marshalllangdon Reviews

The Mandalorian (2019– )

The best Star Wars show

[9/10 · 11 May 2024]

The Mandalorian is one of the best pieces of Star Wars media to come out in recent times, and is straight up an amazing show in its own right, let alone a Star Wars show.

While I will admit that I found Season 3 to be weaker than 1 & 2, overall the show is still an enjoyable, fun and exciting entry into the Star Wars saga.

Season 1 gives us everything that we love about Star Wars. It introduces us to memorable characters, beautiful and intriguing locations, stunning visual effects and fun action sequences. It also expands the Star Wars lore, and really shows just how vast the galaxy far, far away can be.

Season 2 ups the scale, and continues the journey started in the previous season, only with some familiar faces that die-hard franchise fans will recognize from other Star Wars media, but are introduced in a way that makes them interesting for a newcomer as well. And the finale is one of the most incredible and emotional experiences ever released on TV, Star Wars or not.

Season 3 drops in quality for me, but still has the charm and adventure that we've come to expect from the series. It's reliance on viewers familiarity with other shows may come at the expense of the more casual viewer however. Also, make sure to watch The Book of Boba Fett before diving into season 3. Or at least the last 3 episodes.

Anyway, The Mandalorian has proved that it can entertain and excite us, and it's expansion of the Star Wars galaxy makes it a fun ride for anyone who enjoys a good action, adventure series, with some sci-fi and fantasy elements to it.

9/10 - Amazing.

The Book of Boba Fett (2021–2022)

The Book Of The Mandalorian

[7/10 · 7 May 2024]

The Book of Boba Fett isn't without its issues, but it ends up being an entertaining addition to the Star Wars saga.

I will admit I found the first few episodes to be quite slow, something that I feel is very rare from Star Wars projects. Its plot isn't coherent, as it crosses between flashbacks and the present day inconsistently, which can get a bit confusing. The story doesn't start off too exciting either. Boba Fett walking around Mos Espa is not what we expected from the fan favourite character we know to be a bad-ass bounty hunter.

It does however have some great action scenes, much like The Mandalorian, and it answers some questions fans have been asking since that show. It also expands the Star Wars lore in ways that fans should come to appreciate.

It also serves as a crossover with The Mandalorian. While I did enjoy his arrival in the back half of the season, it seemed odd that a show that was supposed to be about Boba Fett, ended up side-lining him for a couple episodes. There is nothing wrong with The Mandalorian showing up in Boba Fett's show, but instead it acts as a continuation of The Mandalorian.

I will admit as the series went on, it got much better. The "Mandalorian" episodes were a lot of fun, and while they did not belong in this show, they were great episodes nonetheless. And the finale was exciting, action-packed and had a few nice surprises.

I still enjoy watching this show, but I have to have the mindset that this is The Mandalorian season 2.5, because if you go in expecting a kick-ass Boba Fett bounty hunting series, you will be disappointed.

Overall, while it admittedly is weaker than The Mandalorian, it still should provide the fans with enough enjoyment that they've come to expect from the franchise, although it may leave some more casual viewers scratching their heads.

7/10 - Good

I hope if there is a season 2, it gives us the badass, bounty hunting Boba Fett that fans have loved over the years. And please let Boba Fett have the whole season to himself!

The Fall Guy (2024)

Solid entertainment

[7/10 · 4 May 2024]

The Fall Guy is a very entertaining, and funny film, with some excellent performances and cool action!

Ryan Gosling and Emily Blunt are incredible (as usual) in this. I thought Aaron Taylor-Johnson and Hannah Waddingham were also very well cast and quite funny.

The plot is a little thin, but it's not a film to be taken too seriously. It kind of struggles to decide what kind of movie it wants to be, so it has a little bit of everything.

But if you like a combination of action, comedy and romance, with a solid cast, then this film will serve as a fun diversion for a couple hours.

7/10 - Good.

Fallout (2024– )

Will blow you away (pun very much intended)

[9/10 · 13 April 2024]

Fallout was my most anticipated series of this year, and I'm happy to say it did not disappoint.

First of all, it looks spectacular. They absolutely nailed the look and aesthetic of the Fallout universe, and its reliance on more practical effects, rather than overusing CGI like most modern series, really showed.

The cast was very good. Ella Purnell was a charismatic lead, and it goes without saying, but you can't go wrong with Walton Goggins.

The story was very well written, making the show part of the same continuity of the games, without adapting any game in particular, I think, was a good choice. It truly felt like the writers respected the source material, which unfortunately is a very rare trait in video game adaptations.

Following on from the success of The Last of Us, Fallout makes me look forward to the future of video game adaptations, and very excited for the Mass Effect and God of War series Amazon Prime currently have in development, as it is clear that they can make a TV series based on a popular video game series, truly incredible.

9/10 - Amazing.

The Marvels (2023)

Not much of a marvel

[6/10 · 18 February 2024]

The Marvels definitely had its moments, but as a whole it is a jumbled mess of a film.

It had no real stakes, and no real importance in the grander MCU. The villain was lackluster, as was the final battle.

The effects were poor, not Ant-Man 3 bad, but I still feel they have been getting worse since Endgame, which is strange considering the almost $300 million budget. For a film that isn't even 2 hours.

It had some fun comedic moments, and the performances of the three leads was fine, their interactions with one another was one of the bright spots of the film. Some of the fight scenes were good too.

While it may not have been a train-wreck, it definitely isn't the film that's gonna get the MCU back on track. Just wait for Deadpool and Wolverine (fingers crossed).

6/10 - Okay.

Echo (2023–2024)

I guess you could say Marvel is an 'echo' of its former self

[5/10 · 20 January 2024]

Much like Secret Invasion before it, Echo was hyped up to be a dark, gritty and mature series like no MCU series before it. It even had the TV-MA rating to go with. However it ends up being a disappointment.

The main actress isn't terrible, she just struggles due to the weak writing and Kingpin is absolutely wasted in this. None of the supporting characters are likable or memorable.

The plot is in shambles, and with only 5 episodes, some of which are only half an hour long, it leaves very little time for much character development.

There were so few actual violent scenes that it could have probably gotten away with a TV-14 rating. There were no real stakes, and nothing significant even happens by the end.

5/10 - Mediocre.

Meg 2: The Trench (2023)

Very silly, but kind of entertaining

[5/10 · 6 January 2024]

Meg 2 is not a film most would expect to be good.

The CGI is terrible, worse than some films that came out 30 years ago, and the acting is average at best.

As for the story, it was all over the place. The film felt like it went on a little longer than it should have, and it takes a while before it even gets going. Not to mention how silly it gets, even bringing dinosaurs and giant squids into the mayhem, as if three megalodons weren't enough.

It also lacks real terror, and it plays it too safe, as only supporting characters and villains end up being killed.

However, even with all its faults, it wasn't all bad. It had its entertaining moments, and if you're a fan of Jason Statham, or B movie shark flicks in general, this should be enough to satisfy you for one night.

5/10 - Mediocre.

2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)

I'm very conflicted

[5/10 · 31 December 2023]

On one hand, the special effects are absolutely stunning, considering this film came out in 1968. Some of the ideas in the film were intriguing, and well ahead of its time, such as the AI, and the monoliths.

On the other hand, the film was so painfully slow. A lot of scenes were comprised of spaceships flying, and/or docking for literally 10+ minutes at a time. The opening scene was like watching a National Geographic documentary.

Maybe I'm just not intellectually superior enough to get much enjoyment out of this film. I appreciate that it was different, and controversial, but it was not easy for me to comprehend, and the whole ending was very strange to me.

I see that a lot of people regard this as a masterpiece, and that's fine. I enjoy watching mind-bending films, Interstellar being my favorite, and I am a sci-fi fan in general as I love Star Wars. But this is not a film I think I will waste my time with again.

5/10

I wouldn't regard it as an average film, but rather a film that was as equally interesting as it was dull.

Ahsoka (2023– )

A show for the fans

[8/10 · 5 October 2023]

Die-hard fans of the Star Wars franchise will get a lot out of watching Ahsoka, and while there is the odd scene that might lose a newcomer, it is overall pretty accessible for all.

Ahsoka has everything Star Wars fans love, lightsaber fights, familiar characters and lots of Easter eggs and lore that expand the Star Wars universe in ways we've never seen before.

Rosario Dawson gives a spectacular performance as the titular character, who admittedly starts off showing little personality, but as the show goes on gives us the same Ahsoka fans grew to love in The Clone Wars series. I also thought Sabine, Hera and Ezra were well cast, and Ray Stevenson gave us one of the most compelling Star Wars villain's in a long time, may he rest in peace.

The CGI is pretty good, albeit the odd blink and you'll miss it moment, of bad effects. It has plenty of action, but also develops the characters further from what was seen in Rebels. The show also sets up the future of the "Mando-verse" in a very exciting way.

8.5/10 - Great.

Ted Lasso (2020–2023)

8 out of Ted

[8/10 · 17 August 2023]

I may not know much about football, much like Lasso himself when he first arrives, but the humor, the heart and the loveable characters all won me over after the first few episodes.

Jason Sudeikis is phenominal in the role, portraying such a loveable, relatable and hilarious character, that always strives to be positive and uplifting. All other actors are amazing, with Hannah Waddingham, Brett Goldstein and Phil Dunster being particular standouts for me.

So many shows nowadays can be so dark and depressing, but if you want a feel good show, with plenty of emotional and funny moments within, then this is definitely worth a watch.

I will admit its not perfect. Season 3 dropped in quality compared to the first two, one such example is the whole Keeley subplot involving her job, which was uninteresting, and took up too much screentime. Fortunately, the series found its footing again in the final episodes. And the finale is an absolute blast!

8/10 - Great.

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 (2023)

A Marvel hit in an era with few

[8/10 · 5 August 2023]

Guardians of the Galaxy Volume 3 does an excellent job of closing perhaps the MCU's best trilogy, all while being a heartwarming, emotional, and thrilling roller coaster ride.

There's a bit of everything in here, from laugh out loud gags, to exciting and colorful action, to moments that make you cry.

The cast is brilliant as always, with every character playing an important role in the Guardians adventure, but it is Rocket who is finally provided with some backstory, that greatly strengthens his character, as well as the characters around him.

Marvel has been quite hit and miss lately, but I'm happy to inform that this film should be placed on the highest end of the Phase 4 and 5 spectrum.

8.5/10 - Great.

Twisted Metal (2023– )

A fun ride

[7/10 · 28 July 2023]

I've never played a Twisted Metal game, so I didn't know what to expect. But it is a surprisingly fun and exciting show that isn't to be taken seriously.

Anthony Mackie and Stephanie Beatriz have great chemistry, and make for a great leading pair. Seeing their journey from their first introduction, right to the final episode is always fun to watch.

The action is over-the-top and exciting, and although some of the special effects looked cheap, it didn't distract too much from the overall experience.

It might not be too thoughtful or Emmy material, but if you want a fun, explosive and sometimes hilarious series to binge over the weekend, this is it.

7.5/10 - Good.

Secret Invasion (2023)

Beautiful, bold, but a weak addition to the MCU

[6/10 · 26 July 2023]

Secret Invasion had so much potential to be a dark, and thrilling conspiracy series, but ended up missing the mark.

The series starts off as a slow burn, but lacks the intrigue and suspense to make it an edge of your seat thrill ride.

The back half of the season had much shorter episodes with more action and, therefore, a faster pace, but it wasn't enough to remedy the weak writing.

It attempts to be bold and shocking by including several twists throughout its 6-episode run, but the anti-climactic character deaths, and the revelation of certain key characters being skrulls, end up leaving us more confused, than sad or shocked.

Samuel L. Jackson does a fine job in the role he's had for over a decade, but Kingsley Ben-Adir and Olivia Coleman are the ones that really shine, too bad the latter's screen time was way too short.

Unlike some of the recent movies, Secret Invasion has a less reliance on massive CGI spectacle, so ends up looking much better than previous MCU outings. The de-aging effects in particular were incredible, and more convincing than most attempts in film these days.

Overall, it could have been Marvels next big hit, but unfortunately matches the quality of most of the Phase 4 and 5 films and TV shows.

6/10 - Okay.

Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania (2023)

Only exists to set up the future

[6/10 · 17 May 2023]

Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania trades a focused plot for a whirlwind of effects driven action, and only exists to set up Phase 5 of the MCU.

While the previous two Ant-Man films were light-hearted comedies that stand on their own, this one contains less of the humor and charm, and tries too hard to be an epic, sci-fi, Star Wars-esque event.

Jonathan Majors is the true standout of the film, as his strong performance as Kang the Conqueror sets up the Avengers next Thanos level threat, and makes me want to see more of him in the future.

The special effects were very weak, because they diverted their resources to Wakanda Forever, and therefore leaves this film with little to make it standout in the Marvel Universe. It seems strange, considering if any Marvel film needs a ton of convincing CGI, this would be it.

The characters themselves get little development, and while there are some human moments that the cast spend together, it is mostly drowned out by the messy plot and the action.

While it is a good way to pass the time, and still provides us with some entertainment as most Marvel movies do, Ant-Man 3 will most likely be a disappointment to fans of Ant-Man and the MCU in general.

6/10 - Okay

Don't count on Jonathan Majors to return , as it seems possible that Kang will be recast, due to the controversies the actor is currently embroiled in. Also what was the point of Bill Murrays character?

Obi-Wan Kenobi (2022)

Hello there

[8/10 · 4 May 2023]

Obi-Wan Kenobi gives us a look at what everyone's favorite Jedi Master has been up to, and fills in the gaps between Revenge of the Sith and A New Hope.

It has all the ingredients that a Star Wars project requires, but comes up short of being the best Star Wars show out there.

Ewan McGregor returns as the titular character, and gives us an exceptional performance, much like he did in the prequels. It is awesome to see Hayden Christensen back as well, as these two stars are true Legends among the Star Wars franchise.

Some hate has been directed at Reva and young Leia, but I thought both actresses played their respective roles well. Moses Ingram showed us a conflicted individual, who has little control over her impulses, much like a younger Anakin, that causes tension between her and her fellow inquisitors. Vivian Lyra Blair gives us the same sassy princess that we all got to know from the original trilogy, and I'm sure Carrie Fisher herself would be proud.

The CGI is a bit weak, especially when compared to the recent movies or The Mandalorian, but if you loved the prequels, then the effects shouldn't bother you.

The main thing that drags this series down are the plot holes and inconsistencies. Why does Obi-Wan give up on the Jedi Order, but still want to train Luke? Why does Reva not use her lightsaber to open the blast door in the first place? Why does Vader let Obi-Wan go and not kill Reva? Why do Tala and Reva not pass each other on the path? Why does Tala not throw the thermal detonator away from her? Why didn't Vader send TIE fighters after the rebel ship, instead of acting like he had to make a choice? I'm sure there's more.

But the thing about Star Wars, is that there's always plot holes, even in the Original Trilogy believe it or not. If you manage to ignore them, and don't think about the more sillier scenes too much, then Obi-Wan Kenobi provides the fans with everything they could want.

There are a few cameos in the last episode, that should satisfy Star Wars fans. And the duel between Obi-Wan and Vader did not disappoint!

8/10 - Great

Don't expect a season 2, it is a limited series. But I'd be down for it!

The Last of Us (2023– )

The Last of Us but the First of Great Video Game Adaptations

[8/10 · 30 April 2023]

I might be exaggerating a bit with the title, this isn't the first great video game adaptation, although many review sites say it is.

The Last of Us stays true to the game it is based on, but stands on its own as a great show, that viewers unfamiliar with the source material can still enjoy.

The acting in this show is phenomenal, Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey give stellar performances, but the supporting characters can hold their own against the leads.

The story is just as intriguing as the game, and the world building is very well done. It really brings viewers into the world the characters are living in, without having to rely on viewers familiarity with the game.

In some instances, they changed some scenes to differ greatly from the game counterpart, some which worked fine, but others had me scratching my head and wondering why they changed that.

Overall, The Last of Us gives post apocalyptical drama fans a bit of everything, without having to be over reliant on blood and gore to replace gaps in the story. It stays true to the source material, and even includes the exact same soundtrack which, as a video game player, I come to respect greatly from a show!

8/10 - Great.

Citadel (2023– )

Had potential, but turned out generic and messy

[6/10 · 28 April 2023]

Citadel showed much promise in the first two episodes of the series, but as the show went on it turned out to be nothing more than a generic spy thriller with an inconsistent and confusing plot.

The show tends to like switching between the past and present day, which ends up being more confusing than insightful, especially when it takes away from the progression of the plot. Episode 4 is almost entirely a flashback, which means the mission being held in the present day moves along incredibly slowly, and can be very frustrating for the viewer.

Character development suffers as well, but 6 episodes, the first five each being just over 30 minutes long (not including recap, intro and credits) mean it feels very rushed and messy.

The action sequences however, are very well done, and the special effects were great as well, but you should expect nothing less from a show with a $300 million budget.

Overall, while it had the talent, both behind the scenes and in front of the camera, to turn out great, it ended up being nothing more than a so-so spy thriller that begins yet another TV universe.

6/10 - Okay.

Upload (2020– )

A great show to upload to your device

[8/10 · 28 April 2023]

Upload is one of the most fun and original shows I have ever seen. It has an intriguing premise and never fails to deliver on it.

Greg Daniels, who is best known for co-creating The Office (US) and Parks and Recreation, gifts us yet another fun quality show.

The cast is very likable, and there were many laugh out load moments throughout the series as well. But it's never afraid to dive into some deep themes.

Performances were excellent, and even though at times the special effects looked a bit cheap, it fits with the wild and quirky aesthetic of the world the characters are living in.

8/10 - Great

I look forward to season 3 very much.

Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore (2022)

They should have watched the Secrets of Making a Good Movie before making this

[5/10 · 27 April 2023]

It has its moments, sure, but The Secrets of Dumbledore contains many of the faults of its predecessor. Most noticeably a plot that's hard to follow.

What made the Harry Potter films so much fun has been missing in these last two installments. Not to mention the distracting recasting of Grindelwald. Mads Mikkelsen is a fine actor, but he looks nothing like Johnny Depps version in the previous film, which makes it hard to buy that they're the same character.

I always love it when they return to Hogwarts, but it doesn't have a large role in how the story plays out. And it is unfortunate that Tina's role was reduced so much, but maybe there were some behind the scenes dramas I don't know about.

5.5/10 - Mediocre.

Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald (2018)

Not-so Fantastic Movie: The Crimes of Mediocrity

[5/10 · 27 April 2023]

This movie contains plenty of references for die-hard Harry Potter fans to eat up, but with a dull story and confusing plot, it leaves a lot to be desired...

The only scenes I really enjoyed were the Hogwarts scenes. Very nostalgic and I always love hearing the Harry Potter theme.

Special effects weren't amazing, but not terrible either. The action scenes were ok. I found it difficult to keep up with what was going on. There were plenty of the titular Fantastic Beasts, but they were rarely shown as being more important than the human characters, and were hardly the focus of the film, which might make the title sound misleading if you think your gonna get some sort of monster flick. Not a movie I would watch again as much of what made the Harry Potter films so special is lost.

5/10 - Mediocre

(This is my first review)