Matt Zimmer (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
matt_zimmer) wrote2007-06-07 03:42 pm
matt_zimmer) wrote2007-06-07 03:42 pm
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Fast Forward: Future Shellshock Review (Spoilers)
Also, I got NINE new plushies today. I got Huey, Dewey and Louie, Beast from Beauty and the Beast, Bernard and Miss Bianca from The Rescuers, Ariel's sisters Adrina and Adella from the Disney Store and a Baby Shrek from Build-a-Bear Workshop! I love my new plushies! I had been looking for Huey, Dewey and Louie FOREVER! Now I have Disney Store plushies of the entire core cast of Disney characters (Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck, Goofy, Minnie Mouse, Pluto, Daisy Duck, Chip, Dale, Huey, Dewey, Louie and Uncle Scrooge)! Hooray!
Some reviews to get out of the way. I'll be reviewing the original Empire Strikes Back, Return of the Jedi, the premiere of Creature Comforts plus the latest issue of Walt Disney's Comics and Stories. Beware spoilers.
The Empire Strikes Back
One of the best Star Wars films if not THE best. Definately faster paced than the first one and of course the stakes are raised considerably with Han going into deep freeze and Luke finding out his father is Big Pappa Darth. I loved Yoda (who says puppets can't be used in science fiction?) and think part of the reason the movie is so great is because the bad guys actually win.
I also loved Chewie throttling Lando Calrissian and Leia and Han's goodbye ("I love you", "I know"). Leia kissing Luke in front of Han is classic (AND creepy).
Only beef: C-3PO REALLY gets on my nerves in the movie (him laying odds on how they won't survive is cliche beyond belief.) Other than that the movie was kick-butt the entire way through.
Return of the Jedi
I get it now. The reason the Ewoks were able to ambush all of those storm troopers ISN'T because they are better fighters. It's because they are insurgents and know the lay of the land better. I think gripes that the Ewoks save the day are misplaced.
My favorite of the original trilogy I love the redemption of Anakin Skywalker and how Luke has to balance the Force. And Yoda and Obi-Wan are wrong. NO anger and passion is what led to the mess in the first place but Luke managed to be passionate and STILL not succumb to the Dark Side by using equal measures of passion and restraint. That's a GREAT resolution to the whole thing.
I also thought the Ewoks were adorable. I already have a plushie Wicket but now I just want to snuggle him again.
Really great conclusion to the whole thing. *****.
Creature Comforts "Animal Magnetism/ Secret and Lies/ Pets At the Vet"
This Aardman series based on the original charming British short has it's moments but this particular episode was only pretty good. I think it was a little too ribald for my tastes but if you interview Americans you are GOING to get vulgarity. I love it when the show juxtiposes images of the animals doing animal things while expressing human thoughts (as in a monkey picking nits instead of a flower for "He loves me, he loves me not"). I liked the episode and look forward to next week. ***1/2.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Fast Forward: Future Shellshock
I think this shift in format for the series was a HUGE mistake and almost all of the charm of the 2004 series is sucked out when the Turtles are brought into the future to hang out with a Mary Sue descendant of Casey and April. And is it just me or has the writing been seriously downgraded into more juvenile cliches than the old show? The old show's dialogue was far from perfect but I don't recall groaning as much as I did watching these episode. Good things: anyone who thinks the lame theme song ISN'T a thousand times better than the old show's is delusional. (They even manage to have EVERY character appear in it).
I don't like the new format even if they DID manage to make a couple of good episodes. For the most part the series has been changed for the worse. **1/2.
Future Shellshock: REALLY weak premiere that has too many stupid new catchphrases ("It's Ninja Time?") and not enough action. I also find Cody annoying beyond belief. *1/2.
Obsolete: Not as bad as the premiere but lord it still isn't good. I kept wondering if they were going to set Darius up as the series Big Bad and I still can't tell if he's a Lex Luthor type or just a really lame wannabee. **.
Home Invasion: Oh, Rich Fogel, how far you have fallen. Lame episode but at least there was a cameo from the Wild West Cowboys of Moo Mesa. **1/2.
Headlock Prime: This episode was actually pretty good. The format still stinks but there were not as many lame jokes and the character stuff was interesting. ***1/2.
Playtime's Over: Is Cody a ennuch? Cause Starly's pretty cute and there's no reason the guy should be running away from her. And I usually find Mikey funny but usually in his spotlights you realize he's better in small doses. **1/2.
Bishop to Knight: I have to give the series credit: Bishop was probably the MOST fascinating tertiary character on the old show so it is MUCH appreciated that they managed to bring him into the future. But... making him a good guy who ACCEPTS aliens really just took away his most interesting facet on the old show. I'm not sure if they'll pull a Xanatos and still have Bishop causing trouble once in a while but I'm disappointed that he's solidly a good guy now. ***.
Night of Sh'Okanabo!: I liked the episode okay and I think Sh'Okanabo is an interesting villain. But I still think the old show had better bad guys. ***.
Clash of the Turtle Titans: I saw Turtle Titan being a descendant of Silver Sentry coming a mile away. **1/2.
Fly Me To the Moon: Decent episode. I like how the Gunjin were increasingly impressed by the Turtles. I love it when the villains of a superhero show wind up respecting the hero (especially since the Turtles actually caused them to switch sides at the end). Cody is still too stupid to live though. ***.
Invasion of the Bodyjacker: Jammerhead is an annoying villain and Darius Dun isn't much better. A similar premise is done much better in just the next episode. **
The Freaks Come Out At Night: Cool episode and probably the best of the ones I've seen. There was a REALLY huge "uh oh how are they gonna get out of this?" factor to the episode even if the thing that destroyed the alien spawn was a cop-out by being sun-light. That just makes the end of Sh'Okanabo saying he's gonna try to blot out the sun a GREAT set-up. ****.
Bad Blood: I know it's a Saturday morning cartoon (JLU was BARELY able to broach the topic in Panic in the Sky) but I was disappointed that since the Turtles were cloned they didn't actually feel more violated which would probably be my first gut reaction to finding out there are evil clones of me out there). I guess that idea is too "adult" to actually be seriously considered for a kids show (On JLU, Supergirl's violation was only briefly touched upon) but since the issue of cloning has kind of been a hot button issue in the past few years I was hoping for something more. I DID like that the actors who played the Turtles played their clones. Very Tim Daly/ Bizarro. ***.
The Journal: While not the best episode of the early part of the season it's definately one that was needed. It felt good to be back in present day New York even if it wasn't "real". It was good to see April, Casey, Karia, and Hun again even if it was only for one episode. Bad part: this episode just made me want the Turtles to get back home even more. I DO like how on this show it's a known fact that the Turtles WILL get back but that the how and when are what's in question. How about soon, please? ***1/2.
Walt Disney's Comics and Stories #680
Donald Duck in “In a Minor Key,” by William Van Horn;: Yet ANOTHER Honey, I Shrunk the Kids / Micro Ducks From Outer Space riff but darned if Van Horn doesn't make it enjoyable all the same. I like the idea of the goverment trying to use the shrink ray as a weapon which in all honesty it probably could be a DEVASTATING one. It's weird that this is the first shrunken hero cartoon that actually MADE that connection but it's really obvious when you think about it. ****.
Donald Duck in “Pecking Order,” by Carl Barks: Funny. I was laughing throughout the story at Donald trying to get a picture of that rare woodpecker. Anything that CAN go wrong DOES go wrong. ***1/2.
Donald Duck in “Jean Therapy,” by Stefan Petrucha and Massimo Fecchi: Decent story even if the resolution wasn't the absolute most original thing they could have done. Face it: Donald wearing "happy pants" is just a funny idea that IS money in the bank. ***1/2.
Mickey Mouse in “King of the Bungaloos Strikes Back,” by Don Markstein and Cesar Ferioli : EXCELLENT call-back to the earlier Horace Bungaloo story I liked this one MUCH better because Mickey actually learned what misery he was in for ahead of time. I also liked Mortimer's plot to get him out of it only to find out at the end that he's still a LITTLE BIT screwed. ***1/2.
Brer Rabbit in “The Honey Sucker” by Daan Jippes: I don't understand why so many Disney Comics fans have been clamoring for more Brer Rabbit stories. They're even more boring than Lil' Bad Wolf. **.
Black Pete At Large in "Illegal Tender"; Funny one page gag. The artwork was really busy and spiffy. ***
Fethry Duck One Page Gag. This one? Not so much. **.
Some reviews to get out of the way. I'll be reviewing the original Empire Strikes Back, Return of the Jedi, the premiere of Creature Comforts plus the latest issue of Walt Disney's Comics and Stories. Beware spoilers.
The Empire Strikes Back
One of the best Star Wars films if not THE best. Definately faster paced than the first one and of course the stakes are raised considerably with Han going into deep freeze and Luke finding out his father is Big Pappa Darth. I loved Yoda (who says puppets can't be used in science fiction?) and think part of the reason the movie is so great is because the bad guys actually win.
I also loved Chewie throttling Lando Calrissian and Leia and Han's goodbye ("I love you", "I know"). Leia kissing Luke in front of Han is classic (AND creepy).
Only beef: C-3PO REALLY gets on my nerves in the movie (him laying odds on how they won't survive is cliche beyond belief.) Other than that the movie was kick-butt the entire way through.
Return of the Jedi
I get it now. The reason the Ewoks were able to ambush all of those storm troopers ISN'T because they are better fighters. It's because they are insurgents and know the lay of the land better. I think gripes that the Ewoks save the day are misplaced.
My favorite of the original trilogy I love the redemption of Anakin Skywalker and how Luke has to balance the Force. And Yoda and Obi-Wan are wrong. NO anger and passion is what led to the mess in the first place but Luke managed to be passionate and STILL not succumb to the Dark Side by using equal measures of passion and restraint. That's a GREAT resolution to the whole thing.
I also thought the Ewoks were adorable. I already have a plushie Wicket but now I just want to snuggle him again.
Really great conclusion to the whole thing. *****.
Creature Comforts "Animal Magnetism/ Secret and Lies/ Pets At the Vet"
This Aardman series based on the original charming British short has it's moments but this particular episode was only pretty good. I think it was a little too ribald for my tastes but if you interview Americans you are GOING to get vulgarity. I love it when the show juxtiposes images of the animals doing animal things while expressing human thoughts (as in a monkey picking nits instead of a flower for "He loves me, he loves me not"). I liked the episode and look forward to next week. ***1/2.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Fast Forward: Future Shellshock
I think this shift in format for the series was a HUGE mistake and almost all of the charm of the 2004 series is sucked out when the Turtles are brought into the future to hang out with a Mary Sue descendant of Casey and April. And is it just me or has the writing been seriously downgraded into more juvenile cliches than the old show? The old show's dialogue was far from perfect but I don't recall groaning as much as I did watching these episode. Good things: anyone who thinks the lame theme song ISN'T a thousand times better than the old show's is delusional. (They even manage to have EVERY character appear in it).
I don't like the new format even if they DID manage to make a couple of good episodes. For the most part the series has been changed for the worse. **1/2.
Future Shellshock: REALLY weak premiere that has too many stupid new catchphrases ("It's Ninja Time?") and not enough action. I also find Cody annoying beyond belief. *1/2.
Obsolete: Not as bad as the premiere but lord it still isn't good. I kept wondering if they were going to set Darius up as the series Big Bad and I still can't tell if he's a Lex Luthor type or just a really lame wannabee. **.
Home Invasion: Oh, Rich Fogel, how far you have fallen. Lame episode but at least there was a cameo from the Wild West Cowboys of Moo Mesa. **1/2.
Headlock Prime: This episode was actually pretty good. The format still stinks but there were not as many lame jokes and the character stuff was interesting. ***1/2.
Playtime's Over: Is Cody a ennuch? Cause Starly's pretty cute and there's no reason the guy should be running away from her. And I usually find Mikey funny but usually in his spotlights you realize he's better in small doses. **1/2.
Bishop to Knight: I have to give the series credit: Bishop was probably the MOST fascinating tertiary character on the old show so it is MUCH appreciated that they managed to bring him into the future. But... making him a good guy who ACCEPTS aliens really just took away his most interesting facet on the old show. I'm not sure if they'll pull a Xanatos and still have Bishop causing trouble once in a while but I'm disappointed that he's solidly a good guy now. ***.
Night of Sh'Okanabo!: I liked the episode okay and I think Sh'Okanabo is an interesting villain. But I still think the old show had better bad guys. ***.
Clash of the Turtle Titans: I saw Turtle Titan being a descendant of Silver Sentry coming a mile away. **1/2.
Fly Me To the Moon: Decent episode. I like how the Gunjin were increasingly impressed by the Turtles. I love it when the villains of a superhero show wind up respecting the hero (especially since the Turtles actually caused them to switch sides at the end). Cody is still too stupid to live though. ***.
Invasion of the Bodyjacker: Jammerhead is an annoying villain and Darius Dun isn't much better. A similar premise is done much better in just the next episode. **
The Freaks Come Out At Night: Cool episode and probably the best of the ones I've seen. There was a REALLY huge "uh oh how are they gonna get out of this?" factor to the episode even if the thing that destroyed the alien spawn was a cop-out by being sun-light. That just makes the end of Sh'Okanabo saying he's gonna try to blot out the sun a GREAT set-up. ****.
Bad Blood: I know it's a Saturday morning cartoon (JLU was BARELY able to broach the topic in Panic in the Sky) but I was disappointed that since the Turtles were cloned they didn't actually feel more violated which would probably be my first gut reaction to finding out there are evil clones of me out there). I guess that idea is too "adult" to actually be seriously considered for a kids show (On JLU, Supergirl's violation was only briefly touched upon) but since the issue of cloning has kind of been a hot button issue in the past few years I was hoping for something more. I DID like that the actors who played the Turtles played their clones. Very Tim Daly/ Bizarro. ***.
The Journal: While not the best episode of the early part of the season it's definately one that was needed. It felt good to be back in present day New York even if it wasn't "real". It was good to see April, Casey, Karia, and Hun again even if it was only for one episode. Bad part: this episode just made me want the Turtles to get back home even more. I DO like how on this show it's a known fact that the Turtles WILL get back but that the how and when are what's in question. How about soon, please? ***1/2.
Walt Disney's Comics and Stories #680
Donald Duck in “In a Minor Key,” by William Van Horn;: Yet ANOTHER Honey, I Shrunk the Kids / Micro Ducks From Outer Space riff but darned if Van Horn doesn't make it enjoyable all the same. I like the idea of the goverment trying to use the shrink ray as a weapon which in all honesty it probably could be a DEVASTATING one. It's weird that this is the first shrunken hero cartoon that actually MADE that connection but it's really obvious when you think about it. ****.
Donald Duck in “Pecking Order,” by Carl Barks: Funny. I was laughing throughout the story at Donald trying to get a picture of that rare woodpecker. Anything that CAN go wrong DOES go wrong. ***1/2.
Donald Duck in “Jean Therapy,” by Stefan Petrucha and Massimo Fecchi: Decent story even if the resolution wasn't the absolute most original thing they could have done. Face it: Donald wearing "happy pants" is just a funny idea that IS money in the bank. ***1/2.
Mickey Mouse in “King of the Bungaloos Strikes Back,” by Don Markstein and Cesar Ferioli : EXCELLENT call-back to the earlier Horace Bungaloo story I liked this one MUCH better because Mickey actually learned what misery he was in for ahead of time. I also liked Mortimer's plot to get him out of it only to find out at the end that he's still a LITTLE BIT screwed. ***1/2.
Brer Rabbit in “The Honey Sucker” by Daan Jippes: I don't understand why so many Disney Comics fans have been clamoring for more Brer Rabbit stories. They're even more boring than Lil' Bad Wolf. **.
Black Pete At Large in "Illegal Tender"; Funny one page gag. The artwork was really busy and spiffy. ***
Fethry Duck One Page Gag. This one? Not so much. **.
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Ahem.
I didn't know Ariel's sisters got plushies. Empire is my favorite Star Wars movie for what you said. I mean, wow, ending a movie like that is awesome! I liked Jedi, too, and I don't have any problem with the ewoks.
As for the cloning thing, I think Gargoyles covered it best. Delilah alone was INCREDIBLY messed up.
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Yeah, Ariel's sister are now in a plushie set called "Ariel and Her Sisters". They're obviously made for little girls but I don't care.
I love the Ewoks. I hate it when they get bashed. I think they are incredibly cute.
Delilah was indeed messed up.
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I don't think the show is going to be very popular over here. Not enough explosions and stuff and it's pace is very slow. I like it but American audiences probably won't have any patience for it.
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And I agree about Creature Comnforts. It WAS more vulgar than I was used to from Aardman but by American television standards bit was positively tame. I don't think it will last very long either.