Matt Zimmer (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
matt_zimmer) wrote2021-03-24 04:36 pm
matt_zimmer) wrote2021-03-24 04:36 pm
"Zack Snyder's Justice League" Review (Spoilers)
Also reviews for the series premiere of The Falcon And The Winter Soldier, and the latest episodes of Batwoman, The Flash, Superman & Lois, Bless The Harts, The Simpsons, The Great North, Bob's Burgers, Power Rangers Dino Fury, Transformers: Rescue Bots Academy, and The Blacklist.
Zack Snyder's Justice League
I can't decide yet if this wants to be a long review or not. We'll play it by ear.
I seem to recall giving Whedon's cut of the film a relatively positive review at the time, but my opinion cooled on it as time went on because it was ultimately forgettable. I loved Wonder Woman 1984 very much, but that might happen there too. Let me state before all else that both Justice League cuts' qualities are equal. Whedon's Justice League is no better or no worse qualitywise that Snyder's.
But here's the damning thing, and the thing that will ultimately give this version a failing grade, even if I passed Whedon's: It's a four hour movie that FELT like it was four hours. It was long and at points torturous in how long it was. I had very little patience for much of it. Let's assume both this movie and Whedon's are forgettable but relatively solid otherwise. The fact that Whedon's is 2 hours shorter means I liked it more. If both versions were great, and gripping, and the time just flew by, I'd probably dig Snyder's more thorough take more. While they are both good, not great, I had a positive reaction to Whedon's cut and a negative reaction to this one.
What's really weird is that most of the stuff I responded to in this cut (like Bruce Wayne's mentorship with Barry Allen, including Bruce's line that his superpower was that he was rich) was in Whedon's cut. The only great thing here I loved that I don't remember from the old version was Barry telling Commissioner Gordon that it was rude that everybody just disappeared like that.
I also have to say the Epilogue with Bruce's dream is intolerable. That's just not a fair place to leave off a movie, even if it was something that WAS intended to be followed up on later. But as an actual dead end it's even more annoying. But it is not lost on me this is the only place we see Ben Affleck and Jared Leto play off each other as Batman and Joker.
I also really liked Gal Gadot in the movie, although the terrorist plot she foiled at the beginning of the movie was too horrible and upsetting. There was a reality to the bad guys there that I didn't appreciate being in a movie with demigods in long Underoos fighting supervillains.
Geoff Johns should have listened to me and cast Weird Al as Darkseid. I feel that was kind of a waste.
I guess that's it. I guess the review wanted to be short after all. Huh. Then again, how long do I actually NEED to simply say I didn't dig something? **1/2.
The Falcon And The Winter Soldier "New World Order"
That was fine. I imagine there will be one or two people disappointed that this doesn't look like it's going to be like WandaVision, and basically an excuse for the craziest Marvel theories ever, but I liked and appreciated how grounded this was. To be honest, the crazy WandaVision theories drove me a LITTLE bit nuts because I was pretty sure none of them would come to pass, and people would be mad when they didn't. This show might temper people's expectations because the pilot was so straightforward.
What is Bucky thinking with the old guy? There is no way this doesn't end badly.
I love Iron Man 3. It's my favorite of the Iron Man movies, and the only one I really like. One of my favorite scenes in it is the "barrel of monkeys", not just because it's majorly empowering that Tony basically turns everyone there into equal parts the hero, but it's a really visually interesting action scene clearly done mostly practically, which is cool. If you told me we'd get a similar scene from Marvel in 10 years on a TV budget I woulda said you were dreaming. But I would have HOPED you were right. The aerial acrobatics at the beginning of the episode were really good.
Hey! Bucky's therapist is the Cookie Lady from Everybody Loves Raymond! Nice to see her still getting work.
Sam is a lot more serious here than he is in the movies (although the situation is a bit serious) and I like that the show is pointing the audience in the direction that the bank won't give the Wilsons the loan due to plain old racism. What I love about this message is that the loan officer clearly loves Sam and thinks being an Avenger is cool. But that doesn't stop him from dismissing him because he's black. It's a strong hint that for a lot of clueless white people, racism involves apathy rather than deliberate malice. I don't think that's good myself. Deliberate malice in racism is easier to fight. Getting somebody to care who doesn't already is pretty near impossible. Apathetic racism may not technically be as sinister at hateful racism. But I would argue it's a LOT more destructive because fewer people are willing to fight it, and quite a few people will not even admit it exists. It's also far more common than white people like to tell themselves it is.
I appreciate that Bucky never really had a personality in the movies, so they are sort of feeling him out here and trying new things. We'll see how this goes. But I think his ideas of how to make amends strike me as a disaster in waiting.
Solid. ****.
Batwoman "Survived Much Worse"
The notion this episode posits that Kate is dead is very interesting considering Wallis Day has been reported to take over the role for Ruby Rose. People dying and coming back to life on that island adds additional interesting questions.
Love Mary asking if Luke was willing to rock/paper/scissors over going back to save the plant. "No!"
I also found it interesting that this wasn't ever a test of Alice by Sofya. It was a test of both Ocean and Tatiana. Alice just got caught in the screw-gee end of the crossfire.
I liked Ryan's scene with Alice and her correctly reasoning that Alice was not going to kill Kate. Because of that (and because she was right) Ryan choosing the cure over Kate was the correct move. It was doubly correct since it looks like Sophya didn't have Kate to begin with.
Very clever way to keep Ocean alive. He's an interesting element to the show and I'm glad the show didn't lose him.
Sophya screwing around with Alice however was ultimately a mistake because Alice is exactly the kind of horrible person who would destroy the planet's greatest natural resource out of pure spite. To be honest, it's not THAT great a resource since Sofya refuses to share it.
I'm still having a hard time understanding how or why Ryan's mom got ahold of a desert rose plant. I kind of suspected it as the episode was going on, but I sort of dismissed it because it made no sense. Even finding out this unlikely theory was true doesn't make it make more sense to me.
Very cool episode. Excited for Wallis Day. ****.
The Flash "Central City Strong"
I very much like that Flash used reason and heart to talk down Phillipe. But Phillipe DIDN'T die a hero. He murdered several people in the episode. I feel bad for the guy, and I'm glad he stood down. But I might have been willing to consider him a case for possible redemption in a future episode if the show hadn't randomly killed him off with an unexplained Hulkmonster here, and he had returned later on in a different capacity.
Iris's stuff was all right, but I didn't find Candice Patton's performance great enough to move me in the way it needed to. Mostly because the idea behind the cause of the trauma is so ludicrous. But I have to think a better actress could have broken my heart.
Caitlin and Frost being separated looks like it could be fun.
Looks like Ed Cavanaugh is off the show for real this time. Not only is he not credited, but he's been removed from the main title.
All right, but I might have enjoyed the episode better if not for the random Hulkmonster which comes out of nowhere, and I guess we are just supposed to accept as the new Big Bad of the season. I think it's just a poorly thought out complication that wasn't properly set up. ***.
Superman & Lois "The Best Of Smallville"
That was nice. Seeing Clark as the teenaged masked vigilante made me laugh.
I also love that Jonathan immediately apologizes for ruining Jordan's date, and Jordan immediately forgives him. That was sweet.
So was Clark giving Jonathan a "free pass". You can tell he didn't consult with Lois about it and she's not happy. It says something about their strength as a couple that she doesn't read Clark the riot act the second the boys go upstairs.
Chrissy soon figures out Lois isn't mad because Lois knows there is still a story there. Per usual, Lois is right.
Captain Luthor and Lois were married on Luthor's Earth? Gee, do you think there might be some upcoming bad blood there?
I love the show so I'm not happy about the hiatus. Especially since I could always take or leave Supergirl. But that was a good episode. ****.
Bless The Harts "Nose Bud"
That wasn't terrible, but all it did was remind me how gross Betty, Brenda, and this show is.
But I did like the stuff with Violet and Wayne. He really is a good caregiver, even if he's kind of a doormat. Also love that Jenny was properly upset about the nose ring. Correct reaction.
All right week. ***1/2.
The Simpsons "Manger Things"
700th Episode Shocker: Maggie's middle name is Lenny! Next Arbor's Day episode is gonna be epic!
I was VERY angry at Marge. Maybe I should be angry at the writers instead for not concocting a plausible reason for her kicking Homer out, but it's not fair to blame him for getting drunk and embarrassing her when his punch was spiked without his knowledge. He followed her rules to the letter. Him getting drunk was not a thing he chose to do. It was something that was done to him. He's also a victim there. I don't like the subtext of him being blamed for it. Let me ask you this: If the positions were reversed and a man blamed his wife for HER punch getting spiked or roofied, would you as an viewer tolerate that? What if the man kicked his wife out of the house during Christmas for it? Is this really the marriage controversy the show wants to be exploring? Because it strikes me as rather tone-deaf.
Little Bart and Lisa saying they loved each other was so cute and I just wanted to gobble them up.
The dog being unable to tell when the red lights were flashing because it's colorblind was a genius joke. The show doesn't do those too often anymore. It was welcome.
I have to say they are sort of hinting that Maude was kind of a dark personality whenever Flanders wasn't in the room. I'm guessing they did that to shore up the Nedna 'ship, but it was a bit jarring.
Yeah, last week told us that the show's continuity is beyond fluid. But this show should STILL know that Sideshow Mel wasn't a thing 6 years ago. That was when Sideshow Bob ruled the Krusty sidekick roost. Mel's joke wasn't even funny, added nothing, and just made it seem like the writers didn't even know the current history of their own show. Weird because Sideshow Bob was seen on a Christmas card in the end credits.
Speaking of which this episode says Todd is 6 years old. Does that track? I always saw him and Bart as peers.
It was an enjoyable episode and all but there were obvious flaws and faults. The show doesn't put the effort into its Anniversary episodes that Family Guy or American Dad! do. But they still needed to up their game a little and they didn't. ***1/2.
The Great North "Period Piece Adventure"
The idea that Beef is against returns because he sees it as a sign of weakness is a total Ron Swanson quirk.
I like the Alanis Morrissette stuff. To be honest, I was kind of on the fence about it at first. Jenny talking to Jesus on Bless The Harts makes the character seem outright crazy, but Judy is a young girl so she strikes me as creative and imaginative instead. Morrissette also is given some good lines poking fun at herself.
I like Principle Gibbons too. He seems chill, which is something I appreciate in a fictional principle.
Really liked the episode. ****.
Bob's Burgers "Sheshank Redumption"
That will probably go down as a classic.
It's the sarcastic and borderline sadistic female desk cop that cracks me up. When she tell the kids they had a meeting with the Chief about their detention I'm rolling. This show comes up with the best and most hilarious one-shot characters.
Speaking of which, I love the grocery clerk telling Bob he felt normal in comparison to him.
I loved Linda's cellmate skooching down the bench when she found out what she was in for. Especially considering what the cellmate was in for.
Teddy is and will forever remain an utter nuisance.
Great episode. It's been awhile but Bob's Burgers won the night with that in a walk. *****.
Power Rangers Dino Fury "New Recruits"
This season is interesting. It's kind of lousy which isn't great. But it also isn't outright horrendous which is nice (and a bit refreshing).
I loved the Green Ranger ripping off her skirt. Remember what I said about refreshing?
There is still dumbness present though. Does Izzy REALLY need Zaytos to tell her that if you aim a javelin higher, it will go farther? I feel like that deserves a special edition of "Really?! With Seth And Amy".
Everything else was all right though. ***.
Transformers: Rescue Bots Academy "Brushfire"
Brushfire's kind of cute.
I didn't know a group of kangaroos was called a mob. You learn something new every day. Although admittedly not often from this show.
Not bad. ***.
Transformers: Rescue Bots Academy "The Ties That Bind"
Scorch is annoying. The end. **.
The Blacklist "Dr. Laken Perillos"
Oh, my God. That was disgusting. I can't believe the team is still making excuses for Liz. She is a monster.
However I liked Dembe honestly telling Red he didn't always see his pain. If he didn't trust and respect Red he would have simply lied to him.
But that episode was seriously messed up otherwise. *.
Zack Snyder's Justice League
I can't decide yet if this wants to be a long review or not. We'll play it by ear.
I seem to recall giving Whedon's cut of the film a relatively positive review at the time, but my opinion cooled on it as time went on because it was ultimately forgettable. I loved Wonder Woman 1984 very much, but that might happen there too. Let me state before all else that both Justice League cuts' qualities are equal. Whedon's Justice League is no better or no worse qualitywise that Snyder's.
But here's the damning thing, and the thing that will ultimately give this version a failing grade, even if I passed Whedon's: It's a four hour movie that FELT like it was four hours. It was long and at points torturous in how long it was. I had very little patience for much of it. Let's assume both this movie and Whedon's are forgettable but relatively solid otherwise. The fact that Whedon's is 2 hours shorter means I liked it more. If both versions were great, and gripping, and the time just flew by, I'd probably dig Snyder's more thorough take more. While they are both good, not great, I had a positive reaction to Whedon's cut and a negative reaction to this one.
What's really weird is that most of the stuff I responded to in this cut (like Bruce Wayne's mentorship with Barry Allen, including Bruce's line that his superpower was that he was rich) was in Whedon's cut. The only great thing here I loved that I don't remember from the old version was Barry telling Commissioner Gordon that it was rude that everybody just disappeared like that.
I also have to say the Epilogue with Bruce's dream is intolerable. That's just not a fair place to leave off a movie, even if it was something that WAS intended to be followed up on later. But as an actual dead end it's even more annoying. But it is not lost on me this is the only place we see Ben Affleck and Jared Leto play off each other as Batman and Joker.
I also really liked Gal Gadot in the movie, although the terrorist plot she foiled at the beginning of the movie was too horrible and upsetting. There was a reality to the bad guys there that I didn't appreciate being in a movie with demigods in long Underoos fighting supervillains.
Geoff Johns should have listened to me and cast Weird Al as Darkseid. I feel that was kind of a waste.
I guess that's it. I guess the review wanted to be short after all. Huh. Then again, how long do I actually NEED to simply say I didn't dig something? **1/2.
The Falcon And The Winter Soldier "New World Order"
That was fine. I imagine there will be one or two people disappointed that this doesn't look like it's going to be like WandaVision, and basically an excuse for the craziest Marvel theories ever, but I liked and appreciated how grounded this was. To be honest, the crazy WandaVision theories drove me a LITTLE bit nuts because I was pretty sure none of them would come to pass, and people would be mad when they didn't. This show might temper people's expectations because the pilot was so straightforward.
What is Bucky thinking with the old guy? There is no way this doesn't end badly.
I love Iron Man 3. It's my favorite of the Iron Man movies, and the only one I really like. One of my favorite scenes in it is the "barrel of monkeys", not just because it's majorly empowering that Tony basically turns everyone there into equal parts the hero, but it's a really visually interesting action scene clearly done mostly practically, which is cool. If you told me we'd get a similar scene from Marvel in 10 years on a TV budget I woulda said you were dreaming. But I would have HOPED you were right. The aerial acrobatics at the beginning of the episode were really good.
Hey! Bucky's therapist is the Cookie Lady from Everybody Loves Raymond! Nice to see her still getting work.
Sam is a lot more serious here than he is in the movies (although the situation is a bit serious) and I like that the show is pointing the audience in the direction that the bank won't give the Wilsons the loan due to plain old racism. What I love about this message is that the loan officer clearly loves Sam and thinks being an Avenger is cool. But that doesn't stop him from dismissing him because he's black. It's a strong hint that for a lot of clueless white people, racism involves apathy rather than deliberate malice. I don't think that's good myself. Deliberate malice in racism is easier to fight. Getting somebody to care who doesn't already is pretty near impossible. Apathetic racism may not technically be as sinister at hateful racism. But I would argue it's a LOT more destructive because fewer people are willing to fight it, and quite a few people will not even admit it exists. It's also far more common than white people like to tell themselves it is.
I appreciate that Bucky never really had a personality in the movies, so they are sort of feeling him out here and trying new things. We'll see how this goes. But I think his ideas of how to make amends strike me as a disaster in waiting.
Solid. ****.
Batwoman "Survived Much Worse"
The notion this episode posits that Kate is dead is very interesting considering Wallis Day has been reported to take over the role for Ruby Rose. People dying and coming back to life on that island adds additional interesting questions.
Love Mary asking if Luke was willing to rock/paper/scissors over going back to save the plant. "No!"
I also found it interesting that this wasn't ever a test of Alice by Sofya. It was a test of both Ocean and Tatiana. Alice just got caught in the screw-gee end of the crossfire.
I liked Ryan's scene with Alice and her correctly reasoning that Alice was not going to kill Kate. Because of that (and because she was right) Ryan choosing the cure over Kate was the correct move. It was doubly correct since it looks like Sophya didn't have Kate to begin with.
Very clever way to keep Ocean alive. He's an interesting element to the show and I'm glad the show didn't lose him.
Sophya screwing around with Alice however was ultimately a mistake because Alice is exactly the kind of horrible person who would destroy the planet's greatest natural resource out of pure spite. To be honest, it's not THAT great a resource since Sofya refuses to share it.
I'm still having a hard time understanding how or why Ryan's mom got ahold of a desert rose plant. I kind of suspected it as the episode was going on, but I sort of dismissed it because it made no sense. Even finding out this unlikely theory was true doesn't make it make more sense to me.
Very cool episode. Excited for Wallis Day. ****.
The Flash "Central City Strong"
I very much like that Flash used reason and heart to talk down Phillipe. But Phillipe DIDN'T die a hero. He murdered several people in the episode. I feel bad for the guy, and I'm glad he stood down. But I might have been willing to consider him a case for possible redemption in a future episode if the show hadn't randomly killed him off with an unexplained Hulkmonster here, and he had returned later on in a different capacity.
Iris's stuff was all right, but I didn't find Candice Patton's performance great enough to move me in the way it needed to. Mostly because the idea behind the cause of the trauma is so ludicrous. But I have to think a better actress could have broken my heart.
Caitlin and Frost being separated looks like it could be fun.
Looks like Ed Cavanaugh is off the show for real this time. Not only is he not credited, but he's been removed from the main title.
All right, but I might have enjoyed the episode better if not for the random Hulkmonster which comes out of nowhere, and I guess we are just supposed to accept as the new Big Bad of the season. I think it's just a poorly thought out complication that wasn't properly set up. ***.
Superman & Lois "The Best Of Smallville"
That was nice. Seeing Clark as the teenaged masked vigilante made me laugh.
I also love that Jonathan immediately apologizes for ruining Jordan's date, and Jordan immediately forgives him. That was sweet.
So was Clark giving Jonathan a "free pass". You can tell he didn't consult with Lois about it and she's not happy. It says something about their strength as a couple that she doesn't read Clark the riot act the second the boys go upstairs.
Chrissy soon figures out Lois isn't mad because Lois knows there is still a story there. Per usual, Lois is right.
Captain Luthor and Lois were married on Luthor's Earth? Gee, do you think there might be some upcoming bad blood there?
I love the show so I'm not happy about the hiatus. Especially since I could always take or leave Supergirl. But that was a good episode. ****.
Bless The Harts "Nose Bud"
That wasn't terrible, but all it did was remind me how gross Betty, Brenda, and this show is.
But I did like the stuff with Violet and Wayne. He really is a good caregiver, even if he's kind of a doormat. Also love that Jenny was properly upset about the nose ring. Correct reaction.
All right week. ***1/2.
The Simpsons "Manger Things"
700th Episode Shocker: Maggie's middle name is Lenny! Next Arbor's Day episode is gonna be epic!
I was VERY angry at Marge. Maybe I should be angry at the writers instead for not concocting a plausible reason for her kicking Homer out, but it's not fair to blame him for getting drunk and embarrassing her when his punch was spiked without his knowledge. He followed her rules to the letter. Him getting drunk was not a thing he chose to do. It was something that was done to him. He's also a victim there. I don't like the subtext of him being blamed for it. Let me ask you this: If the positions were reversed and a man blamed his wife for HER punch getting spiked or roofied, would you as an viewer tolerate that? What if the man kicked his wife out of the house during Christmas for it? Is this really the marriage controversy the show wants to be exploring? Because it strikes me as rather tone-deaf.
Little Bart and Lisa saying they loved each other was so cute and I just wanted to gobble them up.
The dog being unable to tell when the red lights were flashing because it's colorblind was a genius joke. The show doesn't do those too often anymore. It was welcome.
I have to say they are sort of hinting that Maude was kind of a dark personality whenever Flanders wasn't in the room. I'm guessing they did that to shore up the Nedna 'ship, but it was a bit jarring.
Yeah, last week told us that the show's continuity is beyond fluid. But this show should STILL know that Sideshow Mel wasn't a thing 6 years ago. That was when Sideshow Bob ruled the Krusty sidekick roost. Mel's joke wasn't even funny, added nothing, and just made it seem like the writers didn't even know the current history of their own show. Weird because Sideshow Bob was seen on a Christmas card in the end credits.
Speaking of which this episode says Todd is 6 years old. Does that track? I always saw him and Bart as peers.
It was an enjoyable episode and all but there were obvious flaws and faults. The show doesn't put the effort into its Anniversary episodes that Family Guy or American Dad! do. But they still needed to up their game a little and they didn't. ***1/2.
The Great North "Period Piece Adventure"
The idea that Beef is against returns because he sees it as a sign of weakness is a total Ron Swanson quirk.
I like the Alanis Morrissette stuff. To be honest, I was kind of on the fence about it at first. Jenny talking to Jesus on Bless The Harts makes the character seem outright crazy, but Judy is a young girl so she strikes me as creative and imaginative instead. Morrissette also is given some good lines poking fun at herself.
I like Principle Gibbons too. He seems chill, which is something I appreciate in a fictional principle.
Really liked the episode. ****.
Bob's Burgers "Sheshank Redumption"
That will probably go down as a classic.
It's the sarcastic and borderline sadistic female desk cop that cracks me up. When she tell the kids they had a meeting with the Chief about their detention I'm rolling. This show comes up with the best and most hilarious one-shot characters.
Speaking of which, I love the grocery clerk telling Bob he felt normal in comparison to him.
I loved Linda's cellmate skooching down the bench when she found out what she was in for. Especially considering what the cellmate was in for.
Teddy is and will forever remain an utter nuisance.
Great episode. It's been awhile but Bob's Burgers won the night with that in a walk. *****.
Power Rangers Dino Fury "New Recruits"
This season is interesting. It's kind of lousy which isn't great. But it also isn't outright horrendous which is nice (and a bit refreshing).
I loved the Green Ranger ripping off her skirt. Remember what I said about refreshing?
There is still dumbness present though. Does Izzy REALLY need Zaytos to tell her that if you aim a javelin higher, it will go farther? I feel like that deserves a special edition of "Really?! With Seth And Amy".
Everything else was all right though. ***.
Transformers: Rescue Bots Academy "Brushfire"
Brushfire's kind of cute.
I didn't know a group of kangaroos was called a mob. You learn something new every day. Although admittedly not often from this show.
Not bad. ***.
Transformers: Rescue Bots Academy "The Ties That Bind"
Scorch is annoying. The end. **.
The Blacklist "Dr. Laken Perillos"
Oh, my God. That was disgusting. I can't believe the team is still making excuses for Liz. She is a monster.
However I liked Dembe honestly telling Red he didn't always see his pain. If he didn't trust and respect Red he would have simply lied to him.
But that episode was seriously messed up otherwise. *.