dmholloway-18633 Reviews

Brooklyn Nine-Nine (2013–2021)

Hilarity Nine-Nine

[9/10 · 27 February 2024]

This is one of the best US sitcoms to come out in a long time.

The writing, style and pacing are a symphony of near perfection. It's almost like watching a live-action cartoon with its direction and cutaways.

Andre Braugher and Andy Samberg really make this show, and they are backed-up by a group of entertaining characters that get into their own scrapes along the way. Surprisingly, none of the characters are annoying. Even Gina, the most annoying, is entertaining in her own right.

It's fun to watch the initial tension provided by Andre Braugher (as Captain Holt) slowly turn into affection and loose comedy across the entire shows run.

The only downside is portions of the final season. It was written during covid and during the well known George Floyd case. This had an impact on the writing. I'm all for satire and current cultural references but it's pasted on pretty thick in places and reminds you that you're in the real world watching a TV show, instead of leaving it behind for 30 minutes of your life.

But still, a grest watch that I fully recommend.

Battlestar Galactica (2004–2009)

A Very Intense Story

[8/10 · 19 February 2024]

I was aware of the original Battlestar Galactica and how campy it was. But, when this hit screens in 2004 - it rolled the dice in a completely different direction and it paid off.

Occurring years after the end of the Human vs. Cylon war - the Cylons reappear without warning and launch a devastating attack against the known 12 colonies that sends humanity to the very brink of extinction. A little over 50,000 people are left and travel together in a fleet made of up civilian ships and Battlestar Galactica - the last remaining battleship left and the last line of defence against the Cylons.

This show may be set in space on starships but it is a lot more than Sci-fi. Science fiction is simply the backdrop to a story made of politics, relationships, human nature, family, deceit, loss, loyalty and whole lot more.

The characters are thrown into the abyss of space and must take on responsibilities that they never planned for whilst fighting off the Cylons and their peers who have a difference of opinion.

The story does get bogged down with religion and theology after season 2 and you must watch every episode and pay attention to every scene as every detail is absolutely relevant to the story arc.

The final episode is both satisfying and frustrating at the same time - with some cryptic elements thrown in for some typically confusing final episode annoyance that sci-fi is always the victim of.

The writing, visuals, direction and music all come together to make a near masterpiece. I say near only because the religious slant towards the end was a bit heavy for my liking.

Overall - a decent watch. The 90 minute pilot episode holds a special place in my heart.

Men in Black: International (2019)

Masquerading In Black

[4/10 · 10 February 2024]

I was in the mood for something i hadn't seen and being a fan of the other MIB movies, i decided to give this a go.

Other than wearing black suits and sunglasses, this is not a MIB movie. It could have easily of been called something else but was riding the franchise name.

The story was boring, the acting wasn't great and it was about 30 minutes too long. I didn't feel invested in the characters and the amount of tiny aliens was ridiculous. The comic relief was forced and eventually taken over by the character Pawny for the duration of the movie. The ending felt rushed and underwhelming. Also, the editing was jarring with random facial shots and with a few visual continuity errors.

Overall - a boring film.

One Magic Christmas (1985)

One Depressing Christmas That Keeps Me Coming Back.

[8/10 · 10 December 2023]

Many will know from hearing people describe this movie to them that One Magic Christmas is a depressing slant on the usual warm tale of rekindling the Christmas spirit. But, I really enjoy watching this every year, despite my wife's protests.

The movie follows the Grainger family as they struggle, like so many, through the material expectations of Christmas. The father has been out of work for 6+ months and they are on the brink of being evicted from their home. We also see the plight of other families struggling to pay for Christmas with some using food coupons at the store and going without little pleasures to make ends meet. This movie may have been fimled in the 80s, but fast forward to present day and the same issues still exist.

Through all of this, the mother of the family has totally lost her Christmas spirit, so a Christmas angel, Gideon, is sent to help. He observes the family and tries to steer them in the right directions.

One fateful day, the father is killed during in a bank robbery by another struggling father after which the children are killed in a car crash when they too get mixed up in it all. Fortunately, Gideon acts to save the children.

Yes, this all sounds very anti-festive, but the first 30 minutes really highlights the pressures of Christmas for a lot of families. I do enjoy some of the ideas around Christmas, one of them being that Santa doesn't have Elves, he is helped by the spirits of the dead.

The movie may feel drab and depressing in places, but you will be rewarded with a fairytale ending that is appropriately borderline cheesy.

Bicentennial Man (1999)

Bicentennial Flop

[4/10 · 27 November 2023]

I'll start by saying that i haven't read the book.

This movie does not know what it wants to be. It tries to be a warm family tale mixed with a comedy, mixed with a romance. But, it falls short with all of them.

The robot 'Andrew' is obviously supposed to be like an innocent, curious child but come across stupid. Sam Niel is his usual watchable self but the character is a jarringly fickle. At one point he's helping Andrew to become his own person by having his own bank account and wear clothes. Then, when Andrew decides he wants to live on his own and not be ordered around, Sam Neil disagrees and spits his dummy out. Then he doesn't speak to the robot until he's in his death bed. That part didn't make much sense to me.

The comedy is flat and not up to Robin Williams standard.

And as for the romance, two women from the same family fall in love with a robot.

Once Andrew stops looking like a robot and like Robin Williams, the film goes down hill from its dull plateau.

I watched this because i remember it being around when i was a kid. It wasn't worth it.

Revolution (2012–2014)

More like Repetition

[6/10 · 14 August 2023]

I've been meaning to write this review since first watching the series when it first aired.

I think the premise of this show is excellent. The idea that the electricity could just go off and plunge the world into chaos is great. There are so many zombie apocalypse or nuclear holocaust shows out there, it was referring to show the end of society in a different way.

The idea of it and some of the themes are unsettling at times to think how bad things could get but, the show skirts around these issues rather than address them.

Sadly, it's the execution of the plot which is Revolutions undoing.

The US TV curse strikes again. Squeezing 20 episodes per season out of a story that could easily fit into 10 episodes. This results in episodes that are more like videogame side quests.

Someone gets kidnapped and needs rescuing or a potential ally needs something stealing before they'll help out. This leads to entire episodes with no plot development whatsoever and feels like a waste of time.

The other frustration is the endless James Bond death trap scenario ever a bad guy gets captured, there's not of talking and only one dumb guard placed on them which results in then getting away, again. The characters always say they want to kill someone and seem to try to talk them to death rather than just shoot them.

And the final gripe.

The world has effectively ended, there's no cleaning products or running water and yet everyone looks like they've just freshly showered and had a manicure. It's ridiculous how white the teeth are on this show.

I do sound like I'm beating down on the show but i really do enjoy some episodes. But, 80% of Revolution can be completely ignored and you'll get all the story you'll need to enjoy the show.

If you have 42 hours of your life spare, watch it. Otherwise, don't set aside too much time for it.

Oppenheimer (I) (2023)

A possible bomb about a bomb.

[6/10 · 21 July 2023]

I think we're getting used to Christopher Nolan's movie making style now.

Fantastic visuals with a strong, loud soundtrack that seems just enough out of place but actually works with rest of the material.

I wasn't quite sure what to expect with Oppenheimer. How would Nolan approach a subject that yes, has had a profound effect on the world we live in but to many movie goers, might seem a bit of dull subject. The answer is somewhat of a lesson in abstract film making.

Initially opening with popping visuals and loud soundtrack, the movie jumps around in time. These periods come more in the forms of itemised memories rather than scenes. They focus on Oppenheimer before, during and after the Manhattan Project and his struggles with his passions and his morals.

Some scenes have a very abstract, artistic feel to them with a deluge of black and white for good measure.

Through all of this, i didn't feel that i got to know anything about Oppenheimer himself.

At times i felt myself fighting the music that never seems to relent. Scenes filled with technical dialogue that have a brooding, building soundtrack that at times made the dialogue inaudible.

I will admit though that i did enjoy the movie. It is something to say that you've seen but there is little to no re-watch value in it.

If you want Nolan action, this isn't it. This is something that Nolan clearly has an interest in and is now at a point in his career that he can make anything without question.

Southland (2009–2013)

COPS (with a plus)

[8/10 · 13 June 2023]

There is something about this show that it very gripping. It's not like 'traditional' police drama's where we focus solely on one case and have uptight pathologist telling you a cause of death before a full post-mortem.

It also doesn't lean too much on the private lives of the characters. By the last episode you realise that we know very little about these characters as human beings. They are also prone to irrational behaviour that is outside the confines of their own characteristics.

The show strikes the right balance between work life and private life. Sometimes we learn nothing personal about a character in an episode. We're just along for the ride in a day in the life of a police officer.

It doesn't try to push any narratives either. One of the police officers is gay but the segments with him doesn't centre on that fact and it is revealed in such a subtle way that you are likely to not even notice. It's not about a gay police officer, it's about a police officer who is gay. That may sound like the same sentiment but it really isn't.

I like the directorial choices too. The camera is quite often on the back seat of the squad car, as though we're riding along with them. When an officer jumps out to give chase, the camera operator will also jump out of the back door and tale up the pursuit. It's almost documentary style but not.

At 10 episodes a season and only 5 seasons to it's name, it doesn't fall victim to the US TV curse of 'squeeze what you can out of that cow - even if it's dead'.

The quality takes president. The last episode will leave you asking "what next" but not in such a way that it leaves you feeling done over.

If you're looking for a show that is more police than drama, this it.

The Office (2005–2013)

8 at the start, 2 at the end.

[8/10 · 7 June 2023]

It's a rare occasion when a British TV show manages to break through to US audiences and becomes a success. Many have tried and failed but The Office really became something.

Although the characters are a lot more unrealistic in the US version, they are funny.

The first 2/3 seasons are very funny and full of cringe, sometimes to the point that you want to turn away but it's too funny to miss.

The downfall begins shortly after the 2 company offices merge and corporate becomes more of an element.

The show goes from a poor performing office manager and his idea humour and management to CEO's, people starting their own companies and some very annoying and unfunny characters that are trying to fit in to an established formula.

The storyline between Pam and Jim is nice to watch but once they're together and the show has worn on a bit, their relationship becomes too much like a real life one and not the fairytale it began as.

This show falls victim to the US TV curse of 20+ episodes a season for 8+ seasons. Quantity overrules quality in the end.

It had so much at the beginning, it just burned out.

Superstore (2015–2021)

Superfun

[8/10 · 31 May 2023]

My wife and son put me on to Superstore and i can happily say that it is one of the rare TV shows that we can all agree on.

The characters are zany and funny and they all have thier own storylines that intersect in some way. Glen and Dina are the standout characters but they're all funny.

However, the big downfall of this show, in my opinion, are the two "main" characters of Amy and Jonah. They both have very grating personalities and the portrayal of both of them is beyond frustrating. They never say anything remotely funny and there is an awkwardness between them, and of them, that i don't believe is intentional from the writers.

But, fortunately, the show doesn't centre on then that much and all the best comedic moments are reserved for the other characters who are far more entertaining.

This is one of those binge-worthy shows and definitely worth a watch.

The Orville (2017–2022)

Hit more than Miss

[7/10 · 22 December 2022]

But hit and miss nonetheless.

I feel that since Seth McFarlane was a kid, The Orville was his plan all along. Throughout his career there have been numerous Star Trek and Sci-fi references and you can tell this is his love.

This is Star Trek but with characters who act and talk without filter or consequence, often to comedy effect. And the best lines aren't reserved for McFarlane alone.

The characters are largely one-dimensional with no room to improve ir change.

The best character to me is the straight-talking Bortus. The relationship between him and his male partner is the most entertaining. They come from an all-male race that procreate and lay eggs. As bizarre as their situation would seem, they have the healthiest, most normally relationship on board.

The episodes that focus on social satire are the least funny as they get bogged down in their own ideas and the comedy takes a backseat.

When it's funny, it's funny.

When it's not, it's not and the switch can seem ill placed.

There's a host famous faces that pop up and are welcome ones.

If you like Star Trek, you'll like this but it is a bit niche.

Deck the Halls (2006)

Bore the Halls

[3/10 · 6 December 2022]

People keep telling me that this is their favourite Christmas movie but i can't for the life of me see why.

The premise of rivalry between two neighbours is a good one but DeVito's character's motives are questionable.

Although Broderick's character is largely the victim in all of this, his portrayal makes you feel glad that it's happening to him.

I've never rated Broderick as an actor since from his first movie to his last, he is always the same dull character that can't pull off this kind of slapstick comedy.

On the subject of comedy, the big gags in the movie are too blatantly set-up.

It's like someone saying, 'Watch out, there's a mousetrap on that seat' then watching them sit down on it.

There's no laugh out loud moments because the viewer is given the punchline before the gag is finished.

The only saving grace is DeVito. Like Broderick, he is pretty much the same in everything but he is naturally entertaining so can carry a movie all by himself, which he does here.

This is okay for a 7 year old but i wouldn't rate it as a classic.

Wednesday (2022– )

A Month of Wednesdays

[6/10 · 27 November 2022]

I sat through this because my wife wanted to watch it.

It's not the worst but it's very drawn out.

It's Harry Potter meets the Worst Witch meets Sleepy Hollow meets Colombo.

I won't go into too much detail but my wife and i cracked the case by episode four out of eight.

There are the usual twists that are either predictable or convenient and since Cristina Ricci is in it, it was unfortunately predictable what her character became.

The final 'Boss Fight' with the pilgrim guy was rubbish and the character was fairly laughable and somewhat of a contradiction as to his motives and abilities.

Also, leaving the show the way they did in final scene wasn't necessary, leaving it so open to another series.

Even Tim Burton stopped caring and didn't direct all of the episodes.

If you want a new angle on the Addams Family then by all means give it a watch but you won't be missing much if you don't.

Paradise PD (2018–2022)

Paradise OK

[7/10 · 9 September 2022]

I do enjoy a good adult focused animated comedy.

There's an evolution at play here. The Flintstones, The Jetsons, The Simpsons, South Park, Family Guy, Rick and Morty, now Paradise PD.

Does evolution go too far? Only you can decide that.

Paradise PD is funny, vulgar but not clever. Due to my like of toilet humour i do find this show somewhat entertaining. The main characters are quite tolerable and get the best storylines and one liners, but some spout the same type of dialogue all the time. The old cop Hopson says nothing but highly sexual anecdotes to the extent that i roll my eyes with nearly everything he says. It's a broken record.

The opening premise is that the Chief of Police feels incredibly emasculated after losing his testicles in the opening scene. For a time this was an underlying, ongoing part of the storyline but it faded away in series 2.

There is also a meth production story arc at play that i can take or leave. I think this show would see more success if each episode was another case which the comedy comes from, not focusing on the personal lives of the characters.

Give it a watch. It's not the worst but it's not going to held on a pedestal either.

Tron: Legacy (2010)

The Masterpiece

[10/10 · 5 August 2022]

Tron Legacy is one of the best films I've ever seen. It's in my top 5. The story, the visuals and oh, the music. Everything comes together in what i describe as masterpiece.

Yes it's not the original Tron, but this expands on that original premise and because time has moved on, as has the technology and so have (as they should) the visuals.

The movie is full action, sentiment and some nods to the original in the form of familiar faces, sets and dialogue.

It's a sleek, very well polished product and i wouldn't change a thing about it for the exception of setting more of the titular character and have him play more of a defining roll in the storyline.

Norbit (2007)

It's quite a NORbit funny.

[8/10 · 2 August 2022]

I don't know why this gets such bad press.

I laugh and laugh when i watch this. Things that Eddie Murphy has been in over the years have been put on pedestals so i can see why this might seem low-brow.

But i find it very entertaining.

If you're in the mood for an hour and half of funny nonsense, this is it.

Cowboy Bebop (2021)

Cowboy BeFlop

[5/10 · 24 July 2022]

I decided to give this a watch as i was looking for something new. I was unaware that it was originally an anime until my son told me so i am not familiar with the source material.

I feel the show is quite pretentious with its garish mixture of styles and fashions and some of the dialogue that i feel was directed to be performed in a wooden manner as an almost inward satire.

It's a though every shot is trying to be a defining image of the show.

I enjoy when the story focuses on Jet as i think he is a more interesting, likeable, not so self-centred character. I don't give a damn about Spike and his past and Vicious looks like something out of Twilight or Harry Potter.

I found the first 3 episodes enjoyable but after that i found myself skipping over scenes with pointless, time filling dialogue. I don't know if Faye is gay in the original but i found it incredibly predictable that an independent woman who is left alone with another independent woman would turn into a half-hearted sex scene.

I thought TV was supposed to be past that!

The stories quickly became genre confused and episodic with a poor attempt to tie it together with an intermittent story arc that you can be forgiven if your forget it even existed.

I haven't even finished the series. And i am unlike to.

Legend (I) (2015)

LEGENDarily Bad

[3/10 · 20 July 2022]

I was compelled to watch this having seen the millions of memes going around the web that features a particular scene in this movie. I'm also a fan of Tom Hardy so, two birds, one stone.

The good points are the setting and costumes. They do capture the time period in which this is set however i feel it limits itself to small sets and locations to cut down on the efforts of painstakingly CGI'ing or transforming large areas to 1960's London.

Now, the bad points.

The narration by the girlfriend character in this movie is dull and uninspired. I felt like it was being used to cut out huge swathes of the plot, to move us along a few months or years.

The gangster element is almost non-existent for exception of standing around in bars in the middle of day and constant swearing. They constantly self identify as gangsters which makes the scenes feel like a parody.

Tom Hardy is an excellent actor and he throws himself into his roles but i feel he's fallen on his sword with this movie. The Reggie character is nothing short of dull. I feel like that we're supposed to be routing for him but the character just doesn't warrant any empathy and also lacks the hard nut brawler that other iterations of these brothers has portrayed.

Then there's Reggie. I constantly had to remind myself that i wasn't watching a comedy. The portrayal is comical and put me in mind Terry Tibbs from Phone Jacker. It spoilt whatever grace was left in the film.

I think the makers of this film were trying to mimic the delicate balance of comedy and violence that made Goodfellas such a great movie.

I'm sad to say that i can't even recommend this just to say you've seen it. I'd avoid it, stick to the many memes you see on the web, they're more entertaining.

Dune (1984)

I think I'm Dun with Dune

[5/10 · 1 July 2022]

What a weird film this is.

I watched it years ago at the recommendation of a friend. Its a very marmite movie. You love it or absolutely loathe it.

The set and costume designs are excellent. The visuals are a cross between Flash Gordon and Brazil. Lots of steam punk and old worldy elements. The dialogue is like something out of Shakespeare.

I'm sure that the book is very thorough and detailed but this doesn't translate well to the screen. Although the film is a little over 2 hours, the story is rushed with no character development and the massive use of inner monologues to hurry the story along. That being said, every scene is essential to the plot and you will miss details if you're not paying attention.

The tone of the film shifts in the last 30 minutes from Shakespearian to Flash Gordon (complete with electric guitars) and the movie feels a little cheaper. The substance drops and becomes the good army verses the bad army.

All in all, not all it's cracked up to be. This probably would have benefitted from being a trilogy or a two parter at the very least.

Crime Traveller (1997)

Dr. Who meets Murder She Wrote

[6/10 · 19 June 2022]

I watched this during its original run when i was 11. It caught my eye as I'd seen Chloë Annette in Red Dwarf and was keen to see a new British Sci-fi series, and i use the term Sci-fi loosely.

Quantum Leap had shown that you can have excellent storylines that have nothing to do with time travel and yet have time travel as the backdrop to the show.

Crime Traveller tries to do a similar thing with each episode revolving around a homicide case to which, after initial investigations, the two main characters, Turner and Slade, travel back in time to solve the murder. Most of the time they get mixed up in the events and contaminate crime scenes.

It's basically a detective program. A 'who done it'.

Unfortunately, Crime Traveller falls victim to its own premise and writing. Most time travel shows often have certain rules that must be followed to keep the universe from blowing up. Crime Traveller is no exception but the rules make no sense whatsoever.

For example, 1. You must return to the time machine at the point at which you left your own time.

2. You mustn't meet yourself.

But if you are going to the machine at the point you used it, you'd already be there.

3. You can't place a bet on a horse because the race hasn't happened yet so the result is unknown.

4. If you take a picture of a killer, when you return to the present, the picture will fade because in that time you never took the picture.

5. You can't change the past.

These rules are wildly contradictory. If the result of a house race can't be gambled on because the result hasn't happened yet, that would suggest the past can be altered. This would also lead to a murder potentially not happening.

In a particular episode Turner is suspected of murdering her own aunt because her fingerprints are at the scene because she travelled back there. Once it's determined she wasn't the killer, her inept police colleagues never question this evidence again.

Although the show takes huge liberties with storytelling in order to wrap the episodes up, it is mildly entertaining. I enjoy the gentle animosity between Turner and Slade and Slade does come out with some cracking one liners.

Give it a watch for some mild entertainment that isn't too taxing on the brain as long as you throw all time travel logic out the window.

It won't ruin your life if you don't watch it. You could always travel back in time and watch it again, as long as you don't video tape it because the tape will erase because you haven't watched it.

See, it makes no sense.

The Corner (2000)

You never know what's around The Corner.

[10/10 · 11 June 2022]

I came across The Corner by pure accident one evening whilst watching UK TV channel, Channel 4.

I caught the first episode halfway through a 2 episode double bill.

Over the course of the next few days Channel 4 did double bills of the remaining episodes and i watched it religiously.

I knew nothing of the world of drug addiction but this gritty, intense show inspired by real events really shone a light on the lives of the underprivileged in the deprived areas of the US. It is a harsh departure from the sunny 'American dream' ideology that usual underpins US programs.

I felt very invested in the charters to change their ways and live better lives. The twists in the story can feel very crushing because of this but it really adds to the authenticity of the show.

I remembered the name after years of not seeing it on TV and eventually got it on DVD. I've only watched it twice since so i don't spoil its gripping nature.

A definite, decent watch.

Bugs (1995–1999)

It 'Bugged' me for years!

[7/10 · 11 June 2022]

I revisted Bugs by accident.

I had been discussing old TV shows with a friend when Bugs sprung to mind. I couldn't recall much about it but i remember i enjoyed the theme music when i watched it as a kid so i used a popular Internet video-based site to look up the theme. In doing this i found all 4 series available to watch so began binging.

In the beginning, it looked modern with its use of shooting locations, most notably the (then) recently redeveloped London Docklands.

Unfortunately the stories seem a bit far fetched and the action falls short in places as its clearly trying to keep up more edgy US shows and movies.

It shows its age today but i have thoroughly enjoyed the rewatch. I watch it alone as it can be very cheesey and cringy at times and anyone sitting with you would be well justified in asking, "why on Earth are you watching this?"

But it had good intentions and clearly the budget to back it up with decent FX, ever changing musical score and some set designs that put some other shows to shame.

If you're in the mood for a cheesey, 90s looking, not quite polished in the writing department show, then definitely give Bugs a watch.

Obi-Wan Kenobi (2022)

Rinse and Repeat

[5/10 · 9 June 2022]

Hide, run, escape. Hide, run, escape.

Congratulations, you've just experienced Obi-Wan Kenobi.

I don't want to be overly critical of it as its the only Star Wars installment that has peaked my interest in some time. The first episode was really good with Ben's brooding character struggling with life after the Republic and coming to terms with the loss of the Jedi. But, once the story gets going in episode 2, the same ideas are repeated in the following episodes. Once again the Empire, with all its power and might just lets the galaxy's most wanted walk in and out of an impregnable fortress.

McGregor's performance is great. The exact opposite to his happy go lucky, smarmy performance in the prequels (that's not a judgment on his abilities as an actor). The visuals are classic Star Wars and the effects are top notch.

The story is quite good as it gives the back story to how Liea and Ben come to know each other. But, the overall execution of the story is repetitive and ultimately boring.

Nice to see some of the old cast return in their respective roles but it does feel like the usual Dinsey money spinner that surprisingly has been made by people who have actually watched a Star Wars movie.

City on Fire (1979)

Flaming Boredom

[3/10 · 30 May 2022]

I decided to give this film a go as i was in the mood for some 70s disaster movies. And this is a disaster of a movie.

The plot takes far too long to get going and the reasons behind the actions of the saboteur who blows up the refinery are questionable and somewhat unclear. The love story is nonexistent until the final 2 minutes of the film and there's not really a clear lead in the film for the exception of the Doctor who isn't anything more than a Doctor to the storyline.

It's a slapdash, half-hearted attempt at making entertainment which tries to end on a profound note from the fire chief, blatantly trying to be the line delivered by Steve McQueen at the end of The Towering Inferno. The chief makes a reference to the saboteur but not at any point in the film is he revealed to the characters.

The water was needed to douse this steaming hot mess of a movie.

The Matrix Resurrections (I) (2021)

The Matrix Resurrections - Not Quite Lazarus

[6/10 · 31 December 2021]

Obviously you can't make a sequel 20 years later and not reference the original trilogy but this movie does do that quite often for the first hour in forms of flickers of the originals and character dialogue.

The film itself is watchable to some degree but it seems to go from drawn-out, sometimes confusing dialogue to all out action in a split second.

Keanu Reeves' docile form of acting is at the forefront once again, a performance to which he doesn't seem to put much effort into.

As for the plot, like the newer Star Wars movies, it pretty much undoes everything prior to it with some mild explanation as to what happened to everyone after the events of Revolutions.

The last 30 minutes felt rushed as we spend the majority of the movie trying to find out why Neo can't remember anything, then suddenly remembers everything and then decides that his personal mission to free Trinity takes precedent over the rest of the human race.

Finally Trinity, after forgetting who she is, then suddenly remembers everything which leads to the final slapdash 30 minutes.

There are hints of humour in the movie that feel out of place and it didn't really feel like a Matrix movie. The originals came out at a time when people were trying to get to grips with changing technologies and the fear of the information age (i.e. Big Brother). But unfortunately this movie offers nothing new.

See it to say you've seen it but don't put it next to the original trilogy in your DVD collection.