mykissland

Prefacing this by saying i am a huge fan of the weeknd, and was willing to give this film a chance after the idol. That being said, this film just felt wholly unneeded? It might be better than the idol, sure, but that's not saying much. But it didn't really DO anything, narrative wise, development wise, etc. The best way i'd describe this would be it feels like a long music video, with nice shots, and (maybe too many) songs, but lacks any real substance to it... i will say i appreciated some parts, especially when there was a dive into abel's introspection in the dream sequences. But the issue was, it really just didn't dive deep enough to feel meaningful, and ultimately fell flat.

Abel's acting is an improvement from his last stunt but it's not saying much. Coming from a place of love for his music and craft, i think he would be much more successful behind the scenes rather than in front of it (at least for now). Overall? I would watch it if you want to get a few laughs in from unintentionally funny scenes, and if you are a big fan of the weeknd, it's worth a shot.

As someone that has been a fan for many years, i was skeptical with how this adaptation would turn out. However, this live action proves itself that good adaptations can be done, and WELL. The production design, costuming, and sets are stunning created, and feel alive. Iñaki godoy as luffy is brilliant, and you truly feel as though he has come to life from page to screen. Other actors prove strong as well, with highlights on emily rudd as nami, mackenyu as zoro, and jeff ward as buggy the clown. Overall, the project very much feels as though it was made with love, and even though there might be some minor issues in my opinion (certain plot lines changed around), ultimately it does not hinder the viewing experience, and therefore deserves the score given.