The story arc revolves around the foursome’s reverent acceptance into the current society at large that is almost complete. This general consensus is, however, challenged when the Earth comes under attack from an alien presence and they make a personal decision that defies the common good. In a nod to the geniality of this fantasy land, they are not openly attacked; however, the press still has a field day.

Having the story so character-driven only works because the main cast of Pedro Pascal as Reed Richards, Vanessa Kirby as Sue Storm, Joseph Quinn as Johnny Storm and Ebon Moss-Bachrach as Ben Grimm are so well written. Their relationships and personal foibles are pleasantly believable and not completely angst-driven. They seem like they could actually be friends.

There is a world treating peril and heroic action on behalf of the four that saves our fragile blue and green marble (for the time being). It’s easily within comic book parameters. But by film’s end, when the words appear on the screen that state that the Fantastic Four will return in Avengers: Doomsday, it leaves you slightly disappointed that the next time out, this lovely little world will get folded into the Avengers ideology so soon.
Rob Hudson
www.facebook.com/MarvelAUNZ/

Set against the vibrant backdrop of a 1960s-inspired, retrofuturistic world, Marvel Studios’ “The Fantastic Four: First Steps” introduces Marvel’s First Family — Reed Richards/Mister Fantastic (Pedro Pascal), Sue Storm/Invisible Woman (Vanessa Kirby), Ben Grimm/The Thing (Ebon Moss-Bachrach) and Johnny Storm/Human Torch (Joseph Quinn) as they face their most daunting challenge yet.

Forced to balance their roles as heroes with the strength of their family bond, they must defend Earth from a ravenous space god called Galactus (Ralph Ineson) and his enigmatic Herald, Silver Surfer (Julia Garner). And if Galactus’ plan to devour the entire planet and everyone on it weren’t bad enough, it suddenly gets very personal.

The action adventure also stars Paul Walter Hauser, Natasha Lyonne and Sarah Niles. “The Fantastic Four: First Steps” is directed by Matt Shakman, produced by Kevin Feige and executive produced by Louis D’Esposito, Grant Curtis and Tim Lewis.
www.facebook.com/MarvelAUNZ/

Forced to balance their roles as heroes with the strength of their family bond, they must defend Earth from a ravenous space god called Galactus (Ralph Ineson) and his enigmatic Herald, Silver Surfer (Julia Garner). And if Galactus’ plan to devour the entire planet and everyone on it weren’t bad enough, it suddenly gets very personal.

The action adventure also stars Paul Walter Hauser, John Malkovich, Natasha Lyonne and Sarah Niles. “The Fantastic Four: First Steps” is directed by Matt Shakman, produced by Kevin Feige and executive produced by Louis D’Esposito, Grant Curtis and Tim Lewis.
www.facebook.com/MarvelAUNZ/

Forced to balance their roles as heroes with the strength of their family bond, they must defend Earth from a ravenous space god called Galactus (Ralph Ineson) and his enigmatic Herald, Silver Surfer (Julia Garner).

And if Galactus’ plan to devour the entire planet and everyone on it weren’t bad enough, it suddenly gets very personal.

The Fantastic Four: First Steps stars Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Joseph Quinn, Ebon Moss-Bachrach, Julia Garner and Ralph Ineson and arrives in cinemas July 24.
www.facebook.com/MarvelAUNZ

The story circles back on itself and tells a tale not unlike the Russell Crowe-led version. We are introduced to Lucius (Paul Mescal) an honourable man very much in love with his wife. When the Romans attack his province he and his wife turn out to be warriors and travel to the coast to ward off the boat-bound invaders. The attack is led by Marcus Acacius (Pedro Pascal).

During the battle, Lucius suffers a horrible loss and vows revenge on Marcus Acacius. He is captured and transported to Rome where he becomes a slave fighting for his freedom in the Gladiator trade. The conniving Macrinus (Denzel Washington) buys Lucius and sets into motion a series of events that will define the future of the empire.

Amidst the running commentary of how power and privilege can corrupt completely, we get a simplified take on who is good and who is evil. There is little subtext to the story and director Ridley Scott expands the action to make up for the shortfall. That action arrives quickly and never lets up until the film’s end. It’s a thrill ride for sure but one a little lacking in depth.
Rob Hudson
www.facebook.com/ParamountPicturesAU/

Put your paws (and swords) up for our Dog Friendly Screening of Ridley Scott’s highly-anticipated sequel Gladiator II!

Bring along your favourite furry warrior and experience this action-packed epic, starring Paul Mescal, Pedro Pascal, Joseph Quinn, and Academy Award winner Denzel Washington.

Gladiator II continues the epic saga of power, intrigue, and vengeance set in Ancient Rome. Years after witnessing the death of the revered hero Maximus at the hands of his uncle, Lucius is forced to enter the Colosseum after his home is conquered by the tyrannical Emperors who now lead Rome with an iron fist. With rage in his heart and the future of the Empire at stake, Lucius must look to his past to find strength and honour to return the glory of Rome to its people.

Gladiator II – Dog Friendly Screening
November 17 @ 6:30pm
Dendy Powerhouse, Brisbane
www.dendy.com.au/

All dogs must be kept on a short leash (2 meters or under). All dog owners are required to respect the park as well as other patrons by picking up after their dog and keeping it quiet during the film. Please bring a drinking container and plenty of water for your dog. Dog owners with aggressive dogs or dogs that must be muzzled will be denied entry. If a dog becomes aggressive or fights with another dog once inside the venue, the owner will be asked to immediately remove their dog from the venue.

Years after witnessing the death of the revered hero Maximus at the hands of his uncle, Lucius (Paul Mescal) is forced to enter the Colosseum after his home is conquered by the tyrannical Emperors who now lead Rome with an iron fist.

With rage in his heart and the future of the Empire at stake, Lucius must look to his past to find strength and honor to return the glory of Rome to its people.

Gladiator II will be released in Aussie cinemas November 14!
www.facebook.com/ParamountPicturesAU

Years after witnessing the death of the revered hero Maximus at the hands of his uncle, Lucius (Paul Mescal) is forced to enter the Colosseum after his home is conquered by the tyrannical Emperors who now lead Rome with an iron fist.

With rage in his heart and the future of the Empire at stake, Lucius must look to his past to find strength and honor to return the glory of Rome to its people.

Starring Paul Mescal, Pedro Pascal, Joseph Quinn, Fred Hechinger, Lior Raz, Derek Jacobi, with Connie Nielsen and Denzel Washington, Gladiator II will be released in Aussie cinemas November 14!
www.facebook.com/ParamountPicturesAU

Oscar nominee Paul Mescal – looking gloriously toned and reminiscent of a Gladiator-era Russell Crowe – triumphs in the lead role of Lucius, the young son of Lucilla, Connie Nielsen’s noblewoman from the original movie.

GLADIATOR II continues the story following on from the death of Crowe’s Maximus. Decades after Maximus sacrifices himself to topple corrupt leadership and society, Lucius has come of age far away from his mother who he grew to resent after she sent him to the northern coast of Africa when he was a child.

Now grown, Lucius lives a mostly peaceful life with his wife and child until conquerors from Rome begin to make their way to the region. Pedro Pascal’s Marcus Acacius, a Roman general, leads the charge and is a symbol of everything Lucias is against. Following this conflict, Lucias is taken to be a prisoner of Rome and forced to enter the Colosseum as a gladiator.

Oscar nominated Mescal stars alongside a mighty ensemble cast that includes two-time Oscar winner Denzel Washington, Pedro Pascal, Joseph Quinn, Fred Hechinger, Connie Nielsen, and Derek Jacobi. With this fighting-fit talent and pulse-pounding, sword-clashing action sequences, Scott delivers another superb instant classic of the genre.
www.facebook.com/ParamountPicturesAU

Years after witnessing the death of the revered hero Maximus at the hands of his uncle, Lucius (Paul Mescal) is forced to enter the Colosseum after his home is conquered by the tyrannical Emperors who now lead Rome with an iron fist.

With rage in his heart and the future of the Empire at stake, Lucius must look to his past to find strength and honor to return the glory of Rome to its people.

Paul Mescal, Pedro Pascal, Joseph Quinn, Fred Hechinger, Lior Raz, Derek Jacobi, with Connie Nielsen and Denzel Washington, Gladiator II is coming to cinemas November 14!
www.facebook.com/ParamountPicturesAU