The next chapter of Marvel's INHUMANS continues in IMAX

Marvel Studios has been going strong with their cinematic universe since launch of Iron Man in 2008. From the big screens to home screens, Marvel is not slowing down and continue to expand their presence by developing live-action entertainment from decades of comic book publications. Now get ready for their latest addition to the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), THE INHUMANS!

Official Synopsis:

Marvel’s INHUMANS explores the never-before-told epic adventure of the Attilan Royal Family led by Black Bolt, the enigmatic, commanding King of the Inhumans, with a voice so powerful that the slightest whisper can destroy a city. After the Royal Family of Inhumans is splintered by a military coup, they barely escape to Hawaii where they are greeted with surprising interactions with the lush world and humanity around them. Now they must find a way to reunite with each other and return to their home before their way of life is destroyed forever. 

King of the Inhumans, Black Bolt played by Anson Mount.

Marvel's INHUMANS is an 8-part television series by Marvel Television & ABC Studios based on the comic book with the same name by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby. It stars Anson Mount (Dollhouse) as Black Bolt, Iwan Rheon (Game of Thrones) as Maximus, Serinda Swan (Tron:Legacy) as Medusa, Eme Ikwuakor (Hawaii Five-O) as Gorgon, Isabelle Cornish (Home and Away) as Crystal, Ken Leung (Saw) as Karnak, Sonya Balmores (Hawaii Five-O) as Auran and Mike Moh (Street Fighter: Assassin's Fist) as Triton.

Inhumans royalty, Black Bolt (right) with his Queen, Medusa.

This is the first television series to be shot with IMAX cameras with the first 2 episodes being released early to IMAX cinemas. Fortunately for us in Malaysia, TGV Pictures will be bringing us the Pilot episodes for Marvel's Inhumans as they are meant to be seen in IMAX. TGV Cinemas' IMAX screens are located in 1 Utama, Sunway Pyramid, Sunway Velocity, Gurney Paragon Mall (Penang), Aeon Tebrau (Johor Bahru), and Vivacity Megamall (Kuching).

Ken Leung as Karnak.

It was announced by Marvel in 2011 that The Inhumans movie was in planning stages as part of Phase Three of the Marvel Cinematic Universe scheduled for release in November 2018. However, the film has since been taken off from Marvel's movie roster. Since then The Inhumans have been introduced during the second season of Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. in 2014 as a major story arc in the television series whereby a key member of the principal cast was revealed as an Inhuman.

Daisy Johnson (Chole Bennet) as Inhuman Quake in Marvel's Agents of SHIELD

So who or what are exactly the Inhumans? Well, here's a brief comic book history lesson: Millions of years ago, during the Kree-Skrull War, the Kree race established a base on the planet Uranus, and during that time, they discovered sentient lifeforms on Earth, i.e. Homo Sapiens. They then took some humans for genetic experimentation, creating the Inhumans. After the war ended, the Kree left back to their home world, however, the remaining Inhumans created a society of their own.

The Inhumans in the comics led by Black Bolt (centre).

 

The Inhumans as introduced in Marvel's Agents of SHIELD contains a similar backstory involving the Kree (also seen the Guardians of the Galaxy movies). Here are core characters of the Attilan Royal Family in the MCU:

 

 

Black Bolt, King of the Inhumans. Black Bolt's power is his hypersonic voice. Even a single whisper can destroy a battleship, if he uses his full voice, it can destroy a planet which is why he is always silent to make sure he doesn't hurt the people around him. He communicateS with the help of his wife, Queen Medusa.

 

Medusa, Queen of the Inhumans and Black Bolt's wife. She serves as his interpreter. Her powers is the ability to articulate her hair which may be used like a weapon or protection.

 

Maximus, Black Bolt's younger brother. He holds a grudge towards his brother and wants to be the ruler of the Inhumans. Maximus is highly intelligent and in the comics has psionic powers but mentally unstable, granting him the nickname 'Maximus the Mad'. However it seems initially that Maximus in this live action series does not have powers and therefore forms the basis of disaffection between this brother Black Bolt.

 

Crystal, Medusa's younger sister. She is able to control and manipulate the four elements; Earth, Water, Fire and Air. 

 

Karnak, Black Bolt's cousin and close advisor. In the comics he is not an Inhuman buta skilled martial artist and is able to find any weak point on his enemies. In the TV series he seems to have an Inhuman power to "see the fault in all things".

 

Gorgon, Black Bolt's second cousin. He has hooves as legs and it can create destructive seismic waves with them. He serves as Black Bolt's bodyguard. 

 

Triton, Karnak's brother. He serves as the Inhuman's undercover operative. He has aquatic abilities and is able to breath underwater.

Plus, they have a GIANT pet dog, Lockjaw! And one with powers of its own, teleportation!
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The royal family's teleporting pet dog, Lockjaw.

So far from the synopsis and trailer, it seems that Maximus plots to overthrow his brother for the throne of Attilan. Black Bolt and his allies have no choice but to escape and they teleport to Hawaii, USA. Hence beings "fish out of water" story of an Inhuman family adapting to our world. And will they be able to return to Attilan and regain the throne?

  

Marvel's Inhumans in TGV IMAX Cinemas on 31 August

At the time of this blog post, we do not yet have information on where Marvel's Inhumans will be aired in Malaysia after this movie debut. Stay tuned to your regular pay-TV channels for updates. For now, go watch the pilot of this latest Marvel series at TGV IMAX cinemas from 31^stAugust!
 

We captured some reactions from local Marvel fanboys immediately after screening of the Premiere for Marvel's Inhumans. Here's what they have to say:

Disclaimer: Inhumans, its characters and other trademarks are copyright to Marvel Entertainment, referenced here for fan service announcements without intent to infringe.

Hunting Galactic Loot with Guardians of the Galaxy

Guardians of the Galaxy takes off this week in cinemas nationwide, introducing a whole new cast of Marvel characters to its cinematic universe on a roller-coaster space adventure far from our primitive Terran shores.

Official Synopsis:

From Marvel, the studio that brought you the global blockbuster franchises of Iron Man, Thor, Captain America and The Avengers, comes a new team--the Guardians of the Galaxy. An action-packed, epic space adventure, Marvel's "Guardians of the Galaxy," in theaters August 1, expands the Marvel Cinematic Universe into the cosmos, where brash adventurer Peter Quill finds himself the object of an unrelenting bounty hunt after stealing a mysterious orb coveted by Ronan, a powerful villain with ambitions that threaten the entire universe. To evade the ever-persistent Ronan, Quill is forced into an uneasy truce with a quartet of disparate misfits--Rocket, a gun-toting raccoon; Groot, a tree-like humanoid; the deadly and enigmatic Gamora; and the revenge-driven Drax the Destroyer. But when Quill discovers the true power of the orb and the menace it poses to the cosmos, he must do his best to rally his ragtag rivals for a last, desperate stand--with the galaxy's fate in the balance.

Guardians of the Galaxy is directed by James Gunn and starring as the so-called Guardians of the Galaxy Chris Pratt as Peter Quill, sci-fi diva Zoe Saldana as Gamora, WWE's Dave “The Animal” Bautista, and Bradley Cooper & Vin Diesel as the voices of Rocket raccoon & Groot respectively. Causing death and destruction to the galaxy are Lee Pace as Ronan the Accuser, Karen Gillan as Nebula and Djimon Hounsou as Korath. Rounding out other denizens of the galactic universe is Benicio Del Toro as the enigmatic Collector, Michael Rooker as Yondu and, surprisingly, veteran award-winning actress Glenn Close as Nova Prime.

Meet Star-Lord... “Who?” The main protagonist of the movie, Peter Quill, was abducted from Earth in the 1980's and grew up amongst galactic riff-raff into present day's space rogue, the self-styled “legendary outlaw Star-Lord”. He may possibly be the new generation's Han Solo, the charming space scoundrel with heart.

Gamora played by Zoe Saldana of Avatar & Star Trek renown is a green-skined female alien orphaned from young and then trained by intergalactic bad@$$ Thanos to be the perfect assassin for his evil schemes.

Played by WWE wrestler Dave Bautista, Drax the Destroyer is seeking payback from Ronan for slaughter of his family. Drax, or his alien race, is also very literal and has problems understanding Terran metaphors.

Rocket and Groot certainly round out the stranger Guardians, the former being a genetically enhanced fast-talking raccoon whilst the latter an intelligent humanoid tree, akin to Ents from Middle Earth but smaller. Rocket is voiced by Bradley Cooper whilst Vin Diesel records varied intonations of “I am Groot”.

Ronan the Accuser is a blue-skinned Kree radical who wants to eradicate Xandar. In order to do so, he allies himself with mega-supervillain Thanos to retrieve an ancient artifact in exchange for destruction of Xandar. He commands an army from his 3 mile-long warship, the Dark Aster.

Thanos delegates his “daughters” Gamora and cyborg Nebula to assist Ronan in his mission.

Also working for Ronan is Korath the Pursuer, a feared intergalactic Sakaaran hunter so has yet to hear of Star-Lord's reputation.

Taneleer Tivan, otherwise known as The Collector, deals in valuable items from across the cosmos and one of the Elders of the Universe. Marvel movie fans would recall him at the end credits of Thor: The Dark World when Lady Sif hands him the Aether for safekeeping. The Collector's museum is located at Knowhere.

Yondu leads the Ravagers, an organisation of intergalactic pirates, thieves and smugglers. Peter Quill was trained by Yondu as a Ravager. The blue-skinned Centaurian wields a deadly whistle-controlled self-propelled arrow.

The Nova Corps is an intergalactic military / police force based on Xandar. They are led by Irani Rael, known as Nova Prime. She's not exactly thrilled at the prospect of having “the fate of twelve billion people in the hands of these criminals?”

Although the Guardians of the Galaxy spans the er, galaxy, much of the movie takes place on Morag, Xandar and Knowhere. Find out more from Galaxy Getaways and plan your next vacation is one of these exotic locales far, far away.

Read up more about the Guardians of the Galaxy characters, peoples, and places from the Marvel Cinematic Universe Wikia Guide (movie SPOILERS beware!). Also consider a look at the comic book origins of Guardians of the Galaxy by Worlds of Wonder and feature article on the new movie by The Star.

Here's some local cosplay at the recent Malaysian Premiere in TGV Sunway Pyramid:

Star-Lord and Groot cosplay.

Reviews for Guardians of the Galaxy are overwhelming positive, rated 9 out of 10 by IMDB and 91% by RottenTomatoes. With so much good vibes, Marvel announced a sequel in 2017 during San Diego Comic-Con even before the movie released! Check out these reviews by CinemaOnline, the New York Times and The Verge.

The soundtrack featuring pop music from the 1970s and 80's draws warm fuzzy feelings from more mature viewers yet blending well with the movie tone to resonate among the new generation audience. Blue Swede's Hooked on a Feeling used for the movie's early trailer certainly drew positive attention and set the retro yet modernised tone for the audience. “Ooga chaka, ooga ooga chaka!” Listen to Peter Quill's “Awesome Mix” below:

Follow the official Guardians of the Galaxy Facebook Page and Marvel Malaysia for latest updates.

Guardians of the Galaxy is now showing nationwide. Avid movie goers looking for the most shiok experience may consider watching TGV's IMAX 3D priced from RM28 to RM32 per ticket, or GSC's Dolby Atmos D-box motion actuator seats for RM32 per ticket at 1 Utama. Read up for about D-Box here. In additional TGV is offering limited edition poster for purchasers of IMAX 3D tickets (while stocks last).

Now for Guardians of the Galaxy fans new and old who want to take home a piece of space adventure, the Outpost Movie Recon Team (M.R.T.) has once again surveyed the local shores for movie merchandise. This time around, the cinemas are not offering exclusive premiums or concession goodies, saving you some calories from popcorn and sugar drinks. Instead a variety of movie merchandise are available via contests & activities.

Firstly GSC Cinemas is giving away movie premiums via their “Meet The Guardians' Roadshow over the weekends of 2 & 3 and 9 & 10 August. Customers present 2 ticket stubs during the scheduled times for an instant lucky draw. There are also more prizes to be won from their website contest here.

Motortrader has their online contest for movie merchandise ending soon on 4 August 2014 so enter fast here to win these goodies:

Meanwhile, the official Marvel Malaysia Facebook Page is running a “Where is Rocket Contest?” until 5 August offering similar movie merchandise. 3 photos of Rocket will be released for participants to identify the location with a witty caption. 2 winners will be chosen for each photo. Get the full contest details here then participate from this first photo.

For mass market toy merchandise, Hasbro offers a wide range of products covering action figures, space vehicles, and role-play accessories. However unlike previous Marvel movie tie-ins, there is no 3.75in series of action figures. Instead there are smaller 2.5in figures sold in pairs to fit a variety of spaceships such as the Milano (though still not to scale). If the ships were produced to standard 3.75in scale they would have been huge and likely outside the desired price range.

Marvel Legends 6in series Built-A-Figure collection.

The Marvel Legends 6in scale Infinite Series set of 6 figures features the team together with Iron Man fitted for space and Nova from the comics. Going the path of Built-A-Figure again means needing to collect all 6 figures for parts to built Groot. At RM75 per figure, that comes to RM450 for actually 7 figures to an average cost of RM64.28 per figure. Well the Guardians of the Galaxy do look rather swell together in the display above.

Role-play as Rocket with action mask and power blaster!

Kids (and adults) can also role-play as Star-Lord (who?) and Rocket Raccoon with masks and NERF blasters. Unfortunately Star-Lord's mask only fit kids, but the NERF blasters at RM99.90 are fine for the big boys and easily repainted to match the movie versions for cosplay. As for the Rocket mask, it features moving jaw and ears but doesn't cover the whole head so would be of limited use for cosplaying.

Check out more in-depth review of the various Hasbro toys from Mania.com.

3 Marvel Guardians of the Galaxy LEGO sets available at retail.

LEGO has expanded their Marvel sets to include this movie versions for Guardians of the Galaxy; previously most sets were comic versions for X-Men and Captain America plus cartoon versions of Ultimate Spider-man. The biggest set 76021 is The Milano Spaceship Rescue at RM399.90 which includes Star-Lord, Drax & Gamora vs. Ronan and Sakaaran in Necrocraft. To complete your 5 heroes, get set 76020 Knowhere Escape Mission at RM249.90 for Rocket & Groot vs. Nebula supported by another Sakaaran. Lastly the Nova Corps fighter comes in set 76019 Starblaster Showdown for RM129.90 with another Sakaaran Necrocraft and Star-Lord flying. Get them from major toy stores or LEGO hobby stores at The Curve and Bangsar Village. Lucky LEGO fans to SDCC 2014 could also have gotten hold of exclusive Rocket's Warship and The Collector mini-fig. Check out details of these sets at Brickset.com.

76021 The Milani Spaceship Rescue, RM399.90

76020 Knowhere Escape Mission, RM249.90

Hey's there's even a LEGO version of the movie trailer!

High-end collectors should lock in their orders now for Hot Toys 1:6 scale figures. So far only visuals for Star-Lord, Groot and Rocket have been released but surely Hot Toys will complete the team with Gamora and Drax in due course. More photos available from Hot Toys official Facebook Page.

Hot Toys figures also provide great detail reference for cosplay costumes. Cosplayers should also check out this official video as well from Marvel.com.

Digital gamers can download now the official Guardians of the Galaxy: The Universal Weapon App. iPhone & iPad users should quickly grab it this weekend via iTunes whilst on special promo price of only USD1.99. Follow the game's Facebook Page for updates.

For PC and console gaming platforms, there is Marvel Pinball themed for Guardians of the Galaxy. Head over to the official website for further details.

Of course comic book readers may want to read up on the source material. There's the whole 2008 to 2010 Guardians of the Galaxy series from Marvel digital comics available for 50% off at only USD0.99 per issue until 5 August 2014. Plus compilations, one-shots and FREE comics specially highlighted for GOTG fever here.

That's about all the Outpost M.R.T. have sourced for GOTG goodies available from our local shores (Earth, Malaysia). No doubt there's lots more cool stuff available overseas but we will leave that for hardcore fans to tackle via Ebay, online stores or other means.

Disclaimer: Guardians of the Galaxy and its trademarks are copyright to Marvel Entertainment, referenced here for fan service announcements without intent to infringe.

Survival Guide to Transformers Age of Extinction

Apologies to our followers for the long hiatus since our last post. Since April, Outpost Productions has been busy on cosplay for various superheroes, mutants, and Star Wars from Klang Valley to some rather far reaches of the country. So now we are back and here to feature one of the most highly anticipated movies of the year, Transformers Age of Extinction, blasting into our cinemas tomorrow on 26 June 2014.

This 4^th film from Michael Bay's Transformers takes place some years after the events of 2011's instalment Dark of the Moon, where all Transformers now are deemed dangerous to humanity. This propaganda poster and video sums out why association with alien robots may be hazardous to your health:

Now even the Autobots are being hunted down and need to truly be Robots in Disguise on-the-run from a shadow agency looking to exploit Transformers technology. Plus as per the movie tagline, a powerful new menace arrives threatening both mankind and Cybertronians from extinction.

Although a sequel movie, director / producer Michael Bay reboots the humans from the previous trilogy by introducing Mark Wahlberg as all-American country dad, Cade Yaeger. After finding a disguised Optimus Prime, Cade gets rapidly swept by in classic Bay-hem across the world involving nasty alien robots and not-so-nice humans.

For the younger testosterone audience, Cade's daughter Tessa, played by Nicola Peltz, provides male eye-candy whilst the ladies may be treated to boyfriend Shane, played by Jack Reynor.

Opposing our lead protagonists are Agent Attinger (Kelsey Grammar) and “oh-my-gawd” Joshua Joyce (Stanley Tucci), spearheading an elaborate government conspiracy concerning the Transformers.

Appealing to the massive China box-office is casting actress Li Bing Bing as Sue Yueming, CEO of a China company doing what the Chinese know best, reverse engineering.

Her fanboys may also want to check out this interview by Collider on her future plans... other than killing mutant zombies as Ada Wong in Resident Evil, she wants to find a boyfriend! Good luck to you guys if you don't find her too scary!

Alright enough on the fleshlings and now onto the robots! Autobot fans are no doubt happy with the return of Transformers icons Optimus Prime and Bumblebee, this time in 2 alternate modes. In particular homage to Generation One, Optimus Prime when he's first found by Cade as a run-down truck resembles his vehicular form of the cartoon and toys of the 1980's.

Optimus Prime in Gen1-inspired vehicle form.

Optimus Prime version 2 alternate mode.

Why giant sword instead of blaster? Because it looks better when riding a dinosaur!

Bumblebee's alternative Camaro disguises

The other new Autobots are served as product placements for expensive cars: Crosshairs as a green Chevy Corvette Stingray, Drift as a black-blue Bugatti Grand Sport Vitesse (worth USD2.4 million), and more.

Gen1-inspired robots returning include Ratchet as his Rescue Hummer and new Autobot Commando Hound as dirty Oshkosh Defense Medium Tactical Vehicle.

Hound's vehicle mode contrasts to other sporty expensive Autobot sports cars.

Forefront for the Decepticons this time is bounty hunter Lockdown pictured prominently in the movie posters and trailers:

And of course there's mega huge robot dinosaurs that Transformers fans have been screaming for, the Dinobots! Notwithstanding how robot dinos could be logically explained into the plot. Here's a comparison of every Transformer fan's favourite T-rex, Grimlock in his 1986 and 2014 incarnations:

So prepare for 2 hours 45 minutes of robo-action with lotsa pulse-pounding explosions to leave your ears ringing, especially in IMAX 3D:

Transformers Age of Extinction held its worldwide Premiere last week in Hong Kong, serving up a giant Optimus Prime statue and its movie stars to the Chinese robot fans. Here's what happened at the Premiere together with live performance of the movie theme song “Battle Cry” by Imagine Dragons:

For further updates and online media for Transformers Age of Extinction, check out the official website, Transformers Movie Facebook Page or local movie distributor United International Pictures Malaysia on Facebook. Plus read-up a relatively non-spoiler review by CinemaOnline and a fanboy perspective from Blogger eyeris.

For your amusement, here's some fairly witty clips involving Autobot leader Optimus Prime:

While there are heaps of Transformers merchandise to deplete a fan's hard earned cash, the Outpost Movie Recon Team (M.R.T.) will instead highlight how fans can get limited edition premiums from partner tie-ups or contests plus activities to engage your Transformers experience.

Cathay Cineplexes return with their combo sets at RM15.90 offering a limited edition printed cup and figure topper of the robots... as well as a Pepsi, mineral water, large popcorn and chips. Limited edition Optimus Prime inspired 3D glasses are also available ar RM25 each. Plus merchandise to be won from their Facebook App contest.

In contrast, MBO Cinemas combo set seems on the pricier side at RM16 for large popcorn and a limited edition double-walled cup and straw. Fortunately there are limited edition Transformers keychains given away with purchase of every 4 tickets. Additional rewards are available to their AllStar card members who are able to bid for Transformers premiums using points collected. Find out more from the MBO website about these promos and the bidding process.

GSC Cinemas is pounding on Transformers in a BIG way this time. Firstly at the cinemas, Transformers Trading Cards are given away for every 2 tickets purchased at selected locations. Then there are limited edition light-up magnets resembling heads of Optimus Prime or Bumblebee at RM4 each with purchase of GSC Combo 3 or Large Signature Combo 1.

The official Transformers mascots of Optimus Prime and Bumblebee will then be visiting various cinema locations for meet & greet with public over the next 2 weekends.

In addition, GSC online users can attempt to win a whole bunch of Transformers merchandise including 5 units of Hasbro toy showcases, 3 Nokia Lumia 630 phones and Hasbro action figures. Entry requirement is 2 tickets purchased and registration through the online contest website.

Furthermore, new applicants of GSC HongLeong Bank credit cards receive a non-transformable travel bag whilst 6 top spenders may win a somewhat transforming or folding bicycle.  

Finally there's TGV Cinemas, which is not offering any merchandise, but rewarding its IMAX customers with chance to win tickets to Universal Studios Singapore.

And there's also a robot cosplay appearance roadshow offering cinema patrons to Spot-the-Robots for a chance to win movie tickets by posting their photo with the said robot on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram. You won't be spotting the iconic robots from the movie though so be on lookout for some Transformers inspired cosplay characters.

Transformers collectors can also oogle at the toy displays setup in selected cinemas by Transformers fans. Find out more at the TGV website. Fans in Penang may take the opportunity to check out the giant statues of Optimus Prime and Bumblebee at the Gurney Paragon Mall.

Meanwhile the local movie distributor, United International Pictures, is offering their Instagram followers chance to win premiums. Enter quick by choosing team Optimus Prime or team Lockdown by 28 June 2014.

Want some Transformers toys instead? Then submit your entries online for the Motor Trader contest before 30 June 2014, or AXN-Asia contest by 14 July 2014.

If contest karma doesn't agree with you, just buy your own Transformers toys now available at all major toy stores. Check out Hasbro's Transformers toy range at Toys R Us online with local pricing here.

Evasion mode Optimus Prime (right) resembles his classic Gen1 truck form.

Kids can get to dress-up as Optimus Prime and Bumblebee with these costume kits available at Toys R Us.

Amongst the stranger movie tie-ups coming across, toothpaste Darlie is offering Transformers branded mugs. Yes, robots need to brush teeth too!

Even more strange seem to be Woodlamina floorboards offering GSC Gold Class Vouchers through contests &giveaways website Prizle.com before 3 July 2014.

More related perhaps to robot would be Syntium engine oil from Petronas, offering customers Transformers branded keychains and carabiners plus GSC movie vouchers. Perhaps ideally suited for any bots with Proton alternate modes!

Gamers may wish to consider the testing their hand coordination on the official Transformers Age of Extinction game App now on iPhone and Ipad available from iTunes.

That wraps up this recon report for Transformers goodies by the Outpost M.R.T.

As a sequel to our past Transformers fan movie events, the next Outpost Movie Marathon will be taking place tomorrow / Thursday 26 June 2014 at Cathay Cineplex, e@Curve. However instead of a 4 movie back-to-back endurance-test marathon, we are instead pairing Transformers Age of Extinction with the original Transformers The Movie animation from 1986.

We trust will be allow the Gen1 fanboys to relive their childhood while re-introducing to the new generation to the original animation sparking of this love of transforming robots! Here are recollecting photos from our previous movie fan marathons from 2009 and 2011:

2009 Marathon with Transformers & Revenge of the Fallen.

2011 Marathon with movie Trilogy.

Transformers cosplay.

Lucky draw prize to marathon survivors.

Till All Are One!

Disclaimer: Transformers and its trademarks are copyright to Hasbro and/or Paramount Pictures, referenced here for fan service announcements without intent to infringe.