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Reviews
Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake (1990)
Best In The Metal Gear Series
It's a shame this is probably the least known Metal Gear game in the series, however this is probably down to the fact that it was only officially released outside Japan in 2006. When many people mention the Metal Gear Solid series they think of MGS (PS1) as the game which set the foundations of the series we all love today, in fact they are wrong, the foundations were set 8 years earlier, in this game. MGS1 merely converted MG2 into 3D, I'm not picking on MGS1, I love it and it totally revolutionised the cinematic experience of games with it's awesome voice acting and great cut scenes. But in terms of game-play the game doesn't differ that much from its predecessor. In fact a lot of elements from MG2 were carried over to MGS1 and reused!
Having to warm/cool a key. Running up several flights of stairs with guards chasing you. Meeting up with a woman dressed like a guard in the women's restroom. Getting a call from a person claiming to be one of your fans. Being ambushed in a elevator by 4 guards. A fist fight. Entering the first building using an air vent. A fight with a Hind D.
Anyway, like I said, this isn't a dig at MGS1, it's just that I think Metal Gear 2 doesn't get the credit it deserves.
What makes this game so good that I claim it's the best in the series?
Well, the story...which is a big improvement on the first Metal Gear (which didn't really have an in game story). It's got twists, turns, betrayals, returning characters, motives, love affairs and a huge confrontation between Snake and the second biggest character the in whole saga. The story is portrayed through text dialogue, mainly over the radio screen but it's to the point and not much waffle which is nice. There are some sad parts, some funny parts and some downright cool parts. Solid Snake's accomplice on this game is called Holly White and she's downright less annoying than Meryl from future MGS games, in fact her and Snake seem to hit it off well, they have chemistry and it comes off really....cute. They seem perfect for each other, where as with Meryl, she's like a damsel in distress, she acts immaturely and it seems like Snake is always babysitting her. With Holly it's different, Holly is funny, she has nice banter with Snake, she's got attitude and her and Snake just seem a lot more suited to each other.
Colonel Roy Campbell is here as your main point of information and unlike Metal Gear 1 you won't repeatedly get the same radio messages every time you visit the same area, that was an irritating bug in the first game. There are some other people here to help you out over the radio, each with their own specific knowledge who you will have to call at specific times in the game in order to understand what the hell you are suppose to be doing. That's another plus about this game, it has puzzles, it's not easy, some puzzles in the game will resort in you using trial and error methods unless you cheat and use an FAQ.
This game introduced a much welcome 9 screen radar system at the top right of the screen. The screen with Snake on will always appear in the middle and you can see where guards are on the different surrounding screens to help you get by undetected, it's a cool feature in the game and a feature used in the later games and it was amiss in MG1. Snake can now crouch and crawl, there are hole in walls you will need to crawl through and there are some spaces you can hide in if you trigger alert mode. You can knock on wall to lure guards, another big element used in the later games.
The sound is great. It has a nice variation of music, all 8 bit renditions of course but like I said; the variation is there....frantic, weary, calm, sad. The music is just all around excellent. A huge improvement on Metal Gear 1 where all you heard mostly was "Theme Of Tara" which is a good tune but it gets very monotonous quickly. Metal Gear 2 has many more songs suited to the different environments in the game and they're all very atmospheric.
A lot of MGS fans choose to snub these two games, because they are "BORING N CRAPPY 2D GAMES WITH NO STORY". MG1 might fit that description although I don't think it's boring, but MG2 just took it to a whole new level. I much prefer the story of Metal Gear 2 to that of the likes of Portable Ops or even MGS4. These fans call for these games to be remade and frankly, I'd hate for this game to be remade. It is so far ahead of its time and really did set the foundation for the games these "fans" enjoy. Remaking this would just turn what's already an great game into a 3D, over the top, retcon filled piece of garbage. This game explains itself well; it's got a story, a great story. It's got good game-play, solid game-play. In fact the dialogue between the final boss and Solid Snake is the best I've seen in the series, the intentions, the emotions and the motives of both characters are expressed brilliantly.
This game is worth 4 hours of anybodies time who likes a great game with fun game-play and a good story to boot. If you're an MGS fan then you really should have played this game by now, you can find this game along with its predecessor Metal Gear 1 on the second disc of MGS3: Subsistence for the PS2. The fact it was made in 1990s testament to what a great developer Hideo Kojima and his team are.
Rocky V (1990)
The Best Sequel Since Rocky II.
Whilst I hold Rocky I and Rocky II as the best in the saga Rocky V for me easily sweeps third spot. People expected something different to what this movie actually produced and I get the feeling some people would have rather had a cheesy boxing film like Rocky III and Rocky IV and have Rocky take on an ultimately unbelievable opponent. Well sorry, not here. I like this heart filled and story oriented film, unlike Rocky III and Rocky IV this film isn't primarily about boxing, it's about Rocky trying to pass on his legacy to a young boxer who eventually stabs him in the back.
In training this young boxer Rocky neglects his family and starts to forget what means the most to him. Perhaps he feels that Tommy Gunn is the only way to bring the money and the flash lifestyle back to him and his family, but by the end of the film you will know that the only thing which ever mattered to Rocky was his family and his own self respect. This trumps Rocky III and Rocky IV in the fact that it had an emotional impact, which both of those films lacked. Mickey's and Apollo's deaths were played out within two or three scenes before Rocky is back with the cheesy music preparing to take on an unbelievable opponent in those films, you practically forget that those characters died. Where as in Rocky V after losing his money and then being convinced by Adrian not to fight (remember this line "I don't care about the money, it's you" or something similar?) that scene right there had an emotional impact. That impact played out for several scenes including the epic flashback scene in the old gym with Mick, which was probably the second most emotional scene in the entire saga after Rocky reading to Adrian whilst she is in a coma. With Rocky low on his chips, he trains an upcoming fighter who quickly replicates Rocky's style and hunger in the ring however eventually shows that he doesn't have Rocky's heart when he leaves Rocky for a selfish promoter weho promises Tommy fame. The film deals with what was a big issue in boxing and that is corruption.
With a damaged brain and haunted by visions of his previous fights Rocky is in no shape to fight but the ruthless Tommy Gunn persists and eventually knocks down Rocky's closest friend Paulie, to which Rocky can take no more, demanding Gunn meets him outside for the biggest and most emotional fight in the saga.
Easily laying Gunn down in the first round Rocky claims his anguish at what Gunn had done to him stating that he and Gunn were suppose to be like "Brothers", hurt; Rocky makes his way back but Gunn isn't finished he sneaks up behind Rocky and attacks him cheaply in the street. Rocky dazed and confused takes Gunn's best punches, each one triggering flash backs to the powerful Russian beating Rocky. Eventually Rocky is put to the floor and Gunn cockily strides off with his promoter.
BUT Rocky isn't down yet, his last inspiration comes in the form of a vision of Mickey who proclaims "He's no machine, I didn't hear no bell! GET UP YOU SON OF A B|TCH! COS MICKEY LOVES YA", no Rocky fan can deny that this line sends a tingling down their spine and a sparkle in their eye as Rocky rises and shouts to Gunn "Hey Tommy! I didn't hear no bell! One more round", Gunn obliges whilst his promoter who doesn't believe Gunn has what it takes to beat Rocky in a street fight shouts "You lose you're finished!". So this is it Rocky and Gunn exchange blows before Adrian and Robert arrive at street side to offer their support, when it looks like Rocky is losing their cries of support spur him on. Add to this the awesome music and you really have an epic battle.
Eventually Rocky starts to feel Gunn getting tired and unloads everything he has on him and knocks him into a police van which then leads to Gunn being arrested. Rocky's family run to comfort him. Rocky's feeling of betrayal and woe is quickly removed with the chants from around the street and the blessing of his friend the Father of the local church. Rocky walks away smiling, the journey is complete, he started out with nothing, he proved his self worth, he's found what matters to him, his family and his pride. The ending sets up nicely for the "they lived happily ever after" type finale.
Rocky isn't about boxing, it's about a man proving his self worth in the world. Rocky III and Rocky IV detracted from this premise, but Rocky V returns to it. With the emotionless and storyless boxing films which are Rocky III and Rocky IV, Rocky V easily ranks above them for me.
It's sad to see Stallone criticise this film so much. I thought he'd be one of a few who realise what makes this film so good but he seems to back down to the media and the critics of this film by branding it as garbage. Maybe these critics would have been more satisfied with Rocky v Ivan Drago II or Rocky v Clubber Lang and Thunderlips for Rocky V. For me, and some other fans, Rocky V came full circle, the emotion is there, the story is there and Rocky pretty much nails his character again. After Rocky III and Rocky IV I thought it lost because in those he doesn't act like the good willed, street wise guy who comes out with these bashful sayings like "I see like a beetle or something" instead he talks like John Rambo and is perfectly polished. He tries such bashful lines in Rocky Balboa but they totally fail:
Rocky: "Jamaica?....European."
That's pityful, and cringeworthy.
The Simpsons: Bart the General (1990)
Best Episode Ever.
There's not a new episode which comes close to this. Why? Well lets look at it, the plot isn't some whacky rubbish unlike most new episodes. It doesn't have rubbish cameos from washed up celebrities. The plot is something kids can relate to, bullying. They took a real lie issue and made it funny. Homer giving Bart advice is hilarious "Remember the family jewels son!", that's what made Homer funny, he was a caring Father struglling to do his best for the family, his blunt and often naive ideas were often misplaced but his intentions were good. In newer seasons he's just a uncaring inconsiderate jerk, the warm yet funny character from the early series is not present in the newer ones. When Homer says "Let's dry those tears" and then proceeds to blow Bart's face with a hair dryer; I practically roll of the floor laughing when I see that, it is brilliant; that is humour and that is clever humour at its finest. Any new episode is not comparable with this, it's quite simple brilliant.