fitz_316

In the world of remakes, reboots and adaptions that we live in, there should always be one simple rule filmmakers should follow - stick to the source material. It's a disservice to fans of the source material of your choosing to completely ignore it and arrogant to think you can tell it better than the original writer. I said from the announcement of this film that a live action take on the fantastic game was not necessary as if you've played it, you know the game was more like a movie itself than a game. Be that as it may, we got an adaptation anyways and of course they fumbled the bag, as Hollywood is prone to do. If you loved the game, you'll hate the film but I can see why people who haven't played the game may enjoy it. Either way, it was a major let down for me and I should have listened to that tiny voice in the back of my mind "don't watch it". I always try and give filmmakers the benefit of the doubt and give a film that I'm not keen on, a chance... I need to stop doing that at this point in my life.

I want to start off by saying there are a lot of terrific performances in this film. That being said, it's really all for nothing. I understand this is simply supposed to be a period piece which examines biker culture but there really isn't much of a story here. Couple that with lacklustre writing and mediocre directing and you just basically get an uninteresting film about nothing at all. It's hard to become endeared to the characters because there's really nothing to care about and no character development at all. It's too bad because the cast in this film is top notch. So much potential for this film to have been an instant classic, but instead we just get a forgettable film that no one will remember in a couple of years. I struggle to understand how some moviegoers have this film such a high rating. I'm assuming they get a thrill from watching paint dry as well.

I'd like to start by making it clear that this is the FIRST singular episode of any show I've ever reviewed on IMDb. Why is that relevant? Well, after watching episode one of season four that I had been eagerly awaiting I was so let down and disappointed in the direction of this show I felt compelled to put my thoughts down and express my disdain. Season 1 was and still is arguably the greatest season of any show in television history IMO. Season 2 was difficult to digest. Season 3 was a step in the right direction and I was hoping season 4 would get this series back on the tracks but it episode one gives me the feeling that season his is the end of the series entirely. The production value, cinematography, sound and visuals are all top notch. Jodie Foster's performance is awesome from start to finish of the first episode. Positives aside, Kali Reis is terrible. She's supposed to play a hard-nosed, emotionally fractured State Trooper but her performance just comes across as cold, lifeless and uninterested. Add to that the fact that it just seems like the theme for this season is just going to be about feminism and female empowerment and I've already completely lost the hype I had for this season. Doesn't seem like it's going to be a season about detectives, their demons, and the evil that humans do to each other as much as it does seem about women being strong. We get it, it's 2024. It's not even subtle anymore, though. It's not organic. It feels so forced and artificial. It's a season written by a woman, starring women, about the struggles of being a woman. Feels more like it's going to be a dark season of Gilmore Girls than it is a season of True Detective. Jodie Foster is the only bright light in Night Country.