The Marvelous Ms Marvel

 Let me start off by saying the only comic book I've read Ms Marvel in was the pages of Champions when she was teamed up with Miles Morales and a young Cyclops from the past who was in the present (whole 'nother story there). When I saw the preview for this Disney+ series I thought it looked cute, but not really up my alley. But I wanted to check it out just so I could have an opinion on it.  By the time Kamala and Bruno get to Avengers Con I was hooked.  The series is cute, and innocent, and small-scale.  And that's perfect!

The end of the Infinity Saga in the MCU left a lot of us guessing what was to come next.  How does Marvel move on after achieving cinematic history?  Something that all other studios have tried to copy and have all failed?  I think the most obvious answer is they couldn't.  After three Phases, Marvel Studios had set itself a high bar, one that, like the original Star Wars trilogy, was never going to be reached in the eyes of their fans. Kevin Feige has never been one to play to the crowd.  He has his ideas, and his plans, and sticks to them (for the most part). One thing we've seen out of Phase 4 is risks in different kinds of storytelling. Eternals, Loki, What If, and The Multiverse of Madness are all examples of Marvel trying to experiment and make different kinds of movies and shows.  And when that happens, it doesn't work for everyone.

Ms Marvel to me is the MCU's attempt at not only something a little bit different, but also scaling back. Much like Spider-Man: Homecoming. By the final episode Kamala is really just trying to save the neighborhood. Iman Vellani lights up the series as a young Pakistani girl from Jersey who idealizes Captain Marvel.  Her innocence is something we all can relate too, regardless of ethnicity.  And the style of this series mirrors Kamal's personality with the texting and music.

What really brings this show to the top half of MCU projects is Kamala's supporting cast.  Her parents are a complete delight, along with her brother.  Her friends are there to support her, but they have their own lives to live like school admissions and mosque elections.  And of course, Kamala seems to be juggling several boys, and out of the three potential suitors she seems to lean towards the worst one for her. I'm fine with Bruno or Kareem. Her entourage enriches this series. If you can take a superhero story, but take out the superhero portion, and you're still left with good characters in a good story, then that is a good superhero story. This series was about a young girl learning about her family history, finding confidence, and learning to trust the ones she loves.

Now, as far as faults go, it's the same one a lot of MCU projects have, the villain.  From the moment Najma and her minions showed up asking about the bangle, I knew she was a bad guy (or girl). But it seems in her final moment she sacrificed herself to save the world her son lived in and gave him a form of protection at the same time.  At least that's the way I saw it. Maybe we'll get more clarification later.  Meanwhile, the DODC was hunting Kamala and Kamran, led by a very typical, uninteresting villain, Agent Deer. Deer had no depth, but it didn't help that we were focused on Najma most of the time as the antagonist and then switched the primary focus in the last episode to Agent Deer.

Watching this series has now made me more excited for The Marvels. Especially after that post-credit scene. To keep it short, my theory is that in the film we will be following Carol Danvers on an adventure and then she is magically transported to a bedroom filled with poster of her.  How that is connected to Kamala and her bangle, I'm willing to just wait and see.

Did he say 'mutation'?  Of course, it is the line every fanboy is talking about.  It's been years since Disney bought 20th Century Fox and regained the rights to make X-Men films.  And since then, we've all be wondering when Marvel's Mighty Mutants will make their debut in the MCU.  We still don't know exactly how, but this line, with some classic musical notes played after, is confirmation that mutants are coming, and Ms Marvel is indeed one of them, or at least connected.  In the comics, Kamala is an Inhuman, but thanks to the god-awful ABC series that name has been tarnished.  And given that Kamala's powers are different than the comics anyway, let's all just say it's a multiverse and move on.  Because nothing in the MCU is exactly the same as in the Marvel comics.  And that's ok to me, just as long and it's good storytelling. Though to be honest, I have issue with Sharon Carter's MCU treatment, but, instead, let's wrap this up.

Ms Marvel turned out to be the spunk the MCU Disney+ shows needed.  I think some Disney+ series are being handcuffed by the 6-episode format, but showrunner Bisha K. Ali did a great job with the task she was given.  This series from the first episode made us fall in love with Kamala, her family, and her whole world. And in classic superhero fashion, her mom made her suit. Now I just want Kamala to team-up with Kate Bishop and Peter Parker. I think those local heroes could have some fun adventures.

Thor: Love & Thunder Brings Down The Hammer

 I remember when it was announced that Marvel Comics was turning Thor into a girl.  They were bringing in a female Thor, or Lady Thor, as she would be nicknamed.  I had never been a Thor reader, but it bugs me how DC and Marvel change up characters who have been around for decades just to try and plead new readers to pick up a book.  But, when it was released, I decided to check out this Lady Thor so that I could have an honest opinion on it.  I'm not sure I actually read too many Thor comics to that point, but since then, I haven't stopped reading Thor!  The Mighty Thor was an amazing run by writer Jason Aaron and turned Jane Foster into a tragic hero we were all cheering for.

Taika Waititi's first run on Odinson was Thor: Ragnorak and it took the character in a completely different direction in the MCU.  And I did not like it.  To be fair, I also disliked the previous Thor film. However, the first film in the character's franchise I still think is one of the MCU's best.  To me, Thor is galactic Shakespeare. He has a troublesome brother, a merry band of friends, and his dad can be a dick.  Thor: Ragnorak was a film that felt more like Flash Gordon than Shakespeare.  That's why I say, to me, it's an entertaining movie, but not a god Thor movie. I believe Taika Waititi is a good filmmaker.  I just don't think his style fits with what Thor is.

When it was announced Waititi was coming back for Love & Thunder I was disappointed because of my feelings on Ragnorak.  And when it was announced that they were bringing back Natalie Portman to play Mighty Thor I was excited for the storyline to be told, but kept my expectations in check, again, because of Ragnorak.  I mean for Christ's sake Waititi killed the Warrior's Three, which were part of the greatness of that first Thor movie!

In this Phase 4 film, Thor is bumming around with the Guardians of the Galaxy when trouble arises in the form of Gorr the God Butcher.  I know this character in the comics, but I'm not too familiar with him.  He is waging a war on all Gods because of their vanity and has set his sights on Thor Odinson. He kidnaps the children of New Asgard, including Heimdall's son.  Remember when Multiverse of Madness said Dr Strange and Mordo were mortal enemies, but last we saw Mordo in the MCU he and Strange where cool? Heimdall's son appearing in this film is kinda like that. Christian Bale as Gorr is great.  He's an actor who knows the assignment.  He knows what kind of movie he is in, so his performance can seem a bit extravagant, but he pulls it in enough to where it works. I'm not sure I'd put him as a top MCU villain, but he's up there.

Another actor I loved in this film was Tessa Thompson as Valkyrie.  She was a highlight of Ragnorak for me, and again in this film.  Like Bale, she knows who her character is, and how not to make it too big or goofy.  She is badass, and that makes her hot as hell!  Waititi himself returns to voice Thor's best friend, Korg, and while for a moment there I thought they were actually going to kill him for dramatic effect, they couldn't be without the film's comedic sidekick. Plus, Korg was the one telling the story. 

Ever since we found out Chris Hemsworth has great comedic timing the MCU has treated Thor as a dumb jock.  My favorite outing as Hemsworth playing the character is actually Infinity War. He had bits of comedy, but still had the serious attitude overall.  That's the perfect blend for me.  This film had moments of seriousness, and when it did, I thought they actually worked great.  Jane revealing to Thor she has cancer, and the trio be captured by Gorr were some of my favorite scenes.  And then, you take a great actor like Russell Crowe and make him a joke called Zeus in a scene whose sole purpose was to show off Chris Hemsworth's bod.  There is one scene like this in every Thor movie. My wife doesn't seem to mind. But don't even get me started on hammer jealousy.

Like I said before, the Jane becoming Thor storyline is great in the comics, and with an Oscar winner like Natalie Portman, it could've been great.  But I honestly didn't think they leaned into it enough. This is cancer, but I never felt the gravitas of her disease till the end.  Waititi just wanted to tell a romantic space comedy, I get it.  To me, a film like Love & Other Drugs with Jake Gyllenhaal and Anne Hathaway is a great example of a romantic comedy that can have a serious situation blend beautifully. And I know Taika Waititi has the chops to tell a story with that kind of balance.  I've seen JoJo Rabbit. I just felt like because it was MCU, and a Waititi Thor film, this movie never had a chance of really digging into Jane's emotional despair, and why she wielded Mjonir.  

In regards to the credit scenes, my ears perked up with the mention of Hercules earlier in the film.  In the mid-credit scene we saw Zeus alive and tell his son, Hercules, to go and rain vengeance on those who no longer respect the Gods. Whether that will be in a fifth Thor film, or another MCU film, I don't know.  But I was more surprised by the actor playing Hercules; Ted Lasso alumni Brett Goldstein.  He's not who I pictured would play the demi-god, and I've never seen the actor in anything except the Apple+ series.  But because of Roy Kent, and the fact that Marvel usually does a great job of casting, I'm willing to go on a little faith that Goldstein can play Marvel's Hercules.

The post-credit scene sees Jane in the Viking heaven of Valhalla. There, she is greeted by Idris Elba's Heimdall that explains she gets to live in Valhalla due to her heroic sacrifice. Now, in the comics, Jane dies as Mighty Thor saving the universe.  And as her reward, she is given a second life, as a Valkyrie.  I don't think that will happen.  I think much like how Harrison Ford was convinced to do The Force Awakens because he was promised a fitting end, this was Jane Foster's swan song. Portman was known to have wanted out of The Dark World when filming began. Which is why we haven't seen Portman in the MCU since.  I think Waititi wanted to do the Mighty Thor storyline, and convinced Portman to come back by giving her a gracious ending.  I'm not 100% on that theory, but I would be willing to bet $100 Portman is done in the MCU.

Thor: Love & Thunder dived deeper into the comedic zaniness we saw in Thor: Ragnorak. And to me that tone is fine for a group like Guardians of the Galaxy, but not Thor.  This is a romantic comedy that didn't seem that romantic or comedic to me.  The parts I did respond to most were the serious ones, but there weren't enough of them to make me give this film a thumbs up. However, I do want to see this film at least once more, because it is littered with easter eggs, including a statue of Utau the Watcher. The film ends with Thor and his new daughter (who is Hemsworth's daughter in real life), but by that point I just didn't care.  As the credits started to roll, I was jammin to the bitchin soundtrack, but I don't care if I see Thor the space jock in the MCU ever again.  But I'm sure we will, and I'll still give it a fair look, just like Lady Thor.

Strange New Worlds Boldly Goes To A New Past

I've never been a big Star Trek fan. Growing up, there was the classic Star Trek vs Star Wars battle. I, of course, was team Star Wars, still am. But as I aged, I started to appreciate Star Trek more. I learned how this future was supposed to be one of hope, and one to aspire too. And that every episode, and every alien race they encountered, was a metaphor for a portion of the human experience. In recent years I've enjoyed the Kelvin films, even though I know some long-term Trekkies don't. I, however, couldn't get into Star Trek: Discovery, and I was disappointed with Picard after the season 1 finale. But Strange New Worlds looked intriguing to me being that it was based on the original failed Star Trek pilot episode. After learning the plot of this series, I actually went and watched sed pilot that didn't see its way to TV screens till years later, after Star Trek was considered a success.

Having done my research before the series started, I knew the fates of Pike, Spock, and Uhura, but the series still had enough new characters that keep me guessing what their fates would be since they were not on Kirk's Enterprise crew. The character I took too most was Captain Pike. The man whose hair kept getting bigger every episode, according to my wife, and the rest of the internet. Anson Mount's portrayal of charm, wit, and compassion make him ideal to lead this cast into the unknown. Even though the series is more episodic than serialized, each character still had a through line in the season. Pike's was the knowledge of knowing his own fate, and whether he would accept it, or possibly change it. His Number 1, played by Rebecca Romjin, has her own secret, and that comes to a head in the season finale, and sets up the drama for season 2.

Probably the most known character in the Star Trek franchise is Spock. In this series he is played by Ethan Peck, and we all knew he was going to immediately be compared to not only Leonard Nimoy, but Zachary Quinto as well. I thought Peck did a fine job as the mixed-race Vulcan. In this season Spock struggled with his commitment to his finance and his duty to Starfleet. Spock's friendship with Kirk is legendary, and the foundation of that is laid with Pike, and maybe a bit too much in my eyes. It seems that in Star Trek mythology Spock doesn't warm up to humans that much till Kirk, Bones, and the rest of the original series crew. He and Pike just seem too cozy for he and Kirk to then later become besties. It also seems too obvious Spock's growing relationship with Nurse Chapel will be the undoing of his engagement. However, seeing how I am enthralled with the character of Nurse Chapel, I can't say I blame him.

The other new character I really like is the pilot, Erica Ortegas. Even though she hasn't had much in regards of her own storyline she's involved with the other members of the crew, and she gives some of the best one-liners of the series. Security Officer, Lieutenant Singh is someone the season focused on quite a bit, but to be honest I wish they focused more on Dr. M'Benga more and the quandary with his daughter's health. I felt that storyline was not only wrapped up too soon, but it was also my least favorite episode of the season.

Rounding out this season's cast was Celia Rose Gooding as Cadet Uhura, who is still trying to decide if she even wants to be a Starfleet officer, which is far from the character we get Nichelle Nichols playing in the original series. But I did enjoy her interactions with the other crew members and was both impressed and saddened by Engineer Hemmer's valiant sacrifice before parting words of wisdom to the cadet.

Again, some long time Star Trek fans don't like how Canon is being played with, no episode more showing of this than the crew's encounter with the Gorn that seemed more like the film Aliens than Star Trek. To this I say, Star Trek was a dying franchise until 2009. It has been revitalized and is now reaching a whole new audience. As a life-long comic book reader I can sympathize though. Canon is often overlooked or washed away in hopes of attracting new readers. But in an "adapt or die" society the helmsmen behind Star Trek are hoping to keep this ship flying because there is something special about this franchise that has lasted over 60 years. It is the hope of a better tomorrow, which we often don't get in TV and films these days.

I think that is why I have been drawn to Star Trek more as I've gotten older. My outlook on the world's future gets bleaker, but Star Trek reminds me of the possibility of what it could be. Season 1 of Strange New Worlds was a season I kept up with every week but didn't love every episode. The characters are solid, and the finale I believe finished its freshman year strong. Some Trekkies have complained that it isn't quality stories like Star Trek used to tell, but my rebuttal to that is this. My number one priority in media is caring about the characters, and Strange New Worlds does that enough for me to boldly go where I've never gone before: watch an entire season of a Star Trek show.

Superman & Lois Season 2: Bizarro Bugaloo

 As far back as I can remember Superman has been my favorite superhero.  Which is why sometimes I can judge his adaptations more harshly than some others.  When Tyler Hoechlin was announced to play Superman in the second season of Supergirl I was unfamiliar with the actor.  After seeing his first few episodes I thought he did a fine job as the Man of Steel, but not great. Plus, he seemed a little short. Then the announcement came that he was getting his own show beside his Lois Lane co-star, Elizabeth Tulloch.  Again, I wasn't thrilled with these versions of the characters, but I was happy Superman was getting some attention after Henry Cavill's portrayal left Warner Bros treating the character almost like a pariah.  

The first season of Superman & Lois was a pleasant surprise to me.  We saw Clark and Lois moving back to Smallville, being parents with teenage boys, and one even developing his own powers.  It still had that CW/Arrowverse feel to it, but with a little more in my eyes like better effects.  Plus, the series seemed to distance itself from the rest of the Arrowverse with almost no references aside from a brief appearance by David Ramsey playing John Diggle. A cameo that didn't even need to be in the episode.  I think my enjoyment from this series really owes a lot to my age.  As a Superman fan I'm now at the point in my life where I am raising my own child and juggling a work-to-family life balance.  Much like how Smallville related to me being a teenager navigating my way through the world at the same time Tom Welling's Clark Kent was.  

As I said, the first season of this Superman series left me enthusiastic about a second season, especially with the additions of John Henry Irons and his daughter; Natalie. And much like how season one tried to trick us into thinking The Stranger was Lex Luthor, the creators also tried to trick us into thinking Doomsday was coming.  And fell for it hook, line, and sinker.  I didn't like the idea of bringing in such a definitive character so early in the series, and apparently neither did the showrunners.  It was revealed that the creature giving Clark headaches was a version of the character Bizarro, that set-up this season's overall story arc.

In season two a character known as Ally Allston is looking to merge with her alternate self from another world, and bring the two worlds together, thus merging every two people into one.  But we were never told what actual consequences this would have.  Would each one be as powerful as Ally? Would someone need the pendant to have that power?  I just never truly got the big ramifications of making the two worlds one, or why Ally even wanted to do it? After she had merged, she was all-powerful.  What else does she want?  Why merge the worlds?  The idea just doesn't sit right with me.

One the other side of this season is the Lane family dealing with Lucy, who was brought into Ally's cult and believed in her to the point of turning against her family at every turn.  I was honestly disappointed when Ally turned out to be the big powerful villain Superman has to defeat in this season.  Ally started off as someone who Lois was trying to deal with to get her sister back, but then became Superman's problem, leaving Lois kind of in the dust for the rest of this season.  

Season 2 saw our supporting characters struggle as well.  Jordan was dealing with whether to tell Sarah his secret or not.  Jonathan had to accept being the powerless brother, and the Cushing's struggled to get back together as a family after Kyle's deceit. Lana, Sarah, and Chrissy also all learned about Clark's secret identity. This is a story point that doesn't sit well with me. Arrow and The Flash started to lose its luster when so many people knew the main hero's alter ego, and their homebases became very crowded.  I'm glad Sarah knows about Jordan because after many seasons of Smallville I've see the teenage hero hide his secret from his would-be-girlfriend already, and that went on for too long as is.  But Lana and Chrissy knowing I think could hurt the series in the long run as it's only a matter of time before all the main characters know Clark is Superman, which is really just Kyle at this point.

However, the real short coming of this season was the release schedule.  I count almost five breaks in twenty-five weeks for the 15-episode season. This kept me having to try and remember what was happening in the series after weeks of not having a new episode.  I think it interrupted the flow of the season, and possibly lessened my interest in the story. I also could never remember when new episodes aired. 

But don't get me wrong. This season had some great moments like the submarine save, and Lois reminding Clark that Superman isn't just about saving people, he's about giving them hope.  I'm very interested in what's to come for season 3.  What's Tal up to in the other world?  Will Clark's major exposure to sun rays affect him long-term like in Grant Morrison's All-Star Superman?  Is John Henry and John Diggle about to team-up like an 80's action movie?  And how does Aquaman feel about Superman setting up his new clubhouse in the middle of the ocean? I don't expect that last question to be answered, but it'd be cool if it did.  This season I felt wasn't as strong as its predecessor but was still solid enough to get me to watch season 3.  I just hope that as The CW and Arrowverse seems to be falling, Superman & Lois continues to fly up, up, and away.

Lightyear Flies Us Into The Future

To Infinity and Beyond.  That phrase was etched into pop culture back in 1995, and there isn't a person alive today who doesn't know it's a Toy Story reference.  If you look at the audience ratings, box office, and even merchandise sales, the Toy Story franchise is one of the best in history.  In 2019, it looked like the franchise may be coming to its finale with Toy Story 4, but it seems Pixar was just looking for a new angle to play on this Disney legacy.

Lightyear is supposedly the movie little Andy saw that made him want a Buzz Lightyear action figure for his birthday in 1995.  Instead of Tim Allen coming back to voice the Space Ranger, Captain America himself, Chris Evans, takes over the vocal performance for this spin-off.  I will say there were moments in the film I couldn't help but think I was watching an animated Steve Rogers.  Buzz seems so noble and heroic like Evan's Cap it was hard to not see the similarities.  Especially when he meets an older version of himself, or Old Man Steve as he is affectionally called.  But Buzz in the film is different enough from Steve that separation can be achieved. Captain Lightyear is so set on completing his mission and correcting his mistake it blinds him to everything else happening around him. Namely the lives being lived, and the one he isn't living because of his tunnel vision of achieving light speed.

Surrounding Evans in this cast is a voice talent that includes fellow Marvel alumni, Taika Waititi.  This group of misfits helps Buzz in his journey and provides laughs along the way.  Some comedy relief can be distracting in these Disney animated films, but I think the characters in this movie weren't too much.  I even thought Sox the cat was enjoyable; and I hate cats.  Maybe I just need a robotic cat that serves more as an R2-D2 than arrogant pest.  

It was Buzz's relationship with the Hawthrone family that tied this film together.  As Buzz races through time, he saw his friend get older, have a family, and eventually team-up with her granddaughter to stop Zurg.  I thought the moment at the beginning of the film when Buzz walks into an empty office would get me, but it was the end of the film when Izzy says, "I'm finally a Space Ranger, grandma," and then Buzz lingers for a moment to remember is friend, that made me go, "awww."  

From the moment Buzz's first line of dialogue mirrored his first words in the franchise I was looking for the Toy Story Easter Eggs.  Sadly, we don't get a "falling with style" line, but that's because he actually flew in this movie.  As he collected his laser, his wings, and even he space-ship packaging, the 12-year-old in me smiled at every reference.  

The only negatives I have in this film is the cookie-cutter story.  There weren't much as far as surprises, even when Old Man Buzz showed up, their conversation immediately had me thinking of the one between Mr. Frederickson and Charles Muntz from Up, consumed by the mission and not thinking about who it hurts.  Buzz is a man-out-of-time who sees everyone else get older.  Like I said, it's a somewhat familiar Chris Evan's character basis. But I do think this film gives it's self a lot of room for sequel potential.  

The end of the film, and the very last post-credit scene (past the Disney logo), sets up the further adventures off Buzz and his new team of Space Rangers, and one that I wouldn't mind seeing where it goes, if the film performs well. As of right now it seems a lot of critics are torn on how they feel about Lightyear, so it'll be up to the audience and the box office to see if this is a new direction Pixar can take the Toy Story franchise.  I don't really want to see a Woody's Round-Up film, but a serious animated western could be interesting.  To me, Lightyear is not top Pixar, but it's of the quality worthy of the Pixar brand. 

Jurassic World Dominion Is More of The Same

 I remember the first time I saw Jurassic Park.  I was a little kid, and my interactions with dinosaurs had been mainly with the animated series Dino-Riders (check it out) and the legendary animated film, The Land Before Time.  What I got from that first Jurassic film is a childhood trauma that to this day scares the hell out of me.  These dinos were not Little Foot and Ducky.  They killed a lot of people, and were scary, and I used to imagine a T-Rex was outside my window at night as I tried to sleep.  But as I grew up more of these films came out and they became less scary to me, and less entertaining.

In the sixth film of this franchise the current cast and the old cast unite to take down a corporate billionaire who is trying to exploit the dinosaurs, but something goes wrong, and they are all running for their lives trying to escape the scary dinos.  Which is pretty much the plot to most of these Jurassic films.  But that's why we see these films. To see the people get eaten by the T-Rex, and hunted by the Raptors. 

The first Jurassic Park film was mind-blowing in both effects and story, but the others that followed lacked the same originality.  When Jurassic World came out, I felt like the franchise had something new to say, at least to me, but has since gone back to being stale popcorn films.  Jurassic World Dominion is no different.  The basic premise of the film branches off from the previous installment, Fallen Kingdom, but when you try to build a story on top of one that wasn't so great, it makes your story not so great either because you're not starting on solid ground.  

Let's start with the OG cast.  Sam Neill and Laura Dern return as Alan and Ellie, once former lovers who have lived their lives and now looks like are going to reconcile.  They are on a mission to prove Jeff Bezos, I mean Elon Musk, I mean some super rich guy is using mega locust to take out crops that aren't his so he can control the world's food supply and get even more wealthy and crazy.  Jeff Goldblum is also back as Malcolm and is pretty much there just for jokes and quips.

What I missed from this film however was the jokes and quips of Chris Pratt.  He and Bryce Dallas Howard are back from a third time to try and protect their foster daughter Maisie and try and get Blue's baby back from the evil rich dude.  This film also lacked my boy Blue.  Pratt played it pretty serious the entire film and I don't think he cracked one joke the whole film, which not why I go to see Chirs Pratt in films.  I mean, I enjoyed The Tomorrow War without a lot of Pratt jokes, but I think that film is better than Dominion.

I'm not saying the film is bad.  It was just what I've come to expect from a Jurassic film.  But really, I also felt like nothing happened.  At the beginning of the film the dinosaurs are out in the world, and humans are trying to integrate them into the society.  By the end of the film nothing has changed except the locust problem was solved. Fallen Kingdom wasn't great in my opinion, but at least it changed the franchise rules to where tinstead of the dinos being on the island they were set free in the world.  And that's still where we're at by the end of Dominion.  

I don't believe this is the end of the franchise.  It's just the end if the actor's contracts.  In less than ten years we'll get a new Jurassic film with a different cast.  These movies make way too much money to just go away.  We watch them to see dinosaurs eating people, and as long as we get that, that's all we need to see to part with our money. But if I can make a suggestion for a Dino-Riders spin-off, I think we can see something really bonkers!

Sweet Child of Love and Thunder: A Thor Trailer

I enjoy Taika Waititi as a film maker.  I really like JoJo Rabbit and What We Do In The Shadows.  He brought that same style to Thor: Ragnorak.  And as a Thor movie, I didn't enjoy it much.  I thought it wasn't what Thor should be.  As a film I found it fun, but as a Thor film I thought it lacked gravitas.  Sure Thor's father, friends, and planet was destroyed.  But you never felt the weight of it because their were too many dumb jokes.  Please don't get me started on how fast the Warriors Three went down.   I was torn when Taika was going to be directing another Thor film. I was excited though when they said they were adapting The Mighty Thor.

I had never been a Thor reader, but when "Lady Thor" was released, I wanted to give it a fair shot before truly criticizing it.  What I discovered was a great title being written by Jason Aaron and I've kept up with Thor comics ever since.  The first trailer for Thor: Love and Thunder has arrived and it's everything I thought it would be.  Thor cracks jokes because Taika turned him pretty much into a stereotypical jock, he has a funny moment with Star-Lord, and a popular song was playing in the background. But we also got more than that.

When we left Thor in Avengers: Endgame he was having a crisis of faith, riding off with the Guardians of the Galaxy to try and find his true path.  From this trailer it looks like he's still on that journey.  He's getting back into shape using chains from something big and dead, and it looks like he refuses to follow the Guardians into battle. "My superheroing days are over," he says.  But who will be the God of Thunder?  Bring back Natalie Portman as Mighty Thor!  For those who don't know the comics, I kind of don't want to spoil it, but let's just say Jane Foster wielding Mjolnir is epic storytelling, and if Waititi can tap just a little of that into this film we could get some great drama.  

I was surprised Natalie Portman came back.  I thought she was done with franchise films after her experiences on Star Wars and Thor films.  The whole trailer I was watching with curiosity if they were going to show her, but of course they waited till the end.  I also can't wait to see her behind-the-scenes training videos.  She looks jacked!

The rest if the trailer brought up some questions with cameos.  Who is the blue haired lady Thor was kissing?  Is that Russell Crowe as Zeus?  And Valkryie looks so board in what appears to be some kind of diplomatic meeting.  Christian Bale does play the villain of this film as Gorr the God Butcher. My guess is Thor will find some kind of peace with Zeus, but it will be short lived when Gorr comes to butcher some Gods. As for Valkryie, I was watching Spider-Man: No Way Home the other day and noticed a news headline on a TV that said, "Political Turmoil Continues In New Asgard."  Maybe Valkryie isn't liking being the king?

From the trailer it feels like Star-Lord and the Guardians are going to be in more of this film that I thought, which is fine by me because Star-Lord is my favorite MCU character next to Steve Rogers.  It also appears Thor will be hanging out with Korg (voiced by Taika Waititi) a lot.  I just want another quotable line like "piss of ghosts!"  I'm going into this film with hope and optimism.  I like Waititi, I like Mighty Thor, and like Guardians of the Galaxy.  This trailer rocked, now let's see if the film rolls. 

 

Sonic the Hedgehog 2 Races To Franchise Potential (WARNING: SPOILERS)

Growing up, I was more of a Sonic the Hedgehog guy than Super Mario.  Mainly because in my house we had a SEGA Genesis instead of a Super Nintendo.  Plus, a fast-moving hedgehog was cooler than a mustached plumber.  I remember playing many levels as Sonic racing through check points and bouncing off Dr Robotnik's machines.  The first Sonic the Hedgehog film was a real surprise treat that I didn't expect.  When I saw they were going to bring a CGI Sonic into the real world I thought it was going to be another lame strategy of trying to put a fantasy character, from a fantasy world, into the real world to save some money. Examples include Smurfs, Spongebob Squarepants, Garfield.  But that film I think worked.  Sonic was fun to watch, my man Cyclops (James Marsden) teamed up for a buddy story, and Jim Carrey played the eccentric villain.

Before the second film was released SEGA announced that a third Sonic film was on the way, along with a Knuckles spin-off, and more. Sure, the first film had broken out of the mold of movies based on video games aren't great, but was SEGA counting their golden rings too soon?  In this sequel, Sonic teams up with Tails to find the Emerald Gem before Robotnik and his new ally, Knuckles.  As the film continues Knuckles turns against Robotnik and the end of the film sees Sonic with his new entourage.  This part of the film was great!  The trio of these characters works.  Once Knuckles flipped in the film, he had a real Drax the Destroyer vibe.   And the last scene with all of them playing baseball and interacting made me look forward to their chemistry as a team in future films.

We also saw more things in the Sonic lore this time around. Super Sonic (or Captain Marvel Sonic as I call him) appeared to destroy Robotnik's robot (much like how Carol Danvers destroyed Thanos's ship) and we get a tease for the character Shadow.  These two things I am less familiar with as the last Sonic the Hedgehog game I actually played was Sonic & Knuckles or maybe Sonic Pinball on Genesis.   Although I have played some Sonic Racing with my daughter on Playstation.  However, I know the Sonic mythology has just scratched the surface with many characters left to be added.   I just hope a few of them are included from the Saturday morning ABC cartoon with that bitchin theme song!

Now, I will say, the thing I hate about some sequels is they take something that was funny in the first film and ramp it up for the second film and end up ruining the joke. Tom's sister-in-law had a small, but funny part in the first film. Now in this second installment she has a fiancée who turns out to be a government spy just waiting for Sonic to turn up.  This adds a subplot that really wasn't necessary.  All it did was add twenty minutes to a film that kids with short attention spans will be watching.  Sonic and Tails were captured and freed almost immediately.  No point at all.

Jim Carrey had a few moments also in this film where I thought his delivery was a little too much, but it's Jim Carrey in a Sonic the Hedgehog film so what else should I expect.  But for me, this film comes down to Sonic.  He's a character I've enjoyed for decades in video games, cartoons, and now films.  He's a fast moving, fun-loving, character that is a pleasure to see with his quips and Parks and Recreation references.   

I will say I didn't like this film as much as the first Sonic the Hedgehog film.  I think it's because the first film was simpler, more of a buddy film, and this one tried to be that with Sonic and Tails, but just had too much in it to be simple.  I was worried when Sonic and Tails entered the lodge that we were going to get another bar scene like the first film, but instead we got a dance off to keep it fresh.  Nicely done Mr. Fowler and team!  I do have a question about the Emerald Gem.  It was made up of all the tiny gems, and when Super Sonic destroyed it all the smaller gems vanished into the sky.  But then Knuckles puts the Emerald Gem back together and they still plan on protecting it? Did I miss the part where it's nothing now?

This film isn't going to win any Oscars, but I appreciate a franchise my daughter and I can enjoy together, and I'm always down to support Cyclops in a film!  It looks like this is just the beginning for Sonic and his team, and I hope they stay on this track.  I'll just be munching on my chili dogs and enjoying the run. 

The Batman: My SPOILER Review

 As far back as I can remember there has always been Batman fanboy outrage.  I was too young to remember the backlash when Mr. Mom was cast for Tim Burton's Batman film.  I however was one of the voices that was against Heath Ledger as the Joker for Christopher Nolan's Batman film.  But I was in favor of Ben Affleck as Batman when he was announced.  And I was also in favor of Robert Pattinson playing the Dark Knight for director Matt Reeves. Some fans were discouraged with Pattinson's casting because they only knew him from the Twilight franchise, and never bothered to watch some of his other films like High Life or Good Time.  With Matt Reeves at the helm and Pattinson starring I knew The Batman was in good hands.

It's year two of Bruce Wayne's mission to instill fear in all the criminals of Gotham City.  It's all he cares about.  This to me this is a bit refreshing compared to other movie interpretations.  It seems like Bruce is always just trying to get laid, from Vicki Vale to Rachel Dawes.  That was also one of the things I liked about Affleck's Batman, any time he was out as Bruce Wayne it was just a way to get more information for Batman.  Pattinson's Bruce was very similar but in a young and inexperienced way compared to Affleck's more seasoned Caped Crusader.  That's my favorite version of the character.  There is no Bruce Wayne, there is only Batman. In this film Bruce is still young and full of rage, thinking he must become what criminals fear, but by the end of the film he realizes he must also be a symbol of hope for the citizen of Gotham.  My only gripe about Pattinson's Batman is that he moves to freely among the people.  He walks into crowded crime scenes and rescue mobs.  I think Batman should only be seen by few and heard by less.  

Paul Dano's Riddler was one of the more terrifying Batman villains we've had on film.  But I wasn't quite sure WHY he was doing what he was doing.  He uncovered a government conspiracy and started killing everyone involved, but why did he care?  Did he actually think he was doing good for the people of Gotham (whom he later had his minions try and kill)? Colin Farrell's Penguin is said to be getting his own HBO Max series, though I'm not sure why.  I mean, I think he was a good character that can be expanded upon in future films, and I look forward to it, but there wasn't much there that had me asking WB executives for a Penguin spin-off series.  I'd rather see him stick to a reoccurring side character in the film franchise.

Zoe Kravitz as Selina Kyle I knew was going to have big paws to fill.  Michelle Pfeiffer's Catwoman is legendary, and to me Anne Hathaway was the best part of The Dark Knight Rises.  Seeing how this is still early Batman, and his rogue's gallery, I have to give Kravitz some leniency as I do Pattinson.  In this film Bruce is stilling trying to figure out the whole Batman persona and what he is going to become, and so is Selina.  Catwoman to me oozes confidence, and this version seemed to lack composure.  She was a bit irrational in dealing with the death of her supposed friend and how to deal with her crime boss father (which I wasn't a fan of that story arc).  I'd much rather see Kravitz's Catowman be a skilled burglar who uses Gotham's current condition to her advantage by stealing pretty things from petty people. No, that wasn't a typo. But I thought Pattinson and Kravitz had sexual chemistry.  And that's all we really want between the two of them, right?

The main cast was rounded out by Jeffery Wright as James Gordon and Andy Serkis as Alfred.  Serkis I felt didn't get a lot of screen time, but served his purpose as being a catalyst for Bruce's emotional journey.  I liked how Gordon worked closely with Batman to where is seemed like they were partners. He trusted Batman more than he did some police officers.  I just hope we get more personal with him in future films like we did with Gary Oldman.

The first hour of this film I think I had a smile on my face.  Batman's intro of slowly stepping out of the shadows at the train station and then beating some fools was great. As the story progressed it did start to wain a bit, and I felt like the film could have been 20 minutes shorter.  It almost has as many fake endings as The Return of the King.  The cinematography and sets were great, and I love this Batsuit best out of all of them due to its functionality. This was said to be a darker film than any other Batman film, but aside from a thumb I didn't see anything worse than what we got from The Dark Knight. 

I would like to see it again in theaters, but I still have several films to watch before the Oscars at the end of the month, plus all the TV shows I watch, and by the time I watch it again, The Batman will be on HBO Max and I will be able to pause, rewind, and study things more closely.  I may also deem it worthy to buy a physical copy of depending on its special features.  I'm a sucker for director's commentary.  I like that we got a Batman that feels like how Batman should feel.  He's a character in a dark world where bad things happen.  Though I think there may still need to be another Batman running around cinemas like in the DCEU just for a lighter, or more marketable, Dark Knight.

All the gripes I heard about this film range from not enough Bruce Wayne to having an empty story.  I think those opinions can be valid, but I appreciated the different interpretation Reeves and Warner Bros took with a character that audiences have seen so many times.  And no matter how you feel about The Batman I have no heard one complaint about Robert Pattinson.  He's no longer "that guy from Twilight." He's Batman.

Obi-Wan, Vader, and Maul: The Head Canon Contradiction

 The closer it gets to May 25th the more excited I get.  Yes, it's the 45th anniversary of Star Wars, and yes, I'll be at Star Wars Celebration after spending a few days at Disneyland.  But of course, the Obi-Wan series will be premiering on Disney+.  As I've said, Obi-Wan Kenobi is my second favorite Star Wars character next to Luke Skywalker, and I'm looking forward to some possible vindication for both Ewan McGregor and Hayden Christensen after years of prequel bashing.  When news came that Hayden would be in the series, and as Darth Vader, some fans cried foul.  After their epic duel on Mustafar, Obi-Wan and Vader never saw each other till their fateful meeting on the Death Star 19 years later.  Or at least that is what we thought.

"The circle is now complete. When I left you I was but a learner, now I am the master." -Darth Vader

These are the words Darth Vader said to gives us an indication how long it's been since the once-brothers saw each other.  But let's be honest. The idea of them not meeting for 19 years is Head Canon.  I still remember the 2008 The Clone Wars panel at the Chicago Comic Con.  Someone came up to the microphone and said, "Anakin never had a padawan," and while I don't remember what member of Lucasfilm was fielding the questions at that panel, I do remember his response, "You don't know that."  Because he was right, we didn't know that.  In between Star Wars films laps years and years of untold stories.  So, who's to say Darth Vader and Obi-Wan never saw each other in between Revenge of the Sith and A New Hope.

"Obi-Wan once thought as you did." -Darth Vader

 In almost two decades Obi-Wan could have tried at least once to bring back his best friend from the dark path he had gone down.  Especially when the fate of the galaxy depended on it.  Lucasfilm President, Kathleen Kennedy, has said these two will meet again, and another lightsaber battle will ensue.  The facts are that Darth Vader just never knew where Obi-Wan hung his robe in those 19 years.  If Obi-Wan goes off planet in the series, escapes, then just returns to Tatooine and not seen by Vader till nine years later, then it's plausible the two could meet without breaking Canon.  And if it bends Canon a little for the sake of a great story; I'm ok with that. It wouldn't be the first time Lucasfilm, or George Lucas himself, did just that.  

When the Obi-Wan series was announced another rival of old Ben's was brought up, Darth Maul. Those who had seen the Star Wars animated series were quick to refute that Maul could not make an appearance because their meeting one night in the desert of Tatooine was the first time they saw each other since Maul murdered the Duchess of Mandalore (pausing to cry a little).  Now someone can correct me if they want, because I'm just going off my memory here, but don't Obi-Wan and Maul fall into the same Canon facts as Obi-Wan and Darth Vader?  Maul didn't know Obi-Wan was hiding on Tatooine and they hadn't seen each other in years.  But maybe just nine years?

To be honest, I'm going down this rabbit hole to remind everyone that as fans, we only assume what we know.  Head Canon is nice, but when actual Canon is created, we have to let go of what we want to have happened for what actually did happen. 

"Learned to let go of everything you fear to lose."-Yoda

Following me down into this Dagobah cave, will you?  This Obi-Wan series takes place 10 years after Revenge of the Sith.  That is the same time frame that Solo: A Star Wars Story takes place.  In the galaxy at this time the Empire reigns supreme but Maul is also leader of the criminal organization known as Crimson Dawn.  What drags Obi-Wan off-world?  It could be a number of things.  Maybe he has decided to just try one more time to talk to Vader. Maybe an old friend is in trouble (crossing my fingers for a Dexter Jettster appearance).  Maybe Obi-Wan leaving is a way of him trying to keep Luke safe and hidden. With the thuggish Empire tightening its grip on the galaxy it can be more difficult for criminal syndicates to conduct business, unless you do it where the Empire doesn't go, like maybe Tatooine?  Maybe Crimson Dawn puts Luke in peril and Obi-Wan has to follow the source to stop them, and that leads him to another meeting with Maul?

Again, I want to reemphasize I don't expect Maul to be in the Obi-Wan series.  This is just me explaining how he could be.  We're going to get Darth Vader and the Inquistors in this, and I am hoping for Clone Wars flashbacks of Anakin and Obi-Wan. Adding another layer of Maul could crowd the villains and characters in this six-episode miniseries.  But if this series were a non-miniseries it could be an idea for future seasons, or even a tale for a novel or comic book.  But I see enough Star Wars fans barking at each other thinking they know better, when really, we all know bantha doo doo. 

Let's continue down the cave, shall we?  A meeting of Maul and Obi-Wan would add more tension and possibly give us an appearance by one former lover of Han Solo, Qi'ra.  Maul went from the leader of Crimson Dawn at the end of Solo to stranded in the tombs of Malachor in Rebels.  Some fans speculate Qi'ra may have played a part in Maul being marooned on the deserted planet.  Sounds cool, but, what if Obi-Wan helped her?  What if, once again, Obi-Wan cut down Maul in his prime? That would only fuel his hatred for Kenobi even more.  

I think Star Wars fans can debate who is Obi-Wan's true rival, Darth Vader or Darth Maul?  Both have handed General Kenobi much heartache in his life, which is why I think they both would be fitting foes for him to see in his transitional period.  I think this Disney+ series is going to see Obi-Wan dealing with the past, learning to let go of his grief, and focus on the future. 

"Don't center your anxiety, Obi-Wan.  Keep your concentration here and now where it belongs. Be mindful of the living force." -Qui-Gon Jinn 

I'm excited to see what Deborah Chow, Ewan McGregor, and everyone else working on the project gives us.  But my wallet is not looking forward to all the Obi-Wan merchandise I will want to buy in the coming months.  Whatever we get, it will be Canon, but we will still have years of untold Obi-Wan, Darth Vader, and Star Wars story holes to fill in. And we as fans will continue to speculate what kind of adventures encompass those untold tales, but when the day comes that Lucasfilm contradicts my Head Canon I will do as Obi-Wan Kenobi instructed 45 years ago.

"Let go, Luke."  -Obi-Wan Kenobi

Iron Fist: Marvel's Mystical, Martial Arts, Nut To Crack

 In the last few days, I've been thinking a lot about Iron Fist. Last week, it was announced that the Netflix Marvel series are leaving Netflix at the end of the month.  I've taken that as a prompt to try and rewatch all three seasons of Daredevil and skim through The Defenders before time runs out.  I have no worry that these shows will find a new home on either Hulu, Disney+, or some other streaming service.  It's 13 seasons, and hours upon hours of content any company would want.  But when will they be available again to watch is the real question?  As I am rewatching Daredevil, I keep thinking about Iron Fist.  Danny Rand and the mythology of the Iron Fist has been a Marvel favorite of mine since The Immortal Iron Fist published back in 2006.  It's the quincuncial modern take on the character, and one that other IF titles, in my eyes, have failed to live up to since.  Because of that book I see the potential of Iron Fist outside of comic books, and that's why I was so disappointed about the Netflix series.  This is the curse of the Iron Fist.

Iron Fist has been around since the 1970's and has mainly teamed up Luke Cage.  And I think the two play great off each other.  He's been a Defender, an Avenger, and was even Daredevil for a bit while Matt Murdock was in jail.  A new IF series has just been released.  This is one of many Iron Fist titles that have come out in recent years.  All of which didn't last very long.  In it, Danny Rand is no longer the Iron Fist.  In the previous series, Heart of the Dragon, Danny gave up his powers to help save the world.  Now a new Iron Fist has emerged, Lin Lie, a young Asian man who was once the Sword Master, and the chi of Shou-Lao the Undying saved his life.  I was curious and skeptical about this new IF series by Alyssa Wong.  Like I said, I'm a fan of Danny Rand, and wanted him to continue being Iron Fist.  After reading the first issue I feel that, though Lin will be the center of this title, Danny will still be around, and, eventually, will once again be some version of the Iron Fist. A lot of IF titles don't keep my interest for too long.  Like most books, it's more about the author than the character.  Superman can be great in the right hands, but a writer who doesn't have a good angle can make him seem boring.  I'm not too familiar with Wong as a writer, but I just hope Lin Lie isn't a product of the fandom menace.

Danny Rand is a Caucasian male who was stranded and raised in an Oriental world (K'un-Lun). He was picked on and ridiculed by his peers.  Danny rose up and become the one person in K'un Lun worthy to take on Shou-Lao and earn the powers of the Iron Fist.  When the Netflix series was being released, some people were angry that a white male was the center of a martial arts show.  Those people, to me, had no idea who Iron Fist was, and probably never read an Iron Fist comic in their lives.  When casting Danny Rand, you could make him anything but Oriental descent.  He could be black, Middle Eastern, Native American; anything but Asian.  Rand was bullied because he was different.  Do you see the disconnect with people yelling online that they should have casted an Asian actor as Danny?

Now, I'm not sure if Lin is in response to that vocal (and confused) fanbase, or if Marvel is just trying to add more diversity to the universe.  If it's the ladder, I'm ok with it.  Mainly because I know everything always goes back to the status quo.  Danny Rand will be Iron Fist again. Much like how Captain America will always be Steve Rogers, Batman will always be Bruce Wayne, and Spider-Man will always be Peter Parker.  Along the way these characters have gained young partners that compliment them.  Falcon and Bucky, Nightwing and Robin, Miles Morales and Spider Gwen.  That's what I see Lin Lie as, a new apprentice for Danny Rand to train as AN Iron Fist, but not be THEE Iron Fist.  But let's always make sure Luke Cage is around somewhere.  Forget a second season for both Iron Fist and Luke Cage, they should have done a Heroes for Hire series.

In the IF myth, Danny hasn't been the only Iron Fist. In the final scene of the Netflix series Danny and Ward were looking for a man known as Orson Randall, who in the comic books is a former Iron Fist.  The intro to the TV series Buffy the Vampire Slayer says, "In every generation a slayer is born."  And that's what Iron Fist became in 2006.  In every generation there has been an Iron Fist, going back to the beginning of Earth according to Jason Aaron's The Avengers. And also, you have the Immortal Weapons of the Seven Cities.  Like Iron Fist, they are the protectors of their realms.  My disappointment in the Netflix series came because the last scene of the series teased the potential of what it could have been.  And hopefully will be, under Kevin Feige.

I love that it looks like Charlie Cox is going to continue to play Daredevil in the MCU, but I've also stated the problems with keeping him as The Man Without Fear and the Netflix baggage that comes with it.  I have no problem with Finn Jones as an actor.  I did have a problem with his portrayal of Danny Rand, but I knew that was mostly in the shows writing. I want a better Iron Fist.  We've gotten a taste of what a fully potential Iron Fist could be on screen in Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings.  On TV (and sometimes in comics) Iron Fist has failed to live up to its potential.  I truly believe, if done right, I think Iron Fist's potential is Immortal.

Obi-Wan Kenobi Prep Material

Well people, we have our release date! The Disney+ Obi-Wan Kenobi series will be debuting on May 25 (45th anniversary of Star Wars) on the streaming service.  Aside from Luke Skywalker, Obi-Wan Kenobi is my favorite Star Wars character.  He has so much tragedy in his life, yet through it all he proceeds with nobility, hope, and snark. From what it seems we'll be getting, I am psyched! On top of the Obi-Wan vs Vader rematch we're being promised I'd love to see some Clone Wars flashbacks.  Ewan McGregor and Hayden Christensen are back, and both actors have barely aged, so it wouldn't take too much CGI to give us some moments back when they were brothers-in-arms.  

Joel Edgerton and Bonnie Piesse are also coming back as Uncle Owen and Aunt Beru.  Maybe we even get a little Luke Skywalker too?  Concept art shows Obi-Wan could be going off world, some Inquistors, and more!  As I mentioned, I'm super excited for this Deborah Chow directed-series and I can only imagine all the Obi-Wan merch I will be buying when the show premieres (and at Star Wars Celebration). 

With all that in mind, I figured I'd suggest a few Obi-Wan based materials leading up to the timeline of Obi-Wan Kenobi.  Just some things to possibly check out in the next few months to dive deeper into the character.  Obviously, the prequels are a must review, but here are a few novels, comics, and The Clone Wars episodes I think are great to learn more about Obi-Wan Kenobi.  

*I only included current Canon stories*

Master & Apprentice

This novel by Claudia Gray sees Obi-Wan and his master, Qui-Gon Jinn, years before Episode I. You get to see more of their relationship as they take on a Jedi assignment, more about Qui-Gon's intrigue with "The Prophecy", and the epilogue flashes forward to Obi-Wan's thoughts during Qui-Gon's funeral.

The Phantom Menace

Every Saga has a beginning.  Padawan Obi-Wan Kenobi and his master, Qui-Gon Jinn, travel to Naboo to settle a trade dispute.  The whole thing turns sideways and before they know it, they're battling the first Sith Lord seen in a millennia.  

Obi-Wan and Anakin

Several years into his training, young Anakin Skywalker is doubting his choice to become a Jedi. He ventures with his master, Obi-Wan Kenobi, on a mission that may be their last.  To be honest, the assignment isn't really important. It's the epiphany of Obi-Wan knowing that if Anakin leaves the Jedi Order, Obi-Wan must go with him.

Attack of the Clones

Padme Amidala is in trouble.  On the verge of a Senate vote to create an army for the Republic her life is in danger.  Obi-Wan and Anakin have been tasked to protect her.  Their investigation leads Obi-Wan to Kamino and the creation of a secret clone army. But what are Anakin and Padme doing on Tatooine while he's getting shot at by Jango Fett and his bratty son, Boba?

Brotherhood

This book isn't going to be released till May 10, and I'm sure it will be a great read right before Obi-Wan Kenobi premieres, being that it deals with the relationship of he and Anakin.  From what we know, it takes place right as The Clone Wars are starting.  Anakin is now a Knight, and Obi-Wan a Master.  Their roles have changed, so how will their relationship change?

THE CLONE WARS

Below are various episodes of The Clone Wars animated series where Obi-Wan plays a pivotal role and each is a step in his Star Wars journey.  We learn about his past with a possible former love, as well as see an old foe come back into his life seeking revenge.  In one storyline, Obi-Wan goes undercover as a bounty hunter and tangles with Cad Bane, and in another he, Anakin, and Ahsoka land in the middle of a mystical family squabble that has deep ties to The Force and Anakin's future. 

Season 2: The Mandalore Plot, Voyage of Temptation, Duchess of Mandalore

         Season 3: Overlords, Altar of Mortis, Ghosts of Mortis

         Season 4: Deception, Friends and Enemies, The Box, Crisis on Naboo, Revenge

         Season 5: Revival, Eminence, Shades of Reason, Lawless

         Season 6: The Lost One 

Revenge of the Sith

The Clone Wars are winding down. Anakin and Obi-Wan's rescue of the Chancellor ended with the death of Count Dooku.  Obi-Wan is off to take down General Grievous and end the war while Anakin starts to make trouble back on Coruscant. Order 66 changes the galaxy and everything Obi-Wan knows.  

                      From the Journals of Obi-Wan Kenobi

From the pages of Marvel's Star Wars title, After Luke Skywalker has blown up the Death Star, he returns to Tatooine and finds the journal of Obi-Wan in hopes it will help him continue his Jedi training. In various tales we see Obi-Wan take on the scum of Tatooine, keep little Luke out of trouble, and even have a run in with the wookie bounty hunter, Black Krrsantan.

Obi-Wan

Another piece of literature set to help ramp up for the Disney+ series, all we know about this miniseries is that is supposed to come out in May and follow Obi-Wan through various parts in his life.  I believe it is supposed to be a 5-issue miniseries so I would recommend youngling, padawan, knight, master, and then hermit.  Either way, I'm in!

Who Likes Star Wars? Book of Boba Fett, Chapter 6

WARNING!! CONTAINS SPOILERS FOR THE BOOK OF BOBA FETT: CHAPTER 6: FROM THE DESERT COMES A STRANGER.   

The problem with living in an age where information can be shared in an instant is that spoilers for media can also be shared in an instant.  I was online this morning for less than five minutes before I saw spoilers for The Book of Boba Fett: Chapter 6: From The Desert Comes A Stranger. But, I only blame myself.  I know better than to look at Twitter or YouTube before watching a new episode of a popular series.  

I also now know the title of this episode refers to the mysterious man who walks in from the Tatooine desert and shoots Cobb Vanth.  For the "Knight fans" of Star Wars and above (I have a system for levels of SW fandom) we know this blue alien is Cad Bane, the best bounty hunter in the galaxy.  His name was never said, but anyone who's seen The Clones Wars or even The Bad Batch know he's one hombre not to be messed with.  That was my favorite scene in this episode.  Because it served the story of the series.  It gave us a new player who is working for the Pykes, he has a history with both Boba and Fennec, and is going to be someone who will be a problem for Boba and his crew.  That is, if we ever get back to Boba Fett.  

I was never a big Boba Fett fan.  I quote Windows from the movie Fanboys, "All style.  No substance."  All Boba ever did in the movies was track down Han Solo, deliver him to Jabba, and then he goes out like a punk in the Sarlacc Pit.  In the Expanded Universe he starred in multiple books and comics that make him a seem like a badass.  But he still ain't no Jedi.  So far in this series we've seen Boba get out of the Sarlacc Pit, get taken in by a group of Tusken Raiders, rescue Fennec Shand, and then take over Jabba's old business.  I honestly think the series has been a snore fest.  However, last week's episode, catching up with Din Djarin, woke me up!  I loved it!  But that's because we know Din, like Din, and can't wait for The Mandalorian season 3! I still don't know who Boba Fett is.

This week we see Mando finally join Boba's clan.  But that was the one scene Boba appeared in the whole episode and I don't think he even spoke!  Again, I'm not a fan of Boba Fett, but in a seven-part season the main character will go almost a quarter of the season without a line of dialogue. And this doesn't set good with me because, aside from his flashbacks, I don't think Boba has had any character growth, or have any sense of character to him at all.  Not even the second lead, Fennec Shand, has had a decent storyline to care about.  In any action movie, you can make the sky fill with people falling off buildings, but if I don't care about those people, it won't be as emotional.  And that's what good storytelling does, try to get an emotional response out of us. Whether it be happy, sad, anger, excitement, or dread.  With one episode left in the season, and a big action sequence coming up, I feel nothing for Boba or Fennec.

Meanwhile, on a planet we have no idea what it is; some droids are building a future Jedi school.  We can assume it's going to be the place that we see get burned down in The Last Jedi, but we don't know that because the episode never told us.  So again, no emotional connection.  Din is going to give Grogu his Beskar chainmail but decides not to give it to him after a brief talk with Ahsoka about Jedi not having attachments.  Did we learn nothing from the Star Wars franchise up to this point?  It was the Jedi's outdated rules that lead to their own destruction!  And it was Luke's attachment his father, Anakin's attachment to his son, that saved the galaxy and brought down Palpatine (for a while). Grogu's relationship to Din, like any relationship, could be a good thing.  Just like any relationship that anybody has, Jedi or not.  

Luke Skywalker is my favorite fictional character ever.  The day Mark Hamill passes, I will cry.  I have no doubt.  Ahsoka Tano is my wife's favorite Star Wars character.  Sure, I liked seeing these characters. But the Grogu training scenes seemed unnecessary in a Boba Fett show. They belong in The Mandalorian season 3.  I liked that Grogu felt he had to choose between being a Foundling or a Padawan.  But after all Luke has gone through would he make Grogu choose just one role? Perhaps it's that narrow view that leads to Luke's own downfall with his nephew.  But what was Ahsoka doing there?  "I'm a friend of the family."  It was a cute line but doesn't explain why she was there. I don't go over to my good friend's house without a reason. Was she there to ask Luke something?  Was she there to check on Grogu?  There was no practical reason for her to be there other than, "Hey, it's Ahsoka!"  Luke could have easily shared those few lines with Din about letting go of Grogu.  SIDENOTE:  The Luke CGI looked WAY BETTER than at the end of The Mandalorian season 2.

It just feels like the storytellers are not focusing enough on its story.  Grogu and Din's journey belongs in their show; The Mandolorian.  This is Boba and Fennec's show.  So why isn't it?  All this diversion away from them is making the audience more against Boba when we need to spend more time with him to care actually about he and Fennec.  This episode had great cameos and moments, but to me it's sideline fan service.  The Mandalorian season 2 had a lot of guest stars and cameos, but the focus was always on Din's journey.  For two great storytellers like Jon Favreau and Dave Filoni, they are better than what they're giving us.

I will end on this quote that I think sums up my feelings on Boba and Mando. I forget where I heard this last week, but someone said, "Din Djarin is who we wanted Boba Fett to be all these years."  And I think it's true.  Favreau wanted to do a Boba Fett series.  And he made a great one, and then some with The Mandalorian.  But now what does Boba Fett become? I'm still waiting.  

My Essential X-Men List

If the title of this blog/podcast/fan space didn't give it away, I'm a big X-Men fan.  My earliest X-Men memories is the animated film Pryde of the X-Men where Wolverine had an Australian accent, and X-Men #1 by Chris Clairmont and Jim Lee that totally revamped the team's roster and look. It would also go on the be the definitive X-team probably to this day.  Recently I've been working my way through the X-Men films.  I'm on Days of Future Past, my favorite of the franchise.  I will say The Last Stand wasn't the big pile of garbage I remember to be.  It's still a garbage X-film, but just not as bad as I remember.  However, X-Men Origins: Wolverine is worse than I remember.  I didn't even bother finishing it.  

Anyway, since I've been in an X-Men mood I decided to do a "time-wasting project" as my wife would call it.  I picked out what some consider the most pivotal X-Men storylines throughout the almost 60-year history.  Some of them I don't prefer, but I also added my personal favorites to create my own essential X-Men reading list.  You will notice it may be a little skewed on the Cyclops and Phoenix side, because, well, Cyclops is my favorite X-Man.    

But if someone was to ask me what my X-Men recommendations are, or where to start, I think this is a good reference point.  Of course, I know I'm leaving out hundreds of other X-books that some would consider "essential" or great, but this is my list.  Make your own.  I'd love to see it.  I hope you get a kick out of this, and if you haven't read some of them it's like I always tell my buddy Josh.  Check your local public library!  And then find me online to chat about X-Men.

SECOND GENESIS:  This book introduces what would become some staples of the X-Men team like Storm, Colossus, Nightcrawler, and Wolverine.  They are on a mission to save the original X-Men, and afterwards, The Phoenix is introduced.

DARK PHOENIX SAGA: Considered by most to be "thee X-Men story" we see Jean Grey lose control of the cosmic force and threaten the galaxy. The movies have tried twice to do this storyline and blown it both times.  If you want the best interpretation of the book, I recommend the 90's animated series version.

DAYS OF FUTURE PAST:  Another popular X-Men tale that sees a bleak future for mutants, so Kitty Pryde is sent back to her younger body to try and stop that future from coming true. 

GOD LOVES, MAN KILLS: This legendary tale sees the X-Men team up with their enemy, Magneto, to stop the end of all mutant kind.  To be honest, I barely remember the story since I haven't read it in maybe a decade.  I know it was the basis of X2: X-Men United.

GENESIS AND APOCALYPSE: After the death of Jean Grey, Scott Summers leaves the X-Men, marries a woman who looks a lot like Jean, and has a son; Nathan. But when the Avengers find Jean alive, she's eager to find her old friends and get the band back together.  Thus, a new X-Team is created. 

MUTANT MASSACRE: The slaughtering of the Morlocks and the beginning a very important life change for Angel.  This event ripples through X-Men for all time.

FALL OF THE MUTANTS:  X-Factor gets majorly changed, New Mutants lose a teammate, and the X-Men die.  'Nuff said.

INFERNO: Colossus sister and Cyclop's wife are at the center of this story that threatens to bring Hell to Earth.  It's big and epic. Trust me.

DAYS OF FUTURE PRESENT:  Not gonna lie, I have never read this.  I know it centers around Franklin Richards, and has appearances by Scott and Jean's daughter, Rachel, and a grown-up Nathan Summers.

X-TINCTION AGENDA:  Pretty much everything before Mutant Genesis I've only read once, which is why I plan on going through this list at some point. I remember the X-teams go to Genosha, and someone dies.  That's all I remember. Sorry.

MUIR ISLAND SAGA:  This one is right before everything changes for the X-Men.  The Shadow King shows up, and so does Charles Xavier's son Legion.  Fighting ensues. 

MUTANT GENESIS:  Hands down, the best-selling book in the 90's, except maybe Superman #75.  Clairmont and Lee redefined the X-Men.  We see the return of Magneto and the first appearance of Omega Red.  Plus, we learn more about the Weapon X program.

X-CUTIONER'S SONG:  A guy looking a lot like Cable shows up to cause the X-teams a lot of trouble.  Turns out he's Cable's better clone.  

FATAL ATTRACTIONS:  Big things happen in this book.  It includes X-Men #25 where Magneto rips the adamantium out of Wolverine's body, causing Professor X to go into Magento's mind and turn it off.  Colossus also leaves the team after the death of his sister.

WEDDING OF CYCLOPS AND PHOENIX:  Pretty self-explanatory right?

THE ADVENTURES OF CYCLOPS AND PHOENIX:  Want an exotic honeymoon?  How about a trip to an apocalyptic future to raise your son who was sent to the future to save him from a life-threating virus?  How about also starting a revolution to overthrow an evil, immortal, being?  Sounds like a great trip! 

PHALANX COVENANT:  Just as Generation X is being formed a group of mutant-hating, techo-organic, beings attack and want to wipe out Marvel's Mighty Mutants.  Bad timing. 

AGE OF APOCALYPSE:  What if Charles Xavier never formed the X-Men?  Well apparently, it would look very different, but super cool. This alternate future see's the time-traveling Bishop looking to restore the timeline and save Xavier before his son accidentally kills him instead of Magneto.  This is the storyline that got me hooked on X-Men comics and I have been reading them ever since.

ONSLAUGHT:  What would happen if Charles Xavier went nuts? Well apparently, he'd create a new personality hellbent on mutant superiority and it's up all the heroes in the Marvel U to stop him.  And a lot of them don't make it out alive!

THE TRIAL OF GAMBIT:  When I was a kid, Gambit was my favorite X-Man.  He was cool and mysterious.  As I've grown my taste in role models has changed a bit.  This book dives into the Cajun's past and his involvement in the Mutant Massacre, and his sins will cost him everything. 

OPERATION ZERO TOLERANCE:  Bastion is a bad guy.  Bastion has an army of Sentinels. Bastion gets government approval to reign hell down on the X-Men.  This leads to torcher, unlikely alliances, and Cyclops with a bomb in his stomach.  It's great!

HOMECOMING: In the aftermath of Operation Zero Tolerance and The Trial of Gambit, the X-Men are back at the mansion with some new house guests that could cause trouble.  Scott and Jean are looking to leave and put Storm and Wolverine in charge.  But the main question is, where is Charles Xavier? 

THE HUNT FOR PROFESSOR X: After the new team gets settled it's time to find Chuck.  But what they find in their journey leads to a whole lot of trouble!

THE MAGNETO WAR: Magneto is back, and he is holding the whole world hostage.  He's decided to reverse Earth's magnetic poles unless he gets what he wants.  And the only person who can stop him is his younger clone that was made to kill him.  It's tight!

THE TWELVE: Apocalypse is looking to become the ultimate being.  But to do that he needs the life force of twelve specific mutants. As he captures them one by one the rest of the X-Men are gonna have to find a find a way to stop him.   

THE SEARCH FOR CYCLOPS: SPOILER! Scott Summers is dead.  Cyclops saved his sort-of son from merging with Apocalypse by merging with him instead.  But Cyclops isn't as powerful as Nate Grey, so he killed himself and Apocalypse.  Or did he? Jean and Cable are on the hunt for their loved one who may still be merged with Apocalypse and En Sabah Nur's followers are after him.

EVE OF DESTRUCTION: Ol' Magneto is stirring up trouble again.  This time Erik is looking to march his army of Genoshians against the humans. While Jean tries to gather a team to stop a war, Cyclops and Wolverine infiltrate Genosha to try and save Magneto's prisoner, Professor X.

NEW X-MEN: Grant Morrison's run on X-Men has become legendary.  He, along with artist Frank Quitely, shepherded Marvel's Mutants into a new era.  Spanning several books, we discover Charles has an evil twin sister, a mutant riot breaks out at the school, Scott becomes unfaithful to Jean, and the island of Genosha is obliterated by a giant Sentinel attack.  Oh, and of course the classics; Magneto attacks and the Phoenix returns.

ASTONISHING X-MEN: Following the events of New X-Men, Buffy creator Joss Whedon had a four-book run that added Whedon's special brand of creativity to the X-Men.  We see a mutant cure, a mutant resurrection, and plenty of quips that we all expect from Whedon's writing. The title continued on with several other writers after Whedon left, but the Joss's books are the ones that are worth a read in my opinion.

HOUSE OF M:  The Marvel event rocks the X-Men to their core and shows a level of power that fanboys are looking forward too as Elizabeth Olsen's Scarlet Witch grows stronger in the MCU. The precursor to this is Avengers: Disassembled when Wanda goes nuts and starts killing Avengers.  Xavier tries to help heal her mind but feels the humane thing to do would be to kill Wanda for the good of the world. FLASH! Wolverine wakes up to a world where all his friends are living their ideal lives, and Magneto rules the most powerful nation in the world.  The conclusion of this story changes everything!

THE DAY AFTER: 90% of the world's mutants are now human.  Most of the those who are left have gathered at the X-mansion to seek refuge. Tension is high and patience are short.  What do the X-Men do when they go from the next stage in evolution to an endangered species?

END OF THE GREYS:  Growing up in a dystopian future Rachel Summers never had much of a family, but her grandparents are looking to fix that. Meanwhile, the Shi'ar Empire are looking to end the entire Grey bloodline for fear of another Dark Phoenix.  But do you really wanna piss of the daughter of Phoenix?

DEADLY GENESIS: Remember Second Genesis?  Professor X sent Wolverine, Storm, and the others to go save the original X-Men?  That wasn't the first team Xavier sent.  Now a "deadly" secret is about to come back and haunt the X-Men.  

RISE AND FALL OF THE SHI'AR EMPIRE: Vulcan has taken to the stars to exact revenge on those who tortured and wronged him; the Shi'ar. Professor Xavier gathers a team to chase after him and warn his love, Lilandra, before Vulcan's vengeance brings down the might empire.

EMPEROR VULCAN: Vulcan now rules the Shi'ar Empire and the galaxy next.  Alex Summers and a handful of rebels may be the only thing that stands in his way.  This isn't the last part of the Vulcan storyline, but it is the last part where the X-Men play a big role.  Vulcan's tale concludes in War of Kings.

ENDANGERED SPECIES: There are less than 100 mutants left in the world.  And more are dying.  Beast is on a crusade to find a way to save his species.  He looks for help with allies and with enemies.  But will it be enough? Can he reverse M Day?

MESSIAH COMPLEX:  For the first time in years a new mutant has been born.  And everyone is after the child. The X-Men are looking for the man who has the baby, Cable.  But he's on the run from Marauders and Purifiers.  Who will get to Cable and the child first?  This is one of my favorite X-Men stories!   

DIVIDED WE STAND:  Following the events of Messiah Complex the X-Men are scattered.  Their home is destroyed, and "Hope" may be lost.  But they may find both in an unexpected place.

MANIFEST DESTINY: The X-Men are in San Francisco and not everyone in town is welcoming.  In this multi-book arc, we see the appearance of the Magneto, Sentinels, and the Hellfire Club. Also, Cyclops's ex-wife, Madelyne Pryor, is still alive! 

ANGELS AND DEMONS:  Times are tough for mutants.  Facing an unknown future, Cyclops and Wolverine form a new X-Force team to take out their enemies before they strike against them.  But this team is unstable, and full of killers.  It's awesome!

OLD GHOSTS: After their first mission didn't go as planned X-Force is back at it and gets even more crazy.

MESSIAH WAR: Part three of the Messiah trilogy catches up with Cable and his daughter, Hope, hiding out through time as they are being tracked by Bishop, who is convinced Hope will bring about the horrible future he came back in time to stop.  Cable's brother, Stryfe, is also causing them trouble, and the X-Force have caught up with Cable as well.

NOT FORGOTTEN:  The aftermath of Messiah War, the team is struggling to stay together while individually they are falling apart.

UTOPIA:  Harry Osborn has control of S.H.I.E.L.D. And he is looking to flex his power muscles when things get rocky in San Francisco.  His Dark Avengers are looking to teach the X-Men a lesson, but everyone always underestimates Scott Summers.  My favorite part of this book is when Cyclops tells the former Green Goblin to basically f%ck off. 

NATION X:  Asteroid M has been risen from the sea and has become the new island haven for mutants everywhere.  Now the X-Men must find a way to secure their home from their enemies, both outside and inside.

NEROSHA:  Not gonna lie, I barely remember this storyline, but it's marked as a "Milestone" in X-Men history. I remember it heavily involves X-Force and some villain named Selene.  I don't know.  Guess I'll just have to re-read it.

SECOND COMING:  Cable and Hope are back from the future, and once again, everyone is after them.  They're trying to find their way back to the X-Men, but along the way, teammates are lost, secrets are revealed, and I love this book!

THE BIRTH OF GENERATION HOPE:  Five new mutants are detected after Hope's return to the present.  Now she is on a journey to find these new mutants, and possibly herself along the way.  But some don't agree the alleged Mutant Messiah should doing this. 

THE CURSE OF THE MUTANTS:  The X-Men are still trying to find a way to keep safe in an unsafe time.  But Dracula shows up and offers to help by joining mutants and vampires together.  Cyclops refuses, and before we know it several of the key X-Men are part of the undead.  But don't worry. Blade is there too.

UNCANNY X-FORCE:  Cyclops disbanded X-Force after the secret of the mutant hit squad got out.  But that hasn't stopped Wolverine from continuing his mission. Rick Remender puts his team through the ringer with the stories like The Dark Angel Saga and the Apocalypse Solution.  Would you kill a kid version of the mutant devil?

AGE OF X:  Another X-Men Milestone that I read but wasn't super into.  Kinda seemed like a pho-Age of Apocalypse to me.  

SCHISM: The Hellfire Club is attacking the X-Men, and Cyclops asks some new recruits to help defend their home.  Wolverine has had enough of Cyclops decisions and they battle each other while a Sentinel attacks them both.  The result is the division of the X-Men.

REGENESIS:  This event is broken into two books. One is a new Uncanny X-Men with Cyclops and his team, and the other is Wolverine and the X-Men and the opening of The Jean Grey School For Gifted Youngsters.  I recommend at least the first book in the Uncanny run and the first three of the Wolverine title.

X-SANCTION:  Cable is back, and he has his sights set on the Avengers.  Nathan Summers believes the Avengers will bring about the mutant downfall so he's out to take them out before the techo-organic virus he's had all his whole life finally ends him.

AVENGERS VS X-MEN:  I remember the day issue one came out and the local comic bookstore had posters and pins asking if you were Team X-Men or Team Avengers. Guess which one I was?  The Phoenix is heading back to Earth, and everyone believes it's heading right for Hope Summers.  Captain America wants to hide her, while Cyclops wants to see if the Phoenix can restart the mutant race.  Lines are drawn, sides are chosen, and the ending to this one rocks!

AvX CONSEQUENCES:  Cyclops is locked up for his crimes in AvX while the rest of the two teams decides what to do next.  But the "consequences" of this one while be felt for a long time.

ALL-NEW X-MEN:  Scott Summer is the world's #1 criminal.  But Beast gets the idea of bringing a younger Scott to the present to gain some perspective.  The rest of the original X-Men also come along to see what their fate becomes, and none of them are happy with it.  Over the course of several books, and several events, like Children of the Atom and The Trial of Jean Grey these kids go through many changes, all the while wondering what will happen when (or if) they return to past with knowledge of their future.

UNCANNY X-MEN:  Scott Summers is the world's #1 criminal.  But that doesn't mean he's going to stop helping mutants.  But the after effects of the Phoenix still sway on him, Emma, and even Magneto.  They're still saving mutants, but can they save themselves?  Brian Michael Bendis gives us several great books in what has become a historic X-Men run. 

DEATH OF X:  After the success of Avengers vs X-Men, Marvel was ramping up of their Inhumans TV series (which bombed) and decided to put them against the Mighty Mutants of Marvel.  A Terrigen Mist cloud that makes Inhumans is killing mutants. The two teams fight, and the end result is, well, the death of an X-Man.

PHOENIX RESURRECTION: THE RETURN OF JEAN GREY:  After several fake-outs, and the presence of a younger Jean, the real deal comes back to life, almost two decades after her death in New X-Men.  

EXTERMINATION:  The five original X-Men have overstayed their welcome and someone is hunting them.  This is the true end of All-New X-Men. I never thought it would go as long as it did, but I ended up loving it!

DISASSEMBLED:  Nate Grey comes from another world. And while here, he's never lived up to his potential.  Now his powers threaten the entire world, and the X-Men will have to die trying to stop him.  Not a great story in my eyes, but it sets up a few of my favorites. 

SUMMERS AND WINTER:  The X-Men are dead. Cyclops returns from the grave to find his former friends, teammates, and family gone.  Where does he go from here?

WOLVERINE AND CYCLOPS VOL 1:  Cyclops is back, and he's in a world without the X-Men.  Wolverine is also freshly alive and gets roped in helping Slim in his crusade to restore the X-Men, save mutants, and kick some ass!

WOLVERINE AND CYCLOPS VOL 2:  The X-Men are hiding out in the back of a bar, taking out their enemies, and just trying to get along.  I like these two volumes because it makes the X-Men true underdogs just trying to survive.  Then it all changes.

HOUSE OF X:  Moria MacTaggert has always been an important X-Men character.  Now she is THE MOST important X-Men character.  Mutants have established their own nation with so many medical and technological advancements the world is willing to leave them alone just to get a taste of it.  Oh, plus they've secretly made it so no mutant can ever really die.  All thanks to Moria MacTaggert, and her mutant ability to be reincarnated. With every death she hopes her next life will be the perfect one.  

INFERNO:  I'm not sure why they have another X-Men storyline with the same name, but the two events are nothing alike.  Xavier and Magneto are the only ones who knew the secret of Moria MacTaggert.  But now that secret is out, and some mutants are taking to kindly that Charles, Erik, and Moria get to decide their "Destiny" and the fate of everyone in the world.