Second season was far superior to the first. New characters were fun and helped build the world in addition to bridging the first two films together. First season was very slow but really enjoyed the direction and writing of the second season - and the divide of the monsters that were pro laughing and against it. The conflict particularly that rose in the last few episodes were fantastic even through overall it was a rehash/retelling of the films we've already seen. Would like to see them go in a more broad direction if it continues further instead of focusing so much on the tension between the two friends. However, fun series and season 2 wrapped everything up extremely well.
Reviews
21 Reviews
The Super Mario Bros. Movie
(2023)
THE MOVIE FANS HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR!
7 April 2023
THIS is the movie fans have been begging for! Nintendo & Illumination got a lot of things right with this film. They crammed A LOT into that short screen time which resulted in a lot of positives & negatives overall. Here's my breakdown/review:
-A LOT was crammed into that short screen time - giving the average movie-goers who aren't familiar with Nintendo's franchises the basic idea/premise of these characters & their worlds. However, I wish they would've spent more time on world building & character development overall to give everything more depth but on the same hand, I understand why they wanted to cram so much into this one film - incase this was their only chance without the possibility of a sequel or more spin-offs.
Clearly we're going to get a lot more content & I HOPE they dedicate more time to develop these worlds/characters with better pacing moving forward. There was just so much going on in every second of this film, I know it would be difficult for the average movie-goers to keep up.
-The casting was excellent. The voice actors (despite all the worry from the trailers) were perfect for their roles.
-A ton of Nintendo/video game fan service & easter eggs hidden throughout the film for the dedicated fans over every second of this film.
-The music: It was great to revisit some new scores/ arrangements of some of Nintendo's iconic music HOWEVER it was a shame they decided to go for some of the basic licensed music given the massive library of music they could have pulled or been a perfect opportunity to create new songs/music/scores for the film - those moments really took me out of the film.
Needless to say, I'm excited to see where they go next. The opportunities are limitless however I truly hope they pace future content better & develop these characters/worlds with the respect and time they truly deserve.
-A LOT was crammed into that short screen time - giving the average movie-goers who aren't familiar with Nintendo's franchises the basic idea/premise of these characters & their worlds. However, I wish they would've spent more time on world building & character development overall to give everything more depth but on the same hand, I understand why they wanted to cram so much into this one film - incase this was their only chance without the possibility of a sequel or more spin-offs.
Clearly we're going to get a lot more content & I HOPE they dedicate more time to develop these worlds/characters with better pacing moving forward. There was just so much going on in every second of this film, I know it would be difficult for the average movie-goers to keep up.
-The casting was excellent. The voice actors (despite all the worry from the trailers) were perfect for their roles.
-A ton of Nintendo/video game fan service & easter eggs hidden throughout the film for the dedicated fans over every second of this film.
-The music: It was great to revisit some new scores/ arrangements of some of Nintendo's iconic music HOWEVER it was a shame they decided to go for some of the basic licensed music given the massive library of music they could have pulled or been a perfect opportunity to create new songs/music/scores for the film - those moments really took me out of the film.
Needless to say, I'm excited to see where they go next. The opportunities are limitless however I truly hope they pace future content better & develop these characters/worlds with the respect and time they truly deserve.
Thor: Love and Thunder
(2022)
Fun film with great costumes & fx
8 July 2022
Thor: Love & Thunder was a fun-filled adventure. The great costumes & effects stood out to me above all.
While it was fun to watch, it felt like a very long "what if" episode or if the director was given a sandbox with toys and told "go", come up with something.
Script and pacing were all over the place. So many of the moments and comedy were so forced, that they killed many of the scenes. While I don't mind the Thor films going with a more "comedic" tone or being self aware that it's not taking itself too serious - there was just too much. The characters, plot and story become a joke. I didn't feel for any of the characters at all because all the "emotional" moments were barraged with jokes every other second.
Acting was great as usual and it was nice to see Thor's story arch come full circle to where the actor can potentially retire and the young avengers take over. The story itself was very underwhelming. It's the same message and story we've seen told hundreds of times before.
A fun ride overall with some decent moments but far from the best.
While it was fun to watch, it felt like a very long "what if" episode or if the director was given a sandbox with toys and told "go", come up with something.
Script and pacing were all over the place. So many of the moments and comedy were so forced, that they killed many of the scenes. While I don't mind the Thor films going with a more "comedic" tone or being self aware that it's not taking itself too serious - there was just too much. The characters, plot and story become a joke. I didn't feel for any of the characters at all because all the "emotional" moments were barraged with jokes every other second.
Acting was great as usual and it was nice to see Thor's story arch come full circle to where the actor can potentially retire and the young avengers take over. The story itself was very underwhelming. It's the same message and story we've seen told hundreds of times before.
A fun ride overall with some decent moments but far from the best.
Lightyear
(2022)
Another boring unneeded space movie
3 July 2022
This was honestly one of the biggest disappointments in awhile. While I'm glad for Pixar films to be back in theaters, this film bombed.
While I appreciate Pixar trying to make a "dramatic" space film... this just wasn't the right decision.
This movie had almost nothing to do with the Buzz Lightyear we knew from Toy Story and if anything, harmed it.
It was so uninspired, slow and dull. So many forced moments and was an honest snooze fest.
I couldn't imagine any kid watching this film and being inspired, yet alone the REASON why Andy got a Buzz Lightyear toy.
If anything, kids would have bought a SOX toy. That cat was the only decent thing about this film.
Zurg was probably one of the biggest disappointments of all. All of the characters lacked any depth and were very hollow. I really wanted to feel for them and like them but they were very half baked, like a first draft.
They should have just remade "Star command". Whoever's idea it was to just solely focus this film on a single planet and with such low stakes and blandness, really needs to be let go.
While I appreciate Pixar trying to make a "dramatic" space film... this just wasn't the right decision.
This movie had almost nothing to do with the Buzz Lightyear we knew from Toy Story and if anything, harmed it.
It was so uninspired, slow and dull. So many forced moments and was an honest snooze fest.
I couldn't imagine any kid watching this film and being inspired, yet alone the REASON why Andy got a Buzz Lightyear toy.
If anything, kids would have bought a SOX toy. That cat was the only decent thing about this film.
Zurg was probably one of the biggest disappointments of all. All of the characters lacked any depth and were very hollow. I really wanted to feel for them and like them but they were very half baked, like a first draft.
They should have just remade "Star command". Whoever's idea it was to just solely focus this film on a single planet and with such low stakes and blandness, really needs to be let go.
Obi-Wan Kenobi
(2022)
Lovely filler but that's about it.
24 June 2022
This whole series is filler and fan service. Completely unnecessary storytelling that wouldn't have affected anything. Was it nice? Yes. But was it needed? No.
The production quality and characters as usual, were fantastic. We got to see some great battles and scenes that were fun to watch on screen but did it add anything to the overall story/universe? No, not really.
The production quality and characters as usual, were fantastic. We got to see some great battles and scenes that were fun to watch on screen but did it add anything to the overall story/universe? No, not really.
Chip 'n Dale: Rescue Rangers
(2022)
Mediocre plot - overcompensated by nostalgia
15 June 2022
I was skeptic when I saw the first trailer. This movie genuinely looked like fun but as I suspected... it fell on its face.
I'm going to keep this review short. It's a very mediocre plot that we've seen done hundreds of times. The fact it was produced by Disney meant we got our nostalgic filled references to countless properties but that's just not enough... it DOES make fun of itself which is good and some of the issues that Hollywood is facing but I'm sure this is going to fly over many of the viewers heads and date itself fast.
I watched it a few times, by myself and with others - the humor is very dry and meta. It's a movie that tries to make fun of all of these troupes, which it succeeds well in for those who get it but that's about it...
Wish I could say more. Talents were severely underused, and this movie played it safe.
I'm going to keep this review short. It's a very mediocre plot that we've seen done hundreds of times. The fact it was produced by Disney meant we got our nostalgic filled references to countless properties but that's just not enough... it DOES make fun of itself which is good and some of the issues that Hollywood is facing but I'm sure this is going to fly over many of the viewers heads and date itself fast.
I watched it a few times, by myself and with others - the humor is very dry and meta. It's a movie that tries to make fun of all of these troupes, which it succeeds well in for those who get it but that's about it...
Wish I could say more. Talents were severely underused, and this movie played it safe.
Jurassic World Dominion
(2022)
Too many plot lines - lots of Dino action!
11 June 2022
Warning: Spoilers
I've now seen the film twice. Went in the first time with zero expectations and decently enjoyed it.
Second time, watched more critically and noticed all of the cons.
There are some great moments and action sequences but that's about it. A lot of good ideas but very poor execution which led to it feeling very rushed.
The prior movie setup the whole idea of a world of humans and dinosaurs co-existing and they almost abandoned that idea right out of the gate for a jumbled mess of ideas and plot lines that just didn't gel well together. We've seen the same troupes in these films time after time. "Oh hey look! The t-rex is here to save the day", "We need to have blue in this film or else we won't be able to sell more toys", etc. While nice to pay homage and see a bit of nostalgia, that's not enough... sorry. It'd be nice if Hollywood actually took a chance and tried something new in this tired series or focused solely on a single plot line instead of mashing a ton of ideas together and hoping it'll work.
This "film" felt more like a fan-fiction than anything.
It has none of the suspense and thriller aspects that the original "Jurassic Park" series was known for that, I felt, left many fans severely disappointed. You lost the magic of what made all of its predecessors enjoyable just to pop out another cash grab Hollywood movie.
As many other critics said, the character writing and motivations are poor. The new additions to the cast were fun, particularly the helicopter pilot but there was just too much going on for us to care about or feel a connection with any of them.
Same goes to the returning cast from the original franchise. It was wonderful to see them again but they were literally given almost NOTHING to do. They literally could have been replaced with any other character and you would have never known. Just a disservice and poor use.
I hope they leave it here and let this series finally rest. 6/10.
Second time, watched more critically and noticed all of the cons.
There are some great moments and action sequences but that's about it. A lot of good ideas but very poor execution which led to it feeling very rushed.
The prior movie setup the whole idea of a world of humans and dinosaurs co-existing and they almost abandoned that idea right out of the gate for a jumbled mess of ideas and plot lines that just didn't gel well together. We've seen the same troupes in these films time after time. "Oh hey look! The t-rex is here to save the day", "We need to have blue in this film or else we won't be able to sell more toys", etc. While nice to pay homage and see a bit of nostalgia, that's not enough... sorry. It'd be nice if Hollywood actually took a chance and tried something new in this tired series or focused solely on a single plot line instead of mashing a ton of ideas together and hoping it'll work.
This "film" felt more like a fan-fiction than anything.
It has none of the suspense and thriller aspects that the original "Jurassic Park" series was known for that, I felt, left many fans severely disappointed. You lost the magic of what made all of its predecessors enjoyable just to pop out another cash grab Hollywood movie.
As many other critics said, the character writing and motivations are poor. The new additions to the cast were fun, particularly the helicopter pilot but there was just too much going on for us to care about or feel a connection with any of them.
Same goes to the returning cast from the original franchise. It was wonderful to see them again but they were literally given almost NOTHING to do. They literally could have been replaced with any other character and you would have never known. Just a disservice and poor use.
I hope they leave it here and let this series finally rest. 6/10.
A THRILLING master piece
6 May 2022
I loved this film from start to finish.
Given the material and his background, Raimi was the perfect choice to direct this film. His unique style & direction truly helped this movie stand out.
Between Doctor Strange's chaotic world/humor along with the Scarlet Witch's darkness, Raimi didn't hold back and delivered one of the most unique and stylized MCU movies we've gotten in a long time.
The horror & gore were well used without taking things too far.
THIS is the Scarlet Witch so many of us die-hard fans have been waiting for. Elizabeth Olsen absolutely crushed it every moment she was on screen. You could feel her pain, loss and suffering. A perfect example of character growth over the years. She was a true threat with clear motivations from start to finish.
The cinematography was fantastic and fit within Raimi's style which blended beautifully with the madness and horror going on-screen.
The story was straight forward without being overly complicated or too confusing. All of the characters had clear motivations and arch's. There wasn't a moment where I was bored or lost interest.
I recommend watching "WandaVision", "Avengers Infinity War/End Game", and "What If" before seeing this film, if possible.
"Multiverse of Madness" was self contained - to where you didn't have to watch the others for it to make sense. Although, if you watch the other films/shows - you'll only appreciate the film more.
You could tell Raimi was a Marvel fan - he adapted a lot from the comics that we haven't seen before on screen. One example is Strange's powers. Some of which worked well translating from comic to screen but there was some powers that did not translate well and felt ungrounded.
My only criticism of this film is the overuse of CGI, particularly with the powers. (Felt a lot like Green Lantern at times) We as the audience can suspend our disbelief to a degree but also can tell when something looks off or just downright not believable in the slightest. There were a lot of creatures which you could believe in a sense but the cartoony powers in addition to fighting them, just didn't work.
The cameos were fantastic - fit within the story and paid homage to Marvel fans without taking away from the story nor needing to watch anything else in order for their presence to be understood. (And special treats for fans of Raimi's other works)
Overall 9/10. Would love to see more stylized MCU films from other directors and more of Rami's other visions in future MCU films.
Given the material and his background, Raimi was the perfect choice to direct this film. His unique style & direction truly helped this movie stand out.
Between Doctor Strange's chaotic world/humor along with the Scarlet Witch's darkness, Raimi didn't hold back and delivered one of the most unique and stylized MCU movies we've gotten in a long time.
The horror & gore were well used without taking things too far.
THIS is the Scarlet Witch so many of us die-hard fans have been waiting for. Elizabeth Olsen absolutely crushed it every moment she was on screen. You could feel her pain, loss and suffering. A perfect example of character growth over the years. She was a true threat with clear motivations from start to finish.
The cinematography was fantastic and fit within Raimi's style which blended beautifully with the madness and horror going on-screen.
The story was straight forward without being overly complicated or too confusing. All of the characters had clear motivations and arch's. There wasn't a moment where I was bored or lost interest.
I recommend watching "WandaVision", "Avengers Infinity War/End Game", and "What If" before seeing this film, if possible.
"Multiverse of Madness" was self contained - to where you didn't have to watch the others for it to make sense. Although, if you watch the other films/shows - you'll only appreciate the film more.
You could tell Raimi was a Marvel fan - he adapted a lot from the comics that we haven't seen before on screen. One example is Strange's powers. Some of which worked well translating from comic to screen but there was some powers that did not translate well and felt ungrounded.
My only criticism of this film is the overuse of CGI, particularly with the powers. (Felt a lot like Green Lantern at times) We as the audience can suspend our disbelief to a degree but also can tell when something looks off or just downright not believable in the slightest. There were a lot of creatures which you could believe in a sense but the cartoony powers in addition to fighting them, just didn't work.
The cameos were fantastic - fit within the story and paid homage to Marvel fans without taking away from the story nor needing to watch anything else in order for their presence to be understood. (And special treats for fans of Raimi's other works)
Overall 9/10. Would love to see more stylized MCU films from other directors and more of Rami's other visions in future MCU films.
Upload
(2020– )
Really enjoyable but plays it safe
11 April 2022
I just binge watched both seasons - season 1 was far superior than the second and the second season ended very strangely. There is some great ideas but the execution is very drawn out. I felt like I was just being pulled along for something to actually happen - there's just a lot of tension which is one of the reasons it kept me glued and watching more to see where it goes but honestly not all that much happens. So many of the themes are just stretched out for the sake of stretching it out and exploring more themes. The characters are kind of generic but interesting.
Acting is fairly good, and would enjoy seeing more.
Just hope they take more risks and explore more themes. They have so much to explore.
Even days after watching the show, I can barley remember what went on. It's very forgettable.
Acting is fairly good, and would enjoy seeing more.
Just hope they take more risks and explore more themes. They have so much to explore.
Even days after watching the show, I can barley remember what went on. It's very forgettable.
Sonic the Hedgehog 2
(2022)
Well enjoyed but TOO long!
11 April 2022
I genuinely enjoyed this film and have been looking forward to seeing it for awhile.
Far superior "SONIC" movie than its predecessor. That being said... it's not perfect by any means. This movie got a lot of things right and you can tell there's quite a bit of care going on with the producers to give the fans what they want. They are listening.
Expanding the world outside of the one city and introducing the other characters was much-needed. The trio was great - Tales and Knuckles were refreshing and worked so well every time they were on screen. Jim Carey's over the top performance is great as always - nailing the role. His character's evolution/progression is fun to watch, however I hope if there is another film, they'll FINALLY push his character to its furthest form. Jim is GREAT for over the top roles which Eggman is.
My only complaint- this movie was TOO LONG. Some scenes dragged on forever and distracted from the overall story.
There were a lot of scenes that easily could have been cut (Wedding scene) and didn't add anything to the story. It's disappointing for fans that aren't as familiar with the sonic games - there was so many new characters and plot points that weren't really explored and instead gave more screen time to cheap jokes and these weird, unnecessary scenes that went on forever.
Overall 6/10.
Far superior "SONIC" movie than its predecessor. That being said... it's not perfect by any means. This movie got a lot of things right and you can tell there's quite a bit of care going on with the producers to give the fans what they want. They are listening.
Expanding the world outside of the one city and introducing the other characters was much-needed. The trio was great - Tales and Knuckles were refreshing and worked so well every time they were on screen. Jim Carey's over the top performance is great as always - nailing the role. His character's evolution/progression is fun to watch, however I hope if there is another film, they'll FINALLY push his character to its furthest form. Jim is GREAT for over the top roles which Eggman is.
My only complaint- this movie was TOO LONG. Some scenes dragged on forever and distracted from the overall story.
There were a lot of scenes that easily could have been cut (Wedding scene) and didn't add anything to the story. It's disappointing for fans that aren't as familiar with the sonic games - there was so many new characters and plot points that weren't really explored and instead gave more screen time to cheap jokes and these weird, unnecessary scenes that went on forever.
Overall 6/10.
Morbius
(2022)
Awful
2 April 2022
This movie was terrible. Previews were not interesting but went in with a very open mind expecting to see an at most average film and wow! This one was extremely disappointing. Most basic plot in the world with horrible characters you couldn't connect to at all or feel any kind of sympathy for. Everything was forced and the script and screenplay were garbage.
The actors were fine but just didn't have anything good to work to. Effects were fine but very bland. Transformation sequences were weak at best.
I give this movie a two just for the actors and effects.
The actors were fine but just didn't have anything good to work to. Effects were fine but very bland. Transformation sequences were weak at best.
I give this movie a two just for the actors and effects.
Terminator: Dark Fate
(2019)
Franchise is terminated
2 April 2022
After just rewatching all the franchise's films over the past several days, this one was completely unnecessary.
It was great to see The Terminator and Sarah Connor's actors return back to the screen but the story doesn't hold up to the other films that came before it and was a major slap in the face to its predecessors.
It's retelling the same story we've already been told just with female protagonists and a CG terminator that was way too overpowered and had abilities that were completely unbelievable.
The movie's visuals were very dark and monotone.
This is a franchise that should just be left alone. No more sequels, no reboots. Just LEAVE IT ALONE.
The first three films were great, everything after that... has progressively gone down hill.
The new actors were fine, the original cast were still great, effects were overall fine but the story is nothing new and poor at best.
Leave it alone!
It was great to see The Terminator and Sarah Connor's actors return back to the screen but the story doesn't hold up to the other films that came before it and was a major slap in the face to its predecessors.
It's retelling the same story we've already been told just with female protagonists and a CG terminator that was way too overpowered and had abilities that were completely unbelievable.
The movie's visuals were very dark and monotone.
This is a franchise that should just be left alone. No more sequels, no reboots. Just LEAVE IT ALONE.
The first three films were great, everything after that... has progressively gone down hill.
The new actors were fine, the original cast were still great, effects were overall fine but the story is nothing new and poor at best.
Leave it alone!
Big Mouth
(2017–2025)
Started BIG then didn't "finish" 🙃
31 January 2022
Big Mouth was so refreshing as a show. It tackled "big", rather uncomfortable subjects and handled them in a really fun way and was genuinely one of the best adult animated cartoon shows out there for awhile. With relatable characters, strong stories and fun original songs.
Seasons 1 and 2 shine the brightest, the rest have progressively have gotten worse over time.
The later episodes are filled with rushed writing, cheap jokes and this troupe of "having to give literally every character a line in every episode just for the sake of giving them screen time even though it has zero relevance to what's going on on screen". The last season in particular was not good. We had so many "Coach Steve" type characters that just killed the vibe of the show and any sort of "story telling" that was going on, on-screen. The last episode in particular just like a slap in the face to the audience and could/should have been handled so much better. There was a perfect setup to lead into their new "Human Resources" show but they just rushed it and gave us characters who transformed into no longer likable/relatable/redeemable people, broke every fourth wall and killed any potential of their being a future for these characters who they worked so hard on. It just feels like the writers stopped caring and took a literal dump on these characters who we grew attached to and make them all completely unwatchable.
I'll be honest from the outside (before I started watching the show) it looked like another lazy, cheap "edgy adult animated show" but through watching it, it kept me glued and wanting more every time. Why? BECAUSE IT WAS GOOD STORY TELLING, STRONG CHARACTERS and GREAT SONGS.
I REALLY wanted it to succeed but it just crashed and burned and left the audience wondering what will happen to these characters?...
I hope they'll redeem the show but at the same point I kind of hope they'll just leave it alone and put their full attention onto their next series "Human Resources."
Seasons 1 and 2 shine the brightest, the rest have progressively have gotten worse over time.
The later episodes are filled with rushed writing, cheap jokes and this troupe of "having to give literally every character a line in every episode just for the sake of giving them screen time even though it has zero relevance to what's going on on screen". The last season in particular was not good. We had so many "Coach Steve" type characters that just killed the vibe of the show and any sort of "story telling" that was going on, on-screen. The last episode in particular just like a slap in the face to the audience and could/should have been handled so much better. There was a perfect setup to lead into their new "Human Resources" show but they just rushed it and gave us characters who transformed into no longer likable/relatable/redeemable people, broke every fourth wall and killed any potential of their being a future for these characters who they worked so hard on. It just feels like the writers stopped caring and took a literal dump on these characters who we grew attached to and make them all completely unwatchable.
I'll be honest from the outside (before I started watching the show) it looked like another lazy, cheap "edgy adult animated show" but through watching it, it kept me glued and wanting more every time. Why? BECAUSE IT WAS GOOD STORY TELLING, STRONG CHARACTERS and GREAT SONGS.
I REALLY wanted it to succeed but it just crashed and burned and left the audience wondering what will happen to these characters?...
I hope they'll redeem the show but at the same point I kind of hope they'll just leave it alone and put their full attention onto their next series "Human Resources."
Ron's Gone Wrong
(2021)
Genuine surprise with heart. A story for the underdogs/loners
31 January 2022
Didn't have any expectations and had zero knowledge of this film even being released until it just popped up on Disney+ one day. That being said, it was really refreshing.
There was a lot of heart and the relationship between the two leads was very endearing. The story overall wasn't anything new or out of the ordinary but the main character was really unique and his adventure kept me glued to the screen.
I feel like there's not a lot of movies out there for loners/underdogs (yet alone that focus on it) and to see that reflected in this film was an aspect that was really refreshing. It was very real and really adult with a lot of fun concepts that I feel easily both kids and adults watching would easily love. It was sad at times but that's what made it feel really grounded and unique. Highly recommend checking out and bravo to the studio for taking risks and creating something new and truly refreshing.
Would love to see more films like this.
There was a lot of heart and the relationship between the two leads was very endearing. The story overall wasn't anything new or out of the ordinary but the main character was really unique and his adventure kept me glued to the screen.
I feel like there's not a lot of movies out there for loners/underdogs (yet alone that focus on it) and to see that reflected in this film was an aspect that was really refreshing. It was very real and really adult with a lot of fun concepts that I feel easily both kids and adults watching would easily love. It was sad at times but that's what made it feel really grounded and unique. Highly recommend checking out and bravo to the studio for taking risks and creating something new and truly refreshing.
Would love to see more films like this.
Encanto
(2021)
GETS BETTER EACH WATCH
31 January 2022
Had zero expectations coming in and was genuinely surprised. This film was refreshing from Disney's lineup and delivered a really good message with stunning visuals and gorgeous songs.
High praise and gets better on each watch. Lin Manuel Miranda delivered - the songs on the first watch were filled with story and hard to follow but on each rewatch and by listening to the songs on their own, I keep picking up more each time.
Bravo Disney on creating a new classic. The characters are fun and SO relatable which is why I feel like so many people love this film. They see parts of themselves in these well-crafted, beautifully designed characters.
The animation was over the top at times but genuinely worked overall. I feel Disney's issue these days is finding a unique style/voice in a world of competitors where all the animation out there is starting to look the same. I still miss their 2D films but understand the transition however, I wish they would truly find something that would help them stick out from Pixar or other studios.
High praise and gets better on each watch. Lin Manuel Miranda delivered - the songs on the first watch were filled with story and hard to follow but on each rewatch and by listening to the songs on their own, I keep picking up more each time.
Bravo Disney on creating a new classic. The characters are fun and SO relatable which is why I feel like so many people love this film. They see parts of themselves in these well-crafted, beautifully designed characters.
The animation was over the top at times but genuinely worked overall. I feel Disney's issue these days is finding a unique style/voice in a world of competitors where all the animation out there is starting to look the same. I still miss their 2D films but understand the transition however, I wish they would truly find something that would help them stick out from Pixar or other studios.
TRANSFORMIA'D THE FRANCHISE INTO THE TOILET
31 January 2022
Another franchise who has clearly run out of ideas. I was genuinely excited to see this film going in and knew it would have some flaws but WOW.
Clearly...this movie was on a smaller budget. The graphics weren't up to par like the rest of the films, new voice actors were cast to replace some of the main cast of characters (which I'll get into later...) and HORRENDOUS lazy writing with a load of continuity errors.
The whole premise of this film is Drac not trusting/accepting Johnny which is literally the entire plot of the FIRST film. There was SO much more we could have explored in this world and instead we got this cheap mess.
All of the characters were made into caricatures/shells of past selves (Ex: Johnny went from lovable idiot to annoying man-child with zero redeeming qualities.)
As far as continuity errors: Drac hypnotizes his grandkid, Dennis (who wasn't in the film at all) who is a vampire WHICH the whole rule of you can't hypnotize a vampire rule was setup in all the previous films yet this time... we'll ignore it for "comedic" sake. Then "be quiet or Mavis will hear you because she has supersonic hearing abilities" and in the next scene we'll talk about her literally in the room over and she won't have any idea once again for a "cheap laugh". 🙃 Come on guys... lazy writing.
Setting up rules in your world then breaking them for a SUPER cheap laugh is just poor decision-making.
That aside, it was a fine watch. The animation quality is still good and the newly cast voice actors who had big shoes to fill (Brian Hull in particular) nailed their roles and truly delivered. There were times where you couldn't tell the difference from the originals while still making it their own. That's not an easy achievement.
Was also sad to see this film was in distribution hell for so long with constantly delayed release dates then randomly appeared on Amazon. I just feel like this film was against too many odds and was setup to fail.
I think this franchise could lend well to some shorts in the future however, I don't want to see another feature UNLESS they really up the budget, don't cheapen and ACTUALLY have a good story to tell.
There's enough franchises out there who are CLEAR they are just here to make money. Hotel Transylvania is clearly "TRANSFORMING" into one. Save what's left of the integrity that your original director set out to do and just leave Drac to rest if you don't have anything else to tell.
Clearly...this movie was on a smaller budget. The graphics weren't up to par like the rest of the films, new voice actors were cast to replace some of the main cast of characters (which I'll get into later...) and HORRENDOUS lazy writing with a load of continuity errors.
The whole premise of this film is Drac not trusting/accepting Johnny which is literally the entire plot of the FIRST film. There was SO much more we could have explored in this world and instead we got this cheap mess.
All of the characters were made into caricatures/shells of past selves (Ex: Johnny went from lovable idiot to annoying man-child with zero redeeming qualities.)
As far as continuity errors: Drac hypnotizes his grandkid, Dennis (who wasn't in the film at all) who is a vampire WHICH the whole rule of you can't hypnotize a vampire rule was setup in all the previous films yet this time... we'll ignore it for "comedic" sake. Then "be quiet or Mavis will hear you because she has supersonic hearing abilities" and in the next scene we'll talk about her literally in the room over and she won't have any idea once again for a "cheap laugh". 🙃 Come on guys... lazy writing.
Setting up rules in your world then breaking them for a SUPER cheap laugh is just poor decision-making.
That aside, it was a fine watch. The animation quality is still good and the newly cast voice actors who had big shoes to fill (Brian Hull in particular) nailed their roles and truly delivered. There were times where you couldn't tell the difference from the originals while still making it their own. That's not an easy achievement.
Was also sad to see this film was in distribution hell for so long with constantly delayed release dates then randomly appeared on Amazon. I just feel like this film was against too many odds and was setup to fail.
I think this franchise could lend well to some shorts in the future however, I don't want to see another feature UNLESS they really up the budget, don't cheapen and ACTUALLY have a good story to tell.
There's enough franchises out there who are CLEAR they are just here to make money. Hotel Transylvania is clearly "TRANSFORMING" into one. Save what's left of the integrity that your original director set out to do and just leave Drac to rest if you don't have anything else to tell.
Predictable Family Fun with a lot of unnecessary violence
31 January 2022
Honestly... this movie was a lot better than I originally thought it would have been coming in. In fact, it was superior to the first film.
There was a lot going on in the plot and a larger variety of likable characters. Animation and graphics were top notch with a ton of great characters and designs. The relationship between the family really stood out and helped this movie shine. Particularly with both of the daughter characters and two brothers (whose relationship was the best part of the first film). That aside... story has already been told, nothing out of the ordinary and pretty predictable but still a fun watch overall.
The villain was very meh. (Did anyone else feel unsettled when you heard Jeff Goldbloom's voice come out of that thing?) And WHY was there SO much unnecessary violence/anarchy? I'm always up for fun, especially to have things that advance the plot but there was so many times where I found myself saying "WHY?!?!" or "Wait...did THAT just REALLY happen?!".
There was a lot going on in the plot and a larger variety of likable characters. Animation and graphics were top notch with a ton of great characters and designs. The relationship between the family really stood out and helped this movie shine. Particularly with both of the daughter characters and two brothers (whose relationship was the best part of the first film). That aside... story has already been told, nothing out of the ordinary and pretty predictable but still a fun watch overall.
The villain was very meh. (Did anyone else feel unsettled when you heard Jeff Goldbloom's voice come out of that thing?) And WHY was there SO much unnecessary violence/anarchy? I'm always up for fun, especially to have things that advance the plot but there was so many times where I found myself saying "WHY?!?!" or "Wait...did THAT just REALLY happen?!".
The Book of Boba Fett
(2021–2022)
IN AN EXTREMELY SLOW GALAXY FAR FAR AWAY
27 January 2022
Warning: Spoilers
Alright, we're currently 5 episodes in and it just isn't getting better... the pacing is so incredibly slow and at the end of every episode, I'm constantly finding myself say "...wait?! That's it?!".
I really want to like this series but the pacing and story overall just isn't captivating. In nearly every episode there's a reference/callback to something - for fan service/to help sell more toys with absolutely zero premise.
I'm all for nostalgia/callbacks to expand the world and make it even bigger but there NEEDS to be story. There needs to be RISKS/STAKES. There needs to be a reason for your audience to actually CARE about your characters. Yet alone your MAIN CHARACTER!!!!
At this point... Boba's character is very laughable and weak.
I would love nothing more than to see Boba riding a Reincore destroying everything in his path but...?
The thing that killed me was the Mandalorian episode (episode 5). Overall... FANTASTIC episode! However, did that particular story REALLY need to be told right now? No. Is it nice context/filler? Sure. Could we have skipped it and brought Mando right into the conflict that we left off with from the previous episode? ABSOLUTELY! Which is exactly what SHOULD have happened.
This series constantly jumps around in timelines and not only does it make the whole story feel messy but it also doesn't allow that chance for your audience to REALLY connect/care.
I'm happy to see Mando's continuing story but the fact that you have to bring in the MANDALORIAN to save your franchise/show and completely ride on that....? Nah.
Literally episode 5 does not feature Boba Fett at all and by how episode 6 is setup it doesn't seem like we'll see much of him either at this point.
I hope I'm wrong and I hope for the series to get better but as of right now... it's a dud compared to its predecessor.
I really want to like this series but the pacing and story overall just isn't captivating. In nearly every episode there's a reference/callback to something - for fan service/to help sell more toys with absolutely zero premise.
I'm all for nostalgia/callbacks to expand the world and make it even bigger but there NEEDS to be story. There needs to be RISKS/STAKES. There needs to be a reason for your audience to actually CARE about your characters. Yet alone your MAIN CHARACTER!!!!
At this point... Boba's character is very laughable and weak.
I would love nothing more than to see Boba riding a Reincore destroying everything in his path but...?
The thing that killed me was the Mandalorian episode (episode 5). Overall... FANTASTIC episode! However, did that particular story REALLY need to be told right now? No. Is it nice context/filler? Sure. Could we have skipped it and brought Mando right into the conflict that we left off with from the previous episode? ABSOLUTELY! Which is exactly what SHOULD have happened.
This series constantly jumps around in timelines and not only does it make the whole story feel messy but it also doesn't allow that chance for your audience to REALLY connect/care.
I'm happy to see Mando's continuing story but the fact that you have to bring in the MANDALORIAN to save your franchise/show and completely ride on that....? Nah.
Literally episode 5 does not feature Boba Fett at all and by how episode 6 is setup it doesn't seem like we'll see much of him either at this point.
I hope I'm wrong and I hope for the series to get better but as of right now... it's a dud compared to its predecessor.
The Shrink Next Door
(2021)
Great Emotional Rollercoaster Journey
27 January 2022
Warning: Spoilers
Going in - I honestly wasn't sure what to expect but throughly enjoyed the entire series from start to finish. It was great to see some of these typically "comedic" actors do more serious roles. There were definitely moments where the acting was a bit much but overall really stellar performances that kept me glued to the screen, a solid story and captivating characters who kept me on a constant emotional rollercoaster. From hating them to loving them, etc. Having dealt with similar issues and knowing others who have gone through the issues that are tackled in the story - they're handled extremely well. The moment where Ferrell's character stands up to Rudd's is particularly gold and a terrific message. It rubbed me the wrong way that the message at the very end seemed to be "don't go to therapy because if you do... THIS will happen" but other than that... very solid series. Highly recommend checking out.
Luca
(2021)
Enjoyable but had some issues
18 June 2021
I have to be very honest, I didn't expect much going in and found it more enjoyable than I thought.
The characters (particularly the kids) were really well done and have a lot of personality/chemistry.
I really appreciated the writers including italian cultural references and scenery. I really appreciate it when they show cultural aspects in films.
The style was very unique and animated which I don't mind but I really miss the style and look that most of the original Pixar films had that tied them together. It was kind of a turn off for most fans. The last few films since Coco have been very hit or miss and I believe a lot of it has to do with plot, style and pacing.
Unfortunately, there was nothing really unique that we haven't seen before with the story/plot. Feels very similar to other "fish out of water" stories like The Little Mermaid, Ponyo, etc.
I really wish they spent more time on the build up towards the beginning and ending. So much of this script felt so rushed. The conclusion in particular fell weak and it was a shame because it could have been much better if they paced it right. Stronger emotional pay offs but unfortunately with some of the decision they made, those payoffs seemed very cheap and almost too easy.
Overall, enjoyable film but wish the script and pacing was a bit better.
The characters (particularly the kids) were really well done and have a lot of personality/chemistry.
I really appreciated the writers including italian cultural references and scenery. I really appreciate it when they show cultural aspects in films.
The style was very unique and animated which I don't mind but I really miss the style and look that most of the original Pixar films had that tied them together. It was kind of a turn off for most fans. The last few films since Coco have been very hit or miss and I believe a lot of it has to do with plot, style and pacing.
Unfortunately, there was nothing really unique that we haven't seen before with the story/plot. Feels very similar to other "fish out of water" stories like The Little Mermaid, Ponyo, etc.
I really wish they spent more time on the build up towards the beginning and ending. So much of this script felt so rushed. The conclusion in particular fell weak and it was a shame because it could have been much better if they paced it right. Stronger emotional pay offs but unfortunately with some of the decision they made, those payoffs seemed very cheap and almost too easy.
Overall, enjoyable film but wish the script and pacing was a bit better.
Good overall - entertaining the whole way through
21 December 2018
Really enjoyable film. Entertained the whole way through, never slowed down and carried out a good story arch. Loved the visual style however, they were almost too strong/blaring for my eyes at moments. Characters were great - very relatable and each given a proper amount of screen time to carry the story.
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