Reviews

This is the worst and last John Wick movie, and I can honestly say I am not biased. I liked the other three; even though they became progressively more unrealistic, and ridiculous. But this is definitely the worst film by far.

Donnie Yen's acting is terrible. His lines and mannerisms are janky, and spastic. He's meant to come off as a funny blind character, but does not pull it off. He's no Blind Fury, or Zatoichi, and his fighting in the movie is not graceful but stilted and awkward.

The movie itself is a boring slog. The entire film is one big death scene/fair well to John Wick's character, but it fails to pull off a satisfying ending and send off. John Wick dies from a gunshot to his lower left abdomen. This unkillable, magnificent bastard, the 'baba yaga' dies from a gunshot that probably just hit a kidney. Let me stress this; he does not get shot in the heart, or anywhere vital, he just expires at the end because the film needed him to.

John Wick's unexpected surprise death aside, this movies action scenes are terribly boring. There is barely any violent humour except a dog biting peoples balls, which gets old fast. There's nothing new here; no new interesting ways in which Wick dispatches enemies. The other films at least had him kill someone with a book or something. Here Wick just falls from high places as usual, then gets hit by cars, as per usual, then gets up and walks it off, again; as usual.

The film is chalked full of crappy fortune cookie statements and pseudo philosophical lines. And boy do they suck. Maybe Hollywood does need to pay these writers something, they don't seem to care anymore.

None of the plot points are very interesting because its obvious stuff; for example there's no beating the table's top council, they just get replaced. And so the film tries (halfheartedly) to come up with a neat little solution; a duel between Wick and some French douche. A contrived dues ex duel with no real payoff. Wick dies for some new character and his daughter we don't even know. But don't worry, she plays a violin for 3 seconds, so we feel so much empathy for her...And Donnie Yen slurps up noodles in the shadows of a restaurant before we even see him do anything; so that's...relatable...

I'm very disappointed in this movie; I really believe John Wick's character deserved better.

When you can make your audience weep for the villain; you are a damn good writer. Silco was honestly not what anyone expected him to be; a caring and loyal father to Jinx. I never expected an emotional gut punch from a show based on a video game; but this show delivers it. Perhaps we judged Silco and this show too harshly; but to be fair, this may have been because the series was released 3 episodes at a time.

Not only does Arcane get progressively darker for a more mature audience; it also manages to weave drama, suspense, emotion and much more into an intricate story. The politics, problems, beliefs and individual actions of each character are complex and feel real; carrying consequences for what they do in their world and affecting everybody; which breathes life into these video game characters. This is what fans are referring to when they say; "this is the best video game adaptation of all time". It really is. This series is better than the games themselves; a rich world populated with complex characters; portrayed through incredible animation; whose actual origin story we never could have even imagined. The voice actors do such a phenomenal job here; that I wish I could give them an award. Vi and Jinx have the best voice acting I have ever heard in my life!

Jinx is more than a simple terrorist or Harley Quin clone; she's a person with severe mental illness and a deeply traumatic past. I found myself sympathising with her character the more we as an audience were shown a glimpse into her dark inner world. The art style depicting the voices in her head was fantastically absurd; cudos; the voice actor made it a delight to watch Jinx talk to herself (hope we see more of this). The torment and troubles of this character are a reflection of every persons own insecurity, fear, hate and personal doubts. I have never seen a character with mental illness problems carried over to the big screen this good; not even the Joker. The way her relationship with her sister veers from love to hate due to her distorted view of reality; makes her one of the most unique villains I have ever seen.

Vi's character is shown to grow; based on her reaction to her changed sister Jinx, something I hope will continue as the show progresses. The metamorphosis both Vi and Jinx go through are tragic and well written ; Vi discovers her sister has changed and Jinx realises she cannot go back to being her little sister Powder. The two going their separate ways as tougher, hardened adults; instead of some predicable lovey dovey kiss and make up plot; is what defines the good writing in this show. It's realistic; not cynical, but just enough to make us feel like the characters are grounded in a real gritty, and sometimes unforgiving world.

I would advise both the writer's and fans to be patient for the next season. Personally I'm willing to wait as long as it takes for the writers and animators to give us something of this quality again. Exceptional stuff! Please, oh please; never drop the ball!

Conclusion: everyone in Arcane has an evolving origin story that is fascinating to watch. Heroes and villains are being born and made, and also lost and reborn.

After seeing all nine episodes; I've decided to change my review from 7 to 10/10. This series really deserves it.

This is one of the best animated stories I have ever seen in my life. Better than Song Of The Sea and its predecessor.

The animation is gorgeous and rich; especially the striking red colors used to convey drama. Yet it remains inventive and flexible; an artistic treat to watch. There is minimalism where it is needed and flare where it is required. The music and voice acting falls in step with the art; creating something special.

The main characters express an endearing humanity; that gives the show something most vapid cash cows cannot achieve; sympathy with the characters.

While the plot and story are not overly complicated, this is because the movie is mainly meant for children. The story still manages to impress even adults with its general message of; courage, revolutionary action, selflessness, and love.

Spoiler. The story centres around a young girl named Robin and her father; a hunter called Goodfellow. The two are newly arrived outsiders who live in a constricting town ruled by a Lord Protector; who is basically a petty dictator. Under English rule, the Irish people are forced to work for their dictator and fell a nearby forest; even Children are forced into labor by an unrelenting, mechanical government.

Goodfellow is charged with hunting down the wolves in the neighbouring woods. Parts of the story are a metaphor for any minority group being oppressed; which is what Mave and here mother (who are wolfwalkers-people capable of turning into wolves when they sleep) are. Mave and her mother live in the woods which are being invaded and threatened by the town. Mave wants to leave but cannot because her mother is asleep and her mother's wolf counterpart has not returned. Mave and Robin become friends after Mave heals her hawk Merlin.

The plot takes a fun twist when Robin is accidentally bitten by Mave and becomes a wolfwalker herself. Which symbolises becoming one of the minority/oppressed groups. Robin is suddenly forced to deal with the hate,violence and superstition that is felt towards wolves. An irony, because earlier in the movie she herself oppressed wolves; seeing them only as vicious beasts to be hunted down.

Robin promises to help Mave find her mother, but is forced by her society and its leader into conformity and obedience. Mave's mother who has actually been captured by the Lord Protector is placed in a physical and metaphorical cage. Upon her execution, she is freed by Robin who decides to break free of her own cage; freeing herself of her towns conformity and rigid rule.

Riding the giant wolf who is actually Maves mother; the two make a dramatic escape from the town. Maves mother is reunited with her daughter; but is shot by Robins father; Goodfellow. Robin turns into a wolf; choosing to go with Mave and the wolves into the forest to help Maves injured mother.

An epic battle takes place in which Goodfellow throws off his own chains of conformity; choosing to turn into a wolf to save his daughter. The Lord Protector is defeated; Goodfellow redeems himself and all four survive and become a single family-like a wolf pack.

In conclusion; this animated movie is one of a kind, and is well worth the watch. The story, metaphors and messages are much deeper than most neigh sayers, and haters think.

Don't miss this one!