STACK NZ Dec #58

REVIEWS

DVD&BD

Marvel’s wackiest adventure yet GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY

Before he was a legend, he was a man HERCULES

Format:

Release Date: 03/12/14

Format:

Release Date: 17/12/14

HIGH-DEF HITS

When first lined up alongside the Avengers flicks, this superhero film appeared to be on a hiding to nothing: at best, it looked as if it would turn out to be a cult film for comic book geeks; at worst it could be the first big Marvel flop. However, Guardians of the Galaxy has not only gone on to become the highest grossing superhero movie of 2014, but it has stayed true to its irreverent comic book roots, blending spectacular action with a

Big Herc has enjoyed a mini revival of late – hot on the heels of Renny Harlin’s The Legend of Hercules comes Brett Ratner’s 3D sword and sandal spectacular, with a perfectly cast Dwayne Johnson rocking it as the eponymous Greek demigod. Where Harlin’s film resembled TV’s Spartacus sans sex and gore, Ratner’s beefed up version is like Clash of the Titans , complete with CGI creatures for the hero to slay. Having

knowing line in anarchic humour. Chris Pratt, best known for his role in Parks & Recreation , plays the unlikely leader of an even unlikelier band of superheroes: a talking raccoon (voiced by Bradley Cooper), a tree creature (Vin Diesel), a blue-skinned assassin (Zoe Saldana) and a softly- spoken, muscle-bound warrior (Dave Bautista). Together they form an uneasy alliance to recover an immensely powerful orb that has fallen into the hands of a rogue alien warlord. Marvel-lously mischievous stuff.

completed the legendary Twelve Labours and now living as a mortal man, Hercules joins a band of swords-for-hire to train the armies of Thrace – a kingdom under threat from a nasty warlord. But Herc’s no mere merc; he’s a noble warrior on a date with destiny. Ratner mightn’t be the world’s greatest director, but we’ll cut him some slack here for delivering an old school adventure that moves at a cracking pace and features some pretty damn impressive action set pieces and 3D.

New team. New attitude. New mission THE EXPENDABLES 3

Super Scarlett LUCY

Format:

Release Date: 17/12/14

Format:

Release Date: 11/12/14

Writer-director Luc Besson ( The Fifth Element ) applies his prowess for slick action-thrillers to this bonkers sci-fi flick that transforms unwilling drug mule Lucy (Scarlett Johansson) into an omnipotent superbeing. When a bag of blue crystals implanted in her stomach ruptures, ZAP! Lucy experiences enhanced strength and senses, can manipulate matter and time, and has the ability to unlock the secrets of the universe, as her

Somebody in Hollywood is still prepared to hire Mel Gibson – the fallen star joins Expendables’ newcomers Harrison Ford and Wesley Snipes as a member of TeamTestosterone for the third film in the action-star-ensemble franchise. Aussie director Patrick Hughes (who made the terrific Red Hill ) is in the driver’s seat this time, and displays a Michael Bay-like flair for pyrotechnics on a grand scale. The

brain power ramps up to 100 per cent (apparently the average person only uses 10 per cent of their brain capacity). Besson’s insane mash-up of Limitless and La Femme Nikita will split viewer opinion right down the middle. But if you don’t take it too seriously (unlike Transcendence ) and just kick back and enjoy the wild ride, Lucy will be the most fun you’ll have with a movie this summer.

mission here is to take out an arms dealer in Somalia, who just happens to be Stallone’s old buddy and Expendables’ co-founder (Gibson). But when he gives them the slip, their CIA boss (Ford) decides they’re all “too old for this shit” and assembles a new crew, which includes Kelsey Grammer and Kellan Lutz. But how can they compete with over 30 years of action movie experience?

33