Jay Bird

Finally! Disney managed not to screw up one of their productions! Provides all the reasons why the original 90's x-men cartoon is so nostalgic but with a slightly more updated animation and a storyline that is matured for it's now adult target audience. Hopefully the quality and promise of the first 2 episodes continue for the remainder of the season- given that disneys' current track record is pretty poor and it will be sad to see this production suffer.

As mentioned in many reviews, the scope and scale of the production is what you would find for a large budget big screen movie instead of made for TV. The scenery is spectacular in quality given that it is a TV streaming series and should be enjoyed for its scope on the largest screen available. The potential issue so far is the slow progress to almost lack of a direction for multiple plot paths/narratives being taken. There is some discrepancies with the source material vs their TV depiction (I.e. female dwarves without beards). The character development so far is mainly uni-dimensional. Given the vagueness of the appendixes used, there are many novel characters. These new and original characters both have not provided me with much empathy yet. The dialogue is better than “Lucas prequel Star Wars” but no where close to the dialogues that a word smith like Tolkien would pen. I am hoping that the writers are just trying to touch all the bases and introduce characters now and that a proper direction in the plot will form in later episodes. The other issue that seems to be getting attention is that there is a far greater multi cultural vibe with the casting vs what has been previously depicted with Tolkien adaptations. Tolkien wrote and created the mythology and stories based on his culture- Northern European, so in turn characters are normally depicted as Caucasian (just like Greek gods should be depicted as being Greek). Seemingly, this has created issues for reviewers. Personally, the world is far more multi cultural today than it was when the hobbit was first penned so this should not be taken as an issue for the production. Again, hopefully the story line/narrative catches up to the spectacular production value that the series so far depicts. It can become as grand as Peter Jackson’s take on LOTR or become something less than the Hobbit trilogy (high production value sets but poorer quality plot/character development.

Arguably one of the best sci-fi shows ever made. Between it’s best attempts at sci-fi/physics realism, humanistic story telling, production value and acting it is a welcome cerebral change from the more simplistic/mass produced barely sci-fi shows that seem to dominate today’s culture. It’s only too bad that such a show had to be forced through since Sci-fi channel had cancelled it and Amazon picked it up and limited it for another barely 3 seasons. This is the level of production and writing that I had hoped “The Rings of Power” should have been vs the waste of money that it was. It is one of those shows (like LOTR trilogy), that once you have finished watching, you are left wanting and sadly wishing there was more.

I get the premise and how it is a reflection of society's procrastination in dealing with cross cultural problems and the distractions that divert our attention away from those problems. My issue with the film is it not the lack of laughs for a supposed comedy, but rather it script plays to the vanity and ego of the actors. There was no need for an extended full concert scene for a popular pop singer. It provided no real relevance nor support to the story. The other issue is why does the script need to pay homage to how hot DeCaprio is? I know it supports the "distraction" theme, but it is unnecessary.

The concept had so much potential. Rebels was a well done star wars animated series. Maybe not as good as clone wars but it was still engaging enough that the series was enjoyable. Ahsoka as a clone wars character and eventual Rebels character was a well written character with a deep backstory. This series so far has dropped the ball (again). The mcguffin star map that they initially chase and drives the story is nonsensical. The once rich-well crafted personalities of either Ahsoka and Sabine is wasted and seems forced. It is not as bad as most of the new star wars Disney offerings but nor is it as well executed as Andor. Barely recommendable.

Since Endgame, the only marvel movie I enjoyed thoroughly was Spiderman. Now I can easily add GOTG to that list. It has been awhile since I had watched a marvel movie that left me wanting for more after the credit scenes. Thoroughly entertaining and well written. It is not as fun as Vol 1 & 2 and takes a darker/mature tone throughout- but the recipe feels like something that is needed to pull the rest of the MCU out of the muck it seems to be in. It is a movie not tied to the current MCU mess of a storyline- it is its own story and does well with it. The fact that it is its own movie/storyline told in a more mature way while still keeping its trademark humour and soundtrack is how the rest of the MCU should return to. Definitely will get the Blu ray when it shows up.