Travis Simpkins: Comic Books

Thursday, February 4, 2021

Man of Steel (2013): DC Comics. Henry Cavill as Superman

Man of Steel. 2013. DC Comics. Henry Cavill as Superman

Directed by Zack Snyder, based on characters from DC Comics, Man of Steel (2013) added renewed energy and dark style to the Superman franchise and served as the first entry in the Justice League film series.

The plot is summarized: With the imminent destruction of Krypton, their home planet, Jor-El (Russell Crowe) and his wife seek to preserve their race by sending their infant son to Earth. The child's spacecraft lands at the farm of Jonathan (Kevin Costner) and Martha (Diane Lane) Kent, who name him Clark and raise him as their own son. Though his extraordinary abilities have led to the adult Clark (Henry Cavill) living on the fringe of society, he finds he must become a hero to save those he loves from a dire threat.

The cast is great, including Henry Cavill as Superman, Amy Adams as Lois Lane, Russell Crowe, Kevin Costner and Diane Lane.

Man of Steel. 2013. DC Comics. Russell Crowe. Krypton

Man of Steel. 2013. DC Comics. General Zod

Man of Steel. 2013. DC Comics. Henry Cavill as Superman

Man of Steel. 2013. DC Comics. Amy Adams as Lois Lane

Man of Steel. 2013. DC Comics. Henry Cavill as Superman

Man of Steel. 2013. DC Comics. Amy Adams as Lois Lane

Man of Steel. 2013. DC Comics. Henry Cavill as Superman

Saturday, January 30, 2021

Suicide Squad (2016): DC Comics. Joker, Harley Quinn and Enchantress

Suicide Squad. 2016. DC Comics. Joker, Harley Quinn and Enchantress

Written and Directed by David Ayer, based on characters from DC Comics, Suicide Squad (2016) was a hit with audiences and has spawned one semi-sequel to date (Birds of Prey). Supernatural elements and ancient magic curses mix well with CGI effects and over-the-top violence.

The plot is summarized: Figuring they're all expendable, a U.S. intelligence officer decides to assemble a team of dangerous, incarcerated supervillains for a top-secret mission. Now armed with government weapons, Deadshot (Will Smith), Harley Quinn (Margot Robbie), Captain Boomerang, Killer Croc and other despicable inmates must learn to work together. Dubbed Task Force X, the criminals unite to battle a mysterious and powerful entity (an ancient witch awakened by an archaeologist during a tomb excavation), while the diabolical Joker (Jared Leto) launches an evil agenda of his own.

The cast is great, including Will Smith, Cara Delevingne and Jared Leto. However, Margot Robbie is most certainly the Star and truly steals the show in her role as Harley Quinn.