2025

'Captain America Brave New World' (2025) Review: Mackie Soars in Middling Movie You may notice Captain America is a little bit different. In more ways than one the star-spangled man with a plan has undergone a metamorphosis since his last cinematic appearance facing off against a purple alien armed with nothing but a broken shield and an all-powerful hammer. He’s no longer a white man with the strength of 10 men, instead, he’s a black counselor with armoured wings whose abilities lie in his wisdom to talk his enemies down before resorting immediately to violence.It’s no longer a story of a good man receiving great power and taking on the responsibility it comes with, instead, Sam is a man who receives the responsibility but without the power to help him carry it, yet doing it anyway, because it’s the right thing to do. Because he’s a good man. In Captain America Brave New World, Anthony Mackie gives one of my favourite performances for a superhero, instantly relatable, with a commanding presence that’s never without vulnerability.It’s a pity then that with such a new and exciting direction for the character, that Captain America Brave New World delivers a film that’s just okay. The story is formulaic, hitting the requisite beats for a Captain America film, but where the swift action and complex plots have been thrilling in previous entries, Brave New World doesn’t quite deliver. The first half of the film fairs the…

'Den of Thieves 2: Pantera' (2025) Review: The Best Fast & Furious Movie In Years In my review for the original Den of Thieves, I described its take on the heist genre as “remarkably stupid”. It seems my sentiment towards the Gerard Butler led ensemble may have been apt, but could not diminish the lofty ambitions for the series as now, 7 years later, a sequel is upon us, but thankfully the benefit of setting such a low bar is, it isn’t very hard to surpass it.Without a doubt Den of Thieves 2: Pantera is a better film. Its ensemble cast has dwindled in size, and is a more refined story because of it. The movie focuses on Gerard Butler’s Nick and O'shea Jackson Jr. 's Donnie, engaged once again in a cat and mouse game that sees them on the same side despite minimal trust between the two.It’s funny watching these characters who are against all odds working together. Their affinity for one another seems to boil down to reluctant mutual affection. As much as Butler is meant to be playing a cop with a distaste for criminals, he can’t help but like spending time with someone who’s made criminality a career. Their bromance makes the movie work, getting you through the slower parts of a film that feels about 30 minutes too long.When things get fast paced, Den of Thieves 2: Pantera is more than just an improved sequel, but…