My review of Pirates of the Caribbean Dead Men Tell No Tales

My review of Pirates of the Caribbean Dead Men Tell No Tales 

Intro: Is it me or is Jack Sparrow starting to ware out his welcome? 

Pirates of the Caribbean Dead Men Tell No Tales: This movie takes place almost twenty years after the third movie and we see Captain Jack Sparrow down on his luck. Things are about to get worse for him because he learns that Captain Salazar wants revenge for what Jack did to him. Meanwhile, a young man name Henry Tuner recruits Jack so that he can help him find the Trident of Poseidon, with it he can free his father from the curse. So, Jack and Henry have to find the Trident before Captain Salazar does. 

This movie is disappointing seriously did the creators learn anything from the last movie? What bothers me about this movie is that it doesn't do anything new, this movie borrows elements from the other films. Family could have been the theme of this movie if the writers found a way to work that into the story. Also, this movie is not as funny as the other four because the jokes fall flat on its face. How can you have a pirates movie without a sword fight? I'm sorry we do have them but the director doesn't seem to focus on them and their brief. This movie creates inconsistencies with the other films, you'll see what I mean when you watch this movie. The climax was also disappointing due to the lack of action.    

Jack Sparrow is not in this movie I don't know who this impostor is that looks and dress like him but he isn't Jack Sparrow. Does this franchise have clones now? The reason why I said this Jack Sparrow is an impostor is because this guy is incompetent and mean-spirited at times. The movie is aware of this on some level. Also, he's not as funny as he use to be he just states the obvious. I like the idea of Jack being off his game, but the writers don't do anything with that. Even if he was the same character as he use to be that would be a problem too because the creators don't do anything new with this character, he's just here to eat up screen time. 

Henry Tuner is kindhearted, brave and noble. I wish the movie would show us the relationship he have with his father because that will help us be invested in his cause to free him from the curse. The movie starts with these two sharing a scene together, the director could have use that to establish their relationship. 

Carina Smyth is a smart girl who studies astronomy. She's looking for the trident as a way to connect to her father. I would like to know why people call her a witch? Also, her romance with Henry wasn't good because it had no build-up to it. I wonder if she was suppose to be the main baddie. For those of you who don't know we were suppose to get a female villain. That would be interesting to see Jack Sparrow try to outwit someone smarter than him. 

Captain Barbossa is the ruler of the seven seas now that he has an army of pirates on his side. The only complaint I have with him is that the movie tries to humanize him Why!?! 

Captain Salazar is the weakest villain in this series. I'm not just saying that because he's a flat character or I can barely understand him it's because he isn't a bad guy. He's a pirate hunter hunting pirates is a good thing. I would like to know how his curse works? Also, he's distracting us from focusing on Henry and Carina because he has no beef with them.   

The only good thing I can say about this movie is that the story is easy to follow. Overall, this is another failed attempt to give Jack his own story, I wouldn't recommend this to fans. 

Rating = Rental 

Arrow season five review

Arrow season five review 

   

Intro: After two bad seasons and losing two key characters in the Green Arrow mythos, I didn't expect much from this season. Despite that, I'm willing to give this series another chance. sometimes I'm a three-strike person. Consider this Arrow's third chance. Besides, how can this show get any worse? Plus, this is the last season for the flashbacks. I'm curious to see how that will wrap up. Sidenote, I wish this series had ended in this season because I don't want this show to suffer the same fate as Smallville, as far as overstaying its welcome. With all that said, did season five recover, or did this show continue to go down the toilet? Let's find out... 

Arrow season five: This season takes place a few months after Team Arrow stops Damien Darhk from nuking the world, and Oliver becomes the Mayor of Star City. He's trying to balance being the Mayor and Green Arrow. One day, Green Arrow meets one of the amateur vigilantes that he inspired and sees that he's rough around the edges. After being reminded of the promise he made to Laurel, he decides to take them under his wing. Meanwhile, an archer called Prometheus has a grudge against Green Arrow and gives him grief by challenging his crusade. So Green Arrow has to stop him before things get out of hand.      

This season washed the bad taste out of my mouth that is seasons 3 and 4; however, this season could have been better. This is the story that the writers should have told after season two; the story of Oliver dealing with the collateral damage he caused in season one. You can almost watch this season without watching the last two. We see characters dealing with the aftermath of Laurel's death. The way this season ended will leave you speechless. The flashbacks in this season are fine. They deal with how Oliver got involved with the Bratva and became what he was in season one. The problems I have with it are that it created a plot hole for season one, and the solution to Oliver's dilemma he had since the season 3 flashbacks, makes him look stupid. This season's crossover episode reminds me of Superman's for the man who has everything, Comic Book.      

Oliver Queen/Green Arrow has an arc of overcoming his past; however, it's done in a way that deconstructs him. Oliver revealed something about himself; it's kind of hard to buy the reveal, and it didn't have much of a payoff. I don't like his attitude about Prometheus because he's the reason why Prometheus exists, and he doesn't feel terrible about the role he played in that. He showed compassion for his other adversaries, like Slade and Cupid, so why can't he do the same thing here? Also, I find it hard to believe that he can be both the Mayor and Green Arrow with no problems because being Green Arrow caused issues for him in the first two seasons. Also, he did something that could have exposed himself as the Green Arrow.  
   

After seeing Quentin Lance doesn't have much of a role this season, it made me wish he should've been the one who died in season four instead of Laurel/The Black Canary. That would make sense because he would die trying to stop Damien Darkh's plan, which would be his way of redeeming himself for working for him. To be fair, the reason why he doesn't do much this season is because he's still grieving over Laurel's death. 

Since Thea quit being Speedy at the end of season four, she doesn't have much to do in this season. Well, the writers kind of did something with her character, but that went nowhere.  

Besides learning how to live with what he did last season, Diggle doesn't serve much of a purpose this season. His subplot feels like filler.  

Rene Ramirez/Wild Dog (one of the new members of Team Arrow) is like Roy, but worse. I mean, Roy didn't come off as a wannabe tough guy. Also, for someone who used to be in the Navy, I expect him to be competent. Also, his backstory lacks the emotional weight it suppose to have.     

Rory Regan/Ragman ( another new member of Team Arrow) is the outsider looking in. My beef with him is that he's too powerful to be a part of this team. Really, he should have been a part of the crossover because he would have been helpful. Plus, we don't learn much about him.  

I'm not happy with what this series has done with Evelyn Sharp because she's underused. You'll be confused by her big reveal because it's unclear. 

Curtis Holt/Mr. Terrific is the friendly one of the bunch who can rival Felicity's hacking skills. What bothers me about him (Other than the fact that he isn't like his comic book counterpart) is that he tries to be funny, but he comes off as an old head trying to be cool, plus his jokes are not thought out. Also, why didn't the show remove him? The purpose he served in season four was to give us the idea that Felicity would die in that season. In this season, he's not as smart as Felicity due to him being more of an inventor, so what's the point of having him around? ( Sorry! I answered my own question.) 

I thought Felicity would go back to normal now that her and Oliver are no longer a couple, but that didn't happen. She still undermines Oliver, lies to him, and she got away with murder, and Oliver is letting it happen. In season four, Felicity sends a nuke to Havenrock. I know she didn't have a choice; however, when you do something wrong and regret it, you answer for it. That didn't happen in this season. She didn't think about that until she learned that one of the new members of Team Arrow is from Havenrock, and she had the nerve to tell this person that she's the one who killed his or her family. She didn't do that to give him or her closure; she did that to make herself feel better. Sidenote; I'm surprised that Prometheus didn't use this against her or have the Havenrock member turn against Team Arrow.    

Something tragic happened to Felicity this season that caused her to go AWOL on Team Arrow. I wouldn't mind the idea of Felicity going rogue if she had a better reason for it. The issue I have with this is that Oliver didn't confront her about it in a stern way. I kind of understand why he didn't do that; however, you need people on your team that you can count on. Another problem I have with this is that Team Arrow is being hypocritical about the situation. I mean, why do they have a problem with Felicity getting her hands dirty when they do it all the time? This is not a team of humanitarians! That's the theme of this season; hypocrisy. Almost everyone has double standards.  

I can see why people like the main villain, Prometheus; he challenges Green Arrow both physically and mentally. He reminds me of The Dark Knight Joker; you'll see what I mean when you watch this season. It's refreshing to have a baddie that doesn't want to destroy the city because people can get sick of seeing that. The mystery of who he is was handled well, regardless of the hiccups. This show failed to make him sympathetic. I can't get into details without spoiling anything. I wish that he and Green Arrow didn't fight each other so often because that takes away the build-up for their showdown in the last episode. Don't worry, it's not as bad as last season. 

Here are my grievances with this season; one of them is the new team members. There's no reason for Oliver to bring them into his war on crime because Oliver is not having a hard time fighting crime on his own. Plus, it makes him look less of a badax. When Diggle or Roy is in the field, it's because Oliver can't be in two places at once. Having a team would make sense if being the Mayor was taking up a lot of his time, but that's not the case. Even if that were the case, that would be an issue. What's the point of watching this show if Oliver is barely Green Arrow? This is why the creators should have saved the Oliver running for Mayor story for the final season. The reason I'm bothered by Oliver training the new team members is that they are comic book characters. I'm tired of seeing him train or school other comic book characters. I would like to see them stand on their own two feet. I'm glad the writers got rid of some of the members of Team Arrow because there are too many of them. This season also has head-scratching moments in this season.      

I have gripes with some of the episodes; the three episodes after the first one are rough. The two episodes after episode 9 will make you mad. This show did a PSA episode on gun control. I don't understand why people are upset over this episode. What's the point of Oliver being the Mayor if we don't have episodes of him dealing with these issues? The problem I have with this episode is that it feels heavy-handed and out of place. Also, I don't think that was the right thing to address, considering two members of Team Arrow use guns. Plus, the series addresses this subject before. There is an episode where Oliver and Felicity are trapped in a bunker. Do I really have to comment on that episode? The last episode is kind of rushed, and I wish "bleep" were in this episode.  

With all that said, this season was a return to form for the series. It makes you wonder what direction the creators will go from here?     

The Flash season three review

The Flash season three review 

 

Intro: So, the only change Flashpoint made on Arrow is changing the gender of Diggle's child. Really CW? Out of all the mistakes you made on Arrow that you could have fixed with Flash point you choose to erase Diggle's daughter OK. 

The Flash season three: This season takes place three mouths after Barry went back in time to save his mother, which created an alternate timeline called Flashpoint. Flashpoint is basically Barry's fantasy, well that fantasy turned into a nightmare when the timeline starts to fall apart. So Barry has to turn everything back the way it was in order to save it. He does restore the timeline but with a few minor changes and Barry has to learn how to adjust to those changes. Meanwhile, a mysterious figure is trying to bring back Flashpoint, so team flash has to stop him before it's too late.  

I was letdown by this season, part of the reason why is because this season wasted the flash point storyline. It only lasted one episode, that's not enough time for us to appreciate it. I wish it would have lasted up to the mid-season finally. Another thing that bugs me about this season is the main baddie is another speedster, do I really have to explain why? Either the series is creatively bankrupt or the writers are lazy. This undermines the show's intro how can Barry Allen call himself the fastest man alive if there's someone else faster than him!?! Please no more speedsters as the main villain! 

Other problems I have with this show are some of the episodes feel like filler, for example, we have one episode that's a musical I'm not kidding about that. There are plot holes with the rules of time travel and this season could have ended sooner if the characters were honest with each other. We learn that something tragic will happen in the future, it's hard to take that seriously because we know team Flash will try to prevent it. Also is it me or is this season trying to appeal to women? I say that because everyone has a love interest this season. The crossover episodes were Ok it was about our heroes stopping an alien invasion. 

Barry Allen/The Flash has made himself unlikable this season due to him being selfish. I didn't feel sorry for the issues he have this season because he broth that on himself. Barry is also stupid this season since the show started, he was warned to no mass with the timeline and yet he still does it. I'm surprised that his friends and family didn't put him in the doghouse for all the damage he cause them, I'm not saying that they should stay mad at him throughout the season however they shouldn't be so quick to forgive him either. This was a gripe I had with Arrow season 4 Diggle was the only one who was mad at Oliver for betraying him. Also, the creators were not settle about what they tried to do with Barry this season. 

Cisco is annoying at first because he's mad at Barry for not fixing something in his life. This wouldn't brother me if Cisco wasn't familiar with the Hero's code, plus it wasn't Barry's fault that something tragic happen to him. After that Cisco is back to normal and he learns more about his powers. 

Caitlin is also affected by flashpoint and it puts her at odds with team Flash. So, she tries her best to cope with it.  

Iris West is a plot device in this season, you'll see what I mean when you watch it. Another thing I don't buy her wanting to be romantically involved with Barry because A he's the rebound guy and B her and Barry were raised as siblings. I know they're not related however If you want to be with someone whose dad you consider your dad you should feel dirty.  

Welly West/ kid flash is a crybaby at first, I mean he complains about not being like his flash point counterpart. When he is he acts like Tony Stark as far as being cocky and having a womanizing attitude. I don't like the code name kid flash, I know it's in the comic but it's still not a good one. The only complaint I have with him is this season didn't do much with him.  

I like HR because he's helpful to team flash in his own way. I'm annoyed with how team Flash treats him because he isn't a genius, why didn't they treat Joe or Iris like this? Plus, he (My editor censor me for spoiling anything.) deserves more respect from them. 

Julian Albert is Barry's partner at the CCPD. He has a punchable face I mean he's high maintenance. 

Savitar the main villain is forgettable. He just wants to kill Barry to prove that he's the superior speedster, been there done that. He has no motivation for his big plan at the end of the season and he could have been sympathetic but the creators didn't take advantage of that. What bothers me about him is the writers drag out his identity by the time we learn who he is you won't care and it opens up a can of plot holes. Another thing how does his suit work does it give him super-speed? Since I broth up his suit is it me or does his suit makes him look like Megatron from the Transformers movies? I wish he was like his comic book counterpart.    

The things I like about this season are that Barry has to deal with the consequences for his actions and some of the episodes. The way this season ended got me interested in seeing what direction this series will go in season 4. The quality of the show is the same for the most part. Overall, this is not a good season however it wasn't awful. Plus, I'm looking forward to season 4, hopefully, it will be better than this. 

My Samurai Jack series review

My Samurai Jack series Review 

 

Intro: Whoa! The creator of this cartoon hasn't lost his touch after thirteen years, I'm impressed.  

Samurai Jack: Here's the plot for this series. A shape-shifter name Aku is sent free to continue his reign of terror on Earth. The man who imprisoned him becomes aware of his release so he sends his son away to train to become a warrior who can capture him again. When the samurai approach Aku, Aku opens a time portal that sends the samurai into the future where Aku is the ruler. So the samurai has to figure out a way to get back to the past and finish off Aku. 

This show is a boy's fantasy! I say that because this world has everything a boy could come up with when he plays with his toys like robots, aliens, talking animals, Spartans, etc, etc. The bizarre world makes it easy for you to buy the kind of stories this show tells. Plus this show has five different kinds of episodes. They are Jack looking for a time portal, Jack being hunted by Aku's bounty hunters, Jack helping someone, a flashback episode and a silly episode. I'm fond of how this show tells its story with visuals instead of dialogue.   

Samurai Jack is kind-hearted and wise. I wish I can say he's a stoic hero but there are times where he gets frustrated. My issue with this character (besides him wasting his chances to go back to the past.) is that how can he exist without a name? I mean Jack is not his birth name people from the future gave him that name, what did his parents call him if he doesn't have a name? 

Also is he human? There are episodes where he travels in the snow wearing a robe and sandals, sometimes he complains about the cold other times he doesn't. What's up with that? Another thing I wish there was an episode where Jack is unhappy with giving the responsibility to defeat Aku, we had a flashback of him being frustrated with his training.   

The Scotsman is the opposite of Jack, he's hotheaded and likes to trash talk. My gripe with this character is I don't know why Aku is after him? I'm going to guess that his sword can rival Jack's as far as it can hurt Aku. Also, how did he get an army of daughters? (I know how it's just that I don't think it's possible to give birth to that many kids. it makes you question what happened to the Scotsmen's wife?) 

Ashi is a tragic character you'll see why when you watch this series. My beef with her is I'm unclear about how can she be the daughter of Aku? Plus, I'm not crazy about what the writers have done with her in the last three episodes of season five. 

Aku (the main villain) is a tyrant with an ego and a sense of humor. He seems to have a thing for bugs I said that because his foot soldiers are robot insects. My complaint with him is that how can he create time portals if he's a shape-shifter? I'm having a hard time buying that he can rule other planets because A not every planet is under his control and B there are people and things that can pose a threat to his rule. In season 5 Aku seems depressed or bored with ruling Earth because Jack is not a threat to him anymore, however, he's inconsistent about that. 

The problems I have with this series is that I wish I knew how certain episodes end. For example, at the end of one episode, Aku was holding a time portal and Jack took him by surprise, the series should have ended right then and there. The last episode is kind of a mess, I mean it didn't take its time on certain things. This wouldn't be an issue if season 5 had 13 episodes instead of 10. There is an episode in season three that could have been the turning point of this series, however, season 5 ignores that episode. (To be fair before season 5 you can watch any random episode and not miss out on anything, for the most part.) Season 5 broth back one of Aku's Bounty Hunters for a cheap gag, why!?!

Overall, this is one of the best cartoons in the 2000s. I would recommend this if you're into action/adventure.      

     

My Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 review

My Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 review 

 

Intro: Let me get this straight you bust Power Rangers balls for its product placement, but you won't do the same for this movie. I don't care if it was done sparingly if you don't like product placement you shouldn't want to see it. 

Guardians of the Galaxy vol. 2: This movie takes place weeks or months after the events in the first film and the group are now heroes for hire. After their last mission, they meet a man name Ego who turns out to be Peter Quill's father, so Peter decides to go on Ego's plant to get to know him better and the other guardians go their separate ways. Meanwhile one of the guardians discovers something disturbing about Ego, so they have to warn Peter before it's too late.  

This movie is a huge improvement over its predecessor with a consistent story, better characterization and beautiful visuals. I like how this movie pair up characters because they either reflect each other or complement each other. The theme of this movie is family and friendship, you have characters looking for these things, struggling to accept the ones they have and working out issues with their family. The way this movie ended will make you cry. 

Peter Quill/Starlord has to figure out what kind of family he wants. I'm fond of this arc because Peter is the weakest member of the group, when he learns about his heritage he feels joy. 

Gamora is the level-headed one of the team who tries to resolve her differences with her sister. The only issue I have with her is that I don't like her subplot with Peter because it takes away from her story of fixing things with her sister. 

Drax is the straight man who doesn't get that people are being sarcastic.

Baby Groot is adorable but he's more or less the same as he was in the last movie. I'm still annoyed that all he says is I am Groot, however, the characters translate what he's saying sometimes. 

Rocket is the brains of the gang, there is one scene that shows us how dangerous he is for someone his size. He's having a hard time accepting the Guardians as his friends to the point where he's testy towards them. 

Yondu has a redemption arc in this movie and can be amusing at times. His whistle arrow is used much better here than in the last movie because it wasn't treated as a serious thing in this movie. My gripe with him is he could have done a better job working things out with Peter. 

Nebula (Gamora's sister.) is a tragic character. I wish she would show more emotion about her backstory, I mean we see she's affected but at the same time, she's calm. 

Mantis (Ego's alley.) is like Drax as far as being unaware of social interaction. To be fair she has never been around anyone else.     

Ego is a typical Marvel villain, that's sad because he said something that would have given this character some depth. However, his plan to take over the universe is different, I haven't seen it before. 

One of the problems I have with this movie is the comedy undermines some of the serious moments in the movie. This movie would have a different ending if Ego didn't reveal what he did in his past to Peter. Also, I don't buy how the guardian's relationships have grown because not a lot of time has passed since the first movie. The ending also created a plot hole, Ego's plan affects Earth and no one from Earth acknowledges the event.  

Overall, this is a solid sequel that I would recommend to everyone. 

Rating = Worth Seeing