baz-woxell Reviews

Rebel Moon - Part One: A Child of Fire (2023)

Seven Samurai X Star Wars X A rushed storyline

[5/10 · 9 January 2024]

As many who followed this project before its release knew, Znyder had originally written this story as a Star Wars story. He later changed it to an "original" universe where he then went on to borrow way too much from other great stories but without giving us (the viewers) anything to attach ourselves to. The traces of the Star Wars Empire was all too close visually for us to even attempt to assume otherwise. The "small village who gets -insert any amount of time- to farm rice, I mean grain, to the bad guys before they kill everyone"-plot is something that is seen not only in the greatest film of all time but in many other stories since. And that's OK. There nothing new under the sun. But if a director/writers wants the audience to feel and care for the characters there can't be a 2 minute recruitment of the mightiest war general the universe has ever known. All of these warriors lack soul and personality. I couldn't care two pennies if any of them died, and I didn't.

I'm a big 300 fan, which is why I knew that Znyder's effects and music would take a centre stage in this movie and that is what makes me rate it 5/10. And don't get me wrong, the actors (most of them) did a good job, which is part of why I was so excited to see this film.

This should have been a series. Everything is far too rushed. There's no build up. I'm sad because I really thought this would be something good. I kept an open eye despite the bad reviews I had seen and I hoped I would join them but here I am.

Shantaram (2022)

An OK twist of the events that occurred in the book.

[7/10 · 29 August 2023]

I read the book for the first time earlier this year and it was absolutely fantastic. So I was naturally thrilled to learn of the series with a good casting too. I understand that a TV adaptation is sometimes has to be made as books (especially this one) are quite long and there's simply never a budget to correctly reflect the events as they're played out in the original story.

Now, I still wonder why the writers and producers chose to remove many characters, and even mash them together into one. You'd think one of the key moments, where Lin earns the name "Shantaram" would be present for example. I do appreciate that there still was a plan to chop the book up into several seasons as there is no way it could all have been crammed down into one season. Unfortunately the series was cancelled so the fans will never get that experience unless they read the book. There are many moments I was happy to relive on the screen but of course also many events that I wondered why they were put there instead of giving us more from the actual story. Still worth a watch!

The Wheel of Time (2021– )

Early review

[19 November 2021]

I'm halfway through the books and I really enjoy what they're made of this show so far! Albeit they've made adaptations to fit a watching crowd it's still very very good.

Tuntematon sotilas (2018–2019)

Horribly realistic

[10/10 · 27 January 2021]

This mini series has it all. The brotherhood, the family, blood, sweat and tears. A reality where no character is ever safe. Nail biting scenes, beautifully portrayed. This is a series to be remembered.

The OA (2016–2019)

The series needs to continue!

[9/10 · 2 November 2020]

How on earth is this show cancelled!?! It has an absolutely amazing, and above all unique, story! The last episodes had me locked in front of the TV having all kinds of emotions running through me. I can't accept that this story ends here!

Papillon (I) (2017)

Too far from the book

[5/10 · 23 July 2020]

Perhaps one shouldn't compare books to movies but considering I finished the book about a month ago before watching this movie, I'm sad to say there were just too many liberties taken in the movie. The way and order of things that happens in the movie are so vastly different at times that one just sits and say "but wait, this didn't happen. Wow! But? Huh? That character didn't come along? WHERE'S CLUSIOT!?" Etc. Throughout the film.

The performances are good, of course! If I hadn't read the book I probably would've liked the movie. I reckon the best way to cinematise this epic story would be to make it into a series. There's simply too many things that are missed out on in a film.

Dark (2017–2020)

Amazing story

[9/10 · 15 July 2020]

I loved every episode of this series. Even during all the different timelines and worlds it was quite easy to understand and keep up with everything and in a way I'm happy that they ended this series after season 3. It could very well have been sunk down into a pit that they couldn't bring the plot out of. They made a really good choice in keeping it to only 3 seasons. Again, amazing series.

The Nun (2018)

Disappointing

[3/10 · 21 October 2018]

I came prepared for Horror as The Conjuring series has been the best in this field for a while now but this movie was a rollercoaster ride of genres such as Comedy, Action and very little actual horror. There was barely ever that creepy intense feeling you'd get when watching Conjuring 1 & 2. Mostly the scenes were predictable and filled with comic relief which is not what you come looking for in these movies. Incredibly disappointed.