Star Wars The Clone Wars: The Final Season (SPOILERS)

To a dark place, this line of thought will carry us...

A long, long time ago, a piece of this franchise had a home on Cartoon Network. Following a shaky start with a not-so stellar theatrical film, The Clone Wars was a show that, like all the great ones, evolved over time. What started as a fun little episodic series bridging the gap between Episodes II and III became a show that dealt with themes that were deeper and darker, even for Star Wars, all the while addressing some of the pitfalls in the trilogy that spawned it. Simply put, this became a treasured item to the Star Wars fandom before not one, but two cancellations as George Lucas signed over the rights to the House of Mouse. While its initial six-season run was something that would always be cherished, it was only natural for the fandom to crave the true conclusion that they expected. For a time, it seemed to be only a dream...until finally, after so long, The Clone Wars returned for one last season! That being said, was it really worth the wait? When things like this happen, it could be crushed under the weight of the hype. Thankfully, the final season of The Clone Wars, while not without its pitfalls, was everything I wanted and more. Now let's get into why that is the case:

UPS

1. The animation and music. The good thing about having this hiatus was that the crew was able to produce all the episodes with the most up-to-date technology, and boy does it show! The last four episodes in particular are just filled to the brim with gorgeous animation and breathtaking music. I mean, that Ahsoka/Maul lightsaber duel, anyone? Or the final moment where Ahoska and Rex built a memorial for their fallen brothers? Or the moment where Order 66 is commenced? Speaking of which...
2. The Siege of Mandalore Arc. This...this right here....is what the whole series was building towards and the whole reason having the final season be released was such a joy to behold. It seemed inevitable, but unlikely, that we would get a whiff of the series addressing the events of Revenge of the Sith. Not only are the events addressed, but they coincide with what happens in this arc, which means that we get to see events like Order 66 happen from the perspective of characters like Ahsoka, Rex, and Maul. This makes for an even more satisfying and powerful conclusion and man, that final scene, a truly perfect way to cap off this series. 

DOWNS

1. The first two arcs, while not bad, are nothing special. This pertains more to the "Martez Sisters" arc than "The Bad Batch" one, but both feel so separate from the last arc that it only felt fair to mention them here. "The Bad Batch" arc was a fun little arc that saw the return of Echo, which is no doubt a plus, but having a tone similar to that of the first few seasons while premiering during the final season just made it feel out of place. "The Martez Sisters" arc, on the other hand, just had no reason to be four episodes long, even if it addressed the whereabouts of Ahsoka and offered a different perspective of the Jedi. This could've easily been condensed into two or three episodes so that time could be spent on another arc that was developed but never saw the light of day.

OVERALL

Star Wars: The Clone Wars concluded with a bang despite a rather rocky start. That last arc was no doubt some of the best storytelling that this franchise has produced in years. I hope that Dave Filoni will continue to be an active voice in pushing the franchise forward.

RATING: 8/10 - B+

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

Onward (SPOILERS)

Uh Oh, It's Magic...

The film industry has taken a heavy beating this year. While hopefully things will be able to bounce back for the most part, there's no doubt that the road to recovery is a long way ahead. Pixar's Onward is one of those films that has been affected by the Coronavirus, with a short-lived theater release before moving straight to Disney+. Judging from that statement, I bet you can guess how I was able to see this movie. Pixar is one of those studios that will offer some of the best family-friendly entertainment there is simply because the studio crafts stories that not only provide fun for the whole family, but also take risks and are rich with themes that resonate with everyone. That being said, not every feature can be Toy Story or Up, and they're have been some less than stellar entries that border on being downright forgettable. With how this one was positioned, it seemed we were gonna be faced with the latter. For me, I find it in the middle. It's not top-tier Pixar, but I still find it very enjoyable and a movie that has a very profound and moving story. Now let's see what makes Onward work and what doesn't:

UPS

1. Tom Holland and Chris Pratt. Frankly put, this paring is a dream come true. They hold a great dynamic that stands as the heart of the film. While I have issues with how the film tackles their relationship, Holland and Pratt's chemistry still shines bright and if they ever make a live-action movie where the two are cast as brothers, I would totally check it out.
2. The film moves at a pretty reasonable pace. While that comes at the cost of some solid worldbuilding and potential character drama, it does help to keep the film engaging and immerse you in the quest that the brothers share. It never felt stretched out or overstayed its welcome, and that I think is worth a plus in the UP department for me. 
3. The ending. Simply put, this is what sets Onward above other Pixar entries that don't reach the levels set by more iconic entries. The whole film revolves around the brothers bringing back their father and that of course is where the emotion comes in. What makes the ending stand out however is that it actually manages to subvert expectations in a way that feels satisfying and impactful. It may not have been what I expected, but in the end, it packed the punch and for that it felt like a fitting end. 

DOWNS

1. The film's pace, while good for the movie, does cause a bit of trimming that I feel keeps the film from being something truly special. As mentioned before, the world that this film presents is so intricate and fascinating that I would have totally supported taking some time to explore it. Likewise, and most irritating of all, it seemed like the film was setting up tension between the brothers only to drop it as soon as it was introduced. Frankly, I don't think having this happen would elevate the film per se, but if the producers were going to take time to set it up, then they should have at least tried to commit to it, even if for a small chunk of the runtime. 

OVERALL

Onward is not one of my favorite Pixar films, but it's also nowhere close to being forgettable. In fact, I think this is one of those films that's ripe for a sequel. Should that happen, I'd definitely check it out.

RATING: 7/10 - B

And that's it for this post, guys. Stay safe out there and tune in for more coming your way :)

Better Call Saul: Season 5 (SPOILERS)

50% Off...

Ashamed as I am to admit it, I still haven't gotten around to watching Breaking Bad, something I will hopefully remedy now given our current circumstances. That being said, I have been a consistent follower of its spinoff prequel, and if Breaking Bad is anything like this, I know I'm in for a good ride. Better Call Saul is a show that, like its titular character, has experienced a gradual evolution as a series. With the conclusion of its penultimate fifth season, it has truly become something special. Let me get into why that is the case:

UPS

1. Jimmy's continual descent. Now taking on the mantle of Saul Goodman, we are really starting to see the sleazy lawyer we all know and love come into fruition. Despite that, there still is a little piece of Jimmy left in him, and that makes for compelling viewing that the writing and the ever dependable Bob Odenkirk make great use of. Now that Jimmy is sinking deeper and deeper into the criminal underworld, it'll be interesting to see what finally pushes him over the edge...and how this factors in to the flash forwards involving "Gene." However, what makes this season so memorable is that even though we are finally seeing Saul in action, it actually wasn't the most shocking and interesting development to happen. Case in point...
2. KIM WEXLER! This...this was not what I expected! At all! Am I complaining? Hell no! Throughout the series, Kim has always been the heart and the moral compass that kept the series grounded in reality. We watched her grow, struggle, and persevere. She was the shining light that brightened the day when things weren't going so well otherwise. Throughout this season, we really see that put to the test as her relationship with Jimmy is pushed to its breaking point. And still, we root for her, pray for her, wish that things will be okay for her...and then this happens. Yes, it seems like Kim is now one of the many characters in this franchise to, pardon the pun, break bad, and even more disturbing is that, if her plans for Howard are anything to go by, her schemes seem to be more vindictive and damaging to her soon-to-be victims. Really, when Jimmy becomes worried, you know we're gonna be in for a hell of a ride come the final season. 
3. How everything is starting to come together. Now that we are reaching the end, we are starting to see how this series will gradually lead Jimmy to where he ends up in Breaking Bad, and the results have been pretty exciting. Not only did the aforementioned, earth-shattering development occur, but we now have Lalo on a warpath after having just survived Gus' latest assassination attempt. And with everything he has seen and knows, I expect a lot of characters being in danger as we reach the final go-around. I don't know what to expect, given I actually expected Lalo to bite it in the finale, but man oh man, I am biting my nails in anticipation!

DOWNS

None of particular note.

OVERALL

Better Call Saul: Season 5 was a perfect penultimate season. It set the stage for the conclusion in a grand and exciting way. I can't wait to see what happens, and hopefully I'll be all caught up with Breaking Bad and El Camino beforehand. For now, though, I am so impressed with how far this show has come, and while I am sad to see it go, I just hope that when the final season does come along, it goes out on a high. 

RATING: 10/10 - A+

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

In The Mind Of: BoJack Horseman (SPOILERS)

It's never too late to be the person you want to be...

Life can be hard and just downright suck at times. Still, it's always imperative to take it slow and never lose sight of what makes it all worth while. No one has to learn that more than this horseman hybrid right here. To say BoJack is complicated is putting it ever so mildly. Growing up with two incredibly abusive parents, BoJack knew nothing but toxicity for most of his life and, in going through the trials and tribulations of life, let that fester into something truly ugly. While he had shown signs of being genuinely loving and trustworthy, especially before he got a real taste of the Hollywoo(d) lifestyle, BoJack gradually devolved into a bitter, selfish, backstabbing, self-destructive, narcissistic asshole who only valued people as objects that would fill his constant need for validation and the empty void he feels he has, never caring once about their feelings or how his actions would lead them to suffer. To put it simply, it's hard not to paint BoJack as a utter piece of shit, but really there is so much more to him than that. So. Much. More.

Deep down, he is a truly broken individual, plagued by years of trauma and self-loathing. What makes it so painful is that there really is a good person buried within that jerkass exterior, but for every thing that he does to better himself, all it takes for BoJack to relapse is to fall under the pressure that comes with real, genuine change. By the end of the series, he hits a rock bottom that sees him pay a hefty sum, but instead of letting it bury him, he now believes he can use the experience to truly change his life for the better. Only time will tell if that really can happen.

BoJack Horseman is quite possibly my favorite fictional character of all time. I don't think I've ever found myself connecting to a character the way I do with BoJack. I'm sure we all can relate to him in some way. Throughout the whole series, I really hoped, even prayed, for him to be the person I know he could be. While the answer to that wasn't so clear cut, I have a very (if slightly cautious) optimistic feeling that he can now finally find the peace he deserves. After all,

Sometimes life is a bitch, then you keep living...

And that's it for this post, guys! I hope you're all staying happy, healthy, and safe during these tumultuous and uncertain times we are currently living in. Just remember to always keep your head up. You guys will get through this. And as always, tune in for more posts coming your way :)

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 :)

BoJack Horseman (SPOILERS)

Everyday it gets a little easier, but you gotta do it every day. That's the hard part, but it does get easier...

2020 has been a very peculiar year...to say the least. In the midst of all the chaos going on at this very moment, I have dedicated this post to being about a show that ended at the tail end of January. To put into words the ways this show has affected me personally is something that could possibly take up a novel's length of thought. To narrow down my thought process, I knew about BoJack, heard great things about BoJack, and had plans to eventually check out BoJack. Of course, planning isn't the same as doing, and it was a while before I actually brought myself to do so. Then, I got it recommended by a friend, and started watching weekly showings of the first season on Comedy Central. It was a pleasant joy to experience, to say the least, so much so that I couldn't keep myself from binging the last two episodes on Netflix before going full speed ahead. It then happened that this viewing experience coincided with a very personal loss...right as the show began to unfold into what made it such a phenomenon in the first place. Never in a million years did I think an animated sitcom about a talking horse could hold such a deep, meaningful, emotionally profound story about a truly broken individual who is doing all he can to be a better person. BoJack Horseman wasn't just a show for me anymore. It became something deeper, something surreal, something meaningful. It has become something I hold near and dear to my heart, possibly being my favorite show of all time. Now that it has ended, I have finally decided to make this post about why that is the case:

UPS

1. Let's start off by talking about the talking horse himself. BoJack is without a doubt one of the most complex, fascinating, and truly greatest characters to come from the realm of fiction, possibly even being my personal favorite. He has so many layers to him that there really is no clear-cut way to feel about him. On the surface, he's quite an asshole, but does have his moments and is pretty funny. It's when the series goes deeper that we realize there is so much more to BoJack, and with that, we have a character that we not only learn to care for, but one that we beg will get the chance to change and earn a happy ending. While it wasn't that clear-cut, it is nice to know that in the end, BoJack seems to be in a better place than he was.
2. The other characters. While BoJack is the glue that keeps everything together and always will be, he's got a great supporting cast to follow up. Starting things off, Diane is the heart of the show, being the one person who brings out the best in others despite struggling with her own insecurities and personal demons. Watching her journey unfold is about as rewarding as BoJack's, and there's the beauty of it all; while the show is primarily about BoJack, it does not push the other characters aside. It gives them room shine so much so that they could even carry the show themselves. Todd and Mr. Peanutbutter start out being standard comic relief characters, but as the show goes on, they become more well-rounded and show off more facets to their characters that make where they end up in the end more fulfilling. Finally, my personal favorite character, aside from BoJack of course, is Princess Carolyn, who is just such a joy to watch and has probably the most fitting and satisfying ending of all the main characters. Other characters like Herb, Charlotte, Secretariat, Sarah Lynn, HollyHock, and Beatrice also manage to affect the show in major (and in some particular cases devastating) ways.
3. The way this show integrates the animation with the subject matter. I know this being an adult cartoon can be offputting for some, but I don't think the show would work as well if it was live-action. For one, there's talking animals, but more importantly, the animation in this show is used in ways that allow the show to express everything that could be used to visually represent the inner thought process of BoJack. The episode "Stupid Piece of Shit" and the penultimate episode, "The View from Halfway Down," are prime examples of that. Overall, the animation is a creative way of allowing the show to express the more surreal elements of the show. 
4. The overall message. As previously mentioned, BoJack starts off the show being quite an asshole who does some pretty terrible things, but it's clear as the show progresses that he is trying to mellow out and be a better person, which makes it all the more devastating when something happens that either messes him up completely and/or he makes one terrible choice that nearly destroys any goodwill he may have gained beforehand. Still, he trudges on, and we're hoping, no, praying that he can change. This show tackles everything that encompasses the way one goes about dealing with the troubles in their lives, and how they rise above their demons to be the best possible version of themselves. It's something truly inspiring to watch and has affected me in a very personal way. 

DOWNS

1. In some aspects, the final season feels a tad bit rushed. Not to say that it wasn't great, because it was, but there are some things about it that keep it just a tad short of perfect. Most importantly, there's some plotlines that are pretty much left on a hanging thread. The two hugest examples of that are regarding Penny and Charlotte revisiting the trauma of BoJack's visit, and HollyHock cutting off BoJack. For me, the plotlines revolving around these three seemed like they were cut short, as if they were only meant to serve a purpose to the main storyline of BoJack being alienated over the incident regarding Sarah Lynn despite the fact that they are left at points where they could have evolved into more. Given that BoJack got closure with almost everyone that he cared about, it would've been nice that even if he never got the chance to patch things up, he (and by extension us) could at least know that HollyHock, his sister, was going to be okay. 

OVERALL

What can I say about BoJack Horseman? This show has impacted me in so many ways. It's funny, it's emotional, it's heartfelt, it's depressing...it's everything. If you haven't seen it yet, please give it a watch. You will not be prepared for what you are about to experience, but my hope is that once you finish, you walk away feeling the same way I did when I reached the end of the journey. 

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

Be safe out there everyone!