jwcstorage
Joined Sep 2014
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Reviews88
jwcstorage's rating
'Member The Goonies? STAR WARS DOES!
But only vaguely... Instead of strong characters with unique and distinct personalities, we have four kids. I just say "four kids" because they forgot the important part in The Goonies where each kid has those distinctive personalities AND appearances. Sure, sure, we have "the leader" and "the dreamer" and "the tech nerd" and "the scaredy cat" but beyond following the very basics, theres not much else there.
Jude Law's "scoundral" isnt much help either as he barely gives any reason to care for the character and doesnt do much for the plot, pro or con. His character also feels half baked and 'first draft'y.
Then you have the world-building, which is quite confusing. This is still "Star Wars" but theres no wars going on, just peaceful mud bath planets and secret hidden planets and other silly nonsense that seems counter to "Star Wars". And you also have "pirates". No, not futuristic space pirates but pirates that talk like they're from a 1900's pirate movie.
The plot... exists. And moves forward, sometimes. I'll end there, as there really isnt much more to talk about than that.
Theres a lot of "humor" here that isnt humorous, mostly playing on very very old slap-stick tropes. Theres one where a Hutt is implied to eat a living and sentient servant alive that was brow raising.
The Goonies was a "kids" movie that could be enjoyed by any age, but this is a KIDS movie, aimed at children (maybe written BY children?) who maybe are just learning their first words? If you want to distract (note: distract, not entertain or educate) a very young child, put this on and it might work for a few minutes!
But only vaguely... Instead of strong characters with unique and distinct personalities, we have four kids. I just say "four kids" because they forgot the important part in The Goonies where each kid has those distinctive personalities AND appearances. Sure, sure, we have "the leader" and "the dreamer" and "the tech nerd" and "the scaredy cat" but beyond following the very basics, theres not much else there.
Jude Law's "scoundral" isnt much help either as he barely gives any reason to care for the character and doesnt do much for the plot, pro or con. His character also feels half baked and 'first draft'y.
Then you have the world-building, which is quite confusing. This is still "Star Wars" but theres no wars going on, just peaceful mud bath planets and secret hidden planets and other silly nonsense that seems counter to "Star Wars". And you also have "pirates". No, not futuristic space pirates but pirates that talk like they're from a 1900's pirate movie.
The plot... exists. And moves forward, sometimes. I'll end there, as there really isnt much more to talk about than that.
Theres a lot of "humor" here that isnt humorous, mostly playing on very very old slap-stick tropes. Theres one where a Hutt is implied to eat a living and sentient servant alive that was brow raising.
The Goonies was a "kids" movie that could be enjoyed by any age, but this is a KIDS movie, aimed at children (maybe written BY children?) who maybe are just learning their first words? If you want to distract (note: distract, not entertain or educate) a very young child, put this on and it might work for a few minutes!
I liked the two recent Dune movies quite a bit, and its been a long time since I've tried to get through the books so I cant say how accurate much of this is but.... geez is it wearing its Game of Thrones badge on its sleeve the size of Arrakis clearly by episode 2 and its sexposition scene. (I'm no prude and sex and nudity are fine by me)
I'll start with whats good: the visuals are pretty great from costumes to sets and CGI, seeing a glimpse of the war between humanity and thinking machines was interesting, its an interesting concept to go back so far to see how the Bene Gesserit seeded "prophecy" throughout the galaxy and their not so humble beginnings, some of the actors/actresses are very good with what they're given to work with.
The bad: while the visuals are great, its 10k years before the events of the Dune movies and everyone still pretty much dresses the same and the world looks almost exactly the same even though we're not on any of the planets we've explored from the movies. The writing feels weak and aimed towards what is quickly becoming ho-hum which is "its all politics and back stabbing! Except for how we're going to end with a hook to force you to come back next week at the end of every episode". While the acting is fine, I honestly feel annoyed that some of the main cast are just acting how they act in other media (ESPECIALLY Travis Fimmel, but also Mark Strong and Emily Watson. They feel like any other character in any other show or movie they've been in). Theres a lot of one-sided exposition which are clear and obvious info-dumps that could have been handled better. The world of Dune, as far as I remember, has always had weird and funky stuff sprinkled throughout, but this series seems to be playing it safe in that aspect.
This is by episode 2. I am hoping that this story tries to have its own identity and not just become "Game of Thrones, but dressed up as Dune, in spaaaaaaaaace".
If this show can forge its own identity I think it could end up being a highly enjoyable series but right now it honestly feels like a model after a big fashion show... beautiful but lazy and tired.
I'll start with whats good: the visuals are pretty great from costumes to sets and CGI, seeing a glimpse of the war between humanity and thinking machines was interesting, its an interesting concept to go back so far to see how the Bene Gesserit seeded "prophecy" throughout the galaxy and their not so humble beginnings, some of the actors/actresses are very good with what they're given to work with.
The bad: while the visuals are great, its 10k years before the events of the Dune movies and everyone still pretty much dresses the same and the world looks almost exactly the same even though we're not on any of the planets we've explored from the movies. The writing feels weak and aimed towards what is quickly becoming ho-hum which is "its all politics and back stabbing! Except for how we're going to end with a hook to force you to come back next week at the end of every episode". While the acting is fine, I honestly feel annoyed that some of the main cast are just acting how they act in other media (ESPECIALLY Travis Fimmel, but also Mark Strong and Emily Watson. They feel like any other character in any other show or movie they've been in). Theres a lot of one-sided exposition which are clear and obvious info-dumps that could have been handled better. The world of Dune, as far as I remember, has always had weird and funky stuff sprinkled throughout, but this series seems to be playing it safe in that aspect.
This is by episode 2. I am hoping that this story tries to have its own identity and not just become "Game of Thrones, but dressed up as Dune, in spaaaaaaaaace".
If this show can forge its own identity I think it could end up being a highly enjoyable series but right now it honestly feels like a model after a big fashion show... beautiful but lazy and tired.
Smile 2 continues the tale of Smile 1, this time following Skye, a popstar and former drug addict.
Its the same tale of the entity feasting on the trauma of our main character.
This time, Skye is a singer and its kind of clear why they did this later in the film with some passingly interesting "smile creatures" doing some moves that could only be done by acrobatic people. It makes for some striking shots, but aside from that, its more of the same.
One of the biggest missed opportunities, which hopefully Hollywood will correct, is the (mis)use of Kyle Gallner, the detective/ex-bf from the original film and star of Strange Darling, Gallner has a small but memorable part that was, in all honesty, better than the entire rest of the film. Gallner is outstanding in pretty much everything he's in and I wish were following his story. Please Hollywood, give this man the attention he deserves!
As the story is basically the first one, with a new character and new trauma, there isnt much new to see here aside from the ending. If you recall the first film, you'll have an idea of how its NOT going to end.
If you liked the first Smile, and want more, this will scratch that itch. It still relies on some jump scares, but now that we learn more, at least they make a bit more sense.
The ending leaves a lot of questions that seem to contradict prior lore and left a bad taste in my mouth, along with not knowing what was
Otherwise, a fine continuation that continues the story of the first, but feels repetitive. And one of the worst tropes in Hollywood is the "It was all a dream" trope.
Strange note: 2024 seems to be the year of secret musical. Joker, Trap, Wicked, Mean Girls, (the upcoming Moana 2) and more, and now this. A whole lot of musical numbers sprinkled throughout. I have a minor worry that the Tiktok generation growing up that we may see this trend increase to "hold their attention". This isnt a dig at them, per se, but at Hollywood feeling they need to do this.
Its the same tale of the entity feasting on the trauma of our main character.
This time, Skye is a singer and its kind of clear why they did this later in the film with some passingly interesting "smile creatures" doing some moves that could only be done by acrobatic people. It makes for some striking shots, but aside from that, its more of the same.
One of the biggest missed opportunities, which hopefully Hollywood will correct, is the (mis)use of Kyle Gallner, the detective/ex-bf from the original film and star of Strange Darling, Gallner has a small but memorable part that was, in all honesty, better than the entire rest of the film. Gallner is outstanding in pretty much everything he's in and I wish were following his story. Please Hollywood, give this man the attention he deserves!
As the story is basically the first one, with a new character and new trauma, there isnt much new to see here aside from the ending. If you recall the first film, you'll have an idea of how its NOT going to end.
If you liked the first Smile, and want more, this will scratch that itch. It still relies on some jump scares, but now that we learn more, at least they make a bit more sense.
The ending leaves a lot of questions that seem to contradict prior lore and left a bad taste in my mouth, along with not knowing what was
Otherwise, a fine continuation that continues the story of the first, but feels repetitive. And one of the worst tropes in Hollywood is the "It was all a dream" trope.
Strange note: 2024 seems to be the year of secret musical. Joker, Trap, Wicked, Mean Girls, (the upcoming Moana 2) and more, and now this. A whole lot of musical numbers sprinkled throughout. I have a minor worry that the Tiktok generation growing up that we may see this trend increase to "hold their attention". This isnt a dig at them, per se, but at Hollywood feeling they need to do this.