"Stranger Things 4" Reviews (Spoilers)
May. 28th, 2022 01:13 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
matt_zimmerAlso reviews for the two episode series premiere of Obi-Wan Kenobi, the latest episode of Teen Titans Go!, and the season finale of The Blacklist.
Stranger Things 4 "Chapter One: The Hellfire Club"
After the beginning, I don't think I like Eleven anymore.
Scary ending. For the record I really like Eddie. The D&D game was quite awesome. Lucas' sister Erica continues to be awesome.
Hopper is alive, surprising no-one.
Solid return (if a bit long). ****.
Stranger Things 4 "Chapter Two: Vecna's Curse"
Intriguing ending and villain.
Every time I feel the slightly bit of sympathy for El, she does something like that. I am not happy.
Joyce's stuff was fun. Although Hopper's torture was not easy to watch.
Will is still clearly in love with Mike. That isn't going to end well.
Interesting. ***1/2.
Stranger Things 4 "Chapter Three: The Monster And The Superhero"
I love Sam Owens. Always have. Good to see him back.
Very concerned for Max.
I'll tell you who really worries me. I think Lucas is in a far worse place than Eleven is. He's messed up.
The stuff with Steve and Dustin and Nancy and Robin is SO much fun.
I liked it. ****.
Stranger Things 4 "Chapter Four: Dear Billy"
The flashbacks at the end were extremely effective. Because that's something most TV shows do during the death of a major character. Once we got clips of all the good times, Max's fate is very much in question. I'm glad she survived. But the flashbacks were great because they suggested she wouldn't.
Her scene at Billy's grave was amazing.
I knew I recognized Creel's voice. It was Robert Englund.
The stuff is Russia was the one weak point. It feels like we are moving backwards rather than forwards there.
But this was still an extremely powerful episode. ****1/2.
Stranger Things 4 "Chapter Five: The Nina Project"
The episodes have been long this year, but this is the first episode that FELT long.
Whether Owens is on the side of angels or not (and he might be) I will never forgive him for bringing Eleven back to Brenner without warning her. Cutting off her hair seems especially cruel.
The stuff with Murray and the karate was funny.
Weakest episode so far this season. The runtime felt bloated. ***.
Stranger Things 4 "Chapter Six: The Dive"
Now THAT'S a cliffhanger.
The Murray and Joyce stuff was great.
Suzie's family is messed up. To put it mildly.
So El isn't a murderer. It might have been self-defense that got out of hand.
It amazes me what an effective public speaker Jason is. Just because the things he says sound super dumb to anyone paying attention. There's a real-world parallel here. I know it.
Cool episode. ****.
Stranger Things 4 "Chapter Seven: The Massacre At Hawkins Lab"
My early opinion: After seeing that, I predict Season 4 will wind up the best season so far. I know they aren't kids anymore so some of the charm is gone, but that really impressed me anyways. In the back of my head, I suspected the Friendly Orderly was both One and behind the massacre. I would never have guessed he was also Henry Creel AND Vecna. That specific revelation is audacious. As such, it cannot have been a retcon. This must have been in play for the entire four seasons, which speaks to a level of planning for the Duffer Brothers I could not have guessed. Very impressive story because I'm positive it will hold up in hindsight. It also felt very self-assured which is the best kind of storytelling turn.
Of course because Netflix split up the season, that was not a good place to leave things. But the episode itself was phenomenal, and suggests the show is far better than I ever gave it credit for. And I always liked the show a lot. I love the idea of revealing good shows were great shows the entire time and we just didn't realize it until late in the game. That is something I definitely try to do with Gilda And Meek, and I credit the Duffer Brothers a lot for putting so much thought and effort into a show that many people merely saw as a modern version of The Goonies. It's far larger than that. I am very impressed. *****.
Obi-Wan Kenobi "Part I"
That was better than any show starring Obi-Wan Kenobi had any right to be. I detest the character and think he's the second worst major Star Wars character after Yoda. People went into conniptions over Rose in The Last Jedi. I find Obi-Wan about a hundred times more annoying than she is.
It's funny, but both Harrison Ford and Alec Guinness famously hated being in Star Wars. I actually think Ford is misguided while I totally feel where Guinness was coming from. Hal Solo was the best thing in all three original movies. Were I Ford, I'd be embracing that fact and proud of it. But I understand why Guinness is so unhappy. Because Obi-Wan sucks so much and he knew it. I felt bad that that's the most famous role of his entire great career. He deserved better than that.
Typical Matt rant out of the way, I liked the stuff where Obi-Wan wasn't present. Every second Obi-Wan is onscreen I remember how selfish and stupid he always was. I liked the bit where he's chiding the Jawa for not cleaning the equipment he stole from him to sell back to him, but him refusing to help the Jedi and the dude getting strung up instead is totally on-brand for how much Obi-Wan sucks.
Little Leia however is a delight. I love her owning every inch of her loathsome cousin with an owning stick. I think she's far more appealing as kid than she was in the first movie.
When Bail suggests she's going to lead her people somewhere great, I'm unpleasantly reminded that she was the one who got her entire planet destroyed by telling Grand Moff Tarkin he smelled bad. Whatever Leia was destined to be, despite Bail's encouragement here, it was never gonna be a diplomat.
The end credits don't have the painted vistas of either The Mandalorian or The Book Of Boba Fett. They are the traditional Star Wars starfield with blue text.
Speaking of which, it felt a bit awkward to me that the entire "recap" was essentially clips of the entire prequel trilogy. I'm not saying I hadn't forgotten a ton of stuff and could have used it, but it felt a bit clunky to attach itself so blatantly to that. I especially think so because the prequels sucked and this didn't.
The Third Sister Inquisitor is a real piece of work. She already pisses me off.
Solid first episode. Hopefully Obi-Wan either won't be the series' entire focus, or the show pulls off a miracle and doesn't make me abhor him. The second thing seems like big stretch, so I'll hope for the first. ****.
Obi-Wan Kenobi "Part II"
I loved Temuera Morrison's surprise cameo at the beginning because it wasn't played as a big deal.
Kadji may be a fraud, but honestly, he's my kind of Jedi.
I didn't expect THAT end for the Grand Inquisitor, but not only is it fitting, it makes Narrative sense.
I believe the show was intentionally pushing a button with the Third Sister. The other Inquisitors using class-based language against her such as saying she's from the sewer and is beneath them all lands harder and crueler because her actress is black. I think that was a deliberate choice on the show's end, and one I like.
It's kind of cool that this show is the genesis of the trust Leia has in Obi-Wan and why she will eventually believe he's her only hope.
Solid. Again. ****.
Teen Titans Go! "The Perfect Pitch?"
I like that the videogame characters turned on Toymaster once he declared himself "the Boss". Like, duh.
I wonder how cathartic is must have been for the writers to suggest the creators and makers of cartoons don't see any of the money the cartoons make. Very timely message, if you ask me.
I also like the notion that shows getting greenlit (and all of Hollywood for that matter) are down to nothing more than random dumb luck.
For a stupid show this one was plenty insightful about how much the animation industry currently sucks. ****.
The Blacklist "Marvin Gerard: Conclusion, Pt. 2"
First finale in years that didn't make me want to puke. It wasn't great, but just the fact that it wasn't terrible was a victory.
The most appalling thing about the idea of the Marvin Gerard Task Force is that it's actually a good idea on paper. That's the sickening thing.
So Gerard's last act is to destroy the Blacklist. Red really should have killed him in the judge's office.
The one thing in the episode that pissed me off is that the Task Force is dumb enough to believe Red is gonna break into prison to kill Marvin. That was SO obviously the dummy plan. How long have these jackasses actually worked with Red? How is it they could EVER believe he'd do something that dumb? It was so dumb I'd call it the stupidest bluff Red ever tried if it hadn't worked. The fact that it did was shameful. But apparently I overestimate the team and Red doesn't. They're all morons.
But really other than that, the episode was all right. Which is more than I can say about any of the other finales in recent memory. ***1/2.
Stranger Things 4 "Chapter One: The Hellfire Club"
After the beginning, I don't think I like Eleven anymore.
Scary ending. For the record I really like Eddie. The D&D game was quite awesome. Lucas' sister Erica continues to be awesome.
Hopper is alive, surprising no-one.
Solid return (if a bit long). ****.
Stranger Things 4 "Chapter Two: Vecna's Curse"
Intriguing ending and villain.
Every time I feel the slightly bit of sympathy for El, she does something like that. I am not happy.
Joyce's stuff was fun. Although Hopper's torture was not easy to watch.
Will is still clearly in love with Mike. That isn't going to end well.
Interesting. ***1/2.
Stranger Things 4 "Chapter Three: The Monster And The Superhero"
I love Sam Owens. Always have. Good to see him back.
Very concerned for Max.
I'll tell you who really worries me. I think Lucas is in a far worse place than Eleven is. He's messed up.
The stuff with Steve and Dustin and Nancy and Robin is SO much fun.
I liked it. ****.
Stranger Things 4 "Chapter Four: Dear Billy"
The flashbacks at the end were extremely effective. Because that's something most TV shows do during the death of a major character. Once we got clips of all the good times, Max's fate is very much in question. I'm glad she survived. But the flashbacks were great because they suggested she wouldn't.
Her scene at Billy's grave was amazing.
I knew I recognized Creel's voice. It was Robert Englund.
The stuff is Russia was the one weak point. It feels like we are moving backwards rather than forwards there.
But this was still an extremely powerful episode. ****1/2.
Stranger Things 4 "Chapter Five: The Nina Project"
The episodes have been long this year, but this is the first episode that FELT long.
Whether Owens is on the side of angels or not (and he might be) I will never forgive him for bringing Eleven back to Brenner without warning her. Cutting off her hair seems especially cruel.
The stuff with Murray and the karate was funny.
Weakest episode so far this season. The runtime felt bloated. ***.
Stranger Things 4 "Chapter Six: The Dive"
Now THAT'S a cliffhanger.
The Murray and Joyce stuff was great.
Suzie's family is messed up. To put it mildly.
So El isn't a murderer. It might have been self-defense that got out of hand.
It amazes me what an effective public speaker Jason is. Just because the things he says sound super dumb to anyone paying attention. There's a real-world parallel here. I know it.
Cool episode. ****.
Stranger Things 4 "Chapter Seven: The Massacre At Hawkins Lab"
My early opinion: After seeing that, I predict Season 4 will wind up the best season so far. I know they aren't kids anymore so some of the charm is gone, but that really impressed me anyways. In the back of my head, I suspected the Friendly Orderly was both One and behind the massacre. I would never have guessed he was also Henry Creel AND Vecna. That specific revelation is audacious. As such, it cannot have been a retcon. This must have been in play for the entire four seasons, which speaks to a level of planning for the Duffer Brothers I could not have guessed. Very impressive story because I'm positive it will hold up in hindsight. It also felt very self-assured which is the best kind of storytelling turn.
Of course because Netflix split up the season, that was not a good place to leave things. But the episode itself was phenomenal, and suggests the show is far better than I ever gave it credit for. And I always liked the show a lot. I love the idea of revealing good shows were great shows the entire time and we just didn't realize it until late in the game. That is something I definitely try to do with Gilda And Meek, and I credit the Duffer Brothers a lot for putting so much thought and effort into a show that many people merely saw as a modern version of The Goonies. It's far larger than that. I am very impressed. *****.
Obi-Wan Kenobi "Part I"
That was better than any show starring Obi-Wan Kenobi had any right to be. I detest the character and think he's the second worst major Star Wars character after Yoda. People went into conniptions over Rose in The Last Jedi. I find Obi-Wan about a hundred times more annoying than she is.
It's funny, but both Harrison Ford and Alec Guinness famously hated being in Star Wars. I actually think Ford is misguided while I totally feel where Guinness was coming from. Hal Solo was the best thing in all three original movies. Were I Ford, I'd be embracing that fact and proud of it. But I understand why Guinness is so unhappy. Because Obi-Wan sucks so much and he knew it. I felt bad that that's the most famous role of his entire great career. He deserved better than that.
Typical Matt rant out of the way, I liked the stuff where Obi-Wan wasn't present. Every second Obi-Wan is onscreen I remember how selfish and stupid he always was. I liked the bit where he's chiding the Jawa for not cleaning the equipment he stole from him to sell back to him, but him refusing to help the Jedi and the dude getting strung up instead is totally on-brand for how much Obi-Wan sucks.
Little Leia however is a delight. I love her owning every inch of her loathsome cousin with an owning stick. I think she's far more appealing as kid than she was in the first movie.
When Bail suggests she's going to lead her people somewhere great, I'm unpleasantly reminded that she was the one who got her entire planet destroyed by telling Grand Moff Tarkin he smelled bad. Whatever Leia was destined to be, despite Bail's encouragement here, it was never gonna be a diplomat.
The end credits don't have the painted vistas of either The Mandalorian or The Book Of Boba Fett. They are the traditional Star Wars starfield with blue text.
Speaking of which, it felt a bit awkward to me that the entire "recap" was essentially clips of the entire prequel trilogy. I'm not saying I hadn't forgotten a ton of stuff and could have used it, but it felt a bit clunky to attach itself so blatantly to that. I especially think so because the prequels sucked and this didn't.
The Third Sister Inquisitor is a real piece of work. She already pisses me off.
Solid first episode. Hopefully Obi-Wan either won't be the series' entire focus, or the show pulls off a miracle and doesn't make me abhor him. The second thing seems like big stretch, so I'll hope for the first. ****.
Obi-Wan Kenobi "Part II"
I loved Temuera Morrison's surprise cameo at the beginning because it wasn't played as a big deal.
Kadji may be a fraud, but honestly, he's my kind of Jedi.
I didn't expect THAT end for the Grand Inquisitor, but not only is it fitting, it makes Narrative sense.
I believe the show was intentionally pushing a button with the Third Sister. The other Inquisitors using class-based language against her such as saying she's from the sewer and is beneath them all lands harder and crueler because her actress is black. I think that was a deliberate choice on the show's end, and one I like.
It's kind of cool that this show is the genesis of the trust Leia has in Obi-Wan and why she will eventually believe he's her only hope.
Solid. Again. ****.
Teen Titans Go! "The Perfect Pitch?"
I like that the videogame characters turned on Toymaster once he declared himself "the Boss". Like, duh.
I wonder how cathartic is must have been for the writers to suggest the creators and makers of cartoons don't see any of the money the cartoons make. Very timely message, if you ask me.
I also like the notion that shows getting greenlit (and all of Hollywood for that matter) are down to nothing more than random dumb luck.
For a stupid show this one was plenty insightful about how much the animation industry currently sucks. ****.
The Blacklist "Marvin Gerard: Conclusion, Pt. 2"
First finale in years that didn't make me want to puke. It wasn't great, but just the fact that it wasn't terrible was a victory.
The most appalling thing about the idea of the Marvin Gerard Task Force is that it's actually a good idea on paper. That's the sickening thing.
So Gerard's last act is to destroy the Blacklist. Red really should have killed him in the judge's office.
The one thing in the episode that pissed me off is that the Task Force is dumb enough to believe Red is gonna break into prison to kill Marvin. That was SO obviously the dummy plan. How long have these jackasses actually worked with Red? How is it they could EVER believe he'd do something that dumb? It was so dumb I'd call it the stupidest bluff Red ever tried if it hadn't worked. The fact that it did was shameful. But apparently I overestimate the team and Red doesn't. They're all morons.
But really other than that, the episode was all right. Which is more than I can say about any of the other finales in recent memory. ***1/2.
