"LEGO DC Batman: Family Matters" Review (Spoilers)
Also reviews for the latest episode of Harley Quinn, the series premiere of ThunderCats Roar!, and the latest episodes of Star Trek: Short Treks, Forky Asks A Question, Pixar SparkShorts, Muppet Babies Shorts, Elena Of Avalor, and The Rocketeer.
LEGO DC Batman: Family Matters
Batwoman and Billy Batson! DC is finally doing synergy!
I love that Two-Face is like Gollum and Smeagal.
The Gray Ghost at the movies! Neat! Although that's supposed to be a TV show.
I love the little Lego penguins.
They make Lego separators? Interesting that Damian has one.
I love Bruce confusing WHIZ for Billy asking where the bathroom was.
The tag was setting up the Shazam Lego movie. Neat!
Fun little movie. ****.
Harley Quinn "The Line"
I hated that. Violent and disturbing. 0.
ThunderCats Roar! "Exodus: Part 1"
Promising. I am well aware that ThunderCats 2011 barely scratched the surface of the canon, and here we got the Mutants, Mumm-Ra, and the Berbils in the first 11 minutes. I don't think the producers of 2011 really had any love of the property, and basically used it as a jumping off point to tell their own story. This is a parody, and it will ruffle some feathers, but I think the people who make it like and know the premise inside and out.
The music cues are amazing, and exactly like the original series. They also did right by the theme song, even if they didn't use the opening title they revealed last year. They used the proper theme instead which is cooler.
I hate the design of the Cats, but I love the designs of the Mutants. The Mutants are supposed to be ugly so their designs are appropriate. The Cats are not supposed to be ugly so their designs are not.
Very cool. I have some reservations still but we are off to a good start. Commercial break. ***1/2.
ThunderCats Roar! "Exodus: Part 2"
I love snarky Mumm-Ra. I love that Snarf puked up the Claw Shield as a hairball. I love the uproarious weirdly extended laughter at the end over something that isn't actually funny. And best of all, the fight scene was pretty tight for the animation style.
I'm not crazy about the Berbils saving the day in the first episode, but maybe I'll only gripe if that becomes an ongoing thing.
One thing I'm sure will upset purists is how dumb Lion-O is. But that's the joke. On the original show Lion-O was a bonafide cretin and the last Cat who should have been in charge. The show poking at that is a good thing in my mind. People thinking this makes Lion-O look like a total joke and loser are misremembering that that is what the original version actually was.
Good conclusion. After all of the online bullying and death threats the producers have gotten I'm rooting for this show. ***1/2.
Star Trek: Short Treks: "Children Of Mars"
Excellent prequel for Star Trek: Picard. I'm totally stoked.
Utopia Planetia. That name takes me back. I cannot remember the last time Star Trek has referenced that. Is it weird that Section 31 is the thing that has been gotten back to more than that? Next I want an update of the Daystrom Institute, weirdly named after a crazy guy.
Honestly, I expect this will ruffle a few feathers. It says something Star Trek has never said. That racism and conflict exists for humans in the 24th Century. Gene Roddenberry never would have allowed that. However, I think Gene Roddenberry's ideals are a good jumping off point for Star Trek, but I truly believe Star Trek should not live or die by them. Some of his ideas are entirely dated already (especially regarding psychiatry and psychology) and I think it's okay to divert from those mistakes, like the idea that children in the 24th Century will not feel the need to grieve if their parents are killed, which frankly struck me as quite warped back in the day. Gene Roddenberry thinking racism would no longer be a problem for any human ever shows that Gene never had a realistic view of humanity. It bordered on foolish, and I think if Star Trek is going to successfully continue into the 21st Century, some adjustments are going to have to be made. By necessity. What bothers me is that it's taken this long for these adjustments to actually take place. They are actually long overdue.
I like the ending of the girls realizing the ultimate endpoint of fighting, and being unable to resolve differences. The 24th Century should not be the end-point of human evolution. We need to still be allowed to learn and grow from that. And not necessarily how to become the next Mozart Wesley Crusher Starchild. People, 400 years from now, no matter how bright the future, will always need to struggle to improve themselves. Gene always gave lips service to that idea, but his ideas of future evolution often involved aliens phasing into Godlike beings. That's not a healthy mindset, or a good goal for humanity 400 years from now. And if Star Trek is going to continue, it needs to set positive goals for humanity we can actually achieve. Otherwise it is not science fiction at all, and pure fantasy.
I liked this at any rate. The naysayers will not change my mind about it. ****.
Forky Asks A Question "What Is Reading?"
I love the Peas in a Pod! They are so cute and I missed them in Toy Story 4.
This addresses a canon concern in who Forky is actually talking to when he breaks the fourth wall. Nobody being there suggests Forky is crazy, and we as the audience are his delusions. Sounds about right. I will accept that role gladly. ****.
Pixar SparkShorts "Loop"
Dialogue! Yeah!
I loved it. What a great short about autism. I especially love the happy ending of the phone being retrieved and fixed, and the reveal that Marcus and Rene are now friends.
I love Rene using the dump emoji to tell Marcus she wanted to go to the outhouse.
Pixar is doing better for having more women writers and directors. The best thing that ever happened to Pixar was John Lasseter leaving.
This is good stuff. ****1/2.
Muppet Babies "Disney Junior Nursery Rhymes: This Little Piggy"
That was super cute. ***1/2.
Elena Of Avalor "The Birthday Cruise"
I love that this show is not afraid to give EVERYONE a super happy ending, including Maleega. This gives me higher hopes for Estaban's fate. The show tends to give the audience what it wants. Maybe my fears about him are groundless.
Poor Chloe. She tries so hard. It's an interesting lesson that there is a middle point between selfish and assertive enough to stand up for yourself and it's good that the show gave it to an already overly assertive character like Chloe to learn. It's a cool dynamic especially because Chloe wants to learn and change and grow and we are allowed to sympathize with her process of that.
I really love this show. Every single dumb preschool show that comes out now is something I'm going to hold up against this. I'm not going to tolerate dumb stuff the way I used to knowing toddlers can have a show like this if the creators care enough. ****1/2.
The Rocketeer "X-Treme Hero / Hot On The Trail"
X-Treme Hero:
Xena is the worst.
I like that the trick Tesh named after Kit is called the "Cloudkicker". This show seems to know its Disney lore. ***1/2.
Hot On The Trail:
Laura and Harley suck because Laura is the precise type of dumb villain who confuses her reflection for another person. The Rocketeer getting the better of her is not an accomplishment. **.
Episode Overall: ***.
LEGO DC Batman: Family Matters
Batwoman and Billy Batson! DC is finally doing synergy!
I love that Two-Face is like Gollum and Smeagal.
The Gray Ghost at the movies! Neat! Although that's supposed to be a TV show.
I love the little Lego penguins.
They make Lego separators? Interesting that Damian has one.
I love Bruce confusing WHIZ for Billy asking where the bathroom was.
The tag was setting up the Shazam Lego movie. Neat!
Fun little movie. ****.
Harley Quinn "The Line"
I hated that. Violent and disturbing. 0.
ThunderCats Roar! "Exodus: Part 1"
Promising. I am well aware that ThunderCats 2011 barely scratched the surface of the canon, and here we got the Mutants, Mumm-Ra, and the Berbils in the first 11 minutes. I don't think the producers of 2011 really had any love of the property, and basically used it as a jumping off point to tell their own story. This is a parody, and it will ruffle some feathers, but I think the people who make it like and know the premise inside and out.
The music cues are amazing, and exactly like the original series. They also did right by the theme song, even if they didn't use the opening title they revealed last year. They used the proper theme instead which is cooler.
I hate the design of the Cats, but I love the designs of the Mutants. The Mutants are supposed to be ugly so their designs are appropriate. The Cats are not supposed to be ugly so their designs are not.
Very cool. I have some reservations still but we are off to a good start. Commercial break. ***1/2.
ThunderCats Roar! "Exodus: Part 2"
I love snarky Mumm-Ra. I love that Snarf puked up the Claw Shield as a hairball. I love the uproarious weirdly extended laughter at the end over something that isn't actually funny. And best of all, the fight scene was pretty tight for the animation style.
I'm not crazy about the Berbils saving the day in the first episode, but maybe I'll only gripe if that becomes an ongoing thing.
One thing I'm sure will upset purists is how dumb Lion-O is. But that's the joke. On the original show Lion-O was a bonafide cretin and the last Cat who should have been in charge. The show poking at that is a good thing in my mind. People thinking this makes Lion-O look like a total joke and loser are misremembering that that is what the original version actually was.
Good conclusion. After all of the online bullying and death threats the producers have gotten I'm rooting for this show. ***1/2.
Star Trek: Short Treks: "Children Of Mars"
Excellent prequel for Star Trek: Picard. I'm totally stoked.
Utopia Planetia. That name takes me back. I cannot remember the last time Star Trek has referenced that. Is it weird that Section 31 is the thing that has been gotten back to more than that? Next I want an update of the Daystrom Institute, weirdly named after a crazy guy.
Honestly, I expect this will ruffle a few feathers. It says something Star Trek has never said. That racism and conflict exists for humans in the 24th Century. Gene Roddenberry never would have allowed that. However, I think Gene Roddenberry's ideals are a good jumping off point for Star Trek, but I truly believe Star Trek should not live or die by them. Some of his ideas are entirely dated already (especially regarding psychiatry and psychology) and I think it's okay to divert from those mistakes, like the idea that children in the 24th Century will not feel the need to grieve if their parents are killed, which frankly struck me as quite warped back in the day. Gene Roddenberry thinking racism would no longer be a problem for any human ever shows that Gene never had a realistic view of humanity. It bordered on foolish, and I think if Star Trek is going to successfully continue into the 21st Century, some adjustments are going to have to be made. By necessity. What bothers me is that it's taken this long for these adjustments to actually take place. They are actually long overdue.
I like the ending of the girls realizing the ultimate endpoint of fighting, and being unable to resolve differences. The 24th Century should not be the end-point of human evolution. We need to still be allowed to learn and grow from that. And not necessarily how to become the next Mozart Wesley Crusher Starchild. People, 400 years from now, no matter how bright the future, will always need to struggle to improve themselves. Gene always gave lips service to that idea, but his ideas of future evolution often involved aliens phasing into Godlike beings. That's not a healthy mindset, or a good goal for humanity 400 years from now. And if Star Trek is going to continue, it needs to set positive goals for humanity we can actually achieve. Otherwise it is not science fiction at all, and pure fantasy.
I liked this at any rate. The naysayers will not change my mind about it. ****.
Forky Asks A Question "What Is Reading?"
I love the Peas in a Pod! They are so cute and I missed them in Toy Story 4.
This addresses a canon concern in who Forky is actually talking to when he breaks the fourth wall. Nobody being there suggests Forky is crazy, and we as the audience are his delusions. Sounds about right. I will accept that role gladly. ****.
Pixar SparkShorts "Loop"
Dialogue! Yeah!
I loved it. What a great short about autism. I especially love the happy ending of the phone being retrieved and fixed, and the reveal that Marcus and Rene are now friends.
I love Rene using the dump emoji to tell Marcus she wanted to go to the outhouse.
Pixar is doing better for having more women writers and directors. The best thing that ever happened to Pixar was John Lasseter leaving.
This is good stuff. ****1/2.
Muppet Babies "Disney Junior Nursery Rhymes: This Little Piggy"
That was super cute. ***1/2.
Elena Of Avalor "The Birthday Cruise"
I love that this show is not afraid to give EVERYONE a super happy ending, including Maleega. This gives me higher hopes for Estaban's fate. The show tends to give the audience what it wants. Maybe my fears about him are groundless.
Poor Chloe. She tries so hard. It's an interesting lesson that there is a middle point between selfish and assertive enough to stand up for yourself and it's good that the show gave it to an already overly assertive character like Chloe to learn. It's a cool dynamic especially because Chloe wants to learn and change and grow and we are allowed to sympathize with her process of that.
I really love this show. Every single dumb preschool show that comes out now is something I'm going to hold up against this. I'm not going to tolerate dumb stuff the way I used to knowing toddlers can have a show like this if the creators care enough. ****1/2.
The Rocketeer "X-Treme Hero / Hot On The Trail"
X-Treme Hero:
Xena is the worst.
I like that the trick Tesh named after Kit is called the "Cloudkicker". This show seems to know its Disney lore. ***1/2.
Hot On The Trail:
Laura and Harley suck because Laura is the precise type of dumb villain who confuses her reflection for another person. The Rocketeer getting the better of her is not an accomplishment. **.
Episode Overall: ***.