I'm pretty sure it was this show that made me fall in love with DC's superheroes. The DCEU makes me depressed. Maybe I'll rewatch this someday.
A beautiful tale of the price of glory and pressure society puts upon its greatest artists. But it is also a reminder to hold tight to those closest to you.
8/10
This is my favourite TV show of all time.
I'm aware of this miniseries' critical acclaim, but I'm quite mixed. Some episodes really express the soldiers' emotions, while others left me at a distance, cold and detached, struggling to latch onto or empathise with anyone.
There's a lot more telling in this series than actual showing, like stated loss instead of actually seeing it. I don't know. While watching this, I just thought back to "Saving Private Ryan", a fictional story, but one, nonetheless, that captured my mind and heart stronger than this miniseries did.
I don't enjoy biopics that much, but with such universal acclaim, I thought I might've loved it, but instead, I only liked it.
7/10
Series Review
Welp, I just finished "Hawkeye"! What do I think?
It's a mixed bag. The first two episodes were pretty forgettable, but the next three were good. The finale didn't stick the landing, but it's okay.
Episodes 1 and 2 were fine. At the start, Clint saved child Kate! It was an awesome idea! But since they didn't interact, the potential was wasted. Afterwards, the show kept both leads separate for the entire time! While Kate was engaging with the plot—which happened for no reason—Clint had more character moments but less screen time. The action also sucked: it was poorly choreographed and overly edited. Episodes 1 and 2 were a rocky start, so I had little faith in the series.
Then, Episode 3 changed everything—it was fun! It started with a villain backstory—after introducing them in the previous episode—and gave more representation to deaf/hard of hearing people. It's dealt with tact and empathy too. There's a scene where Clint can't hear his son on the phone, so Kate writes what his son's saying so Clint can respond. It's so bittersweet when he says,
Clint: "So happy to hear your voice."
Since we know he can't. The episode's quite fun too! In a long take, Kate fires trick arrows, Kate talks to a deaf Clint, and the best gag in the series involves a USB. Episode 3 is solid!
Episode 4 rolled around and continued what Episode 3 started. After bonding with Kate—what an adorable montage—Clint reveals his motivations; why he's doing what he's doing. He calls himself a weapon, and because he was a weapon in the past, he takes responsibility. So after Kate almost dies, he tells her to get lost, so nobody else gets hurt because of him. Episode 4 is worth watching too!
Then we return to mediocrity. Florence Pugh's scene with Kate was awesome. Not only did she question Kate's relationship with Clint, but also what it means to be an "Avenger". Characters throw the word around a lot. And it means a lot outside the MCU, but what does it mean in this universe? But then Clint asks for forgiveness like he's about to do something bad, but then he doesn't. So, what gives? Episode 5 sadly drops the ball.
Episode 6 doesn't pick it up either. Yelena decides not to kill Clint because he knew her so well? At first, she calls him a liar but then believes him because he knew Natasha so well (which she probably knew?). Even if you think it's this heartfelt, empathetic moment, there are no clashing ideologies here. Then, after Clint tells Kate to stay away, she fights alongside him, no questions asked. And Kate's mum reveals she was pushed into a hard place and had to do bad stuff because she had no choice, and Kate just let the police lock her up! While the episode plays it like it's nuanced, it's too black and white. Also, Kingpin is gone as soon as he arrived? The show forgot about Jack? Is Kate Hawkeye now (not that I'm complaining)?
Anyway, "Hawkeye" is a mixed series. It's fun, sometimes empathetic and tact with its representation, but it ultimately gives into mindless action scenes, lip service and dropping its many interesting character arcs. Still, I'm glad I saw something with my mum and dad.
7/10
"The Midnight Gospel" is a weird series. On the one hand, the animation is beautiful, abstract and imaginative. But on the other, the podcast philosophy talks are hard to focus on. I still hear the full conversations, but now and then, it sounds more like noise, and I let the animation carry me. It's an odd yet strangely relaxing series.
Joyful sigh.
“Over the Garden Wall.”
I love animation. The way it bends and threatens to transform into different shapes. The distinct art styles and unique interpretations of reality. It allows us to see things reality won’t let us, either because it’s difficult to see or impossible. I love it all.
It’s the spooky season, and what better way to start it off than by watching a spooky little animated series? A friend o’ mine told me about “Over the Garden Wall” back in 2019. But here in Australia, it wasn’t available on any streaming services at the time. Well, it’s available now, and I’m pleased to say I loved it.
Although it’s not Autumn here in Australia, this show gives you its fair share. Forests, bluebirds, pumpkins. All the strange characters our heroes meet on their journey are as zany as they are weird. It’s a peculiar show, but it feels familiar somehow.
The art style evokes old-timey animation; the 20s. The music, with soothing strings and Gregory’s catchy tunes, just sends me back in time. The eyes and some of the character designs remind me of Cuphead.
If you can watch the series, I highly recommend it. It’s only 10 episodes, and each episode is around 12 minutes long. It plays well episodically (at first, I watched one each day), but it also plays well while bingeing. I know my score doesn’t show it, but I wouldn’t change anything about this series. I adore it.
"Infinity Train" is... special. "Infinity Train" is unique. When I first got into this show, I was pleasantly surprised by how it provided consistent, short storytelling.
Season 1 is a good start, with a singular protagonist (who couldn't be more "the hero") as they change the entire train world by the season's end.
I fell in love with the series in Season 2. This season had two protagonists: Lake and Jesse. Both faced struggles I deeply relate to, and it continues the theme of friendship in a beautiful way.
Season 3 was the darkest and all the more interesting for it. It also had two protagonists, Grace and Simon, as they both learned what "empathy" means, let alone "sympathy".
Season 4 toned it down a bit. It's my least favourite of the series, but it was far from bad, so it didn't end on a downer note. It still followed two protagonists as they grappled with their relatable issues.
"Infinity Train"'s cancellation makes me very sad. I hope Owen Dennis can continue it someday because I would love to see four more seasons of this beloved cartoon. Maybe I'll watch other Cartoon Network series, who knows?
8/10
Although not everything feels earned, "She-Ra and the Princesses of Power" is still one of the best animated series to ever grace our screens. Its ephemeral beauty shines like a beacon against the darkness that reminds us that we are never strong alone. With our friends, we can do anything, and I think that's one of the best messages it could ever leave us. "We're gonna win in the end!" Yes, they did, and it was glorious.
SCORE: 7/10
Despite its slight writing issues, "Kipo and the Age of Wonderbeasts" more than makes up for it with charm, humour and good vibes all around.
Everything here is genuine. Everything here is complicated, mature, dark, and deep. This is the best television series, full stop.
SCORE: 9/10
Series Review
I'm tired.
Maybe I'm too critical, or perhaps I should give up on the MCU? The MCU fatigue is real this time, and it's getting old. No, this series isn't bad, and neither was WandaVision. But with each new MCU release, the more I'm pushed to the brink. I used to love this franchise, can you believe it? I loved all the movies, and I gave my money to the box office as reluctantly as any other MCU stan. Now, I'm tired. I'm tired of the same old stories, with their important messages, but poor storytelling.
Falcon begins by giving up the shield to the Smithsonian (museum), unknowingly handing the Captain America mantle to Walker. After Walker snaps, he reconsiders his decision. So, he talks to Isaiah Bradley (a black Super Soldier who the government rejected as Captain America), who tells him he won't make it, and becomes Captain America soon after. Was there any revelation here? What did Sam learn? He just went through a training montage, and then he was ready. What a relatable challenge that he went through that I can apply to real life! I just gotta ignore the haters, ya'll!
In some of these movies, the "character arcs" go like this: I want to do this, I face opposition, the opposition turns out to be wrong because..., I'm right, and I win. No one learns anything; all it says is that you're always right, and people who tell you otherwise are wrong. That's an empowering message, but has Marvel's writers stopped to consider that their audience might be the villains instead of the heroes; what if they're the opposition, and they're just wrong, instead of the heroes who are always right?
But this show does a lot I admire; a darker, grittier tone, better action (than some recent stuff), important themes and attempts at character arcs/development. Whew, I'm still tired, though.
As Cosmonaut Marcus writes,
"It was whatever." — Cosmonaut Marcus (https://twitter.com/CosmonautMarcus/status/1385534378239987712)
SCORE: 6/10
Well, I just finished the series. What do I think?
WandaVision began with a solid start. The whole sitcom format was always engaging, as it paid homage to a genre and era of television I haven't experienced. With these first few episodes, the mystery that follows each strange happening was interesting and had me excited to see the next episode. I wanted to see Wanda deal with her grief and come to terms with her reality.
Darcy Lewis, Jimmy Woo, and Monica Rambeau appeared, and I have to say the show lost some of my interest. Seeing Monica reappear in a post-snap world was exciting, and Jimmy Woo and Darcy Lewis were entertaining as hell! I was still curious about what was going to happen next, but I was a little weary.
Then the last few episodes rolled around. Monica Rambeau suddenly gets powers (for no reason?), Agatha pretends she's all-knowing by spewing exposition, and the show drops Quick Silver, Rambeau, Woo and Darcy to give Wanda and her family more screen time.
Finally, the last episode disappoints. I was so bored watching CGI fights that have no substance underneath them. Vision talking to the other Vision was cool and probably the best thing in the last three episodes. But then we go back to Wanda. She figures out that she's torturing people and finally lets go of her fake reality. But not because she's learnt to deal with her grief but because... uh... I don't know.
She lets go of her fake reality, and this happens,
Monica Rambeau: "They'll never know what you sacrificed for them."
Wanda Maximoff: "I wouldn't change how they see me."
But she sacrificed nothing; she was holding these people hostage, torturing them; she gave up a fantasy for them. Way to go, Wanda! Afterwards, she runs off to a cabin and doesn't have to face any consequences for her villainous actions. Yay!
So I guess the show is about how we're all destined to do terrible things and get away with it?
Overall, WandaVision is a fun time. Although the sitcom stuff had me weary, I preferred it to the answers we got in the last few episodes. Sometimes, the mystery is better than the answer.
TECHNICAL SCORE: 6/10
ENJOYMENT SCORE: 5.5/10
I've seen all four seasons, some episodes multiple times and I still can't remember what happened. It's like eating your favourite food in a dream. You gobble it all down, but you feel still feel empty. And then you wake up, hungry, longing for that food. And like most dreams, you forget about them.
My initial thought upon learning of this show was that it was "just another kids show" (why are appearances so deceiving?), but after I saw season 1, episode 9, I knew I was wrong.
I knew this was a great show after I saw Episode Two of Season 2 and was wanting more when season Episode 18 of Season 2 rolled in. "See you next Summer" gives me a sliver of hope that they'll be another season, even though the last episode aired four years ago. I just went through some of the specials and read the 2018 graphic novel. I hope for a Season Three or a spin-off of some sort, but at the same time, it's fine the way it is.
But I'm just so invested in these characters! They're funny, witty and so likable! Even some of the recurring side characters seem like they have a life going on behind the scenes! This show is fantastic, and I'm ready to rewatch it and see that Summer again.
God bless Alex Hirsch; the characters you voiced are incredible. Go on and watch this show. It's worth it.
I really enjoyed it upon my first viewing. But once I started thinking about the plot, the characters and the world, I felt worse. And before you read any further, let me just say, don't watch this show. Because you might either like it (which hurts me) or you might hate it (which hurts you). I like it but acknowledge its flaws. If it wasn't the sequel to Avatar: The Last Airbender, it would've held up a lot better.
Unlike most of my friends, I watched the Legend of Korra after Avatar: The Last Airbender and the Avatar comics. The comics allowed me to settle into Korra's world helped me jump into this new world. I had really low expectations coming into this show, after being warned not to watch it by a good friend. But I was pleasantly surprised. I enjoyed it.
The illustrations and background art had improved. Its aspect ratio wasn't square. And I enjoyed myself (most of the time) throughout. Amon was compelling and looked badass. Unalaq was cool (before he turned evil). Zaheer is the best villain in the entire series. Kuvira seemed really contrived.
Season 1 took a while to get anywhere, and I'd give it a 4/10. It was up until the end, where Korra pulls off a deus ex machina and Amon is made less compelling, which left a bad taste in my mouth. [spoiler] If Amon was kept as a non-bender [/spoiler], he would've been my favourite villain hands-down. But he's a [spoiler] blood blender [/spoiler] who breaks the rules (and he's not the only one) and the non-bender revolution is made less compelling. [spoiler] I did feel sorry and sad when he and Tarrlok died though. [/spoiler] That was really emotional.
Season 2 started off okay. The first half was really compelling: two water-tribes put against each other, on the verge of civil war. Korra wants to learn more about the spiritual side of bending and Unalaq seems like the guy to teach it to her. But then we are introduced to Avatar Wan, who I thought was pretty cool at first until I started thinking into it more and realising how much it changes in the Avatar lore. If this show was by itself and didn't have ATLA behind it, even if it was better, this sequence would've been awesome. But it's not. It retcons everything known about bending. The spirit world is shown way too much and suddenly loses its intrigue and mystery. [spoiler] We're shown the origins of the Avatar, but all of a sudden, the Avatar doesn't seem like some all-time all-powerful being who has always been there for humanity and the spirits. We just see some punk kid who protects things because he thinks it's right (and who lets off chaos and darkness into the world). Finally, Raava and Vaatu. They look like carpets and are supposed to represent Yin and Yang (yet we had the Moon and Ocean spirit for that) and one represents "light and peace" while the other embodies "darkness and chaos". All of a sudden, spirits (and people) are either good or evil. And by letting Vaatu loose into the world, Raava starts to shrink. Why doesn't Vaatu shrink? How come he can turn spirits "dark" but Raava can't turn the "light"? Then Korra pulls off another deus ex machina: she becomes a giant spirit person and shoots a laser at Unavaatu. Also, Unalaq is evil and wants to become the first "Dark Avatar". [/spoiler]
4/10 It had potential.
Season 3 was cool. There's one scene where I actually found that Korra was a likable character. Tenzin tries his best to bring back the air nomads and we get to journey to the Earth Kingdom. But, the reason the airbenders have returned is that Korra left these "spirit portals" open. Which created "change" in the world, which also included bringing back the airbenders. Forget about the trauma and time it takes to heal the scars of war! Just open that spirit portal! Aang should've just opened those portals and he could've gotten started earlier! But here's the thing, Zaheer is the best villain in this series. He wants to bring about anarchy (which is a terrible idea, btw) and wants to remove the Avatar (for some reason he tried to kill Korra when she was young, which is pretty messed up). But here's the twist, he's one of those new airbenders! But instead of just making him some dude who discovers airbending, it turns out he's been studying air nomad philosophy for a long time. That's pretty cool. Compared to the other airbenders (except for Tenzin), Zaheer acts the most like an air nomad. And in the end, he has a plan to kill Korra while removing the Avatar cycle forever. Damn.
6/10 This season kills the least amount of brain cells.
Season 4 started off well but got progressively worse. [spoiler] Kuvira has been tasked with reuniting the Earth Kingdom after Zaheer killed the Earth Queen. We first meet her, giving an Earth Kingdom town food and supplies, but she threatens the mayor because he almost refused to sign the paper. Then, important people (I can't remember, Raiko, Tenzin and Sue?) said Kuvira was doing all of these cliche dictator things, but we're never shown it. We only see her help that town. She doesn't seem very evil. Then we see her threaten a group of Earthbenders who attack her, and it's framed to make her look bad, but really, they attacked her and she's been helping plenty of people. So...? In the end, Kuvira cuts off some "spirit vine" from the swamp (from ATLA) and gets Varrick to make a laser out of it by harnessing its energy? Then, when Kuvira declares she's bad and marches towards Republic City, it's with a giant (Voltron) mech, equipped with the spirit-vine-laser-cannon! Korra wins, democracy wins, the end.
4/10 Season 1 was better.
The only characters I care about is Tenzin, Varrick, and Zhu Li. Bolin was funny sometimes, but it's only because he's stupid. Unlike Sokka (ATLA), who actually has depth, is a character and goes through a compelling character arc. Korra has so many flaws/weaknesses that render her unlikable. She's hot-headed, stubborn, disrespectful and highly sensitive. She never takes responsibility for her actions, she gets a lot handed to her and her problems solve themselves. This show isn't more mature than ATLA but it does try to be edgier. The genocide of Aang's people and the dystopia of Ba Sing Se was pretty dark for a kid's show and wasn't there just to be dark and edgy. Why did I need to see the Earth Queen suffocate to death? Asami is a plot-device. Mako becomes boring after the stupid love-triangle in Season 1, and only really stays to look cool, follow Bolin and more love-triangle crap.
The animation in this show is appalling. It has nice illustrations, not animation. If you go frame by frame, you'll see this studio's laziness. You might also remember some creepy/disturbing shots (when Ikki discloses Korra's crush on Mako to Asami, or when she's being held captive in Season 3). I like the character designs and illustrations. The linework is phenomenal. But the animation itself is lacking. And the fact they added too much detail to their characters so they couldn't animate make each style of bending distinct, was sad. It kind of makes sense in-universe since they've been relying more on technology and less on bending. But come on!
TL;DR: Korra has no redeemable qualities. She might be flawed, but all her problems get solved for her. Does she have any strengths? Most of the villains are stupid. The illustrations are nice, not the animation. Tenzin, Varrick and Zhu Li are cool. This show isn't darker but it tries to be edgier. This show takes different elements of ATLA and make them less compelling. Watch ATLA, it's the original and it's better.
TLOK got rid of Aaron Ehasz and didn't even bother to find a replacement. This show still beats M. Night's The Last Airbender.
4.75/10
