Spoiler Free Civil War Review - Cape and Cowl Unlmited

Spoiler Free Civil War Review - Cape and Cowl Unlmited

Brand New Episode!

By Alex Burns

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 Podbean or iTunes for free.

Captain America: Civil War - Spoiler Review

Captain America: Civil War - Spoiler Review

Brand New Episode!

By Alex Burns

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 Podbean or iTunes for free.

Captain America: Civil War - Cape and Cowl Review

Captain America: Civil War - Cape and Cowl Review

Lines in the Sand

By Alex Burns

There are a few certainties in this life; there's frustrating inconvenience of death and boy oh boy are there taxes but thankfully, there's also one more. This new and contrastingly positive certainty dawned on me whilst watching Captain America: Civil War last night, a notion that I think many will have trouble disproving - Marvel Studios make incredible films that live up to the hype. The hype and expectations surrounding the future of these mighty movies are of no humble origin either, after the phenomenal success of The Avengers, the Marvel brand has been elevated to critically acclaimed and insanely profitable heights. All of a sudden everyone else wants a slice of the heroic cake and the imitators are on the scene all around us at the theatres, they loom large in the multiplex foyers with equally big budgets and characters just as iconic to boot but does this trouble Marvel and their most ambitious picture yet? No, absolutely not.

Let's get this out there, Captain America: Civil War is the best film I've seen so far this year, it's the most fun I've had watching a film this year and not only is it the best Marvel movie yet, it stakes a serious case for being the greatest superhero film of all time. This is not hyperbole, simply put Marvel Studios have crafted a character driven and emotionally charged superhero yarn that frankly, shows the competition how it's done.

Worried about too many superheroes spoiling the comic book pot? Forget about it, each hero gets their due, becoming integral to the plot in their own way and each given a crowd pleasing moment that ensures you'll remember their name for that solo movie you'll no doubt love. Marvel have a formula and it's bordering on a miracle cure for stale blockbuster film making.

Civil War broaches a familiar superhero storytelling trope that's creeping up a lot nowadays as collateral damage and accountability are called into question by the nations of the world. Suddenly saving that day never seemed so littered with bureaucracy and political agenda. The suits and stiffs in high office want the Avengers to be a governed group that answers solely to them and only acts when the powers at be deem it necessary. Comparisons between weapons of mass destruction and the Hulk hit hard and when the casualties of previous battles start to catch up with Tony Stark, it doesn't seem like such a bad idea. The signing of these accords divide the Avengers and Steve Rogers views them as a restriction on saving lives and a front for nations to pursue ends no different than what he fought against in World War II. He's a soldier for all innocent people first and foremost, despite the red, white and blue flag on his chest.

All the usual Marvel magic is on display here and that's not to say that everything in Civil War plays by the rules, after all the very nature of this film is hero against hero, friend against friend, Avenger against Avenger. It's an eye-watering spectacle that's only ever been witnessed in the comics. The old "who'd win in a fight" playground argument is put through all of it's paces during the two hour run time and there's no reluctance to mismatch the heroes trading fisticuffs, Ant-Man squares up to Iron Man, Vision takes on Hawkeye, Black Panther mauls the Winter Soldier and that's only scratching the surface, of course you get the classic, iconic bouts as well but I'll let them surprise you.

The action beats play to an unerringly catchy tune, they're frequent, frenetic and surprisingly fast. It all resonates so well as no matter how big the explosion or how fancy the visual FX, the characters remain the driving force behind the spectacle on screen. Marvel know you've been through so much with Steve Rogers an co. and they play on the strengths of this pre-established relationship whilst avoiding the temptation to rely on the audience having seen previous entries in the franchise (though, of course that helps!). There are several stand-out sequences and the mid way point in the film delivers one of the greatest set-pieces in a movie, ever.

There are some issues with pacing in the second act and a couple of the plot twists are a little telegraphed but the overall strength of tone and direction from the Russo brothers brushes these niggles aside. The ambitions for this feature have been more than met and in a movie filled with so many heroes even the villain is a stellar stroke of genius. There's no mindless super-powered wrecking ball to unite the heroes at the end of this movie, no, we get Daniel Bruhl putting in a creeping and intriguing performance as a villain who pulls the strings and manipulate events to devastating effect but in a very human way.

Then we come to the new superhero additions and by the time the credits roll on this picture Marvel will have more than a couple of solo franchises to get excited about. Tom Holland's turn as Spider-Man is pure joy, cutting to the core of this beloved character in his limited screen time with far more success than the entirety of the Amazing Spider-Man movies. Chadwick Boseman's performance as Black Panther is calm, cool and full of composure, here's a hero who commands the screen with aplomb. Paul Rudd drops in again as Ant-Man and he absolutely steals the show with some of the best gags.

The regular cast members also turn out some of their best performances yet as well, with Chris Evans and Robert Downey Jr. pulling at your heart strings and toying with your personal hero allegiances with their captivating interactions. The dialogue between all the heroes is open, honest and purposeful, both sides of the arguments are right and both are wrong, like in real life politics there's no easy out, don't expect to get a clear cut answer to the questions posed by this movie, like voting, it's all personal choice. You have to live with the consequences.

When it all comes down to it though, this is a movie about friendship and we never stray into Avengers style grandeur, this is a Captain America story, potentially the last Captain America story as we know him and it's all the better for remembering who's name is on the poster. Steve Rogers is still a man out of time but in his eyes justice and truth never age. Sebastian Stan's Winter Soldier is the perfect representation of Steve's courage and sense of hope and their friendship forms the unshakable foundations of Civil War, likewise the strength of Cap's new relationships, Anthony Mackie's Falcon for example, continue to build upon that foundation

Overall, Civil War is a resounding celebration of not just Marvel's comic book roots but also what can be achieved with the modern day blockbuster and you will leave this movie on a high. Never before has a superhero movie delivered on so many levels.

UNMISSABLE

The dream is real people, embrace the awesome, Marvel have delivered yet again and there was really never any doubt they wouldn't.

How Will Iron Man Shape Spider-Man: Homecoming?

How Will Iron Man Shape Spider-Man: Homecoming?

Plus New Civil War TV Spot

By Alex Burns

Check out this clips from our latest Podcast, be sure to subscribe and drop a comment to say hi!

Plus check out this sweet Civil War TV Spot!

Batman: The Killing Joke Trailer Revealed

Batman: The Killing Joke Trailer Revealed

Welcome to the Mad House

By Alex Burns

DC Entertainment and Warner Bros. Animation have revealed the official trailer for their next direct-to-video feature film; Batman: The Killing Joke! You can watch the trailer below via Yahoo!.



The new animated film is an adaptation of Alan Moore's iconic graphic novel of the same name, as one of my personal favourites I cannot wait to see this twisted tale of the Joker's (possible) origin brought to life.

Kevin Conroy is back as Batman and Mark Hamill also returns to voice the Joker once more, Bruce Timm is on hand as executive producer and the film is set for release later this year.

Fans will also be treated to a 15 minute prologue sequence not from the original graphic novel that will help expand the story.

New Spider-Man footage in Civil War TV Spot

New Spider-Man footage in Civil War TV Spot

Not Long Now...

By Alex Burns

Marvel have revealed a new action packed TV spot for Captain America: Civil War! The footage shows off all your favourite Avengers as well as proudly parading all those positive reviews for the movie. That's not all though as we get a great look at Tom Holland's Spider-Man taking on the Winter Soldier!


Captain America: Civil War is set for release May 5th, if you 're in the UK, like us, then you can catch the movie from April 29th.

Final X-Men: Apocalypse Trailer Revealed

Final X-Men: Apocalypse Trailer Revealed

The End is Nigh

By Alex Burns

20th Century Fox have revealed the final trailer for X-Men: Apocalypse and it raises the levels of epicness for the film to dangerous highs! Plus is that a Wolverine tease? Check it out!




X-Men: Apocalypse is set for release May 27th.

Return to Arkham and the Future of Superhero Games

Return to Arkham and the Future of Superhero Games

Cape and Cowl Cast #10

By Alex Burns

Check out these clips from our latest podcast, be sure to subscribe and drop a comment to say hi!

Robert Downey Jr. Confirmed for Spider-Man: Homecoming

Robert Downey Jr. Confirmed for Spider-Man: Homecoming

Webhead and Shellhead Team up!

By Alex Burns

It's official, Robert Downey Jr. will appear in Spider-Man: Homecoming! After weeks of rumours and teases from the actor himself in Civil War interviews Sony Pictures have now confirmed all the speculation. Tony Stark will appear alongside Peter Parker for this new Spider-Man adventure but it's still unknown how much the character will influence events in the movie

Tom Holland will star as Spider-Man in this new feature film after making his first appearance in the Marvel Cinematic Universe in Captain America: Civil War. That film is set for release next month on May 5th and Spider-Man: Homecoming will hit theatres July 17th next year.

Oh and get excited for Captain America with these cool new IMAX posters!

The Iron Man and Spidey relationship will be fascinating to watch unfold on screen for the time being here's how we think it'll play out in Civil War.

Cape and Cowl Cast #10 - Doctor Strange Trailer Reaction and Civil War Hype!

Cape and Cowl Cast #10 - Doctor Strange Trailer Reaction and Civil War Hype!

Brand New Episode!

By Alex Burns

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.

Official Jason Bourne Trailer Revealed

Official Jason Bourne Trailer Revealed

You Know His Name

By Alex Burns

Check out the first official trailer for Jason Bourne! The return of Matt Damon to the epic espionage franchise is looking pretty boss and we can't wait to get our tickets booked!


Matt Damon returns to his most iconic role in Jason Bourne. Paul Greengrass, the director of The Bourne Supremacy and The Bourne Ultimatum, once again joins Damon for the next chapter of Universal Pictures’ Bourne franchise, which finds the CIA’s most lethal former operative drawn out of the shadows.

For Jason Bourne, Damon is joined by Alicia Vikander, Vincent Cassel and Tommy Lee Jones, while Julia Stiles reprises her role in the series. Frank Marshall again produces alongside Jeffrey Weiner for Captivate Entertainment, and Greengrass, Damon, Gregory Goodman and Ben Smith also produce. Based on characters created by Robert Ludlum, the film is written by Greengrass and Christopher Rouse.

Jason Bourne will hit theatres on July 29th 2016.

Will Suicide Squad Succeed Where BvS Failed?

Will Suicide Squad Succeed Where BvS Failed?

DC Comics and Warner Bros. Still Have Work to Do

By Alex Burns

Join Alex and Sam for another episode of Cape and Cowl Unlimited. This week we are reacting to the Suicide Squad Blitz trailer and discuss if the David Ayer film can succeed critically where Batman v Superman didn't. The credibility of the DC cinematic universe is on the line, can the bad guys save the day for once?



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.

Cape and Cowl Cast #8 - Star Wars Rogue One Special

Cape and Cowl Cast #8 - Star Wars Rogue One Special

Brand New Episode!

By Alex Burns

Join Alex and Franco for a special Star Wars themed episode of the Cape and Cowl Cast! The Rogue One trailer made quite the impression and we have lots to talk about! Watch our podcast in the players below or download for easy listening on the go!








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 Podbean or iTunes for free.

Captain America and Iron Man Face Off for EW Cover

Captain America and Iron Man Face Off For EW Cover

Friend Becomes Foe

By Alex Burns

Check out this awesome cover for EW featuring Captain America and Iron Man locked in battle! It's not just those two heavy hitters though as the rest of Team Cap and Team Iron Man are also ready for a fight. Check them all out below!

The war drums are sounding as Civil War approaches it's cinematic release next month. Have you booked your tickets yet? We have! Go IMAX!

Starring Chris Evans as Captain America and Robert Downey Jr as Iron Man, Captain America: Civil War is set for release May 6th, 2016. The film will also feature the debut of the Marvel cinematic universe versions of Spider-Man and Black Panther.


Are you Team Cap or Team Iron Man?

Batman v Superman Crosses $800 Million Worldwide

Batman v Superman Crosses $800 Million Worldwide

Has the Film Lived up to it's Potential?

By Alex Burns

Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice has just crossed the $800 million dollar mark at the worldwide box office. The Zack Snyder directed superhero movie released on March 25th and has since amassed $300,201,288 domestically and a further $499,600,000 in foreign territories for an estimated total of $800,801,288 and counting. 

These numbers are pretty impressive to look at and Warner Bros. Pictures will no doubt enjoy showing the figures off to ramp up excitement for the DC Comics movies that are currently in production. 

There is another story here though. Domestically the movie plummeted 80% the weekend after an opening of $166 million and has been falling fast ever since, it looks as though the negative critical reaction to the film did indeed play a part after all. Additionally the domestic haul of the movie does not compare too favourably with other contemporary superhero movies. Iron Man 3 amassed $409,013,099 back in 2013 and that same year Christian Bale's final outing as Batman in The Dark Knight Rises reeled in $448,139,099, unfortunately for WB it looks as though Dawn of Justice will not hit the same heights and for a movie starring Batman and Superman that is disappointing.

There is reason to be optimistic though as the overseas numbers are saving the film and should recoup the enormous $350 million that Warner Bros. invested in the picture. The real question now is will Batman v Superman have enough punching power to hit $1 billion before it's theatrical run comes to an end. It's not looking likely but you never know. We'll keep you updated with the final box office numbers on the film and will certainly be discussing the numbers in an episode of the Cape and Cowl Cast so stay tuned!

The Winter Soldier Pummels Team Iron Man in Civil War Clip

The Winter Soldier Pummels Team Iron Man in Civil War Clip

Marvel Aint Pulling Any Punches

By Alex Burns

Check out this sweet new clip showing off Sebastian Stan's Winter Solider going full on Terminator and taking some serious lumps out of Tony Stark, Black Widow and Black Panther. This scene is beyond epic and we can't wait to check out the rest of the movie next month!


Starring Chris Evans as Captain America and Robert Downey Jr as Iron Man, Captain America: Civil Waris set for release May 6th, 2016. The film will also feature the debut of the Marvel cinematic universe versions of Spider-Man and Black Panther.

Spider-Man: Homecoming set for 2017!

Spider-Man: Homecoming set for 2017!

Sony Make Official Announcement

By Alex Burns

Sony Pictures have confirmed new details for the stand alone Spider-Man film at the CinemaCon event in Las Vegas. The studio flew in Tom Holland to help reveal the official title - Spider-Man: Homecoming - before addressing the crowd:

“It really is a homecoming, because, throughout the movie, Peter is trying to find out who he is and where he belongs in this world.” 

Tom Holland will be the third actor to portray Spider-Man in a big budget feature after Sony Pictures made a deal with Disney and Marvel to share the movie rights to the character. Holland presented the official logo for the movie after a short clip showed Peter Parker meeting Tony Stark at Aunt May's house. That sentence alone is incredible and I honestly didn't think we'd be seeing anything like this so soon after the release of The Amazing Spider-Man 2 in 2014. It looked like Spidey was well and truly under lock and key and the idea of him appearing alongside the Avengers would have to stay in the comics. Needless to say... good times amigos!

Jon Watts will be directing Spider-Man: Homecoming and the film is set for release July 7th 2017. Spider-Man will appear first in Captain America: Civil War which will release May 6th this year.

New IMAX Poster Unites the X-Men against Apocalypse

New IMAX Poster Unites the X-Men against Apocalypse

The Best Way to Watch the End of Civilisation

By Alex Burns

Check out this sweet new poster for X-Men: Apocalypse showing off all of the main mutant cast uniting against the menacing might of Apocalypse and his four horsemen.

The highly anticipated superhero film completes the new X-Men trilogy that began with First Class and Days of Future Past as a new band of young but familiar mutants take on the most powerful villain in the X-Men universe; Apocalypse.

Directed by Bryan Singer and 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.

The Knight Arrives After the Dawn - Ben Affleck to Direct and Star in Solo Batman Film

Ben Affleck to Direct and Star in Solo Batman Film

The Knight Arrives After the Dawn

By Alex Burns

Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice is still playing out across cinema screens the world over but the wheels of the DC Universe on film continue to turn. Today we have news that Ben Affleck will reprise his role as the Dark Knight for a solo Batman film not only that but Affleck will also be directing as well! 

Warner Bros. chairman and CEO Kevin Tsujihara confirmed the news on Tuesday while attending CinemaCon and it's a move that puts a positive outlook on the DC Extended Universe after an ice cold critical reception to Dawn of Justice. Warner Bros. will be hoping to capitalise on the positive feedback Affleck received for his performance in BvS and of course build on the impressive but slightly disappointing box office pull of that film. Dawn of Justice is hovering just below $800 million worldwide currently but considering the pop culture icons in the title you'd really have expected a bigger gross, bad reviews it seems do still matter somewhat.

Overall, I'm pleased with the announcement, Ben Affleck was a serious positive from Dawn of Justice but, as with so many other aspects of that film, there is still much more we need to know to get a true idea of what really makes this Batman tick. Ben Affleck has always impressed me more as a writer and a director and the fact that he is coming in to helm this film from the beginning, as opposed to re-working Batman v Superman several months in with Chris Terrio, gives me more confidence that he'll get the job done right. One suggestion though; we have to move on from Frank Miller's Batman stories, I love them of course they are amazing but there's over 75 years worth of lore to pick from, do some digging guys you've got the time and money!

No word on a release date but we'll be sure to keep you updated on all the developments for this new solo Batman film.

Witness the Power of the Sorcerer Supreme! First Doctor Strange Trailer Revealed

First Doctor Strange Trailer Revealed

Witness the Power of the Sorcerer Supreme!

By Alex Burns

Marvel Studios have revealed the first full length trailer for the upcoming Doctor Strange movie!




Doctor Strange is the story of gifted surgeon Stephen Strange who travels the world to learn from the Ancient One after a career-ending car accident. Along the way he will cross paths with the most horrific evils known to man.

The film is directed by Scott Derickson with a screenplay by Jon Spaihts and C. Robert Cargill and stars Benedict Cumberbatch, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Rachel McAdams, Michael Stuhlbarg, Mads Mikklesen and Tilda Swinton.

Doctor Strange is set for release on November 4th this year.

Behold! The Sanctum Sanctorum! New Doctor Strange Poster Revealed

New Doctor Strange Poster Revealed

Behold! The Sanctum Sanctorum!

By Alex Burns

Marvel Studios have revealed a great new poster for Doctor Strange showing Benedict Cumberbatch in the title role looking very mysterious in the Sanctum Sanctorum. We've also got some cool new shots from the movie ahead of the trailer reveal later.

As you can see by the poster, Doctor Strange is set for release on November 4th this year.

New Civil War IMAX Poster Revealed

New Civil War IMAX Poster Revealed 

Choose Your Team

By Alex Burns

Marvel Studios and IMAX have revealed the epic one sheet for Captain America: Civil War! This awesome poster shows off both sides of the the superhero struggle and of course gives the big sell to experience the Marvel feature in an IMAX screen, something I absolutely recommend you do as well!









Captain America: Civil War is set for release May 6th, 2016 and will also feature the debut of the Marvel cinematic universe versions of Spider-Man and Black Panther.

New Suicide Squad Blitz Trailer Revealed

New Suicide Squad Blitz Trailer Revealed

Welcome to the Fun House

By Alex Burns

Warner Bros. Pictures unveiled a brand new Suicide Squad trailer at the MTV Awards and it is seriously sensational! We see the unlucky band of villains involved in plenty more action as well as more of Jared Leto's menacing take on the Joker plus Ben Affleck's Batman gets his dark knight swag on. Check it out below!

Contrary to the trailers for Batman v Superman, the Suicide Squad previews have done a great job of keeping the major events of the movie a secret. We are about three trailers in and the finer plot details of the film are looking well and truly hidden. Now that's the way I like it!

Suicide Squad stars Will Smith as Deadshot, Margot Robbie as Harley Quinn, Viola Davis as Amanda Waller and is directed by David Ayer. The film is set for release August 5th and will continue the DC Cinematic Universe that was established in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice.

Daredevil Spoiler Analysis - Cape and Cowl Cast #7

Daredevil Spoiler Analysis - Cape and Cowl Cast #7

We Return to Hell's Kitchen

By Alex Burns

Alex and Steve discuss Marvel's Daredevil Season 2, have Netflix managed to deliver in their second outing in Hell's Kitchen? We also address some of the fallout in the fan community since the release of Batman v Superman. Original air-date April 2nd.

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.

Batman: The Killing Joke 12 Minute Preview Revealed

Batman: The Killing Joke 12 Minute Preview Revealed

"There's Always Madness"

By Alex Burns

When the news broke that the next DC Animated feature would be an adaptation of Alan Moore's The Killing Joke graphic novel fans naturally reacted with excitement. Now we have our first extended look at the film, check out the 12 minute preview below.


Batman: The Killing Joke reunites Mark Hamill and Kevin Conroy once more as the Joker and Batman respectively. Regular Sam Liu is on directing duties and DC Animation veterans Bruce Timm and Sam Register are executive producing. In order to be a faithful adaptation of the graphic novel DC and Warner Bros. have allowed for a more mature certification to tell the more adult elements of the story appropriately. 

The film is set for release on home video and digital download this Summer.