa spin-of from a "Superboy" story tht appeared in "Adventure Comics" about 50 years ago.Three teenage superheroes (Cosmic Boy, Lightening Lad, and Saturn Girl) from Metropolis, one thousand years in the future come to Smallville in a time bubble (a time machine) to visit and meet their idol and role model from one thousand years ago, Superboy.These are the three original members of the Legion of Superheroes.



As well as the "Superboy" series running in its own title, it was also, at the time, running in "Adventure Comics."It was decided a number of issues later to spin-off the "Legion of Superheroes" into their own series in which Superboy takes up their invitation to come visit them in Metropolis, one thousand years in the future.The three members make Superboy an official member of the Legion.In the following stories, the membership would continue to grow.



The pilot cartoon episode is a reworked and updated account of when young Clark Kent meets the Legion of Superheroes who go into the pas the past to try to find and enlist the help of Superman in Metropolis, but end up accidentally in Smallville a number of years earlier before young Clark Kent before beginning his career as Superman andhas fully discovered and mastered the use of all his super-powers.



The Legion of Superheroes can be looked at as being a combination of the superhero genere and the science fiction genere.Or you may look at it as a young Superman (or a Superboy)teamd with other teenage superheroes combined with "Star Wars."This all definitely adds to fun and entertainment.



I really would like to see the second season put out on DVD also.

Posted on June 17, 2011

Lawrence Orillion says...

The late, lamented "Legion of Superheroes" animated series took the best elements of the Silver and Bronze age comic books -- interesting and entertaining characters; a bright, optimistic future complete with sleek spacecraft, bizarre aliens and the proverbial flying cars; and DC's rich mythos of super-powered heroes, most notably the Man of Steel himself -- and gave them a fresh feel for young viewers as well as their young-at-heart parents.Enthusiastically recommended.Please bring us the second season on DVD soon!

Posted on June 18, 2011