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Star Trek: Discovery (2017)
Not Just Bad Star Trek, This is Bad Television. Period.
Such high hopes for this show, and such a bad outcome. This show did so many things wrong, I'm not even sure where to begin. Characters? Acting? Dialogue? Editing? Special effects? Storytelling? Camera work? Lore? They are all, in a general sense, quite bad.
Minus a promising beginning that goes nowhere and quickly dives of a cliff, this show is such a jumbled mess of bad things that it actually becomes hard to decipher which contributes more to its low quality. This is the first Star Trek show that I have discovered that not only has no re-watchable factor, it is the first that I have no intentions of going back to at all. Some of the most cringe worthy moments in television history that I have seen happened in this show.
First off, none of the characters are likable or believable, least of all the main character. It's not believable that most of these characters would be professionals onboard starships, let alone allowed onboard one at all. They are all childish, selfish, insufferable, cringe worthy characters. You want to hate them right away and that never gets any better. I never felt a connection or any interest in a single character the entire time I was watching. It is like watching an angsty teenage drama set in space.
Second, the acting can be down right horrible. Some do an alright job, but most of it is either totally over-the-top, or way under-acted. The main character is the worst of the bunch. Some of the shots where they pan around and do these up-close moments, are some of the worst scenes ever made. It would be better if they actually made you want to feel something for what is happening on screen: suspense, sorrow, fear, or anything really, rather than trying to force you to feel something using cheap camera work and nothing else. If they did, it might make those close-up, panning shots actually mean something.
Third, the dialogue can be some of the worst I have ever heard in a show, let alone a big budget one. The things characters say are just downright horrendous, cheesy, and unbelievable for the types of characters these should be, and the types of situations they find themselves in. Once again, childish, selfish, insufferable, and cringe worthy.
Fourth, the editing here is minor league for some reason. It is what one might expect from a much lower budget show. It can be distracting where they do cuts, how they interpret scenes, jump around, and cobble things together. I expected better from a show with the money this one supposedly has. It reminded me, like so many other parts of this show, like Stargate: Universe.
Fifth, the special effects look like they belong in a ten year old video game, not a modern science fiction show. The onscreen effects, light flares, bloom/blur thing, space scenes, etc., all look like a video game and are often distracting. The space scenes tend to be unrealistic and over the top, and while the ships and environments are detailed, most of them aren't believable as being functional, really places and things. On occasion they get something right, but for the most part it is just so wrong.
Sixth, the storytelling is, well, it's there. Kind of tacked on for good effect most of the time, but it's there. The story in this show takes a back seat to the action, and even when it does factor in it is generally a poor amalgamation of awkward characters, camera work, and bad dialogue. It's not believable and it disappoints at every turn, and is made worse by a total lack of them asking themselves if anything makes sense given the characters and the context on screen. The storytelling here is the worst of any Star Trek.
Seventh, the camera work is the worst I have ever seen. The angles they shoot from are disorienting and distracting. It makes no sense why they are doing most of the things they are doing with the camera, and it often detracts from what might otherwise be a redeemable moment. It's like they are trying to inject suspense into a scene rather than creating it organically, and it really shows.
And finally, this show not only displays no respect for the lore of the franchise, it actively goes out of its way to throw it on the ground, spit on its face, and grind it under its heels. Every change they have made is for the worse. Every one of them. They honestly couldn't care less about making anything fit in with established anything. Probably one of the worst elements.
If I had to come up with one word to explain the core principle of this show, the one word behind every thought, action, and motivation of those who made it, that word would be: Superficial. I can literally see them asking: is this superficial enough to be in the show?
Unfortunately, and with great disappointment, I would give this one a miss.
The Orville (2017)
A Humorous Addition to the Science Fiction Genre That is Enjoyable to Watch
When I saw who was behind this show, it was 50/50 on being good or bad. Seth Macfarlane's work tends to be on the juvenile, repetitive side of things, and not really my thing. Thankfully, I was surprised to find that this is some of his best work to date.
Although the show has plenty of humor, thankfully the focus here is on drama and storytelling. Sometimes the jokes fall very flat, especially in the first couple episodes, but for the most part they add to the scene and make them funny and enjoyable to watch, and when they hit their mark it is hilarious to witness. The creative team seems to be finding that happy spot where both genres can co-exist.
The acting isn't always top-notch, but most of the time it is good and getting better as the actors find their niches. The characters they play are likable and interesting, and varied. Not the most original, but plenty original for the spoof filled, parody type of show that this tends to be.
One thing that I like about this show is that it manages to explore modern social issues without trying to offend people, and it does a much, much better job of it than shows like the new Star Trek. They play with sexual identity, sexism, race, religion, culture, and other interesting subjects, but aren't afraid to step-over-the-line or play-up to stereotypes for the sake of the story and humor.
I like the stand-alone episode format. It lets them tell full and complete stories from beginning to end and to get a lot more types of situations and characters on screen than many other shows. It's just very fulfilling to have that when almost every show on television is trying to stretch a story across an entire season or two and making up much of the material in between with filler.
The special effects are modern and of high quality, the show has decent editing, and the camera work is good.
Sometimes, though, the types of stories they tell, or the species/places they interact with, get kind of repetitive. I understand that part of this probably due to budget restraints, but I am hoping that in the second season they focus on making the sets and species more varied. Also, with so many references to this being a Star Trek knockoff, I was surprised that it is actually pretty original and inventive in its own right. It likes to pay respects to the other franchise, but it does its own thing, tells its own stories, and at times is, as so many others have pointed out, a better Star Trek television show than the current Star Trek television show.
If you like a show that provides a fun ride, good laughs, decent storytelling, and modern special effects, then you may want to give this a go!
The Expanse (2015)
Quality Science Fiction That is Worth Giving a Try!
When I saw that this show was on Syfy, I honestly didn't give it a second chance because I assumed that it had to be bad (can't fault me for that, they hadn't done anything worth watching in a long time). I was wrong. It takes a couple episodes to find its stride, but when it does this becomes some of the best sci-fi that has ever been on television.
It has a very dystopian quality to it, but that is its thing and it isn't trying to be anything else or to copy other franchises. Can it be cheesy? Yes. Are there things that I feel could have been done better? Definitely. But the writing is good and the camera work and editing are quality stuff. The acting is decent for the most part, and the characters grow on you. They did a decent job on the special effects, although, some scenes definitely have their rough edges, especially where texture quality and detail are an issue with up close shots of certain things they put on screen. Still, they are better than a lot of other science fiction that has come out over the years and some of the best ever seen on Syfy.
Some of the dialogue is an issue for me, especially in the first season, as it just comes across as BAD (I think some editing and acting choices may have contributed to the cheesy quality of some of those scenes), but this gets better as time goes on and the cheese of it improves. They also like to inject a bit of minor humor into the show at times, which is done well and manages not to kill the focus on drama, but when it falls flat I think it contributes to some of that cheesiness. Still, I think I would rather have it than not.
There is a focus on the characters in this show, and each of them has their own well developed background, or mystery, that makes them intriguing. And unlike so much science fiction that has come out in the last few years, they manage to, mostly, not cross that line where all the characters seem juvenile, out of place, and their reactions to things childish and unrealistic. Also, they aren't afraid to utilize and discard characters, some of which I, personally, liked and wanted to see stay around longer. In some was this adds to the show, at other times it can be disappointing. But they have a story to tell and I don't mind being around for the ride.
I like that the focus is on story above action, and that action is there to support the story rather than replace it. It makes for a better journey and keeps me watching. If you want some decent science fiction that is well above the average, especially right now, then I would definitely give this a shot.
Breaking Bad (2008)
Decent show about the increasingly poor decisions of Walter White
Honestly, this show is about the increasingly poor decisions of an egotistical bratty man-child who has every opportunity in the world to do right by himself and his family, but still chooses to do wrong with every opportunity presented to him, and, of course, his poorly adjusted younger side-kick. I don't find this show as "amazing" as some people oddly seem to find it, but it is a decent show that dramatizes the lives and lifestyles of the meth world from the perspectives of a man trying to live a double life and those who circle around him. Breaking Bad has a good cast that helps tie everything together, which helps save the show from itself when the writing gets a bit wishy-washy and over-the-top. It's entertaining and keeps the viewer coming back for more. All in all, this is a good watch, but expect to cringe at the broken decisions of broken people doing broken things.
Farscape (1999)
Very Creative Science Fiction That is Worth a Watch
Sci-fi this creative isn't being made anymore. Farscape took a lot of chances that shows today wouldn't even dream of taking--which is why science fiction is at a low point on television and so completely watered down these days (2016)--no one is willing to take any creative chances, so we end up with teenage dramas like Dark Matter, rather than creatively fascinating shows with living ships, plant people, criminals, and a rich, vibrant universe teaming with life and lush opportunities for amazing story telling. Even with a low budget, the creators of this show pulled off something that few ever will. And although it has its cheese to it, and I didn't agree with some of the character changes they made, or some of the story telling directions they took later in the show, Farscape is a real joy to watch.
Dark Matter (2015)
Lackluster Teenage Drama Wrapped in a Science Fiction Outer Layer
Dark Matter is another poorly written angsty teenage drama set in space. It has adopted many of the elements that made Stargate Universe so bad (questionable camera work, unrealistic characters/situations, lackluster dialogue, way too much interpersonal drama, etc.). In fact, the only way this show hits the nail on the head is when it comes to embodying everything that is currently wrong with the science fiction genre. If you like shows that focus on providing truck loads of angsty interpersonal teenage drama over exploration and interesting story telling, then Dark Matter might just be your thing, if not you may want to steer clear--I sure feel like I wasted my time on it.
Real Rob (2015)
Plenty of Laughs
This show has some good laughs in it, but occasionally they drop in a scene that is just terrible. If you want a little over-the-top, silly comedy that can be a bit inappropriate and awkward at times, but laugh-out-loud funny, this is something that might interest you. It has Rob's sense of humor throughout, but occasionally the acting is a little bland; but for the most part everyone does great. The show parodies the life, and privilege, of being a celebrity in Hollywood, and does so by intentionally being both over-the-top and pompous, but in some ways more realistic than some want to admit. It really leans on the celebrity perspective and uses that to absurdity. It has the feel of a show that will only get better as it matures, I definitely enjoyed the laughs and I hope you do as well.
The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies (2014)
J.R.R Tolkien: An Amalgamation of Works with Some Stuff We Made Up Thrown In
Eh, it was alright. They kind of did what they wanted with the storyline, which was give and take as far a quality goes. They stray off from the book pretty far, almost to the point where it has nothing to do with the book that Tolkien wrote. Which I have found disappointing throughout this trilogy. And the special effects can be inconsistent and unrealistic. Some of them are amazing, but other special effects throw any idea of realism out the window. I found myself visibly cringing at several scenes, to the point that I wasn't sure if I wanted to set through the rest of the movie or walk out rolling my eyes. Another example of a big budget that can't seem to find the time to be burdened by any of the rules that govern the physical world--and not in a good way. There is one character in the movie, specifically, that they use an abundance of CGI on (and I'm not sure why) and it looks absolutely terrible, not at all believable, it is distracting. Not to mention that many of the battle scenes take things way over the top, to the point of cringe. In a movie like this, with such a huge budget, you would think they would have the time and money to focus on creating a top quality production from beginning to end, but the over the top special effects in many battle scenes, and the outdated and unrealistic manner that the characters move, made me sigh--I expected better, and I am not sure why, especially after the last two movies they made. I did wait for the price to come down before going, and even then, I still feel kind of cheated. This is a rental grade movie; watch it once or twice and move on--definitely not a classic.
Stargate Universe (2009)
A Mediocre Attempt to Continue the Stargate Franchise
When this show first aired I was really excited about having a new Stargate to watch. That feeling faded quickly. During its original run, I stopped watching after 4 episodes and never picked it up again, until it was gifted to me. Although it picks up in the second season, it still is far from a great show.
The first several episodes are almost unbearably cliché, almost like it is a parody of shows aimed at a younger teen audience. At times, it has one of the most out of place and generally bad sound tracks of any Stargate show, and at others times it has a surprisingly great one. The problem is, that like some of the scenes themselves, the experience lacks cohesion.
In many ways, it feels like there were conflicting visions going on behind the scenes and instead of figuring it out, before they aired, they tried to use all of it at once.
The show sometimes has weird pacing, especially early in its run, and more than a few confusing and unnecessary sex scenes--extremely uncharacteristic of Stargate and often out of place with the what is going on in the show itself.
There are unrealistic levels of immaturity, especially since all of these people are supposed to be professionals, entrusted with top level secrets, scientific knowledge, and elite military assignments. Sometimes they spend so much time focusing on interpersonal stuff that you can't even tell it's a science fiction show and not some teen drama. Some of the cast is unrealistically young, which adds to the above statement.
In many ways, it is almost like they were trying to write this show to appeal to the largest audience possible and in doing so failed to match the full expectations of any of these target groups.
It does pick up at times, and they work to improve things in the second season, but I can't help but feel that Stargate Universe got its just deserts.
The show lacks the vision, the writing, the consistency, the actors, and the understanding of its core audience that the original had. I really wish they would have focused on implementing many of the positive changes they were making, earlier. The show had a lot of promise. Unfortunately, they didn't deliver on them soon enough.
Star Trek Into Darkness (2013)
Lackluster Film
Very little about this movie works. Things are out of order, they disregarded decades of Star Trek lore, and for some reason distances don't mean anything.
There is a part in the movie where they go from the Neutral Zone to earth in the space of one 2 minute continuous scene. There are moments like this all over the place. It really messes with the pacing of the film and makes it unrealistic and muddy.
Honestly, the entire story is just a mess. It chaotically goes back and forth between shaky action scenes, corny attempts at humor, bits of story--apparently added for good measure--and the occasional mushy stuff put in there as garnish.
Plus, they really crapped on Star Trek mythos with the whole reverse Kirk/Spock thing. Totally disgusting disregard for the original films. J.J Abrams has no business making these movies, he's not a fan and he doesn't respect the franchise.
It is constantly in conflict with older canon, such as having trans-warp technology and weapons, which weren't developed for another 100 years, after we encountered the Borg.
For a Star Trek film it is a very violent movie.
The special effects are alright, but don't expect any realism, even at times where it would improve the scene if they took the time to do it right; everything is very over the top--another example of Hollywood deciding physics don't matter. Which I am getting tired of seeing--But what did I expect from a J.J Abrams film?
Personally, I can't set through the whole movie without getting bored and finding something else to half-occupy my mind when watching it. I suppose I will have to wait until someone comes along that actually cares about Star Trek, and makes them right, before I will get any movies I will enjoy.
And I did try to like the new films, I really did, but it's like they were made for meth addicts with the attention span of a Mealworm. Until then, I suppose will have to stick to the shows and older movies to get my fix.