"Fast Five: Extended Edition" Review (Spoilers)
Also reviews for the latest episode of Loki, a new The Simpsons Short on Disney+, and the series premiere of Monsters At Work.
Fast Five: Extended Edition
That was a lot of fun and the ending was surprisingly satisfying. Hobbs made a great addition to the cast, and the second Dom helps him up is a big moment. The whole movie is pay-off for the first four movies, and pays off stuff we didn't even know NEEDED to be paid off (like Vince). It was all great stuff.
I can't believe Han actually got Giselle at the end. Frankly that makes me feel a LOT better about his upcoming death in Tokyo.
The tag revealing Letty is alive is a great excuse for the cast to get right back into it in another sequel.
It was so fun to see at the characters come together and interact with each other. What's weird is that I didn't even LIKE many of the characters until this.
I love the idea that Dom let Brian win the race. Because of course he did.
That climax was crazy, stupid-dangerous, and totally plausible within the framework of This Universe. All I can say it is very lucky a whole bunch of innocent people weren't killed. Then I wouldn't be rooting for our guys anymore.
This is supposedly the best film in the series and I can attest that as of now I like it best too. ****1/2.
Loki "Journey Into Mystery"
That was nice. A little TOO nice if you ask me. The entire arc of the series has been Loki growing and changing, and learning to love and trust Sylvie and Mobius. And that's sweet, and his and Sylvie's scenes together make me very happy.
Which is why I'm concerned. She's a Loki. We've been so focused on Loki betraying her and Mobius have we stopped to consider the fact that's likely that she is going to betray him and always planned to? The ending was a little TOO sweet and hopeful for my liking. I would also very much like to be wrong. But I feel a rug is about to be pulled out from under me.
But the truth is the episode is great, regardless of what happens next week. The Frog of Thunder trapped in a jar was like the most perfect Easter Egg ever because I had to replay it a few times to understand what it was. I also like that the kid Loki became a variant simply by killing Thor. Classic Loki had a great backstory, and makes me wonder if the real Loki might have faked his death too, and that Classic Loki became a variant for a different reason. I somehow doubt that's the case because I think the time agency would have figured that out by now, and they seem to actually believe he died at the hands of Thanos. It's likelier Classic Loki became a variant because he didn't.
I very much liked his grand sacrifice at the end.
I am annoyed I was surprised at it being Mobius in the car. It's the only person it could have been, and I was so absorbed in the episode I plum forgot that. I half-expected it to be D'Arcy. I'm a dope.
The Alligator Loki raises similar questions to the Frog Thor. It's a funny idea, as is the Ultimate Loki breaking into the headquarters because the doofy Loki betrayed them, and HE'S shocked everyone else betrayed him. Again, this was something that makes me worried about Sylvie. What's especially fun is OUR Loki finds the idea as annoying and pointless as it actually is. Maybe he IS learning something after all.
Very strong episode. I feel next week could potentially be a let-down though. It's being built that way simply because we're getting our hopes up. Season finales are the places producers like to stomp on them *****.
The Simpsons: The Good, The Bart, And The Loki
Why DON'T Loki and Thor have Norse accents? And yeah, Tom Hiddleston's hair looks totally gross and like it could use a washing.
Seeing Ralph demolish Loki isn't as fun as when Hulk did it in The Avengers. But it's the same ballpark.
That was surprisingly short. But it was also funny. ****.
Monsters At Work "Welcome To Monsters, Incorporated"
I am about to bum you the frak out. And I think the reason is once you've heard what I've had to say, you might agree with me. If you do, you won't thank me for this review. If you thoroughly enjoyed that, skip this review. Please. I'm doing you a favor.
What did that most remind me of? Scrubs: Med School.
Ouch. Yeah.
I KNOW how bad that comparison is, and I don't make it lightly. But the thing that will bum you out is realizing I'm probably right. Which you will probably think after reading the review. Why are you still reading this? Punk.
Scrubs: Med School is pretty much the best cautionary tale of how NOT to do a final season of a long-running television series. Only the original run of Roseanne topped it in my mind for being a worst last season. The Office and House had crappy last seasons too, but Scrubs: Med School was especially unfortunate. I can watch earlier episodes of The Office without too many problems. But like the series finale of Roseanne, Scrubs: Med School wrecked the entire series in hindsight. I can't watch Scrubs anymore or take it seriously afterwards.
What Scrubs: Med School did that was so unforgivable was basically tell the exact same stories as season one, but with the J.D. and the other younger doctors in the mentoring positions Dr. Cox and Kelso used to be in. And they would have JD pull the same kind of cruel and manipulative lessons Cox used to do to prove a point to JD. Which means Cox's teaching methods were no longer meaningful to the viewer as an extreme way to teach J.D. how to deal with patients. It's a rite of passage now, that was probably stuff that Cox and Bob Kelso were punked with when they were younger. It's not special anymore, it's routine. Cox wasn't secretly rooting for JD to succeed by teaching him a harsh lesson. It's just the job now and apparently it always was. The new characters having the exact same dynamics as the old characters, and the new mentors having the exact same lessons to teach as the old mentors made me see the hoary formula for what it was, and destroyed whatever magic was left, and whatever I used to believe in the show. It believed the exact same stories and premises were interchangeable with different characters. I disagreed, and so did everyone else, and the show was quietly and embarrassingly canceled and not given another do-over for a decent series finale.
To be absolutely fair to this show, Mike and Sully seem to have entirely different management styles than Waterhouse, so at least it's not going to be mimicking that specific thing. But the office politics are identical, and Fritz is basically a new, goofier Waterhouse, and Duncan the new Randall, Val is the new version of Celia, Tylor is Sully, and most outrageous of all is Rose as a stand-in for Roz. I don't like a story that believes its characters are interchangeable. Even with the new shtick of a laugh factory, I see the premise for as forced and artificial as it is now, just like I did for Scrubs: Med School. If you make the formula TOO transparent, people will notice it, and stop thinking there is something special about the given franchise. That happened to Scrubs, and it looks like it might happen to Monsters Inc.
There is good news to report. I get the Scrubs: Med School thing from this Pilot. But that doesn't necessarily have to be this series' fate. They could entirely turn it around. I find that more likely than not, if I'm being honest. Scrubs: Med School never had a prayer because the old show was already on the bubble with NBC, and the slightest bit of problem caused them to pull the plug. Disney+ is invested in this series and franchise, and will probably give it room to grow and breathe for at least two seasons. Will the producers meet that challenge and evolve from the painful sitcom set-up of the first episode that makes the entire movie look like a painful sitcom? It's not definite, but it's possible. A lot of shows do not find their voices or purposes until they've gotten a few episodes into them. I am willing to believe that's possible here, and that maybe the writers will look at this episode and premise and realize there are new and different things they could explore instead of beating what we used to love into the ground in a ham-fisted way that makes us now hate it. I would love that. It's not a sure thing. But neither is this show staying Scrubs: Med School. But as of now? It totally is. And that bums me out. And this review probably bummed you out too. *.
Monsters At Work "Meet Mift"
Sigh. Still Scrubs: Med School.
Sort of a nice surprise that Mift is competent at their jobs though.
The "Comedy Can Be Dangerous" song written by Randy Rogel was pretty good too. And I forgot to compliment the nifty main title in the first review.
Not without some charm, but my impression is still largely negative. **.
Fast Five: Extended Edition
That was a lot of fun and the ending was surprisingly satisfying. Hobbs made a great addition to the cast, and the second Dom helps him up is a big moment. The whole movie is pay-off for the first four movies, and pays off stuff we didn't even know NEEDED to be paid off (like Vince). It was all great stuff.
I can't believe Han actually got Giselle at the end. Frankly that makes me feel a LOT better about his upcoming death in Tokyo.
The tag revealing Letty is alive is a great excuse for the cast to get right back into it in another sequel.
It was so fun to see at the characters come together and interact with each other. What's weird is that I didn't even LIKE many of the characters until this.
I love the idea that Dom let Brian win the race. Because of course he did.
That climax was crazy, stupid-dangerous, and totally plausible within the framework of This Universe. All I can say it is very lucky a whole bunch of innocent people weren't killed. Then I wouldn't be rooting for our guys anymore.
This is supposedly the best film in the series and I can attest that as of now I like it best too. ****1/2.
Loki "Journey Into Mystery"
That was nice. A little TOO nice if you ask me. The entire arc of the series has been Loki growing and changing, and learning to love and trust Sylvie and Mobius. And that's sweet, and his and Sylvie's scenes together make me very happy.
Which is why I'm concerned. She's a Loki. We've been so focused on Loki betraying her and Mobius have we stopped to consider the fact that's likely that she is going to betray him and always planned to? The ending was a little TOO sweet and hopeful for my liking. I would also very much like to be wrong. But I feel a rug is about to be pulled out from under me.
But the truth is the episode is great, regardless of what happens next week. The Frog of Thunder trapped in a jar was like the most perfect Easter Egg ever because I had to replay it a few times to understand what it was. I also like that the kid Loki became a variant simply by killing Thor. Classic Loki had a great backstory, and makes me wonder if the real Loki might have faked his death too, and that Classic Loki became a variant for a different reason. I somehow doubt that's the case because I think the time agency would have figured that out by now, and they seem to actually believe he died at the hands of Thanos. It's likelier Classic Loki became a variant because he didn't.
I very much liked his grand sacrifice at the end.
I am annoyed I was surprised at it being Mobius in the car. It's the only person it could have been, and I was so absorbed in the episode I plum forgot that. I half-expected it to be D'Arcy. I'm a dope.
The Alligator Loki raises similar questions to the Frog Thor. It's a funny idea, as is the Ultimate Loki breaking into the headquarters because the doofy Loki betrayed them, and HE'S shocked everyone else betrayed him. Again, this was something that makes me worried about Sylvie. What's especially fun is OUR Loki finds the idea as annoying and pointless as it actually is. Maybe he IS learning something after all.
Very strong episode. I feel next week could potentially be a let-down though. It's being built that way simply because we're getting our hopes up. Season finales are the places producers like to stomp on them *****.
The Simpsons: The Good, The Bart, And The Loki
Why DON'T Loki and Thor have Norse accents? And yeah, Tom Hiddleston's hair looks totally gross and like it could use a washing.
Seeing Ralph demolish Loki isn't as fun as when Hulk did it in The Avengers. But it's the same ballpark.
That was surprisingly short. But it was also funny. ****.
Monsters At Work "Welcome To Monsters, Incorporated"
I am about to bum you the frak out. And I think the reason is once you've heard what I've had to say, you might agree with me. If you do, you won't thank me for this review. If you thoroughly enjoyed that, skip this review. Please. I'm doing you a favor.
What did that most remind me of? Scrubs: Med School.
Ouch. Yeah.
I KNOW how bad that comparison is, and I don't make it lightly. But the thing that will bum you out is realizing I'm probably right. Which you will probably think after reading the review. Why are you still reading this? Punk.
Scrubs: Med School is pretty much the best cautionary tale of how NOT to do a final season of a long-running television series. Only the original run of Roseanne topped it in my mind for being a worst last season. The Office and House had crappy last seasons too, but Scrubs: Med School was especially unfortunate. I can watch earlier episodes of The Office without too many problems. But like the series finale of Roseanne, Scrubs: Med School wrecked the entire series in hindsight. I can't watch Scrubs anymore or take it seriously afterwards.
What Scrubs: Med School did that was so unforgivable was basically tell the exact same stories as season one, but with the J.D. and the other younger doctors in the mentoring positions Dr. Cox and Kelso used to be in. And they would have JD pull the same kind of cruel and manipulative lessons Cox used to do to prove a point to JD. Which means Cox's teaching methods were no longer meaningful to the viewer as an extreme way to teach J.D. how to deal with patients. It's a rite of passage now, that was probably stuff that Cox and Bob Kelso were punked with when they were younger. It's not special anymore, it's routine. Cox wasn't secretly rooting for JD to succeed by teaching him a harsh lesson. It's just the job now and apparently it always was. The new characters having the exact same dynamics as the old characters, and the new mentors having the exact same lessons to teach as the old mentors made me see the hoary formula for what it was, and destroyed whatever magic was left, and whatever I used to believe in the show. It believed the exact same stories and premises were interchangeable with different characters. I disagreed, and so did everyone else, and the show was quietly and embarrassingly canceled and not given another do-over for a decent series finale.
To be absolutely fair to this show, Mike and Sully seem to have entirely different management styles than Waterhouse, so at least it's not going to be mimicking that specific thing. But the office politics are identical, and Fritz is basically a new, goofier Waterhouse, and Duncan the new Randall, Val is the new version of Celia, Tylor is Sully, and most outrageous of all is Rose as a stand-in for Roz. I don't like a story that believes its characters are interchangeable. Even with the new shtick of a laugh factory, I see the premise for as forced and artificial as it is now, just like I did for Scrubs: Med School. If you make the formula TOO transparent, people will notice it, and stop thinking there is something special about the given franchise. That happened to Scrubs, and it looks like it might happen to Monsters Inc.
There is good news to report. I get the Scrubs: Med School thing from this Pilot. But that doesn't necessarily have to be this series' fate. They could entirely turn it around. I find that more likely than not, if I'm being honest. Scrubs: Med School never had a prayer because the old show was already on the bubble with NBC, and the slightest bit of problem caused them to pull the plug. Disney+ is invested in this series and franchise, and will probably give it room to grow and breathe for at least two seasons. Will the producers meet that challenge and evolve from the painful sitcom set-up of the first episode that makes the entire movie look like a painful sitcom? It's not definite, but it's possible. A lot of shows do not find their voices or purposes until they've gotten a few episodes into them. I am willing to believe that's possible here, and that maybe the writers will look at this episode and premise and realize there are new and different things they could explore instead of beating what we used to love into the ground in a ham-fisted way that makes us now hate it. I would love that. It's not a sure thing. But neither is this show staying Scrubs: Med School. But as of now? It totally is. And that bums me out. And this review probably bummed you out too. *.
Monsters At Work "Meet Mift"
Sigh. Still Scrubs: Med School.
Sort of a nice surprise that Mift is competent at their jobs though.
The "Comedy Can Be Dangerous" song written by Randy Rogel was pretty good too. And I forgot to compliment the nifty main title in the first review.
Not without some charm, but my impression is still largely negative. **.