MORBIUS (2022) Reviews and now with first 9 minutes online

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‘A new Marvel legend arrives’
Morbius is a 2022 American superhero action horror film about a scientist who accidentally transforms himself into a living vampire.

Directed by Daniel Espinosa (Life) from a screenplay co-written by Matt Sazama and Burk Sharpless based on the Marvel Comics character created by Roy Thomas and Gil Kane.

The Sony movie stars Jared Leto (American Psycho; Urban Legend) as the titular antihero, Morbius, aka “The Living Vampire”. Read the background of the comic book character here

Adria Arjona plays Morbius’ fiancée Martine Bancroft. The cast includes Jared Harris (The Terror TV series; Poltergeist 2015; The Quiet Ones) and former Doctor Who Matt Smith (Last Night in Soho; His House; Pride and Prejudice and Zombies).

Plot:
Doctor Michael Morbius (Jared Leto) is a scientist who, in trying to find a cure for a rare blood disease, accidentally transforms himself into a living vampire. Though disgusted by his own bloodlust, he chooses to prey upon criminals he deems unworthy of life…

Reviews:

“[Daniel Espinosa’s] more like a work for hire rather than a visionary filmmaker with a distinct visual style, even though he does offer some cool action moments. This is particularly evident during the scenes where the film showcases the character’s leaping and pouncing abilities in slow motion, complete with a cloud of colourful smoke puffing in the mid-air. The CG-heavy sequences are visually inconsistent…” 2/5 Casey’s Movie Mania

Morbius is a slight improvement on what we’ve already seen from Sony’s Spider-Man universe: darker, better realized, with a Jared Leto involved, but fairly classic in design and with a few flaws. The film will certainly entertain viewers…” **1/2 out of ***** Culturellement Votre [translated from French]

“At the heart of Morbius is a good superhero movie bubbling with a nervous energy – handheld camera and all. Especially when Michael is an “ordinary” person who fights against his dark self. Then it is interesting and often quite exciting. The same can not be said about the parts where the vampire Morbius is released.” Filmtopp [translated from Swedish]

“The storyline doesn’t provide enough character background for the main character like Venom. The result is the tempo of the plot moves so fast that you can immediately fill it with action sequences […] Half of the film is dominated by forced (and often illogical) actions with visual effects that achieve the same as Venom and its sequel.” 65% Montase Film [translated from Indonesian]

” …wastes no time in getting through the story basics and evokes some nice atmosphere within the sterile laboratories and smoke-filled New York streets […] But while Morbius is set up as a horror-thriller in the mold of Hollow Man or The Fly, it sharply pivots because this bloodthirsty monster who has just eviscerated ten men on screen is no threat…” The Prague Reporter

” …seen through the lens of superhero movies figuring themselves out, this would have been truly fun. As it stands, I keep thinking about how good it could have been. There were genuinely fun moments. There were visuals where I really sat back and said, wow, that’s a great sequence, or, that’s a great idea. The quality doesn’t hold through the whole film, though.” Rappler

” …it’s unclear what director Daniel Espinosa is trying to achieve with the many unnecessary slow-motion sequences and the obvious but unsuccessful allusions to the “Bullet Time” special effects of the Matrix films (especially in the action scenes). Those moments get on your nerves over time, as does the constant darkness and gloom…” Spielfilm [translated from German]

” …distinctly “meh”, an exercise in blandness that really was a worse fate for the film. The characters are hollow, the audience developing no sympathy for them. Morbius, of course, is better drawn than the others but even he is poorly constructed and Leto, whilst solid enough in acting chops, delivers a soulless performance.” Taliesin Meets the Vampires

” …I did not have a good time with Morbius, but that is not to say that nothing worked. To begin with, Matt Smith is having a ball. He is revelling as a villain and is chewing the scenery, and good for him. Some of the transitions to the vampire mode at the start were quite good, and the first action scene with Michael/Morbius killing every one of the boat had potential.” *1/2 out of ***** TL;DR Movie Reviews and Analysis

“…the film falls short by failing to put emphasis on key story details. If you’re looking to scratch that superhero movie itch and want to see some of those signature fights and effects that come with the genre, then Morbius can give you a good time. You may have to look somewhere else if you want something deeper as this is a by-the-numbers superhero movie.” Ungeek

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