Kingsglaive - Final Fantasy XV Movie Coming 2016

Final Fantasy XV Movie Coming 2016

The Challenge of the Kingsglaive

By Nick Stone

Square Enix have revealed a straight to video and download tie-in movie to Final Fantasy XV that will release before the videogame this year. Titled Kingsglaive the film will be a prequel to the events of XV and as well as a trailer, Square Enix have offered more details for the film in an official statement:

"The magical kingdom of Lucis is home to the hallowed Crystal, but the menacing empire of Niflheim will stop at nothing to make it theirs. War has raged between the two for as long as most can remember.

King Regis of Lucis commands an elite force of soldiers dubbed the Kingsglaive. Wielding their king’s magic, Nyx Ulric and his fellow glaives stand before the crown city of Insomnia, fighting to stay the inexorable advance of Niflheim’s imperial army.

Before the overwhelming military might of the empire, King Regis can only salvage his kingdom by accepting an ultimatum—he must cede all lands outside the crown city, and see his son, Prince Noctis, wed to Lady Lunafreya, the former princess of Tenebrae now captive of Niflheim.

As the war of wills rages, the machinations of Niflheim transform Insomnia into an awe-inspiring battleground, pulling Nyx into a struggle for the very survival of the kingdom."

The feature-length movie also features the vocal talents of Luna Headey as Princess Luna, Sean Bean as King Regis and Aaron Paul as Nyx. Kingsglaive will be released by Sony Pictures Home Entertainment in 2016, before Final Fantasy XV, and will be available for streaming or download worldwide.

New International X-Men: Apocalypse Trailer Revealed

New International X-Men: Apocalypse Trailer Revealed

Everything They've Built Will Fall!

By Alex Burns

20th Century Fox have revealed a brand new international trailer for X-Men: Apocalypse! Check it out!


The highly anticipated superhero film completes the new X-Men trilogy that began with First Class and Days of Future Past and all of us at Cape and Cowl cannot wait to see what director Bryan Singer has in store for us this time.

Starring Oscar Isaac as Apocalypse, James McAvoy as Charles Xavier, Michael Fassbender as Magneto and Jennifer Lawrence as Mystique, X-Men Apocalypse is set for release May 27th 2016.

New International Suicide Squad Trailer Revealed

New International Suicide Squad Trailer Revealed

Take a Walk On the Wild Side

By Alex Burns

Warner Bros. Pictures have revealed a brand new international trailer for Suicide Squad! Check it out!


Jared Leto stars as The Joker alongside Margot Robbie as Harley Quinn, Will Smith as Deadshot and Viola Davis as Amanda Waller. Suicide Squad follows a rag tag bunch of nut balls and super powered sideshows who are assembled by the government to battle a threat that will likely result in their deaths. 

Suicide Squad is directed by David Ayer and continues the DC Universe On-Film after the release of Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice.

Suicide Squad is set for release August 5th.

Extended Batman v Superman Spoiler Analysis - Cape and Cowl Cast #6

Extended Batman v Superman Spoiler Analysis - Cape and Cowl Cast #6

#WhoDidWin?

By Alex Burns 

After years of waiting Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice is finally here! You've probably read the reviews and seen the movie by now so join Team Cape and Cowl for a special extended episode to celebrate the beginning of the DC Universe on film proper! Spoiler-filled analysis follows!






New episodes of Cape and Cowl Unlimited release weekly, for more please subscribe to our YouTube channel, we don't do ads! Also if you want to listen to the Cape and Cowl Cast, our weekly podcast series, then download on Podbean or iTunes for free.

New Batman v Superman Deleted Scene Teases Darkseid

New Batman v Superman Deleted Scene Teases Darkseid

The Bell Has Rung

By Alex Burns

Warning Major Spoilers ahead!

Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice has set the world alight with debate and box office might but here's something to mull over as we await the release of the film on home video. Check it out below.


A new deleted scene shows off Jesse Eisenberg's Lex Luthor being apprehended by the military after Superman's battle with Doomsday. The clip is titled "communion" and shows a meeting between Lex and a seriously savage looking monster that looks to be imparting knowledge upon Luthor. The identity of this creature is unconfirmed but any fan worth his salt will look for a link to Darkseid and his horde of loyal servants on planet Apokolips, judging by the look of this character it could very well be Steppenwolf. Now Steppenwolf is a Apokliptian general and a member of Darkseid's Elite, he is incredibly powerful and has bested both Superman and Wonder Woman in the comics. Check out his look in the New 52 complete with a massive horned helmet!

The big question now is why was this scene cut? Luthor's erratic behaviour at the end of the movie and his creation of Doomsday have been heavily criticised. However, if he was under the influence of aliens who wanted rid of Superman to launch an invasion on Earth then wouldn't this kind of clarification have helped out? Granted you'd have probably need another scene with some dialogue to make it clear but hey, it's another bizarre aspect to this widely ambitious movie.

Dakseid is coming folks make no bones about it and by the looks of things the members of his Elite guard will also be appearing and man do they look scary!

Expect more developments as the R Rated version approaches release the extended cut of this film may answer all our burning questions...

What are your thoughts on the deleted scene?

Second LEGO Batman Movie Trailer Hits

Second LEGO Batman Movie Trailer Hits

The Villains are in the House!

By Alex Burns

The first trailer for The LEGO Batman Movie hit all the right notes and saw a great reaction online so naturally Warner Bros. have decided to ramp up excitement even higher with a SECOND trailer!


The new footage pokes fun at other cinematic Batmen and also shows off a whole host of villains for the dark knight to tackle!

The spin-off from the uber-successful The LEGO Movie starring Chris Pratt and Will Ferrell, The LEGO Batman Movie brings back the incredibly popular LEGO Batman character, voiced by Will Arnett, for a full fledged solo movie that is set to explore all aspects of Batman in pop culture.

In addition to Arnett, the film also stars Michael Cera as Robin the boy wonder, Rosario Dawson as Batgirl, Ralph Fiennes as Alfred Pennyworth, Mariah Carey as the Mayor of Gotham and Zach Galifianakis as The Joker.

The LEGO Batman Movie is set for release on February 10, 2017.

Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice - Cape and Cowl Review

Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice - Cape and Cowl Review

A Shamefully Ambitious Adventure

By Alex Burns

Where do you begin with Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice? It's a question I'm posed as I write this review and of course, it's the one that Warner Bros. and director Zack Snyder have had to provide an answer to as the studio aims to establish a cinematic universe to rival Marvel and Disney. The answer I've had to accept, after viewing the film twice, appears to be; everything. Some of the most iconic and defining moments from the illustrious history of DC Comics are translated to the big screen in this film and while some of it works, there's the overriding feeling that it's a case of simply far too much, far too soon.

Firstly let's get a few things out of the way, Dawn of Justice is seriously engaging and delivers intense thrills and incredible superhero action on an impressive scale. It's also incredibly bitty and seriously over-cluttered, there are some enormous plot holes as well as some genuinely concerning and questionable characterisations. I'm going to attribute a lot of these negatives to the fact that Batman v Superman is burdened with the gigantic task of establishing a DC Universe to provide Warner Bros. with tent pole features for the next decade. That's the power of the superhero genre these days, it's the difference between staying on top or getting lost in the crowd, these movies keep film in those reels and ensure the cheques at the studio don't bounce. That's big, big pressure for any film to not buckle under and yet somehow, out of all of this corporate cynicism and hype machine overload, Zack Snyder has crafted a film that will achieve the studio agenda. Though money will be made, it's all very short term gain and Snyder and WB look to have counted their chickens well before they've hatched, subsequently this will absolutely make things very difficult for future directors in the DC Extended Universe.

The film itself begins in a much more fantastical fashion than a lot of cinema-goers will be used to, especially from a Batman perspective. We watch Bruce Wayne's origin unfold as the senseless murder of his parents inter-cuts with the discovery of the bats that lurk in the caves below his home. Awakening with glowing eyes the bats begin swarming uncontrollably around young Bruce, so far so Christian Bale right? Well no, not exactly, this is where the tone shifts big time and we watch Bruce ascend to the light above in a flurry of leathery bat wings, he rises higher and higher "toward the light" until the score reaches it's last crescendo and we fade to white. It's symbolic, it's iconic, it's the kind of imagery you get in a comic book every Wednesday, fans will understand it, critics will devour it and audiences will keep watching and eating their popcorn, a little confused but mostly undeterred. It's these existential sequences that communicate Snyder's vision most clearly, for better or worse, he treats the source material with a reverence that it's hard to criticise too harshly but at the same time just comes across a little dumb.

The superhero epic zips along at a pace that is unapologetically brisk, much was made of the films length prior to release but boy does the time fly. It's a dizzying watch, combining high octane set-pieces with several nuanced dramatic spectacles. Stylistically it's a visual treat and with a mega-sized budget at his disposal, Snyder has crafted a world that keeps things grounded and familiar, while also broadening the scope with larger than life elements. One troublesome gripe is that while the plot is not overly complex, the reliance on people having seen Man of Steel is bound to throw some viewers, especially in the first half. There is no pandering to explain how this DC universe is constructing itself before your eyes, and patience, evidently, is not a virtue that writers David Goyer and Chris Terrio have been instructed to convey in their long and whiffy screenplay, though you suspect it's more down to how the film has been chopped in the editing bay than anything else.

Then we come to Ben Affleck, simply put, you've never seen a movie Batman like this before. Emotionally numbed by 20 years of fighting an endless battle against crime and corruption, this is a Bruce Wayne that is ready for the final fight and views Superman as the ultimate threat that needs to be neutralised.  This Caped Crusader exudes brutality, possessing a terrifying rage that makes him incredibly accomplished at dispatching bad guys. Factor in a Batmobile that is literally hell on wheels and you've got a hero that will please the masses. So how about the man under the cowl? Affleck's Bruce Wayne is a straight talking, no-nonsense vigilante veteran, he occupies his time with fast cars, fast women and hard liquor, vices that you suspect are the only means to distract from his inner demons.

The film provides some startling and scary insight into Bruce's psyche, bordering on horror at points with more of those Snyder dream moments. However, it is through the interactions with Jeremy Irons', new and entertaining, Alfred that we best delve into Batman's dark past, throw in a dead Robin, a few good guys gone bad references, the controversial "bat brand" of justice and suddenly you realise that a solo Ben Affleck Batman film is an absolute must. Now who would have said that 2 years ago? 

So what of Henry Cavill's Superman? Well not much has changed from his performance in Man of Steel, he wears the red cape with aplomb continuing to struggle under the weight of the world's lofty expectations. Sadly we are yet again left to interpret who Superman is as he has about 12 lines (I exaggerate...slightly) in the film, that is simply unacceptable from Snyder and it's no wonder Cavill looks a little bored for most of the run time. Despite the silent brooding, Superman's relationship with Amy Adam's Lois Lane somehow manages to play out tenderly, as the two reporters are characterised as soul mates in seeking the truth and finding the best in people, Lois gives Superman an anchor on which to view the rest of humanity and their scenes together land some of the best emotional beats.

The film hinges on Superman's conflict with Batman and while Bruce is the aggressor in bringing the fight to the last son of Krypton, Superman is equally eager to put an end to Batman's crime fighting career. Clark Kent's investigation of Batman for the Daily Planet is a gripping idea but it's criminally under developed. It does at least bring to light Superman's willingness to not just use his powers to solve every problem he faces. The film is less successful at selling you a relationship between the two heroes, Batman and Superman spend barely any time together and when they do interact in costume, it's stifled with clunky dialogue and a focus on action doing the talking. That might work in a comic book but it doesn't fly here and Snyder seems afraid to let his heroes converse for too long for worry of looking silly. In a post-Avengers world is that really a problem?

Ultimately the two heroes want the same end but the means they use are very different, they're two sides of the same coin and the conflict is intriguing if a little under developed. Again Batman and Superman stay separated for the majority of the movie but when the two heroes finally do come to blows, It's made clear who should, would, and could win but in regards to the hero that actually does win it's a little ridiculous. Overall the title fight doesn't completely deliver, it's an unforgiving, choppy and short sequence. Unfortunately after all  the years of hype it will not go down in cinema history favourably, a terrible shame considering the icons on screen. That being said, the battle does throw up a surprising and borderline comedic resolution to the fight that, most certainly, will never be forgotten but it's just for all the wrong reasons.

Establishing a conflict for these two pop culture icons is one thing but where Dawn of Justice also stumbles is on the villain front. I've already mentioned how much the film jumps around and unfortunately Jesse Eisenberg's Lex Luthor suffers the most from this. his grand scheme is baffling and confusing if only because nothing is explained, thankfully Eisenberg is entertaining enough to gloss over these shortcomings, a modern day genius with a Machievelli complex. Luthor pulls the strings in a terrifying manner and provides haunting twists that spin the story into exciting and brave new territory. It would be easy for the villain to get a little lost in all the superhero flexing but Luthor is portrayed in such an unconventional way that you want to follow him down the rabbit hole of lunacy he eventually descends. That being said, this version will not be for everyone. 

Then we come to Doomsday, a product of Luthor's hatred for Superman and the symbolic manifestation of his dissatisfaction at his now limited power in the universe. The hulking monster is a simple foil to bring all the superheroes together, unashamedly added to cause the most horrific amounts of destruction seen in a superhero film yet, Snyder makes it clear he is not up for another debate about collateral damage and all the criticisms from the final battle of Man of Steel are mentioned and disproved quickly so we can get our senses pummelled by another epic city-wide brawl that is a sizeable feast for the eyes and one that will absolutely fill you up. You may have a dodgy gut the next day mind.

Dawn of Justice also introduces the wider roster of DC Comic's flagship heroes and the most exciting has to be Gal Gadot as Diana Prince/Wonder Woman. The Amazon princess is beautiful and mysterious, Gadot bringing an other-worldy quality to the role that makes her more than a match for the grandeur of Superman and dark cool of Batman. Her appearance in the finale is downright show-stealing and absolutely wonderful to watch, her signature score from Hans Zimmer and Junkie XL becoming the most memorable with each flash of her iconic tiara and gauntlets.

What isn't so successful are DC's big teases for the solo movies to come. The Flash (Ezra Miller), Aquaman (Jason Momoa) and Cyborg(Ray Fisher) all feature and it's far too heavy handed.We witness previews that completely detract from the flow of the film and are way too much like watching a teaser trailer online. It's a studio minded addition but despite the fact that it doesn't sit well narratively, I can't see audiences having too much of an issue with it, each preview is, at the end of the day, pretty cool.

I have to say a second screening benefits the viewer, but Snyder will not be so lucky with audiences who aren't invested in the characters and you have to recognise that as a failure as really, you should be hooking people in with the first viewing. There is simply too much to process the first time of asking and it's not a complex plot, it's just a story-telling minefield. There's no way this film can be a true great to stand unquestioned alongside The Dark Knight and The Avengers. Let's make that absolutely clear. It has to be said because that was most certainly the intention.

There are also several lingering and potentially uncomfortable questions that Snyder will have to answer and it all stems from his seeming inability to avoid controversy, he backs himself into a corner of his own making at points and it is exhausting to try and understand why. Take this for example; Snyder nails the comic book version of Batman on screen but as good as Ben Affleck is, Snyder has his Batman absolutely kill people, not by accident, not in a situation out of his control, it's by choice and with far too many guns knocking around than should ever be associated with the character. That is not going to sit well with fans, these decisions seem obvious to avoid, yet here we are.

Dawn of Justice is also guilty of assuming everyone in the audience has read the iconic graphic novels that Zack Snyder borrows so much from. This isn't just in relation to the action set-pieces or easter eggs littered throughout the film. No, it's in the unforgivable lack of characterisation to the central characters, Snyder has explained motivations for the DC heroes and villains in interviews aplenty but has strangely opted to leave a lot of those explanations from this theatrical cut. It's a shame, too much is hinted at and not detailed enough, it's all cryptic dialogue and foreshadowing taken to the extreme, though you have to hope that this picture will look stronger once we have a few more of those upcoming DC films in the locker.

Overall, Batman v Superman wanders the tight-rope between good and awful tentatively, there are moments where you feel the film has fallen off into the terrible abyss below but realise quickly that it's still on the kind of on the right track, if making things a heck of a lot harder for itself along the way. A confident if muddled opening, an absolute shambles of a second act and a finale that will absolutely put a lump in your throat and raise your heartbeat to dangerous levels, all combine to make Dawn of Justice a confused, brooding and divisive piece of cinema.

RECOMMENED (just)

The Cinematic DC Universe has struggled on screen at last, Dawn of Justice is no masterpiece, it's just "okay" verging on awful. The future of DC on film is no sure thing, WB have plenty more work to do.

Stay tuned to Cape and Cowl for more updates on DC Comics on film.

Amazons Assemble! New Wonder Woman Image Revealed

New Wonder Woman Image Revealed

Amazons Assemble!

By Alex Burns

Audiences will get their first look at Gal Gadot as Wonder Woman in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice when the film releases worldwide tomorrow and she's tipped to steal the show. We've got another look at the superheroes upcoming solo movie though via EW who have shared this image of Wonder Woman alongside other Amazon warriors.

“Themyscira is influenced by the Greek but it’s clearly more then that,” producer Charles Roven tells the outlet. “It’s a place that has the ‘you’ve never been to’ kind of feel. But once you’re there you’re not so sure you really want to leave so fast.” ​

“To me, they shouldn’t be dressed in armor like men,” director Patty Jenkins says of their armor. “It should be different. It should be authentic and real—and appealing to women.”

The Amazons on show include looks at Diana in an alternate Amazon garment, her mother, Queen Hippolyta (Connie Nielsen), and her two aunts General Antiope (Robin Wright) and Antiope’s lieutenant, Menalippe (Lisa Loven Kongsli). 

The Wonder Woman movie is set to open June 23rd 2017 and also stars Chris Pine as Steve Trevor and is set in WW1 as well as present day.

The Force Unknown - Disney Reveal Star Wars Deleted Scenes Promo

Disney Reveal Star Wars Deleted Scenes Promo

The Force Unknown...

By Alex Burns

Star Wars The Force Awakens was an incredible success and like anything Star Wars it left fans and audiences wanting more. We've now got a taste of what's to come from the imminent home video release and the bonus features include some mouth-watering deleted scenes. Disney have revealed the listings plus a teaser video of what to expect.

The Force Awakens deleted scenes on the disc will include:

• Stormtrooper Finn’s run-in with a Jakku village woman in the opening attack.
• Han, Finn, and Chewie face down a squadron of stormtroopers in Maz Kanata’s basement.
• Kylo Ren leads snowtroopers to the crashed Millennium Falcon at Starkiller Base, and has an emotional remembrance inside.
• General Leia is introduced earlier in the film, as Major Brance (Emun Elliott) gets a distress signal from BB-8 informing them of the attack on the Jakku village.
• Poe Dameron and the other X-Wings prepare for lightspeed as they head into battle, giving us a chance to see starships in space.
• Finn and Rey escape Starkiller base on a First Order snowspeeder, while another gives chase.
• Rey gets an update on an injured Finn’s condition from Dr. Kalonia (Harriet Walton).

 

Star Wars The Force Awakens will be available digitally on April 1 and on Blu-ray Combo Pack and DVD on April 5. Fans in the UK will have to wait until Arpil 18th for a hard copy.

What We Want From Indiana Jones 5 - Cape and Cowl Conversations

What We Want From Indiana Jones 5 - Cape and Cowl Conversations

New Episodes Every Week!

By Alex Burns

Indy is back! Join Alex and Franco as they discuss their wants for the next Indiana Jones adventure.

New episodes of Cape and Cowl Unlimited release weekly, for more please subscribe to our YouTube channel, we don't do ads! Also if you want to listen to the Cape and Cowl Cast, our weekly podcast series, then download on Podbean or iTunes for free.

The LEGO Batman Movie Trailer Revealed!

The LEGO Batman Movie Trailer Revealed!

It's Black and Very, Very Dark Gray

By Alex Burns

Hot on the heels of Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice releasing worldwide tomorrow, Warner Bros. Pictures have revealed the official trailer for The LEGO Batman Movie! Check it out below.


The spin-off from the uber-successful The LEGO Movie starring Chris Pratt and Will Ferrell, The LEGO Batman Movie brings back the incredibly popular LEGO Batman character, voiced by Will Arnett, for a full fledged solo movie that is set to explore all aspects of Batman in pop culture.

In addition to Arnett, the film also stars Michael Cera as Robin the boy wonder, Rosario Dawson as Batgirl, Ralph Fiennes as Alfred Pennyworth, Mariah Carey as the Mayor of Gotham and Zach Galifianakis as The Joker.

The LEGO Batman Movie is set for release on February 10, 2017.

Marvel's Daredevil Season 2 - Cape and Cowl Review

Marvel's Daredevil Season 2 - Cape and Cowl Review

The Devil of Hell's Kitchen Returns

By Alex Burns

Season 2 of Marvel's Daredevil continues to impress, the vigilante drama makes several confident strides forward in it's sophomore outing and while there are a few stumbles along the way, the overwhelming feeling after the end of episode 13 is that of wanting more.

The street level adventures in Marvel's cinematic universe remain some of the most engaging and where Daredevil succeeds is always recognising that character comes first. The main crux of season 2 is the exploration of what defines a hero, what keeps Daredevil from being just another vigilante taking the law into his own hands and deciding what's best for everyday people like you and me. Those are some lofty ambitions for sure but with some great inspirations, notably from Christopher Nolan's Batman films, the showrunners manage to deliver on nearly every front, this is spectacle with substance.

British actor Charlie Cox returns as Matt Murdoch and he's a heck of a lot more assured in the role now season 1 is in the can. Cox's Murdoch is an engaging lead, he brings a genuine likeability to the role but also gradually conveys a subtle vulnerability to the character that becomes prevalent as the series progresses. After taking down the Kingpin last year we join Murdoch in a good place, he is full of optimism that he can balance his people over profit law firm as well as his night time excursions as the Devil of Hell's Kitchen. This balance is key to the show's success and in a thrilling chase sequence in the first episode we see just what makes Daredevil so necessary and also why Matt get's so much satisfaction from putting on the horned helmet night after night. It's a delicate balance for sure and the tipping point for this scale arrives in the form of the Punisher.

Jon Bernthal is THE standout addition to this series as Frank Castle, a man whose family was taken away in the cruellest fashion. Bernthal is, as expected, more than capable as the most savage of all vigilante anti-heroes, he ghosts through the series delivering incredibly savage sequences and bringing a menacing almost haunting quality to the character. The more dramatic beats of The Punisher character are given a thorough examination over the course of the 13 episodes and there is plenty to love, loathe and contemplate as Frank Castle mutilates and bulldozes his way to answers over the murder of his family. 

The opening four episodes deliver a seriously satisfying look at how Daredevil vs The Punisher plays out in the MCU and quite happily stands alone as a self-contained movie almost. The writers have plenty of material to play with here, tapping into a rich lore of Marvel comic books, they explore the ever popular debate of ends justifying means and the nature of vigilantism. It delivers, for the most part. Cox and Bernthal are immensely watchable as they trade superhero philosophies but for all the one-liners and self-discovery the debate runs in circles never really reaching an answer. Daredevil believes in finding the light in the dark no matter how filthy and evil that darkness is, the Punisher views that little light as a flame that needs to be snuffed out before it spreads into a wildfire that hurts innocent people like his family. It's a more than engaging argument and perhaps the reason we can't reach a satisfying conclusion is that it's a debate we are living with everyday in a society where there is the very real threat of some form of terrorism on your doorstep.

Thankfully it's not all high brow ethical discussion, where Marvel's Daredevil continues to deliver more than any other series out there is on the action front. There are some spell-binding sequences throughout the second season. The most popular is bound to be a multi-storey building bout where Daredevil uses every trick in his arsenal to stay alive including a heavy metal chain tapped to his hand, one of the most out and out cool moments sees our hero wielding the chain like a whip and ensures Murdoch continues to dish out pain in an exceedingly entertaining manner. The Punisher also gets his fair share of action beats and boy does he make Daredevil look pedestrian by comparison, with a brutal combination of military precision and furious rage we see Frank Castle amass a kill count that would make Rambo proud. The choreography and stunt team deserve a massive pat on the back as the sheer quality of what's on display coupled with the variety and creativity to keep all these brawls interesting is quite simply phenomenal. Plus there's ninjas, 'nuff said!

While Daredevil and the Punisher shine as the series main leads the other big addition this year is Elodie Yung in the role of Elektra. Turning up at the worst possible time to complicate Matt's life even further, the chemistry between Cox and Yung is palpable and the duo offer some wonderful cat and mouse moments. Elektra is no slouch in the action department either, more than a match for the obstacles thrown her way, she combines sensuality with bloodlust in a very convincing performance. The dynamics in her relationship with Murdoch both in and out of costume are playful for the most part but when the plot gets serious their conflicts feel tired and are pretty messy thematically, Elektra could at times be disregarded as the female punisher that Matt happens to have sex with, in fact by the time Elektra questions slitting throats there are far too many dead bodies for Matt to possibly be okay with. Her origin story is explored almost laboriously as the series reaches it's climax but by that point it's too difficult to piece her together coherently, she's mysterious by nature sure but the inconsistency in her character is more a case of being underwritten than anything else. Thankfully, the show redeems itself by offering some clarity in the final episode in a scene with Daredevil and Elektra, exhausted from battle and fearing the fight ahead, that really resonates emotionally. 

Daredevil, Elektra and The Punisher all demand so much screen time because they are just too impossibly interesting not too focus on, so naturally the show stumbles unfortunately with handling the rest of the supporting cast that don't have fancy costumes. Elden Henson as Matt's friend and colleague Foggy Nelson is a prime example, destined to suffer the most criticism as the obligatory voice of reason in the series. There's nothing wrong with Henson's performance, Foggy feels real and genuine it's just that he's lumbered with the unpopular opinions and the fact that his character and so many others around him are ten steps behind the audience make it very hard to like the guy, especially when he keeps shouting at Matt for saving people's lives and trust me the writer's want you to like Foggy.

The show keeps things interesting outside of all the costumed adventuring as Matt makes several bad personal decisions that, while done with the best intentions, often put those closest to him at risk. Deborah Ann Woll returning as Karen Page is the unlucky benefactor from said bad decisions her romantic relationship with Matt comes off well and the connection is understandable, matt shuts out everything else when he is with her, unfortunately that means Daredevil to and there's no way he's ending his crusade. Sadly Karen doesn't progress much either, the victim once again as she was in season 1, the show spends a heavy amount of time attempting to flesh out her motivations but again it's underwritten and save for her romance with Matt I found myself switching off whenever she occupied the screen. Karen is always investigating, asking questions and crying at people, we are continually told she figures stuff out and has all the chops to be a lawyer AND a journalist but really things just happen around her and she's there to observe and kind of connect the dots because, you know, Daredevil is her boyfriend.

While the series stumbles in balancing the multiple plot threads there's enough investment in caring about where these heroes end up that you just have to keep watching, the cast all buy into the cause and give some seriously excellent performances. Jon Bernthal will have you in tears as he regales Daredevil with the loss of his family, displaying an emotional heart to the character that is just as powerful as his rage. Charlie Cox benefits the most though, the show is not distracted by the new comic book characters on display and the showrunners have made sure everything flows through the title character as it should do.

The wider Marvel Universe is at play as well with the some fun cameos pertaining to Jessica Jones in particular, Rosario Dawson is back as Claire Temple providing that connection to the people of Hell's Kitchen and offer Matt advice in a plot-centric appearance that, while fun at first, eventually overstays it's welcome. The best out of all the subtle and not so subtle nods however, is the surprise reappearance of Vincent D'Onofrio as Wilson Fisk midseason. Immediately, all the impossible tension of season 1 is back and the Kingpin is reborn from within a high security prison, scheming wonderfully and interacting with the Punisher in a scene that will make you smile ear to ear as you realise just how far we've come to have these two comic characters exchanging dialogue on screen. My personal favourite moment from the entire season is Matt returning to confront Fisk in prison as a lawyer not a superhero, Murdoch begins feeling superior but as the scene unfolds the balance of power shifts and we are treated to an unbelievable nervy sequence, the two enemies exchange emotional threats before the handcuffs are off and we're into a horrific grapple between the two that demonstrates exactly why the Kingpin is so pivotal to this show going forward. Murdoch looks afraid after the encounter, a promise is made for the future of the series that bigger threats lie ahead and it serves as a reminder that for all the strengths of season 2 it really is missing a new villain to equal the Kingpin.

Overall Marvel's Daredevil season 2 is unmissable superhero entertainment, the Marvel Universe on Netflix is beyond cool and by embracing a more grounded take, as well as taking more than a few cues from The Dark Knight trilogy, Daredevil remains a hero to pay attention to. Crafting a dark and immersive tale with a human heart, Netflix show us that the world isn't black and white and Matt Murdoch may be blind but he see into the grey unknown better than most and if there is a chance of hope and something better on the horizon he will drag it out of the dirt with his bare hands. Aspects of slow pacing from the first season have been fixed but sadly some rushed resolutions, the Punisher's and Elektra's arcs in particular, mar the experience somewhat. I'm still here though, still waiting for Hell's Kitchen to be saved and I'll tell you now - I cannot wait for season 3.

Highly Recommended

Stay tuned to Cape and Cowl for everything Daredevil!

Batman v Superman London Premiere and More Promos

Batman v Superman London Premiere and More Promos

The Dawn of Justice is Nearly Upon Us

By Alex Burns

Batman v Superman is merely days away guys and gals! The anticipation is almost too much to handle right now but stay strong, it'll be here before you know it! We've got some final looks at the movie including some shots from the London premiere that if I didn't have a fiancée who's about to give birth any day now, then I would have totally been at! Ahh well, such is life! Get excited, get hyped, this film is looking like the real deal amigos!


It's great to see the premiere go ahead after the horrific events in Brussells this morning, we cannot live in fear of monsters like the ones that stole so many lives and a film about heroes is a great headline on a bleak front page. The premier took place in Leicester Square and of course the main cast from Batman v Superman were in attendance but don't forget the rest of the Justice League! Ray Fisher(Cyborg), Ezra Miller(The Flash) and Jason Momoa(Aquaman) were all walking the red carpet alongside Henry Cavill, Ben Affleck and Gal Gadot, this cinematic Justice League is looking epic and after tonight they will absolutely be getting media tongues wagging worldwide. It's a good time to be a DC fan!


You can watch the entire premiere here:

Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice is set for release March 25th 2016 AKA... THIS FRIDAY, GET ON IT!

Cape and Cowl Cast #5 - Prepare for the (X-Men) Apocalypse!

Cape and Cowl Cast #5 - Prepare for the (X-Men) Apocalypse!

Brand New Episode Right Here!

By Alex Burns

Team Cape and Cowl discuss all the awesome goings-on from the week including the Indiana Jones 5 announcement, the new Legend of Tarzan trailer, Marvel's Daredevil season 2 and the epic new X-Men: Apocalypse trailer!

If you want to listen to the Cape and Cowl Cast on the go then download the Podcast Podbean for free - also available on iTunes





Brand new episodes every week guys and gals, be sure to subscribe! For more videos check out our YouTube Channel

Remembering Twilight Princess - Cape and Cowl Conversations

Remembering Twilight Princess - Cape and Cowl Conversations

A Dark Tale in The Legend of Zelda Series

By Alex Burns

New episodes every week! The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess is celebrating it's 10 year anniversary! Time for a nostalgia trip in time for the HD re-release! Join Alex and Sam for some memories in the realm of Twilight!


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First LEGO Batman Movie Images Revealed

First LEGO Batman Movie Images Revealed

You guessed it... these are awesome!

By Alex Burns

Check out these first images from The LEGO Batman Movie! The spin-off from the uber-successful The LEGO Movie starring Chris Pratt and Will Ferrell, The LEGO Batman Movie brings back the incredibly popular LEGO Batman character, voiced by Will Arnett, for a full fledged solo movie that is set to explore all aspects of Batman in pop culture. The images come from USA Today who also provided some quotes from Arnett and director Chris McKay.

“The Batcave is even better than we remembered it, it’s awesome” Arnett tells the outlet. “But I also love getting into the ho-hum day-to-day of being Batman and what it’s like to fight crime each day. Like the idea of Batman oversleeping his alarm clock makes me laugh. It really does humanize him.”

“We thought if we can tell a well-rounded, funny story that’s action-packed, we can build a big movie around this character,” says McKay. “This is the movie we would want to see.”

In addition to Arnett, the film also stars Michael Cera as Robin the boy wonder, Rosario Dawson as Batgirl, Ralph Fiennes as Alfred Pennyworth, Mariah Carey as the Mayor of Gotham and Zach Galifianakis as The Joker.

 

 

The LEGO Batman Movie is set for release on February 10, 2017.