rfresa Reviews

Believe (2014)

Too many writers, too much power.

[6/10 · 25 July 2014]

This is a show that definitely shows signs of executive meddling and Too Many Writers syndrome. Each writer had his own idea of what he wanted the show to be and kept steering the story in different directions. There are definitely good elements, but they just don't fit together coherently, and it ends up full of plot holes. The writers obviously didn't make this show their top priority (and I understand they are busy guys!), and kind of threw it together without paying much attention. Once Bo started having her Weekly Visions, it started to be interesting. I would have liked more of that, and less of the Orchestra/ government conspiracy stuff.

The problem with Bo's powers is that she is always right and all the adults just need to shut up and do what she says, which makes it inevitable that they won't and she will continually be running off and getting into danger. It's repetitive and annoying. Omnipotence and omniscience as powers always make for bad writing. Superhero characters work better when their powers are clearly definited and limited; otherwise when they make mistakes (which are necessary for plot) they just look dumb.

Voyage of the Unicorn (2001)

Christian Message

[8/10 · 26 August 2009]

It's great to see a fun, entertaining fantasy story with a positive message of faith and hope. There are many kinds of faith shown in this movie, such as faith in one's self, faith in a higher power, and faith in the goodness of others. Our heroes show a willingness to help others and lift even their enemies to a better way of life.

The sets and costumes didn't quite reach the artistic standard of James Christiansen's beautiful artwork, but they certainly tried. The music and dance elements are nicely done, and the girls' kindness and purity are positively represented. Christiansen's Mormon heritage shows through in the message that "Faith precedes the miracle". Imagination and mythology are used as metaphors for spiritual things, and I loved the message about life after death.

Transformers (2007)

"Let's go hide in the city!" What were they thinking?

[2/10 · 22 March 2008]

How massively irresponsible was it for them to go to the city with these evil destroyer robots on their tail? I actually liked a few parts of this movie; the quirky bits with Bumblebee were cute. The romance was slightly amusing. I liked the sci-fi feel with the dam and the All-spark, or whatever it was. But as soon as they said, "Let's go to the city," I just groaned, because it was just so ludicrous. If you have a bunch of giant robots on your side and a bunch more who are fighting them, you don't go in the city! You go out in the middle of nowhere to have it out where civilians won't get hurt. It was such a painfully obvious excuse to have a cool battle in the middle of tall buildings with lots of special effects and explosions, which is fun to watch but it definitely gets old after a while. By the third car smashing I just wanted to leave the theater because it was all such needless, reckless violence, that instead of thrilling, I just found it annoying. I guess they had to put in so many explosions to distract people from the massive plot hole.

Boundin' (2003)

I'll be Boundin' for hours

[10/10 · 13 June 2006]

The first time I saw this movie on the Incredibles DVD, I was amazed and delighted. I had to go on and watch the "Who is Bud Luckey?" feature as well, when I realized that he is the genius behind this little piece of joyful animation.

My 3 sisters and I (all adults or teens) were literally boundin' around the room, singing along to the melody and acting out the Jackalope's wise advice to the humiliated sheep. I was especially amused by the Jackalope because I have visited relatives in Wyoming who proudly display their "jackalope" trophies and tell everyone who passes through that these antlered rabbits really exist. I still remember my great-uncle (very much the Bud Luckey type) telling me how he caught one.

I was shocked when I came to this site and read the cynical and negative reviews from people who disliked this short film; what is wrong with them, that their hearts and minds are so closed to a little piece of fun entertainment? Please bound along and lift up your hearts, and those around you. Don't let the temporary setbacks get you down.

Jack-Jack Attack (2005 Video)

The Unforeseen Consequences of Playing Mozart for a Baby

[10/10 · 12 June 2006]

"I even got some Mozart to play while he sleeps, because as leading experts say: Mozart makes babies smarter!"

Kari the babysitter has no idea what she's getting into when she subjects baby Jack-Jack Parr to this "neurological stimulation". Jack-Jack is the youngest of the Incredibles, a family of superheroes who are off saving the world. They all think Jack-Jack has no powers, but as Kari is about to discover, the truth is very different!

For anyone who has seen the Incredibles, this is a hilarious and indispensable little outtake from the main plot. I laugh myself silly every time I see it. Poor Jack-Jack has to put up with Mozart and flashcards, while Kari runs around trying to figure out where and what he is. All babysitters who have had something unexpected occur on the job will have an inkling of how bewildered Kari must be.

The moral of the story: When a baby has developing superpowers, avoid the "campfire" flashcard!

The Pretender 2001 (2001 TV Movie)

Enticing tidbit: grabs the fans despite flaws.

[9/10 · 12 February 2001]

This movie was impressive in that it successfully continued the Pretender story and captured interest for future movies. The acting was fairly good, especially that of Jon Gries (Broots) and Andrea Parker. Some things didn't work so well: Alex's fall into the river did not seem at all convincing. I think that with the longer time the crew had to film it could have been done better; it doesn't impress me as much as some of the episodes.