"Jurassic Park III" Review (Spoilers)
Nov. 28th, 2021 04:27 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
matt_zimmerAlso reviews for the latest episodes of Teen Titans Go!, and Looney Tunes Cartoons, a new Jellystone short, the latest episodes of Spidey And His Amazing Friends, and Muppet Babies, three Blade Runner shorts, and the first three episodes of Blade Runner: Black Lotus.
Jurassic Park III
Bold opinion: Of the three original Jurassic Park movies, the third one is the best.
For starters it's MUCH shorter than the others, and nothing feels padded. And while Jurassic World was sort of thought to be the first bonafide action flick of the franchise, the third movie is far more of an action movie than the other two. Not on the level of Jurassic World. But there is nonstop momentum in the movie that feels more in line with the Jurassic World movies than the other Park ones.
You have Alan Grant speaking to Raptors through a hollow throat bone whistle built by the earliest example of a 3-D printer I've ever seen on film, and it's STILL not the least credible thing in the picture. No, the thing that made me throw up my hands and say "Yeah, right!" was the movie trying to convince me a dork like William H. Macy ever had a shot with a knock-out like Tea Leoni. The irony is Leoni's break-out role (in the underrated sitcom gem Flying Blind) involved her being snagged by a nerd for whom she was miles out of his league. But it says something about how much of a loser Macy seems that Corey Parker seems like a more believable pairing for her. I don't get it either.
I don't know how well modern audiences will react to the Barney bit, but that definitely killed back in the day. And since Barney isn't really a thing anymore I don't think kids who see the movie now will get how genius it is. Back when this movie hit Barney was the go-to hated kids shows for parents. None of the parents could stand the character, and his show was shockingly cheap, badly-acted, written, and produced considering how much money he wound up making The Lyons Company. (This is also a complaint you could level against the Power Rangers, but one parental nightmare at a time). I don't think Barney was ever quite as damaging to kids themselves as Caillou wound up being. But he annoyed parents so damn much because not only did they hate him, their kids loved him unreservedly. I think kids get overly addicted to Caillou, but I don't think they love the character himself. For good reason. He's a bonafide sociopath. For parents, one of the things they hated most about Barney was that their kids often seemed to like him more than they liked them. Caillou was definitely more psychologically damaging to kids. I think Barney was far more psychologically damaging to parents.
And the idea that the fate of the heroes in the movie might be down to a kid walking away from Barney the Dinosaur was this movie Meeting The Pop-Culture Moment. It would have brought down the house even IF the movie's premise wasn't dinosaurs. Since it actually is, it's purely perfect.
Sort of a shame that Ellie and Alan didn't wind up together, but I like that they are still good friends.
I like Eric telling Alan not to ask where he got the T-Rex pee. I like that because it's probably a fabulous story. But probably not as fabulous in reality as it is in my head. It's good my head idea was not ever knocked out of canon. I always say I approve of this kind of storytelling in most of my reviews, and I totally do here too.
Billy's redemption arc was sort of rewarding to me upon learning he survived after all. Alan will not just be able to tell Ellie how much he appreciates her. He can make amends to this brave kid who worships him that he said a mean thing to. I love that.
Alan's books were better when he liked dinosaurs. Makes sense. They are also better than Malcolm's. Also totally believable. It IS very interesting that he no longer likes dinosaurs. But I don't blame him one bit.
First Jurassic movie to show the Raptors being reasoned with. The World movies really seemed to love the idea, and sort of based Chris Pratt's entire character around it.
No lie. I pretty much love it. I was disappointed rewatching the first film, and outright hated the second. This was great. ****1/2.
Teen Titans Go! "Glunkakakakah"
Not great.
I like the way Cyborg says the Tamaranians are "craaaaazy".
And kissing again? That entire species is nothing but a sick joke. I can't believe people take the comic book version seriously at all.
Silkie ate Freak. Because of course he did.
Return of the Booty Scooty, which I did not appreciate at ALL.
I think the thing that best sums up the failure of the episode for me is the Benny Hill Theme Song soundalike. Like "Old Time Rock And Roll", the Benny Hill Theme is NOT a piece of music that ever works for a soundalike. Because you know how it's SUPPOSED to sound, and the fact that it doesn't sound at all like it's supposed to makes it sound even wronger (if that's a word, and it should be). Another musical composition this is true for is The Pink Panther Theme. For all of these musical numbers, accept no substitutes.
Bah. **.
Looney Tunes Cartoons "Sam-merica / Put The Cat Out - Door Spin / BBQ Bandit"
Sam-merica:
Pretty sure this is how it was with Columbus too.
Bugs is luckier than Gladstone Gander at the end. ***1/2.
Put The Cat Out - Door Spin:
Porky puts the cat out in the winter? He's a bad owner. ***.
BBQ Bandit:
I like the "Forget Joe's, Eat Here". It's this show recognizing cartoon history. ****.
Episode Overall: ***1/2.
Looney Tunes Cartoons "Happy Birdy To You / Daffy Psychic: New Love / Spring Forward, Fall Flat"
Happy Birdy To You:
Why doesn't Granny question where the pinata came from? ***.
Daffy Psychic: New Love:
Porky / Daffy 'ship? I can see it. Probably about as close as we are going to see LGTB themes in Looney Tunes. ***1/2.
Spring Forward, Fall Flat:
I liked the Winner Winner Chicken Dinner thing especially it turning into a Superman homage.
The whole Coyote bouncing after the Roadrunner on various levels of highway reminded me of a videogame. I used to love the Roadrunner videogame from the 1980's because when you lost, the Coyote caught the Roadrunner. Sort of gave you extra incentive to lose and you never felt like you were wasting your quarters.
Good cartoon. ****.
Episode Overall: ***1/2.
Looney Tunes Cartoons "Frame The Feline / Daffy Traffic Cop Stop: Boating License / Unlucky Strikes"
Hubert and Bertie! By the end of this, I was feeling bad for Claude. Which is not something I like. Too mean. **1/2.
Daffy Traffic Cop Stop: Boating License:
Bizarre, and funny because it's bizarre. ****.
Unlucky Strikes:
Ugh. So Cicero is apparently a regular thing now. He is literally the worst Looney Tunes character ever. He's worse than Elmyra. By far.
That sucked. 0.
Episode Overall: *1/2.
Looney Tunes Cartoons "Cro-Mag Numb Skulls / Trophy Hunter"
The music was great. And the dinosaur designs were awesome. They animated fantastically, especially when the T-Rex was charging.
Also funny were the expressions on Porky and Daffy when they were being civilized and sophisticated, and when they were hunting the baby dinosaur.
Funny stuff. ****1/2.
Trophy Hunter:
Can't believe Bugs ever believed Elmer caught 1000 rabbits, let alone one. He said it himself. They've been doing this for nearly a century. Although he IS rounding up a tad.
I love that the award is a giant anvil. Because of course it is. Because it carries weight. Because of course it does.
Hilarious. ****1/2.
Episode Overall: ****1/2.
Looney Tunes Cartoons "Bathy Daffy / End Of The Leash: Bullseye Painting / Rabbit Sandwich Maker / Put The Cat Out: Window"
Bathy Daffy:
Mediocre. **1/2.
End Of The Leash: Bullseye:
I sincerely do not like Foghorn Leghorn. Seeing him so severely punished is nice. ***.
Rabbit Sandwich:
The crazed expression on Elmer's face as he claims everyone loves mayonnaise is that of the sociopath who is always wrong. Can't believe Bugs agrees with him. Mayo is nasty. **1/2.
Put The Cat Out: Window:
That's a Fred Flintstone ending right there. ***1/2.
Episode Overall: **1/2.
Looney Tunes Cartoons "Pardon The Garden / Put The Cat Out: Flat On The Door / Downward Duck"
Pardon The Garden:
Once I saw who the cartoon would be starring, I knew I'd hate it. In fairness, it's not the disaster Petunia Pig's first cartoon was. But it was still pretty damn bad.
Here's a hint, producers. Every pig character on this show but Porky sucks.* Don't bring any of them back ever again. *1/2.
Put The Cat Out: Flat On The Door:
Not the strongest premise for a running gag. **1/2.
Downward Duck:
I laughed at Yoga Daffy's manbun. Also thought it was funny what the hoot and ride pose was. ****.
Episode Overall: **1/2.
*By the way, Porky actually DOES kinda suck.
Looney Tunes Cartoons "Lesson Plan 9 From Outer Space / Balloon Salesman: Baboon / Portal Kombat"
Lesson Plan 9 From Outer Space:
Here's something: In every single character Mel Blanc has ever voiced, I hear a little bit of him in it. Every single one. And yet, to MY ear, Eric Bauza's Bugs Bunny and Marvin the Martian sound like entirely different people. Bauza has an extremely rare gift there than even most of the best and most gifted vocalists don't. And while we're on the subject, his Splinter from Rise Of The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles doesn't sound anything like Bugs OR Marvin either.
I love the way Marvin says he'd like to try the Earth Creature and Dealer Bugs telling him the first one was free.
I also like the way Marvin walks on the treadmill.
Bauza really IS something special. ****.
Balloon Salesman: Baboon:
Sort of a groaner. ***.
Portal Kombat:
When I first hear about the premise, I was greatly looking forward to it. Simply because it's something the shorts in the 1950's would have neither the budget or technical know-how to pull off. I get very excited at the idea of Roadrunner cartoons that can only be made using modern techniques.
The verdict? While no, Chuck Jones couldn't have done this one, it also doesn't do the premise justice. If this show were also interested in making dynamic visuals instead of just dumb dynamite jokes, it could have gone bananas and blown our minds. What saddens me is that great modern visuals are not actually outside of Looney Tunes. Duck Dodgers' animation from the early aughts looked almost as nice as Futurama's. I feel like the show had an opportunity to go all out and show us the amazing things a new Looney Tunes project could be capable of, and rhey just decided not to bother. It felt lazy. And I'm disappointed. **1/2.
Episode Overall: ***.
Looney Tunes Cartoons "Virtual Morality / Daffy Traffic Cop Stop: Lions / Miner Threat"
Virtual Morality:
I'm torn. I believe Elmer has everything coming to him because he is so damn stupid. And yet I shouldn't be wanting bad things to happen to a character simply because he's stupid. It's just that Elmer specifically has those bad things coming. Inarguably.
I take solace in the fact that he relationship with his mom suggests he's also a bad and damaged person. That's something. ***.
Daffy Traffic Cop Stop: Lions:
Another groaner. **1/2.
Miner Threat:
I was bored. Also the ending was unusually underwhelming, especially since they sort of gave us a neat twist and then utterly chickened out about it. *.
Episode Overall: **.
Looney Tunes Cartoons "Fowl Ploy / Sword Loser"
Fowl Ploy:
In this cartoon, I actually feel bad about Elmer's dumbness. Daffy's pranks are too mean here.
I like the design and animation on the gorilla.
On the subject or Eric Bauza, his Granny Elmer voice sounds nothing like any of his other voices, least of all Daffy. The guy has a knack to him.
Pretty good. ***1/2.
Sword Loser:
Not a popular time to be a king.
Bugs' closing joke was a groaner, but they all seem to be on this show. **1/2.
Episode Overall: ***.
Jellystone "Health And Safety With Doggie Daddy"
Doggie Daddy is not much of a parent if he doesn't know he is SUPPOSED to let go of the bike. ***1/2.
Spidey And His Amazing Friends "A Very Spidey Christmas / Gobby On Ice"
A Very Spidey Christmas:
Underwhelming. **.
Gobby On Ice:
Forgettable. **.
Episode Overall: **.
Muppet Babies "It's A Wonderful Elf-Bot / A Merry Litter Christmas"
It's A Wonderful Elf-Bot:
That was tiresome. Every episode of this show is so predictable and repetitive, that the new ones feel like reruns I've seen a hundred times before. *.
A Merry Litter Christmas:
And I could simply use the above review verbatim to describe THIS cartoon and it would be equally accurate. And so it goes. *.
Episode Overall: *.
Muppet Babies "Mitzvah For Miss Nanny / Winter Sport-a-thon"
Mitzvah For Miss Nanny:
Miss Nanny is Jewish! Neat.
And of course the photo of her family only reveals their feet. Because that's how dumb this universe is. ***1/2.
Winter Sport-a-thon:
I'm noticed that a lot of Gonzo's problems wind up being due to embarrassment or shame with the other babies. As the show's resident gender questioning character that's either a really bad message, or the best and only real message possible. I haven't decided yet. **1/2.
Episode Overall: ***.
Blade Runner: Blackout 2022
That was cool.
It was a bit confusing and I didn't understand exactly what was going on, but the animation was gorgeous and moody.
The English voice cast was great too. I like that they got back Edward James Olmos for Gaff.
I always wondered how and why the Blackout happened.
I liked it. ****.
Blade Runner: Nexus Dawn 2036
It's really a roomful of crappy people if Wallace's murderous argument actually makes a dent in policy. And it apparently did. It's no wonder this world is a pit.
Didn't dig it. **.
Blade Runner: Nowhere To Run 2048
It was good. But if I'm being honest, the idea that street punks would take a look at a guy like Dave Bautista and just mess with him defies belief. Just sayin'. ***1/2.
Blade Runner: Black Lotus "City Of Angels"
The story was all right but I don't like the CGI animation. It's very "Uncanny Valley" and creepy looking. Plus, the clean and crisp CGI works against the muddy and dirty world of the Film Noir of the movies.
All right script, shaky execution. ***.
Blade Runner: Black Lotus "All We Are Not"
Bannister is kind of a monster. It's easy to see why the Replicants rebelled.
Interesting that Wallace Sr. doesn't like the game Go because it doesn't reward aggression. Says a lot about the character.
Pretty shocking ending. Not sure where they can go from here.
Liked it better than the first episode. ***1/2.
Blade Runner: Black Lotus "The Human Condition"
So apparently Joseph is lying about the test and knew it. So why go through the charade? That's what I don't get. To be honest, I loved the test scene and their entire fascinating discussion. I'm bummed to learn in hindsight it was all a lie. It was more interesting, to think she either beat the test, or he lied to her for her own good. Instead I'm majorly confused.
The street toughs in this franchise have a bad and consistent habit of messing with the wrong people (in this instance Officer Davis). They never seem to learn.
I liked most of it, but the ending disappointed me. ***1/2.
Blade Runner: Black Lotus "The Doll Hunt"
I like that since 2049 the Replicants have shifted to the good guys and the humans are now the bad guys. What was great about 2049, and affirmed in this episode, is that it's revealed the humans were probably always the bad guys all along, and we simply didn't have the proper context for it in the first film. And what's interesting is the idea doesn't actually contradict what was seen in the first film at all. The morality of that film was frustratingly ambiguous and 2049 was awesome for landing it in the place it did. It was the right place.
I knew just based on the way the Chief was talking to Davis that he was dirty and in on it. What a scumbag.
This show is getting interesting, even if the animation is still a bit tough to watch. ***1/2.
Jurassic Park III
Bold opinion: Of the three original Jurassic Park movies, the third one is the best.
For starters it's MUCH shorter than the others, and nothing feels padded. And while Jurassic World was sort of thought to be the first bonafide action flick of the franchise, the third movie is far more of an action movie than the other two. Not on the level of Jurassic World. But there is nonstop momentum in the movie that feels more in line with the Jurassic World movies than the other Park ones.
You have Alan Grant speaking to Raptors through a hollow throat bone whistle built by the earliest example of a 3-D printer I've ever seen on film, and it's STILL not the least credible thing in the picture. No, the thing that made me throw up my hands and say "Yeah, right!" was the movie trying to convince me a dork like William H. Macy ever had a shot with a knock-out like Tea Leoni. The irony is Leoni's break-out role (in the underrated sitcom gem Flying Blind) involved her being snagged by a nerd for whom she was miles out of his league. But it says something about how much of a loser Macy seems that Corey Parker seems like a more believable pairing for her. I don't get it either.
I don't know how well modern audiences will react to the Barney bit, but that definitely killed back in the day. And since Barney isn't really a thing anymore I don't think kids who see the movie now will get how genius it is. Back when this movie hit Barney was the go-to hated kids shows for parents. None of the parents could stand the character, and his show was shockingly cheap, badly-acted, written, and produced considering how much money he wound up making The Lyons Company. (This is also a complaint you could level against the Power Rangers, but one parental nightmare at a time). I don't think Barney was ever quite as damaging to kids themselves as Caillou wound up being. But he annoyed parents so damn much because not only did they hate him, their kids loved him unreservedly. I think kids get overly addicted to Caillou, but I don't think they love the character himself. For good reason. He's a bonafide sociopath. For parents, one of the things they hated most about Barney was that their kids often seemed to like him more than they liked them. Caillou was definitely more psychologically damaging to kids. I think Barney was far more psychologically damaging to parents.
And the idea that the fate of the heroes in the movie might be down to a kid walking away from Barney the Dinosaur was this movie Meeting The Pop-Culture Moment. It would have brought down the house even IF the movie's premise wasn't dinosaurs. Since it actually is, it's purely perfect.
Sort of a shame that Ellie and Alan didn't wind up together, but I like that they are still good friends.
I like Eric telling Alan not to ask where he got the T-Rex pee. I like that because it's probably a fabulous story. But probably not as fabulous in reality as it is in my head. It's good my head idea was not ever knocked out of canon. I always say I approve of this kind of storytelling in most of my reviews, and I totally do here too.
Billy's redemption arc was sort of rewarding to me upon learning he survived after all. Alan will not just be able to tell Ellie how much he appreciates her. He can make amends to this brave kid who worships him that he said a mean thing to. I love that.
Alan's books were better when he liked dinosaurs. Makes sense. They are also better than Malcolm's. Also totally believable. It IS very interesting that he no longer likes dinosaurs. But I don't blame him one bit.
First Jurassic movie to show the Raptors being reasoned with. The World movies really seemed to love the idea, and sort of based Chris Pratt's entire character around it.
No lie. I pretty much love it. I was disappointed rewatching the first film, and outright hated the second. This was great. ****1/2.
Teen Titans Go! "Glunkakakakah"
Not great.
I like the way Cyborg says the Tamaranians are "craaaaazy".
And kissing again? That entire species is nothing but a sick joke. I can't believe people take the comic book version seriously at all.
Silkie ate Freak. Because of course he did.
Return of the Booty Scooty, which I did not appreciate at ALL.
I think the thing that best sums up the failure of the episode for me is the Benny Hill Theme Song soundalike. Like "Old Time Rock And Roll", the Benny Hill Theme is NOT a piece of music that ever works for a soundalike. Because you know how it's SUPPOSED to sound, and the fact that it doesn't sound at all like it's supposed to makes it sound even wronger (if that's a word, and it should be). Another musical composition this is true for is The Pink Panther Theme. For all of these musical numbers, accept no substitutes.
Bah. **.
Looney Tunes Cartoons "Sam-merica / Put The Cat Out - Door Spin / BBQ Bandit"
Sam-merica:
Pretty sure this is how it was with Columbus too.
Bugs is luckier than Gladstone Gander at the end. ***1/2.
Put The Cat Out - Door Spin:
Porky puts the cat out in the winter? He's a bad owner. ***.
BBQ Bandit:
I like the "Forget Joe's, Eat Here". It's this show recognizing cartoon history. ****.
Episode Overall: ***1/2.
Looney Tunes Cartoons "Happy Birdy To You / Daffy Psychic: New Love / Spring Forward, Fall Flat"
Happy Birdy To You:
Why doesn't Granny question where the pinata came from? ***.
Daffy Psychic: New Love:
Porky / Daffy 'ship? I can see it. Probably about as close as we are going to see LGTB themes in Looney Tunes. ***1/2.
Spring Forward, Fall Flat:
I liked the Winner Winner Chicken Dinner thing especially it turning into a Superman homage.
The whole Coyote bouncing after the Roadrunner on various levels of highway reminded me of a videogame. I used to love the Roadrunner videogame from the 1980's because when you lost, the Coyote caught the Roadrunner. Sort of gave you extra incentive to lose and you never felt like you were wasting your quarters.
Good cartoon. ****.
Episode Overall: ***1/2.
Looney Tunes Cartoons "Frame The Feline / Daffy Traffic Cop Stop: Boating License / Unlucky Strikes"
Hubert and Bertie! By the end of this, I was feeling bad for Claude. Which is not something I like. Too mean. **1/2.
Daffy Traffic Cop Stop: Boating License:
Bizarre, and funny because it's bizarre. ****.
Unlucky Strikes:
Ugh. So Cicero is apparently a regular thing now. He is literally the worst Looney Tunes character ever. He's worse than Elmyra. By far.
That sucked. 0.
Episode Overall: *1/2.
Looney Tunes Cartoons "Cro-Mag Numb Skulls / Trophy Hunter"
The music was great. And the dinosaur designs were awesome. They animated fantastically, especially when the T-Rex was charging.
Also funny were the expressions on Porky and Daffy when they were being civilized and sophisticated, and when they were hunting the baby dinosaur.
Funny stuff. ****1/2.
Trophy Hunter:
Can't believe Bugs ever believed Elmer caught 1000 rabbits, let alone one. He said it himself. They've been doing this for nearly a century. Although he IS rounding up a tad.
I love that the award is a giant anvil. Because of course it is. Because it carries weight. Because of course it does.
Hilarious. ****1/2.
Episode Overall: ****1/2.
Looney Tunes Cartoons "Bathy Daffy / End Of The Leash: Bullseye Painting / Rabbit Sandwich Maker / Put The Cat Out: Window"
Bathy Daffy:
Mediocre. **1/2.
End Of The Leash: Bullseye:
I sincerely do not like Foghorn Leghorn. Seeing him so severely punished is nice. ***.
Rabbit Sandwich:
The crazed expression on Elmer's face as he claims everyone loves mayonnaise is that of the sociopath who is always wrong. Can't believe Bugs agrees with him. Mayo is nasty. **1/2.
Put The Cat Out: Window:
That's a Fred Flintstone ending right there. ***1/2.
Episode Overall: **1/2.
Looney Tunes Cartoons "Pardon The Garden / Put The Cat Out: Flat On The Door / Downward Duck"
Pardon The Garden:
Once I saw who the cartoon would be starring, I knew I'd hate it. In fairness, it's not the disaster Petunia Pig's first cartoon was. But it was still pretty damn bad.
Here's a hint, producers. Every pig character on this show but Porky sucks.* Don't bring any of them back ever again. *1/2.
Put The Cat Out: Flat On The Door:
Not the strongest premise for a running gag. **1/2.
Downward Duck:
I laughed at Yoga Daffy's manbun. Also thought it was funny what the hoot and ride pose was. ****.
Episode Overall: **1/2.
*By the way, Porky actually DOES kinda suck.
Looney Tunes Cartoons "Lesson Plan 9 From Outer Space / Balloon Salesman: Baboon / Portal Kombat"
Lesson Plan 9 From Outer Space:
Here's something: In every single character Mel Blanc has ever voiced, I hear a little bit of him in it. Every single one. And yet, to MY ear, Eric Bauza's Bugs Bunny and Marvin the Martian sound like entirely different people. Bauza has an extremely rare gift there than even most of the best and most gifted vocalists don't. And while we're on the subject, his Splinter from Rise Of The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles doesn't sound anything like Bugs OR Marvin either.
I love the way Marvin says he'd like to try the Earth Creature and Dealer Bugs telling him the first one was free.
I also like the way Marvin walks on the treadmill.
Bauza really IS something special. ****.
Balloon Salesman: Baboon:
Sort of a groaner. ***.
Portal Kombat:
When I first hear about the premise, I was greatly looking forward to it. Simply because it's something the shorts in the 1950's would have neither the budget or technical know-how to pull off. I get very excited at the idea of Roadrunner cartoons that can only be made using modern techniques.
The verdict? While no, Chuck Jones couldn't have done this one, it also doesn't do the premise justice. If this show were also interested in making dynamic visuals instead of just dumb dynamite jokes, it could have gone bananas and blown our minds. What saddens me is that great modern visuals are not actually outside of Looney Tunes. Duck Dodgers' animation from the early aughts looked almost as nice as Futurama's. I feel like the show had an opportunity to go all out and show us the amazing things a new Looney Tunes project could be capable of, and rhey just decided not to bother. It felt lazy. And I'm disappointed. **1/2.
Episode Overall: ***.
Looney Tunes Cartoons "Virtual Morality / Daffy Traffic Cop Stop: Lions / Miner Threat"
Virtual Morality:
I'm torn. I believe Elmer has everything coming to him because he is so damn stupid. And yet I shouldn't be wanting bad things to happen to a character simply because he's stupid. It's just that Elmer specifically has those bad things coming. Inarguably.
I take solace in the fact that he relationship with his mom suggests he's also a bad and damaged person. That's something. ***.
Daffy Traffic Cop Stop: Lions:
Another groaner. **1/2.
Miner Threat:
I was bored. Also the ending was unusually underwhelming, especially since they sort of gave us a neat twist and then utterly chickened out about it. *.
Episode Overall: **.
Looney Tunes Cartoons "Fowl Ploy / Sword Loser"
Fowl Ploy:
In this cartoon, I actually feel bad about Elmer's dumbness. Daffy's pranks are too mean here.
I like the design and animation on the gorilla.
On the subject or Eric Bauza, his Granny Elmer voice sounds nothing like any of his other voices, least of all Daffy. The guy has a knack to him.
Pretty good. ***1/2.
Sword Loser:
Not a popular time to be a king.
Bugs' closing joke was a groaner, but they all seem to be on this show. **1/2.
Episode Overall: ***.
Jellystone "Health And Safety With Doggie Daddy"
Doggie Daddy is not much of a parent if he doesn't know he is SUPPOSED to let go of the bike. ***1/2.
Spidey And His Amazing Friends "A Very Spidey Christmas / Gobby On Ice"
A Very Spidey Christmas:
Underwhelming. **.
Gobby On Ice:
Forgettable. **.
Episode Overall: **.
Muppet Babies "It's A Wonderful Elf-Bot / A Merry Litter Christmas"
It's A Wonderful Elf-Bot:
That was tiresome. Every episode of this show is so predictable and repetitive, that the new ones feel like reruns I've seen a hundred times before. *.
A Merry Litter Christmas:
And I could simply use the above review verbatim to describe THIS cartoon and it would be equally accurate. And so it goes. *.
Episode Overall: *.
Muppet Babies "Mitzvah For Miss Nanny / Winter Sport-a-thon"
Mitzvah For Miss Nanny:
Miss Nanny is Jewish! Neat.
And of course the photo of her family only reveals their feet. Because that's how dumb this universe is. ***1/2.
Winter Sport-a-thon:
I'm noticed that a lot of Gonzo's problems wind up being due to embarrassment or shame with the other babies. As the show's resident gender questioning character that's either a really bad message, or the best and only real message possible. I haven't decided yet. **1/2.
Episode Overall: ***.
Blade Runner: Blackout 2022
That was cool.
It was a bit confusing and I didn't understand exactly what was going on, but the animation was gorgeous and moody.
The English voice cast was great too. I like that they got back Edward James Olmos for Gaff.
I always wondered how and why the Blackout happened.
I liked it. ****.
Blade Runner: Nexus Dawn 2036
It's really a roomful of crappy people if Wallace's murderous argument actually makes a dent in policy. And it apparently did. It's no wonder this world is a pit.
Didn't dig it. **.
Blade Runner: Nowhere To Run 2048
It was good. But if I'm being honest, the idea that street punks would take a look at a guy like Dave Bautista and just mess with him defies belief. Just sayin'. ***1/2.
Blade Runner: Black Lotus "City Of Angels"
The story was all right but I don't like the CGI animation. It's very "Uncanny Valley" and creepy looking. Plus, the clean and crisp CGI works against the muddy and dirty world of the Film Noir of the movies.
All right script, shaky execution. ***.
Blade Runner: Black Lotus "All We Are Not"
Bannister is kind of a monster. It's easy to see why the Replicants rebelled.
Interesting that Wallace Sr. doesn't like the game Go because it doesn't reward aggression. Says a lot about the character.
Pretty shocking ending. Not sure where they can go from here.
Liked it better than the first episode. ***1/2.
Blade Runner: Black Lotus "The Human Condition"
So apparently Joseph is lying about the test and knew it. So why go through the charade? That's what I don't get. To be honest, I loved the test scene and their entire fascinating discussion. I'm bummed to learn in hindsight it was all a lie. It was more interesting, to think she either beat the test, or he lied to her for her own good. Instead I'm majorly confused.
The street toughs in this franchise have a bad and consistent habit of messing with the wrong people (in this instance Officer Davis). They never seem to learn.
I liked most of it, but the ending disappointed me. ***1/2.
Blade Runner: Black Lotus "The Doll Hunt"
I like that since 2049 the Replicants have shifted to the good guys and the humans are now the bad guys. What was great about 2049, and affirmed in this episode, is that it's revealed the humans were probably always the bad guys all along, and we simply didn't have the proper context for it in the first film. And what's interesting is the idea doesn't actually contradict what was seen in the first film at all. The morality of that film was frustratingly ambiguous and 2049 was awesome for landing it in the place it did. It was the right place.
I knew just based on the way the Chief was talking to Davis that he was dirty and in on it. What a scumbag.
This show is getting interesting, even if the animation is still a bit tough to watch. ***1/2.
