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Reviews
Rebel Moon - Part One: A Child of Fire (2023)
Disappointed, but not surprised
So I've watched Rebel Moon,as I figure I can't talk about it without watching it and I'm not a fan of Snyder's work. Went in open minded though.
Looks great, lovely cinematography and FX. However the story is a poor and lazy rehash of Seven Samurai/Magnificent 7, and The Mandalorian did that better, in one of its poorer episodes & in 45 minutes!
The Star Wars influences are so blatant they can't even be called Easter Eggs, but there's none of the connection with the characters here that you get from that franchise. Characters are 2 dimensional, and their motives, not so much transparent, but written in sharpie on their foreheads!
While the FX & costume/production design is good, what was going on with The Big Bad's beard at the end! Looked the worst stick on beard!
Disappointed, but not surprised.
The #StarWars influences are so blatant they can't even be called Easter Eggs, but there's none of the connection with the characters here that you get from that franchise.
While the FX & costume/production design is good, what was going on with The Big Bad's beard at the end!
The Railway Children Return (2022)
Not as bad as many of these reviews would tell you
Is it as good as the original? Not by a long chalk.
Is it trading on the love of the original, and of Jenny Agutter? Undoubtedly.
Is it completely woke and rewrites history, spinning a 21st C perspective? No (but yes, as it's made in the 21st C!)
On the history side, the Snowdrops (US Army military police) did storm into a Lancashire pub as black GIs were fraternising with the locals. The locals stood up the GIs, the MPs discharged a weapon and a black soldier was killed. (Search Battle of BamberBridge)
As for a Black US General, we'll Brigadier General Benjamin O Davis Sr was the first black man to hold that rank. In WW2 he held a troubleshooting role to assist the expanded role of African Americans, in segregated units. In 1944 he was stationed in Europe, so not a stretch of imagination to place him on a train in the north of England.
Essentially, this would've made a good 6 part, 30 minute series for CBBC, with no mention of The Railway Children.
Quantum Leap (2022)
Completely lacks the heart and warmth of the original.
Totally understand that the production team wanted a different take on the premise while honouring the original, but that worked so well because of Sam and Al's relationship, with nobody else appearing in every episode.
This introduces a whole back room staff for the QL project and I don't care about any of them. As one of them is played by Mason Alexander Park, excellent as Desire in The Sandman but completely wasted in this first episode, that seems to highlight the problems in the series development.
It's not just the back room boy's though, I don't care if Dr Ben doesn't get back to be reunited with his fiancé Addison. From the first episode I always wanted Sam to return home, even if I didn't want the series to end. All the signposting at the engagement party felt so forced.
No doubt a new take on Quantum Leap is a good idea, shame this isn't a good execution of it. Also a shame this was green lit when so many other shows are cancelled or don't get past a pilot.
Dodger (2022)
Great family viewing
This is the show that Netflix's Irregulars could've been if pitched to CBBC. It's fun, family centred entertainment, using characters familiar to all. This is the kind of TV the BBC has done so well for years. I'm surprised it's only on CBBCand not getting an early Sunday evening slot on BBC One, where shows like this used to live.
Reviewers complaining it's "woke" or "historically inaccurate" because of a colour blind cast (don't let them near The Great or Bridgerton!) are missing the point, it's not supposed to be, and I'm surprised they haven't complained that Christopher Eccleston isn't Jewish. I can agree that there wouldn't be a black mill owner in early Victorian Lancashire, but if they don't believe that there were black, Asian and mixed race people in Britain at that time, especially in the East End of London, I'm not sure what history they're referring to.
Eternals (2021)
Better than the critics & Rotten Tomatoes say
If you're expecting Superhero crash bang wallop from the MCU, this isn't the film for you. Without the benefit that The Avengers had, by building the team with their own films first, a lot of world building is required in the first act. I'm guessing that's what Chloe Zhao means by having Zack Snyder as a blueprint. This is far better, both in its storytelling and cinematography than The Snyder cut of Justice League.
Fans of comics and Jack Kirby in particular will enjoy it, MCU & superhero film fans will prefer Venom 2. The mythology of The Eternals deserved the time. The second movie should be more fun, given the post-credit scenes, maybe even an appearance in Guardians 3.
Legends of Tomorrow: The Satanist's Apprentice (2021)
Pleasant silliness
I quite like the silliness of Legends, but understand why some will harken back to the more serious early series. Balance not quite there consistently yet this series as it was a couple of seasons ago.
My big quibble though, I know prices have risen recently in the UK but we're not quite at the stage where a french stick, a leek & some salad leaves cost £25, even from a farmer's market. Only be a couple of pounds from Aldi!