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Tsue to Tsurugi no Wistoria (2024)
Generic but promising
A simple premise, typical character archetypes, and conflicts you can easily predict the outcome of. It wouldn't be unfair to label this show, "The standard" of what you'd expect these kinds of shows to be like. Were there a benchmark for this genre and category, this would be par.
But it's still entertaining. The animation is pretty fantastic, for one. Obvious attention to detail, and combat sequences are done with deliberate care. Also, some of the humor is quite funny. Even within the expected confines of usual tropes, they throw a random curveball here and there just to keep it interesting. An overarching storyline is dropped in a little past halfway, with some mystery that'll be revealed in the seasons to come. Honestly, this almost feels like a test run. There's not much original world-building as if they're unsure anybody will be interested in more. We're dropped into this familiar storyline, and as the plot progresses things start to be introduced that makes it a little more unique going forward. There's definitely potential here.
Another user titled their review, "It's okay for now." This is probably the most accurate take in the fewest words possible. The true quality of this series is completely dependent on what comes next.
Blood of Zeus (2020)
Good
I love Greek mythology. It's on par with ancient Egyptian gods for me and I've been a fan since childhood. Unless there are obvious signs of it being garbage, a film or TV series featuring anything to do with the Greek Pantheon and I'm there.
Honestly didn't have high hopes for this one. Not heard anything about it, and Netflix has a habit of putting out mediocrity to seemingly pad their catalog. Turns out this is pretty decent. The animation won't blow you away, but the style and attention in which these episodes are put together makes it very clear that the creators actually care about the story they're telling you. It's based on historic myths and legends that everyone is familiar with, plus a few interpretations of their own and very few (though significant) newly created fiction. After having finished the latest season, I feel like their balance of source material and original story is done very well.
That said, you'll get much more out of this being versed in who these deities are as opposed to someone that knows nothing about them whatsoever. I can't imagine the attitude and actions of some of these characters would hit nearly as hard for the uninitiated. While everyone can enjoy this show, you can almost say it was made for fans.
Looking forward to season 3.
It's What's Inside (2024)
Just alright
The setup of this film is pretty interesting. You would think that based on how complicated relationships get between old friends that it would take too much time to catch up on or be otherwise looped into who's who and why it matters. Surprisingly, this happened rather quickly. The brief confusion only lasted for a moment, and then it was pretty easy to follow for the most part.
This movie has a young and shallow sort of energy to it. You can see this exhibited in references to modern tech, obnoxious and unnecessary mentions of the current political climate, and attitudes + mannerisms of all the main characters whose personalities match what you'd expect affluent while simultaneously dumb young adults to be like in 2024. They don't feel like real people, more an impression of what someone thinks they are. None of them are likeable. Given the eventual outcome of events, this is probably by design.
The flashbacks via edits are impressive. It condenses a lot of information in a stylish way with the least amount of time required. It also has the added effect of commanding your attention while establishing a targeted momentum. Multi-purpose, fitting, and very effective. By far the highlight of the entire film.
I was entertained enough to finish, but that's about it. It's probably because I hated everybody. Difficult to stay invested when there's no one to root for. Plus, events were largely predictable the second you realize what the premise is. Of course they're all terrible people. If they weren't there would be nothing to stick around for in this kind of script. I'm sure if someone wanted to make an interesting film without the ease of low-effort conflict, they could. But that requires work.
Strange Darling (2023)
Average
I found it a little bland. Seems derivative of films that have come before, replete with a familiar tone conveyed by an unsurprising soundtrack and meaningless violence, the last of which is also quite generic. If the filmmakers are going to follow this sort of formula there needs to be an outstanding script (which this does not have), or simply visual spectacle for people to talk about. Other considerations aside, ultra-violence is the obvious choice for spectacle, and what we're given is too tame to qualify.
It's shot well. Outside of that and the acting skill of Fitzgerald and Gallner, there's nothing else that merits praise. At the end of this I didn't feel as if I watched some fantastic entry to the genre or was witness to a quality example of artistic expression. It's wasn't even particularly entertaining from a casual viewing perspective to be honest. What it felt like was waiting for something to happen all the way through and ultimately left wanting. This is an unremarkable attempt at a gritty, violent thriller and there's nothing really noteworthy about it.
If you decide to watch this, go into it expecting absolutely nothing. Ignore similarities that may signify it's more than what you're presented with.
Ore wa Subete wo [Parî] Suru ~Gyaku Kanchigai no Sekai Saikyô wa Bôkensha ni Naritai~ (2024)
Unremarkable, but still fun
There's nothing that really stands out about this. The animation is fine but won't dazzle, character archetypes are pretty run-of-the-mill, and the story itself isn't exactly gripping. It's familiar because variations of what's presented has been done so many times before. Even the guild hall and overall setting may as well have been directly copy and pasted from another series. Were it not for the absurd humor, there would be little that separates it from anything else.
But, it's still entertaining. The things listed above can be seen as criticisms, but only if you're looking for original or groundbreaking work. Instead, they can be viewed as points in its favor because they're taken from existing blueprints which people find enjoyable. The only thing a generic show needs to be decent is good pacing and effective presentation of whatever is being shown. This definitely has that, which makes it an easy watch.
For newcomers, this is fresh and interesting. For zealous fans of the medium and genre, it will be a comfort show that they probably sought out. For the average anime regulars that stumbled onto this, it's ultimately forgettable but you'll enjoy it while it's happening.
Outside (2024)
You've seen this before
Aside from what I'm assuming is Tagalog and the Filipino aspect, this is a zombie-infested drama everyone is familiar with by now. It does nothing new, as in a world filled with flesh-eating creatures and the real monsters are often other human beings. See the behavior of the average person when pushed to the extreme with no enforcement of rules or norms to adhere to. Pretty standard.
Starts off as a family drama that eventually spirals into a domestic horror. What makes this worth watching is Sid Lucero and Beauty Gonzalez. They're good. Very convincing. It's just enough to take this boilerplate film to its conclusion. The kids try their best but don't quite sell it, and the special effects are adequate but not particularly noteworthy. Neither is the environment/setting, which almost feels as if you're watching the same scene for over two hours.
I don't want to criticize too harshly. It's just that after 12 years of The Walking Dead and countless zombie games + films/spinoffs later, this is nothing special. You watch this for the talent of the aforementioned actors and maybe an appreciation of the language / culture on display. Outside of being an enthusiast, there's not much else to show up for.
The Substance (2024)
Wow
I wasn't expecting much outside of some generic, cookie-cutter flick you put on in the background while doing something else. Man, was I wrong. It's phenomenal. The story isn't just original and it's isn't simply well-assembled. There's intent and meaning behind every shot, every sound cue, every visual design and aesthetic. There's real vision for this project. I was also not expecting the horror elements to register but it does. Some scenes are terrifying, and not in the cheap jump scare way. You see these things unfold and settle while the reality of what's happening eventually lands. This is always the best kind of horror, with the idea of something playing out inspiring fear. It is a gross film as well. Lots of blood, guts, body stuff and squish. Shaky and uncomfortable camera angles. Close-ups for things you'd rather not see close up. They even made Dennis Quaid absolutely disgusting, which was fitting, hilarious and delightful.
There's some social commentary here that's adeptly conveyed. Most everyone is aware of the consequences of getting old. Becoming irrelevant. Going unnoticed. Even the best of us are guilty of engaging in this behavior at some point, and then eventually we experience it for ourselves on the receiving end. The filmmakers present this truth in sobering fashion, and they do it well.
It may sound silly, but I appreciated Demi Moore going nude. She's obviously still a very attractive woman, but the role she plays is a person at the end of that consideration and some scenes in which she pensively does this accentuates it perfectly. I heard her speak on past relationships in an interview once, and even though we all know acting is acting, somehow in this insane out-of-left-field fantasy horror the motivations presented comes across as very genuine. Being able to tap into real emotions while on display is true talent. If anyone forgot Moore is a serious actress, they should watch this film.
El hoyo 2 (2024)
Unnecessary
Platform didn't need a sequel. It was an interesting, self-contained, original movie all on its own. Having a follow-up just didn't really make any sense. There's definitely a story here, but it's a little disjointed and incoherent. None of it grabs you. Major characters are introduced and removed just as quickly. There are warring factions and ideologies, but you don't really care about any of them. A plan is enacted with some mystery involved, but none nearly as gripping as the original. The goal is reached, then it suddenly ends. Or does it? Not that it matters because you've checked out long before this point.
In a film that only has about two shades of color and essentially one monotonous setting, a tight script with good pacing is basically required. This has neither. One could argue that meaning and symbolism is absolutely present, with qualities and effort worth sticking around for. Even if that's true, the audience really shouldn't have to look that hard. Casual viewing should easily provide some entertainment, with bonuses for enthusiasts willing to study further. If you've got to actively search for meaning to get anything out of it, I'd say the attempt was unsuccessful.
As always, one star ratings are far too harsh. You've got to be utter trash for a one star. That said, this isn't really a good movie. It's got its moments, but that's about it.
Caddo Lake (2024)
Engaging
Once you figure out what's going on, the story itself after the fact isn't exactly groundbreaking. However, the way they pull it off is pretty impressive. I don't think people consider enough the degree of coordination that's required to apply pacing and tone in any given film, especially when you throw in special effects and lighting potentially dependent on time of day. This movie does all of it pretty flawlessly, and creates an almost tactile momentum that carries you through. While I wasn't surprised it ended when it did, not once was I looking for it or had it in mind until it was over. That's usually a clear mark of competence for storytelling. The final scene did feel a bit empty, though, for reasons I can't quite explain. Maybe a clearer angle of a final, knowing look from Celeste would have remedied this, but that's just a stray thought, not genuine criticism.
Acting was spot on for everyone involved. Dylan O'Brien is something of a standout. I've seen his work before but this one really let him shine. Lauren Ambrose also completely sells the manic/distressed persona and just became this person. Eliza Scanlen not once failed to sell me what was happening on-screen. Talents like these make it so much easier to lose yourself in whatever is being shown and it's always appreciated.
Great watch. Adept filmmakers on display and I'm here for it.
Land of Bad (2024)
From a film perspective it's decent, but the absurd military depiction is far too egregious to ignore
I know nothing about military procedure, but I can tell obvious bs when I see it. The only point of contact in a rec room? Consistently ignored due to a sports game? C'mon, that's ridiculous. It was done just to give Crowe something to rage about to resonate with audiences in the most shallow way. That's how I would sum up this film, really. Shallow. Everything from incompetent higher-ups, typical characters in typical roles, and uninspired diversity that amounts to a checklist. Cue glorification of U. S military service members doing incredibly brave things. Not to say this doesn't happen; of course it does. But the way they go about it is so common and expected that you almost don't even need to watch this to guess how it all plays out.
This is a movie to turn your brain off to. If you can do that the action and cinematography is alright.
Madame Web (2024)
Terrible
I thought people were exaggerating about how bad this film was but no, it's pretty bad. There's little of mention that actually counts as something worth watching. It does have special effects, some competent actors and a weak but present story. For those reasons I disagree with the 1 star reviews but not on the negative rating overall.
The film opens with some amateur cinematography that wouldn't be out of place in a college film class. Shaky, weird close-ups, and odd scenes that feel like rehearsal. The camera work improves from there but not much else does. Cliche characters, probably the most generic villain you'll see for a good while outside of children cartoons, with an inconsistent tone throughout that makes you wonder what the creators were going for. The sense of camaraderie and tension/suspense never lands. It just doesn't. You can see what they're going for but none of it is convincing. By the time the climax happens you don't really care one way or the other. To top it off there's a lead-in at the end for potential future sequels and installments that were done in the cringiest way. No one will greenlight this.
You watch Madame Web for your favorite actors. Dakota Johnson, Adam Scott etc. They're worth showing up for. That's about it.
Alien: Romulus (2024)
Pretty good, but nothing new
Another reviewer basically said it best. There's nothing original about this film. I don't mind revisits to winning formulas, but sometimes it's so in your face that it becomes obvious pandering. There's one line in particular that does this and I actually said out loud, "Why that exact line?" Instead of enthusiastic nostalgia it became slight cringe.
There are also some moments that are completely unbelievable/inconsistent. For one, the way fluid works in zero-g. One could argue from a lore perspective that the specific type of fluid is far more viscous which allows for what we see on-screen, but it just felt like a transparent attempt to use that as a cool factor for the scene. Had that actually happened with the force shown it would have blanketed the entire area with tiny droplets. Dancing around it unaffected is absurd. The other is the way sound is depicted in the vacuum of space. One scene had a loud explosion, and a following one significantly more muted. These may be small criticisms, but suspension of disbelief is important or you may end up being taken out of whatever you're watching.
It's not a bad film, though. I enjoyed it. The acting was pretty great for the most part minus one death scene which was typical CGI+acting mismatch. Cailee Spaeny and Isabela Merced deserve special mention. The former has that screen presence to carry a lead role which is always impressive, and the latter exhibits fear fantastically. Very convincing. The inclusion of Ian Holm was appreciated as well, but that may be the fan side of me talking. Try as we do to leave bias out of these things, no one is immune to it.
Romulus is an inoffensive addition to the franchise. You won't regret having seen it but unless you're new to the series none of it will stay with you.
Slingshot (2024)
Starts well, drags in the middle, ending less impactful than it could have been
There's a moment right at the end that would have elevated this film to something really worth recommending. Some movies greatly benefit from a conclusion open to interpretation. This is one of them. It gave me the same feeling I had all those years ago watching Total Recall. But they didn't do that here. The final scene is very clear and I think that was a poor choice. Unless the focus is commentary on human behavior, in which case it makes sense. Still, the alternative would have been spectacular.
How cool is Laurence Fishburne? He's been one of my favorite actors since Event Horizon + The Matrix, and in each project following that he never misses. Role of the captain he plays is pretty much perfect. Even when the twists, turns and second-guessing begins, it still fits whatever outcome you may have in mind. That kind of presence and versatility is pure talent, and I never get tired of seeing it. Everybody else does a great job in their respective roles, but Morpheus steals the show.
They likely could have removed 15 minutes and the film would have been better for it. You can definitely feel some drag. While this doesn't outright ruin anything, I probably would have rated it higher otherwise.
Terminator Zero (2024)
Unexpectedly entertaining
Like a lot of people, I've been a big fan of the Terminator franchise since the original. That said, aside from the sequel immediately after, each entry has been more disappointing than the last. With the exception of one or two games that still received mixed reviews, The Sarah Connor Chronicles, and maybe Dark Fate, they have all been pretty bad. But fans are fans for a reason. We'll take anything we can get, even if much of it is uninspired trash. Experiencing the world that captured us time and time again is worth it.
So when Terminator Zero popped up as an option I thought, "Oh, Production I. G. we can at least see some cool animation." Outside of that, I was expecting instantly forgettable garbage once again. The starting half of the show had me firmly believe this was indeed the case. A non-augmented, human warrior that seemed nearly as indestructible as her mechanical counterpart. Children acting like children, until the plot demanded they be wise beyond their years. Concepts and ideas that we've seen repeated ad nauseam firmly on display once more. Even much of the action scenes themselves which I really felt should have been the saving grace for a middling sort of show like this didn't really impress. Much of it was kind of slow, and the visual spectacle that may have excused everything else was really nowhere to be found.
Then at a certain point, all the dots started pulling together. The pacing really could have used this a little earlier on but it still happened and was totally worth it. Philosophical discussions about free will, choice, and virtues of humanity were suddenly at play. Theoretical concepts of time travel made an appearance, and intriguing curve balls about a separate future that's yet to happen but at the same time already has open-endedly inserted itself into the story to be further explored in coming episodes. Combine the above with some standard cyberpunk tropes such as whether machines have souls and a smooth blend of the canon, "No fate but what we make for ourselves" philosophy from Judgment Day-- suddenly I'm excited for season 2.
The show isn't without flaws and takes its time getting there but has the foundation to be a good series. I hope it eventually makes the list as something worth suggesting to everyone, not just fans of the franchise.
Oddity (2024)
Decent
This film does a lot of things right. While there's a jump scare or two, the fear mostly consists of atmosphere and situations that would easily scare anyone in a similar setting. That's the right way to do horror, with the idea of something inspiring dread as opposed to cheap reaction scares that are only effective due to loud noises. It even starts out with an impossible decision that effortlessly hooks you in. Additionally, there's always something to focus on that consistently engages the audience. Shown, not immediately explained. Seen and not described. This results in mystery and guesswork that will keep you interested throughout. All in all an entertaining film, and the acting skill displayed by the entire cast is competent and fitting.
I only have two complaints. The first is that the motivation of some characters are basically nonsensical. It could be argued these people are essentially psychopaths, but even so their choices are far too extreme to be believed. Absolutely ridiculous. The second is the ending scene. I can't elaborate without spoilers, but while the concept is very cool, the execution was pretty weak. None of this ruined my overall enjoyment of the film, but there is no lasting impression because of it, which is a shame.
Longlegs (2024)
Start strong, falls flat
This is one of those films that has good atmosphere and an interesting premise but ultimately ends up disappointing. The final act doesn't really make any sense, and what's worse is that they explain it to you word for word as if it should. There are also some interesting things presented early on that were utterly abandoned. Completely forgotten about. You just have to attribute it to magic that had nothing to do with anything else.
The acting is pretty good for the most part. Blair Underwood is competent as always, and Maika Monroe, barring a few awkward moments, is very convincing. Nicolas Cage is a great actor as we all know, but I can't take him seriously in this movie. He made the film considerably less scary than it could have been. The man does every scene flawlessly, but he's Nic Cage. There's no unseeing that. In any other role it would be fine, but here it's impossible to not be amused once again watching him dial it up to 11. For this particular genre and tone of the movie it doesn't really work.
There's some good tension and a few scenes were pretty well done, but the ending is so underwhelming it'll feel as if you just kind of wasted your time watching it. If you're a fan of the genre and cinema artistry in general this is a okay choice. Beyond that, there are better options out there.
Justice League: Crisis on Infinite Earths - Part Three (2024)
Best of the three
I'm not versed in the source material at all outside of common knowledge for fans of the shared universe, so my enjoyment of this film is for the film itself. That, and the Tomorrowverse overall. Were I an avid reader of the comics and knew Crisis well, it would not surprise me to find myself disliking this far more.
But as a trilogy, this conclusion really wasn't so bad. It was greatly helped by brief visits to well-loved shows in the past, all in its original art style no less. The nostalgia train hit me so hard I couldn't help but instantly like this film a little more the second it came on screen. This movie also had some decent moments unrelated to old heavy hitters. While it wasn't the best of the franchise, I still enjoyed it for what it is.
However, the main issue with these recent films is that hardly any of them are complete stories by themselves. It's all tied to other entries that came before it. If this only happened for the trilogy I wouldn't judge so harshly, since parts 1, 2 and 3 are literally in the title. But we also saw this for films that preceded it, transforming these into episodes of the same story and not separate, though inter-connected movies. This happens when there's too much crossover which blurs the entire arc into one amalgamation. Instead of cool references here and there where the audience can get excited at recognizing something for having seen previous installments, thorough knowledge of the continuity is expected of the viewer which easily becomes drag when seemingly the same story has been occurring for a long, long time. Perhaps this was intentional due to it being infinite earths and all. If so, the intent is appreciated, but left wanting in practice. Or maybe their assumed audience are all DC diehards, in which case this isn't great storytelling.
It also has to be mentioned that some scenes are poorly done. It's hard to describe but the quality throughout the trilogy, as well as many of the films before it is noticeably inconsistent. You've got moments that are excellent while others are so low-effort it's amazing they're in the same movie. Don't know what's happening in the animation studio but it seriously affects the end result in a negative way.
I'm a DC fan. These characters are among my favorites in any franchise. This means I'll continue to watch whatever DC puts out. Having said that, Tomorrowverse was disappointing overall. Too much reliance on previous entries aside, with very few exceptions it wasn't until this film that our heroes started feeling like the people we know and love. Then, suddenly, it's over. Quite a bittersweet send-off. There's something missing, but by this point I'm somewhat glad it's done.
Mushoku Tensei: Isekai Ittara Honki Dasu (2021)
A spectacular, high-quality show held back by hyperfocus on female sexualization
It's a pretty horny show. Excessively so. Even by anime standards for shows that are known to do this it pushes that boundary a little far. They try to dress it up with other elements so you can look past that. Such as the main character being overly emotional at times due to his relationships. But it's definitely a harem with fan service, full of unbelievably accommodating female characters.
That said, this isekai sexual wonderland is perfect for the narrator given who he is. At this point it's unsure if this has something more to do with the overall evolving plot, or is just a convenient excuse to do the same show we've all seen before. The former would make this interesting. The latter, utterly unsurprising. Narration itself is delightful, and very fitting. The major characters we're introduced to are all likable people, if not a little on the typical side. Combat animation is done very well, and a few fights are thrilling with real stakes on the line. It's also easy to see the care they put into the sequence of events and pacing throughout. A clear indication they really do want to tell a story here.
Over-sexualization and too much fan service often ruin shows like this from being what should be something pretty amazing reduced to just another series in a pile of forgettable entries. What exactly is the appeal of a panty shot in a dangerous, supposedly tension-filled moment? Or large breasts prominently being featured for no reason other than to be featured? Or the harem category in general, which would be engaging if it weren't for the utterly ridiculous way these women throw themselves at the main character. There was a part in the latest season that could have been so much better had they put in a little more effort. It had the potential to seriously engage the audience in sympathizing with Rudy's romantic dilemma. But no, completely unrealistic events are what we're given, and apparently there's a market for this s***.
It could have been brilliant, but you can settle for entertaining. Just expect the usual nonsensical harem BS and the rest is okay.
The Watchers (2024)
Okay
There's a lot to like but it's not quite there. Many of these scenes feel like they were better on paper. Something about the matter-of-fact way it was compiled is keenly felt, as if you could actually see who was told to do what in all the little moments between filming. This gives the impression of watching an attempt to create this movie as opposed to experiencing the story in a natural way. There's a flow to well-designed films that's lacking here. The awkward pause during what should be a frantic journey just to dump exposition. Or an irrational decision that contrasts with an established personality put in only to fail at creating tension. Dakota Fanning seemingly phoning it in here and there. She isn't actually doing that, but the way it's put together conveys the appearance of this from time to time. These things take you out of it rather frequently, and once you realize it's a director's first film everything makes sense.
I don't want to give the impression this is bad. I enjoyed it. Even counting some of the expected cliches or predictable plot development, the reasoning behind what happens is actually pretty good. So is the monster design, initial mystery, atmosphere, and overall special effects. But you will absolutely notice some of the brief hiccups when they appear, and that's enough to change what would otherwise be an enthusiastic recommendation to just alright.
Wind Breaker (2024)
Absurd setting, melodrama cranked up to 11, still fun
The setting is truly ridiculous. Each school district is a gang turf. You've got students that attend these schools, but there are no teachers to be found or classes being held. It's basically one giant hangout for gangsters. You got these massive street brawls involving dozens of people, but cops are non-existent. In fact, the townspeople rely on the gangs themselves for protection. Gratefully so. The members of these gangs are also incredible fighters. I'm talking pro level MMA, veteran kickboxing, highly-trained combatants. Throw in over-the-top drama along with some superficially deep philosophy on having "conversations with your fists", or what it takes to get to the top and you've got a pretty good idea on what this show is all about.
And yet despite all that, it's entertaining. If you can accept the absurdity for what it is and don't think too hard about it there's a decent show here. The animation alone is worth your time. It's utterly superb. A lot of animators take shortcuts when it comes to action scenes because it's easier to draw. As long as the audience gets the basic gist, that's good enough. Well, not in this series. They really went the extra mile for these fights. More than that, each major character has a unique fighting style, and they go through the trouble of showing that in great detail. Besides being visually stunning, it gives these people an extra layer of substance that elevates what would otherwise be something closer to generic or two-dimensional. I mean, they're still pretty generic, but since combat is a major feature of the show fighting style becomes a part of their personality. It definitely helps.
There's nothing novel about this series. They use familiar tropes you'll recognize immediately. The story is also nothing to write home about. However, they put these elements together so well that you won't really mind. This is a fun, easily digestible show. It doesn't need to be any more than that.
Majo to Yajû (2024)
Not bad
The creators waste no time with proper introductions or core motivations. We're given the most basic of reasons for the main characters to do what they do, then pushed ever onward to the next event. This creates the effect of great momentum. Your attention will be captured because the world is fascinating yet barely explained. The reality of magic, witches, necromancy and supernatural calamities is just accepted by the viewer as well as the average citizen in what is otherwise a world with a familiar modern backdrop. All of this combined with distinct characters, a few surprises, and good if not generic depictions of what you'd expect some of these people to look like makes for an enjoyable watch. The interactions between Guideau and Ashaf are also particularly entertaining, as one is constant rage and impulse, and the other ever meticulous and unbothered. But the season ends exactly as it starts, abrupt, and lacking proper resolution. As quickly as we are thrown into the story, we are also thrown out of it. Perhaps if the series was finished this wouldn't be so keenly felt but as it stands the ending is a bit sudden. This communicates a sense of impermanence which somewhat registers the entire experience as ultimately forgettable.
Overall, this is a surprisingly entertaining show that no one seems to talk about. Hopefully upcoming seasons will round out the edges for a more complete experience.
Scavengers Reign (2023)
Mesmerizing
This entire series feels like something of a fever dream. A beautiful, wondrous, and enchanting environment where everything can and probably is trying to kill you. As strange and alien as the wildlife is, much of the creatures and their behavior showcased appears to make sense from an evolutionary point of view. It's this that really sells the fantasy, and coupled with some great voice work plus distinctive art style makes for a quality sci-fi mini series.
There are a few moments where the dialogue feels a bit odd or is delivered in a strange way. This is rare and only mildly distracting. For the most part it perfectly complements the situation our travelers find themselves in. Some events are also so bizarre that it required a better explanation, but then you're confronted with the rest of the planet being what it is and suddenly none of it really matters anymore.
Minor nitpicks aside I really enjoyed this show. If you're looking to be swept away elsewhere, this'll do it.
Kureimoa (2007)
Good storytelling held back by sub-par animation and lack of a proper conclusion
This is the kind of show that can be over in one sitting. There's a really nice flow that has a natural progression you can get lost in. Hook, intro, motivation, background, rising stakes, confrontation etc. One after the other and just very smooth. It's done so well that it largely overshadows weaker points, such as the animation. Much of it feels like the artists took shortcuts to save on time and effort. The way your field of vision pans in a certain way, or how a lot of the combat isn't exactly shown, only suggested. Bits like that are consistently present. You'll see a big dust cloud at the point of an impact, but not much detail of the impact itself/what caused it. Or the ever-present blur of weapons clash supposedly too fast for your eyes to follow, but nothing specific whatsoever simply because it's easier to draw it that way. Once you notice it's hard not to, and this also diminishes some really cool signature abilities. Like Illena's quicksword, or Flora's wind cutter. Visually sidestepping corners like this makes those skills far less impressive. Considering how well done the rest of the show is, I think it deserved better.
There's also the issue of fillers for the last three episodes. I don't know why anybody thought this was a good idea. If the source material wasn't finished they should have waited for a more conclusive stopping point. Instead, the last canon episode was in the middle of a fight-- what the hell? While the ending wraps things up well enough and left it open-ended for future possibilities, it still felt abrupt and unfinished. Had we gotten more seasons this wouldn't have mattered but that obviously never happened. Aside from that, there's some exaggerated melodrama. Pretty typical as anime tropes go and not egregious enough to stand out if you're a regular.
Definitely worth watching, just curb your expectations.
Goblin Slayer (2018)
There's a decent series beneath the unnecessary sexual violence
It's there, but you'll be confronted with pointless rape scenes from time to time, the worst of which being the very first one. Seriously, rape doesn't make the show better, and people praising it for being "dark" are easily swayed by transparent attempts to appeal to base emotions. They could have replaced every rape with the ultra-brutal violence that already exists, or alluded to it more subtly and it would have the same effect. Overt, graphic rape is in this show for the same reason that the Witch, Cow Girl and Sword Maiden have giant breasts, or how women seemingly want to bang the Slayer even through he shows no interest. Obvious oversexualization of women and harem tropes is obvious. That's all it is.
Beyond that, there's some good combat and tactics involved. Tension, dread and a true sense of danger is wonderfully exhibited. The Slayer's single-minded devotion is endearing. Other characters present are pretty cliche but if you like D&D / fantasy adventure it's a definite plus. This is basically a high-quality anime with good presentation afflicted by cheap sexual shock and awe + fan service. If you're good with that, it's an enjoyable watch.
Sword Art Online (2012)
Promising show ultimately ruined by self-sabotage
This was THE full-dive VR anime. The one all others that followed were compared to. Fascinating premise. Enviable tech. Literal leveling up and getting stronger to overcome insurmountable odds for survival. Fun and exciting action sequences. Amusing mmo backdrop. Likeable characters, if not a little typical. It was basically a winner through and through. All they had to do was expand on those points and it would have been remembered as some of the best ever made.
So of course they decided to completely nosedive in the second half of the first season. The writing and overall quality felt as if it was made from an entirely different team. They also thought a visual reference to tentacle porn was a good idea. Even worse, the person showcased in this nonsense was Asuna. What on earth were they thinking? It was like watching some initially engaging presentation when out of nowhere the presenter starts inexplicably punching themselves in the face. There was also something of a harem situation going on that made its appearance with Lisbeth. Just shoehorned in for nothing. Combine that with the Fey background signaling the imminent danger (which was made so clear in the original setting) was not as rigid as previously believed and it basically killed any interest for a satisfying conclusion to the story. By the time following seasons were released the novelty had worn off, especially with the influx of other shows based on "Full-dive VR".
SAO really could have been something spectacular. Instead, it ended up being just another show. I don't know how the light novels are, but if this anime is accurate to the source material then for once it wouldn't have been a bad idea if they deviated from it just to leave out the nonsense. I realize this series isn't exactly finished, but the fat stumble in the very beginning will always be there. Nothing that comes after will ever change that.