Trailer Park: Iron Man 3

The Journey to The Avengers 2 Begins...

"Marvel Studios’ Iron Man 3 pits brash-but-brilliant industrialist Tony Stark/Iron Man against an enemy whose reach knows no bounds. When Stark finds his personal world destroyed at his enemy’s hands, he embarks on a harrowing quest to find those responsible. This journey, at every turn, will test his mettle*. With his back against the wall, Stark is left to survive by his own devices, relying on his ingenuity and instincts to protect those closest to him. As he fights his way back, Stark discovers the answer to the question that has secretly haunted him: does the man make the suit or does the suit make the man? Starring Robert Downey Jr., Gwyneth Paltrow, Don Cheadle, Guy Pearce, Rebecca Hall, Stephanie Szostak, James Badge Dale with Jon Favreau and Ben Kingsley, Iron Man 3 is directed by Shane Black." (*So much love for the use of this pun in the studio's official synopsis!)

It has only been a few months since Robert Downey Jr. last put on his most famous suit by gracing the big screen in Marvel's mega-franchise Avengers Assemble, and just one year on; he's back! As the synopsis and the new trailer released this morning suggest, this seems to be Tony Stark's most personal challenge yet (don't count on him giving his Avengers pals a quick call for help in this one), setting up a film which should be more along the lines of the original Iron Man and deliberately steering away from Iron Man 2; the overcrowded nature of which didn't know whether it wanted to be an Iron Man sequel or an Avengers prequel - sounds good to me!

It looks like the trailer is confirming the rumours about the use of the comic book's Extremis storyline with Stark and the Suit starting to become one - something which should prove to make an interesting twist and really push the character to the limits; which probably explains those foreboding and bleak, snow-ridden shots at the start and end of the trailer. With Ben Kingsley playing comic book villain the Mandarin - who is already resembling something of a Bane-like terrorist in this trailer - this third instalment looks like it should be a solid addition to the Iron Man franchise, and rather promisingly not unlike certain themes and tones from Nolan's Dark Knight Trilogy; with a new director, a new style and a new tone, Iron Man 3 is already looking set to kick off Marvel's Phase 2 plan with a bang as it ventures its way down the long road to The Avengers 2...

What do you think? Check out the new trailer below and leave your thoughts in the comments section.

Iron Man 3 is set for release in cinemas across the UK on April 26th 2013.

Are you looking forward to Tony Stark's third installment, or is this iron starting to rust? Will it be a blockbuster or lacklustre? Leave your comments below!

Trailer Park: The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey

One ring, two trilogies, three dimensions (oh well, as Meatloaf sang: "two out of three ain't bad"...)

Peter Jackson, director of The Lord of the Rings Trilogy, returns to the franchise that both put him on the map and won him an Oscar. This time he finally turns his hand to J.R.R. Tolkien's prequel novel with The Hobbit; a film experience that fans have been waiting almost ten years for. The famous fantasy adventure, originally published in 1937, sees Bilbo Baggins (Martin Freeman) taken on, well, An Unexpected Journey by his dear wizard friend Gandalf the Grey (Ian McKellen) and a small (no pun intended) group of dwarfs. Along their journey through the mystical world of Middle-Earth the group will encounter many creatures, adversaries and challenges in their quest to reclaim the lost Dwarf Kingdom of Erebor from the fearsome dragon Smaug - not to mention an encounter with Gollum and a certain ring that will change Bilbo's destiny forever.

Of course after the tremendous success of The Lord of the Rings Trilogy there is a lot riding on this series of films that fans have been eagerly waiting for; will it live up to the hype or disappoint? Time will tell, but from the looks of the brand new trailer (that you can watch below) it certainly looks like The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey will recapture the epic scale and beauty of the original trilogy. And if you're not a Lord of the Rings fan there is more than just that to look forward to with the interesting news that the film has actually been shot at 48 frames per second as opposed to the industry standard of 24 frames per second (meaning that you will see double the amount of frames/tiny-images every second, leading to a much crisper image with smoother movement); it'll be very interesting to see if this takes off or not and how people will take to this innovation, with mixed early responses linking watching it to watching live TV. Of course the obvious downside of this digital revolution is that the film has also been shot in 3D, something that I doubt will hold any benefit to the films - just like it fails to do for any other film either...

Alongside this there is also the recent news that Jackson will shoot extra footage and turn what was originally going to be two Hobbit films into three (with The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug being released a year later on December 13th 2013 and The Hobbit: There and Back Again being released the following summer on July 18th 2014). As Jackson himself has reportedly requested this personally it does give me some hope, although there is always the doubt that this is purely a financial operation. Of course for fans of The Lord of the Rings - especially those crazy ones who have the money and time to buy and watch the extended editions - surely the news of more films can't be a bad thing, can it?...

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey is set for release in cinemas across the UK on December 14th 2012.

Are you looking forward to The Hobbit Trilogy, or are you starting to get Bored of the Rings!? Will it be a blockbuster or lacklustre? Leave your comments below!

Trailer Park: Man of Steel

Superman gets the Batman Begins treatment; so 'Superman Starts'!?...

2006 was the year that last saw the world's most iconic superhero grace the big screen, and next year; Superman Returns (brownie points if you got that!). After being sent to Earth as a child, Clark Kent is adopted into a human family in Kansas. Time passes and today Kent, who disguises his identity as a journalist, protects the Earth with his extraordinary powers whenever he dons his iconic costume to become Superman. Soon however Superman will be tested to the limits when a deadly threat strikes...

Whilst I'm not a huge Superman fan and haven't really followed his many other big screen outings much, I do know how big a deal this film could be. Firstly Man of Steel boasts the talents of David S. Goyer and Christopher Nolan on writing duties, the double act behind the incredible Dark Knight Trilogy which has just come to an epic conclusion with The Dark Knight Rises which is now showing in cinemas. These two men have just finished reviving the once dead in the water Batman franchise, turning it into what most people would deem the best superhero films of all time - if anyone can make a Superman film work, it's these guys, and as you can tell by the trailer the film is clearly taking the Batman Begins approach to relaunch the franchise. Secondly, after the success of Marvel's Avengers Assemble, rumours have been persistent that rival DC comics are eager to get a Justice League film in motion - so this film could be the beginning of something much bigger! Alongside these factors, just from the trailer and poster alone it does look like this could be a very good film, and it's certainly the first Superman film that has grabbed my attention in a big way; check out the trailer for yourself and let me know what you think too:

Man of Steel is set for release in cinemas across the UK on June 14th 2013.

Are you expecting little from this film, or do you think it will be super...man!? Will it be a blockbuster or lacklustre? Leave your comments below!

Trailer Park: Frankenweenie

You can't teach an old dog new tricks, but it turns out you can teach a dead dog new tricks...

Tim Burton is about to make a much welcomed return to the world of stop-motion animation with his upcoming film Frankenweenie. For a young boy named Victor (Charlie Tahan) who loses his dog and best friend Sparky, life is tough. That is until he is inspired to bring his four legged companion back from the dead, an event that could lead to all hell breaking loose... quite literally!

With a story that is clearly based on Mary Shelley's classic gothic horror Frankenstein, Tim Burton's new film Frankenweenie is also based on another source: a film called Frankenweenie by Tim Burton! Yes you read that correctly, although the explanation behind this is hardly Inception worthy as you may think; back in 1984 a young Burton made a 30 minute live-action short film of the same name. Now nearly 30 years on, and Tim Burton's ambition to make turn his classic short into a full length feature film has finally been realised.

In a world in which CGI is often relied upon in filmmaking, it is always refreshing to see some more old fashioned methods being opted for instead, especially stop-motion animation in which the high levels of detail always add an extra dimension to the film that a pair of cheap 3D glasses could only dream of! This can already been seen thanks to a new trailer for the film which has been released today, ready for you to watch below. For extra brownie points you can also watch the original 1984 short film which I have embedded below the trailer - keep an eye open for any similar shots between the two videos to see how true Burton is staying to the original...

Frankenweenie is released in cinemas across the UK on October 17th 2012.

Glad to see Burton resurrect Frankenweenie, or should he stay dead and buried? Will it be a blockbuster or lacklustre? Leave your comments below!

Trailer Park: Taken 2

I don't have any money, but what I do have is a sequel, and a brand new trailer for it!

It may not have been a critical success, nor anything particularly special, but 2008's Taken certainly was a financial hit that was enjoyed by people all over the world. Now Brian Mills (Liam Neeson) is back for another round of action in Taken 2.

What happens in Istanbul, stays in Istanbul, but when retired CIA operative Bryan Mills and his wife Lenore (Famke Janssen) are taken hostage by the father of a kidnapper Mills killed while rescuing his daughter Kim (Maggie Grace) in the first film, he must use his "certain set of skills" once again to get out of his trickiest situation yet!

It may not have been a spectacular film, but there was something very cool about watching Liam Neeson running around Paris kicking ass in the original Taken film. Now that we have a sequel to look forward to this October, Brian Mill's biggest challenge won't be saving his wife, but ensuring that he can once again entertain the audience - or has the moment passed and will this be one film too far? We'll soon find out, but until then you can now whet your appetite with this brand new trailer...

Taken 2 is released in cinemas across the UK on October 5th 2012.

Are you Taken by this trailer, or has it left you unimpressed? Will it be a blockbuster or lacklustre? Leave your comments below!

Trailer Park: Monsters University

Prepare to Scream with Laughter!

Back in February of 2002, just over ten years ago, I went to the cinema with a group of friends for my ninth birthday. The film we saw was called Monsters, Inc. - and we all loved it. Jump forward ten years to today, and Pixar's Monsters, Inc. still remains as one of my all time favourite films; with it's entirely unique premise, laugh out loud humour, awe-inspiring spectacle and scope, catchy jazz soundtrack, and the two lovable leads Mike (Billy Crystal) and Sulley (John Goodman), this timeless classic is simply irresistible! Which is why the news of their return fills me with glee, and any doubt that it may not work is safely removed with the hilarious new teaser trailer released today.

Monsters University, set prior to the events of Monsters, Inc. and thus making it Pixar's first prequel, follows the story of how Mike and Sulley met at university, where it seems that they didn't instantly become the best friends that we know them as. Who ever thought they'd see the day where Pixar make a college teen movie 'eh? Genius! The new teaser trailer promises huge laughs as we are reunited with our favourite two monsters, both of whom are seen with a new lease of life in their younger forms: Mike looking a more radiant green with his retainer filled mouth, and Sulley looking skinnier and scruffier than ever before - from just the visuals alone you know it's going to be good! The real heart and soul of the original film lies within this particular relationship, and it is that more than anything that made Monsters, Inc. the much loved film that it is. Therefore it is nice to see Pixar delving into this relationship once again with a new film that promises to maintain the same heart and soul as the original.

The only sad part about the trailer is the release date, with the long wait for July 2013 starting today, yet let us not forget that Pixar's next film Brave is nearly with us too...

So what are you waiting for, check out the new teaser trailer below; and for any die hard Monsters fans out there, Pixar have actually released four variations of this trailer, each with a different one-liner from sleeping Mike - see if you can find them all online, then leave a comment in the comments section below if you do.

Monsters University is released in cinemas across the UK on July 12th 2013.

Are you looking forward to learning more about Mike and Sulley's history, or should the past be left in the past? Will it be a blockbuster or lacklustre? Leave your comments below!

Trailer Park: Django Unchained

Django Unchained. Trailer Unleashed.

After creating cult classics out of Reservoir Dogs and Pulp Fiction, and having turned to the Nazis in his last film Inglourious Basterds, director Quentin Tarantino is now turning his hands to a film of the Western variety, with Django Unchained. When Django (Jamie Foxx) is released from slavery by his new mentor Dr. King Schultz (Christoph Waltz), he becomes a bounty hunter, determined to carry out the rescue of his wife from Calvin Candie (Leonardo DiCaprio), the Mississippi plantation owner who kidnapped her.

 

It's probably fair to say that the Western has had its day. As a regular genre in the 30s from its usually low production costs, and peaking in the Spaghetti Western movement that made Clint Eastwood the icon that he is today, the days of actors like John Wayne dressed in spurs and stetsons are long past us now (bar the occasional exception, including the Coen Brothers' excellent take on True Grit in 2011). The reason for absence is most likely down to the old fashioned and often slow paced image of the traditional Western film that seems to have become the expectation for most people today - and with film trends heading towards the more successful high budget Science-Fiction/Action/Superhero genres instead, the simplicity of the Western seems like a relic of the past. But can Tarantino resolve that? With its old Western style and roots clearly buried within the genre, and its modern and energetic fast pace, the first trailer for Django Unchained looks like it could revitalise the Western genre for the audiences of today - Yee-Haa! Of course only time will tell, but if you don't believe me then why not check out the new trailer for yourself...

Django Unchained is released in cinemas across the UK on January 18th 2013.

Happy to see Tarantino unchaining Django, or is he better off left chained up? Will it be a blockbuster or lacklustre? Leave your comments below!

Trailer Park: Wreck-It Ralph

This may be an animated film from Disney, but Wreck-It Ralph ain't not Fairytale Princess...

Set inside the world of video games, Wreck-It Ralph follows the story of Ralph (John C. Reilly), the villain in an arcade game called Fix-It Felix Jr. - but as Ralph narrates in this brand new trailer: "it starts to feel hard to love your job, when no one else seems to like you for doing it!" Searching for a way to become the hero that he longs to be, Ralph's journey takes him to a help group for video game villains, and after he runs away, into the very different worlds of many other video games; from a sweetness of candy island through to the perils of a futuristic first person shooter!

With its unique looking concept and very entertaining looking trailer, it looks like Disney could be onto a winner here with their foray into the wide world of video games; something that I'm sure they are hoping for as the possibilities are endless for this concept - just think of how many sequels they can make money from out of this! Not unlike Pixar's Toy Story, an added level of fun is added with existing characters from many different video game franchises thrown into the film - I've managed to spot Bowser from the Nintendo Mario games, Dr. Eggman from Sega's Sonic franchise, Q*bert, and one of the ghosts from Pac-Man; can you spot any others?...

Wreck-It Ralph is released in cinemas across the UK on February 15th 2013.

Regardless of whether Ralph is good or bad, the real question is; which will the film be? Will it be a blockbuster or lacklustre? Leave your comments below!

Trailer Park: The Bourne Legacy

Franchise: Re-Bourne!

In 2002, Matt Damon hit the big screen in the role of Jason Bourne - the highly trained and spy with a mysterious background - in the blockbuster adaptation of Robert Ladlum's novel, The Bourne Identity. Two sequels later, and the Bourne franchise had re-written the book on the modern day spy film, with even the iconic Bond films arguably taking a leaf out of Bourne's book with the recent Daniel Craig films (the latest of which; Skyfall is released later this year). Now with Damon out of the picture, it is up to franchise newcomer Jeremy Renner (see recently as Hawkeye in Marvel's Avengers Assemble) to take over the reigns as Aaron Cross in this franchise reboot that delves deeper into the mysteries of the agency behind Jason Bourne; as it turns out he was not the only one...

The real question is; will this new direction in the franchise be able to live up to the success of the Damon lead trilogy? Of course only time will tell, but boasting a cast that also features the acting talents of Rachel Weisz and Edward Norton, amongst some recognisable faces from the first three films, The Bourne Legacy looks set to be a fantastic adrenaline pumping addition to the Bourne story. If you don't believe me, just check out the latest trailer below!

The Bourne Legacy is released in cinemas across the UK on August 13th 2012.

Can Treadstone go wrong, or will we have to Touchwood? Will it be a blockbuster or lacklustre? Leave your comments below!

Trailer Park: Les Misérables

Inquiétez pas, cette revue ne sera pas en Français!

Set for the big screen early next early (or late this year for some lucky international markets), the hugely successful West End musical based on Victor Hugo's classic novel is being brought to life cinematically by Oscar winning director of The King's Speech, Tom Hooper. Set in early 19th-century France, a paroled prisoner named Jean Valjean (Hugh Jackman) seeks redemption whilst avoiding the grips of the persistent Inspector Javert (Russell Crowe) against the backdrop of the French Revolution of 1832. With a cast that also includes the likes of Anne Hathaway, Amanda Seyfried, Helena Bonham Carter and Sacha Baron Cohen, Les Misérables looks set to be a surefire musical hit, as the new trailer released just this morning promises.

Not only has this spectacular and goose bump inducing new trailer spiked my interest in this film significantly, but from a personal point of view I also have an invested interest in the film having been considered for two extra roles within the film earlier in the year (it seems I'm just a bit too joyeux and not Misérable enough for them). So when I sit in the cinema studying and critiquing the film after it's release next January, I'll be paying particularly close attention to the extras in the background to see where I went wrong; admiring how much better they are than me!

Anyway that's quite enough about my failed career in acting, let's leave it to the professionals in this epic brand new trailer for Les Misérables. (P.S. oh and kudos if you were able to translate the opening line by the way!)

Les Misérables is released in cinemas across the UK on January 11th 2013.

Do the prospects of this big screen adaptation make you feel Les Joyeux or Les Misérables? Do you think it will be a blockbuster or lacklustre? Leave your comments below!

Trailer Park: Skyfall

After 50 years and 22 films, British secret agent 007 - James Bond makes his triumphant return to the big screen in Skyfall; a film that looks set to leave audiences around the globe both shaken and stirred!

Daniel Craig returns to the role of 007 for the third time after winning over most audiences with his premier performance in 2006's Casino Royale - a personal favourite of mine. Also returning is Dame Judi Dench who reprises her role as M; both of whom will be joined this time by Ralph Fiennes; briefly glimpsed in this trailer as Gareth Mallory, Ben Whishaw as Q, Bérénice Marlohe and Naomie Harris as Sévérine and Eve; the film's two Bond girls, and Javier Bardem as the villainous Silva. Not an awful lot is known about the film's storyline as it's all being kept under wraps, but the official synopsis does give us an brief idea:

Bond's loyalty to M is tested as her past comes back to haunt her. As MI6 comes under attack, 007 must track down and destroy the threat, no matter how personal the cost.

From the very little released about the film so far, it has to be said that it does look like it could be as every bit as spectacular as you'd want it to be; this brand new teaser trailer released this morning demonstrating that point exactly! With director Sam Mendes at the helm of this Skyfall, could we all be about to get a new favourite Bond film very very soon?...

Skyfall is released in cinemas across the UK on October 26th 2012.

Does the prospect of 007's imminent return leave you feeling shaken or stirred? Do you think it will be a blockbuster or lacklustre? Leave your comments below!

Trailer Park: The Expendables 2

The Yorkie Bar of film returns - are you ready for another dose of 80's-tastic action?

This is the bit where I usually describe the story, plot and premise of the film, but let's face it The Expendables 2 isn't about that at all - it's just about the names, so here goes: Sylvester Stallone, Jason Statham, Jet Li, Jean-Claude Van Damme, Dolph Lundgren, Terry Crews, Randy Couture, Chuck Norris, Bruce Willis, Arnold Schwarzenegger. Did I miss anyone out?

The first film may not have been a masterpiece by any standards, but for pure adrenaline, action, fun and its awesome cast it very quickly became a bit of a guilty pleasure of mine. Going even bigger for the sequel (who knew that was even possible!?) The Expendables 2 could be just as fun as the original, and this new trailer gives us hope of that too; with show stealing moments from Schwarzenegger who delivers some of the trailer's best, if not a little cheesy, lines which actually made me laugh out loud ("I'm Back!") - and with a cast like this, this film could do for 80's action heroes what Avengers Assemble did for modern superheroes!...

The Expendables 2 is released in cinemas across the UK on August 17th 2012.

Do you have to be Man or Mad to see this sequel? Do you think it will be a blockbuster or lacklustre? Leave your comments below!

Trailer Park: The Amazing Spider-Man

It really has been comic book superhero mania recently, with last week's UK release of Avengers Assemble (released in the US today), the final trailer for The Dark Knight Rises going online on Tuesday, and now a new trailer for The Amazing Spider-Man hitting the web too (pun intended!).

Filling the spidey-boots and suit this time around is actor Andrew Garfield of The Social Network fame, who has the heavy task of getting to grips with his newly found powers and alter-ego, whilst of course avoiding the police, maintaining a relationship with girlfriend Gwen Stacey (Emma Stone), discovering the secrets and truths about his parents, and saving the world from the villainous Lizard (Rhys Ifans) - the big question is, when will he fit in time for his homework!?

Whilst a lot of people were sceptical about this reboot when it was announced years ago, it feels right to see this franchise being re-done, especially after the critically slated Spider-Man 3 pretty much killed the franchise back in 2007 - time has passed, and our expectations from the genre have evolved significantly; this new cast and style can only help to save the Spider-Man franchise in my opinion. I must admit that I although this film does unfortunately sit in the shadow of the other two major superhero films (Avengers and Batman), I really am looking forward to this film, and this new trailer in particular really has given us a lot to look forward to - this could be a hit that you didn't expect to see coming...

The Amazing Spider-Man is released in cinemas across the UK on July 4th 2012.

Are you excited for this franchise re-boot? Do you think it will be a blockbuster or lacklustre? Leave your comments below!

Trailer Park: The Dark Knight Rises

It's been a while since my last Trailer Park article, but a certain big release this morning has forced me out of retirement - very similarly to the film's main character and plot in fact (yes, I did just compare myself to Batman!)

Set 8 years after the events of The Dark Knight, The Dark Knight Rises, the supposed finale to Christopher Nolan's Bat-trilogy, sees a new threat plague Gotham city in the form of Terrorist Bane (Tom Hardy). When a threat this big strikes, Bruce Wayne a.k.a Batman (Christian Bale) is forced to don the Batsuit once again in order to save the day - but this time can he? The film sees the return of many franchise familiars including Michael Caine, Gary Oldman and Morgan Freeman who reprise their previous roles, and introduces a whole host of new characters played by the likes of Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Marion Cotillard and Anne Hathaway; who dons her catsuit to play Catwoman in what promises to be a truly epic climax to an incredible trilogy of films.

The third and final trailer for The Dark Knight Rises was released this morning and brings with it everything you'd expect from it. Hardy's Bane looks set to even challenge the late Heath Ledger's widely acclaimed role as the Joker from the previous film for best villain, in a role which from footage and information released looks to be something incredible. With this trailer being put online just days after Avenger's Assemble hit UK cinemas, with many people calling it the best comic book film of all time - could The Dark Knight Rises very shortly make them reconsider? I think so...

The Dark Knight Rises is released in cinemas across the UK on July 20th 2012.

Are you excited for Christopher Nolan's epic Bat-finale? Do you think it will be a blockbuster or lacklustre? Leave your comments below!

Trailer Park: Prometheus

Returning to his roots, visionary director Ridley Scott heads back to one of the film franchises that launched his career. Released in 1979, Scott's second big screen project Alien became an instant classic, thrilling millions of cinema goers since through its visionary style, unique sci-fi horror genre and the sequels and spin-offs that have been released since. With a cast including Swedish actress Noomi Rapace, Shame's Michael Fassbender and Hollywood starlet Charlize Theron, Scott has made a welcome return to the Alien franchise with Prometheus - a non-direct prequel set in the world of the Alien universe. Whilst I didn't care much for Scott's last film Robin Hood, it is very exciting to see him return to the impressive visual style of his original Alien film in the scenes from this trailer; and even though I still believe that the physical special effects and sets used in the likes of Alien and the original Star Wars trilogy are very special, it is exciting to see this unique world today with the additional use of advanced CGI technologies which should allow Scott to explore new territories and push the boundaries with this new film. Prepared to get your heart pulsing in this adrenaline pumping new trailer released this morning...

Prometheus is released in cinemas across the UK on 1st June 2012.

Are you excited to see Ridley Scott return to the Alien franchise? Do you think it will be a blockbuster or lacklustre? Leave your comments below!

Trailer Park: Men in Black 3

The Men in Black are back... again! After having watched Agent J (Will Smith) and Agent K (Tommy Lee Jones) team up and save the world in the original sci-fi/comedy/adventure film and its sequel (released in 1997 and 2002 respectively), the duo return 10 years on for their next big screen outing in this franchise revival. When Agent K suddenly disappears and is announced to have been dead for the past 40 years, it is up the Agent J to travel back in time to solve the mystery, teaming up with Agent K's younger self (Josh Brolin) in the process. This new trailer released last week promises the old charm and humour that made the original films such a success; with the time travel twist adding a ballsy yet fun change to the originals, and what looks like a great performance from franchise newcomer Brolin. Here's hoping that MIB3 is more in line with its original, and not closer to the sequel which received a fairly negative universal reception - although I am personally expecting something in between the two...

 

10 years on and the Men in Black are back - but are they welcome? Did that trailer get you excited for MIB3? Do you think it will be a blockbuster or lacklustre? Leave your comments below!

Trailer Park: Avengers Assemble

This week's Trailer Park new film trailer of the week is Marvel's Avengers Assemble: presented to you this week through a little something I like to call the Good, the Bad and the Ugly list! We'll come back to that in a minute, but firstly let's start off with the basics. If you haven't already heard about this film, then what cave have you been living in for the last few years? Avengers Assemble sees some of Marvels biggest superheroes join forces to form a team known as The Avengers in order to defeat a great threat and save Earth and mankind. The superheroes in question are Iron Man (Robert Downey Jr.), Captain America (Chris Evans), Thor (Chris Hemsworth), Hulk (Mark Ruffalo), Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson), Hawkeye (Jeremy Renner); all lead by Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson) as they try to defeat the forces of the villainous Loki (Tom Hiddleston) - as you can clearly see, no expenses have been spared! The film is directed by Joss Whedon, who some people may recognise for his work on the very popular Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Firefly TV series' which have both generated their own large cult followings. With each of the previous Marvel Studio films all setting up and leaving us hints and clues for this epic scale film, when the Avengers finally Assemble later this year we should be in for a cinematic treat!

So let's get down to my Good, Bad and Ugly list - it's pretty self-explanatory so let's go...

The Good - New Trailer

Released earlier this week, this brand new full-length trailer features a ton of new footage from the film itself, and shows off the epic nature and scale that we have to look forward to. The trailer shows us some moments with the superhero characters meeting and allowing their diverse personalities and egos to clash and create tensions between one another - which I believe will be where the strength in the film will lie; within the interactions and friction that will inevitably occur between the group members.

The Bad - New UK Title: Avengers Assemble

To prevent any confusion being caused by the original title 'The Avengers' being the same as an old British television series and its big screen adaptation (would anyone really be confused from this though!?), the studios have decided to rename the film Avengers Assemble for the UK market only. Although it will have no impact upon the content of the film itself, unfortunately for us this name seems to the lack the ease and coolness that the original had, thus leaving us with a cheesy and cliched alliterative title that doesn't really live up to the epic hype of the film itself. Still, there are worse things in the world...

The Ugly - New Poster

Whilst the overall premise of this poster is good and shows off the film and what it's all about very well - re-introducing us to the characters and setting the scene for the action, it is the excruciatingly bad use any sort of basic photoshop skills that gives a cheap and unprofessional look to what could have and should have been a very cool and impressive looking poster design!

Avengers Assemble is released in cinemas across the UK on the 26th April 2012.

Did that trailer get you excited for the assembly of Marvel's Greatest? Do you think it will be a blockbuster or lacklustre? Do you agree with my Good, Bad and Ugly list? Leave your comments below!

Trailer Park: Brave

Film trailers are released online all of the time, with each week giving us a dozen new trailers to ogle over for upcoming releases. As I don't have enough time to post every new trailer on here I have created a dedicated weekly feature called Trailer Park in which I shall select and post the best new trailer release of the week for you to discover for yourself. The first trailer in the spotlight here in the Trailer Park is for Pixar Animation Studios' upcoming release Brave. Here's the synopsis from the official website:

 "Since ancient times, stories of epic battles and mystical legends have been passed through the generations across the rugged and mysterious Highlands of Scotland. From Disney and Pixar, a new tale joins the lore when the courageous Merida (voice of Kelly Macdonald) confronts tradition and challenges destiny to change her fate. Brave follows the heroic journey of Merida, a skilled archer and headstrong daughter of King Fergus (voice of Billy Connolly) and Queen Elinor (voice of Emma Thompson). Determined to carve her own path in life, Merida defies an age-old custom sacred to the unruly and uproarious lords of the land: surly Lord Macintosh (voice of Craig Ferguson), massive Lord MacGuffin (voice of Kevin McKidd) and cantankerous Lord Dingwall (voice of Robbie Coltrane). Merida's actions inadvertently unleash chaos and fury in the kingdom, and when she turns to an eccentric Witch (voice of Julie Walters) for help, she is granted an ill-fated wish. The ensuing peril forces Merida to harness all of her skills and resources - including her clever and mischievous triplet brothers - to undo a beastly curse before it's too late, discovering the meaning of true bravery."

The new trailer for Brave is essentially a short clip from the film itself (full trailers for Brave are available online), but gives a good idea of what to expect. To say that the animation and cinematography in this trailer look nothing short of breathtaking would be an understatement, and whilst many were left feeling disappointed last summer by Pixar's latest release Cars 2 (whilst I actually quite enjoyed it, I do understand I'm in a slight minority here and will admit that it is their weakest film), this film looks like it could see Pixar back on top form once again as the crown jewel of the animated film industry. Don't believe me? Then check it out for yourself...

Also released with the new trailer for Brave was an equally beautiful looking poster too, which you can see in all its glory at the top of this article (click for full-size).

Brave will be released in cinemas across the UK on 13th August 2012.

Did that trailer get you excited for Pixar's next film? Do you think it will be a blockbuster or lacklustre? Leave your comments below!