Rosario Dawson, Benjamin Bratt, Hoon Lee, and Freddy Miyares. © 2022. Warner Bros Television and DC. Created by Roberto Patino. Executive Produced by Ava DuVernay. An HBO Max Original. Watched it on HBO Max
Quick Review: I thought this miniseries was pretty solid. The performances were pretty good. I liked this unique concept and the execution was solid. Some of the characters needed more story or development and I wished they explored more the history and the lore of DMZ. With 4 episodes, it’s a nice pace. There are great interesting concepts but it could’ve been stronger. The child actors weren’t that annoying thank god. I thought there will be action sequences but I was disappointed. But at times, the violence was pretty brutal. Rosario Dawson did a great job in her main role and the ending was honestly the strongest part of the miniseries. It wraps smoothly and it would be cool to see another season or a film about the new DMZ. This miniseries is enjoyable and it’s worth your time. It’s 4 hours long but the pacing is steady. Solid miniseries and I hope you guys enjoy it. Now Streaming Only on HBO Max. Vizeit Score: “B-“ (Share this review with your film friends and on social media! Thank you for your continue support.) Copyright © 2022. Vizeit Studios. All Rights Reserved. Review Written By: Everardo Garcia Jr.
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Ewan McGregor. © 2022. LucasFilm and Walt Disney Television. Created and Directed by Deborah Chow. Executive Produced by Kathleen Kennedy. Watched it on Disney+
We are back again in the prequel timeline and Kenobi isn't finished. We are joining on his next adventure with Leia and Darth Vader and the series did not disappoint. I really enjoyed this series and it's a show that many Star Wars fans will enjoy but also might be slightly disappointed. It's a show which is great but there are some problems mid-way through. But I can tell you, that this show is fun and the prequel fanboys will love it. Let's dive into the review with lightsabers. Set ten years after the events of Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith (2005), the series follows Kenobi as he sets out to rescue the kidnapped Princess Leia (Vivien Lyra Blair) from the Galactic Empire, leading to a confrontation with his former apprentice, Darth Vader (Hayden Christensen). One of the many great things about this show was the characters. Obi-Wan Kenobi himself played by Ewan McGregor was awesome in the role. He is the star of his own show and he gets to do a lot of things that will complete his character arc from the films. We get to explore more of his past and regrets with Darth Vader and the other prequel characters. Plus, his trauma from ten years ago and his fighting his own mistakes and past. The execution worked well and with McGregor's performance, it's done in an emotional way. His character arc in this show was pretty great and seeing him fighting against Darth Vader was epic. He is still the same character from the prequel films and this show feels like a conclusion to Kenobi's arc of the prequel trilogy and moving on to the original trilogy. The writing of his character was done very well and I'm happy they kept the iconic line. "Hello There!" The other characters like Darth Vader, Reva, Leia, and Owen were all very good. Darth Vader gets to be overpowered in this show and I like that. He is ruthless and he only wants Kenobi in his hands. Hayden Christensen's performance was great and we get to see his younger self in a flashback before he turns into Darth Vader. His acting is improved and he still feels like the same old Anakin Skywalker. Plus, the voice of James Earl Jones was also awesome. I liked the new character Reva in this show. Her performance was very good and her character arc was well developed but I knew they were setting her character up for a future show or film. But nonetheless, she was great. Young Leia was also pretty good. I liked her character in this show and she was helpful thank god because some child characters aren't helpful. But in this show, she is. The other side characters like Owen, Haja, Tala, and Kawlan were all pretty good. Tala was one of my new favorite Star Wars characters and she got to shine in certain scenes. All the characters were very solid and the story overall is pretty good. The story shines through the events of the prequel trilogy but explores many new planets that are essential to the story. The story was well-paced and I liked the story bouncing between Vader and Kenobi. Overall, the story was very good. The cinematography looks very great. A lot of great visual effects and great usage of Stagecraft to blend in with the visual effects and CGI. There were some unique angles during the battle scenes and the score was pretty good. I always love the score of Star Wars and in this show, it was very solid. The production was also pretty great and the directing was very great as well. The director Deborah Chow directed all of the six episodes and that is a lot of work. Huge massive props to her for pulling this show off. Plus, the action scenes were great and in this show, the violence isn't held back which is great. The final episode is my favorite episode in the show and it felt like a true Obi-Wan dedicated episode with action, suspense, and a satisfying conclusion. This show was very great and it's a show that fans will not miss. But I still have some issues with this show. One of the biggest issues is that this show is setting up different characters for upcoming shows or films and not focusing on Kenobi himself. He's the star of the show and the show does not fully put the attention on the main character. In a few episodes, we only get to see him for like 10 to 20 minutes and they cut to different characters or at Reva. I felt like this show was only setting up the character Reva for her own show or film which is good but it takes away the attention of the main character. Plus, they cut away too much from Kenobi to other characters and it felt like it was another Hawkeye situation. Leia was good in this show but her performance was decent yet she was annoying. I don't know why but I felt like she was just a distraction and she only got to do one thing and she's done. Plus, the chase scene back at her home planet was so bland and not intense. This show felt a little bit cheap in certain scenes or shots. Some of the sets felt low-budget and not polished or beautiful like The Mandalorian or The Book of Boba Fett. I was worried that some scenes won't be very good visually but it got back to its tracks. Another issue that is talked about which is glaring, is that this show could've been a feature film. While watching the finale, I knew that this story should've been a film and the final episode felt like a complete film or episode with Kenobi fully in it. Some episodes felt bland or dragged in certain scenes to set up stuff or fill in time. This could've been a 3 part or two-part show but I was fine with this route. I just could've wished they went for a full feature film. Plus, minor issue but please stop killing new likable characters. I won't say who but that character was my favorite. Overall, some story and writing issues but I still liked this show a lot. It's not the best Star Wars show but it's still very solid within its presentation. While this show misstep in some of the story, it's still very good due to the characters, visual presentation, and direction. This show felt like a true prequel show and it still has the charm from the prequel trilogy that many fans will be pleased with. It's still a Star Wars show and the show satisfied my expectations. I really enjoyed it and I hope they bring back McGregor one last time. Now Streaming Only On Disney+ Vizeit Score: "B+" (Share this review with your film friends and on social media! Thank you for your continue support.) Copyright © 2022. Vizeit Studios. All Rights Reserved. Review Written By: Everardo Garcia Jr. Millie Bobby Brown, Finn Wolfhard, Sadie Sink, Caleb McLaughlin, Natalia Dyer, Maya Hawke, and Gaten Matarazzo. © 2022. Netflix, 21 Laps Entertainment, and Monkey Massacre. Produced, directed, and created by The Duffer Brothers. Watched it on Netflix (Volume 1 and 2) Non-Spoilers
After a long 3 year wait with many delays and pushbacks, it's finally here and the wait was worth it. Something about this show keeps everything afloat and works due to the amazing cast and writing. They never miss the spark of the 80s and the horror aspects that made this show work in the first season. Stranger Things season 4 proves that raising the stakes and focusing on what worked in the past two seasons helps the show keep on its footing. From the cast to the camera work and to the directing, it's some of the best modern television shows I've seen in a long time. Splitting into two parts was a good idea and it kept the momentum of this show stable. This review will be split into two parts with Volume 1 and Volume 2. Focusing on the good and the bad. Let's dive in. Set in March 1986, eight months after the events of the third season, the fourth season is split between different plotlines. The first plotline takes place in Hawkins, where several teenagers are killed in mysterious ways. The second plotline involves Mike Wheeler visiting Eleven, Will, and Jonathan Byers at their new home in California. Due to the events in Hawkins and the imminent danger to her friends, Eleven goes with Dr. Martin Brenner and Sam Owens to a secret facility to help her regain her powers. Mike, Will, Jonathan, and Jonathan's friend Argyle try to track Eleven down. The third plotline follows Joyce Byers and Murray Bauman, who learn that Jim Hopper may still be alive and are told to bring money to arrange for his transfer. Meanwhile, in a Russian gulag in Kamchatka, Hopper is held prisoner and is forced, alongside other inmates, to battle a Demogorgon that the Russians have captured. Volume 1: The first volume was excellent in bringing back what made Stranger Things the show is today. Bringing back the creepy horror element, plus the 80s school vibes, and the new mystery within Hawkins. It felt like season one back all over again but with a new enemy in town. The characters are now split into four locations. Hawkins, California, Russia, and Nevada. This was a great decision to split them up to raise the stakes but also to give every character a moment to shine in the show. The Hawkins and Russia storyline are the strongest in the show and they serve a lot of the dramatic tones and they are focused more here in this season. The Hawkins storyline was amazing. With the main characters still living in Hawkins, they are investigating the mysterious murders that are happening within Hawkins involving high school students. I love that it's going back to its roots in investigating the murders while they have experienced the enemies of the upside-down. Plus, they go deeper into the lore of the upside-down and find hidden secrets that surprised me along the way. The Russia storyline was also pretty great. Hopper was great in this season and his storyline was pretty good. He just wanted to escape but with the help of Enzo. Their unexpected friendship works very well in the final three episodes and actor David Harbour proves that he's too good to be on this show. The characters Joyce and Murray are also great in their storylines. Murray is the comedic one while Joyce just wants to find Hopper and their friendship is hilarious. Their adventure is fun and the new character Yuri is also pretty great. The Russia storyline helped the show stay consistent with its tone and explored more of Russia finding more about the upside-down. Back to the Hawkins storyline, it was amazing. The characters were great in their storylines. Max and Nancy were the main spotlights during the storyline and they got to do a lot of badass moments in the show. Steve is still amazing in the show and the rest of the characters were really great. A lot of great performances and everyone got to do their own part to save Hawkins and each other. The California storyline is also pretty great but some of the characters were underutilized for the story. Jonathan and Will barely get to do anything in the show. Mike is in a complicated relationship with Eleven which is good but after that, he doesn't really get to do much in the show. While I liked the tension and drama between all of these characters in California, they don't get to do much in the show except drive to find Eleven and find her to save her friends at Hawkins. Plus, they don't know what is really going on except for the crew at Hawkins and Russia. It's still very good but it's underwhelming at the same time. The Nevada storyline is way stronger than California and Eleven get to do a lot within this storyline. While she doesn't get her powers back, she's back at the secret lab where she is exploring her past but unexplored pasts that lead to the upside-down. It's creepy and effective. Dr. Martin is great in this season and he gets to push the limits of Eleven so she can get her powers back. He's also kind yet not trustworthy enough. Dr. Sam is also great in the show and he's the only one who wants to protect Eleven and trust her in his life. A great duo. Overall, the storyline in Nevada works in this season. All of the storylines worked here with the cast being amazing and the writing is way stronger this season. The villain is also pretty great. Vecna is creepy and he wants to end suffering but in his own evil way. We get to see how he does it and it's very scary. Plus, we get to see his true origins and who he really is, and what he is capable of. This series needed a new villain that has a purpose and an actual character. Thank god we got that and he is awesome and scary as well. Overall, the first volume was amazing. A lot of tension, well-directed episodes, and amazing performances. This series needed something new and fresh and it worked well to lead into volume 2. Plus, the horror worked very well here and it was nice to see the crew split up to defeat one enemy and it worked very well due to the editing and writing. Volume one was amazing and volume two was also very great as well. Volume 2: There were only two episodes in this volume which makes sense because the final episode was 2 and a half hours long. Episode 8 was pretty great but I felt like it should belong with volume one due to its ending. It felt like a true ending to Volume one and they should've left the final episode like a movie special. Episode 8 really had a lot of tension within the Nevada storyline with Eleven and her father Dr. Martin. I liked the complicated relationship and it's a fitting ending to their relationship at the end of the episode. Plus, the action was awesome. The cinematography on the Nevada battle was dope. It felt very different and that's what I like about this show. Plus, the scenes in Russia were much tenser and the Hawkins storyline was solid in this episode. The episode felt like a prologue to the final episode yet it felt very conclusive to volume one. But overall, I really enjoyed this episode. Now onto the final long episode which was awesome and emotional. It's the best season finale alongside Season 3's finale. All plotlines were concluded very well and the best storyline in the episode was Hawkins. The Hawkins storyline was fantastic and it was the most gripping storyline throughout the series. Everyone's performances were amazing but Caleb McLaughlin and Gaten Matarazzo were the best ones in the finale. Their emotional performances were amazing and I cried multiple times. A lot of action and suspense were put into this episode and the villain Vecna was amazing in this episode. There is a lot of exposition which makes sense but in this episode, he gets the chance to shine as the villain. Plus it felt like there were actual consequences when fighting the villain and saving your friends but Vecna is very smart in the finale. Natalia Dyer as Nacy was also awesome and badass in this finale. She got to shine as well and the fan-favorite character Eddie was awesome with his guitar skills. His scenes were wicked and his redemption arc was well earned in this show. Everyone did great and the episode was directed very well. The Duffer Brothers had everything ready for the finale and they delivered it well. The ending to the finale is a perfect set-up for the final season and I hope they bring everything on the important stuff from this season to the next one. The final season felt like Infinity War and the final season is basically the Endgame of the series. All planned out and I hope everything goes smooth and crazy in the final season. Loved this finale and I hope there aren't any more body counts. Well, there's going to be deaths. Technical: The directing was very well in this show. The duffer brothers knew what kind of shots and tension they wanted on every episode and it all worked well. Shawn Levy directed the hell out of Episode 4 and I thought it was the best episode of Volume 1. But the finale is the best episode of the season. A lot of tension and action was put into each episode and the horror was through the roof. The set designs were fantastic and I like the blend of practical and CGI within these sets. The Vecna suit looks awesome and I am glad that they went full-on practical with this character. The costumes are also great and they are represented well in the 80s. Plus, the visual effects are great but some of the CGI looks iffy. But the cinematography looks beautiful in every episode. A lot of creative shots and looks to get the tone of the scene feel right. Plus, the score and songs chosen were also amazing. A lot of memorable songs including Running Up That Hill. Love that song and the score was total goosebumps. The best-looking shot in this season would be the helicopter crash in Nevada. Total chills and it looks beautiful and badass. Overall, the production was fantastic and there was care in each episode to make it feel real and believable. Awesome job film crew! Conclusion: Overall, I thought this season was a blast. A lot of great episodes, very consistent, well-written and directed, and lots of fun. While there were a few writing issues like the characters in California and the Russian side plot being a little draggy, it was still very great. Everyone got to help to defeat one common enemy and prepare to end it all next season. The finale was fantastic and overall, this season was very strong. I loved it and I cannot wait for what, 5 years for the next season? Nah, it's coming around 2024 so it's soon. Anyways, can't wait for the final season. I had such a good time with this show so far. It's still my favorite Netflix series of all time. Truly special. Now Streaming only on Netflix. Vizeit Score: "A" Seasons Ranked: 3>4>1>2 (Share this review with your film friends and on social media! Thank you for your continue support.) Copyright © 2022. Vizeit Studios. All Rights Reserved. Review Written By: Everardo Garcia Jr. Jeremey Renner and Hailee Steinfeld. © 2021. Marvel Studios and Walt Disney Television. Watched it on Disney+
Series Review: “Hawkeye” delivers a great limited series with some Christmas charm and a little Daredevil to it. You’ll see why. Jeremy Renner and Haliee Steinfeld chemistry were great as Hawkeye and Kate Bishop. Their dynamic grows throughout the series and brings what a Hawkeye or an Avenger actually does. The Story is very good as well and it’s well connected with “Black Widow” by bringing back Yelena. The action sequences were pretty good and the car chase sequence was by far the best action sequence in the show. The villain was good but nothing special. The Russian Bros were funny as fuck not gonna lie. I also liked the Christmas theme of this show and while it didn’t had huge stakes, it had a lighter tone but mixed with grounded villains and all set in New York City. While it did include some Sci-fi elements like Scott’s Arrow, it didn’t ruin the grounded tone of the story. I like grounded storytelling and this one did a pretty good job. I’m happy they brought back Kingpin and the original actor from the Netflix Daredevil Show. He was utilized well and I can’t wait for him to show up again in a future MCU project. The cinematography was pretty good and the CGI was very good which I’m surprised. I’m also glad that they brought back the Ronin storyline and those action sequences with him are badass. And bloody too. The first few episodes were kind of of a drag. The first episode lacked energy and tension including episode 2. Every episode ended with a cliffhanger but it’s not a effective cliffhanger until Episode 5. Kate Bishop was good but kind of annoying in the first few episodes. But later, I got used to it and she’s was very good later on. Some of action sequences were okay and unfortunately, I felt bored sometimes because there wasn’t enough chemistry within dialogue. But after Episode 4, everything starts picking up and it gains energy. Some of the characters in the finale were questionable and idk where there stories are going to get picked up. Especially Hawkeye and Kingpin. But I believe this will follow the “Echo” series later. Also, I felt like the show was more focused on Kate Bishop rather then Hawkeye himself. They should’ve called it “Hawkeye and Kate”. I wish they could focused more on Clint. There’s some pacing issues, cringe moments, and the major issue I found was the lack of Energy. But I’m glad they found the energy after Episode 4. Overall, it’s a very good Marvel Studios show with some hiccups along the way but the finale was very fun. Can’t wait to see where Hawkeye and Kate Bishop go from there. Vizeit Score: “B” Copyright © 2021. Vizeit Studios. All Rights Reserved. Review Written By: Everardo Garcia Jr. |
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