Microbudget Filmmaker (Microbudgeter)

This is not spoiler-free; also, be extremely skeptical if there is a review posted two days ago. Did they really finish the game? Be discerning. Central to the teachings of Jesus is a message of redemption. And that redemption narrative is bolstered by love, whether it’s love for your neighbors or love for your enemies - an unpopular teaching Jesus gave His followers. During His time on earth, there were imperialistic Romans, there were some non-Aaronic leaders who were buying their way into power in Israel, and there were zealots who were hoping for a conqueror to be their Messiah and deliver Israel from Roman occupation. In this game, there are similar competing forces, but ultimately a narrative arc that is about loving your enemy through words and deeds (Abby: “YOU are my people.” And also Abby, returning to help Lev and Yara). Still, this post-apocalyptic world that is rife with violence and tribalism ultimately has this beautiful moment where forgiveness reigns. Ellie can make what seems like an illogical choice in the end exactly because forgiveness is an upside down choice. Even after losing everybody and everyone close to her and her guitar-playing fingers, it makes no sense but that is the kind of love Ellie ultimately comes to terms with. Everything else that you want from a Naughty Dog game as far as gameplay, moments of levity, pacing, dialogue, and even WILD action sequences are all here. This world is massive, and even though it is full of scripted paths, it feels limitless. Abby is a great character, and I absolutely prefer her storyline to Ellie's dark turn. Even after facing near-death, her commitment is still to “the least of these” (Make no mistake, Lev and Yara have immense strength, but because they are treated as outcasts by their own group and foes by their enemies - and even their own mother - their story qualifies them as “the least of these”). When Ellie saves Abby from certain death, Abby’s first thought is to take care of Lev even in her emaciated state. The contrast between her former strength and that particular moment is so powerfully understated in the reaction on Ellie's face. (People complaining about Abby's build must realize it is a deliberate narrative choice because of how it powerfully underscores that scene. It's a similar reason why the boat randomly breaks down on Ellie as she makes her way to the aquarium. It is a narrative device so you don’t feel cheated later on by the wave that destroys the boat when it stalls again.) Even though their fight at the end is extremely protracted, it’s a filmic idea of showing the action rather than telling it. It's how those two girls are able to reconcile their hurt and ultimately forgive one another. Don’t listen to critics, and don’t listen to your echo chamber; decide for yourself if you enjoyed the first game. Then, if you know from other fictional narratives that you are okay with your franchises taking risks, then this story is for you. Never mind all the political grandstanding. As a budding creator, I absolutely want to infuse my beliefs into everything I create, and I can’t fault another for doing that as well. (Because of Mr. Druckmann’s background, you will find a unique moment where a Jewish synagogue is explored. Dina explains how she comes from a long line of survivors and she's proud of that. Even though her faith has been rocky, she still prays.) That is the beauty of living in a pluralistic society, and when we lose sight of the civil ethos and understanding that help shape our nation, we wind up with these heteronomous reviews attacking one another.