The Nice Guys Review

The Nice Guys is directed and written by Shane Black and stars Russell Crowe, Ryan Gosling and Angourie Rice. Black's third feature film in the directors chair, The Nice Guys follows Jackson Healy (Crowe), a hired enforcer, and Holland March (Gosling) a private investigator, as they work together to look into the apparent death of a fading porn star.

Shane Black is easily one of Hollywood's most underrated talents when it comes to writing and directing. The Nice Guys is rich in sharp, witty dialogue and fans of Kiss Kiss Bang Bang will find much to love hear. Gosling and Crowe have sizzling chemistry on screen, their constant bickering and goofing is uproariously entertaining whilst Gosling's physical acting is simply superb (watch his cheekbones during one elevator ride). Rice, who plays Holland's daughter, is another well utilised character and is played with rebellious flair.

The 1970s backdrop is beautifully constructed: the cars, houses and technology are adequately designed whilst the gentle, jazzy musical score perfectly undermines the film. The narrative is also intriguing enough as their case takes numerous twists whilst the action beats are far more exhilarating then blockbuster movies; shootouts and stand offs are either done amusingly or riddled with suspense, sometimes even simultaneously. 

The Nice Guys is a clear sign that Hollywood is not done with buddy cop films and shows Black is the king of the genre with another gem under his belt. Easily one of 2016's best in a year that has hurled disappointment after disappointment in our faces. 

X-Men Apocalypse Review

X-Men Apocalypse is directed by Bryan Singer and stars James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender, Jennifer Lawrence, Oscar Isaac, Sophie Turner, Evan Peters, Nicholas Hoult and Tye Sheridan. The ninth film (well, it depends on which timeline we're following here) in the often overlooked X-Men franchise, 'Apocalypse' is set in 1983 (several mutants emerge from a showing of Return of the Jedi, which also includes a savage jape at X-Men The Last Stand) and follows the prequel cast of characters introduced in First Class as they attempt to stop newly awakened mutant Apocalypse (Isaac) from destroying the world.

2016 has been a rollercoaster for superhero films: Deadpool was met with overwhelming commercial success, Batman v Superman was massively disappointing whilst Civil War was the complete opposite. 'Apocalypse' now sits in the middle section. Days of Future Past is a very hard act to upstage, especially without Wolverine playing a large role (although is spoiled scene in this and exhilarating action), but Bryan Singer gives it his best shot. 

What is noticeable about the three prior superhero films is that none of them contain the bog standard "end the world" villian, and 2015's Ultron was the most recent example of this. Oscar Isaac is menacing as the titular antagonist and his motivation is fairly fleshed out, yet his appearance and size do not give him credit, especially whilst his Four Horsemen are occasionally taller than him. These Four Horsemen include Psylocke, Angel, Storm and a down on his luck Magneto (Fassbender). One of the best things of the film, Fassbender's performance is heartfelt and as the metal bending mutant falls back into his old ways, you can empathise with his decision. The other three Horsemen are massively under used; Psylocke is given very little to do except that cool shot of her cutting a car open, but that's been in every trailer so lacks any surprise in the film. 

If the villains aren't entirely impressive, than at least the heroes are. McAvoy is again brilliant as Professor X, whilst Evan Peters is a scene stealer as Quicksilver, getting a second super speed scene as he evacuates a building and throws people out of windows and onto a homemade suspended sheet. Sophie Turner is ideal as Jean Grey and her relationship with Scott Summers (Tye Sheridan) and Nightcrawler (Kodi Smitt McPhee) is written well. 

However, there are problems in this movie. The first hour is substantially lacklustre for a superhero film, whilst the second hour is composed of CGI destruction that also appears in the trailer. 'Apocalypse' does have a lot in common with Age of Ultron, just a lot more serious. They are loveable characters, but the script doesn't do them justice, whether it's because there are simply too many mutants or because the writer's don't know what to do the characters that hasn't been done before.

If DC is too dark and Marvel too light, than the X-Men franchise is the perfect middle ground, just don't expect another Days of Future Past from this film. Entertaining enough, but it lacks depth and freshness.