"The Lion Guard: Return Of The Roar" Review (Spoilers)

[matt_zimmer]

Also reviews for the latest episodes of Teen Titans Go!, Supergirl, The Flash, DC's Legends Of Tomorrow, Arrow, Powerless, and The Powerpuff Girls, the season finale of Legion, the latest episode of Marvel's Guardians Of The Galaxy, the season finale of Star Wars Rebels, the latest episodes of Once Upon A Time, Tangled: The Series, and Tales Of The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, the series finale of Grimm, the season finale of Sleepy Hollow, and the latest episodes of Bob's Burgers, Making History, The Last Man On Earth, Family Guy, Colony, Bates Motel, The Blacklist: Redemption, and Blindspot.

Upcoming reviews include Doctor Who: Series 9, The X-Files: Season 10, Avengers: Age Of Ultron (Blu-Ray), Ant-Man (Blu-Ray), Captain America: Civil War (Blu-Ray), Doctor Strange (Blu-Ray), Marvel's Agents Of S.H.I.E.L.D.: Season 2, Marvel's Agent Carter: Season 1, Marvel's Agent Carter: Season 2, Daredevil: Season 1, The Amazing Spider-Man 2 (Blu-Ray), X-Men: Days Of Future Past: The Rogue Cut, Deadpool, X-Men: Apocalypse (Blu-Ray), The Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes! Season 1, The Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes! Season 2, Zootopia, Moana (Blu-Ray), Inside Out (Blu-Ray), The Good Dinosaur (Blu-Ray), Finding Dory (Blu-Ray), Once Upon A Time: Season 5, The BFG, Star Wars: The Force Awakens (Blu-Ray), Star Wars Rebels: Season 2, Lego Star Wars: Droid Tales, Lego Star Wars: The Freemaker Adventures: Season One, Jim Henson's Turkey Hollow (DVD), Fantastic Beasts And Where To Find Them (Blu-Ray), Static Shock: Season 1, The Zeta Project: Season 2, Justice League Vs. Teen Titans, Teen Titans Go!: Get In Pig Out, Suicide Squad (Blu-Ray), The Flash: Season 2, Arrow: Season 4, DC's Legends Of Tomorrow: Season 1, Supergirl: Season 1, Gotham: Season 2, iZombie: Season 1, iZombie: Season 2, Lucifer: Season 1, Be Cool Scooby Doo!: Spooky Kooky Fun!, Wabbit: A Looney Tunes Prod.: Hare-Raising Tales, The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey: Extended Edition, The Hobbit: The Desolation Of Smaug: Extended Edition, The Hobbit: The Battle Of The Five Armies: Extended Edition, Airplane! / Airplane II: The Sequel: Double Feature, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Beyond The Known Universe, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Earth's Last Stand, Tales Of The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Super Shredder, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Half-Shell Heroes: Blast To The Past, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out Of The Shadows, Power Rangers: Zeo: Volume 1, Power Rangers: Zeo: Volume 2, Turbo: A Power Rangers Movie, Power Rangers Turbo: Volume 1, Power Rangers: Turbo: Volume 2, Power Rangers In Space Volume 1, Power Rangers In Space: Volume 2, Power Rangers Samurai: The Complete Season, Powr Rangers: Megaforce: The Complete Season, Power Rangers: Super Megaforce: The Complete Season, Transformers: Robots In Disguise: Season 1, Heroes Reborn: The Complete Series, Avatar: The Last Airbender: Book 1: Water, Avatar: The Last Airbender: Book 2: Earth, Avatar: The Last Airbender: Book 3: Fire, The Legend Of Korra: The Complete Series, Haven: Season 5 - Vol. 1, Haven: The Final Season, Under The Dome: Season 3, Quantum Leap: Season 1, Quantum Leap: Season 2, Quantum Leap: Season 3, Quantum Leap: Season 4, Quantum Leap: Season 5, Sleepy Hollow: Season 2, Sleepy Hollow: Season 3, Brooklyn Nine-Nine: Season 2, Brooklyn Nine-Nine: Season 3, The Jurassic Park Trilogy, Jurassic World, Lego Jurassic World: The Imdominus Escape, Back To The Future: The Complete Animated Series, Shaun The Sheep Movie (Blu-Ray), Shaun The Sheep: The Farmer's Llamas, 12 Monkeys: Season 1, 12 Monkeys: Season 2, Grimm: Season 4, Grimm: Season 5, The Wonder Years: Season 4, The Wonder Years: Season 5, The Wonder Years: Season 6, The Peanuts Movie, Peanuts By Schulz: Snoopy Tales, Bob's Burgers: Season 5, Ghostbusters: Answer The Call, Community: Season 6, Hannibal: Season 1, Hannibal: Season 2, Hannibal: Season 3, Preacher: Season One, Danger Mouse: The Complete Series, Game Of Thrones: Season 5, and Game of Thrones: Season 6.



Teen Titans Go! "Master Detective"

Loved it. Love how they turned a dumb, inexplicable running gag, and made it a part of the story. I never even noticed the dumb animals changed every season. Some nitpicker I am.

I didn't know the thing about trees before. That's really cool.

I like this version of the Illuminati better than Gargoyles' version. Just because this version is more plausible, and less filled with Xanatos Gambits.

Great episode. ****1/2.




Supergirl "Distant Sun"

This is one of those episodes that sort of sucked while I was watching it, but I imagine when I rewatch it on the Blu-Ray, I'll like it better. I'm not going to compare it to The Sixth Sense. But the best viewing of that movie is the second time you watch it, not the first. That is probably this episode.

Let me get the one thing in the episode that will definitely NOT improve upon seeing it again out of the way: Winn snidely telling the telepath that he should have been able to tell the difference between a gun and a stapler. That is not a quip. That is not a joke. That is a genuine plothole. A telepath should have been able to read if Winn was bluffing, and if one is as good at it as this guy seemed, Winn would have been the first person in that moment whose mind he would have read. The show dropped the ball in resolving how Winn got the drop on him.

Lynda Carter still looks like a million bucks. But has anyone seen her birth certificate? Loved J'onn owning up to his actions to the President at the end. But I think he is ultimately going to wind up regretting them.

Now I'm gonna get to the stuff that apparently sucked while I was watching it, that won't when I rewatch it.

I was frustrated that Mon-El's parents lied to him about ordering the hit on Kara. It's obvious it was them, and them lying about it will just drive a wedge between them and Mon-El when he learns the truth. Why bother lying? Super frustrating as a viewer that wishes this show's narrative logic would hold up more than it usually does.

Except it had a good answer. The father didn't know. The father was decent, and the mother did it behind his back, because she knew he wouldn't approve. And knowing that the father is decent, and wants what is best for Mon-El, will make the episode better upon the second viewing. Plus, I don't have to be disappointed that the writers actually think they could have fooled me into thinking any other resolution but the mother killing the father is coming.

The second thing I didn't get is why Maggie didn't bother to tell Alex she cheated on her ex-girlfriend. It makes no sense, since it probably would have come up at dinner anyways. Then Alex herself explains it. Maggie doesn't trust people she's close to. She would rather explain after the fact, than reveal a weakness to Alex herself beforehand. And it's the fact that Alex is so understanding, when any other person might be fuming, which tells me that Maggie isn't entirely wrong to do that.

I also want to give a shout-out to the fact that this is the first time in weeks Alex hasn't been annoying in her relationship drama. More of this, please.

Episode grade for tonight: ***1/2., For the Blu-Ray: TBD...

The Flash "Abra Kadabra"

I honestly think they should have just let Caitlin die. That's what she wanted, after all. They should have respected her wishes about that.

I knew from the instant Kadabra refused to tell Barry, that the solution was for Barry to visit the future himself. It looks like next episode he's asking advice from himself. I'm thinking that's a mistake. Were I him, I'd choose to go to the far future where Kadabra and Thawne are from, and where all of this stuff is public record. I do not trust the idea of Future Barry, and haven't ever since the second season premiere of Legends of Tomorrow.

We'll see where this all leads in a few weeks. ***1/2.

DC's Legends Of Tomorrow "Doomworld"

This pretty much says this is the best current Arrowverse show on the air. Flash is too dark and serious. Arrow is too morally bankrupt. Supergirl is too cliched and badly written. This is the only fun Arrowverse show.

Trump is President is Doomworld? Just goes to show Doomworld isn't all that much worse than our world.

Lots of funny reveals including Ray as the janitor, Felicity as the vigilante, and especially Rip making cakes. This episode was a lot of laughs.

Can't wait for next week's finale. *****.

Arrow "Disbanded"

Part of me feels that was stupid, part of me feels that was all right.

The part of me that feels that was stupid was everybody getting their knickers in a twist about the Bratva killing Chase. It's gonna have to happen eventually, and I don't think Dig needs to worry about Oliver darkening his soul. His soul is already beyond redemption.

Speaking of which, Anatoly stopped being lovable at the end of the episode. What I love is that Oliver called him on it in their last meeting. After he said to shoot the hostages I was like, "I did not know Anatoly at all." What Oliver says is that I did, and he just changed. I do not regret Oliver damaging his relationship to the Bratva for once. Because until Anatoly gets himself together, it is no longer any kind of brotherhood.

I loved Curtis saying Felicity's hacker friends are mean. Emily Bett Rickards looks absolutely smoking in a black catsuit.

So-so. ***.

Powerless "I'ma Friend You"

Super annoying. What does that have to do with superheroes exactly? If they aren't going to take advantage of the premise, this is just another dumb, unfunny office sitcom. *.




The Powerpuff Girls "Clawdad"

I can sum up this episode in one word: Tiresome. Which might ultimately describe the entire series when all is said and done. *.




Legion "Chapter 8"

Not as great as last week. They should have made last week the finale.

I've decided I really like Clark. The folding desk thing was hilarious, as was his reaction to David saying they should talk: "Oh, s***." I agree with him about Cary. He seems nice. Him and Keri hugging at the end was very moving.

Can't wait to see what happens with Oliver and Lennie and the sphere that trapped David.

Good, if not great, finale. ****.




Marvel's Guardians Of The Galaxy "Free Bird"

Dumb. How stupid is Peter? He tries to prove how great his traps are by getting stuck in them? This show thinks I am dumber than I am. *.




Star Wars Rebels "Zero Hour, Part 1"

I was really worried for Kallus there but he did pretty good in his fight against Thrawn. Good first part. ***.

Star Wars Rebels "Zero Hour, Part 2"

Glad Sabine is back and I'm glad they rescued Kallus. I believe this was Thrawn's first bona fide loss. He took it better than he could have. Decent conclusion. ***1/2.




Once Upon A Time "Page 23"

Sappy, dumb, badly written, and cliched. Once at its worst.

Any good things? I like that they contracted Rose McIver for a cameo as Tinker Bell, despite being busy with iZombie. Ariel also returning next week shows that the show isn't completely forgetting about the supporting cast. I hope to see Ruby, Aurora, and Mulan next. *.




Tangled: The Series "Rapunzel's Enemy"

That was interesting, and didn't go the way I expected it to. Which feels kind of wrong to me. I personally am not a big fan of unpredictable Disney cartoons. That sounds like the absolute worst, least fair internet gripe ever, but it's true. I liked it for what it was. But I wasn't bowled over by Hans being secretly evil in Frozen either.

I like the idea that the person who dislikes Rapunzel is beloved. Because if he's a hated old miser, that will either make the story cliched or maudlin, depending on what direction they go. If they decide the moral is that Rapunzel is better than that guy, then we no longer worry about it. If she changes his mind, suddenly the cartoon is sappy and it sucks, even by Disney standards. But by having the guy be beloved, suddenly Rapunzel has an actual mystery and a problem to fix.

I don't actually buy the ending that it's perfectly okay if somebody doesn't like you. Because as unpredictable as the idea is, just based on what we've seen, it doesn't fit. If Monty is such a great guy (and he supposedly is) he would have appreciated the effort Rapunzel put into trying to make one of her subjects happy, and be grateful she both saved his life, and helped him achieve his lifelong dream. I'd buy the moral that it's okay for Monty to hate her if it actually was okay. Now, Monty's just an unreasonable jerk, which flies against the idea that everyone loves him for a reason. They tried to be real-world unpredictable in Monty not changing his mind, but did that while being Disney and having Rapunzel be a selfless hero all throughout the episode. Which just makes Monty's rejection inexplicable.

I could take or leave Zachary Levi in the movie (the smolder thing isn't actually funny, but pathetic) but he's really grown on me on the series. Maybe because a few years of age have added some gravel to his voice, but his performance is funnier to me now than in the movie. And for some weird reason, I find myself shipping him and Cassandra. Which is another flawed idea the episode engaged in without thinking it through.

Richard Kind was a great casting choice as Monty. His voice is warm and friendly. And it can also be equally loud-mouthed and obnoxious. Kind has SUCH a great voice that it amazes me he doesn't have the same kind of career Clancy Brown or Mark Hamill do. He's one of those live-action actors like Brent Spiner who should have been destined for a bigger cartoon superstardom than he actually got.

I enjoyed the episode, but I also think it failed in the message it was trying to get across. ***.




Tales Of The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles "The Forgotten Swordsman"

Totally underwhelming. If this is the rest of the season, I'll calling the Tales portion of the canon a wash. **.




Grimm "The End"

I can live with that.

It is not the perfect and conclusive ending the show could have had, had it been a little more careful with its storytelling choices over the years, but the 20 years later tag with Kelly and Diana was pretty much perfect, and the best way to end the franchise (along with "The End" and "Thank You" in dozens of languages).

To be blunt, this episode (and the last) made some very unfortunate choices. I think it was gutsy to kill off Hank and Wu. Even Juliet was an acceptable shocker. And once they killed off Renard, you realize how dire things are.

But they should not have killed off the entire cast. Because by doing that, I automatically suspected they'd undo it, and everybody, including Hank, Wu, and Eve would be alive at the end. And I was right. Once they killed Adalind, I no longer believed what the episode was telling me, which is a really bad idea, and a terrible one for the last episode. It's a trope I'll tolerate for a season finale, but I think a series finale is pushing it.

I'm glad they got back Mary Elizabeth Mastriantonio for the last episode. Because the fact that they DIDN'T get her for the episode Kelly died in is one of the worst things the show ever did\. I am still not okay with her death and how she went out. But at least that's not how Mastriantonio went out on the series itself.

I kind of love that as the episode progresses, Diana becomes more and more malevolent, until it's revealed at the end that she is a part of Team Grimm 20 years later. Although I think that after 6 seasons the phrase "hunting Wesen" is entirely inappropriate.

I finally got what they were doing with the Shrodinger's Cat thing a couple of weeks ago, which seemed entirely too science based a concept to explain on a fantasy. But they did that so the audience wouldn't be confused by the ending here. To be honest, I probably would have been without that explanation.

Upset Bud was not a part of this. To be fair, there was no room for him in that particular story, but he is a staple of the show (and quite possibly the most beloved character) and it feels wrong that he didn't even cameo. Hopefully the writers made it up to Danny Bruno at the cast party.

Am I the only one disappointed the title card wasn't "And they live happily ever after?" I'm guessing because I think I remember them using that before. Grimm has NEVER had the best storytelling foresight. See them actually having the invent the word "Wesen" in the middle of season one, rather than it and "Woging" being a part of the series from the beginning.

Interesting that Nick wound up with Adalind after all. That would not have been my choice, but than neither would Eve / Juliet, and I guess that if they had to have Nick have a happily ever after with somebody, I'd rather it was with the person who only raped him than the person who killed his mother. Which just shows that the possible romances this show gave Nick sucked big time. Seriously, Grimm. What is wrong with you?

I'm not going to say I'm going to miss this show and that the finale was so great that all is forgiven. But much better shows have had much worse endings. If Fringe had had an ending this decent, I would have been MUCH happier with that series than I ultimately was. Not bad. ****1/2.




Sleepy Hollow "Freedom"

Passable. Which is pretty much all I ever wanted after the hot mess of season three. I'll take okay and like it.

Fictionalized President still. Great move.

I love that Satan is a crooner. That sounds about right. I like that Crane seems to take his predicament entirely differently than Dreyfuss did. Dreyfuss tried to weasel his way out of it. Crane is undoubtedly going to find a legal remedy that is above board to save his soul. Which is good.

When the archivists started doing karate moves and giving the Horsemen of the Apocalypse a run for their money I threw up my hands. Stop doing this, television. Dawn and Xander cannot slay Ubervamps, and this is b.s. too (and for the same reasons).

I am not on-board with the notion that the Witness mantle has passed from Molly. Frankly, the fact that the new witness was a kid with an overprotective mother was the entire dramatic tension of the season, and with Abbie gone, the series. I get them wanting to give the little kid the happy ending, but they should have saved that for the series finale, not the season finale. Next season will lose a great deal of drama because of that.

Loved the joke of the Kraken at the end.

The opening vision fake-out was beyond pointless. But I think I get why they did it. The same reason they did the scene with the cable guy: The episode was probably running REALLY short and they had to make up stuff to fill the time. I actually get why it's short. In most franchises I would object to the series taking the easy way out, and not doing the big battle that was hinted that was coming. On the surface, shooting Dreyfuss seems like a total let-down.

Except on this show, if the battle occurs, Dreyfuss wins. The entire point of the season wasn't to win the battle, it was to stop it from taking place. This idea is why the entirety of the series Heroes sucked, but I think it actually worked decently here in a way it never did for Tim Kring.

When Crane gives his speech to Laura about how he will always be there for him, I realize once again how incredibly gallant Crane is towards women, which is really rare among modern guys. The elaborate bow said the same thing.

The two archivists hooking up was meaningless to me. I don't even remember their names half of the time (and this is apparently a week I have written a review where I haven't), and as far as I know, they might not even return next season if the show does another reboot. I am a little frustrated that the show is asking me to care about these characters' drama with the amount of characters it has introduced then dropped / ignored when the writers got bored. I'd sooner see an update with Frank Irving for one episode, than for that entire ship to go the distance. And the writers are crazy if they expect otherwise, or think I should ever be as invested in it as they think I should be.

The season started off terribly due to real-world events, but the series was able to sort of acquit itself using a fictionalized version of the United States for Crane to save. Because the President isn't the dirtbag in chief, I am actually allowed to smile when she easily confers citizenship to Crane after all this time. The show has done much worse. ***1/2.




Bob's Burgers "Aquaticism"

"We could get in serious trouble for this!" "Who's we, Grown-Up?"

Loved the Dale's Dead Bug truck in the main title.

I love Roger saying he could just sit there and itch and be in pain. That guy obviously does not get many wins.

I like that the problem was that Louise was TOO good at the con. That is not a flaw that usually attaches itself to her, so she's the dog who caught the truck in this episode.

I liked Tina saying that sea cucumbers leave places better off from when they visit. And I kind of get Roger falling for the fake religion in that statement. It's really cool.

Funny episode. ****.

Bob's Burgers "Ain't Miss Debatin'"

That Sasha kid is an evil genius. "Come here, Tina! Duncan is being all self-deprecating, but he's kinda lonely because nobody else gets him." The world would be a MUCH better place if all people (not just kids) were this self-aware. We might not have a madman for President.

Love Gene's Linda impression. I love the idea that Linda broke up with Hugo via answering machine rap. That sounds about right.

Loved seeing the Meatman credits at the end, especially the special thanks going to Hugo.

This was hilarious. ****.




Making History "Chadwick's Angels"

I was really enjoying this episode, but that was the weakest ending they could have come up with. Not every ending needs a surprise twist. And this one ruined the episode. This tells me this show is not satisfied with its concept and is trying to make it seem bigger than it is. And that's going to be a mistake. **1/2.




The Last Man On Earth "Find This Thing We Need To"

Do you know why I love Gail? She doesn't complain. Were I her I never would have forgiven the group for putting her in that situation, but she never brings it up. And only upon Todd entering the elevator does he realize he much she suffered.

The stuff with Tandy, Carol, and Erica at the cabin was much less successful. Precisely because it was unresolved.

Here's hoping next week is better. ***1/2.




Family Guy "Peter's Lost Youth"

Baby Boggs bit me! I love it when Family Guy deals with real-life problems and situations the rest of us have to.

I love that Meg is not afraid of Stewie. Which is ironic because he's literally the scariest Griffin. But I love that she won't let him push her around.

Loved the joke that the horse Stewie disemboweled for warmth was at a petting zoo. An open petting zoo. In the middle of the day,

What fresh hells could Ted Williams' head live in prison?

Love that when Brian thinks he isn't in charge, he goes ahead and eats a pot cookie. Not a brownie. A cookie. He'll check Stewie later.

Stewie's erotic Dora the Explorer fanfiction would almost be funny. But you KNOW it actually exists somewhere. Which makes me sad.

I no longer eat at Subway for the reasons the cutaway stated. It's nothing but a child molester hang-out to me now, and I'll never go back, no matter how much I like their turkey subs. I'm betting Subway lost more customers by hiring Jared than they ever gained.

Pretty good. ***1/2.




Colony "Seppuku"

If I was Maddie, I totally would have bet on Snyder before I did Nolan. As he says, he keeps his promises. Nolan is the scumbag of the year for practically raping his wife and then walking out of the house so the occupation could take her. The Factory, whatever it is, is too good for him.

Surprised Bram didn't eff things up with the Red Hand. That was my concern this entire episode. I am relieved that Bram is even less competent than what I meagerly gave him credit for.

Broussard got a pass with the drones too. Is Katie right? Are he and Will on a list? Why and what does it mean? Why do the invaders think those two particular people are better alive for their cause than dead?

The idea that there is a defecting rap beyond the wall makes me very happy. Because if that's true, there is a chance the rebels could win. Considering how dark and dour this show is, that's a longshot, but I never would have thought that until I learned exactly why they wanted the gauntlet back in the first place. It's possible. Not likely considering the tone, but possible.

Elena lying to Snyder saying it was politics as usual, shows he cares more than she does. She seemed to throw the accusation at him that he shouldn't have played innocent about the rendition being temporary, but just based on everything Snyder did this episode, I think he is genuinely concerned, and didn't know this was a death camp. Which will potentially make him useful to Will later on. If Snyder's goal is truly the safety of the block, then he and Will share the exact same goals with rendition on the plate.

Snyder pegged Maddie. She chose the wrong guy. It was almost devastating the matter of fact way Snyder revealed the Greatest Day is a lie. Maddie didn't just waste a life with Nolan. She wasted her soul.

I love Peter Jacobson and Christian Clemensen together. Clemenson's character is so great, because despite how openly strict and no-nonsense he is, he still doesn't want to make waves. It is interesting the leadership position he is in considering his reluctance to make tough decisions. In this brave new world, not everybody is cut out for their current profession. But necessity. But Clemenson has hung on this far by not rocking the boat, not asking questions, and doing as he is told. And considering the premise of the series, that might mean he survives longer than most. Snyder is very convincing, and is able to use logic and reason to get Clemensen to help him. Which just makes me like Clemensen's character even more.

I kind of love how absolutely disgusted Broussard was with Laura Innes. I love that because Broussard is one of the most emotionless, morally neutral characters on the series. The fact that these amateurs were proud of being amateurs and killing everybody who disagree with them, good or bad, REALLY rankled him. They are absolutely disgusting and it makes me think even less of Bram for falling for it after that. It's a freaking death camp. The Red Hand are doing the Raps work for them, and are too dumb to realize it.

Can't wait for the finale next week. If the show is renewed, will we actually SEE the Factory in season three? TBD... ****.




Bates Motel "Marion"

Did we actually need that twist? Did it improve anything? Does Norman helping Marion instead of killing her and killing the dirtbag Sam Loomis instead make him less of a Psycho? This is one of the changes that I think will ultimately be for the worse. Granted, now there are a multitude of reasons why Norman will get caught instead of just one or two, but dang, I truly dislike that the person in the shower actually deserved it.

I understand why reboots want to be able to surprise the audience. Because if they know what's coming, there is no magic. But there was no magic in this twist either. They might as well have went for it.

Good things? I loved the phone call between Dylan and Norman. What is astounding to me is that Norman is surprised Dylan is actually upset and doesn't think it's any of his business. Which is probably the craziest thing Norman thought in the episode. I freaking love Dylan and Emma together. This is something they are BOTH going to have to endure. They need each other now more than ever.

I sort of like the Girl Power message that Marion Crane survived the remake. But I don't think female empowerment messages should ever come at the hands of Norman Bates. That idea strikes me as more than a bit obscene. **.




The Blacklist: Redemption "Hostages"

I don't know how much redemption Mr. Solomon is actually going to go through if he's willing to kill Tom so easily.

The best part of the episode was Howard convincing Scottie Tom was their son using reason, logic, and instinct all at once. That was a John Locke moment and the kind of scene Terry O'Quinn excels at.

I liked it. ****.




Blindspot "Solos"

Reed is such a bunghole. I hate people who won't take help when it is offered.

I suspect the psychiatrist is Sandstorm. Just because I think she's probably wrong about Roman and the most likely reason for that is that she is secretly working against the team.

So-so. **1/2.




The Lion Guard: Return Of The Roar

The Lion Guard has always been somewhat of a misfire as a TV series. It is a continuation of The Lion King and its direct to video sequels, but the problem is that it is a preschool show, which The Lion King, despite being G rated, most certainly was not. Therefore a lot of themes that the movie explored that were actually a bit morally ambiguous, such as the Circle of Life, are sanitized and simplified so as not to upset toddlers. I get that, but it doesn't make the morality of animals eating other animals they can converse with any less reprehensible.

The hour long Pilot episode was a pretty good start, even if it had its share of problems. I kind of see why it took this long for Disney to give us a proper Lion King series. It took animation techniques this long to improve enough that you can do 2-D animation on a small TV budget that looks indistinguishable from a big budget animated movie from 1994. And you know, the animation is just as good as The Lion King, even if it was obviously much cheaper to achieve. It's for this reason I wonder why we seem to see fewer 2-D animated projects not only in film, but on TV too. It delivers a lot more for a lot less.

Unfortunately Simba is a complete ahole in the Pilot, and seems to be a racist towards his son Kion's non-lion friends. I like that in the first episode, the racism seems to be mutual between the lions and Kion's cheetah friend Fuli, who claims lions lord it over the Pridelands, and think they are better than everyone else. Fuli softened in every later appearance, but it is interesting that in the first episode, she seems almost as disdainful of the lions as the hyenas do, and also seems to be right to think that way.

James Earl Jones returned to the role of Mufasa in the first episode, although he was recast in Mufasa's further appearances. Ernie Sabella is the one member of The Lion King cast who maintains a regular presence as Pumbaa. All of the other parts have been recast. Khary Payton (Teen Titans) makes a great Rafiki, and if I'm being totally honest, Rob Lowe sounds more like a Lion King than Matthew Broderick ever did. Timon's voice actor is the same guy from the Timon and Pumbaa cartoon from the 90's, and sounds indistinguishable from Nathan Lane.

I am a little surprised that the most annoying character on the show, Bunga, is far less annoying in the Pilot as he wound up being on the series. And I remember being fed up with him pretty early on. But I think there was probably a reason that only happened in the second episode and beyond, and not the first. Because here he is not as bad as he wound up becoming.

The Pilot was the best episode of the show (so far at least) even if it is far below The Lion King. I am still giving it a positive grade. ****.

Music Video:

Catchy song. ****1/2.

Trailers:

Zootopia: I have this on Blu-Ray but haven't watched it yet. It looks funny. ****1/2.

The Good Dinosaur: This was the first Pixar film I've ever seen that was completely underwhelming in every way. And I'm including Cars 2 in that statement. *1/2.