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martinmidt
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Reviews
The Shield (2002)
Good, but only last season is great.
I've had this show on my "to watch" list since it's original run and finally got around to binging on it this summer. Having had high hopes for it after the buzz that surrounded it at the time, I have to say I was somewhat disappointed and considering jumping ship several times.
Having watched all 7 seasons in a matter of weeks, I find the first 5 seasons to be quite repetitive. The same story arcs and "twists" return over and over, both in individual episodes and over the course of seasons. The "strike team puts the squeeze on some banger and he immediately gives them what they want" gets tired after a while. I also find the character development to be very lacking or at times almost random in nature. I also dislike that story arcs are started, but then dropped for no discernible reason.
That being said, the atmosphere of the show for a large part very captivating, and there are many strong acting performances. It's also fun to see so many actors that have since become stars in their own right playing bit parts.
I also like what I really hope is a conscious effort at subtle character depth for Vic, such as him continuously referring to the Armenians as "Balkan bastards" (Armenia is nowhere near the Balkans). And him falling for the thimerosal leads to autism ploy (which is definitively 100% false). It's seems like just the kind of things a street, but not book smart person like him would think.
What brings the series up from a 6 to a 7 for me is the final season, especially the second half of it. The ending of the series is really top-notch stuff, and all the more rewarding when you've slogged through every episode.
Chopper (2000)
Fantastic performance by Bana.
I usually don't write reviews, but I have to comment here on how frighteningly well Eric Bana portrays Mark Read. Everything from his seemingly good-natured sociopathy to his mannerisms and way of speaking jumps out at you and grabs your attention.
I never considered Eric Bana more than a handsome face, but he clearly is. This performance is mesmerizing.
Other characters are also portrayed admirably well by a supporting cast that is unfamiliar to most non-Australians.
The movie as a whole suffers a bit from it's untraditional structure and some experimental choices that does not improve the end result. Being based on Reads own writings the story does not follow a traditional arc, which is both a strength and a weakness.
In my opinion the producers have gone a bit overboard with the bleak/grimy blue, green and red filters, and to me it becomes distracting rather than providing the mood intended.
All in all "Chopper" is well worth the watch just to see how good Bana can be when he is actually challenged.
Arrow (2012)
In a word: Meh..
So I've see 8 episodes now, and this is it for me. The story line is trite and predictable, the acting is sub par and the hero is frankly an idiot.
I've seen people on here talking about how this is an "alternative" take on the vigilante/superhero story, and that it's mysterious and dark and to that I say: really? Have you seen ANY TV? Because this is neither "alternative" mysterious or dark. It is down the middle of Bland Road to Boredom..
There is literally NOTHING, no really, Not. One. Single. Detail. about this shot that is original in any way.. All I want now is for the "hero", his family and his friends is that they are locked up for life for being awful at everything that they do... Really.. If not for the decent production value this would be a less entertaining Batman (the one with Adam West). Don't waste your time on this.