MikeOzen Reviews

Game of Thrones: The Bells (2019) Season 8, Episode 5

Why can't people understand this!?

[8/10 · 18 May 2019]

So many people are struggling to get their heads around Daenerys' change of character, as if people don't change under immense pressure and emotional turmoil!?

She's lost every person close to her, her hand 'betrayed' her and the person she loves doesn't love her back. Is that not enough to make someone emotionally unstable?

The Long Night was a major disappointment but this episode absolutely made up for that for me. There are clearly some production changes that have affected the overall direction of this season, so granted it's become a little hard to swallow with the expectations built up from the previous season.

Even still, the main premise of this episode is clearly justified and is much more fitting of the Game of Thrones style we've known and loved.

I think it's a fair expectation that this will not be the fairytale finale that so many of us are used to, it will be rough around the edges and possibly more realistic than we'd like, just like the Red Wedding. It's what makes the series what it is.

I'm hopeful for the last episode, but not expecting to be satisfied. That is the Game of Thrones way.

Avengers: Endgame (2019)

It will toy with your emotions, keep you invested and leave you satisfied.

[10/10 · 27 April 2019]

From my experience watching Endgame, the variance in storyline, CGI, stellar acting performances and interesting cinematography kept me from checking the time even once. A feat which for me is brand new for a film this long!

I'm a big fan of LOTR: Return of the King(3h 21min) for example, however Endgame somehow manages to put time on hold as you focus more on catching your breath between scenes. I'm still surprised and impressed by such a high standard of directing from the Russo brothers, in my opinion they absolutely nailed the pacing on this one.

It will toy with your emotions, keep you invested and leave you satisfied.

To me, this is a film raising the standard of entertainment at its finest.

Can't recommend it enough.

Thank you Russos!

Incredibles 2 (2018)

Great! Just not quite as Incredible as the first...

[7/10 · 2 January 2019]

To be clear from the get go, I'm a huge fan of the first film so my expectations were high.

After watching it a few times now I've struggled to put my finger on what bugs me about it compared to the first one, but finally it came to me!

First, here's what you'll love about this film:

• The quality of animation(colours, lighting, explosions etc) - They managed to beautifully create an even better world of super heroes compared to the first film.
• The storyline - This was somewhat predictable and they certainly made the direction of the film obvious in terms of the 'parenting' aspects of super hero life.
• The voice acting - As in the first film this has some great voice actors in to carry the film's drama and emotion.

So, what wasn't so, Incredible?...sorry I couldn't resist:

In non-animated films you have good actors and bad actors. Of course these animated films aim to create believable personalities and behaviours that are acted to a high standard. Unfortunately for me this film just doesn't achieve this, most noticeably with Mr.Incredible.

I can't help but feel like I'm just watching someone overact every emotion possible, distracting through every conversation and even being flat-out annoying in certain scenes.

The pacing is also off, the entire first half of the film feels like everyone's on cocaine. Where are the pauses? The contemplation before an answer? Nowhere.

Still, it's admirable to see Pixar aiming for a down to earth, emotional films with action sequences often just about making up for the disjointed conversational scenes, also the twist in the story is decent and I for one did not make a correct prediction which is always nice.

Bottom Line:

If you've not even seen the first film, you'll probably love this.

If you're a fan of the first film you'll probably enjoy this.

If you're a super fan of the first film, this second instalment will remind you why.

Transformers: The Last Knight (2017)

Interesting Pacing...

[6/10 · 26 July 2018]

This has all the ingredients of a good film, but it's composition is certainly not as recognisable as most Sci-Fi Action films recently released.

The pacing is oddly fast with some intriguing storylines swiftly being washed to the side for more CGI spectacles.

One thing I will say in this film is that elements of the script are really very good. We enjoyed the 'butler' robot very much with his sarcastic remarks bringing humour to the film and tied nicely with his master's equally dry sense of humour.

I really wish I could rate it higher because we were left saying 'that wasn't bad' when the credits rolled but honestly I can barely remember the storyline it was shifting so rapidly.

Hopefully the next Transformers instalment will carry a little more weight in terms of storyline and pacing to support it's awesome CGI elements and give the film a better shape overall.