CAPTAIN AMERICA: BRAVE NEW WORLD Clings To The Past

CAPTAIN AMERICA: BRAVE NEW WORLD (Digital)

2025 / 118 min

From Marvel/Disney

Review by Stinky the Destroyer😼

Available on Digital NOW and 4K, Blu-ray & DVD 5/13

Of all the Marvel movies, the first two Captain Americas are my personal favorites. The third one? Not so much, mainly because it felt like more of a transitional Avengers episode rather than a movie that can be appreciated on its own terms. 

I also really enjoyed The Falcon and the Winter Soldier during the short time I had Disney+. Yeah, it was sad that Steve Rogers was gone, but Sam Wilson (Anthony Mackie) was a worthy heir to the shield and the (mostly) stand-alone story was really good. It also introduced a few interesting new characters along with some familiar faces…if you’ve been keeping up, that is.

Captain America: Brave New World assumes you have. In fact, you might need a masters degree from MCUniversity to appreciate half of it. Not only does it operate on the conceit that the audience is well familiar with The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, but also Eternals, Black Widow, Ant-Man, all the Avengers movies and even 2000’s The Incredible Hulk (you know, the one with Edward Norton). 

The narrative depends on the past more than any other MCU film to date. Starting at the top, viewers who’ve never subscribed to Disney+ might find themselves asking,“When and how did Sam Wilson become Captain America?” Haven’t revisited the mostly forgotten Incredible Hulk movie from 25 years ago? Well, that’s on you, even though the film isn’t even considered part of the MCU. Newcomers will likely find the movie lacking in overall characterization because a lot of them were established in other movies and TV shows.

Cap forgets where he parked.

Obviously, Brave New World isn’t intended for newcomers, an attitude that has torpedoed some recent Marvel movies. But the good news is that it’s better than The Marvels, Wakanda Forever & Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania. Much of that is due to the performances. Mackie earnestly demonstrates resolve and vulnerability, while Harrison Ford as now-President Thaddius Ross (assuming the role played by the late William Hurt) indulges in a rare bit of scenery chewing. Giancarlo Esposito is fun as Sidewinder, though he’s underused compared to the far less interesting main antagonist, Samuel Sterns (Tim Blake Nelson).

The serviceable story never approaches the fun or The First Avenger or the intrigue of The Winter Soldier, but is fairly entertaining in the moment (and maybe just forgettable enough to seem new again during repeated viewings). There’s also plenty of action throughout, though sometimes a little too dependent on CGI (which is pretty wonky at times). But on the plus side, here’s a rare Marvel movie that’s comparatively light on rampant mass destruction. I like citywide mayhem as much as the next guy. I also love lasagna…just not for every damn meal.

Additionally, Captain America: Brave New World does not have the look or tone of the other three movies, which I think is by design since it gives us a new Captain. But I don’t think it goes far enough. At this point, a fresher move would’ve been to ditch the MCU baggage with a stand-alone story that doesn’t cling to the past or offer hints about the future. 

EXTRA KIBBLES

FEATURETTES - Assuming the Mantle; Old Scores, New Scars.

AUDIO COMMENTARY - By director Julius Onah and cinematographer Kramer Morgenthau.

BLOOPERS - It’s mostly just actors dancing for the camera.

3 DELETED SCENES

THE ADVENTURERS: Andy Lau Brings the Pain

THE ADVENTURERS (Blu-ray)

1995 / 110 min

From Eureka Entertainment

Review by Mr. Bonnie, the Badass😺

When this arrived, I initially thought it was a rerelease of an identically-titled film I once reviewed which also starred Andy Lau. And I had no problem with that. I generally enjoy Lau’s action movies and 2017’s The Adventurers was a fairly entertaining heist flick. But 1995’s The Adventurers is a completely different animal. It’s one of director Ringo Lam’s lesser-known films on this side of the pond, having never been released on Blu-ray until now.

Lay plays Wai Lok-yan, a Cambodian fighter pilot still traumatized from witnessing the murder of his entire family when he was a boy. The man who killed them is Ray Lui (Paul Chun), a treasonous former CIA operative who’s since become rich as an illegal arms dealer. Wai has had revenge on his mind ever since, and after a failed attempt to assassinate Ray, he’s recruited by the CIA to go undercover as a ganglord in order to help bring Ray (and his much bigger associates) to justice.

Andy Lau suffers for his art.

The job takes him to San Francisco, where he wastes no time taking over territories. He also insinuates himself into the life of Ray’s estranged daughter, Crystal (Jacklyn Wu), eventually marrying her to get closer to his target. The problem is he’s also fallen in love with her, which creates a moral quandary, especially after he learns she’s pregnant. And absolutely none of this sits well with Mona (Rosamund Kwan), Ray’s mistress with whom Wai enjoyed a brief tryst. 

It's occured to me that I’m making The Adventurers sound like a melodramatic soap opera. While some narrative elements reflect that, it’s primarily a violent, complex action film. Some of the story doesn’t always come across as plausible, but it’s certainly exciting, with some excellent action sequences. Lau has always been a solid physical & dramatic actor, and he’s in fine form here. As Ray, Chun makes a wonderfully hateful foe, while Kwan could sort-of be viewed as a femme fatale…and a compelling one at that.

The Adventurers is nowhere near as upbeat as the somewhat misleading title suggests. For the most part, the tone is dark and serious, compounded by brutal violence and a massive body count, especially during the kaboom-laden climax. For Andy Lau and Ringo Lam fans, this one-time collaboration is worth seeking out. 

On an amusing side note, the original poster (reproduced on the Blu-ray cover) shows Lau standing in front of a New York skyline, even though none of the movie takes place there.

EXTRA KIBBLES

INTERVIEWS - Two Adventurers features Asian Cinema journal editor Gary Bettinson, who thoroughly discusses the golden era of Hong Kong action films, focusing largely on director Ringo Lam and The Adventurers; Interview with writer-producer Sandy Shaw.

AUDIO COMMENTARY - By critic David West.

SUPPLEMENTAL BOOKLET - Includes “Unconventional Heroism,” an essay by Han Joon Magnan Park; cast, crew & Blu-ray credits.

TRAILER

Monsters & Mayhem in OPERATION UNDEAD

OPERATION UNDEAD (Blu-ray)

2024 / 110 min

From Well Go USA

Available at www.MovieZyng.com

Review by Josey, the Sudden Cat🙀

In many zombie movies, the living dead aren’t always the real monsters…it’s the characters who display the worst aspects of humanity. The monsters in this case are the Japanese army during World War II. As a form of biological warfare, they figure out how to reanimate the dead, then release one of those experiments during an incursion on a Thai province. 

Operation Undead doesn’t begin that way, though. In fact, the goofy opening scene features a young squad of Thai soldiers watching their buddy get it on with a prostitute while they collectively jerk off. That, along with the playful score, suggests more of a comedy…and a dumb one at that. 

The tone quickly turns serious (and more melodramatic) with the introduction of the film’s protagonists, Mek (Chanon Santinatomkul) and Mok (Awat Ratanapintha), two bickering sibling soldiers. Of course, one’s dedicated to his country, the other is a flaky free spirit. There’s also an added subplot of Mek’s pregnant girlfriend, who largely exists to be put in peril, as does the local village where most of the squad was raised.

"SMMMOKIN'!"

For reasons not made convincingly clear, the Japanese now need the Thai army’s help finding the rampant hungry zombie, which wastes no time infecting others on both sides…including Mok. But unlike the mindless hordes in most flicks, the undead speak, think and are filled with rage over what’s happened to them. Though they’re perpetually ravenous, Mok manages to rally them into exacting revenge and protecting the village.

The film tries very hard to get the audience emotionally invested in its individual zombies. But while we do side with them as a whole, simply giving each a chance to explain what they’re gonna miss by being dead isn’t enough. Ultimately, we just want to see them wreak havoc…which they definitely do. Operation Undead is never as affecting as, say, Train to Busan, but it delivers the gore goods, often spectacularly. There’s gobs of gut-munching, artery-spewing, brain-bursting mayhem on display, all vividly depicted with pretty convincing effects. 

With a sky-high body count - including children - Operation Undead mostly maintains interest through violence and action alone. It also grows increasingly bleak and culminates in a climax that’s somewhat underwhelming and kind of a downer. But until then, the film offers some nasty fun for gorehounds.

THE GANGSTER, THE COP, THE DEVIL: Starring Korea's Biggest Badass

THE GANGSTER, THE COP, THE DEVIL (Blu-ray)

2019 / 110 min

From Well Go USA

Available at www.MovieZyng.com

Review by Mr. Bonnie, the Ballcrusher😺

In a perfect world, Don Lee (aka, Ma Dong-seok) would be a bigger star on this side of the pond. Though beloved in Korea, over here he’s best known for Train to Busan and that Marvel snoozefest, Eternals. The latter was his Hollywood debut, and he stole the entire movie from his bigger co-stars. 

But elsewhere, he’s been the kickass star of some really great action films, such as The Roundup franchise, where he plays a big, burly cop who fights crime through sheer blunt force. With his ample frame and laconic delivery, he seems like an unlikely action hero, but that’s what makes those movies so entertaining (and often very funny). If you haven’t seen any of them, get over your aversion to subtitles and seek them out.

Another one to check out is 2019’s The Gangster, The Cop, The Devil, where Lee plays Jang Dong-soo, a powerful mob boss who’s attacked one night by a mysterious serial killer. Jang survives and vows revenge, ordering his henchmen to find the man. At the same time, renegade cop Jung Tae-suk (Kim Mu-yeol) is equally obsessed with catching the killer (responsible for several murders), but is regularly thwarted by his corrupt captain. 

The Don Lee Workout.

Though professing mutual hatred for each other, Jang and Jung become uneasy allies in the manhunt. One wants the killer dead, the other wants him brought to justice, so while they’re indeed working together, each is also trying the get the upper hand on the other. Powered by strong performances from both stars, the story is built around their characters’ antagonistic relationship, which is highly entertaining and frequently funny. The film also delivers plenty of stylish, brutal and bloody action sequences…car chases, close-quarters brawling and gunplay, all executed with a lot of panache.

Apparently, there’s been an American remake in development for a few years with Don Lee set to reprise his role. But why wait? The best version of The Gangster, The Cop, The Devil is already here. Exciting, violent and fast-paced, this is an outstanding Korean action film featuring another muscular performance by a guy more people should be aware of.

This is a re-issue of a Blu-ray edition first released in 2019.

EXTRA KIBBLES

FEATURETTES - Making of; The Characters (actually just a montage of clips featuring each main character).

TRAILER

15 MINUTES: More Slick Than Subtle

15 MINUTES (Blu-ray)

2001 / 121 min

From Warner Bros

Available at www.MovieZyng.com

Review by Stinky the Destroyer😼

Two things keep 15 Minutes from being the movie it obviously aspires to be.

First, there’s no shortage of movies that (satirically or otherwise) offer criticism of ratings-driven media, as well as people’s obsession with fame. Not only does 15 Minutes add nothing new to the discussion, it delivers its message with the subtlety of a mallet. 

One only needs to look at the film’s main antagonists. As the host of the tabloid show, “Top Story,” Robert Hawkins (Kelsey Grammer) is so outlandishly ruthless in his quest for ratings that he makes Network’s Diana Christensen look like Edward R. Murrow (and if you don’t know who Diana Christensen is, you need to see more movies). Then there’s the two sweaty, screaming Russians who arrive in America for fame and fortune, finding it when they decide to videotape their killing spree with plans to sell the tape (and their story) once they’re caught. They’re so reckless and brash while tearing through New York that plausibility soon flies out the window.

"Jealous?"

Second is the teaming of Robert De Niro as celebrity cop Eddie Flemming and Edward Burns as fire marshall Jordan Warsaw. Whether method-acting or scenery chewing, De Niro is almost always such a strong screen presence that someone with Burns’ comparatively meager thespian skills simply can’t keep up. But in Burns’ defense, his character is so unimaginatively conceived that the best writer-director John Herzfeld could do to spice things up was shoehorn a superfluous love interest into the plot (Vera Farmiga as a murder witness). And unfortunately, De Niro’s character is gone much sooner than his billing suggests, leaving Burns to carry the thing to the finish.

On the plus side, 15 Minutes is fast paced, and admittedly, some of its histrionic attempts at social commentary are occasionally amusing. Credibility is often stretched to the breaking point - especially at the climax - but at least the movie keeps things pretty lively. Ultimately, it works better as a big dumb action film than anything thought provoking.

This is a re-issue of a Blu-ray edition first released in 2015.

EXTRA KIBBLES

FEATURETTES - Does Crime Pay? is a round table discussion about famous cases where criminals profited from their crimes (yes, that's Mark Fuhrman sitting in); True Tabloid Stars is a brief history of sensational “news” programs, featuring some famous hosts (a few of whom sort of try to defend their chosen profession).

AUDIO COMMENTARY - By writer-director John Herzfeld.

6 DELETED SCENES - With optional commentary.

OLEG’S VIDEOS - Unedited versions of two murder scenes.

REHEARSAL SCENES

MUSIC VIDEO - Cover of David Bowie’s “Fame,” by God Lives Underwater.

TRAILER

GHOST SHIP and the Grand Opening

GHOST SHIP (Blu-ray)

2002 / 91 min

From Warner Bros

Available at www.MovieZyng.com

Review by Josey, the Sudden Cat🙀

Some of you might be old enough to remember the 1979 film, When a Stranger Calls. The iconic opening sequence was so masterfully executed and suspenseful that we tend to forget the rest of the movie was a plodding police procedural. Still, its place in horror history was all but assured.

Similarly, the jaw-dropping prologue to 2002’s Ghost Ship is brilliantly conceived, shocking and spectacularly violent. Some consider it one of the greatest death scenes ever created for a modern horror film, but even if one doesn’t necessarily agree, it’s something we haven’t seen before and certainly memorable. So memorable, in fact, that we might recall Ghost Ship being a better movie than it actually is.

Unlike When a Stranger Calls, the narrative, aesthetic and tone of Ghost Ship remains firmly within the horror genre. If nothing else, this is a great looking film. However, it shoots most of its creative wad during that prologue. The rest is a standard issue ghost story with characters and tropes we’ve seen in countless other movies.

Some hearts won't go on.

The basic plot features a rag-tag, opportunistic salvage crew led by Captain Murphy (Gabriel Byrne). They come across a derelict old cruise ship, the Antonia Graza, which went missing 40 years earlier. Eyeballing a massive payday, they plan to tow the ship (and the cache of gold they find) to port, but didn’t plan on gobs of ghosts - both evil and benevolent - still lurking on-board. This leads to a series of spooky set-pieces that are efficiently executed, but storywise, this is basically The Shining on a boat…with less interesting characters.

Typical of many horror movies, Ghost Ship makes the narrative mistake of offering more backstory and exposition than it needs, mostly provided by chatty ghosts. Still, some viewers prefer an explanation for everything, and admittedly, it does add context to that opening scene. 

Elsewhere, it’s kinda cool looking back to see Karl Urban in his first major Hollywood role, while sultry Francesca Rettondini (as the ship's seductive singer) is still fetching enough to be a special effect unto herself. And for a film that adheres so strictly to established horror conventions, some viewers might even look at Ghost Ship as creepy comfort food. But for one iconic scene, it briefly had us expecting something a bit more.

This is a re-issue of a Blu-ray edition first released in 2009.

EXTRA KIBBLES

FEATURETTES - Max on Set: Ghost Ship features interviews and behind the scenes footage; A Closer Look at the Gore (title tells all); Designing the Ghost Ship; Visual Effects.

SECRETS OF THE ANTONIA GRAZA - This is an interactive game.

MUSIC VIDEO - “Not Falling,” by Mudvayne.

TRAILER