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Doctor Who: The Star Beast (2023)
Doctor Who is back!
Was it perfect? Of course not. But it was a breath of fresh air after the previous era, carried heavily by the chemistry between David and Catherine. Tennant fits back into the doctor as if he never left, ultimately a really great and fun episode.
On another note I'd like to praise the production quality, you can clearly see where the budget went. In recent seasons the CGI was becoming very jarring, there's still some iffy stuff in keeping with what we love but it ties everything together so nicely. I especially enjoyed the cinematic framing of the episode, it's doctor who as we've never seen it before.
The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon: Alouette (2023)
I've not enjoyed the franchise this much in a long time
As someone who stuck out every episode of the main show I felt a disappointment at the open ended state of the ending, robbing the show of the ending it deserved.
I assumed this spin off in particular would be further milking the soul out of the franchise however this is the freshest the franchise has been in a long time.
The flashbacks were great and offered some great character development for the new characters in the series whilst the current day plot remained engaging. With Dead city most of the new characters felt very wooden and forgettable however in this show I find myself actually caring about them.
Cutting back the amount of episodes and focusing more on the quality was a great decision and if the series continues as is then it's gonna be the best the franchise has been since the 6th series, a miracle.
The Walking Dead: Dead City: Old Acquaintances (2023)
A great start that shows promise for some of the best TWD content in years
Ever since the main show ended it felt like these further spin offs were blatant attempts at milking the franchise. However I'm happy to say that this first episode is a glimpse at something potentially great. It's early to tell but straight away we can see evidence of the high budget in the effects and general scenery.
This is probably the best the franchise has looked visually and ultimately by stripping back the cast, characters are allowed to shine further. This episode felt a lot more focused than TWD had been in recent years with a constant sense of dread that later seasons lacked. I think you get just enough civilisation and survival to make for a show encompassing the best of both worlds. I'm hopeful that the show will continue on this path as there is a ton of potential, it's amazing how focusing on quality over quantity has helped this show.
The Walking Dead: Dead City (2023)
Best show ever? Maybe
We are just an episode in and boy this show is building up to be something special. The show is anchored by two phenomenal performances from Lauren Cohen and Megan Smith respectively however in terms of other characters they are equally as compelling.
I don't know what happened to the main show but in this we can clearly see every penny spent, the scenery is majestic and believable, no more dull and repetitive forests. We're back in the city and I couldn't be happier. HBO'S the last of us has some tough competition if the TWD spin offs so far are anything to go by. I can't wait to see where this masterful series goes next and I can confidently say it's a masterpiece.
The Last of Us: Please Hold to My Hand (2023)
The (somewhat) calm before the storm
I've always appreciated episodes of TV that focus on the development of characters and something that needed developing was the bond between Joel and Ellie. This episode does a great job of that and I'm happy to see it.
On the other hand we get some fantastic scenes ripped straight from the game which I adore, the scenery as usual was superb, you can see the immense effort that goes into making these episodes.
Ultimately this episode despite it's action segments does a great job of easing the viewer back into the world of the last of us after the previous episode's events. There is some great setup for the following episode and I can't wait to see the pay - off. All around a very solid episode that although is arguably the weakest thus far, still makes for some great television.
The Last of Us: Long, Long Time (2023)
A beautiful episode
This episode manages to take what was a good but small part of the game and turn it into some of the most poetic and beautiful pieces of television in a long time.
This is what the last of us is all about, the ordinary people trying to survive and despite some considering this episode 'filler' it was more than justified in it's existence. Everything from the cinematography to the acting comes together to create a flawless piece of television, slowly building our connection to these characters whilst adding further context to the events of the story.
It's genuinely so frustrating to see all the low scores given to the episode, it was executed brilliantly and it's a real shame that such a fine piece of media is causing such controversy, appreciate it for what it is.
Avatar: The Way of Water (2022)
CGI over story
I am extremely disappointed in the sequel to Avatar. While the first film was a groundbreaking and visually stunning achievement, Avatar 2 falls flat in every other aspect.
It is clear that James Cameron is more interested in showcasing his CGI skills than in crafting a compelling and well-written story. The plot is weak and unoriginal, with shallow characters and predictable plot points. The acting is wooden and unconvincing, and the dialogue is cringe-worthy.
I was extremely frustrated with Cameron's obsession with CGI over substance. While the special effects are impressive, they cannot save the film from its numerous flaws. It is clear that he prioritized visual spectacle over storytelling, and the result is a shallow and unengaging film.
Furthermore, the film's runtime is excessive and indulgent, with scenes dragging on for far too long. I found myself checking my watch multiple times during the film, eager for it to be over. It was a tedious and painful viewing experience, and I would not recommend it to anyone.
Unfortunately, Avatar 2 is a huge disappointment and a clear example of style over substance. It is a prime example of James Cameron's ego and lack of storytelling ability, and I would strongly discourage anyone from wasting their time and money on this film.
Doctor Who: The Power of the Doctor (2022)
A crowd pleasing end to a divisive era
It's no secret that this era of the show has been divisive and ever since it's beginning I've felt that Jodie was always let down by mediocre writing among other issues however, this episode gave us some genuinely great performances and character work, it's nothing amazing in terms of it's story but for an era that has been okay at best it's great to be having something positive to say about it.
I've also got to address the elephant in the room and those who have seen the episode will know what I'm talking about, the way the ending is handled visually and story wise is beautiful really showcasing the higher budget of the episode and of course at the very end, I along with countless other fans watched in delight and I can comfortably say this is the most excited for the show I've been since Capaldi left.
Thor: Love and Thunder (2022)
Criminally unfunny
I'll be honest I went into this movie with abysmal expectations and you know what, I enjoyed it. It was nice seeing these characters again and of course the new characters. Christian Bale was a highlight in the cast giving the best performance in the movie.
The main issues with this film is that it's simply not funny, a comedy is supposed to of course be funny. Hearing the cinema audience laugh at every joke whilst I sat there in silence for the majority of the movie honestly made me feel like a paid audience was watching the movie because I can recall about a couplke ocasions I actually felt like laughing.
And don't even get me started on those screaming goats, they were funny for the first time but with every appearance the joke became cheaper and ultimately become a nuisance. There are also some huge tonal issues in this movie which at this point are reflective of the MCU as a whole nowadays. There are few minutes on screen without a joke, again that would be fine if the comedy was top notch but here it really isn't. These childish jokes ruin otherwise serious moments and give the impression that everything in this movie is a joke. Thor Ragnarok did a great job of shifting it's comedic tone when necessary and overall gave a highly enjoyable viewing experience, I don't know what happened since then but my gosh did they not learn from the sucesses of the previous movie, instead they cheapened serious moments and turned everyone we loved into a joke. The film itself even made a joke about Thor's lacking character development as of recently. A self aware movie can be great but it really isn't so funny when a character becomes completely incompetent.
Overall, as entertainment if you turn off your mind I'm sure you'll have a good time but by most other metrics this fell flat.
The Last of Us: Part I (2022)
The game we all love, now better than ever
This remake is simply the best version of the best game, updated facial animations propel it's storytelling to new levels while the graphics portray the disturbingly beautiful reality of the game's world.
Many people will point to the price tag as being too high and I think most will agree but I'm reviewing the game itself and it's simply perfection. When you remake an already perfect game there's only so much that needs to change and although some may find this disapointing. I think the reality is that the game needed little change, these next gen improvements bring the experience to new heights and ultmattely creeating one of the best looking games to have been released. The price tag is a boundry to many but when the price becomes more afforsable I think we all owe it to ourselves to experience this masterpiece either for the first time or once more because ultimately the true value of a game is subjective to you.
Doctor Who: Legend of the Sea Devils (2022)
Meh
Another episode of the same quality we've come to expect from Chibnall, sure it's not awful but considering this is Jodie's penultimate episode it's hugely disappointing. The fact that we've had 3 seasons of this and there are a couple good episodes says a lot.
The Book of Boba Fett: Chapter 5: Return of the Mandalorian (2022)
Shadow pilot for Mando season 3
As others have said, this episode is pretty much an episode of the Mandalorian and arguably among it's best. Some may criticise the diversion from the show's title character and brand this 'filler' but I assure you the return of Din Djarin is just as awesome as we've come to expect accompanied by some beautiful cinematography, a very very pleasant surprise in the long wait for season 3 of Mando.
Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021)
This really puts a smile on my face
To keep this spoiler free and brief I'll just say this, keep away from any leaks and just go see it when you can and you'll love it even more. The film does justice to it's characters and ties up some loose ends from previous movies.
Doctor Who: Flux: Chapter Four - Village of the Angels (2021)
This is the doctor who we loved
Not much has to be said here, the cutback in scale after last week's messy episode worked a charm here giving us the best episode since Capaldi's exit, it also adds a lot of intrigue around the division bringing the overarching plot forward.
Lost (2004)
A beautiful and misunderstood show
Lost started out in it's first season as a near perfect viewing and many claim the show goes down from there but don't be put off by these people. Many will call the finale a mess when understood correctly it's a perfect ending. So I urge you to watch this fantastic show filled with mystery and above all Lost is about it's characters and features some of the best character development in any show.
Now let's talk about quality, as a matter of fact I'd say the second season is the best for many reasons but to be brief, the show has it's ups and down later on in terms of quality but up until season 5 I'd argue it's a perfect viewing. Season 5 and 6 may be weaker as people say but it's still far more meaningful than your average Marvel show. I urge you to watch this fantastic series!
Lost: The End: Part 2 (2010)
A beautiful end to a beautiful show
As someone who recently finished watching Lost, this episode was all I ever wanted. A beautiful and tearful conclusion to a wonderful show. They really did the characters justice here in the church scene.
Doctor Who: Flux: Chapter Two - War of the Sontarans (2021)
Return to form for Doctor Who
Best episode since Capaldi's exit.
Separating the Doctor from her companions gave her the chance to shine, we saw the darker side to 13 and it payed off. The Sontarans were very enjoyable to watch and overall it was a great episode. This is coming from someone who disliked a good chunk of the last two seasons.
The Walking Dead: Here's Negan (2021)
The Walking Dead at it's best
Here's Negan is EXACTLY what TWD is at it's best, not only the best episode since Rick's departure but one of the best episodes of television as a whole. The episode synbolizes a major change in Negan as a character fronted by stunning acting and emotional payoff.
The Last of Us: Part II (2020)
A divisive masterpiece
The Last Of us Part 2 was never supposed to be a game everyone liked, it was not supposed to be strictly 'fun' to play. This game was designed to be divisive to tell the story Naughty Dog wanted to tell. The story is far from garbage, it's not the most complex either but instead similar to part 1 it's about the way it's told and the emotional impact it carries. By showing you the other side of a story it gives a unique and brave narrative which to me at least it payed off considering at the start of the game Abby is made out to be a cruel monster yet by the end of the game I felt such dread when Ellie almost killed her. If Ellie had killed Abby she would have become what she swore to destroy and completely lost her humanity. I would also like to say that the writing is very subjective, it's supposed to be uncomfortable and that's what makes it so emotional and powerful. I will publish a full story discussion elsewhere but my point is that the story is supposed to be divisive and not liking it personally doesn't make the game a trash game as many people have said.
My next point is that the graphics and gameplay in this game are so good to the point where we are close to photo realism, the photo mode feature offers some great chances to take some amazing photos. This game is a technical masterpiece considering all this is possible on the 2013 PS4. The gameplay is so fluid and realistic it truly shows the impacts of your actions and how messed up Ellie really is and the lengths she goes to achieve revenge.
I would also like to say that the soundtrack to this game has been commonly agreed even by people who dislike the game as something masterful, never have I played a game that conveys so much emotion and description through music. I'd even say this is a step up from part 1 in the music department.
Before making my verdict I'd like to say this. Whether you dislike the story line or not, the gameplay and graphics alone topped with the music make this an instant 7 for me, the atmosphere conveyed here makes it worthy of a high rating already with the story being hit or miss.
Verdict:
Storytelling 8.5/10
Music 10/10
Gameplay 9/10
Sound design 9/10
Set pieces 8.5/10
Emotion 9.5/10
Graphics 9/10
Character development 9.5/10
Atmosphere and tone 9/10
Gameplay style diversity 8.5/10
Philosophical value 8/10
Replayability 8/10
Attention to detail 10/10
Final verdict:
The last of us part 2 is a masterpiece in storytelling, delivering a worthy sequel to The Last Of Us. It gives you a more simplistic story but one that carries the emotional punch of the original and one that will likely leave you feeling saddened by it's ending but one that will be divisive for years to come. All this is packaged by the most atmospheric and visually stunning experience in a game I have ever had. Games as good as this are a rarity for me, well done Naughty Dog.
Score 10/10