The Merc Has a Mouth Again

For those of you who don't read comics, it's easy to get overwhelmed. The cast of characters of DC & Marvel number in the tens of thousands by this point. What we are seeing on TV and film is only a fraction of what is out there in the world of comics.  I guess it took the proper (computer graphics) technology and a lot of talent to tap the money-making potential of the medium.

So when they announced that a Deadpool movie was in the works after the test footage leaked last year, I was shocked for several reasons. A) Deadpool's anti-heroic, fourth-wall breaking persona was very different from all the other Marvel movies released so far (even Guardians of the Galaxy). B) Despite years of rumors, many thought the project was not getting off the ground any time soon, and C) The studio was actually listening to the fans and promising a faithful adaptation of the character. I was skeptical until I saw the first trailer, because, uhhhhhhhhh... the first attempt was not good. No, wait, that's not true. It was an insult to fans everywhere.

Deadpool made his debut in X-men Origins: Wolverine . Well, ok, technically speaking. Wade Wilson was in it, the guy who turns into Deadpool. But then they turned him into a bigger abomination then the actual Abomination.

Strong words, I know, but look at the clip below. What do you notice most? He's got no mouth, right? Do you want to know what Deadpool is most famous for? His sense of humor. Yeah. Kind of hard to make jokes without a mouth. It's unbelievable, ain't it? Even if you have no personal connection to the character or comics in general,  everybody should understand our hatred now.

But, but, my friends, a miracle has happened. My hatred has now turned to love. The events which occurred in Days of Future Past wiped Origins from the timeline. Now, finally, the true Deadpool is here. This is the best Deadpool movie that could've possibly happened. I had a smile on my face as soon as the movie started, and I'm smiling now just thinking about it.

Before we get to the review of the movie, here's a quick summation of why The Merc With The Mouth is so goddamn popular. He's basically a combination of three really popular characters.

 He's got Wolverine's healing factor and chip on his shoulder, Spider-man's wiseassery (or snarkiness, whichever made up word you prefer) and the Joker's fourth-wall breaking schtick and dark sense of humor. What it all adds up to is an incredibly charismatic asshole wrapped up in spandex. Now, whether he appeals to you,  dear reader, is obviously your call. Will you like the movie? Well, let's find out.

The first thing you will notice about the movie is the humor. Seriously, it's literally the first thing you notice. The opening credits start with a hilarious gag at the cast & crew's expense. Not many directors called "Overpriced Tool" out there. There are jokes everywhere in this thing. They  range from the juvenile and crass (fart jokes, masturbation jokes etc.) to the surprisingly clever. For example, right in the middle of a sex montage between Wade Wilson and his girlfriend, you suddenly cut to them reading books quietly together, 'cause they gave up sex for Lent. Ryan Reynolds has always been a funny guy, but he makes the most random jumble of words into hilarious one-liners, capturing Deadpool's completely nonsensical and whiplash inducing mood swings.

There are so many jokes that at least one section of the audience was laughing every 10 seconds in my theatre, but this kind of rapid style humor may be exhausting or irritating to some. But for me personally, this is one of the funniest superhero movies ever made.

The characters are  memorable and interesting (for the most part). You have Weasel, Deadpool's best friend and snarky lovable coward. Blind Al, a cranky, foul-mouthed old blind woman who seems forced to put up with Deadpool's antics because he pays rent. And of course, the only two X-men the movie could afford: Colossus and Negasonic Teenage Warhead (best name ever!). Colossus gets more characterization here than in any of the X-men movies. He's the perfect foil for Deadpool; a classic, morally upright hero, who believes that everybody can be good. His faith in Deadpool's broken moral compass becomes endearing over time, if maybe a little unrealistic  His partner is possibly the most underdeveloped character of the cast; you'll remember her powers much more easily than her personality. She does have a few great highlights in the finale though.

The villains are utterly forgettable. Ajax is your run-of-the-mill British psycho who's in it for fun and profit, Angel Dust is just hired muscle. really badass muscle, but still no personality in sight.

Last but not least, there's Vanessa, Deadpool's love interest. The movie relies on three major things to hold your interest throughout. The action, the jokes, and the heart. The most surprising thing about this movie, is that the love scenes are not just tacked on; Vanessa does not exist solely to give our hero someone to save. The two leads have great chemistry. What makes their relationship work is not just the performances; Morena Baccarin matches Reynolds shot for shot in every scene they share, and she gives Wade not just motivation, but supports him even at his lowest. They feel like people who were lucky to find one another. The best part, about their relationship, is that all the misunderstandings and problems get resolved by the end. No "will they or won't they" or "secret identity" BS  like in Spider-man and Batman. They start the film in love, they are still in love by the end. It's a very refreshing change of pace for the genre.

The action is very good, but not mind blowing. You can blame the budget for that. Several scenes and characters had to be cut out at the last minute, and it shows. The movie tries it's best by using slow-mo, montages, and (of course) Deadpool's non-stop commentary, but you just want more every time the fighting stops. The finale is definitely top-notch though. Everyone gets a chance to cut loose and wreck shit up in glorious fashion.

Also, Deadpool's healing factor means that the action can get as cartoonishly over-the-top as much as the writers want, which keeps it from feeling repetitive. The best example of this is the brilliant homage to Monty Python when 'Pool and Colossus tangle for the first time, and it must be seen to be believed.

Oh, and the soundtrack is all over the place. Which is probably appropriate; this likely the only time you'll hear '50's and '60's pop songs mixed with Wham! and DMX. It' up to you whether it works (along with everything else in this movie).

Now for the bad stuff. There is no getting around the fact that the plot is very simple. A bad guy messed up Wade's life and kidnapped his girl, and he has to pay. Even though the movie is clearly aware of the cliches, you can't ignore it. The only thing keeping the movie from being truly great is that is doesn't play round with the superhero origin story as much as it can. That's the problem with first movies. You have to explain everything for the audience, you have to have the origin story. There's even a couple of scenes where he changes costumes as he starts his revenge rampage. Even non-fans will have seen all this half a dozen times by now. That's probably why it's RT score is sitting around 80% right now. It has some great aspects to it, but the story will never win any awards.

It's both fortunate and unfortunate that the movie has been released in 2016, and not, say, 2005. To people not familiar with the character, Deadpool might seem like a rip-off of other movies, especially Kick Ass, 21 Jump Street and Kiss Kiss Bang Bang. Which sounds good, but it may negatively affect their opinion. So that's something to keep in mind.

Deadpool is finally here. It you were to ask me 10 years what was the most unlikely comic book character to be put on film was, Deadpool would be up there. But since 2005 we've seen everything from a talking racoon to a whole superhero team with gods and gamma monsters involved, the sky's the limit for comic book movies. Within weeks after Deadpool's release, the ripples are already starting to spread. A sequel has already being green lit, and looks like we're finally gonna get an R-rated Wolverine movie.

Fans needed this after the disaster that was Fantastic 4. They needed to be reminded that their voices can be heard, and have an impact on Hollywood execs. Deadpool is just what we wanted. And because of it's success, hopefully the studios will continue to listen to us. Just a few years ago, how many people thought Avengers could work on the big screen? Or Thor?

What Deadpool proved beyond doubt, along with Daredevil, is that even the greyest of heroes can get audiences  hooked. There's nothing wrong with a little "new school" fighting for your time and money against Batman and Superman. The playing field is only gonna get bigger from here. Dr. Strange is just around the corner. Yet another unlikely candidate, which might open doors for more mystical comic book characters. It's a great time to be a comic book fan.

Deadpool may not be the best, but he definitely exists in a league of his own. It's up to you whether you want to be in it or not. I can't wait to see what this lovable psycho does next.

Introducing The Gentleman Thief & His Friends

Being an anime fan is really great nowadays.

Not only can you watch your favorite shows every week less than 24 hours after the original Japanese broadcast thanks to fansubbing groups and video streaming sites, North American distributors (most notably  FUNimation ) have started to release English-dubbed episodes while the show is still airing in Japan as well.

The Digital Age has made anime far more accessible and popular than ever before.

Of course, it wasn't always like this. I was just one of many kids who grew up watching Dragon Ball Z and Sailor Moon in the '90's. And by the 2000s, every video store I went to had a small section dedicated to selling anime DVDs. Anime was, and still is, a niche market, but it had become a noticeable niche market by then. I'm sure there are quite a few fans out there who remember the heyday of Gatchaman and Robotech, but I think it's safe to say that most fans around my age are only familiar with shows that are 25 years old or less.

Which is a real shame, because there are many older gems that even the most casual anime fan can enjoy. Now we come to star of the hour. Or perhaps  I should say, the thief of the hour.

To get an idea of what exactly  Lupin the Third is, think of James Bond. Or Doctor Who. Or, if you prefer another obvious choice, Batman.

Lupin III has appeared in multiple TV shows, movies and comics in almost half a century, since he first debuted in hi own comic book series in 1967 written by the legendary Monkey Punch (aka Katou Kazuhito). Like those other characters previously mentioned, Lupin seems to be one of those "immortal" franchises, a character who has become a cultural icon. in Japan and shows no signs of being forgotten anytime soon. Anime may not be watched by most of the Japanese population, but I think it is safe to say that most people over there would recognize this theme music:

Like most things produced in Japan, Lupin has gone international. Not only does the latest Lupin III TV series take place in Italy, it was first broadcast on Italian TV last year before airing in Japan. I'm sure the Italian fanbase was thrilled. I know I'm jealous of my paissani. Glad to know there are plenty of otaku is the motherland

Today we'll be talking about the movie that introduced the master thief to Western audiences. Lupin III: The Castle of Cagliostro A movie not only beloved by nearly every Lupin fan, it also has the distinction of being the directorial debut of the legendary (starting to sense a theme here?) Hiyao Miyazaki. It is truly fitting that one Japanese icon helped to create another.

The movie opens up with a quintessential Lupin caper wrap-up. Lupin & his partner in crime Jigen are high-tailing it out of a casino, bags filled to bursting with the place's assets. Not only do they get away right under the security's noses, but they have sabotaged every single car in the parking lot just in case something went wrong.

 Lupin and Jigen's victory celebration is short-lived, because all the money they've stolen is fake. Every single bill is a work of master forgery, known in the underworld as "goat bills", which have had an impact on many of the world's greatest tragedies over the last 500 years. Lupin is not down for long, for he has a sudden urge to visit the very small (fictional) European country of Cagliostro, where the forgeries are rumored to originate from. As the heroes make their journey across a gorgeous country side, the equally beautiful song Treasure Fire plays over the opening credits.

From this opening scene, it tells you almost everything you need to know about these characters and the story. If we didn't have such equally great examples like Robin Hood and Han Solo, Lupin is perhaps the definitive Lovable Rogue, a completely shameless master criminal who nonetheless has a endearing charm and who also has a moral code, even if it may not exactly be ours. Jigen is Lupin's constant companion, a master marksman and gun expert who follows Lupin's schemes, no matter how extravagant or implausible.

Although Jigen is equally as laid back and badass as his friend, he has a wonderful sense of humor, a guy who has "seen it all" and loves to make light of that fact. Although much more level-headed, he's never overshadowed by Lupin's larger than life persona; this makes him a great character in his own right. There's a hilarious and heartwarming scene early in the film that just shows how great their chemistry is together and how close they are as friends.

There is no point going into detail about the plot, 'cause if you're over the age of 10, chances are you've seen it at least two dozen times by now: An ancient conspiracy, hidden treasure, a tough as nails cop, a despicable greedy villain who is rich and wants to be richer, chases, daring escapes, corrupt politicians, a damsel to rescue, an army of henchmen to defeat, a final epic battle and a sweet romantic subplot. There is absolutely no originality where the story is concerned.

Like Indiana Jones, what makes Castle of Cagliostro stand out from other films lies in its execution. The action is creative, fluid and edge of your seat exciting. The characters are all easily recognizable archetypes and yet are memorable and lovable because the acting and dialogue is just top notch. The artwork and music is absolutely wonderful and makes everything else that much better by being so damn great on the eyes and ears. With a 99-minute run time, there is nothing wasted or excessive in this thing. The movie's story slows down and speeds up at exactly the right moments.

The car chase scene sums everything right with the movie; it's a work of art in of itself. Sorry for the cliche, but it's a great ride. Take a look for yourselves, it deserves to be appreciated.

There is so much done right in Cogliostro that even if you were to conclude that this movie is overrated after seeing it, I believe is it is impossible to not enjoy this on at least some level.

On the flipside, when it comes to the writing, the new characters leave no impact. The bad guy is suitably oily and smug throughout the whole film, but he has no complexity to him. If it wasn't for the  fact that the"girl of the week" has ties to Lupin's past, not to mention her very tragic backstory, you wouldn't really remember her. Not helping matters is the fact that she shares quite a bit of screen time with much more interesting and awesome characters. She never feels anything less than a plot device. .

It's the other regulars of the Lupin cast and how they play off each other that keeps you engaged throughout the movie. There's Fujiko Mine, Lupin's greatest rival in crime and off-again, on-again love interest/ally. She has the distinction of being both an object of lust, with a body straight out of every male fantasy, and also (perhaps paradoxically) a symbol for female empowerment. She's not afraid to get into a fight or play mind games to get what she wants, it's just that using her looks tends to work more often than not.

There's also Lupin's nemesis, Interpol inspector Kouichi  Zenigata. The interesting thing about his character is that he's very different from Lupin, but not in ways you might think. It would be easy to make him a sympathetic bumbling idiot like Inspector Clouseau in The Pink Panther, but he makes Lupin look that much better by being a very competent honest cop and almost religiously dedicated to his job. You get the impression that no one else could possibly hunt Lupin down, and no other criminal could get the drop on him like our thief can. Lupin and Zenigata's relationship is a complex one. There is  lot of mutual respect and tension between these two at all times, since for obvious reasons they are on opposite sides (for the most part).

Lastly, there's Goemon, a mercenary often hired by Lupin to act as a back up in many his adventures. The only info you get about him is that he's extremely skilled with his katana, and very proud of his samurai heritage. He's there more for fan service than anything else. He fights, and that's pretty much it. A shame that the screen time doesn't give everyone their due.

When makes this movie work, especially if you're not familiar with the franchise, is that by the time it's over, you get Lupin. The movie shows u that he wasn't always awesome, he's made mistakes just like everything else, and his lifestyle, though he unquestionably loves it, has it's drawbacks. It sort of gives a realistic depiction of what being Lupin is like, but at the same time the story refuses to take itself too seriously.

You see his life and his world, the adventure, the zaniness, the danger, the women, the intrigue, and you become captivated by it. Lupin and their friends get just enough time in the spotlight, and then they're offstage. It's much better than having to track down old Lupin episodes. The English dub is also very good, so you won't to worry about subtitles if that bothers you.

The ending has a twist that I won't spoil, but it's pretty surprising in a way; Lupin  succeeds and yet at the same time he doesn't. It's almost philosophical more than bittersweet, but it's up to you whether you find the ending satisfying or not.

By the end of the movie, you will feel that you understand the man and the legend known as Arsene Lupin III. And you will want more of him once it's done and the credits start rolling. There's no higher recommendation than that.

If you want to see reviews of other great (but mostly horrible) anime films and shows, check out internet critic Bennett the Sage's website here

The popular anime Youtuber Glass Reflection is also very good if you're new to anime, though he tends to review newer stuff.