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calvinjedediah
Reviews
Avatar: The Last Airbender (2024)
An Improvement upon the Original?
Hear me out!
We all know this show will be a worse show when all is said and done. I would bet a hundred dollars this adaptation will never live up to season two and three of the original ATLA.
However, despite season one having excellent world building and characters, it wasn't perfect. It was overly childlike and a bit meandering. My nine year old brother watched the first couple episodes, turned to me, and said "You know this show is bad, right?" And I had to say, "Keep watching."
So, I hate to say this, but this first season is technically a better first season.
Sure, I was upset with the dismantling of a few key episodes. Particularly, I was bothered that Jet only ever met Katara, and that the mechanists didn't live in the northern air temple. However, these are minor gripes in the grand scheme of things.
This season is more focused, with an ingenious dedication to the best parts of the original show. I was surprised at how much I loved this version of Sokka and Zuko, and very satisfied with the portrayal of Aang and Iroh. I never loved season one Katara, but I warmed up to her character in both shows. The fire lord is the only character I didn't love the portrayal of, but it's made up for by scenes we didn't get to see before.
There were at least five additions that were not in the original show that made me cry. The Airbender massacre, Iroh's son's funeral, Zuko's banishment scene, Zuko's crew, and the Water Tribe women.
I didn't cry once rewatching season one of the original ATLA, like I do at season two and three... These changes were that good.
The more I think about it, I could not be happier that this was made. I'm upset that more people aren't capable of grasping the purpose if this show. There are so many people who will watch this, who would have never watched the original show because it's some old cartoon. Sure, they are all wrong, but at least this show can prove how wrong they are!
And for me, I fell in love with these characters all over again, and I'm excited to see if the improvements extend throughout the entire adaptation. I doubt they will, but now I have hope.
The Princess and the Pea (2002)
Just Another Princess Movie
When I was a kid, I always wondered why Disney never made a Princess and the Pea movie, and when I found this, it became one of my favorite fairy tale movies to watch. On rewatch as an adult, I can tell it's definitely not on par with Disney, but I'd argue it's still a hidden gem. It's better than the worst of Disney's catalogue, for sure.
The songs are actually good, and the score as well. The villain is pretty fun, and though the plot is a bit silly in retrospect, it's well paced and well done. It's actually quite funny, dramatic, and endearing.
I'm invested in our heroes' journey as they fall in love and save the kingdom. That's more than enough for me.
Arcane: League of Legends (2021)
Best Show that Exists
I recognize that this is subjective, and I have not seen every show ever made, but I have thought long and hard about this one. It's been over half a year, and I still find this show to be the most engaging and beautiful I have ever had the privilege to watch.
The art is the best I've ever seen. The story is the best I've ever seen. The characters are the best I've ever seen. The music isn't my style, but it's still fabulous. The show is effectively perfect.
Anyone who refuses to watch this show because of League is being petty and actively harming themselves. I don't know anything about the video game and the show likely surpasses it in quality by an incredibly enormous margin.
Rango (2011)
Most Underrated Movie
This movie is the most underrated movie I have ever seen. There is no better movie more forgotten. There is no masterpiece more underappreciated. I believe many people have watched and enjoyed this movie without actually realizing how beautiful it is, and that many more have never heard of it.
Rango is a movie about identity. A movie about a chameleon who can not blend in. A goofy stranger that makes up lies about his past and prestige to hide that he has no past at all, and watches as his lies build him a cage of newfound responsibility and people who are relying on him.
"Rango" looks like a kids movie to those who aren't paying too close attention, but the movie extends beyond what a kid will understand, with extended dream sequences and commentary on corruption, the distribution of recourses, the progress of civilization, and what makes us who we are, whether it be our past accomplishments, our future goals, or how we act in the present.
The humor is extraordinarily well done, and the action is well designed and very fun. There are some brilliant Chekhov's Guns that fire, the overall plot structure is perfect, and the mystery is executed strongly. The action is surprisingly good, especially the "Ride of the Valkyries" bit. The visuals are breathtaking, and the music, when it is not being used for comedic purposes, is equally breathtaking. The scenes with abstract sequences and spiritual undertones are by far what make me feel this movie is better than its given credit for, and its animation style and character designs are unique and detailed.
This movie contains the best scene I have ever watched. I re-watch it whenever I can, and I listen to the music from that scene whenever I can. I have never seen a more elegant abyss and rebirth in a classic heroes journey. Rango's crossing to the other side and becoming a true hero is inspiring and spiritual and transcendent. I genuinely don't know why it isn't more praised.
This movie is silly for a lot of its runtime, but its emotional beats shine like bright stars. Its humor never fails me. I never grow bored re-watching it.
Please, please watch this movie. And if you've already seen it and didn't see what I see, I urge you to watch it again, and this time, see if you can find it.
The Suicide Squad (2021)
Genuinely Incredible
This movie is in my top ten movies of all time. It follows a team of messed up and violent people who become a family and learn to be heroes. Every character, like the movie, is extremely cartoonish, dark and serious, and full of heart.
This movie sheds a light on US imperialism and corruption and champions those that are forgotten by society. It skips forward and backward in time, but it remains a brilliant and simple plot structure. The movie's tone is jarring, but on purpose, and in the best way possible. The style of James Gunn is very strong, but it's a style I can get behind.
I enjoyed every moment of this movie. That's the key. It's fun. It hits you hard in multiple different ways. With laughter, with horror, with confusion, with sadness, and with triumph. I recommend this movie to anyone who loves a good roller coaster.
You could either hate or love this movie, but a bad movie experience can be forgotten, and an amazing movie experience can be cherished.