Mon_T Reviews

Madame Web (2024)

An overly hated, but average, movie.

[4/10 · 16 February 2024]

From the moment the movies trailer came out I felt like I was playing devils advocate when all I could hear was the constant nitpiking and complaints. Madame Web was such a unique concept to todays overly persistant sequal after sequal releases. I also loved the idea of all these Spider-women who've spent years and decades the comics finally being able to grace the Hollywood spotlight.

Yet when I was in that cinema I couldn't help but get mixed reactions. There was so much inconsistently, so much telling and explaining more than any showing or action. Pacing was off and situations the characters go through are treated really unrealistically. Don't get me started on the corny dialogue.

Although I'm not a ranter who'll join the hate train without acknowledging the things I did find nice. Not phenomenal or spectacular, but nice.

The animation isn't that horrible. Sure there were one or two scenes that definetly looked iffy but the rest was pretty good! Good to know that $80 million wasn't entirely wasted.

Costuming is very debated but me personally I loved the spider-suits! Bit hesitant when I watched the trailer, however in the movie it sort of grows on you. Not only spider-suits but the overall costuming was pretty good in representing the characters.

Camera work had it's cool moments, not all the time, but enough that it kinda snaps your attention back to the screen for a few seconds. However, I never liked how fast it all was, with some scenes it makes sense, but in some scenes it's not nessassary at all.

Those three are honestly the only things I can point out. I felt like there was so much potentional for this movie to be greater, and I'm disapointed that this is the first movie to introduce such wonderful comic characters! Sony, you can do so much better if you pay attention to what the public wants!

Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017)

"Don't do anything I would do, and definitely don't do anything I wouldn't do"

[7/10 · 21 August 2023]

This alternate look on Spider-Man's character in the MCU is pretty controversial... Maybe it's because he's not as solo compared to the Raimi or Web trilogies. Me personally? I don't mind it, I find it fresh to see a new personality to Peter that still has hints of the comics in them. There's plenty to enjoy in terms of how the mcu has slightly changed the classic characters we love and cherish. I do also think it's good how they presented teenagers as well, teenagers, instead of the ol' "sterotypical" teenagers.

Comedy is may get a bit bland after re-watching the movie a couple times, but it's still overall pretty good. I wouldn't rank this at the top, because there's plenty of inconsistencies that I'm not a fan of. Although I think it's good. Not great, not bad, good.

The Amazing Spider-Man 2 (2014)

The Potential it had to be one of the greatest

[8/10 · 15 August 2023]

First of all, this suit is my favourite live-action suit. To me it's my definition of "Spider-man" in terms of trying to implement a comic suit. The swinging scenes are also one of my favourites, something Raimi and the MCU versions couldn't do. I adore the interactions between characters such as Peter & Aunt May, and of course, Peter and Gwen. The whole main lead roles take the cake, so much life for characters that people would have been getting bored of. Though, none of these characters are boring, even the ones I'm about to rant about weren't at least boring.

Now, in summary of the things I disliked, the ending, Green Goblin, Electro, that whole Peter parkers dad arc. They all have on thing in common, they were rushed. The ending lacked that suspense from for the Green Goblin because we only get to see the Green Goblin once. The actor for Electro was brilliant, but the directors definitely did him dirty in how they wanted Electro to sound/act. Although at the start he was good, but the sudden twist to hating Spider-man came out of nowhere, hardly made sense. The Parker dad arc could have been something really brilliant, but it didn't seem like it related to the main plot at all. Perhaps if they made a third film they would have been able to explain it better.

Overall, loved it! Such a fun movie with the top tier post-production team todays MCU and DC live action films just can't combat.

Over the Garden Wall (2014)

There's nothing like it, and there will never be anything like it.

[10/10 · 24 July 2023]

At the end of Halloween night I love to watch this over and over again, there's so many hidden details and artistic wonder that it never get's old. Standing on it's two feet even beside todays tv shows. Something about it just separates itself from the others, a strange odd show that leaves the audience wondering.

Something that made this appealing to me when I was a kid, was how serious it appeared (amidst the obvious cartoonish art style). I loved feeling like I wasn't just a kid, but a person, being treated like a person listening to poetry instead of being blasted with colours and toddler jokes (cough cough, Teen Titans Go). I will forever be glad that my parents had decided to play this show on the big TV screen for me.

When I first decided to re-watch the show, I think it was my first introduction to a "serious" cartoon. All the time before I always considered animated shows to be only for kids, and that's that. But this series changed my perspectives entirely. Now I see them for what they are, and were. Thank you, to all those who made this masterpiece, thank you.

Justice League vs. Teen Titans (2016 Video)

I mean, it's not horrible?

[6/10 · 24 July 2023]

Much like the other animated movies this one has absolutely amazing action and fight scenes. It's honestly the one thing I remember from this movie. Felt like the plot could have been better if they centred the focus around other more specific characters that the whole arc was supposed to be about.

Character designs looked relatively nice, a lot of people like to complain about how gloomy or bland some of the characters looked compared to other versions from TV shows or movies, but I personally didn't mind them? I got used to it, is basically what I'm saying.

Plot was kind of forgettable, I felt like there wasn't enough stress at the climax of the movie and that made it less dramatic than how it should have been.

Young Justice (2010–2023)

Wow, where do I start?

[9/10 · 23 July 2023]

Started watching this show as just another filler for my spare time, but something about it just immediately stuck with me. The characters, dynamics, and jokes were keeping me in my seat. When the plot became more fleshed out I got invested so much that I managed to do an all-nighter just watching the episodes! (And occasionally talking to myself).

I do admit, seasons 3 and 4 really caught me off guard, but as I kept watching you do get used to it. Believe me, no matter how good you are at predicting an episodes ending it will NEVER be what you expect. Which is both a good thing and a bad thing.

The only reason I gave this show a 9 out of 10 is because of new characters being brought in with little explanation or backstory. I love to see them, but my only wish is to know more about them, and how they got there.

Overall, I have to say this is one of DC's best modern animated shows, the people who worked on this show know and appreciate the DC universe just as much as any other fan. Something a lot of other modern shows are currently lacking in.

Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse (2023)

The most Artistically driven movie to ever gain the spotlight

[10/10 · 5 June 2023]

Watched it twice over the weekend, this movie has to be the most expressive piece of media I've ever seen. It's clear after Spiderman: Into The Spider-Verse, there's was no longer any fear of taking risks. And in result, they went all out on this one.

The writing was also phenomenal, their way of explaining such complicated things towards an audience of both young adults and kids was incredibly well done. Nothings too fast-paced, or overly slow. These new characters you meet are refreshing, emotional, and fun. It's easy to get attached to these new heroes, I mean, I certainly did.

The villain has to be my personal favourite, their way of introducing him into the plot was down exceptionally. Fortunately I can't mention anything else to not spoil anything, but just know how the creative team represented him was so brilliant!

10/10 movie, it takes my top three spot with not a single doubt!

Voltron: Legendary Defender (2016–2018)

There is no Season 7-8 in Ba sing se

[7/10 · 22 May 2023]

You really get invested for the first season. There's so much charisma and character to each and every episode that makes it truly invest you into the plot. The art-style and designs of the characters and backgrounds makes it appealing to the eyes, even the effects are stellar!

Animation has it's ups and downs in certain parts, action scenes are enticing but not chaotic. Giving room to show off the funky gadgets and weapons.

But there's enough of me being generous, here's where things get real messy. As the seasons progress the overall plot starts to get complicated, like, really complicated. Characters motives get blurry and arcs are paused so that others get the spotlight (cough, cough, Keith).

Don't get started on the ending. When I first finished watching the last seasons I had never felt so unsatisfied in my life. Everything about it contradicted the characters arcs and motives, like the writers completely through it out of the window. Don't get me started on how they presented relationships in this series... Yikes.

Batman: The Animated Series (1992–1995)

An adaption that can never be topped

[10/10 · 22 May 2023]

I wasn't fortunate enough to have been born in the era this show was made, however, that never stopped me from watching the rumoured "Best Batman series".

I can faithfully say I was not disappointed, at first glance this show spent it's time introducing characters in a semi-comedic way. Although, as it goes on, you come to realise this is more than just a silly cartoon. It's goofiness does play a part, yes, but there's also some deep episodes that really stick with you. In the good way, of course.

The voice acting was phenomenal on all ends, there's something about the voice acting that this show manages to present extremely well, that more modern day voice acting lacks (Not to say it's terrible!). Kevin Conroy is now the only Batman and Bruce Wayne voice I'll ever hear. He made such a wonderful take to the characters personality, and I'm planning to continue to watch the other Batman projects he was a part of.

The Amazing Spider-Man (2012)

Underrated Reboot, the acting carried the overall plot.

[8/10 · 8 May 2023]

This was one of my childhood movies that I've decided to re-watch, and it's honestly not worth the amount of hate it gets! Of course it's obvious the animation, CGI, and effects are spectacular. But the new take the director took compared to the Raimi Trilogy had it's own set of potential pros and cons.

I loved the expansion of world building, as well as more details on characters that you would hardly ever see on the screen. It makes the plot appear more serious and entertaining, like a miniature investigation that you have to piece together by the end of the second film.

However, some parts do appear unnecessary, sometimes it feels like it was just dropped in the movie to extend time. Though maybe I'm just nit-picking.

Overall, very fun! A nice fresh take without removing what made Spider-man, Spider-man. Over hated trilogy that deserves at least basic respect.

Batman vs. Robin (2015 Video)

Talon carries most of the plot, but I'm not complaining.

[7/10 · 2 May 2023]

The overall art style has it's perks, some particular shots do appear awkward at times, but the overall style isn't a problem, if anything I've grown quite used to it. Same goes to the animation, the fight scenes are wonderful and action-packed, clearly there's been a lot of thought into the specific fighting styles each character has.

When it comes to the plot, Damion's conquest on deciding whether to be a hero as Robin or vigilante as a member of The Court of Owls is one of the good character arcs here. Not great, not bad, good. Although the perspective change with Bruce and the court of owls was a lot more interesting (Bruce seriously can't get a normal woman in his life, it's getting kind of funny now).

The pacing needed a lot of work though, time skips are fine in a series but pretty risky in a movie. This is one of those cases. At least a montage of Damion working along side Talon could make it feel more reasonable as to why Talon could trust him enough to introduce Damion to The Court of Owls. Same with many other interactions that I was really hoping to see could have been paced better.

Overall, the concept, art, and animation was what the movie strived with best. However, script and pacing could have used some more thought into it.

Teen Titans: The Judas Contract (2017 Video)

Like completing a random side-quest

[5/10 · 28 March 2023]

Even when writing this review down I'm still stuck with mixed feelings.

Sure there's entertaining dynamics, and ever so often good animation in particular scenes (Especially the action scenes, very fun to watch). What struck out to me was the plot.

Summary, it feels fast, very fast. All these different arcs from each of the characters were thinly scattered everywhere, hardly any development felt coordinated with the main plot. Most likely this would have been better as a series rather than movie.

Deathstroke and Terra's dynamic was... Well, very uncomfortable. But than again that was purposely done so. Just be prepared for some real creepy scenes if your not fully used to mature themes.

Along with fast pacing, some characters were much better than others. I found Terra as a character just mean for no reason sometimes, there's hardly context to why she's like this, or how the team had managed to tolerate it. Raven and Robin have way less screen time compared to the other films, Beast-Boy and Blue beetle were doing there own things and had the most character development out of the rest, and Starfire and Nightwing had the best dynamic both comedically, and seriously. Though Nightwing get's butchered, again, in action scenes.

The villains had memorable moments, though the finale was quite predicable, and Brother Bloods defeat was certainly rushed through to focus more on Deathstrokes fight between Robin and Nightwing.

Overall, average movie, felt anticipated to watch the continuation, just for the sake of getting answers to the bundle of questions this movie left behind.

Voltron Force (2011–2012)

A Hidden Gem that has potential!

[9/10 · 25 May 2022]

No complaints about the CGI, it was made in 2011-2012 with a average budget. Same goes for the 2d animation, though I can admit there were some oddities in some scenes, which I found more humorous than annoying.

Something I admire is the designs of the lions, each lion has a different personality and it shows, both in size, outside details like the weapons, etc... The design of the actual team was okay? Some has more details than others, but overall okay. That's the same with the villains, liked Lotors outfit but the colour palette of his fit would sometimes not look that pleasing to the eyes. Wades outfit was very bland and grey, but pretty sure that was purposeful for his character.

Story wise, it defiantly has it's perks. Having Lotors henchman create different monsters with episodes that'd consist of character developments for each character. It's entertaining enough where you keep watching and wanting for more, but some times scenes would be a bit "Oh boy another 3 minutes of monologues where I have no idea what they're talking about". However that happens on rare occasions.

There is something I still can't grasp whether I like it or not, and that's the introduction of the apprentices. I don't mind the apprentices themselves but I didn't know why it was necessary to add them, they'd taken over more screen time than the original paladins. I wasn't a big fan of that sudden change. Though I do like the dynamics between characters, and learning more about their powers & abilities.

I hate wade for all of my lifespan. Which is a good thing, the creators really did well in making you despise their villains. Wades an old'grump with terrible fashion sense. A-okay villain to me!

Overall, 9 stars, loved it, wish there was more and wish they'd done more with this show. There's some things we'd point out now as flaws, but of course back than the perception was different. One last thing, the intro music I personally found brilliant! It's how I remembered this show after not seeing it for a whole decade. I suppose the reviews on the music really vary on what type of music they like.