Retro-Reviews: Birds of Prey (SPOILERS)

It's oh so quiet...

It's been an interesting time for DC. After a series of mishaps in their plans for the DCEU, the execs have taken a step back and done a bit of course correction. To put it simply, they are now letting directors do their own thing and tell their own stories. The best thing about that is that some have chosen to take what was great about the DCEU beforehand and run with it. In this case, Harley Quinn. Easily one of, the not the very best, thing about Suicide Squad, it's nice that Margot Robbie can continue to shine in the role of this iconic character, and even better that it's in a self-contained story that allows us to enjoy the vision of what a look into Harley's world would look like. Still, as fun and cool as Birds of Prey is, there are some flaws that bring it down quite a bit for me. Let's get into all of that right now:

UPS

1. Margot Robbie. I loved her take on this character, and she shines just as bright here as she did in Suicide Squad. Her fun, quirky, infectious personality is matched perfectly with a sheer unhinged ferocity that compliments this character well. Having her break off from the Joker also allows the character to take new directions which make her come into her own and make her be one we can appreciate following. What I think I like most is that even though she's our protagonist, that still didn't make her a hero, and it's nice to see that they didn't try to force that change when it really wasn't necessary. Really, having films that follow these morally ambiguous characters with infinite shades of grey make for interesting stories, especially when it comes to comic book films, where most of the conflicts are black and white. Of course, we still needed a villain to compliment our "hero," and we've thankfully got a great one with...
2. Ewan McGregor's Black Mask. The DCEU has had some dud villains (take your pick between Steppenwolf and Enchatress) but it's also not without its exceptions. Thankfully, Black Mask falls within the latter. It's nice to see this villain come into the spotlight after being relatively obscure from the mainstream, with McGregor making this take wildly fun, creative, and unique. Some have their issues with how different he is from usual interpretations, but I think it makes him more compelling, because while he is wacky, eccentric, and over the top, he also proves to be brutal, vicious, and menacing. Alas, since he's killed off at the end, we'll never see more of him :(
3. Cathy Yan. In order for this movie to work, it needed to be fun, unique, and energetic. While the story doesn't do much in service of that, Yan's direction manages to pull it forward. This film is vibrantly filmed, with every detail and choice being used to the fullest extent possible. Yan took a simple story and made it her own. Because of her direction, this film is able to stand on its own despite its familiarity.

DOWNS

1. The overall story, or at least how its structured. While Yan manages to still inject this film with a vibrant life, I don't think the plot is that well put together. For one, this film relies heavily on flashbacks, all with Harley's narration. After a while, it gets tedious and overplayed, which even writer Christina Hodson seems to acknowledge since she decides to rush through one flashback towards the end. The downside? It's the backstory of one of our central characters! Which brings me to my next point...
2. All the other characters aside from Harley feel sidelined. Of course, they are all played well by their actors, but a good performance can only go so far when the script doesn't utilize them to their full potential. I've already covered Black Mask, but I find that even though I enjoyed watching these characters unfold, I felt like I needed more time with them. The most egregious example of this has to be Huntress, whose aforementioned backstory is the one they decided to rush through. It's such a shame, because I could imagine her being one of my favorite characters in the film if we just gotten more screentime from her. 
3. As fun as all the action was, I felt this film didn't take full advantage of its R-Rating. Sure, it doesn't need to be an all out splatter fest, but it all just felt rather tame for a movie that could've really put the petal to the metal with the freedom that they had. There were some standout moments, like Bruce the Hyena munching on that poor sap's leg, but these moments are few and far in between. 

OVERALL

Birds of Prey (or whichever title you choose to call it) is another win for DC, even if it isn't as strong as other recent offerings. I hope we see more of these characters and look forward to seeing Harley return in James Gunn's Suicide Squad. 

And that's it for this post, guys! Tune in for more coming your way and take care till then :)

Retro-Reviews: Parasite (SPOILERS)

No plan at all...

For a majority of last year, one film has gained major traction across the globe. That film is none other than Bong Joon-Ho's Parasite. To say the anticipation I had for seeing this film was high would be such an understatement that I won't even go into the details, but simply put, while I can't say it was my favorite film of 2019 or even the entire decade, I will say that this is a film that is worthy of all the praise it gets and then some. With its recent sweep of wins at the Oscars this year, including Best Picture, let's get into why Parasite is a timeless gem:

UPS

1. Bong Joon-Ho. A good movie needs a good director, and thankfully, Parasite has a great one in Bong. He has such a way with his craft that I don't think this movie would work as well as it did if not for his incredible skill. Every moment, every shot, every choice, all of it has meaning and nothing feels wasteful. Bong makes use of everything at his disposal and his passion for making this film is felt constantly. 
2. The message and overall theme. Bong has the theme of class structure and how capitalism affects society play a major part in his films. This one is no different and features a story that is built around these themes. What I like most is that the message is presented with such subtlety and nuance that it never feels preachy and instead feels like an organic part of the story. There are no real heroes or villains; just people trying to get by in a world that makes their situations so. It makes for a very complicated and engaging plot with so many twists and turns that it's hard not to get invested.
3. Going hand in hand with the message, the tone undergoes a gradual shift throughout the film that is also presented with subtlety. At first glance, it seems we are experiencing a dark comedy at play, which then transitions into a dramatic thriller, before concluding as a full-blown tragedy. Such massive tonal shifts would be jarring elsewhere, but here it works. The ending is the culmination of all of this, being utterly depressing as a whole yet still holding onto a sliver of hope that things could get better, which we pray they will.

DOWNS

It's hard to find fault with this film in all honesty.

OVERALL

Parasite is, again, not my favorite film of 2019, but I am glad, no, overjoyed that it got such high praise and recognition as everything accomplished in this film makes it deserving of that.

And that's it for this post, guys! Tune in for more coming your way :)

Retro-Reviews: The Mandalorian (SPOILERS)

This is the way...

Oh Star Wars. One of the most beloved and successful franchises of all time, it has seen trying times ever since Disney acquired the rights. With a fandom completely ripped apart and a trilogy that didn't have a clear vision going in, there was a lot going against the franchise. With the unveiling of Disney+, Jon Favreau brings the audience a show that deals not with the Jedi, the Sith, or the Skywalkers, but rather takes a look at a different type of character: a Mandalorian. Already, it was indeed refreshing to see this side of the universe, and the result has been quite possibly one of the best things to come out of this franchise in a long time. In this review, I will go over exactly what makes the first season of The Mandalorian an absolute success, and whatever quibbles it may have that could be improved upon with time:

UPS

1. Mando. To start things off, I have to talk about our titular protagonist, who is as great as they come. He's incredibly badass, and yet what really sells him is his heart and humanity. The more the season goes on, the more layers are peeled back to reveal the psyche of this character. Best of all, almost all of it is done with body language instead of dialogue. That right there is enough to sell this show as something that is truly pushing the franchise in a different direction in regards to storytelling.  
2. Baby Yoda. I know, he's all everyone's talking about, but I still think he deserves mentioning. It's not so much about him being so damn adorable (which he really is,) but it's also about what he represents, and that is the personification of Mando's humanity. All that he does is in service of preserving the life of this innocent little creature. The bond these two share is the clear heart of the show, and I hope the show builds upon this relationship in the second season as the child gets older and more powerful. 
3. I really enjoyed how the season was structured. Many had a problem with how the middle three episodes essentially boiled down to being standalone stories that had no bearing on the plot, but I found myself really enjoying them. I thought they worked well in worldbuilding and of course showing us different parts of the galaxy, and I really enjoyed the characters introduced in these episodes. Of course, the series was at its strongest when dealing with the core story, with Episode 3 and the season finale in particular being the highest points of the season. Overall, the show should break away from the standalone episodes going forward, but for the first season, I found them fitting in just fine. 
4. The theme song. It's just...so awesome!

DOWNS

1. This going to be a little controversial, but I wasn't a fan of the premiere. It did pretty much what a premiere is supposed to do, but it felt more like a checklist instead of an actual episode. It didn't have a good flow and it felt like a lot got crammed in just so the producers could move on to the next thing. Fortunately, the first and last scenes are some of the best of the season, and the show obviously got better from there.  

OVERALL

The first season of The Mandalorian is a breath of fresh air for Star Wars. I hope the series only gets better from here and hopefully be something that will be cherished by everyone who has the pleasure of viewing it. 

And that's it for this post, guys! As always, tune in for more coming your way and till then, take care :)

Retro-Reviews: Doctor Sleep (SPOILERS)

I always called it the Shining...

If you love Stephen King, then you definitely know The Shining. It is one of his most well known and beloved stories with a film adaptation that is equally iconic for many reasons. One of those reasons is rather infamous. That is the fact that King himself is not a fan of the film, even when it's received such acclaim. A lot of this boils down to its loose adaptation of the novel's story, which is a fair criticism for King to have in all honesty. That being said, I loved The Shining and was more than excited to have the sequel, Doctor Sleep, receive its own adaptation, even moreso once I found out that none other than Obi-Wan Kenobi himself, Ewan McGregor, would be taking on the role of Danny Torrance. Ultimately, Doctor Sleep proves to be a solid follow-up to The Shining that manages in some ways to be even better than the original. And here's why:

UPS

1. Ewan McGregor is wonderful as Danny. I had no doubts, but I'm glad he was able to exceed my expectations with how truly awesome he was. He's one of those actors that will make any movie watchable even when it isn't all that good. Thankfully, this movie is really good, but McGregor's performance really brings the film together. He manages to craft so many layers to the character of Danny as we see him overcome all the personal struggles he has succumbed to in his adult years before finally standing up to the demons that have caused him so much trauma, even that of his own father. Overall, McGregor is solid, and he made the most of his time on screen. 
2. I liked the rest of the cast as well. They all do a spectacular job. Kyliegh Curran is a welcome presence that provides a heartfelt performance that combines with McGregor's to bring the film together, while Cliff Curtis is given more to do than I expected and ends up being all the better for it. We even get a nice role from Bruce Greenwood, a hauntingly tragic turn from Jacob Tremblay, and of course, Carl Lumbly as Dick Halloran, Alex Essoe as Wendy Torrance, and most surprising of all, Henry Thomas (yes, that Henry Thomas) as Jack! All three of them do such a good job at portraying these characters while not coming off as a cheap knock-off of the original, which is quite a feat to achieve.
3. The True Knot. Going in, the one thing that kinda turned me off about the movie were these guys. I just couldn't get into the idea of them being these people who devour the powers of those who "shine" in order to live forever. It just felt a little lame to me, even if it is in the novel. Fortunately, the movie puts those fears to rest as they managed to be engaging antagonists to carry the plot forward. They succeed at being this group of sickeningly twisted individuals, as one nightmarish scene (if you've seen the movie, you know exactly which one I'm talking about) proves, while managing to showcase the humanity they still carry within so that we can understand why they do the things that they do. Of course, Rebecca Ferguson shines the brightest as Rose The Hat, whose performance is as alluring as it is chilling. 
4. The fact that this movie manages to be faithful not only to King's source material, but to Kubrick's film as well. I'm not 100% on the novel, but I do have enough knowledge to understand the major differences between it and the movie, which makes it's all the more impressive that Doctor Sleep managed to bring the two together so that both could get the love they deserve. Director Mike Flanagan and the rest of the crew did a superb job at recreating all the elements from The Shining (complete with shot-for-shot recreations of some of the film's iconic scenes and spot-on duplicates of the sets and costumes) while mixing in some of the ideas from King that were left out, most notably being the ending which, while being a major change to the novelized version of Doctor Sleep, proves to be a satisfying conclusion to this version of the story.

DOWNS

1. This movie does feel way too long at times. This is a problem that's plagued a lot of movies this year and it's no different here. There are so many places where the movie makes you feel like it's reaching its conclusion before it sweeps you from under the rug to take you in a new direction. I can recall there being several times where I felt that way, and the reason that's a problem? They all happen before we even reach the Overlook. Overall, this movie does have a pacing issue and a little trimming down would help a lot. 

OVERALL

Doctor Sleep certainly is a worthy sequel to The Shining and in some ways proves even better. While I think the door is closed for this story (though you never know,) I did enjoy what I got and am glad it managed to be as good as it was. 

And that's it for this blog, guys! Tune in for more coming your way :)

Retro-Reviews: Taxi Driver (SPOILERS)

You talkin' to me?...

If you've heard that quote (which I can't imagine you haven't,) then you have, in a way, heard of Taxi Driver. Martin Scorsese is one of the most iconic filmmakers of all time, right up there with the likes of Spielberg, Kubrick, Tarantino, and Coppola. He's created many classics such as Goodfellas and is in the process of releasing his new flick, The Irishman. One thing many of his films share in common is the use of one iconic actor: that of Robert DeNiro. The pairing of Scorsese and DeNiro has produced some iconic films, and this one right here is easily one of the most cherished and beloved. With The Irishman right around the corner and a certain other film taking heavy inspiration from this film, I felt it natural to revisit Taxi Driver and determine what makes it such an iconic, dare I say it, masterpiece:

UPS

1. Robert DeNiro! Yes, the actor has had a huge variety of roles that it's hard to pick just one to consider his all time best, but his turn as Travis Bickle comes really, really close. There isn't much to be said about the performance. It is raw, vulnerable, and human, depicting what kind of fragile state one has to be in to succumb to the more brutal nature within their essence. Yes, Travis commits several brutal acts of violence and attempts to commit even worse atrocities, but the writing and DeNiro allow us to understand where he is coming from, ultimately making us question whether we should condemn him...or root for him.
2. The setting of New York. To this day, I don't think I have ever seen the Big Apple depicted in such a bleak and unsettling way. Scorsese's direction and the cinematography do an excellent job of conveying the way Travis sees the city, which makes his character arc that much more impactful. In every great story, the setting could be a character in and of itself, and Scorsese makes damn sure to incorporate that into the film.
3. Bernard Hermann's score.  To me, this score is just as important in capturing the essence of the film. The way it blends the smooth, peaceful sounds of the saxophone solo with that of the more bombastic sounds is something that is almost surreal. This being his final score before passing, Bernard Hermann really went out with a bang, crafting a score that will be timeless and irreplaceable. 

DOWNS

There is nothing in this film to really bring it down.

OVERALL

As I said, Taxi Driver is practically a masterpiece. I try not to make light of that term, but I can't think of many films that have hit all the right marks as this one does. It is a timeless tale that will remain relevant and influential for years to come. 

And that is it for this post, guys! Tune in for more coming your way and till then, take care :)

Retro-Reviews: The Lion King (2019/SPOILERS)

Can you feel the love tonight?...

With Disney taking a trip down memory lane by remaking several of their old animated classics, it was inevitable that they'd tackle one of their most beloved and successful, The Lion King. With that being said, it seems like it'd be a daunting task to even try to recapture the magic of the original. Of course, I was cautiously optimistic when I saw the cast and learned that Jon Favreau would be taking over as director. Now that I have seen it twice, how does it hold up? With The Lion King being my all-time favorite Disney movie and possibly my favorite film period, I had many hopes and fears going into this. What I can say is that while it does at times feel like a dull, soulless cash grab of a remake without any of the heart and magic that the original had, my second viewing allowed me to take a step back and appreciate the things that were great about it. Now let's get into the good and bad of the 2019 re-imagining of The Lion King:

UPS

1. It is visually stunning. While there are problems with making the movie a photorealistic take, the visuals are still a sight to behold, with Mufasa in particular looking as majestic as he should. The African wild is a beautiful sight to behold, so it's nice to see that captured in this movie. 
2. The songs and most of the voice acting are great. The music has received an overall mixed reception from many, but I thought it was great for the most part. The score remains as powerful and moving as it was in the original and I like the new spin on the songs, even the shortened version of "Be Prepared." As for the voice acting, this may have been the hardest department for them to nail, but I think most of them were rock solid. Particular standouts are of course Billy Eichner and Seth Rogen as Timon and Pumbaa, and though he had the challenge of filling in for Jeremy Irons, Chiwetel Ejiofor as Scar. Not every performance was the best it could be, but overall, we had some great stand-ins for the originals, who are practically iconic at this point. 

DOWNS

1. The lack of emotions in the animals. It's easy to say the movie went too far in making things realistic, as the animals barely show any feelings. Because of that, many of the more emotional scenes are somewhat awkward to watch because the vocal performance doesn't match the character's facial expressions...at all.
2. There were some choices made that left me scratching my head. Particular moments were having Beyonce's song "Spirit" play out during the sequence where Simba returns to Pride Rock (which made the moment feel like that of a music video more than an actual scene within the film,) scenes like Rafiki discovering Simba's mane being padded out, and "Can You Feel The Love Tonight" being sung during the day, which I believe can speak for itself. These may feel like nitpicks, but still, they were strange things I noticed and couldn't help but question Favreau's reasoning for incorporating them into the final product. 

OVERALL

The Lion King (2019) is flawed and doesn't come close to the iconic status of the original. Still, it's nice to see this story done through a news lens. More could've definitely been done with it, but I did enjoy most of what I saw. Again, I can't say it's great nor can I say it's terrible. It's just there, and that's all I can really say.

And that's it for this post, guys! Tune in for more on the way and till then, take care :)

Retro-Reviews: Toy Story 4 (SPOILERS)

Being there for a kid is the most noble thing a toy can do...

The Toy Story franchise holds a special place in the hearts of many. The original trilogy is easily one of the greatest there is, holding a lot of heart, emotion, and all around fun for the whole family to enjoy. It also had one of the most perfect endings to a story ever, so when it was announced that a fourth film would be released, there were obviously concerns. I myself thought that this being Toy Story would mean that it would at least be enjoyable if not something that would be treasured the way the first three are. Once I saw it, I, like many others, do feel it is the weakest of the four but nowhere near as bad as many of those more bitter about the announcement would believe it to be. Let's get into why Toy Story 4 was worth the release, and why, if necessary, it wasn't:

UPS

1. For starters, the animation. It's come a long way from the first movie to say the least. Just take that sequence in the rain! Absolutely gorgeous. 
2. The new characters were welcome additions. I wasn't sure how I felt about Forky at first, but as the movie progressed, he ended up being one of the best characters in the movie let alone the entire series. Likewise, Ducky and Bunny were a perfect comic relief duo who are the centerpiece of easily the funniest moment in the series. Then there's Duke Caboom, and can I say more about how great he is? YES I CANADA!!! Alas, I'll leave it there and continue on to the next three characters who shared the greatest spotlight. 
3. The arc of Gabby Gabby. When you compare her to the other villains, it almost seems cruel to call her one despite the fact that she does several morally questionable things in her quest to accomplish her goals. Still, it's easy to root for her once the extent of her pained and broken nature is out in the open. Once she is able to find herself a kid who will love and cherish her, you can't help but shed a tear at how happy it is to see things go right for her. 
4. The return of Bo Peep. One of the advantages this movie had was being able to tie up any loose ends that weren't wrapped up in the third movie; most glaring of all the whereabouts of Woody's old flame. While it was great seeing her return, it was even better to see them give her a complete revamp on her character. In the place of her previous characterization, Toy Story 4 shows off Bo's more adventurous and active lifestyle, allowing us to see a different side that adds new layers and not only makes her a better character but one that has a clear impact on Woody's arc. Speaking of which...
5. After leaving this movie, it's easy to see that this movie was made to offer a fitting conclusion to the story of Woody. It was really interesting to see that as Bonnie began to divert her attention to other things, Woody started to question his purpose in life, making it his mission to make Bonnie's life happy even when he himself is not. It makes it all the more emotional when he helps Forky see the meaning behind being there for a child (which gives him newfound purpose,) offer Gabby Gabby a chance to find her happy ending, and finally choose to stay with Bo and her friends to go on adventures of their own. While the ending itself may not hit as hard as the one in Toy Story 3, it still packs the punch when you see Woody say goodbye to his old friends which leads to the fact that this may very well be the last time we ever see the old gang together again. At least we have the assurance that even though Woody will no longer be with Buzz, Jesse, and the others, they will still hold a place in his heart. 

DOWNS

1. Though we managed to get the emotional goodbye scene at the end, the fact of the matter is that the other toys were sidelined for the most part. While it can be justified considering this movie focused more on the culmination of Woody's journey as well as introducing the other toys, it is still jarring to see characters like Jesse placed in the background and showcased for a single scene or so. Buzz had it better than the others for sure, but even he feels like a bit of an afterthought in the grand scheme of things. Still, what we got from Buzz was great and of course the ending made up for the lack of screentime the others were given. 

OVERALL

Toy Story 4 is the kind of movie that didn't need to happen but at the end of the day, almost no one is complaining that it did. For that, even though it may not be as revered as the first three, it will stand by them with pride. 

And that's it for this post, guys! Tune in for more on the way :)

To Infinity and Beyond...

Retro-Reviews: Game of Thrones: The Final Season (SPOILERS)

If you think this has a happy ending, you haven't been paying attention...

2019 seems to be the year of endings. Be it the Infinity Saga of the MCU or the Sequel Trilogy of Star Wars, there are many big stories that have reached their final chapter. Among them is Game of Thrones, which returned after having a whole year and a half off to develop the final season. Anticipation was through the roof, and now that it's all wrapped up, how have things held up? Well...if this was anything to go by, you'd be damn sure to believe what Ramsay Bolton had to say all those years back, and I'm not talking about the end of the show itself. Simply put, I have never seen such an uproar from a fanbase as I have with the final season of Game of Thrones. I almost was considering not even reviewing it because it may just be better to just let it all go to rest...but I ultimately decided that it needed to be done. Without further adieu, let's get into my very mixed reaction towards the conclusion of one of my favorite TV shows of all time:

UPS

1. Emilia Clarke! While she was never a bad actress, it was clear that she wasn't as strong as some of the other actors like Peter Dinklage or Lena Headey. That all changed this season. While there were issues with the progression of Dany's arc, Clarke played the part so masterfully and portrayed Dany's descent into madness so convincingly that it could almost be forgiven.
2. ARYA FREAKING STARK! If there was one character that was given the best treatment this season, it was definitely Arya. After three whole seasons of being thrown through the wringer with lackluster storylines, Arya was finally given her time to shine...and boy did she ever. Not only did she manage to save the world by killing the freaking Night King, but she was also able to overcome her lust for vengeance in favor of being able to live her life the way she truly wanted to. Her being reunited with the Hound also allowed for a touching scene that brought both their arcs full circle, and out of every character, I think her story had the most satisfying ending. Overall, it's nice to know at least one character managed just fine at the end of it all.
3. The visuals, direction, and music. I don't usually discuss technical aspects in my reviews, but I have to admit, this season really was something to behold. It's clear that this is why it took extra long for this season to come out. Everything is just so gorgeous to look at that you can't believe you're watching a television show at times. I mean, come on, how epic is this shot?

DOWNS

1. IT'S TOO DAMN SHORT! Back when it was announced that the final two seasons would be shortened, I had my concerns. I hate to say that my fears were sadly realized. Season 7 spent its seven episodes setting up everything that happens in this season, and as a result we have things moving at a breakneck speed that hurts the narrative more than it helps. The rushed storytelling only serves to make the story feel nonsensical, character arcs ring hollow, and the ending anticlimactic. It's unfortunate that what could have been an epic endgame feels so empty because the showrunners did not put in the time needed to make it all work. 

OVERALL

The final season of Game of Thrones is a frustrating mixed bag for me. I don't hate what I saw. I actually really liked it. It's just that I wished things were given more time to breath and flow so that I (and apparently everyone else) would feel more satisfied with the final product. I guess this is just one of those times where I shouldn't be angry over how Game of Thrones ended, but rather glad that I got to spend a good portion of my life with characters I enjoy and watching this show evolve into something great, even if there were several bumps in the road. At the end of the day, as long as there was something good to be taken from it, then at least one thing was done right. 

And that's it for this post, guys! Tune in for more coming your way :)

And now my Watch had Ended...

Retro-Reviews: Gotham: The Final Season (SPOILERS)

Hidden in Darkness, there is Light...

I love superheroes. I don't think I need to elaborate on that too much. While I haven't been an avid reader of comics, I have grown up on several movies and television shows that have been my gateway into falling in love with so many colorful characters and the worlds that they populate. While I have time and time again stated that my all-time favorite superhero is Spider-Man, I find it downright criminal of me to run this blog so long without any real mention of Batman, who is easily my second favorite. I guess it all boils down to the fact that the Caped Crusader has not had many great iterations in the past few years. Thankfully, there was one show that's been running for the past few years that has been a mostly solid depiction of the origin of the Dark Knight. That show is Gotham, and its final season has recently concluded, so I feel it fitting that I deliver my thoughts on the final run for this rather underrated show. 

UPS

1. The season's overarching storyline. For the past four seasons, there have been several mini-arcs spread throughout an entire season, and while each one was incredibly solid, it doesn't stand to make each season fully coherent. In contrast, this season has one clear arc that is told throughout the entire season, partly due to a smaller amount of episodes. As such, it's easier to feel more engaged and more necessary to tune in each week to see what happens next because everything flows and builds upon what came before. Overall, this season in comparison to the others feels tighter and better paced. 
2. This being the final season, we would need to see the culmination of everything that has been building since the beginning. By the end, every major character has gotten the proper conclusion to their series long arcs: Jim is promoted to Commissioner, marries Lee, and raises a daughter with Barbra, who is able to fully atone for her past misdeeds and start a new life. Likewise, other characters like Oswald, Ed, and Selina fully embrace the roles that they were meant to play in the future, and of course, the big two are Bruce becoming Batman and Jeremiah becoming the Joker. Yep, that's right, after several twists and turns, we finally have a fully fledged Clown Prince of Crime to compliment our Dark Knight, and it is glorious, with Cameron Monaghan knocking it right out of the park.

DOWNS

1. While the shorter episode length did benefit telling a more coherent overarching storyline, it still meant that not everything was able to fit in. Case in point, there were several villains like the Mad Hatter, Mr. Freeze, and Scarecrow who were present throughout the series and were barely present here or simply did not show up at all. Again, I thought the storyline we were given more than made up for these shortcomings, so maybe I'm being counter-productive, but I do think this season would've benefited from a few more episodes if not the full 22 like previous years.

OVERALL

Gotham: The Final Season was a worthy conclusion to the show. I would have liked just a little bit more, but I'm more than happy with what we got. Fingers crossed that there's a chance we may get a full-fledged Batman show with this cast and crew sometime in the near future. I doubt it, but a guy can hope.

And that's it for this post, guys. Tune in for more on the way and until then, take care :)

Retro-Reviews: The Walking Dead Season 9 (SPOILERS)

We're making a New Beginning...

It's been a while since I've talked about The Walking Dead. When it started out, it was one of my favorite shows ever with the first four seasons being exemplary television. However, things took a major drop down for me in the fifth season and ever since then, every season has been a frustrating mixed bag. There was always something sprinkled into each season that gave me hope that I'd see the show return to its glory days, but for every high, the showrunners come up with a brand new boneheaded decision that kills all good will, each worse than the last. By season 8, it seemed that the nail was finally in the coffin when it was decided that to "progress the story," Carl Grimes, arguably the second most important character in the series and one who was the most likely to take up reigns as the primary protagonist overall, was killed off. To add even further insult to injury, this season was confirmed to be the last for Andrew Lincoln as Rick Grimes and Lauren Cohan as Maggie Rhee, so that was three big characters that the show loses in such a short amount of time. In addition to all this drama, interest in the show began to decline, with the ratings being a grim reflection of that. To put it simply, it's been a dark time for the show, and one that it seemed it would never recover from...until Season 9, or more specifically Angela Kang, swooped in and saved the day. Adapting material from the story arc fittingly known as A New Beginning, Kang brought a fresh new direction for the show to take in spite of the mess that came before, and for anyone who stuck around to see it through, such as myself, I believe it's safe to say that their patience has been rewarded...at least for now. So let's see what makes The Walking Dead Season 9 succeed, and whatever problems still persist:

UPS

1. To put things into simple terms, it really does feel like the show has undergone a new beginning. For starters, the tone is much lighter and the characters go through optimistic developments, such as Carol forming a relationship with Ezekiel and the two starting a family by taking in Henry as a surrogate son, Daryl starting to come into his own as a friend, a protector, and even as a leader (which is a real treat given the poor treatment of the character in the last few seasons,) and even more poignantly, Maggie finally coming to terms with Glenn's death and having the strength to spare Negan. Overall, the new developments have pushed the show forward in truly magnificent ways and it's all the better for it.
2. The new opening theme. If there was any indication that this show was going in a different direction, then it definitely starts here. Seriously, this opening is so unique and sets itself apart from the previous openings. It really does give you the impression that the show was changing, and I couldn't help but embrace it. 
3. Though it will never be the same without him, and the episode itself may have been overwhelmed by the hype surrounding it, I think Rick did get a proper sendoff. Not only did we see him fight till the bitter end, but we also got to see him have moments with Sasha, Shane, and Hershel (with the latter being especially moving due to it being Scott Wilson's last scene before passing away.) What makes this even better is that, despite this being his last appearance on the show, Kang and the showrunners make the decision to spare him from death and simply send him off on a new journey, which will take place in a trilogy of movies set for 2020. All in all, he may no longer be on the show, but as Andrew Lincoln put it, the story of Rick Grimes is far from over.
4. The Whisperers. I don't know how else to say it, but they fucking nailed the Whisperers. After a (mostly) superb introduction, the promotional material for the second half was really ramping up the excitement at them becoming the new villains of the series. Though her southern accent admittedly sounded pretty goofy in the promos, all doubts were put to rest once Samantha Morton proved to be downright chilling as Alpha, providing a cold, vicious, almost animalistic presence to the role. Cassidy McClincy is also great as Lydia, with the dynamic between her and Daryl being something that I particularly look forward to seeing in Season 10. Ultimately, though, the true standout for me is Beta, primarily because they took a complete dud of a character from the comics and helped him become a breakout star in the show, and honestly, after careful consideration, out of every character that the showrunners have casted, Ryan Hurst as Beta may be the one they have nailed the best. I am truly impressed with the Whisperers so far and as such, they made this season more memorable than it already was. 
5. "Scars" and "The Calm Before." Despite my positivity so far, I will admit that it took a while for me to truly express my love for this season. As good as it was, I felt that the show's problems forever held it back from reaching the same magic it had during its early years...and then these two episodes dropped and swept me off my feet. "Scars" really brought to light that after so long, the show was finally hearkening back to what made it the phenomenon that it was in the first place, being the darkest episode since "The Grove." "The Calm Before" then takes a page from Game of Thrones by providing the big shocker in the penultimate episode, all while being an utterly suspenseful hour and a half of television the whole way through. Again, if Season 9 was a sign that things were looking up for the show, then these are the episodes that solidified and sealed the deal. 

DOWNS

1. Jesus ended his tenure in the series as a massive waste of a perfectly good character. One of the major problems of previous seasons was that every right-hand man Rick had that wasn't Daryl or Shane got the short end of the stick, and Jesus is no exception. After such a promising introduction, the character fell to the sidelines before having the tired "pacifist in times of conflict" trope dumped on him to provide unnecessary drama, all while never getting the chance to truly stand out on his own or show off his amazing martial arts skills, something that Tom Payne himself was very adamant about. What makes this worse is that Season 9 was finally starting to showcase Jesus in an interesting way, with him becoming a reluctant leader of the Hilltop, forming a budding relationship with Aaron, and showing us all what a true badass he could be. Overall, Jesus was one of the many characters that this show just never utilized to their full potential. Now with so few characters left, let's hope the showrunners can put this bullshit to rest.
2. As much as I hate to admit it, I wasn't too keen on how Negan was used throughout the season. Seeing as we haven't reached the part of major importance for him in this storyline, it meant that there wasn't much need for him to be as prominent. Still, I wished they could have done more with him than just having him sit around in a cell and spend a whole episode being an aimless wanderer before going back to where he was. It didn't help that two of the characters he shared a majority of his screen time with, Rick and Carl, were no longer around. Basically, the more he was around, the more pointless he felt, and that is not how I should be feeling about one of my favorite characters in this series. Thankfully, it seems that this will be rectified as the season finale planted the seeds for his redemption arc to fully come into fruition, and his moment with Maggie is easily one of the best moments of the season, if not the series.

OVERALL

The Walking Dead Season 9 did what I thought could not be done in a while and brought the show back to what made it so great in the earlier seasons. Sure, it still could do a little bit more, but for now, this is truly the best this show has been for a while, and I hope it gets better from here. Thank you Angela Kang for saving this show, and let's hope it stays that way.

And that's it for this post, guys! Tune in for more coming your way :) 

Retro-Reviews: How To Train Your Dragon (Complete Trilogy/SPOILERS)

We Go Where No One Goes...

I always love a story with a clear beginning, middle, and end, and that is the beauty of a trilogy. There are many movie trilogies that I love, but which one is my absolute favorite? Honestly, I try to use that term as loosely as possible because I really can't pick a favorite out of any of them. However, if there was one that moved me the most, that holds the most impact for me personally, and tells its story as fully and completely as possible, then I think I have to go with the How To Train Your Dragon trilogy. Words cannot begin to describe the love I have for these movies. Without further adieu, let's get into why I feel this way, and whatever major or minor caveats they hold:

UPS

1. For starters, Hiccup and Toothless. The bond these two share is one of the most touching, pure, and genuine friendships I have ever seen put into any work of fiction. What makes their bond better is how it develops Hiccup as a character and how he becomes a better person because of it. The two go to Hell and back together, and nothing that stands in their way drives them apart, which really speaks volumes about how powerful their friendship is. 
2. Going into each movie, each one has something to love about it. The first one is an excellent starting point, with all the characters being introduced in satisfying ways and developed to points that will shape them for the future. Most affecting of all is the arc of Stoick, who goes from this hard-hearted brute of a Viking with high standards set for his son to a more vulnerable individual who allows himself to open up in more personal ways and admit his shortcomings, which culminates in this profoundly affecting moment. That's just one of the many moments in this film that is genuinely awe-inspiring and it would be easy to think after such a strong start that we wouldn't reach the same heights again. Well...
3. The second one proves to be just as stellar as the first and even takes things to higher heights by providing darker and more emotional scenes, in particular the death of Stoick, which really just needs to be seen to be believed. The introduction of Valka also brings in more drama and seeing Hiccup really come into his own despite everything that happens really helps to round him out as a character. Finally...
4. The Hidden World, while admittedly slightly weaker than the first two, is a beautiful and satisfying conclusion to the story. Everything comes full circle in ways that feel earned, and it provides a perfect bittersweet conclusion that moves you and helps you feel hopeful that things will get better in the future. Also, the romance between Toothless and the Light Fury is simply adorable and that final scene may just be my favorite moment in the entire trilogy. It couldn't have ended on a more perfect note than that.
5. The music! Good Lord, THE MUSIC!!! If there one thing that I could definitively say, it's that these movies hold, for me, the best soundtrack to a movie ever! EVER! It is so moving, so powerful, so...AGH! Let's just leave it there, shall we?

DOWNS

1. Remember how I said The Hidden World was slightly weaker than the first two. Well, everything about it was mostly stellar...except one thing: this one subplot featuring Snotlout having a crush on Valka and getting jealous of Eret, with the latter two getting very little to do in this film, which is kinda surprising given the rather major roles they played in the second one. It's really odd and what makes it more distracting is that it's given a heavy amount of screentime, even when it adds nothing to the film. I may be overreacting a bit, but I think if there was one thing from these movies that I could do without, it was definitely this.

OVERALL

The How To Train Your Dragon trilogy is pretty much my favorite movie trilogy of all time. If you haven't seen any of them yet, please give them a watch. I promise you won't regret it.  

And that's it for this post guys. Tune in for more on the way :)

Retro-Reviews: The Lord of The Rings Trilogy (SPOILERS)

One Ring To Rule Them All...

In the realm of pop culture, there are many big film franchises that people talk about. Star Wars, Harry Potter, the MCU...the list goes on and on. Peter Jackson's Middle Earth universe is no different. From the books by J.R.R. Tolkein, Jackson created a trilogy that has set a very high bar in the world of fiction. For me, I always love a good trilogy, and this one is probably one of the most perfect trilogies there is. In this post, I will go over why I say that and why these movies will go on for generations to be ones to remember:

UPS

1. The world of Middle-Earth. Worldbuilding is always a good way to get people involved in the story, and Jackson does a superb job of making this world feel as alive as possible. From the peace of the Shire to the fires of Mordor, Middle-Earth feels like a real place and once the Fellowship embark on their journey, it feels like you are right there tagging along. It helps that much of the movies were filmed on location in New Zealand. Maybe one day, I'll take a trip down there and walk the path to Mordor myself.
2. Each and every character is great, and the actors do a fantastic job bringing them to life. Frodo, Sam, Gandalf, Aragorn, Gollum. All of them and more really make the films stand out, complimenting the world and the story while embarking on individual journeys of their own. 
3. The fact that they manage to balance and blend practical effects with CGI so well is a real achievement in its own right. CGI is something that has been a point of contention nowadays, but when used properly, it's really something special. The sight of the Balrog alone is something that really needs to be seen to be believed. 
4. The music. Every great movie needs a great soundtrack, and this one does not disappoint, not in the slightest. It ranges from being joyful, scary, sad, moving, and above all beautiful. Heck, the range it has tells a story all on its own. Seriously, just listen to it. You won't regret it, I promise you.   
5. Okay, when I said that this was one of the most perfect trilogies there was, that wasn't something I want to take light of. So why do I say that? Well in addition to all those reasons I have stated above, this one stands out from other trilogies by being, for lack of a better word, complete. Complete meaning that it knew it had a huge story to tell, but only had three movies to tell it in. One could expect them to split the movies up and tell portions of the story to space it out, but nope, they stick to the three-movie plan, and as a result we have three SUPER LONG movies to experience...and I wouldn't have it any other way. In three movies, it's easy for smaller storylines to be pushed to the side and not be given proper resolution in favor of the bigger ones, but here that is not the case. Thanks to the longer runtimes every storyline (well, all except one maybe) is given the proper conclusion that they deserve and it all serves to make the experience of watching these movies all the more rewarding. To me, that is something that should, no, needs to be commended.

DOWNS

1. Now while I did say that this was one of the most perfect trilogies there is, that's not to say they are flawless. Case in point, there are some minor quibbles I have with The Two Towers. In particular, the subplot where Aragorn is believed to be dead serves no purpose to the story but to be filler (why movies this long need filler is quite strange to me) and it doesn't even last that long, which makes it even more pointless. There's also Gollum's cruel treatment at the hands of Faramir and his men, which if you think about it contributes to him trying to kill Frodo and Sam in Return of The King, so nice job there, buddy. Even the other movies have their issues too: Fellowship has the ridiculous Galadriel moment, and Return of The King chooses to have Saruman delegated to a couple lines explaining his situation and no screentime whatsoever (at least in the theatrical version.) Pretty unfair for the figurehead of villainy for two whole movies. Overall, the one issue with the trilogy being so great is that it becomes real easy to zero in on the things that don't work as well.

OVERVIEW

The Lord of The Rings is a great trilogy of movies. They are epic, emotional, and hit all the right notes.

And that's it for this post, guys. Tune in for more on the way :)

Retro-Reviews: Spider-Man (PS4/SPOILERS)

When you help someone, you help everyone...

If you've followed this blog or know me at all, then it's practically common knowledge by now that I am a huge fan of Spider-Man, or at least Peter Parker. That being said, what isn't clear to many is what I consider to be the perfect Spider-Man story, or at least the one that I think is the best and my all-time favorite. For a while, I actually didn't have one. Each Spider-Man story had their strengths and weaknesses, some better than others, but all had something to like about them, at least for me. I couldn't really give you a definitive answer...that is, until I played this game. When I first saw all the advertising, I was intrigued by what I saw, but unfortunately, being someone who primarily played on Xbox, I wasn't too keen on investing in a PS4 for one single game, so it seemed like I would never get the chance to play through it. Well, my birthday changed all that :) As I played through, my love for the game grew tremendously the more I swung through New York City and became immersed in the story and characters of Peter's world. By the time I finished, I didn't feel like I was playing as Spider-Man, I felt like I was the web-slinger himself. Overall, this game is for me the perfect Spider-Man story and would easily be the best movie if it ever were translated to screen, so let's dive into why I feel this way and address the one minor flaw to be found: 

UPS

1. Spider-Man/Peter Parker is perfectly translated to this game. Not only is he perfectly designed and Yuri Lowenthal provides excellent voicework, but the developers of this game have simply nailed the core aspect of this character. He is funny, likable, and relatable in all the right ways, and what really makes him stand out is his heroic and caring soul. This game really puts Peter through some really tough ordeals, and it's all the more rewarding to see him rise above the challenges he faces. As perfect as Spidey is though, he's not alone...
2. His entire supporting cast were nailed as well. MJ takes a much more active role in this game than she has ever had in any other medium, while J. Jonah Jameson is never seen but always felt thanks to the bombastic and hilarious podcasts that turn up multiple times during the game. Likewise, Harry Osborn isn't present in the game, but the side missions involving him make him feel as if he is just as involved in the story as anyone else...until you realize that he does in fact play a VERY important part, one that will no doubt play out further in the future. Ultimately, the real standouts for me are Miles and Aunt May. Miles has gotten quite the track record as of late, and this game provides him his own origin story while also having him play a part in the overarching narrative, sharing touching moments with Peter that really play on the dynamic these two characters will share later on. Now, as for Aunt May, well...we'll get to her...
3. Spidey's rogues gallery gets superb treatment as well. To start off, Norman Osborn is present in this game, and while he isn't donning any green yet, he still retains his devious, ruthless businessman persona while also holding a touch of humanity within him. Furthermore, the Sinister Six are given awesome designs and fun boss battles that make them entertaining adversaries to face, but the real masters of villainy here are the game's primary antagonists: Doc Ock and Mister Negative. To date, this may be the best interpretation of the Master Planner that we've had since Alfred Molina's take in Spider-Man 2, largely due to his fleshed out character arc, personal relationship to Peter, and the fact that the game does a tremendous job of making you feel for him, almost to the point where you are dreading the moment he starts to become who we all know he's destined to be. Overall, these villains join the incredibly large cast of wonderfully crafted characters that this game presents. 
4. The whole world of New York City. Swinging through this city is one of the most awe-inspiring things to do in this game, as there is so much detail put into every aspect of this large world that you could easily get lost swinging around. 
5. The emotion....good lord, the emotion! What really sets this game apart from others for me is that it is filled to the brim with genuine, heartfelt emotion. No where is this more clear than when Peter makes the gut-wrenching choice to let Aunt May die (yes SHE DIES!!!) so that the rest of the city can be saved. Throughout the game, you will feel joy and despair, you'll laugh and you'll cry, and all the while, you'll be playing through the whole thing with a big smile on your face. 

DOWNS

1. Some side missions get a little repetitive and boring. Of particular note is the ones where you have to match a bunch of electrical pieces together and the warehouse battles where you face up to six waves of enemies. Every once in a while, they're not so bad, but they really don't make you want to do it multiple times throughout. 

OVERALL

Spider-Man (PS4) is practically a video game masterpiece, a word I try not to use lightly. If you love Spider-Man just as much as I do, then this game is the right fit for you.

And that's it for this post, guys. Tune in for more on the way :)

Retro-Reviews Christmas Special: Die Hard (SPOILERS)

Yippee Ki-Yay, Mother Fucker...

Around the good times of Christmas, there's always one Christmas special people hold near and dear to their heart. From It's A Wonderful Life to How The Grinch Stole Christmas, there's a variety of classics to choose from. However, some people have picked a rather unique choice to view during the holidays, and that is none other than Die Hard, one of the greatest, if not the all-time best, action movies ever made. There's a lot to love about this film, and given that it's set during the big day and littered with references galore, it does make sense why people would see this as their go-to pastime for Christmas, even if many, including Bruce Willis himself, say otherwise. Overall, in this very merry post, I will go over what makes Die Hard great and, if necessary, what doesn't:

UPS

1. Bruce Willis as John McClane. It's easy to say that Willis stands alongside heavy hitters like Arnold Schwarzenegger as the definitive live-action star, and it is this role that solidifies it. What makes McClane such a perfect protagonist is that he isn't some swash-buckling hero who swoops into danger to rescue the girl, defeat the villain, and save the day; he's just a normal guy, much like anyone else, with his own set of strengths and weaknesses who finds himself unexpectedly thrown into danger. This idea of him being the unwitting hero makes for some of the funniest and most intense scenes in the movie, as you really root for him to succeed, even when the stakes get higher and higher and his chance for survival gets slimmer and slimmer. Overall, McClane is a great hero, and Willis captures that perfectly. Of course, every great hero must always have their perfect villain, and fortunately we have that in the form of...
2. Hans Gruber. Played by the late great Alan Rickman, Hans really is the best villain for this film and the perfect counterpart for McClane. In sharp contrast to Willis' rugged, foul-mouthed, hot-headed protagonist, Rickman plays Gruber with such calm, cool, sophisticated suave and is such a devious and calculating mastermind that he really makes him just as enjoyable to watch. His back-and-forth banter with Willis is excellent, and he also has stand out moments of his own. Overall, Hans is a great bad guy, and he really gives McClane a run for his money.
3. Honestly, this movie has all the makings of a perfect action movie, Aside from having the best hero and villain, the script is filled with such amazing, sharp, and witty dialogue that is so immensely quotable, and along with that we have pulse-pounding action and a great place of setting with the Nakatomi Plaza, which really feels like its own little world thanks to the filmmakers exploring every little corner of the building. This film just really makes the most of every single detail. 

DOWNS

1. While it isn't enough to detract from the movie as a whole, I do wish the cops were portrayed as being a little more competent. Sure, there wasn't much they could do, and Hans playing them all only made things worse, but the fact that they had no idea what was going on yet still went out of their way to not trust John and be a thorn in his side became very infuriating, as if the poor guy wasn't going through enough already. John even lampshades this in a very hilarious way. Overall, I can't help but wonder if everyone was like Powell, the movie would be a lot shorter.

OVERALL

Die Hard is a perfect action movie...and yes, I consider it a Christmas movie. You can't go wrong with this one.

And that's it for this special, guys. Tune in for more on the way and above all...

Retro-Reviews: Halloween (1978) (SPOILERS)

Death has come to your little town...

It's October, and that means that Halloween is just around the corner. What better way to lead up to this year's celebration (and prepare for the upcoming re-sequel) than to review my all-time favorite horror film, John Carpenter's Halloween. There isn't much I could say to put into words the love I have for this movie, but I will try my best here by going over what makes it great, and what doesn't:

UPS

1. The music. Fitting that my favorite horror movie has my all-time favorite horror soundtrack ever. It is just so creepy and unsettling that it really helps set the mood for the film going forward. Bravo, John Carpenter.
2. The setting. What makes a huge chunk of this movie work is that it uses a simple neighborhood as the place where most of the events transpire, and having it take place during Halloween night makes the entire situation a lot scarier. One moment that sells this is when Laurie calls for help and it seems like her cries have been answered, only for the man to completely ignore her, all while Michael is in hot pursuit! 
3. Donald Pleasence and Jamie Lee Curtis. Carpenter could not have picked a better duo to lead his film. Pleasence is great as Dr. Samuel Loomis, a man so desperate to put a stop to the madness that it almost takes hold of his sanity, capping it off with one of the most memorable monologues, dare I say it, in all of film history. Meanwhile, Curtis is the scream queen, perfectly capturing a sweet, innocent girl who finds herself in the worst possible situation imaginable yet still manages to best all odds and put up one hell of a fight. While Pleasence has sadly passed away (God rest his soul,) it is a true blessing to see Jamie return for the new movie after a long and convoluted franchise that never quite realized her potential. 
4. MICHAEL, FREAKING, MYERS! The Slasher genre is populated with a whole host of colorful killers, including Freddy, Jason, Chucky, Leatherface, and Ghostface among many others, but Michael is the one that stands out the most to me. In this first outing, we know next to nothing about him, and that somehow manages to make him much more disturbing. Combine this with the way he stalks his victims and how he just won't stop, and you have a slasher who shows no mercy, no limits, and may never be truly defeated. Can't wait to see what he does next in the new one.
5. The concept of this movie is ridiculously simple, but the execution more than makes up for it. Carpenter utilizes everything at his disposal to make this movie unique, and from the music to the atmosphere, he more than delivers. 

DOWNS

1. Lynda didn't have enough screentime, while Annie had too much. Not that Annie is a bad character per say, but she really just comes off as a more promiscuous Laurie and it kinda gets old fast. Lynda, however, was far more entertaining and memorable. Overall, I totally would kill for more Lynda.

OVERALL

Halloween is a classic, pure and simple. I hope this new movie can prove itself to be a true return to form for Michael and this franchise, and with Jamie returning, the madness from most of the sequels being discarded, and John Carpenter himself voicing his approval, I am sure that it will, but until then, I have a real treat that I can always look to for every All Hallows' Eve, so at least I can find solace in that. 

And that is it for this post guys! Tune in for more coming your way, soon :)

Retro-Reviews: The Lion King (SPOILERS)

We are all connected in the great Circle of Life...

To kickstart Retro-Reviews, I have decided to revisit my all time favorite Disney movie and quite possibly my all time favorite movie period. That is The Lion King, and it is quite hard to imagine anyone who hasn't heard of this classic. Well, to get down to it, let's go over the pros and cons of The Lion King: 

UPS

1. The music and animation. Both make for such a beautifully depicted environment, and when you put both together, you are in for a treat. Just watch the opening sequence and tell me your jaw doesn't drop in awe.
2. The characters are a well-rounded lot. Simba is an excellent protagonist to follow with a fantastic character arc accompanying him; Timon and Pumbaa make for a great comic relief duo while also having multiple facets to their characters that help them be more three-dimensional; Rafiki is probably my second favorite of them all (more on my favorite in a bit) for being such a wild and wacky character yet still holding incredible amounts of wisdom that help Simba find his way again; and Mufasa is of course an integral part to the story who is an interesting character on his own, with his death being one of the most emotionally devastating moments in all of film history. Other characters like Nala, Zazu, and the Hyenas are an endearing lot as well, and to round the group out is none other than...
3. SCAR! A big part of what makes this movie so special to me is that it holds one of my favorite villains of all time, let alone my favorite Disney villain. There is something about Scar that is so intriguing to me, and he really makes the most of his screentime as he is able to hit audiences hard by of course killing Mufasa. Scar is such a favorite of mine that I could go on and on talking about him, and maybe I will do just that ;)
4. The fact that the producers took a familiar story beat and gave it a twist. It would be easy for them to simply have Simba be this chosen one-esque character who is cast out by Scar and now works to get back what is rightfully his and get justice for Mufasa's death. While that pretty much is the case, we also have Simba endure conflict with himself due to his belief that he was responsible for Mufasa's death, and that right there is what makes the story so intriguing. We are not only rooting for Simba to defeat Scar, but we are also rooting for him to overcome his own personal demons, and by the time he retakes his throne and lets out his triumphant roar, all I could do is stand up and cheer at this incredibly earned victory. 
5. This, to me, is Disney at top form. This movie has a great story, wonderful characters, a strong hero, a marvelous villain, the right balance of tone, vibrant animation, and joyous music...basically everything that makes Disney stand out to so many. This is something that the whole family can enjoy, as it has all the fun and heart expected for this kind of movie while not shying away from going to dark and emotional places. I tip my hat to this movie for the risks that it took and know it will live on for generations of time because of this. 

DOWNS

1. The chunk of the movie that focuses on adult Simba after he meets Timon and Pumbaa and before he meets Rafiki and gets his much-needed reality check is easily the weakest part of the film, seeing as it puts Scar out of focus, establishes a romance between Simba and Nala that is barely fleshed out, and essentially boils down to being filler before the final battle. That being said, it is still has some solid moments and isn't enough to drag the whole movie down. 

OVERALL

The Lion King will always be near and dear to my heart. I don't think I will hold such a strong affinity for a movie as I do with this one. Now as for the live-action remake, I will remain cautiously optimistic, but what I have read about it has sure given me hope that it will be just fine, even if it may never exceed the original.

And that is it for my first Retro-Review, guys. Tune in for more posts along the way and till then, take care :)