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Reviews
Walking with Beasts: Mammoth Journey (2001)
Musical genius once again!
I'd like to start this review off by saying that Benjamin Bartletts music for this episode is just perfect again. The fact that the Manmoth Journey theme is present in almost every scene of the episode in some variation is just a whole other level of brilliance. Now to get to the actual episode. As far as animals go, I have to say that this is the least interesting episode, due to this one featuring mostly the ones everyone knows and loves. The Neanderthal costumes also look a bit uncanny, even by 2001 standards. Walking With Cavemen definitely pulled them off better. Story-wise however, this is pretty much perfect. They really upped their game when it came to storytelling this time around. And I think the final scene of this episode might be my favorite scene in all of Walking With. I still get goosebumps to this day whenever Kenneth Branagh says "No species lasts forever" at the end of this one.
Walking with Beasts: Sabre Tooth (2001)
Now THIS is what I'm talking about!
And right after the worst episode of the show, we have the best one. First of all, it's such an interesting concept to place an animal very familiar to most viewers in an environment very different to the one we're used to seeing it in. And this is in my opinion where Walking With's storytelling peaks. Well, besides Ballad Of Big Al of course. And the creatures are so awesome. Macrauchenia is one of the most funny looking animals in the show and I love it, even if it's possibly not scientifically accurate anymore. And obviously... Watching Smilodon kick ass is so much fun, especially the fight at the end.
Walking with Beasts: Next of Kin (2001)
Thank god for Benjamin Bartlett!
Yeah, this is the worst episode of the show. No doubt in my mind. And not just Walking with Beasts, it is the worst thing that has come out under the name "Walking With". Okay, maybe not worse than the movie, but the sevond worst. First of all, something just looks off about pretty much every CGI model in this episode. I thought maybe it's because this episode features some real animals as well, but most models still look bad compared to models from other episode. And the saddest part is probably that the worst model in the episode is that of the main animal shown off: Australopithecus Afarensis. It just looks uncanny. If you ask me, it would have been better to just use actors in suits for Afarensis, like they did in Mammoth Journey for Neanderthals and early Homo Sapiens, and also literally did for Afarensis in Walking with Cavemen three years later. The story is also kinda stupid. "Blues tribe hates him, nevermind, they don't, he was just to introverted to get it". The only saving grace of this episode is that Ben Bartlett, the composer of the music, just went crazy with the music for this one. Seriously, listen to "The Great Journey" and tell me that that is not the best piece of music in the whole show.
Walking with Beasts: Land of Giants (2001)
Wait, I thought this was meant to be the highlight?
I hadn't watched this episode in forever until recently, but I always remembered this episode being my favorite growing up. After rewatching it, I think I was just obsessed with the Enthelodon, because this episode is not as good as I remember. It's still good, the Enthelodon fight is awesome, tha Calicothere, even though not focused on at all, is such a fun animal and the story of the young Indricothere is really good as well. But... I just felt a little bored during the middle part of this episode. I don't know why that is, I just find everything inbetween the Enthelodon fight and the young male being outcast by his mother to be boring. Also I don't get why there's just a random shot of a Hyaenodon hunting an Enthelodon which then turns into bullet time for no reason other than "The Matrix came out that year".
Walking with Beasts: Whale Killer (2001)
Great episode, could have been even better though
Welcome to Walking with Beasts' version of Cruel Sea! Just as with New Dawn, I think the creatures are definitely the highlight of the episode. But I do feel like you could have given a bit more of a spotlight to the land creatures. The main focus should rightfully be on the sea animals, but Andrewsarchus is such an interesting mammal and I can't help but feel it was underused. And before you say that the focus of the episode being undersea creatures makes it impossible to put a focus on Andrewsarchus, remember Eustreptospondilus and Ramphorynchus in Cruel Sea. Those guys still had some great scenes. I think Andrewsarchus only has two scenes, in one it eats a turtle and in the other one, two Andrewsarchus try to steal a stillborn Embolotherium calf from its mother. One or two extra scenes would have been good is all I'm saying. Other than that, fantastic episode.
Walking with Beasts: New Dawn (2001)
Great animals, a bit too brutal
If this was purely based on animals, this would probably be my favorite episode. I love this time period as a whole, the animals are extremely weird and I love it. Ambulocetus is one of if not my favorite extinct mammal, and while I know that the Gastornis is outdated, it's so awesome to see it creep around during the entire episode and to finally see it catch a Propaleotherium. And the Ideal of the episode just showing 24 hours in the lives of these cestured to show the danger that comes with living there even in just one day. Based on that, you'd probably think this is my favorite episode. But it's not. And that's for one simple reason and it's really petty. The ant scene traumatized me as a kid and to this day I still can't watch it, I think it's just way too cruel, even for a nature documentary, and that's why this is "only" an 8/10.
M*A*S*H: Dear Dad (1972)
A Lot Funnier Than I Remember!
I definitely did not rememver this episode to be this funny when I watched it the first time. This is a really fun episode, my favorite part probably being Radar mailing a Jeep home piece by piece. Klinger actually wanting to kill Frank still sits wrong with me though, that just doesn't feel like something Klinger would do. I get that they hadn't fully figured out his character by then, it was only his second or third appearance, but still.
And the final scene of Hawkeye going to the frontlines to help some wounded soldiers dressed as Santa Claus is a great ending to not only this episode, but also the first half of season one.
M*A*S*H: O.R. (1974)
SO UNDERRATED!!!
This might be the most underrated episode of M*A*S*H. On paper, it's just a longer version of the O. R. scenes, but there are so many small moments and details that make this episode great.
The little moment Hawkeye shared with an ethiopian soldier near the beginning of the episode was heartwarming. The little heart-to-heart between Trapper and Frank makes me wonder what could have been if they decided to give Frank character development. And Hawkeye performing an open heart massage and still ending up losing the patient is so heartbreaking.
Also this is the episode in which Sidney Friedmann says his famous line: "Ladies and gentlemen, take my advice: Pull down your pants and slide on the ice". And I think every M*A*S*H fan knows and loves that quote.
M*A*S*H: The Incubator (1973)
Perfect humorous take on the army's incompetence
This episode really stuck with me because of its ability to show the army's incompetence and illogical decision making in a funny way. Don't get me erong, I love when M*A*S*H gets serious, but this is great as well.
The major not willing to give up his incubatora is hilarious. The line "If i use one and it breaks down, then I only have one" gets me everytime. And the press conference from the General is funny as well.
The irony of not being able to get an Incubator as a M*A*S*H, but a barbecue is fine, is (while it is played for laughs in the episode) really sad.
Also Henry reading out the report of what Hawkeye and Trapper did at the press conference is so funny.
M*A*S*H: The Trial of Henry Blake (1973)
Good Job, Mr. McLean Stevenson!
This episode is written by McLean Stevenson and... I gotta say it. This is one of if not THE funniest episode of the show. And almost all of that is achieved by great acting by McLean and Gary Burghoff, as well as clever writing. I'm beginning to really appreciate McLean Stevenson on this rewatch, if you didn't realize yet.
Radar trying to sell shoes (and succeding) is the best thing ever. And considering the quality of the rest of the episode, I can also suspend my disbelief at the horrible CGI during Klingers flight with the glider.
Also I just realized Jeff Maxwell is in Season 2 as well, I thought his first appearance was in Officer Of The Day for the longest time and now I feel really dumb.
M*A*S*H: Sometimes You Hear the Bullet (1973)
The moment M*A*S*H became M*A*S*H
This is the episode I would credit with first having M*A*S*Hs signature blend of comedy and drama. The A Plot is more serious, though again, like in Yankee Doodle Doctor, only towards the end of the episode.
I feel like not a lot of people talk about McLean Stevenson in this episode, because he is brilliant. The speech he gives Hawkeye still gives me goosebumps to this day. A lot of people don't really agree with me, but in my opinion, Henry is one of the best characters in the show. I love this man.
And seeing Hawkeye lose his friend on the operating table Was gutwrenching, even when I first saw that scene without watching any other scene of the episode or even the show, because that was the first thing I saw of M*A*S*H. And this episode is probably a better first impression than the pilot itself, so good thing this was the first M*A*S*H episode I watched.
M*A*S*H: Yankee Doodle Doctor (1972)
The first glimpse of what's to come
This is the first episode in which M*A*S*H does what it does best. That being serious topics. For the most part, this episode is pretty lighthearted, a camera crew and a director come to the camp and want to shoot a documentary, Hawkeye and Trapper expose the film because they don't like the portrayal of the work they do. Then they shoot their own version.
They later watch their production in the mess tent and it's a goofy, silly comedy movie, like you'd expect from Hawkeye and Trapper. Also quick side note, Alan Aldas Groucho Marx impression is spot on.
But then we get to the last scene of the film. Hawkeye sits in front of a patient and explains to the camera that the man has a 50/50 chance of survival and they can't do anything now except for wait. He then leaves the room, uttering the in the community now iconic words: "Not a very happy ending for a movie. But then no war's a movie."
While only a very short moment, this is the first time the show got serious and it would become known for its handling of serious topic, so this is an important milestone for the show.
M*A*S*H: Chief Surgeon Who? (1972)
Hey, Klinger's here!
Finally, the first appearance of Corporal Maxwell Klinger. He's on of my favorite characters in the later seasons, but for now, he's a fine throwaway gag.
This is also the first of many instances of people thinking that Hawkeye doesn't know what he's doing, in this case General Barker and Frank. I never really got why that was, the man's a surgeon, course he's gonna know what he's doing. Then again, Frank is a surgeon as well...
Watching these early episodes is so weird though, seeing Spearchucker, Ginger and that guy with the moustaxhe and the weird hat again is so odd after seeing the later seasons, especially because none of the supporting cast of the later seasons are in these episodes.
One final note, I did like the last scene of Hawkeye helping Frank in the O. R., that was one of the few moments of the show where I actually didn't despise Frank Burns.
Also Radar is really good in this episode.
M*A*S*H: Requiem for a Lightweight (1972)
Fine Trapper Episode
It's a good Trapper episode about him training for a boxing fight, which they need to win, in order for Nurse Cuttler to be allowed to return to camp.
There's no particularly great moments that stuck with me, but there also wasn't anything bad, and Henry is funny as always.
It's quite clear however that the show has not found its groove yet (but to be fair, I'd argue that doesn't happen until season 3).
This also marks the first appearance of William Christopher as Father Mulcahy, whose presence isn't really integral to the show yet, but I still wanted to mention it anyways, as he will be important later on and I needed to hit the minimum word count.
M*A*S*H: To Market, to Market (1972)
One of the best of season one
Most certainly one of the best season one episodes. Henry wanting to brag about his desk being made of oak while everybody already knows cracks me up. The scene with Frank and the watch-seller is quite funny as well. But the stand out scene for me is the one at the end in Henrys office. Frank being at an absolute loss for words at the sight of the entire back wall of Henrys office missing, while Henry is just concerned about his alcohol and his desk. That is probably the funniest scene of season one, and as I said, this is definitely a highlight of the season and an iconic episode. Even outside of season one (which yes, I do consider to be the worst season of the show), it's still an above average episode.
The Lost World: Jurassic Park (1997)
Not as good as Part 1, but still good
I really like this movie and am of the opinion that it could've been on a 9 out of 10 level with some of the deleted scenes still in it and some parts being cut out. The fact that Tembos relationship with Ajay was cut out entirely is just sad and Ludlow breaking the Baby Rex's leg would've been a good addition as well. That being said, I love the acting performances in the movie, especially Goldblum and Postlewaithe are doing a fantastic job. I do not like the main T-Rex scene however. The parents first attack the group AGAIN by throwing the trailer off a cliff, even though they've already got their baby back and THEN they come back and eat THE ONE GUY THAT DIDN'T DO ANYTHING TO THE BABY! Makes no sense. But to end on a positive note, I think this movie is much more fun to watch than the first one. But it is worse than the first one.
Jurassic World Dominion (2022)
Not the finale I hoped for
I had my hopes relatively low after seeing the review scores. And I have to say, I loved almost everything about the first half! Alan and Ellie getting up to their shenanigans, Malcom making the movie better just by opening his mouth and talking. And then the second half started. Oh boy, was it boring. It was basically characters who you knew would live because some scenes from the trailer still hadn't happened with them in it running away from stuff. And when said scenes from the trailer were over and the characters FINALLY weren't safe anymore... the movie was done. I'm not kidding. I counted 5 deaths in this film, just as many as in JP 1. The difference however is that in JP 1, all deaths meant something because we got to know the characters before they died. In this movie it's 4 no-names and Dodgeson, who I also never cared about (kinda ironic). Speaking of trailers, you know how they promised dinosaurs on the main land??? Yeah, not in the movie. In the movie it's all about locusts. Also they didn't really bring the franchise to a close, they just finished Wu's character-arc. And they didn't even do that right. I will say that it's an alright movie if you're willing to turn your brain off and the performances (especially Jeff Goldblum and B. D. Wong) were good. But overall, I'm not happy. It wasn't as bad as Fallen Kingdom, but it was just really disappointing as what is basically meant to be a series finale. So it's alright, it just underdelivered massively.
The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003)
The perfect finale for the perfect trilogy
So, I might be a bit biased here, considering LotR is my favorite movie trilogy of All time and this one is my favorite movie of All time, but it's just so beautiful to see All the build-up from Two Towers and especially Fellowship come together in this masterpiece of cinematography.