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jimmyllewellyn
Reviews
Andor (2022)
Misguided
While I recognise and appreciate the intention to do something different, this show doesn't work for me. In creating something more realistic they have taken out all the fun, silliness and excitement which is part of the Star Wars appeal. I watched it all because I wanted to at least fill in the gaps in the story but not sure it even provided that. Feels like a waste of time now. I guess this show makes sense for Disney as it allows them to retain some people who have become disaffected. However, I think that there should be consistency of tone across SW. Give this responsibility to Filoni. Will be giving S2 a miss unless there looks like being something tangible and consequential
in the plot.
The Witcher (2019)
Promising 1st season, season 2 borefest
Liked season 1. Bit convoluted but great characters. Don't know what went on for season 2. It's really boring and am struggling to finish it. I think they have added too much levity and they try to dance between serious and amusing but the seams are visible. The chief Witcher guy is a terrible bit of casting. It's hard to take seriously and be absorbed by it.
Top Gun: Maverick (2022)
Not possible to make a better action film
Exceptional writing and directing. Nothing original in the plot of course. Borrows a lot from the original obviously and surprisingly a lot from New Hope. Flawless based on what it set out to achieve.
Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (2022)
Pointless mashup of MCU and horror genre
While I understand that Marvel don't want to repeat the previous phase but that would be better than this. It's frustrating that the tone has moved from family friendly superhero to this. I think they can do something cool with the multiverse but pandering to people who want a more violent more visceral feel is a mistake. Realistic violence is important to some franchises like game of thrones but it has no relevance to the MCU.
The Book of Boba Fett: Chapter 6: From the Desert Comes a Stranger (2022)
Outstanding immense spectacular
Just brilliant. One episode which connects all 9 films and the clone wars. Plus echos from Solo and of course rebels. Dave and John are doing an incredible job.
The Book of Boba Fett (2021)
Good episode a little let down by the sfx
In a way it's difficult to do a bad job with this if your audience is desperate to see SW in general and Boba in particular. Loved the flashbacks and repartee with Shane. Special effects were a bit ropey. Didn't think it was brilliant but can't wait for the next one nonetheless.
Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021)
Some great moments but way too much going on
Need to rein it in. Far too many different ideas and angles. Entertaining though with one excellent sequence in particular. Desperately need to move the character to the MCU fully. Appreciated the cameo near the beginning.
Ghostbusters: Afterlife (2021)
Excellent, did exactly what it set out to do
Loved it. An homage to the first film. I disagree that the film needs to stand alone which many seem to be focussed on in their reviews. A film just needs to be good and this is, assuming you liked the original and watched it many times. I would have been frustrated if some new plot was established. This is fresh paint on the original.
No Time to Die (2021)
Very long and tedious
Really boring. Casino Royale was great but the subsequent films have been unremarkable. This one is probably the most boring. Some cool sequences and some very good music. An absurdly long time to stretch out a wafer thin plot.
Star Wars: The Bad Batch: War-Mantle (2021)
Another high calibre episode
Loved it. Further illustration of the move to stormtroopers and some excellent fighterpilot action. Really interesting to think about what happened to the cloners.
Loki: Lamentis (2021)
Very odd
Watchable enough but tells us nothing we didn't already know and very little about the characters we wouldn't have assumed. Lots of debate about what a filler episode and this is absolutely one. Entertaining enough and quite funny but zero direction. If the writers only have 5 episodes of content just make 5 episodes.
Star Wars: The Bad Batch: Bounty Lost (2021)
Solid episode
Not at the level of the previous episodes but advances the plot so not at all filler. Great to see Bane in action and Fennec. Nice to see the machinations of the cloners.
Star Wars: The Bad Batch: Reunion (2021)
Exceptional
The writers have invested a lot of thought into this and I thank them for it. The linkage to Clone Wars, the potentially for a Cad/Boba showdown, the nods to Fallen Order. They wobbled by reintroducing the sisters but other than that this episode and series is outstanding.
Star Wars: The Bad Batch: Battle Scars (2021)
Exceptional
Loved it. The atmosphere of the star destroyer wreckage. The somber tone from Rex with the references to Ahsoka. Almost as good as the last 4 from season 7. Exceptional work from Dave and co.
Star Wars: The Bad Batch: Decommissioned (2021)
Good series so far but why bring back the sisters
Feels a silly mistake to bring back the sisters from season 7. Couldn't enjoy the episode after that. Really strange decision to bring back such annoying and pointless characters.
Cruella (2021)
Really boring
Was looking forward to it since I'd noticed some good reviews. What a disappointment. It was extraordinary boring.
The Falcon and the Winter Soldier (2021)
Fairly entertaining
It's depressing to see all the focus on the supposed leftist or woke nature of the story. I'd argue that it is important to address racism is something like the MCU. I would agree that the points lacked subtlety but no tv series, film or comic has ever avoided politics. For example how many references to the Nazis, and tyranny in general, were there during all the films culminating in endgame?
This series was ok. Hard to see where it's leading. I don't think the issues faced by snap were really explained nor the role of the GRC.
The Falcon and the Winter Soldier: The Whole World Is Watching (2021)
Entertaining but predictable
It's a decent show but the plot is so obvious that it's hard to get excited by it. If it's to set up new Cap as a serious threat to the avengers that's somewhat interesting but in general the show seems to be going through the motions.
The Falcon and the Winter Soldier: New World Order (2021)
Solid start
Good first episode. Back on familiar ground after the ambition of wandavision. Didn't love the appearance of war machine who is a pointless character but that was the only negative. Like the reflections on the blip period. This is what I want from marvel - high octane action with some semi serious points covered now and then.
WandaVision: The Series Finale (2021)
Dull dull dull
A few interesting ideas like the Scarlet alter ego. Liked the wizard of oz references particularly the vertical witch levitation. However the fight scenes were really lame especially vision vs vision - eye wateringly dull. Two identical non existent robots fighting each other, really. The philosophical reference was banal and trite. Such a disappointing series overall.
WandaVision: Previously On (2021)
A welcome change in pace but too late in the series
Liked the Wanda back story. It makes her more interesting and explains her role in Infinity and End Game, i.e. more than just something who had absorbed some of a stones power. Glad we moved aside from the dreary sitcom to explore something more substantial. Looking at the other reviews makes me feel like I'm watching something different. It was ok, an improvement on the previous episodes but still pretty dull. I still have no idea where we are going with all of this. A very long and mostly boring trailer for Doctor Strange 2?
WandaVision: Breaking the Fourth Wall (2021)
More pointlessness
Absolutely dreadful. Keep hoping that the show will move on from the sitcom, it having served its purpose. But no, it keeps dragging on for no reason. Such a boring show.
WandaVision: All-New Halloween Spooktacular! (2021)
Really really boring
Still waiting for this series to get to the point. Really surprised they are keeping so much of the content focussed on the sitcom. Hoping there will be some reveal at the end which makes all this tedium worth the effort.
WandaVision: Now in Color (2021)
The worst one yet
I really hope that the series turns out well and that these first three episodes will become significant in some way. I think it's fine for Marvel to develop a different style but it needs to be entertaining and/ or thought provoking and this episode was neither. In fact it was really boring. I get that we're building up to something but 1.5 hours of tension build is too much.
1917 (2019)
Hard to combine realism with a preposterous plot
Two idiots stumble across fields, one of them dies, the other makes it. Tripping over cliches on the way. One minute he's an expert marksman the other a fool falling about. Then he's completely fine and able to contemplate returning home despite saying he hated going home 4 hours prior. Complete idiocy.