365 movies in 2023: #358 – Avengers: Infinity War

AI image from the prompt “Avengers Infinity War.”

I plan to watch 365 movies this year because it’s good to have pointless goals. And even better than them simply being pointless, are goals with stipulations. At least two movies a week should be something I’ve never seen before and it doesn’t have to be “one movie per day” as long as I hit 365.

THE MOVIE: Avengers: Infinity War

Seen it before? Yes. A couple of times in theaters and many more since buying the digital download.

Thoughts: My hands-down favorite MCU movie. From a technical standpoint, that highwire act that Marvel pulled off just to get to the point of making this movie almost justifies it’s existence in the top spot. But on top of that, it’s really good. I’ve heard the complaints. It’s bloated and frenetic, some characters get lost, too much action, not enough character arcs (Thanos, Gamora and Thor would like a word), etc. In reality they juggled dozens of “main” characters from 7(!) film franchises while still giving everyone moments to shine. In the end, it’s incredibly satisfying to see so many threads from so many other movies pay off and to watch the various character pairings and personality clashes (give me more Stark, Spider-man and Strange; more Thor, Rocket and Groot). And, speaking of those three, if you don’t get legitimate chills in the moment Thor, Rocket and Groot land in the middle of the Wakanda battle, then the problem is you. It was also a great decision to give Thanos a character arc. He grows over the course of the movie into a three-dimensional character. The scene where he sacrifices Gamora to get the soul stone to fulfill his quest generates actual emotion. I’ve wven softened on Star-Lord over the years. Yeah, he kind of blows it but he also went through the emotional ringer in this one, so it’s hard to fault his for losing it in the moment. If anything, it’s kind of Nebula’s fault for spelling it out to him. It’s also a propulsive movie that movies from one great bit of action or interaction to the next. I never get tired of watching this one.

365 movies in 2023: #121 – Guardians of the Galaxy, Vol. 2

AI image from the prompt “Guardians of the Galaxy.” (Zombie version?)

I plan to watch 365 movies this year because it’s good to have pointless goals. And even better than them simply being pointless, are goals with stipulations. At least two movies a week should be something I’ve never seen before and it doesn’t have to be “one movie per day” as long as I hit 365.

THE MOVIE: Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2

Seen it before? Yes. In theaters and 3 or 3 times since.

Thoughts: The elements are there but it doesn’t quite ever hit the heights of the first one (which is somewhat understandable considering the height of the bar that Vol. 1 set). Aside from some high spots – the pairing of Mantis and Drax, giving Nebula more to do, the Mary Poppins moment – this one is just kind of there. My biggest issue may be scattering the cast when the best moments from the first movie is how they interact with each other. The fighting that tears them apart feels a little contrived (and yes, I know bickering is part of their DNA, but it feels more like forced plot mechanics working to separate them rather being really character or story driven). The middle part drags as they slowly come to the realization that Ego is evil, but the beginning and ending are solid. I also like that they explore the “sisterly” dynamic between Gamora and Nebula which yields some of the best content.