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The Acolyte (2024)
Who wrote this?
Being a lifelong fan I've absolutely loved every single Star Wars series that Disney have thrown at us since the acquisition of the Star Wars brand, so going into this with high expectations was a given.
First things first, the look of it all, sound design, cinematography etc are all absolutely exemplary. Each scene looks stunning, the outfits, practical effects, and CGI are all first rate, I honestly cannot pick a single fault.
So what's with the low rating?...
Well, it just all feels a bit off, the casting, the writing, the character development. It's all very amateur. Almost like someone had been set a high school assignment to write a screenplay for a Star Wars story, and ended up using ChatGPT to do it. Damn it's awful. Some of the dialogue almost feels forced, I just cannot take it seriously.
Then there's the casting and characters themselves. The majority are just so unlikable, or better yet forgettable. With the exception of Indara and Sol, I cannot stand the rest. With Yord being possibly one of my least favourite Star Wars characters ever to grace our screens. And Mae being the most unconvincing Jedi Killer since that clone trooper took out Plo Koon during order 66.
When Disney announced they were to be telling a new story set during the high republic era which will be a dark tale of Jedis being murdered, this is a million miles away from what was expected. So disappointing.
The Matrix Resurrections (2021)
Wasted opportunity
I must have watched the original 'The Matrix' over 100 times on VHS, it literally defined an era and pushed the boundaries of what action / sci-fi films could do. Fast forward 20+ years, and it's time to revisit the beloved franchise with 'The Matrix Resurrections'.
Now to say I was disappointed by this film would be a huge understatement, I can't pinpoint it to one single fault with the film, rather lots of small ones making it an underwhelming experience.
As the film heavily uses flashbacks to the original trilogy, I think it's only fair to use comparisons to the cinematography of the originals. They were stunning to look at, each scene iconic, action sequences that would stay with you for a lifetime, bullet time sequences that were mind blowing, I think you get the idea. This new edition doesn't have one single scene that blew me away, some mediocre actions scenes for sure, but nothing even close to the originals. Which will have you sometimes questioning are you even watching a Matrix movie? Also the CGI compared to other recent blockbusters doesn't seem up to scratch, with the inclusion of some cutesy CGI machines they've befriended looking ridiculously out of place.
Onto the cast..Now losing Lawrence Fishburne, and Hugo weaving as Morpheus and Agent Smith is a major no no for me, the new actors are just massively miscast, not because they're bad actors, they do a great job, they just lack the intensity the original actors had, and it just feels wrong hearing "Mr Anderson" being said from anyone else. Also I didn't feel Neil Patrick Harris's roll as the main antagonist 'The Analyst' was sinister enough, In fact I just couldn't take him seriously.
The sound track to the film didn't work in my opinion as well, the originals had that techno / grunge style going on which added no end to the whole tone and feel, this one hasn't anything like that until the end credits?
I know it's a bit of a buzz word these days but the whole thing just felt like a really woke unnecessary addition to a beloved franchise.
WandaVision (2021)
There's zero point rating it until the end of the season.
The one major criticism I've got from the first two episodes, is the fact it's been released episodically, rather than in one go.
The style / formula Disney has gone for (for better or for worse) isn't going to sit well with casuals, and will probably lose them a lot of viewers.
As far as the first two episodes are concerned, I sadly didn't enjoy them at all, it just didn't work for me. Although I'll stick with it, with my fingers and toes crossed that it gets better, and rate it accordingly once the seasons finished.
Project Power (2020)
Perfectly average
In one of the opening scenes there's a shot of a map showing you all the different Power related crimes happening live across New Orleans, yet you never see any of this carnage, just a few sporadic crimes here and there, surly the city would be in complete disarray?
It just feels like one big missed opportunity, as the concept, and the cast are great.
No where near a great film, definitely not terrible, just forgettably average.
Avenue 5 (2020)
You'll be hard pushed to find a show this bad.
As an avid fan of Hugh Laurie, and a fellow Brit, I was looking forward to this. HBO at the helm, and a great cast, what could possibly go wrong?
Two episodes deep, and I'm absolutely dumbfounded that this show got passed for release. It's ridiculously bad. The jokes are horrendous, there's not a single likeable character, even the set designs are annoying!
So it's safe to say if you're looking for some sci fi slapstick which is genuinely funny, well written, and worth your time, stick with Red Dwarf or The Orville. Both are superior in every single aspect!
Star Wars: Episode IX - The Rise of Skywalker (2019)
As always, dismiss the ridiculous 1 star reviews.
Best of the new trilogy? Absolutely! Anywhere near the original, and prequel trilogies? Absolutely not. Did I sit and grin, laugh, and get emotionally attached at points? Absolutely! Even if you're going to be the harshest of critics, surly the wonderful John Williams score is worth a star? Then the effects, the time and effort that's gone into creating them is astonishing! So there's two stars! Then the performances put in by the cast? Everyone gave 110% whether you enjoyed it or not! So there's 3 stars which are pretty much a given! Yeah there was some gaping holes in the story, and some of it felt like JJ was simply clearing up after the last mess, trying his hardest not to upset the fans. But all in all, it's a great little nostalgic trip, which I've enjoyed to no end.
The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance (2019)
Stunningly beautiful.
In a time of movies and shows overly saturated in CGI, this is an absolute breath of fresh air! Such a beautiful show, with the upmost care, love and attention clearly put into each and every scene.
I'm a massive fan of the original, I've lost count how many times I watched it as a kid. And I can wholeheartedly say this show lives up to all the hopes and expectations I had.
Sit back, relax, and let those nostalgic feels flow!!
Another Life (2019)
Ouch..
As soon as the artefact landed, looking like some seriously bad SyFy channel CGI I knew this was going to be bad, but I thought I'd give it the benefit of the doubt.
Now three episodes deep, I can honestly say other than Kate Sackhoff, I've never hated the cast of a series so much before. There's not a single believable person let alone likeable on the ship? The fate of humanity rests on these millennial whiny idiots?! Really? Jesus..This is no where near the quality Netflix usually churns out. Avoid!!!
Midsommar (2019)
Blown away.
I so hope Ari sticks to directing horror, as he's got it down to a fine art. I absolutely loved Hereditary, so to get a follow up of this calibre is an absolute joy. Not necessarily a scary film, more unsettling and unnerving, in the same sort of vein the original Wickerman gave me. Not only that, you got to give it to him, the film is absolutely beautiful to look at as well.
Star Trek: Discovery: Such Sweet Sorrow, Part 2 (2019)
Simply stunning!
Now that's how you finish a season properly! What a finale! From start to finish this episode had it all, and left me on the edge of my seat. After watching this I still cannot believe there's people hating on it, if you don't like it, why the hell are you still watching it after 2 bloody seasons!
Star Trek: Discovery (2017)
So many Butt hurt fanboys, it's ridiculous.
Take it for what it is. A great looking science fiction show, which takes a familiar brand and puts a different spin on it. It's full of thrills, action, laughs, and above all, it doesn't take itself too serious, which sadly cannot be said about a lot of the fanboys.
Sit back, relax, put everything you thought you knew about Star Trek to one side, and enjoy. It's fiction after all, no need to get butthurt.