Vin Diesel Reinvents Cinematic Universes in a Spectacular Fashion
A riveting action-packed film starring Vin Diesel, Bloodshot showcases an extraordinary blend of Valiant Comics' universe and a thrilling storyline that will leave you on the edge of your seat until the very end
Since the release of The Avengers in 2012, the Marvel Cinematic Universe has become the envy of every major film studio. However, numerous attempts by other companies to replicate Marvel's success have resulted in multiple failed examples. One ongoing and particularly amusing effort is the attempt to create a cinematic universe based on Valiant Comics.
Among these failed attempts, the most notable is Universal's Dark Universe. The Mummy, which was both a financial disaster and critically despised, became widely mocked by audiences. The film's funniest moment occurs even before it begins, as audiences erupted into laughter when the Universal Studios logo transformed into its Dark Universe form for the first and final time. While the Dark Universe is the most well-known failure, it is not the most embarrassing one.
What is Bloodshot about?
Bloodshot follows the story of Ray Garrison, an exceptional Marine renowned for his successful missions. While on vacation with his wife, Gina, they are ambushed by a dangerous group of mercenaries. These mercenaries demand information about Ray's latest mission, but he defiantly refuses to cooperate. Tragically, they execute Gina before his eyes. Consumed by grief and fueled by vengeance, Ray vows to seek retribution against their leader, Martin Axe. However, Martin coldly kills Ray, leaving him with fragmented memories of his past.
As fate would have it, Ray awakens to find himself under the care of Rising Spirit Technologies, a company specializing in equipping struggling veterans with cutting-edge cybernetic enhancements. He soon discovers that he has become the first successful participant in the Bloodshot program – a groundbreaking experiment that has replaced his blood with nanomachines. This transformation endows him with superhuman strength and the ability to heal rapidly. However, Ray must regularly recharge these nanites to prevent his past injuries from resurfacing and ultimately causing his demise.
Within the confines of this new life, Ray encounters Dr. Emil Harting, the lead scientist at RST, as well as other subjects named KT, Tibbs, and Dalton. Fueled by his enhanced abilities, Ray embarks on a relentless pursuit of Axe, annihilating his bodyguards and ultimately eliminating him. Upon his return to RST, Dr. Harting orchestrates a period of rest to allow Ray's nanites to recharge. Although Ray believes he has achieved his quest for vengeance, the story takes an unexpected turn. Dr. Harting reveals himself to be far from benign, and Ray's revenge is not as straightforward as he initially thought.
Once again, Ray awakens, only to be greeted by a new memory of his wife's murder and a new target to pursue. It is now essential for Ray to uncover the identity of those pulling the strings and find a means to liberate himself from their control.
What is the Valiant Comics Cinematic Universe?
Former Marvel editor-in-chief Jim Shooter and a group of wealthy investors attempted to acquire Marvel in 1989, but their efforts were unsuccessful. As a consolation, they established Voyager Communications, with Valiant as its main imprint. Valiant quickly recruited talent from Marvel and became the leading narrative universe for the edgy 90s generation, introducing beloved characters like X-O Manowar, Ninjak, Shadowman, and the H.A.R.D. Corps. Acclaim Entertainment, a notoriously unsuccessful video game company, acquired Valiant in 1994 before going bankrupt in 2004. Valiant then passed into the hands of a pair of entrepreneurs.
Valiant's golden era occurred during the early 2010s. In 2018, they were purchased by DMG Entertainment, a film studio responsible for distributing movies like Iron Man 3 in China. With strong sales and a parent company experienced in film production, Valiant's next move was clear – emulate Marvel's success. In 2015, three years prior to DMG's acquisition of the publisher, Valiant signed a nine-feature deal with them. Bloodshot, one of these planned features, was announced in 2018 but unfortunately debuted in theaters in March 2020.
Even if Bloodshot had been a successful film, the impact of the pandemic inflicted an irreparable blow. In 2019, Sony embarked on the development of a movie centered around the character Faith Herbert, while Paramount pursued a project focused on Harbinger. These films were intended to gradually establish a Valiant Comics Cinematic Universe. Vin Diesel supposedly committed to a Bloodshot sequel for 2020. Alas, there has been no update on any of these ventures. The rights to these properties are divided among at least four different companies, and the humorous failure of Bloodshot may have doomed the entire endeavor.
How does Bloodshot end?
In Bloodshot, a captivating twist occurs when Dr. Harting manipulates Ray's memories repeatedly, ultimately sending him on a mission to target the scientist's former colleagues. Specifically, Ray is instructed to track down one of Axe's subordinates. However, this plan takes an unexpected turn when a programmer named Wigans incapacitates Ray using an EMP, causing him to lose his connection with RST. Upon regaining consciousness, Ray finds himself plagued by conflicting memories regarding the identity of his wife's killer. Wigans informs Ray about his wife's new life and the fact that she has moved on without him. Filled with anger and a yearning for revenge, Ray returns to RST. In an effort to support Ray, KT asks Wigans to free her from RST's control. To achieve his vengeance, Ray is compelled to eliminate Dalton and Tibbs. Yet, the intense fight leaves Ray's nanites depleted. Dr. Harting, attempting to subdue Ray, resorts to a grenade launcher, but Ray cleverly employs an explosive device to swiftly neutralize both of them. Some time later, Wigans reactivates Ray's nanites, bringing him back to life. With their lives forever altered, Wigans, Ray, and KT escape the ruins of the demolished lab, aiming to embrace a new existence.
Bloodshot, an action film, features a single compelling concept but lacks effective execution. It falls short in comprehending its fanbase's interests, resulting in a chaotic and disjointed experience. Despite Valiant's ongoing status as the leading character, their dreams of creating a successful cinematic universe may have faded. The publisher has repeatedly struggled to imitate Marvel's accomplishments.
