Age of Marvels: Thor 2 and SHIELD reviews

On Sunday, 17 November 2013, Janice and I met local role-players Sara F. & Josh C. and Bruce K. for lunch and to see Thor [2]: The Dark World at the AMC Burlington 10. All of us enjoyed the latest superhero sequel, for which we had modest expectations.

If you liked 2011’s Thor, you’ll like The Dark World, which takes place after the events of The Avengers, one of the best and most popular adaptations from Marvel Comics so far. Despite the ominous title, The Dark World is closer to its four-color roots than Man of Steel or even Iron Man 3.

Plot

The story of Thor 2 is fairly straightforward. Ages ago, the mighty Asgardians defeated the Dark Elves in battle and hid the source of their (pseud-mystical/technological) powers. Malekith, the Dark Elf leader, reawakens after Earthling physicist Jane Foster stumbles on the hidden “aether” and resumes his war on the godlings and humanity.

After a devastating attack — is there any other kind? — Thor is forced to turn to his stepbrother, the mischievous Loki, for help. As Thor and Loki defy king Odin’s edicts to take the fight to Malekith and his brutal henchman Kurse, Jane and her friends race to thwart the Dark Elves’ plans before an alignment of the Nine Realms (note that Thor is only loosely based on Norse mythology and its apocalyptic visions).

Direction

Just as Kenneth Branagh brought Shakespearean and operatic sensibilities to the first Thor movie to prove that cosmic-level superheroes could be successful in live action, director Shane Black keeps the action moving among multiple planes of existence. His action scenes are about as good as those in Man of Steel and better than Iron Man 3‘s, and the characters are funnier and more sympathetic, thanks in part to script help from fan favorite Joss Whedon.

Cast

Chris Hemsworth is still beefy and appealing as Thor, and Natalie Portman isn’t just a damsel in distress as Jane. They’re also supported by a strong returning cast, including Anthony Hopkins as Odin, Rene Russo as his queen Frigga, Idris Elba as all-seeing Heimdall, and Jamie Alexander as winsome warrior (and Thor’s potential love interest) Sif.

The Warriors Three also have brief moments in the spotlight, with Tadanobu Asano’s Hogun returning to his home, Chuck‘s Zachary Levi as swashbuckling Fandral, and Ray Stevenson as big guy Volstagg. Jane’s colleagues are as wry as ever, including Kat Dennings as snarky Darcy Lewis and Stellan Skarsgard as mad scientist Erik Selvig.

Of course, as with Robert Downey Jr. and Iron Man, Tom Hiddleston’s charismatic and smarmy Loki is the highlight of both Thor films, as well as the first Avengers. Unfortunately, former Doctor Who Christopher Eccleston gets short shrift as Malekith, with relatively little screen time for motivation.

Cinematography

Today’s audiences are spoiled compared with those who thrilled to the Donner/Reeve Superman or 1970s TV’s Incredible Hulk. The visual effects are as good as we’ve come to expect, with shining Asgard, gloomy Svartalfheim, and besieged Greenwich and London fully realized. I was glad to see the destruction of English cities rather than the old standby of New York, and the carnage was less wanton than in many recent movies, such as Star Trek: Into Darkness.

Comic book readers will recognize the influence of artists such as Jack Kirby, Walt Simonson, and Mike Mignola. Stan Lee of course has a small cameo. As with the other Disney/Marvel movies, there are brief scenes during the end credits that set up the inevitable Thor 3 and tie into the upcoming Guardians of the Galaxy.

Overall, I’d give Thor: The Dark World, which is rated PG-13 for violence and language, a B+, 7.5 out of 10, or three out of five stars. It was one of the better genre flicks of the past year, and I definitely recommend it to fans of Marvel Comics and superhero movies.

Agents of SHIELD

Speaking of tie-ins to that cinematic universe, I haven’t yet reviewed this autumn’s genre television. The most relevant show to Thor 2 is Agents of SHIELD, for which Whedon is a producer but is missed as a writer.

Last night’s episode tangentially dealt with the aftermath of the battle in Greenwich, but many people still hope that ABC’s TV show will become more about weird superspies in the Marvel universe than weekly procedurals involving snarky rookies that feel as if they’re written by committee.

I’d point to WB/DC/CW’s Arrow, now in its sophomore season, as a better example of mining comics for ideas and steadily advancing storylines and characters. It’s telling that, aside from all the Comic-Con hype around Agents of SHIELD, the new shows garnering positive buzz this season are the fun supernatural Sleepy Hollow and cyberpunk Almost Human, not SHIELD.

Coming attractions

Of the trailers we saw, I’m cautiously looking forward to The Hobbit [2 of 3]: the Desolation of Smaug, 47 Ronin, X-Men: Days of Future Past, and Captain America 2: the Winter Soldier. I’ll report on the recent Rhode Island Comic Con after I attend the annual Super MegaFest this coming weekend. As Stan “the Man” says, Excelsior!

“Strange Tales From Chicago,” Session 4 — “Earl of crime”

Fellow role-players, here are my notes for our fourth “Drop Squad” telecom session, which was held on Sunday, 10 November 2013:

Player Characters for “Strange Tales From Chicago,” Geoff C.’s street-level superhero game, using FATE Accelerated Edition (FAE), Skype, and an online dice roller:

“Fightin’ Fritz” [Gene D.]-male human, flashy Tank, wants to pound knuckleheads, knows all the brawlers about town
“Capt. Grommet” [Beruk A.]-machine whisperer, wants to get back at the man; knows lots of techies
“The Crocodile” [Byron V.O.]-old tough guy, wants to clean up the city and get paid
“Dr. Occult” [Josh C.]-master of occult, seeking enlightenment; knows stage magicians
“Angel of the Night” [Sara F.]-gargoyle-themed guardian of the city, lives above a library

Chicago, “4 to 6 October 1982:” After chasing leads across the city, the flamboyant private investigators had connected a case of tainted drugs to a mysterious shapeshifter named Earl and the Giovanni crime family.

The team discusses its next moves at the “Drop Spot.” Capt. Grommet contacts Officer Fine, who says that he can hold Earl only temporarily because of circumstantial evidence. Fine also explains that the police can’t raid a mob warehouse because of some “prior arrangement.”

The “Drop Squad” still decides to return to the warehouse where guards had shot at the Angel of the Night. The crime-fighting consultants suit up, with Fightin’ Fritz and Dr. Occult putting on capes and their companions grabbing guns to end things “the Chicago way.”

The team stops for “cheezeborgers” at the Billy Goat Tavern on the way. The Crocodile parks a block away from the warehouse in question so Grommet and Angel can scout ahead. The gargoyle-themed adventuress stealthily climbs to the roof, while the machine whisperer interferes with security cameras.

Capt. Grommet uses a grapple gun to follow Angel. He then uses a yo-yo to ensnare a sentry, dangling him over the side of the building before tying him up and gagging him. The daring duo then peeks into the Giovanni warehouse and sees about 20 men inside. Some are in suits and head into a meeting room, while others wait near parked town cars and a truck.

Fritz, Dr. Occult, and Croc wait out in the car and listen to Grommet and Angel’s progress via walkie-talkie. Angel creates a diversion by climbing up to a smoke detector and setting off a fire alarm and sprinklers.

The Crocodile and Fightin’ Fritz shove some dumpsters to try to block vehicles from leaving the warehouse. The Angel of the Night searches crates but finds only packing peanuts. Capt. Grommet jumps onto the moving truck, as goons pull guns.

The men in suits start to drive off, and clever Dr. Occult throws powder onto their windshields. Croc happily hurls cinderblocks to slow the getaway cars, and mighty Fritz pounds knuckleheads, who soon surround him.

Gadgeteer Grommet throws marbles, but the mobsters evade them. Agile Angel ducks under one auto to slash its tires. Fritz gets winged but uses one henchman as a shield against potential gunshots. Dr. Occult ends up on top of the same car as Croc, who is unable to pull a criminal out the window.

Several felonious minions tackle Fritz, and Capt. Grommet takes out a gunsel with his ball-bearing pistol. They overhear a radio squawking that “the canary has left.” Fritz throws off one of his attackers and radios Angel to search the area.

Meanwhile, Croc and Dr. Occult try to hang on as one Mafioso tries to drive off. Dr. Occult manages to choke him out, and Croc throws rocks at the remaining guards. Capt. Grommet grabs a car and runs down some of the goons.

Fritz switches “dance partners” and is grateful when Capt. Grommet and Angel come to his aid. Croc and Dr. Occult drive in with another seized vehicle and knock down the last batch of bad guys.

The “Drop Squad” ties up the suspects and leaves them in vans for the police. Luigi Giovanni reveals under Dr. Occult’s hypnosis that the five of his men who got away are heading to a major pharmaceutical factory with Earl and high-grade toxins.

Dr. Occult calls Officer Fine, and the P.I.s pile into the “Dropmobile.” Capt. Grommet burns rubber to get to the facility. There, they find Earl ranting about how the entire city must suffer because his friend, a well-known philanthropist, was shot by police in a raid gone wrong.

Fightin’ Fritz engages Earl in conversation while the Crocodile circles around. Capt. Grommet shuts off a valve on a vat, and Dr. Occult looks for more mobsters or local security. The Angel of the Night tries to sneak up to the catwalk, but Earl grabs her and slams her down.

Fritz flips up, but Earl tosses him aside. The shapeshifter drops vials into the vat, which is secure but still starts emitting noxious fumes. Croc kicks Earl in the chest, but the man, who alternates in appearance from a burly blond to a slight Asian-American, seems unaffected.

Capt. Grommet finally figures out how Earl keeps changing his appearance and disrupts his hologram generator. Earl is revealed as a blobby green alien! Mostly unfazed, the “Drop Squad” tries to capture the malefactor.

Croc hits Earl with a wrench, but the creature easily dodges it. Fritz drops to the floor and kicks out the catwalk support in the hope of dumping Earl into the vat. Dr. Occult tries to swing clear but gets caught on the edge of the vat. Angel heads to his rescue with a salvaged pool cue.

Dr. Occult feels the chemicals burning through his shoes, and Angel helps him to safety. Croc tries to block Earl’s escape and is slimed for his efforts. Fritz kicks out a second catwalk, but Earl slithers out a second-story window toward blinking lights.

Croc dives after the alien and into its spherical, liquid-filled craft. Fritz crashes out a window, as Dr. Occult throws a rope around the spaceship. Unfortunately, both it and Croc pass through the gelatinous mess.

Good nyborg, dude! — Spherical space ship

Earl swears revenge and flies away. Officer Fine arrives to take custody of the mobsters, and the “Drop Squad” goes to the police station to talk to the Earl in lockup. He — or more properly, his suit — melts away.

While the vigilantes have solved the mystery of the adulterated drugs and prevented the city from being poisoned, they have little to show for their success. Their reward money goes to pay for damages at the pharmaceutical factory, and though there are fewer mobsters in the warehouse district, they have made an alien enemy….

Thanks again, Geoff, for the fun scenario! I thought it was a good demonstration of the “FAE” rules, and the retro feel worked well. I wouldn’t be surprised if we returned to these heroes at some point….

In the meantime, I’ll see some of you at tonight’s “Star Wars: Dark Times” game, and I look forward to starting our “Vanished Lands: A New Dawn” fantasy telecom campaign next Sunday, Nov. 17.

“Strange Tales From Chicago” Session 3 — Chasing Earls

Fellow role-players, here are my notes for the third “Drop Squad” telecom session, which was held on Sunday, 3 November 2013:

Player Characters for “Strange Tales From Chicago,” Geoff C.’s street-level superhero game, using FATE Accelerated Edition, Skype, and an online dice roller:

“Fightin’ Fritz” [Gene D.]-male human, flashy Tank, wants to pound knuckleheads, knows all the brawlers about town
“Capt. Grommet” [Beruk A.]-machine whisperer, wants to get back at the man; knows lots of techies
“The Crocodile” [Byron V.O.]-old tough guy, wants to clean up the city and get paid
“Dr. Occult” [Josh C.]-master of occult, seeking enlightenment; knows stage magicians
“Angel of the Night” [Sara F.]-gargoyle-themed guardian of the city, lives above a library

>>Chicago, “3 to 4 October 1982:” The “Drop Squad,” an eccentric group of private investigators, had helped the Chicago police look into tainted medicine. Our would-be heroes had followed leads from a pharmacy to the warehouse district.

The team followed four goons from the “Salty Dog” bar and confronted them. The quartet claimed that someone named “Earl” had hired them. However, the well-dressed man proved difficult to find because witness descriptions didn’t match between official records of charity events, Bernie’s Diner, and the “Old Watch House,” a high-end brothel.

The Drop Squad finally catches a break, spotting Earl at Bernie’s Diner. Figthin’ Fritz and Capt. Grommet head to their car, while the Crocodile steps outside and throws a ketchup bottle. Unfortunately, he hits an old woman on the crowded city streets.

The Angel of the Night, who has been watching from a nearby rooftop, jumps and glides in pursuit of the man in the suit. Dr. Occult gives chase on foot, following Earl into an alley.

Croc hops into the “Dropmobile,” which weaves through evening rush-hour traffic in an attempt to outmaneuver the suspect. Dr. Occult throws a lasso, but Earl is slippery. Angel climbs a wall to get the drop on the blond man.

Fritz, Croc, and Capt. Grommet smash through a pane of glass, knock over a fruit stand, and catch some air as their car burns rubber through Chicago’s streets. Croc hurls a set of headphones at Earl, who simply slides over the hood.

Earl enters a building, and Grommet takes the wheel so that Fritz and Croc can get out. Croc rips open a door, and he and Dr. Occult head to the basement. Fritz circles around the block to keep an eye on rear exits, while Angel descends.

Despite sporadic walkie-talkie contact, the P.I.s tighten their noose. Dr. Occult briefly slows Earl, as Croc runs down a spiral staircase to join them.

Meanwhile, outside, Fritz finds an acquaintance named Steve who mentions that there is an off-limits door from the basement leading into the sewers. Fritz and Angel head down.

Dr. Occult and Croc jump on Earl and tie him up. However, he now appears to be a slight Asian-American, if in the same suit! Earl recognizes Dr. Occult from one of his charity gigs, but nobody can explain the shift in appearance.

Croc, Dr. Occult, and Capt. Grommet take Earl to Office Fine at the police station. Fritz and Angel follow Steve’s directions into the sewers. Their hunch that Earl knew of it as a getaway route prove correct when they reach an outlet into the bay.

Croc watches Earl’s interrogation, but the suspect isn’t communicative. Capt. Grommet confirms the sewer route after talking with some engineer friends, and he and Dr. Occult meet Fritz and Angel back on the street.

At Croc’s request, Officer Fine has threads from Earl’s suit tested, but they reveal nothing about his strange ability to change appearance. When Earl asks for his lawyer, the Chicago police have no evidence to hold him.

The Drop Squad picks up another lead and visits Irwin Reginald, a civil servant and the brother of accountant Irwin Regis. He admits approving incomplete forms for public events for Earl, who bribed him regularly. Irwin’s description of his benefactor is yet another version.

Mr. Giovanni escorts the suspect back to freedom, and Dr. Occult is disturbed by so many Earls. However, the Drop Squad soon learns that Earl’s lawyer is a member of a local crime family, at whose warehouse guards fired at Angel a few nights before.

In addition, Lucille from the “Old Watch House” contacts Croc. She says that Earl had been doing public relations for the mob and that he left a bag at the brothel. The group picks it up and finds medicine bottles, which it immediately turns over to the police lab.

The Drop Squad prepares to return to the warehouse district in the hope of tracking down the tainted drugs and the mystery of the multiple Earls….

“Strange Tales From Chicago,” Session 2 — Bernie’s Diner

Fellow role-players, here are my notes for the second session of Geoff’s miniseries:

>>Player Characters for “Strange Tales From Chicago,” Geoff C.’s street-level superhero game, using FATE Accelerated Edition, Skype, and an online dice roller, Sunday, 27 October 2013:

“Fightin’ Fritz” [Gene D.]-male human, flashy Tank, wants to pound knuckleheads, knows all the brawlers about town
“Capt. Grommet” [Beruk A.]-machine whisperer, wants to get back at the man; knows lots of techies
“The Crocodile” [Byron V.O.]-old tough guy, wants to clean up the city and get paid
“Dr. Occult” [Josh C.]-master of occult, seeking enlightenment; knows stage magicians
“Angel of the Night” [Sara F.]-gargoyle-themed guardian of the city, lives above a library

>>Chicago, “1 to 2 October 1982:” Capt. Grommet goes to the police labs, where he finds three forensic scientists eating pie. They confirm that the Tylenol taken from a pharmacy is poisoned with arsenic, but the honey toffee Grommet got from the store proprietors is safe.

Meanwhile, Fightin’ Fritz, the Angel of the Night, the Crocodile, and Dr. Occult stake out a container ship to which they had followed four goons from the “Salty Dog” bar. They boldly board the vessel, and some longshoremen say that Atilla, Bonaventura, Genghis, and Leo are lazy and standoffish co-workers.

Capt. Grommet persuades Officer Fine and three police officers named Austin, Bruno, and Steve to come with him to the docks. Stealthy Angel leads the way into the hold, followed by mighty Fritz, garrulous Grommet, turbaned Dr. Occult, and crotchety Croc.

At the crew quarters, Angel hears voices and maneuvers to the far side of a cabin door. Fritz opens the door, and one of the four goons swings a chair at him. Dr. Occult throws playing cards in an effort to distract their foes, and Angel knocks away the chair.

The four men, who are suspected of disturbing the pharmacy that sold the tainted Tylenol, try to slam the door in Fritz’s face. Capt. Grommet throws a serving tray but misses, as Fritz slams the door into one mook.

Dr. Occult smacks another in the junk, and Croc moves in. After a few more punches, the four pharmacy perps are subdued. Dr. Occult then hypnotizes Atilla, who reveals that a man named Earl in a fancy suit paid him to stir up trouble at the pharmacy. Atilla says that Earl can be found at Bernie’s Diner most nights.

The private investigators of the “Drop Squad” drop off the four men with the police and head to the diner. Bernie vouches for Earl, saying that he has supported numerous charitable causes. Capt. Grommet and Dr. Occult realize that each person they talk to gives a different description of Earl.

After some cajoling, Bernie says that Earl frequents the “Old Watch House,” a high-end brothel. Croc recognizes the place and takes the group there. Fritz and Dr. Occult stay in the car, while Angel watches from a nearby roof.

Dr. Grommet and Croc warn the skeptical madam that a mass murder might threaten her girls and business. She reluctantly gives them permission to review security footage. They identify another incarnation of Earl.

Meanwhile, Dr. Occult consults his fellow wizards to search for Earl. The stage magician and Fritz must also fend off a potential hubcap thief. Sometime later, Croc and Fritz go to the police station to review mug shots in search of the elusive Earl.

Capt. Grommet finds a permit for one of the charity performances that has a return address in the warehouse district. He also tracks down the tailor who made Earl’s suit. A public records search for “Earl” with no last name turns up 30 instances, astonishing Dr. Occult with bureaucratic incompetence.

Meanwhile, Angel’s rooftop surveillance is interrupted by heavily armed mercenaries from Craft International. She retreats and reports to the rest of the “Drop Squad,” who suspect that she found unrelated criminal activity.

The next morning, Fritz and Dr. Occult visit the custom tailor, who gives them a hard time about their eccentric attire. He eventually admits to serving a slight Asian gentleman, not a tall blond man.

Croc goes back to the Old Watch House, where he talks with Lucille. She says that Earl, or at least someone by that name, is a regular patron. Dr. Occult talks with accountant Irwin and learns that he has a twin by the same name.

Capt. Grommet reviews local news footage of various charity events to see if any of the suited Earls makes an appearance. The private detectives keep the police informed of their progress in the homicide case.

They return to Bernie’s Diner, but the blond Earl (one of seven, who presumably hired the four thugs) spots the group….

“Strange Tales From Chicago” session notes

Fellow role-players, here are my notes for our latest miniseries, which I enjoyed, despite a late start and unfamiliarity with the “FAE” system:

Player Characters for “Strange Tales From Chicago” Geoff C.’s street-level superhero game, using FATE Accelerated Edition, Skype, and an online dice roller, Sunday, 20 October 2013:

“Fightin’ Fritz” [Gene D.]-male human, flashy Tank, wants to pound knuckleheads, knows all the brawlers about town (see also City of Heroes MMORPG)
“Capt. Grommet” [Beruk A.]-machine whisperer, wants to get back at the man; knows lots of techies
“The Crocodile” [Byron V.O.]-old tough guy, wants to clean up the city and get paid
“Dr. Occult” [Josh C.]-master of occult, seeking enlightenment; knows stage magicians
“Angel of the Night” [Sara F.]-gargoyle-themed guardian of the city, lives above a library

Chicago, “30 Sept. 1982:” Officer Fine visits the “Drop Squad,” a private investigation agency. He tells the group that five unrelated people have been poisoned by arsenic in Tylenol capsules over the past few days. The Chicago Police Department is looking for all the help it can get, he says.

The team agrees to check out the pharmacy in return for access to official lab reports. The do-gooders pile into a Chevy, crank up some tunes, and head to Main Street in a working-class neighborhood.

Capt. Grommet and Dr. Occult go inside to talk with manager Robbie, whose wife offers them honeycomb toffee. The private detectives take the candy for later analysis and learn that some extra medicine bottles somehow showed up on the shelves. The druggist also mentions that “no-good thugs” broke in a few weeks before.

Meanwhile, Fightin’ Fritz and the Crocodile walk around the pharmacy to look for signs of other break-ins, drug deals, or more suspicious activity. They then walk a few blocks away to visit Fritz’s pal Joey in some public housing. He complains about drunk sailors but says that nobody else unusual has been in the neighborhood.

The Angel of the Night climbs up a building, getting applause from bystanders for the feat. She keeps an eye on things but sees no tracks. Capt. Grommet and Dr. Occult learn that an apartment above the pharmacy has been vacant for several months and leave a note for landlord Finnegan Brogan.

Grommit and Fritz debate the merits of recent movies as they head back to the office. The group also checks in with Officer Fine on more toxicology reports, including for the toffee.

On Oct. 1, the gumshoes follow leads to the harbor and a warehouse district. The flamboyant Fritz and man of mystery Dr. Occult attract some attention from the dock workers leaving their shift, as Angel watches from another rooftop. Grommet and Croc go for a lower profile.

At the “Salty Dog,” the second bar the private dicks visit, they spot some of the thugs described by the pharmacist. Fritz offers to buy a round of drinks, but they rudely reject his offer. Angel shadows the suspects, and the group follows her to another building….

I look forward to continuing our investigation next Sunday! Bruce and Dexter, I hope that you’ll be able to join us. I also hope that we’ll be able to put the finishing touches on the P.C.s before the start of the “Vanished Lands: A New Dawn” fantasy game.