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Reviews
Ahsoka: Part Seven: Dreams and Madness (2023)
Tell, don't show - finally a show that understood this important principle /s
I don't even know when I've written the last review, but this abyssmal writing demanded a comment. At least I'm not the only one shocked by the stupidity of the actions shown there.
The problem is, that this (just like most new Star Wars things except Andor) don't do anything but talk about the grandure or importance of something. Here it's the thread of Grandadmiral Thrawn (?), but then this menace isn't even able to defeat a single Jedi-Ship or 3 grounded enemies.
He just talks and acts like all of this is part of his plan, even though his dialogue is completely non-sensical:
- Let her choose her own plan. So we will always be one step ahead.
- Break off persuite, because we need to economize on our resources --> We have flushed her out, now chase her down again.
It's just ridiculous. Not even to mention the entire Sabine & Ezra conversation, or how lackluster the fight-choreography is in this entire show. The only thing that should be pointed out are the visuals, but even there they could have opted for something more exciting then another grey landscape with some hills and rocks.
I don't know. This cienmatic universe is nothing but lackluster.
Shadow and Bone: Meet You in the Meadow (2023)
This was unbearable
Like I wrote for an earlier episode, I think the story is pretty decent and the actors are doing a good job at bringing their characters to life...but they can only do so much and this episode was such a mess.
Why is everyone just running around like headless chickens? For supposingly powerful armies they have absolutely no strategy, no tactics and are also absolutely incompetent. It is important for viewers to understand the scale and the stakes. And at times this felt like there were 10 people fighting 10 people.
People don't use their powers to up the stakes. Others make suicidal decisions just so they can die in dramatic ways. Who came up with fog-traps that do absolutely nothing else? Like seriously, this is the dumbest thing i have seen.
The fighting chorography was just sad. There was no tension, no excitement since people just flailed around until they could strike a cool pose and speak a witty line into the nothingness of an empty battlefield. It doesn't have to be realistic, since it is fantasy. But please for the love of god make it at least look cool and not just outright unpractical!
And all the while, there is a pretty decent story underneath. But is butchered by whoever directs or edits this mess.
I am also still mad about the tiny axes!
Shadow and Bone: Rusalye (2023)
Good story, abysmal choreography
All in all I am really liking this second season and the actors are doing a good job in portraying their characters. The dynamics are great, a bit of intrigue is kept alive and the plot is not too contrived. The CGI is really good and even though some of the costumes (privateer-group) look a bit too obviously like plastic and don't make much sense (tiny, thin throwing axes) it is alright!
But what really threw me off this episode was the terrible fight-choreography. This is not the actors fault, but clearly just bad writing. The last 20 minutes of this episode where honestly hard to endure as the cast was just flailing around and made the most illogical and dumb choices in a situation of life and death.
This could be really great show if the writers would put a bit more effort into the fights.
Avatar: The Way of Water (2022)
Watch it. Don't overthink it's flaws. And be amazed
Here it goes. I have been waiting for this movie for a damn long time and I am not disappointed in any way. It has been said before, but the visuals were insanely stunning and Cameron took the time needed to make the viewer familiar with the new environment.
I understand that some people were not too happy with the story of the first Avatar, and even though this one isn't perfect either, it is a massive step up. I've read that the actions of the characters are illogical and cheap devices to further the plot, but honestly, I'd disagree. We see the main characters broken down, struggling to make sense in an ever changing world and be confronted with their own mistakes and further marvels that they don't understand.
I agree, that some of the smaller arcs very predictable and seen before in action, drama or coming of age movies. But all in all i was honestly surprised by the direction some of the characters were taken.
This movie begins to give the torch down from the elder to a younger generation and, even thought a massive climax is missing, it sets up further movies to come beautifully. This is, as we shouldn't forget, part 2 of 5. And I'm all in for more to come.
Watch it, enjoy a beautiful story in a fascinating visual setting, and don't overthink every single little detail. I can even recommend 3D for it.