Nahid_15 Reviews

The Batman (2022)

The Batman film we deserve!

[10/10 · 8 March 2022]

There's something biblically beautiful about this film given the way everything ties up at the end. Prior to its release, everything Matt Reeves had promised about The Batman made me more and more enthusiastic about it and all the news and behind the scenes seemed to hold so much possibilities. But admittedly I was a bit scared about it at the same time. Well, Matt delivered on his promises, and I am grateful for that. The movie is absolutely astonishing in every aspect. Everything seemed like it was thought out and was as Matt intended it to be. It completely floored me.

Gotham has never before felt completely rundown. They really hammer home the point that Gotham is a hellhole on earth. People can't possibly survive in a place such as this - hence a true paradise for criminals. From its Gothic architecture, to its rain-soaked streets, and even its people, Gotham seems to have a character of its own. The cinematography is another thing that I couldn't get enough of. Throughout the experience, I was captivated by its beauty and became completely immersed in it. Scenes are lit in a certain way and especially the way the light falls on The Batman. Greig Fraser really outdid himself this time around. He contributed to the realization of this version of Batman and then some. Michael Giacchino as always does his job brilliantly. His music composition here really compliments the film. After they dropped the new Batman theme, before clicking on it, I wondered what could possibly be different. Once I did hear it though, I was like okay this is actually good, and it grew on me as I listened. I was curious to find out how it would play out in scenes. I have to admit, it blends in so seamlessly, whenever it is used.

One of the highlights of the movie for me is the relationship between Gordon and Batman. They are like true partners, both in the gutter fighting for the same thing. You can sense they both rely on each and have mutual respect. Homie goals! With Jeffrey Wright in the role you can't go wrong. The guy is brilliant and he plays Gordon wonderfully. His Gordon might be my favorite version of the character. Zoë Kravitz as Catwoman is something I wasn't initially sure of but she has sold me with her feline like walking, long nails, slyness, alluring quality that not only appears believable but also adds to the character that she portrays. I thought she and Alfred were the heart of the movie. That brings me to the character of Alfred played by Andy Serkis who is really good in the role. My only gripe with the movie lies with Alfred not having much screen time. My boy Colin Farrell steals every scene he's in. He completely disappears in the role of Penguin. Paul Dano's Riddler is surprisingly nothing like the Riddler we're used to. This time he's stripped off all of his silly and campy aspect. He is scary and sadistic to the point that I was creeped out several times while watching. I really liked what they did with Riddler here.

Robert Pattinson's Batman is vastly different from anything we've seen in live action. Pattinson portrays the character as a recluse, restrained, tethered to the trauma of his past, always brooding and discontented for not being able to do enough. Since he devotes most of his time to being "Vengeance", his night and day blur together. He has not yet been able to distinguish between Bruce Wayne and Batman. He rarely speaks in this film and appears to be constantly observing. As if he's on the outside looking in. Trying to connect with what has been lost. However, when he puts on the cowl and all, he exhibits fear like no other. It was thrilling to watch how his presence was being perceived by everyone around him. I also liked how at times, even Batman himself starts to question his purpose, whether he's fighting a losing battle. He has a whole arc and by the time the film ends he seems to have a grasp of what he needs to become for his city. I cannot stress enough how much I loved what Matt and Pattinson did with the character. They made this already deeply damaged character even more damaged and vulnerable. There's room left for more to do with the character.

I can't think of anything that bothered me much. I love that scenes are really drawn out and how it takes its time setting up the mood. I also love how Batman is investigating a case rather than just beating people up, and occasionally, he makes mistakes. Finally a film that gets the character right. Though I know many people have issues with the third act, I like how it all comes together and ends on a hopeful note. I think it's inescapable that it would be compared with the TDK trilogy, because let's be honest Nolan set the bar. How realistic comic book characters can be. However, it is foolish to disregard either filmmaker's efforts at bringing the characters we all love to life, just because you prefer one over the other. As for where I'd place The Batman, I'm still unsure. But for the time being, it's just beside The Dark Knight. One thing I'm sure of is that it is the perfect Batman film. It's the one we didn't know we needed, but the one we absolutely deserve. It proves yet again that comic book movies can be more than just entertainment.

tick, tick... BOOM! (2021)

Andrew is something else here.

[9/10 · 26 November 2021]

"Why does it take a disaster for things to change?"

The whole time I could hear this ticking in the background. The tension, the urgency, and the time is running out and we aren't doing enough. We gotta do something. Something that would make us feel alive. Anything.

Andrew Garfield is such a brilliant actor. The film is incredible in general, but his performance is something else. I didn't know he could sing this well. The music is really good, the rythym even impelled me to dance at times. The film made me think about art and the struggles that come with it sometimes. I just felt so connected to the entire thing.

Raya and the Last Dragon (2021)

Have fun in Kumandra!

[8/10 · 29 March 2021]

"It may feel impossible but sometimes you just have to take the first step, even before you're ready."

It's been a long since a good original Disney movie came out. It feels fresh and quite entertaining as well, despite being bogged down a few times. The characters are well constructed and you can sense a real conflict between them. With the gorgeous animation, the world it presents is really beautiful to look at. When it comes to action, and there are a few, I think it shines there as well. The sword fighting and hand to hand combats are impressive which kind of surprised me a bit, as I can't remember the last time when there's a sense of intensity in a fight sequence of a Disney animated movie. Well, the plot is nothing new. I mean, they've used every trope you could think of in the narrative, but that doesn't necessarily a bad thing if they're done right, and I think they've achieved just that quite efficiently. All around, it's a really good movie with enjoyable characters and appreciable coming from a studio that's immersed itself in taking the easiest route these days. Have fun in the Kingdom of Kumandra!

Midsommar (2019)

Had so much potential

[5/10 · 24 January 2021]

For some weird reason I just kept putting it off hearing people saying how great this movie is, I thought, I'd watch it when I'm actually in a mood and I felt like I should be prepared or something. So, I finally watched it today and while watching it I thought to myself that it couldn't possibly become more pretentious but it does. I wanted so much to like this movie but how it actually turned out, it just doesn't do for me, I'm afraid. It has everything it needs to become a good horror film, starting with gorgeous cinematography, a creepy cult, eerie soundtracks and spooky imageries, and a good setup but everything falls short for its incessant self-indulgence. This movie had so much potential, I honestly don't know exactly what the director was trying to convey and I don't know what I was expecting either but this certainly could've been better. I guess, my expectations got a little too high, as it's from the same guy who made Hereditary which I think is absolutely amazing, but this film turned out to be rather disappointing. Well, as disappointed as I am, I still think it's a beautiful-looking film and Florence Pugh is amazing in it.

Carol (2015)

A perfectly orchestrated film that's a dreamy experience

[9/10 · 9 December 2020]

It's a romantic drama about two women falling in love in the 50s. Rooney Mara plays a quiet young woman who still isn't quite sure about the purpose of life, and Cate Blanchett plays a sophisticated woman who's going through a tough divorce. It's based on a 1952 romance novel "The Price of Salt" that was pretty popular at the time.

Everything about this has drawn me toward it. It's quiet and mesmerizing. The whole look of the film feels authentic, it's grainy and its toned-down color, feel like something that's made in the 70s. It boasts nuanced performances, and cinematography which brings a sense of sincerity to it. I honestly can't find a flaw in it, except the relationship that's formed between the two, felt a bit distant at times, although the more I think about it, it could've been intentional. The film is perfectly orchestrated and I had a wonderful experience watching it.

Once Upon a Time in America (1984)

Sergio Leone's finest work is poetic and beautiful

[10/10 · 3 December 2020]

This film is so poetic and beautiful. I'm a huge fan of Robert De Niro and I love gangster films, but for some reason, don't exactly know why, I've been putting this one off for so long. It's such a massive film but everything is so precisely done that you can't help feel absorbed by it.

The story's about two best friends Noodles (Robert De Niro) and Max (James Woods) as they rise to become a group of deadly Jewish gangsters from street thugs in New York City, spanning over 50 years or so. As Noodles returns to the city 35 years later who once had to flee following an incident, is now confronted with the life he left behind. The first thirty-nine minutes of the film has mystery, thriller vibe, I was wondering what was going on. Then it goes to the childhood segment of the film which contains some of the best stuff I've ever seen. The entire film has this nostalgic feel to it, growing up and loss of innocence, reaching a certain point in someone's life where they look back to their past, sometimes with regret.

The characters are written in a way that they're all flawed human beings. Some of the stuff these characters do really wouldn't set well with you. I was conflicted time to time, seeing these characters doing all these horrible things. As the film has three timelines and it tells the story in a non-linear way, which actually servers it a lot, it tackles different stages of characters' lives rather smoothly. Everyone in this film gives great performances, Especially Robert De Niro and James Woods. I can't say enough about De Niro's performance. His character doesn't say a lot in this film, I mean there weren't like any screaming your lungs out scenes, but his subtle expression lets you know what's he thinking. Ennio Morricone's score is so perfect that it hits every note. The cinematography is magnificent, some of the shots where they captured the landscapes, the old architectures of New York City, the whole look of the film feels authentic.

Sergio Leone's Once Upon a Time in America is undoubtedly one of the finest films ever made and calling it an epic is no exaggeration. If it wasn't terribly butchered at the time of its release I think it would've gotten a lot more recognition, which it clearly deserves. You can tell it was unlike any other project he took on as he spent more than a decade to make this film happen. If you do decide to watch it though, don't even think about watching the other versions, just go with the extended cut. It's 4 hours long, it takes its time to take you in, but it's so masterfully constructed that rarely a scene feels irrelevant and it's totally worth it.

Shame (2011)

Michael Fassbender is insanely brilliant.

[8/10 · 28 August 2020]

"We're not bad people. We just come from a bad place."

The film is profoundly sad. It brilliantly depicts what is the true effect of addiction. How it sucks the life out of someone until they are forced to give in to their desire, thus becoming just a hollow shell of a person. The whole thing has an unsettling vibe to it, and the color tone and cinematography do help the story to move forward. Steve McQueen as a director really shines here. He tells the story with subtlety, like there some scenes where the characters don't say much, and he relies on visuals to do the work.

As for the acting, Michael Fassbender is insanely brilliant as he is in all of his other films. This role requires a lot from him like he has to be charismatic, also has to bring a sense of vulnerability to the character which he does amazingly. Carey Mulligan's character is sort of this broken person who clearly has a past with her brother, at least that's what I got from some of their awkward encounters.

It's kind of a tough film to sit through, so it's not recommended for everyone.

Defending Jacob (2020)

Loved the ambiguity of the show, but the ending could've been better.

[8/10 · 10 June 2020]

Minor spoiler at the end

It tells the story of a family when their 14-year-old son accused of murdering his classmate. The family goes through this unimaginable situation, and this show focuses on family drama really well. As the case progresses, a lot of evidence comes forward that makes the parents wonder whether their boy did it or not. And this is what this show does better than other crime dramas. It keeps you in a dilemma about the very thing like the characters. Also, it shows what we say or do on social networks without thinking twice, how it can affect our lives. Chris Evans plays an assistant district attorney, who is also the father of the accused. He is fantastic in this role (it looks like he's going to have quite a career after MCU). Michelle Dockery as the mother gives such an amazing and powerful performance. I really felt what she was going through. And she's my favorite character in the show. Jaeden Martell is simply brilliant. I feel like he has the toughest job in the whole show playing a character like that. His character doesn't have a lot of dialogue, so he has to rely on expressions most of the time. He has this innocence on his face, at the same time some of the things he says or subtle expressions he gives, although understandably he's just a kid, some evidence might make you rethink about him. He really nails the role. Looking at his performance I started to think that this is exactly why child actors need to be nurtured properly because they are important. That's how we get great actors because they get the chance to hone their skills and improve them over time. Also there's a surprising cast if you haven't watched the trailer. This show is amazing. Episode 7 by far one of the best episodes I've seen this year. Some stuff happens, and I thought to myself this is it, I couldn't imagine how they're going to go forward from that. Apart from the last episode about which I have mixed feelings, I really love the whole series. There was this storyline I don't think it was necessary, or it could've been executed some other way. The more I think about the final episode the more it feels detached from the rest of the show. I'd have given it a much higher rating if it wasn't for that. I'd recommend binging this show. And it's definitely worth watching.

*Spoiler Alert*

I love the ambiguity of this show. It leaves you with this question guilty or innocent?. For some reason the ending kinda reminds me of the ending of Prisoners. Although in no way the both are similar. While I do understand the frustration but I kinda like that they didn't reveal who is the murderer. That whole storyline, when they go on a trip to Mexico it was kinda boring. At that point, after that engaging episode before the finale, it felt like they were unnecessarily stretching. Also that whole thing, where Laurie isn't sure what to do after learning the truth. She attempts to kill herself and Jacob. And nothing much happens to them.

The Half of It (I) (2020)

It was trying to be many things at once

[6/10 · 7 May 2020]

For some reason I was hoping it wouldn't be just another teenage romantic comedy. Although it isn't the worst, certainly it isn't that good either.

A smart, shy but cash-strapped teenage girl named Ellie Chu, who doesn't have many friends, and for extra-money she always does homework for her classmates. One day a fellow student named Paul Munsky approaches her for helping him to write a letter to a girl he likes at their school, the same girl that she also likes.

The overall narrating of the movie is kind of confusing, feels like they were aiming for something that wasn't there in the first place. It could have been much better if it wasn't for the messy tone of the movie. Sometimes it was trying to be inspirational, giving insights about the nature of love, trying to dive deeper into some other aspects, and other times it was trying to be quirky high school romantic drama. While it attempts to avoid the genre tropes, but unknowingly ends up using them itself. I think the first half of the movie is much stable than the second half, that's when you could notice the confusing tone shifting. I mean I was genuinely enjoying it until the second half, where it started to feel like it was trying to be many things at once. It goes on for a bit too long I'd say that it kind of forgets its own path.

One of the good things about this movie is Ellie Chu played by Leah Lewis. I thought she's a lovable character. I liked where she ended up at the end of the movie. The other characters are okay. The movie has a calmness feel to it. It's predictable and cheesy at times. Nonetheless, it is watchable. I give it props for at least trying.

Chinatown (1974)

It's got one of the most depressing endings to a movie, if not the most.

[10/10 · 1 May 2020]

"Forget it, Jake. It's Chinatown."

A true work of art. A classic that still holds up to this day. With Roman Polanski as the director, Jack Nicholson, and Faye Dunaway's performance, also its film noir approach was enough to hold my attention until the very end. Chinatown is a mystery film. Jack Nicholson plays Jake Gittes, a private detective who is hired by a woman to investigate her husband's extra-marital affair, finds himself in the middle of the water scandal. Through the course of the film, he realizes that the situation he's in is full of mystery, murder, corruption, and deception.

What makes this film so great is its screenplay which is regarded as one of the greatest screenplays of all time. There isn't a single scene you'd find unnecessary. Every interaction, every choice, even the smallest details have their purposes of being there and do add to the whole of the film. As Jake Gittes figures out something, we as the audience learn about that information too. This isn't just about solving a murder mystery, it also focuses on the hero complex and the dark side of humanity.

You can see the influence of earlier film noir. The haunting and evocative music, the stylistic approach to the cinematography creates a peculiar atmosphere, also its captivating storytelling certainly makes it a genuine film classic that requires multiple viewing. Not that it's complex to understand but to appreciate it fully. As a fellow internet citizen said, "It's got one of the most depressing endings to a movie, if not the most." I was sort of in a hypnotic state after finishing the film. I can't talk about this enough. I love everything about this film.

Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile (2019)

Zac Efron really nails it

[6/10 · 16 April 2020]

Such an odd tone for a movie like this, although it is a bold move. This isn't just another conventional psychological thriller. Rather they approach the story differently. The story told from Ted Bundy and Liz Kendall's point of view. So right off the bat, you should know that this movie isn't going to deal with the gruesome aspects that everyone usually expects from these kinds of stories

I love the cast. Zac nails the character so well that for a moment I was almost convinced there might be a slight chance that Ted was innocent, despite knowing about him before watching the movie. Lily Collins portrays a damaged character really well. Also Kaya Scodelario gives a decent performance.

This movie had potential. I'm a bit disappointed because such a story deserves better. I feel like they go for so many shortcuts unnecessarily. It has some pacing issues and a poorly managed tone, but I enjoyed the movie regardless. I would say this is worth watching for Zac Efron's brilliant performance.

The Matrix (1999)

"It is not the spoon that bends, it is only yourself."

[10/10 · 27 March 2020]

Got myself plugged back into the Matrix again after six years. I still remember what it felt like when I first saw it. I was a kid looking in awe at the TV thinking this is the best movie ever! It's amazing that it still holds up after all these years. Very little about the look of the movie has dated. It looks much better than most of the action and sci-fi movies today. The plot, the pitch perfect casting, the amazing visuals, masterfully choreographed action sequences, brilliantly executed scenes. It has some of the dialogues that make you think about the nature of our reality. The thought that was put into this movie is mindblowing that I can't give enough credit to the directors. It revolutionized the sci-fi/action genre and the influence still can be felt today.

Doctor Sleep (2019)

A worthy successor to The Shining

[8/10 · 7 March 2020]

From the get-go, I was truly anxious about this movie, when they announced that they're gonna do a sequel of The Shining. Many people already know that Stephen King isn't a fan of Kubrick's adaptation of his work, so this movie not only had to please the fan base of the book but also had an impossible task of being a sequel to one of the best horror movies ever made, sounds quite agitating, right? With them recreating some of the scenes and recasting some of the characters I thought it'd throw me off, but it didn't and I gotta say everyone knocked it out of the park.The director does a brilliant job of maintaining an engaging narrative and making his mark on the film while paying homage to its predecessor.

Mike Flanagan is undoubtedly one of the best horror movie directors working today. Those who are following his career would know that he has a unique way of story-telling. Unlike other directors in this particular genre, he doesn't heavily rely on jump scares rather focuses on the characters. This one is also no different than his other work. Doctor Sleep focuses on psychological aspects of Dan Torrance played by Ewan McGregor, who is still traumatized by his childhood experience and the young girl Abra Stone played by Kyliegh Curran, who also possesses psychic powers called "the shining" like Dany. And there's a cult of psychic vampires called the True Knot, led by Rose the Hat played by Rebecca Ferguson that feeds on people with psychic powers. The interesting thing here is the story doesn't forget to show the side of the villain, which horror movies usually don't.

I saw the director's cut which is about 3 hours long. The run time may seem too long for many people, but it didn't bother me that much. The first half is a bit slow which I do think is necessary and gives us some time with the characters and chance to know them better. Everyone in this movie does an outstanding job, especially the young girl Abra Stone. Kyliegh Curran is such a brilliant actress and she really shines in this movie. Ewan McGregor managed to capture the troubles of having a traumatized childhood and what can lead to that. Rebecca Ferguson with her menacing charisma gives a terrifying performance.

The movie deals with addiction and overcoming past trauma. It has a riveting storyline with a lot of layers in it and amazing cast and their performances and a talented director behind helped it to become one of the best horror movies of 2019 and a worthy successor to The Shining. Although I haven't read the book, I think for the most part both sides of the fan-base would be satisfied with this.

I do recommend watching The Shining before watching Doctor Sleep though. And check out other films of Mike Flanagan.

Motherless Brooklyn (2019)

Solid crime mystery with great acting and the perfect setting

[8/10 · 1 March 2020]

This movie has surprised me more than I thought. I've always loved Edward Norton as an actor. In my opinion, this guy rarely has a misstep in his career so I got pretty excited when I heard he's been working something. By the look of it you wouldn't be able to tell this is his second movie as a director. I wouldn't say that it's a masterpiece or anything but a damn good one.

The movie is set during the 90s in New York City. Everything from the set design to color and music and the calm atmosphere felt astounding. From what I know he's been trying to make this movie for years. You could tell that a lot of thoughts were put into this like something that was made with care.

Edward Norton plays a character named Lionel Essrog, who has Tourette syndrome and works at a detective agency. He lived in an abusive orphanage when he was a kid alongside a few others. Bruce Wilis' character Frank Minna, their boss rescued them from that abusive orphanage and gave them a purpose in life. Lionel because of his condition most of his life felt detached but Frank recognized his talent and sort of took him under his wing and nicknamed him "Motherless Brooklyn". One time Frank was working on a secret case that gets him killed and that leads Lionel and the others to investigate the reason for their boss was killed. While Lionel is talking to people despite his difficulties and trying to put together the missing pieces of the puzzle to get the exact story he realizes that it isn't just another simple case and there is a lot more to it than meets the eye, Frank was involved in something and found want what he wasn't supposed to. Lionel continues his pursuit to get the bigger picture.

The only thing that bugged me the most is that Lionel's condition which makes him say things repetitively, and constant touching of people on the shoulder while talking to them face to face were surprisingly well accepted by everyone he met. Anyone didn't seem annoyed, said anything insulting or made fun of him, I doubt people were that accepting and conscious of people with disabilities back in the days. Other than this I mostly enjoyed everything.

Overall, This is an absolutely solid crime mystery with great acting and the perfect setting. While I do think it's a tad bit long but it is worth watching for sure.

The End of the F***ing World (2017–2019)

This show is f***ing amazing (Season 2)

[8/10 · 12 January 2020]

I fucking adore this show. Absolutely loved This season. Though the tone feels a bit different this time, I mean the dynamic between James and Alyssa, also the subtle humor is still there but I thought it isn't quirky or weird as the first season. This season is more emotional I would say. It is about grief, and we meet a new character this season, so the three main characters are dealing with something in the past. The cinematography is beautiful as before and the fucking soundtrack, man it is really awesome. The first episode may seem a bit out of place, but trust me after watching the whole season you'll appreciate it more. They ended the season on a good note. I'm not sure if we're going to get another season, but if not I think it is perfect as it is. I don't know for some reason after finishing it I'm feeling a bit strange like I've lost something. Lastly, I've had a good time watching it. It is really worth watching.

Parasite (2019)

Simple yet realistic

[9/10 · 12 January 2020]

This is undoubtedly one of the best movies of the year and I think the best work of Bong Joon Ho yet. It's a very funny and playful movie. You can't pin it down into one specific genre, much like Bong Joon Ho's other work. Some moments are absurdly funny while others are intense. The premise is about a poor family who lives in a small basement apartment and struggling in their everyday life. One day one of their family members gets a chance to work as an English tutor for the daughter of a wealthy family. The poor family sees this as an opportunity to scam this wealthy family and they find a way to all work for them. Things get more serious after the first half because some stuff happens and the poor family has to deal with it cautiously. What is amazing about this movie is the story is simple and realistic, but told in such a fresh and unique way that it feels relatable and larger than life. The director shows the irony of life. How two separate classes of people in a society perceive things differently. While watching the movie, it was so engaging that I felt like it was controlling me with its beautiful cinematography and well structured plot.

The Dragon Prince (2018– )

The final battle may have ended... but the final war.... has just begun. (Season 3)

[8/10 · 12 January 2020]

Oh man, do I love this show. It's frustrating that not a lot of people are talking about this show. I wish it got the recognition it deserves. This show is so underrated. I can't believe what the show has become. The creators of ATLA have created something amazing again. This is by far my favorite season. It is pretty fast paced, also the story flows more cohesively than the previous seasons. It's remarkable how they have managed to develop the characters and you get to know which character is on which side in such a short span of time. Though I feel like Ezran's storyline needed a little more time. It is just way too rushed in my opinion. Loved the progression of Callum and Rayla's storyline. But the real MVP of this season is Soren. How he redeemed himself. Soren is great! Needs more appreciation tbh! About the animation. The character design and everything look incredible except the slow frame rate that bugged almost everyone in the first season. It made me think that maybe it wasn't the best idea to blend 2D and 3D, but once you get used to it you stop noticing it as much and you can appreciate how beautiful this show truly is. Since the last season they have improved the animation and raised the stakes on a grand scale. When it comes to Dragons, my goodness they are massive and gorgeous. The final battle, oh man, it is really epic. My only issue is this show needs more episodes per season. Now I'm just really hoping that the show gets a season 4.

The Boys (2019– )

Superhero reality check in effect. Really loved it

[9/10 · 31 July 2019]

I wasn't even impressed with the first trailer, so I didn't have much expectation. I just finished watching it last night, and I have to say this show is just amazing. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Superhero reality check in effect. The premise that's been done plenty of times before but the talent behind this show Eric Kripke, Evan Goldberg and Seth Rogen they all did an incredible job. It has its own style, It's fresh, the story is solid, liked the characters dynamic, also I thought the world building is really well done. I loved Antony Starr in Banshee, so glad to see him here after a long time. He's fantastic in this show. Karl Urban's character is my favorite, most of it was because of his accent!

Definitely one of the best series this year. It's such an entertaining show and I loved it. I highly recommend this show to everyone except for the people who can't stand cursing and violence, because there's a lot of it.

Stranger Things (2016–2025)

Season 3 Review

[9/10 · 10 July 2019]

This season is everything I expected from this show. I wouldn't say it is perfect but It is a very compelling one, at least to me. I saw a lot of people complaining about this season being so predictable and there wasn't much intensity to the story. While I somewhat agree with the first point but the second point was patently absurd. You can't expect every show to be mind-bending and full of twist. It has its own thing and the characters that people really care about. They knowingly embrace the cheesiness and It works for the show.

The stakes are raised even higher than the previous seasons. The first few episodes were a bit slow but we get more time with the characters and seeing them learning things about each other was a wonderful experience. Everything from the cinematography to the production design is top-notch. The CGI in this season, my goodness! It is incredible. Seems like they went all out this season. Some new characters were introduced. Some of them work well with the story some of them didn't add much. I particularly liked Robin and Alexei. All the kids did a great job with the acting. Eleven is by far my favorite character of this show. She once again proves that she's one of the best talents working today. Dustin is as lovable as always. Even though I missed him with the gang for the most part but I enjoyed Him and Steve doing stuff together. In this season everyone is separated into different groups and they are all engaged in things that are somehow connected to the main story. Each character had something to do. I thought it was great. I liked the friendship between Max and Eleven. Lucas was charming as always. I enjoyed Erica's sarcasm. Mike is irritating for some part but in the end he comes around. They could've done better with Will's character. It seems like he was in a vegetative state for the entire season. He didn't have much to do aside from sensing the Mind Flayer whenever he was nearby. As for Nancy and Jonathan, they didn't have much of character development as I hoped. Although Nancy has some cool action sequences. Joyce and Hopper's performance is fabulous.

This show is extremely well directed. The last two episodes were nail-biting. I thought the pacing was much better than the last season. There was something constantly happening, so I never felt outright bored for once. I felt when each specific thing happened. Most of the choices they made with the characters worked for me. I thoroughly enjoyed this season. I'm really excited for what comes next.