Monday 30 April 2018

Movie review: Avengers Infinity War

*walks out of movie theater*

...

Holy S***...! What a movie...


Hey everyone, my name is Anthony and welcome back to my movie review.

We've seen plenty of Marvel Cinematic Universe films that we've been anticipated what we like to see, some are welcoming like "Iron Man", "Avengers", "Black Panther" and "Thor Ragnarok". But others didn't get attention like "Thor: Dark World", "Ant-Man" or even "Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2".

But then... The time has yet to come that after watching "Civil War", which is like our biggest request, we have finally got one big story that we like to see on the big screen with... With two parts to be exact.

"Avengers: Infinity War" is a 2018 Marvel Superhero film directed by Anthony and Joe Russo, produced by Kevin Feige (yet again) and written by Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely.

What we've heard about Infinity War, it was originally to be titled "Part 1" for this year and "Part 2" for 2019. But they had to changed the title simply called "Avengers Infinity War", while the second one, we'll save find out next year. Not to mention, with a big combination casts of Avengers and Guardians of the Galaxy is a one helluva payment for budget, with over 320 million dollars, which it maybe considered as the most expensive MCU film ever made.

So, with all that said, will this movie holds up for a huge anticipation of MCU film, or is it gonna be the biggest disappointment film that its not worth of huge budget?

Well, lets find out...

The Story
It was sometimes taking place after Ragnarok, our Asgard heroes are powerless that Thor is all alone and the space stone was taken by our big nemesis, Thanos. While Bruce Banner (aka Hulk) was taken to Earth, he was in warning about Thanos to Dr. Strange, Iron Man and Spider-man, which they're about to call other members of the Avengers to working together. However, they're separated for their defense of infinity stones. Although not only they're working together, but also teaming up with Guardians of the Galaxy. So, its up to them to stop Thanos plan before he'll snap for destruction.

I find the story is faithful to figure out to keep the infinite stones safe from Thanos, but separated for plot elements. Like where Stark, Strange, Star-Lord, Spider-man and Drax going in different world to keeping Dr. Strange safe, Thor, Rocket and Groot find to build a new weapon for Thor and even Rogers, Black Widow, Wanda Maximoff, Sam Wilson and James Rhode going to Wakanda with Black Panther to keeping wounded Vision safe for healing. But another subplot that it has, is the relationship between Gamora and Thanos, which its obvious that Gamora was adopted by our villain from few years ago before she has another sister Nebula, i find it touching, but probably risky.

Speaking of risky, the third and final act is probably the most shocking i've ever watched, but i won't talking about it. But if i will, its gonna be pretty upset for all of you MCU fans out there, like i lost all my words at the end. Which i understand the reason why we're gonna wait for the second part. I mean, its like "Star Wars The Force Awakens", but ten times more in my opinion. But the downside is that it was a very long movie with two in a half hours to watch. And no, i wasn't in pain while watching like constipation.

The story itself is rather pretty good to follow the comic, but you think its too long to going on before the shocking third and final act?

The production
As always, the production itself is always pretty damn good to watching.

For starter, it obvious the visuals are pretty good to look at, nice quality and stuff. But one thing that i was appreciated is the different worlds/lands. Aside of places that we've been before like "Knowhere" and Wakanda, the other places like titans, Vormir and Nidavellir are pretty cool, because we always like to see other worlds outside Earth and previous places. They did a good job oc other worlds's concept, while some places are obvious in CG or even traditional filming.

The costumes and appearances are rather above average that some i really like, but some didn't work for me. Some are pretty cool like Spider-man's new gears, Iron Man's armor, Hulkbuster, Captain America and probably Thanos. But others not so much like Black Widow, which i don't think having blond hair will be a good fit.

But of course, the action scenes are pretty good to watch, bu this in this movie, it goes mixed between lighter and darker. But one action scene that i love, its the war in Wakanda on third act, but i won't tell what happened there.

The presentation of the movie itself is well-produced for great concepts, fun action and probably an above average designs of characters appearance/costumes.

The characters
Though im sure that a lot of you guys are probably know about our heroes.

For the Avengers, you got Iron Man/Tony Stark (played by Robert Downey Jr) who's a genius billionaire, playboy, philanthropist, Captain America/ Steve Rogers (played by Chris Evans) who's a strong leader of the group and veteran solder of WW2, Black Widow/Natasha Romanoff (played by Scarlett Johansson) who's a trained spy of S.H.I.E.L.D., Spider-Man/Peter Parker (played by Tom Holland) who's a teenage hero and apprentice of Iron Man, Hulk/Bruce Banner (played by Mark Ruffalo) who's a genius scientist that made him into big mean green of anger, Thor (played by Chris Hemsworth), the god of thunder and currently king of Asgard and so much more on the list to talk about.
Or even familiar with Guardians of the Galaxy like Star-Lord/Peter Quill (played by Chris Pratt) the hybrid human/celestial and leader of his group, Rocket (voiced by Bradley Cooper) who's a engineer/bounty hunter with guns, Groot (voiced by Vin Diesel) who's a humanoid tree with Rocket, Gamora (played by Zoe Saldana) who's an adoptive daughter of Thanos, Drax (played by Dave Bautista) who's a warrior with vengeance and Mantis (played by Pom Klementieff) who's an alien with  empathy powers.

But like i said, there are are so many heroes to talk about on the list, but most of them has changing, like Iron Man becoming somewhat concerned of the future from Thanos, Vision (played by Paul Bettany) who's in line of danger from his mind stone, Black Widow becoming somewhat darker from Civil War or even Groot became adolescent.

Though there other villains like Cull Obsidian, Ebony Maw, Proxima Midnight and Corvus Glaive. They are not bad.

But the one that we always like to talk about, is Thanos himself (played by Josh Brolin, who's also currently playing as Cable in Deadpool 2, talk about double role in 2018), while he appeared as a small appearances like Guardians of the Galaxy and Age of Ultron, but his role in the movie was pretty damn good. Not only he's portrayed as a threatening villain, but he also has a sympathetic figure, due to his daughter Gamora, which is nice to reunite, but like i said, it will be a complicated story for them. But of course, Josh kicks ass his role, he did a good job as a villain.

While its nice to see plenty of heroes working together, but downside is that most of them what we like are killed off too early, but i won't tell who's the body count, i find it shocking, but probably unfair. I mean, we like to see some heroes give more chance before dying like maybe in third act or something, but thats just my nitpick that i don't want to expose. another downside is that we don't know who are we root for, was it Iron Man, Captain America, Guardians of the Galaxy or Thor? I know they're separated for their plans, but again, its just me.

The characters are once again, likable to watch, especially for the all-star casts of previous MCU films.

And now for my final opinion of this film.
Overall...  I have no words to say about it, it was...   A shockingly good movie that i can tell. With pretty good story, great presentation, fun characters, epic actions, awesome villain, fun humor moments and the final act is shocking as hell. Even though i have a problem like some characters that we like are killed off or even confusion rooting of hero. Despite my problem, this is a MCU film that it has to be seen and believe for the big fat war against Thanos. Like, i recommend to watch as possible without have a shocking feeling. Although im aware some people are probably dislike the movie because what happened at the third act or something, but thats just their opinion.

So, was it the best MCU film ever? Probably yeah, along with "Black Panther". And is it the best movie ever? Well, i don't know, because they're other films that we have to wait which one that it deserves to be the best for my future list, in other words, we have to wait for them.

I was thinking to give a 10, but i had to going down, with a 9/10. Again, this is a film that has to be seen and believe for the battle two group of heroes against Thanos.

 So this ends of my movie review, if you guys have your opinion or any suggestions, let me know at comment bellow and support me on Pateron.com/Blackevil915 for your big request.

Thanks for reading, and im Anthony, signing out.

(review end, but meanwhile)

Corporate Driver: What?! I though its gonna be a third strike of bad movie!! What the F*** is that?!

Secretary Driver: We better find the way to stop him...

Corporate Driver: Yeah, there's gotta be an easy way to suffering him, but how we're gonna dealing at Canadian boy...?

To be continued...?

Monday 23 April 2018

Movie review: Rampage

*walks out of movie theater, but not in a good mood again*

... *sigh*  This is the second strike that i watched a not good film...!


Hey everyone, my name is Anthony and welcome back to movie review.

You know, we always like video games, it always got our intention that we make a movie for entertainment and profit, because it perhaps a part of our childhood or in modern time.

But for Hollywood, it has no acceptation, because what we know, they're trying so hard make something different without repetitive story, but in reality, they're a lot of movie based video game done poorly for the story, D**k teasing visuals and more. The most notable example is Super Mario Bros the movie, which is a live action film from the 90's for the first time, but pretty bad from a hell development and a horrible execution. Even some actors like the late Bob Hoskins admitted that it was a "F***ing nightmare".

Though they're some are good in my opinion, like "Need for Speed the movie", it was not bad, but im pretty its a sorta knockoff of "Fast and Furious series". Even though it was also based on video game, but i wasn't a fan of the franchise, not because its my appeal, its because F*** you EA.

but then, there's one film that i was curious, even though i should've learn before going to the theater...

"Rampage" is a 2018 sci-fi kaiju films directed and produced by Brad Peyton, other producers by Beau Flynn, John Rickard and Hiram Garcia, and written by Ryan Engle. (while the screenplay are Carlton Cuse, Ryan J. Condal and Adam Sztykiel)

For those you don't know, it was an obvious cash-in movie based on arcade classic by Midway with a same name. Though i never play the arcade machine, but i played on computer and it was simple and pretty fun. It released a lot of ports for old school download and even spawning sequels.

But of course, some people though will be a good idea to make a cinema blockbuster  based on Midway game that we all know and love, but screwing up at my curiosity.

So, how can this movie got bad?

Lets find out...

The Story
This one goes completely different from the video game. Instead of three characters got mutated into monsters, it goes opposite.

It begins where a space station from "Energyne" was destroyed by a mutated rat from a canisters that they contained pathogen, which is a gene cause various animals to grow big and aggressive. One member was escape with a pod, but short-live, causing three canisters trailing across at locations in US. Meanwhile, a primatologist named Davis Okoye works in San Diego wildlife of apes and friend with albino gorilla named "George", however, his gorilla friend was exposed from pathogen, causing to growing bigger and raging, that Davis was concern about him. However, two others where exposed like a wolf nicknamed "Ralph" and crocodile nicknamed "Lizzie". Its up to Davis to stop George to keep him peace and probably dealing with two giant monsters.

Honestly, i find the story feels like it was done before about animals being mutated into giant sized, it would've sound good, but in practice, its rather boring and creative for giving a development, but not for execution. But of course, as i agree, it has less faithful from the arcade. In the game, three people were exposed from experiment to transforming giant monsters from "Scumlabs", it maybe weird, but i personally like the story in the game. But in the movie, it wasn't that i got bored easily.

Its one of those movie based on video game that its obviously nothing to do with video game and we all know its gonna be dumb.

The production
Though i maybe give a credit for the presentation, it looks pretty good.

For example, the designs of George and other monsters are pretty good and kinda creative to showing some new abilities like Ralph and Lizzie, while George appearance looks not bad, just a white fur of gorilla. But, its obvious to notice that George was all done in motion capture, which its nice, though the behavior seems to be like human-ish than being an animal, i guess its because they want to make him to be friendly with Davis. They also put some humor, but sadly, its not as funny like "Pacific Rim Uprising", pretty poor. Another problem is that like before, its just a D*** tease to showing the visuals of monsters and action, its good, but once again, graphics aren't everything, its the story makes the movie, much like video games, as i predicted, its just outright desperate to make it look cool, but in reality, it wasn't, so stop trying to be showoff, this is a movie, not an art gallery.

Though the filming location and visuals are great, but i am so sick of their desperation, because all i care, is the story and maybe the characters...!

The characters
Speaking of the characters, i expecting to be probably something new or something. But, some are good, but others aren't as interesting for no special personalities.

The first and probably the only one that i consider a character is Davis Okoye (played by The Rock himself, Dwayne Johnson.), he's a former US soldier and primatologist for gorillas like George. I find him to be pretty cool and nice with his albino gorilla friend. Though the relationship between him and George are an obvious similar to King Kong and Ann Darrow, but different. He can communicating him with gestures to George which i kinda like their conversation and friends. But of course, i think The Rock did a nice job for his role, cause he's a biggest star since he wrestled in WWE.

The main antagonist named  Claire Wyden (played by Milan Akerman) is rather an ok, though she looks gorgeous, but not as good, she's basically a CEO of Energyne and probably a terrorist for her gene towards animals. Not bad, but not good enough for execution. Unless you counted her brother named Brett Wyden (played by Jake Lacy) who's an idiotic brother that i don't like for how dimwitted he is.

As for Davis's sidekick, they're aren't as interesting what i was expecting,  Dr. Kate Caldwell (played by Naomi Harris) is just a typical female sidekick who's discredited genetic engineer and Harvey Russell (played by Jeffrey Dean Morgan) who's a semi wisecracking government agent OGA.

While the rest isn't have any specials at all. Though some acting are good like The Rock, while the others aren't as good what i've watched. They looks like they're trying, but its obvious that they deserve better than being in this film.

The characters are easily bellow average with some good ones like Davis Okoye and others are bland and boring.

And now for my final opinion of this film.
Overall, Rampage 2018 is one of those movie based game is very bad. With typical story, desperate visuals and bellow average characters. Like i said, i can agree that it would've been ok to call a different name, instead of adapting from classic arcade game by Midway. If you're a fan of giant monsters, maybe its for you. But if you're like me, you better learn your lesson, do not, watch a movie base game, its not gonna be good for the change and more, just stay way from it. Its just boring as hell that i don't feel like its entertaining nor even exciting, its just a waste of time and money...!

Thats why i rate this movie a 3/10. Its absolutely unwatchable that il easily regret it.

*sigh*

This is the second time i watched a bad movie. First is "Pacific Rim Uprising" and then this? I feel like im in Baseball with two strikes of bad movies, if i reached more than three, il probably feel that 2018 is a Shit year of movies... But il prove it to find some good movies like "Avengers: Infinity War".

Either way, so this ends of my movie review, if you guys have your opinion or any suggestions, let me know at comment bellow and support me on Pateron.com/Blackevil915 for your big request.

Thanks for reading, and im Anthony, signing out.

(review ends, but meanwhile...)


Corporate Driver: *laughs* Oh man, we got him again! We got two movies to torturing him!

Secretary Driver: You said it, sir. We better pick some other films are deserve to be bad for potential.

Corporate Driver: Indeed. But lets hope that "Avengers: Infinity War" will easily make a big fat disappointment...!

To be continued...

Wednesday 18 April 2018

Cartoon and Anime Review: Tokyo Mew Mew

Notice: This review is not part of story of 2017 reviews. Readers discretion is advised.



Hey everyone, my name is Anthony and welcome to my first Cartoon and anime review. Now, its my review that i like to pick some shows to share with you all, whether is from the past or in modern.

From a few years ago, i was talked by "Kill La Kill", and anime that is easily one of my fav, with interesting characters and insane action, its the one that i love to watched back then. Even though its not that perfect for my review, even if i barely called my "review". Its kinda i made my cheap opinion to recommend for watching, but i digress.

Anyway, for my first "Cartoon and Anime Review", i decided to go in Japan to pick an Anime's genre that everyone love to watch back in the 90's to the early millennium, that is magical girls genre.

The first magical girl that we introduce in the media that its (If not) the grandmother of the genre called "Cutie Honey". A series tells about an android girl (who's created by her dead father) has to save the world from the evil threat. This series became famous for the genre, the character and even fan-service. 
But sadly, Cutie Honey is ended up getting overshadowed, due to the fact that in 1991, they introduced Sailor Moon that it became an icon of magical girls genre for bright and colorful. This is also mention to be influenced for the work. Some are the same but considered good and some that made the genre much darker, especially with Puella Magi Madoka Magica that it became famous for not only colorful, but also darker and disturbing.

But today for my review, im gonna talk about one anime that i saw as a young boy, which may sound bizarre which it was gear towards girls, but it doesn't matter, but more like 95% for girls and 5% boys like me. This is "Tokyo Mew Mew", ladies and gentlemen.

For those you don't know (Unless some girls who heard of), Tokyo Mew Mew is a magical girl series that was first introduced in manga in 2000 to 2003. It was written by Reiko Yoshida and illustrated by Mia Ikumi. It was well received with cute and entertaining story for the readers.
When the manga had a positive reception, the director name Noriyuki Abe along with four producers decided to cash in to make an anime based on the manga, and surprisingly, it was even more well received than the manga for the high rating of the show.

And for now on, its been 16 years since it came out. And perhaps nearly 20 years since their manga was started.

So, with all that said, will this show has a cute adventures with 5 colorful girls, or is it rather too boring that i'd rather watching Sailor Moon?

Lets find out.

The story and episodes
(Now, im not gonna do a comparison with manga , because i never read it. Perhaps im kinda doing comparison and talking a little bit about the sequel at the aftermath.)

It begins where a 13 year old girl name Ichigo Momomiya who's going to have a date with her crush name Masaya Aoyama. Not only dating, but also attending to an endangered species exhibit. However, her dating is going down that she sees a glowing light at her from the earthquake out of nowhere. But in next day, she starts acting like a cat in her school, with landing on her feet, sleeping in class, eating fish and cat puns. Once she left for her embarrassment, she believes that when she encountered the pink house from last day was being picked that she acting like a cat. But it was reveal that this apartment was a cafe called "Mew Mew Cafe". Not only that, but its also a secret hideout by Ryo Shirogane and Keiichiro Akasaka. They tell her that she was infused with a DNA of an extinct feline called  Iriomote wildcat. Plus, she's not the only one who's gonna be a hero with infusion animal, she has four more members of her group known as "Tokyo Mew Mew". Mainly because Ryo and Keiichiro want them to save the world from the evil threat of aliens to searching with a orb called "Mew Aqua", which makes to healing, restore from pollution and even power-up for the Mew Mews.

Though i gotta say, i find it a pretty cool concept with having a magical girls with a DNA extinct animals dealing against the evil aliens. Even though it takes a while from the start since Ichigo has to finding her members before the big mission starts. I mean sure, it has a similar element in Sailor Moon, but unlike saving the world of love, its all about saving people's souls, animals without causing extinction and even the environment.

The show has almost plenty of environment elements that they mentioned. Its understandable that back in the old days, since we're trashing up everywhere, people starting to do a widespread message of saving our world of environment that we want to our planet to be cleaned. In nowadays, everyone is not only talking about it, but also stop the problem with a causing of climate change. I guess "Tokyo Mew Mew vs group of Climate-Change-Denial" wasn't even made to put on television. (Well, not really, its just my made-up... ^^;)

Aside from the main plot of saving the world, the show goes to a few side plot to focus the relationship between and Ichigo and Aoyama or perhaps our other members of the team, which i like to know who they are and what happen from the past, which it may help for their character development. For example, in 9th episode, it focused with Mint that she likes to do ballet in front of her older brother name Seiji, but she ended up alone, because he was picked in business of  study abroad, which is rather unfair for her, since she wanted to reunite her big brother for her ballet performance when they grew up.

But some episode that i felt that it feels like a waste of concept, like in 29th episode where Ichigo meets a cat name Asano (Which im pretty he named himself from a train station, kinda like Paddington), which he wanted to be in relationship with  lilac point Siamese female cat name Jacqueline. I mean, its cute and yet sad, but does this have to do with the main story? None.

But there's one is probably not my kind to watch was in episode 31th. In this episode, Ichigo is getting frustrated when her father is overprotective to her, mainly because he's not only jealous, but a complete arsehole to Aoyama. So rather than call the cops or anything, Aoyama was forced to confronting against Ichigo's father in kendo. This is easily the most weakest episode i'd ever seen for a boring father and daughter relationship story of this show.

About the ending, il talk about the aftermath later. So the story and some episodes are interesting and fun.. Even though some episodes are a big filler that i'd rather watch something good (Yes, im looking at you Dragon Ball Z.).

The animation
In this show, it was produced by a company called Pierrot. I find that the animation of this movie is pretty cool. Its cute, colorful and creative. Even though its slightly similar from the manga, but still its cute. However, its not a perfect animation, mainly because it has some errors that i noticed, like where Ichigo's father got changed his skin and his hair color or even Kishu's wrist outfit is mysteriously disappeared. I mean they could've finalized the animation of colors and others before airing on TV in Japan. Another flaws of this show is that, remember when you watch Sailor Moon that it has a transformation takes about 50 second? Well this show is one of them (Kinda.). It used every episodes that you've seen again, and again, and again and yeah...  I know that its annoying that we want to get over it. Even the Mew Mew's weapon seen shown in the exact same clip in almost every episodes. They could've take more time to make more animation for the attack or something, but i guess it didn't matter for magical girl's logic. Not to mention, this show is not only have a drama, but it also has some jokes in the show, mostly the anime gags like the chibi and few other stuff. They did made me laugh of the gags, but some of them made raise my eyebrow or even scratching my head in confusion.

The animation is pretty cute and good, but they could've finalized before airing in Japan.

The characters
For this show, unlike Sailor Moon is about magical girls based on the planets of solar system, this one was actually with extinct creatures. Not only that, but il talk about some characters in the show.

Starting with the leader of the Mew Mew name Ichigo Momomiya, she's sweet, cheerful and sometimes crazy. She's a bit similar to Sailor Moon. But at least she's nice and yet a good leader of The Mew Mew. But sometimes she can be annoying if no matter if it doesn't work or exposing her truth, she will not be please. Its also mention that since she's infused with Wild Cat, she has the ability to jump high and landing on her feet. But she have some issue for her ability like when she's exciting, her ears and her tail pops out for her dignity or exciting/anger or other times accidentally kiss various animals to turning into a little cat. And as a Mew Mew, her weapon is a "Strawberry Bell", which it makes a final blow at Chimera creatures. Despite her anger issue, she's always be nice and cute, ever since she's in relationship with Masaya. I find her not only cute, but also interesting.

Second member is Mint (or Minto) Aizawa, she's easily my least favorite of the group. She's much as being selfish and a spoiled B****. Its mainly because she was born from her rich family. For the most time when she works on Cafe, she doesn't want to working, she just sits there and have a cup of tea in laziness. Not to mention, she's rather rude to Ichigo from the start, by accusing her as a "Vulgar girl", talk about a douchebag. But, she did gets better like adding empathetic personality that she cares about her friends and also a fangirl of Zakuro. As a Mew Mew, she's infused with Blue Lorikeet that she has the ability to fly, talking birds and her weapon is "Mint Arrow", which she shoots an energy arrow. She may be a good person, but her greedy personality doesn't help to love. Sorry, Minto.

Third member is Lettuce Midorikawa, she's shy, sometimes intelligent and a lack of confident. Its also mention that she's with three girls in her own school. Once she's in the Mew mew, she's considered selfless, kindness and gain confidence. Even though she's a kind of character that you feel sorry for her, but she's rather nice and kind, despite of her shy persona. As a mew mew form, she's infused with "Finless Porpoise", she can breath in the water, capable of swimming and her weapon is "Lettustanets", which she can also shooting energy or other times water.  Another thing that she has, is to turning into a mermaid. Which in the anime version, she can turning into it when she found a "Mew Aqua", but thats a different story in the manga. Despite of awkwardness, but i think she's rather interesting and probably fan favorite.

Forth member is Pudding Fong (Don't be stupid for her last name! Don't! Or else...!  Ok?), she's energetic, fun, friendly and acrobatic. Despite being a youngest member of the Mew mews, she also raised five children in her home while her father left for in the mountain of training and her mother was sadly died from her childhood. As a Mew Mew she's infused with Golden Lion Tamarin, she has her weapon called "PuRing Rings" (Over-ring much?) that it can create a pudding trap at the creatures. Its also mention the DNA fusion fits in for her personality, which i think it makes sense. Whether like her or not, she's one member that i find her cute and she's almost like stealing the show.

And fifth and final member is Zakuro Fujiwara, she's a lone, dark, intelligent, sensitive eyes and a star of professional model and probably the oldest and mature member of the Mew Mew. Its also mention that Mint was a huge fan of her, especially she was surprised that Zakuro was a Mew Mew. Even though without her, it hurts Mint's life for either completely lonely or even fight each other. Anyway, as a Mew Mew, she was infused with Grey Wolf (Lone-wolf, huh?), her weapon is called "ZaCross Whip", which is basically an energy whip. Even though she's nice and kinda asocial, but she has a typical badass character without origin, it didn't happen until she has a backstory that she's a estranged from her family in 2 years ago in anime. Even though she have some flaws, but i find that she's an interesting lone character.

For the side characters, first we have Aoyama Masaya, he's a main love interest of Ichigo, he was calm, polite, athletic, smart and respectful with her. Its worth noting that he's a popular in school for his kendo skills. Which at first he's just a character in filler, until later he gets a lot interesting for his appearance of the show. I find him to be interesting and well-respected character to Ichigo, calm, nice and probably understandable for her.

Then, we have a mysterious alien named "Blue Knight", who happens to be a protector of Ichigo, as he claimed to be born to be with her for safety and also helping out to solve a spot to dealing against Chimera animals. However, we don't know who he is, which Ichigo was having a conspiracy theory for who's behind the Blue Knight.

Next we have Ryô Shirogane, who's the owner of "Cafe Mew Mew" and the head of "Mew Project". The reason for that, its because in his childhood, his parents are killed by one Chimera Animal and his home got burnt down that he want his revenge to save the world by inject his genes that he can turning into a cat named "Alto" and created a project to choose five girls to considered them as the chosen ones to save the Earth from the threat. On his side, its Keiichirô Akasaka, who's not only Ryo's partner for the project, but also a manage of the cafe. Not only that, but he's also pretty charming to the mew mews and the customers (specifically females). They're kinda like a typical mixed bag personality for the objective to our heroes. Though Akasaka was a nice and charming manager, and Ryo was kinda rude to them, but he sometimes doing a backup plan to our heroes. Oh and there's Mew Mew's side robot named  "Masha", who's like a scanner to detecting chimera animals. I gotta say, Masha looks pretty cute, though.

And finally, there's the villains. They're basically aliens from other dimension that their homeworld was destroyed from apocalypse (I think), so they're targeting Earth to taking over for their own race than humanity, which it was ordered by Deep Blue.

Deep Blue was started as a mysterious alien figure who started slept for his new body until one of his apprentice "Kishu" opened a portal for a mew aqua to revealing his new body. But again, we have no idea who this guy is. He's cold, cruelty and threatening for the end of humanity.

As for Kish, he's a second alien who survived along with his leader Deep Blue. He's playful and cocky for fighting against the Mew Mews. He's also known that he's targeting at Ichigo for his plan to joining his side after his surprise kiss. But other times, he gets psychotic, especially for Blue Knight. To be fair, he maybe an interesting villain, even he seems to be like a stalker, as if he wanted to murder Aoyama for his jealous reason. (Yup, another type of anime with a love-triangle cliche. Just that i forgot to tell it.)

Although Kish is not the only who's been ordered by Deep Blue, he has two partners for backup, Tart and Pie. Tart is a young childish, energetic and kinda immature towards Kish and Pie  is a calm and serious partner. These two was introduced after when Kish was being defeated by "Blue Knight". While Tart is rather cute enemy sidekick, and Pie is rather above average.

The Mew Mews themselves are quite above average that i like (exception of Mint), while others are rather likable and some are kinda rude.

Spoiler Alert if you haven't watch them (Which i want you to skip ahead) or if you don't care, just keep reading.

Towards the end of second season, things start to get a big twist with a wild ride, it turns out that "Blue Knight" was actually Ichigo's love interest, Aoyama. For what reason he turned into a hero? Well, not only "Blue Knight" was her love interest, but Masaya was created by Deep Blue for the whole time in order to taking over the Earth. I mean wow, i've never heard it coming that Ichigo was dating the wrong person... Well kinda...

Deep Blue and Pie are working together for their destruction goal, but they got betrayed by Tart where he sacrificed from Pie and Kish wanted to keep Ichigo safe to stop Deep Blue, but sadly, get killed by his leader, leaving Ichigo incredibly devastated, but then, Deep Blue sees a vision of his dream like Masaya where she cried of Kish's death, causing him to lose his control of transformation (As well causing to use his power to striking on the ground at chimera animals and even killing Pie). But Masaya is still being controlled by Deep Blue, but not before the last Mew Aqua was in his body that he tells her to not only he has to be defeated by her hand, but also releasing it to her for power to restore the city, healing her partners and even revive aliens. But it was too soon for celebrating that her love returned normal and died. Heartbroken for his death, she uses her own life to revive for her own risk of death. While the Mew Mews returned, but once again, the celebration was too soon that witnessed their leader Ichigo was found dead on Aoyama's arm. The aliens, despite they're alive, they got the last "Mew Aqua" in order to going back home and thank our heroes to stop "Deep Blue". Before moving on, Aoyama was sad of her love interest dead that he gives her a kiss to say goodbye, but little did know, she was detransformed and resurrected, she was very happy to see him again. But in the end, the Mew Mews's powers are gone. Well, kinda, since they're temporarily have them whenever the new enemies is coming, which my only guess is that they're becoming a crime fighters in Tokyo.
The final act of the show is pretty damn good, but even though they're so many deaths that i don't know who died first. Its a good final act, but kinda confusing for the series ending.

But before il giving my final opinion, il talking about a little bit extras.

When i was doing a research like looking at the manga, i noticed that they're completely different than the show itself, most notably in the first chapter, where Ichigo meets four girls before the earthquake, but it was only their small appearances before they'll appear later on manga. I guess its because they don't want to introducing them way too early in the show. But i won't make another example of differences between manga and anime, because i haven't read the manga version.

Speaking of manga, after the first one was done in February 2003, Mia Ikumi decided to make a sequel on April in the same year. It takes place sometimes after first one, where Ichigo and Masaya travelling to UK for the study of species, while the other girls stay in Tokyo to facing against a new evil force called "Saint Rose Crusaders", a group of humans using powers with the remains of chimera animals. However, the Mew Mews have a new member named "Berry Shirayuki", who happened to be a first member of two DNA animals of  Andean mountain cat and Amami rabbit. And the rest...    Well, when i was reading in research, i find the sequel itself wasn't as great what we expect, with lame story, unlikable hero like Berry with shallow development, and the Saint Rose Crusaders are not only boring, but they're also offensive, because of the use of KKK. Its no wonder why it killed off the franchise with two volumes in the sequel. Though i heard some people liked it, but for me, its not as good than before.

And finally, since the show was well-received in Japan with big ratings and merchandise, it was brought over to Western like US for the dub by 4Kids Entertainment and by god...   It was incredibly cringe inducing! Much like the previous anime in the 90's and early millennium, the translation of this show is horrible with some scenes were cut of appealing for kids, embarrassing dubs and the rewrite are the worst for the dialogue and even the name change like "Ichigo" to "Zoey" Though the music with Bree Sharp and Mollie Weaver are ok. This "Dub" was aired in 2005 with the first season only. I watched it when i was little that i though it was good, but looking back, i was absolutely regret to listening a poorly, poorly dubs for all the wrong reasons with 4Kids. Mainly because i was an idiotic kid back then...!
Sorry, for my little rant, cause i don't want to carrying away with my rage, like, just ignore the dubs like nothing happened in your mind and stick to the original one.

And now for my final opinion of this anime.
Overall, "Tokyo Mew Mew" may not big as "Sailor Moon", but i considered an underrated magical girl show, the story is good (despite some cliches), the animation looks cute, colorful and nice looking (despite some botched moment) and the characters are rather likable that i may root for some (except for Mint, i hate her...). But like i said, this franchise died less than 5 after a sequel didn't get much appreciated and 4Kids's dumb-down dubs. And im not sure if some people in Japan could bring it back for a reboot for improvement animation or live-action, as well for fixing the dubs with big companies like Funimation or Viz Media. I also sure if they'll bring them back with DVD or Blu-Ray for the original one than the dubs, like i found the full episodes on Youtube which i actually watched, but due to Youtube's rule, they're all removed, however, some users got their hands to reupload either on Youtube or in other video websites, its like digging a rare treasure that nobody ever heard of. If you're a fan of magical girls, i recommend it if you like going back in old time (If you're lucky to find them), or perhaps you could stick to Puella Magi Madoka Magica for a serious level.

So, il rate this anime an 8/10. And for the dub, 4Kids's One Piece/10.

So this ends of my review, if you have your opinion or any suggestion for other shows, let me know in the comment bellow.

Thanks for reading, and im Anthony, signing out.

Monday 9 April 2018

Movie review: Pacific Rim Uprising

*walks out of a movie theater, but not in a very good mood*

...

They F***ed it up...!


Hey everyone, my name is Anthony and welcome back to my movie review.

Kaijus and Giant Robots...   They're like peanut butter and jelly, or even guns and sword of awesomeness.

Its no surprising that making a combination with them is like teenagers dream of epic war, i mean, im one of those kids who loves to watching mechas vs monsters.

Why? Because it was originated in Japan with "Mazinger Z", which it created a genre of giant robots that makes a lot of intention of other franchise like Gundam and Super Sentai (aka Power Rangers in America). For Kaijus, i already talked about that i love the genre, especially with Godzilla.

But of course, if you wanna make a combination, it will be like a giant war, the most famous example is "Neon Genesis Evangelion", a anime where students takes their mechas to stop the aliens, and it became worldwide popularity of the genre. Unless in America likes to make their own.

"Pacific Rim Uprising" is a 2018 sci-fi Mecha vs Kaiju film was written/directed by Steven S. DeKnight, produced by Cale Boyter, Guillermo del Toro and John Boyega and written by 
Emily Carmichael and T.S. Nowlin (though they're other people involve the movie, but i don't wanna take it too long like turning my review into Wiki).

From five years ago, i remembered watching "Pacific Rim", which i find the movie itself is pretty damn good with Jaegers design and damn cool battle. Despite of under-performed Box-office, but it received a good review for the genre. Though i like the movie, but i didn't the concept where the character has to co-op with other to control a Mecha, which i like one seat pilot like some franchise in Japan.

And since the movie was fun to watch, they decided to make a sequel some of original casts returns and del Toro returns as a producer, but also bring a new cast, including Finn from Star Wars sequel trilogy. 

But this time, they made a film that it looks like a potential, but in reality, it turned out to be a big disappointment that its desperate for entertain and money...!

Well, lets find out.

The Story
For starting, it picks up 10 years after the first movie, where our new main hero named "Jake Pentecost" (the son of Stacker Pentecost from the first movie) lives as a scavenger for various parts of Jaegers, despite he's tracking at teenage enthusiast named Amara Namani. But they got arrested by a Jaeger of Pan-Pacific Defense Corps. As a result, Jake has a choice either he stay in prison, or becoming a mentor of Amara. However, when they arrive at China where Jake and Nate in "Gypsy Danger", they witnessed an evil Jaeger code-named "Obsidian Fury" for rampage, which some say the Kaijus is coming back for mutation.

Though the story is pretty good for the new idea of Kaijus, but sadly, it was just the beginning, which all i know is that they focus outside of action, but more characters and what's behind of Kaijus, which it sorta make sense, but i felt that the main plot of saving the world from new rise of Kaiju is probably the waste of time for poor direction and the writing. Speaking of the writing, they even try to include a humor, but oh god...   They're bad, like very, very bad...  Its as if they're trying so Damn hard to make attention to laugh, but in reality, it didn't make me laugh that i ask a question, but other times, completely unnecessary, it feels like it was written by a 12 year old boy who's overly obsessed of the internet. I mean, MCU has a better humors than this crap! And don't even give me started for the third act, because it has the dumbest thing i've ever heard that it has a stupid plot twist that makes M. Night Shyamalan looks jealous, but i don't wanna spoil it...!

The story is painfully average, due to the fact that the direction and the writing is just terrible...

The production
Despite that the writing is dumb down, but at least the presentation of this movie may look potential, but like i said, it wasn't.

But to be fair, they did a great work for their futuristic designs. Unlike the previous film that its dark, here it goes lighter and kinda colorful. The background with a filming location looks nice, even though this movie was done in Australia. It looks cool of future location of China, Australia and even Japan. The only good parts of this movie, is the designs of Jaegers and Kaijus. Though the Kaijus are almost like an upgrade from previous and others are pretty new that i find pretty cool and kinda scary. But the Jaegers are no exception, because they look pretty damn cool for their designs and their weapons, but the one who's returned is "Gypsy Danger", which it looks like it was upgraded, but i like the new one, with sword and Telekinetic-like power. But the problem is that, "Graphics aren't everything", its probably a keywords to describe the movie, mainly because they like to showing off for the designs, locations and visuals, its the story, writing, direction and maybe characters makes the movie, not a desperate intention to showing off a cool looking visuals, much like video games. I mean, its almost we like to talking about the movie visuals on Art Gallery. Again, talk about desperate to showing it for potential...

The presentation of this movie looks pretty cool, but it was only the beginning that its more like tease of "Gwaphiks R Amayzing!!!11!1!!!". Like seriously, we want the meaning of this movie.

The characters
Though its nice that they brought back the characters from the previous movie, while the new ones are rather mixed bag.

For starters, Nate Lambert (played by Scott Eastwood), which despite he's still a pilot, but he's sorta like a commander for the pilots and some prisoners on Pan-Pacific Defense Corps, Dr. Newt Geiszler (played by Charlie Day) who's a "everyman", flawed and kinda arrogant scientist for studying Kaiju, Dr. Hermann Gottlieb (played by Burn Gorman) who's a "Tweed-wearing" English scientist for also studies and Mako Mori (played by Rinko Kikuchi) who's former co-pilot after being abandoned from Kaiju.

As for the new casts, im not sure they're useful or forgettable...

The most notable is Jake Pentecost (played by John Boyega, not only the same guy as Finn from Star Wars, but also is debut of producing movie), he's sorta start as a scavenger from the first act, until he became a new pilot of the corporation. But to be fair, i find him to be interesting, which is because of Boyega's role, he did a nice work.

While the rest aren't as memorable like Amara Namani (played by Cailee Spaeny, but don't give wrong, she did not bad job), who's pilot prison for scavenging which i find her ok,  but others like Liwen Shao (played by Jing Tian), Jules Reyes (played by Adria Arjona) and others.

Though the characters from the previous film is good to be back (except for some for a bad change, whether one was killed off or reveal from the third act), while the others that Boyega and Spaeny is not bad, but others aren't as useful our main heroes or not.

And now for my final opinion of this film.
Overall, Pacific Rim Uprising is easily the most disappointing sequel i've ever watch, with average story, poorly writing and direction, some lame characters (minus Boyega and Spaeny) and the jokes are terrible. While the production looks pretty cool to watching along the action scenes, but once again "Graphics aren't everything", its more like a D*** tease to show how "beautiful" it is, but all we care is the damn story. This movie is just nothing but a waste of our time of less than 2 hours and im pretty sure the box-office will never work like the previous film, but even worse, i mean i'd rather watching "Atlantic Rim" by "The Asylum". My favor is to never watch this movie to waste your time and money, just stick the first one even "Evangelion" series, this one is like 2 times better before Pacific Rim. (Even though i haven't watch "Neon Genesis Evangelion", yet...)

Im giving it a 4/10. I would've give 5 if they make a better direction and perhaps a character development, but no, it has none that i had to drop to 4.

*sigh*  Talk about a waste of potential...

Either way, so this ends of my movie review, if you guys have your opinion or any suggestions, let me know at comment bellow and support me on Pateron.com/Blackevil915 for your big request.

Thanks for reading, and im Anthony, signing out.

Monday 2 April 2018

Movie review: Ready Player One


Hey everyone, my name is Anthony and welcome back to my movie review.

As a kid, i always dreaming to see a crossover film in theater, but when i grew up and doing a research, they're plenty of examples back then, like the famous "Who framed Roger Rabbit?", which a crossover live action/animated film with Disney and Looney Tunes, which it sounds a kid's fantasy dream, but it got us. Or perhaps my personal favorite is "Wreck-It Ralph", which is a crossover of video games, along with real video game characters (without Mario, i guess it was a copyright infringement from Nintendo).

But then, everything changed when we saw a trailer it easily blow our minds...

"Ready Player One" is a 2018 Sci-fi adventure film directed and produced by Steven Spielberg, produced by Donald De Line, Dan Farah and Kristie Macosko Krieger, and written by Zak Penn and Ernest Cline.

When i saw the trailer, i lost my words that i really want to see this movie to see how it goes in the future and a virtual world with advanced technology. I mean, i like the concept of virtual reality, since we're in new level with VR goggles that we can play or even chatting. Its also worth noting that it was based on the book with a same name by Ernest Cline from seven years ago. And, this might the first time i review a movie by Steven Spielberg.

So, with that out of the way, will this movie holds up to visiting OASIS, or is this film we're probably being kicked out of online?

Well, lets find out.

The Story
It takes place in the semi future of 2045, where the population live in slum-like cities, despite that, everyone has their virtual reality equipment to travelling in digital world known as OASIS (Ontologically Anthropocentric Sensory Immersive Simulation), which the digital world was created by a late man named James Halliday. However, it is said that in OASIS has a secret treasure to finding three rare keys, whoever wanna find the egg, it will known as "Gunter". And OASIS was given to "Innovative Online Industries" with an A-hole CEO named Nolan Sorrento who's in full control of OASIS with security players as "Sixers". Our main hero name "Wade Watts" who nicknamed himself as "Parzival" along with his friends Aech and Art3mis. However, he was fascinated about Halliday's story, which he was researching of Easter eggs to collecting three keys. But IOI heard about Parzival collecting keys along with his friend in rebel group as "High Five". Its to Wade and his friend to more keys in order to win the game.

I find the story itself i rather a bit simplistic, but since this is video game, it has to be secret ways to win, much like in real life, kinda. Its a typical story to finding mysterious pieces to unlock a secret treasure from the end, but it has some cool parts to find some in racing, obstacles and others. But the once thing that i like, is the subplot for how James Halliday was fascinated of video games, which he wanted to making the idea for what if we can go to the digital world known as Virtual Reality. We always make intention to visit there. Though in nowaday, we still have virtual reality, but much better than "Virtual Boy". But we better customize our computer in advanced if we want to go in VR, but i digress.
The story is good, but the subplot is rather well-written to feel realistic for again, how we fascinated about video games and VR.

The Production
Wow...   Where do i begin for the presentation of this movie?

All i wanna say is, it looks fantastic in our imagination of VR, which is no wonder how many people (including me) went nuts after the trailer. Lets start off for OASIS itself, it looks beautifully, with colorful looking, imaginative and so much more. They did a great job for the concept of sci-fi world in VR. For the characters in OASIS, its like a main deal of the movie, we can see other players as a characters from various cultures like movies, video games, cartoons, comics and more, its like playing a game of "Spot the characters" if you're familiar with. The most notable example is The Iron Giant from...  Well, "The Iron Giant", which we see him in construction before he was active in the third act, and even Tracer from "Overwatch", which you can see her almost everywhere, even though its obvious that most of them are probably done on motion-capture or even CG. But sometimes, some others can be questionable design or perhaps low quality, which i know its a big budget movie with over $175 million.And a movie takes about nearly 2 in a half hour, i guess its a worth of time to watching. But it considered by Spielberg as a hardest development he's ever done since "Saving Private Ryan", i know how he felt for this movie, like a lot of cultural stuff, CG and concept of location in OASIS and real world.
The presentation of this movie looks fantastic, despite some has a teeny tiny flaw.

The characters
We expect to see the characters to have a good personalities, right? Well i hate to tell you, a lot of them aren't as likable for the lack of personalities.

First is Wade Watts, aka Parzival (played by Tye Sheridan), though i never heard of Tye, but his role is good, but he's basically dream kid who likes to win online game to finding three keys.

 Samantha Cook aka Art3mis (played by Olivia Cooke) is not only Wade's love interest, but she's also a sorta leader of the "High Five" for freedom.

Nolan Sorrento (played by Ben Mendelsohn) who's not only a typical evil boss of IOI for full control of OASIS, but he's also an A-Hole for anti-freedom of Easter Egg. Don't give me wrong, Ben did a nice work, but i think his role would've been better.

But the one character that i think who's likable is James Halliday aka Anorak (played by Mark Rylance), he has a similar fascination of video games with new level like VR, thanks to his enjoyment of playing old school games like Atari. Especially he secretly creating Easter Egg. Despite he may not has personality, but Mark did a pretty good job for his role.

Another one that i like is I-R0k (played by T.J. Miller), he's a bounty hunter and item dealer of IOI, but he has a sense of humor, thanks to the performance of T.J. Even though he's rather hit or miss, but i think he did a nice job for his role.

While the rest is pretty much nothing new or special for the characters, its pretty lame that most of actors did a nice work of acting, including Simon Pegg.

Like i said, the characters are probably the weakest part in the movie, its just they use them to entering VR world, since most of them have any special personalities. 

And now for my final opinion of this film.
Overall, "Ready Player One" is a fun ride to watch this movie, with good story, fun action, a great presentation and i think its enjoyable to watch. Though im not considered it as a perfect film with some flaws of designs and the characters isn't that great to show who they are, though some that i like. But, i've the movie itself is more improvement than the book for adding modern cultures, i haven't read the book, but maybe il find it for my curiosity, even though im not a huge fan of novel, im more of a comic book man. If you're a fan of crossover of cultures, i highly recommend to watching it, even if some characters are flat out forgettable.

Do i consider it as a "Great film of 2018"? Depends on your opinion. But for me, its a mixed bag that i loved it, but it has a problem, which i have to wait for some movies il consider for my top list of movies of 2018.

I give this movie an 8/10.

So this ends of my movie review, if you guys have your opinion or any suggestions, let me know at comment bellow and support me on Pateron.com/Blackevil915 for your big request.

Thanks for reading, and im Anthony, signing out.