RubenKelevra

Having given the Halo TV series a shot, I quickly found myself disengaged within the first 15 minutes. My initial reaction is one of sheer disappointment, and not even nostalgia for the beloved video game franchise could salvage my viewing experience.

The CGI is shockingly subpar for a show that presumably had a significant budget. The characters often appear poorly integrated into their environments, with lighting mismatches that disrupt immersion. Their shadows-or lack thereof-stand out glaringly, making it feel like they're awkwardly superimposed onto backgrounds. It's distracting enough to ruin any semblance of believability. The result is a visual quality that feels more akin to a low-budget fan film than a flagship adaptation of an iconic franchise.

There's an odd contradiction in the show's attention to detail-or lack thereof. While the costumes are impressively designed with intricate wear-and-tear effects, they bizarrely lack any dirt or grime. The result is an uncanny, almost "store-bought distressed" look that immediately pulls you out of the gritty, war-torn world it's trying to portray. This issue is particularly absurd when paired with actors whose faces are meticulously dirtied by makeup while their pristine clothing remains spotless. It's unintentionally comedic and undercuts any serious tone the scene might have aimed for.

The first 15 minutes present glaringly lazy storytelling and world-building. For instance, heavy weapons wielded by insurgents are shown to be utterly ineffective against alien shields-so far, so good. But then, those same weapons become devastatingly overpowered when used by a Spartan, inexplicably cutting through enemies like butter. This inconsistency isn't just a minor oversight; it's a slap in the face to any viewer expecting a shred of internal logic or coherent rules in the universe.

Based on my brief attempt to watch the Halo TV series, I can confidently say it fails to live up to the expectations set by its source material or even basic television standards. From jarring visual effects to laughable costume design choices and nonsensical storytelling, it's a masterclass in how not to adapt a beloved franchise. My 15 minutes felt like a chore, and I can't imagine enduring the full episode, let alone the entire series.

For those looking for a faithful or even halfway competent adaptation of Halo, this series seems destined to disappoint. Proceed with caution-or better yet, don't proceed at all.

"The Lego Batman Movie," despite its widespread acclaim and appeal to a broad audience, left me thoroughly disappointed and earns a mere 2/10 in my book.

From the outset, I tried to give it a chance, primarily because I like one of the voice actors involved. However, my initial enthusiasm quickly waned. Within the first five minutes, I found it exceedingly difficult to focus on the film due to its overwhelming sense of boredom. The rapid-fire jokes failed to land, and the incessant barrage of visual gags became more irritating than entertaining.

After letting the movie play for about 20 minutes while I distracted myself with my phone, I ultimately turned it off. The humor is flat and uninspired, relying heavily on recycled jokes and slapstick comedy that feels more suited to a younger audience than a broader, more sophisticated viewership. The lack of a compelling story only exacerbates this issue, making the film feel directionless and chaotic.

The characters are another significant letdown. Rather than presenting unique, engaging personalities, they come across as annoying caricatures. Batman, traditionally a complex and brooding character, is reduced to a one-dimensional figure who constantly spouts tiresome quips and juvenile humor. This shallow portrayal is not only unappealing but also feels like a disservice to the iconic Batman legacy.

Furthermore, the film's self-referential humor and meta-commentary, which might have been clever in moderation, become gratingly excessive. Instead of adding depth, these elements detract from any potential for genuine narrative or character development.

In conclusion, "The Lego Batman Movie" is a tedious and underwhelming experience. Its flat jokes, lack of story, annoying characters, and the misappropriation of the Batman name make it a film I cannot recommend. For those seeking a meaningful or entertaining addition to the Batman franchise, this movie falls spectacularly short.

"The Expanse," which debuted its first season in 2015, initially captivates with a gripping blend of sci-fi intrigue and film noir elements, earning a commendable 8/10 stars. However, as the series progresses, it unfortunately loses its initial charm and coherence, with each subsequent season literally dropping a star in quality, with season two earning a 7/10, season three a 6/10, and so on.

The first season of "The Expanse" is a masterclass in world-building and atmospheric storytelling. Set in a meticulously crafted future where humanity has colonized the solar system, the series effectively combines elements of political drama, mystery, and hard science fiction. The film noir aesthetic of the first season, particularly embodied in the character of Detective Joe Miller (Thomas Jane), provides a dark, gritty tone that complements the complex, multi-layered narrative. Miller's investigation into the disappearance of Julie Mao is both compelling and evocative of classic noir detective stories, drawing viewers into a universe teeming with intrigue and danger.

The first season's strength lies in its rich character development and tightly woven plot. The main characters, including Miller, James Holden (Steven Strait), and Chrisjen Avasarala (Shohreh Aghdashloo), are given substantial arcs that are both engaging and believable. The political tension between Earth, Mars, and the Belt is expertly depicted, adding depth and realism to the story. The visual effects and production design are also top-notch, bringing the vastness and complexity of space to life in stunning detail.

However, the series begins to falter in its subsequent seasons. By the second season, the film noir elements that made the first season so unique and captivating are largely abandoned, replaced by more conventional sci-fi tropes. This shift in tone and style diminishes the series' initial allure and originality. Character development, one of the first season's strongest aspects, also suffers significantly. Many characters who were well-developed and integral to the plot are unceremoniously discarded, their arcs left incomplete. This not only frustrates viewers but also undermines the emotional investment that the first season so carefully cultivated. The introduction of new characters often feels forced and superficial, with these newcomers lacking the depth and complexity of their predecessors.

The series' once-praised science-driven world-building is increasingly compromised as well. Initially lauded for its realistic portrayal of space travel and physics, "The Expanse" begins to sacrifice scientific accuracy for the sake of plot convenience. Travel times between moons are drastically shortened without explanation, such as the swing shot maneuver the Rocinante performs, undermining the established realism. Other scientific inconsistencies and nonsensical plot devices further detract from the immersive experience that the first season so effectively created.

As the series progresses, the narrative becomes increasingly fragmented and unfocused. Plotlines that once held great promise are either rushed to unsatisfactory conclusions or left dangling without resolution. The sprawling story, which initially felt rich and expansive, starts to feel unwieldy and disjointed. The political intrigue and nuanced storytelling give way to more generic action sequences and spectacle, sacrificing the thoughtful, character-driven drama that made the first season so compelling.

In conclusion, "The Expanse" starts strong with a brilliant first season that combines film noir elements with rich sci-fi world-building, deserving an 8/10 rating. However, the series' quality steadily declines with each subsequent season, ultimately falling short of its initial promise. The abandonment of film noir aesthetics, the mishandling of character arcs, the increasingly fragmented narrative, and the disregard for scientific consistency all contribute to a disappointing overall trajectory. While the first season is a must-watch for fans of sci-fi and mystery, the subsequent seasons fail to maintain the high standards set at the outset.