Valentine: The Dark Avenger - Action Figure for Collectors & Superhero Fans | Perfect for Display, Cosplay & Gift Giving

Basically I really like the old school aspects of this movie. In many ways it's similar to "Kick Ass," or "Spiderman," since the hero starts out poor - her costume is home made, she's a college drop out, her team rides in an old van and she works at a cafe. In other words she is the exact opposite of billionaires like Arrow or Batman, who start with the best equipment and training that money can buy and then customize it even further. When Valentine gets hit, she hurts after the fight. She get bruises and begs for training and kneepads, to keep doing this. Her team slowly comes together and takes the little money they are able to pool together to upgrade her gear throughout the film. I really liked the idea that her entire character was a publicity stunt, and the ultimate objective when the film starts is for everyone to get rich. The chemistry of her team is also endearing. The real motives of her "manic" promoter are only revealed late in film. The GBF - although played as a stereotype - is totally sympathetic, competent and professional. He's a fashion designer, not a camera man, and when assigned the right tasks he totally rocks it. I'd also like to talk about the villains, clearly every aspect of the villains has been copied from other films. Shadow looks similar to Deathstroke, and his assistant looks very similar to the Joker or Harley Quinn. It didn't matter to me. I'll go every further than that, not only did it not matter to me but I believe that these reference points places this film firmly within the DC - BATMAN realm of experience. One of the best lines in the film, which is also key turning point is when the promoter orders Valentine to do a nearly impossible - death defying - jump to battle Shadow's henchmen. Valentine proclaims that she "IS NOT BATMAN!" then proceeds execute the jump. After the battle the real motives of the promoter are revealed, as well as his carelessness towards Valentines' life. Again the fact that this movie convinced me that her life really was at stake, that - in this movie - the main character COULD die, because SHE IS NOT BATMAN! Her costume is home made, and she has poor equipment, all came together make is better movie. She starts out fighting very weak criminals and it only when she achieves a level of competence and celebrity that the real villains in the city start to take notice of her. In sum its quite a journey and I think that the Hollywood types make these movies would benefit from reviewing and understanding the basics of what makes a hero, hero.