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Reviews
Settlers (2021)
Is the Price of Survival worth Paying?
Settlers is a personal drama. This happen to be set in a Sci-fi setting, but it could have easily been set up in any genre, period or remote place on earth. The point is that the characters of this story are isolated and barely able to survive. The main characters has done and will do desperate things to keep going, and the beauty of this movie is that we, as the viewer, will question whether the price is worth paying, through out the entire movie.
The Characters are brilliantly acted, and the tension is thick from start to finish. The movie is, however, not a story for the impatient or for those who want everything neatly wrapped up with a bow on top. You as the viewer are put in the same position as the main character, Remmy. A girl with little knowledge of the unforgiving world around her or the role she has to play in it. This story isn't about happy Hollywood endings. It is about choosing what is worth fighting for and what is worth sacrificing for in the name of survival.
Nightflyers (2018)
Enjoyable if you are able to fill in the gaps in the plot.
So Nightflyer gets a lot of hate. And I would be in the same camp if I didn't fill in some of the gaps in the plot. So here is what you need in order to enjoy this show:
- The earth is dying from a pandemic and the only answer humanity has, is to build colony ships (basically ark vessel). Those ships are filled with civilian crew who's primary motivation for being on the ship is to survive the pandemic.
- The Volcryn is a long shot. An alien species traveling so far away from the solar system that only a colony ship can reach it. No one really believes that they are the answer to saving humanity. No one has succeeded in contacting the Volcryn and only the most fanatically determined people are still pursuing this option, as a way to save humanity. The team of scientist, assembled to contact the Volcryn have very personal reasons for going, other than saving mankind. They are not the ideal team for the job.
- Only the Nightflyer has been willing to take on the mission to approach the Volcryn on a first contact mission, but they can't just dump all their civilian crew off somewhere, and there are a lot of the crew who doesn't feel like risking their lives on such a flimsy endeavor, even if it might, by chance, save the earth. The crew don't have the skills or the mentality to deal with first contact.
- The show is ultimately a cautionary tale of a crew divided by ideologies and ambitions. And I think is is done fairly well. Don't watch this show purely for the science fiction. Watch it for the character drama and creepy atmosphere.
Nightflyer is not without flaws. It is based on a novella which was never meant to be a TV series. But it is a very decent show, with a lot of cool ideas and some really cool effects. It never had a chance at becoming a mainstream show, but I could see it becoming a cult classic.
The Whispers (2015)
A Sci-fi set in a world run by idiots.
This series shows the viewer just enough passion and originality, to get you interested. But then it turns around and give us characters and plots, which should only impress a child. Granted, the child actors are good. But if you write a plot, that will only work if every responsible adult acts immature reckless and unintelligent to the point of being children themselves, then you have a badly written story! I know that many people will still be able to enjoy these shows, in the same way that a lot of people still go and see Michael Bay movies, despite their flaws. The Whispers don't work for anyone who wish for intelligently written characters and plots. But for those who can ignore the lack of effort, on these points, will still find an intriguing emotional drama. I am not one of those people.
I see such potential in the Whispers! The concept of invading earth, through the manipulation and control of children, is a very appealing idea, to me. This could have been turned into a truly creepy and engaging story, if the kids were circumventing intelligent responsible adults and government agencies. It could also have worked as a dark comedy, if the adults were dumb, because they were all a result of putting Donald Trump and his constituents in charge of running America.
Sci-fi has it tough. Reason being that it has a smaller audience. Most good shows don't get the ratings they need to satisfy the greed pervading the American entertainment industry. The Whispers is not one of those good shows! This show is just another attempt at getting as many viewers with as little effort as possible. It will only appeal to those who seeks drama, above all else. As it stands, I am glad that this show was canceled. I give the music, child actors and plot potential a star each.
Makurosu furontia (2008)
Stunning Animation, decent story, less engaging characters
Macross Frontier is the latest story in the Macross Saga. This Series is a visually stunning masterpiece. Having watched the original macross series and the stunning animation that has become this series signature, I was not disappointed when I watched this animation gem.
The story continues the tale of humans and zentradi coexisting and now fighting a new enemy called the Vajra. This plot combines with the focus on the lives of the pilots entwined with a couple of female leads involved in the music industry. This focus on giant hightech robot warfare as well as song is nothing new to the regular fans.
The interesting thing about this storyline is that although the setting is original I find the story to be heavily inspired by the American Robotech series. Now I know that some of you will say that it's the other way around. I am not denying that. I'm simply saying that Robotech fans will easily recognize much of the frontier storyline as it closely follows the Robotech series story line. But the Macross Frontier story line non the less stays true to the Macross storyline. As a Robotech fan I thoroughly enjoyed watching scenes which was pretty much identical in both series (but of course hugely better animated an executed in the Macross Frontier series). And yet the macross storyline will also deviate quite a bit and make up a completely new story.
I do however have a problem with the characters of the show. I quite simply don't find the feelings between characters to be as engaging and realistic as some of the previous series... then again, I believe that part of this reaction is due to the fact that I watched the first macross shows with English dub. I believe that there is a big gap between the American and Japanese way of conveying believable drama and emotion. Likewise I find the music inferior to the beautiful soundtracks in the Macross Plus series. But if the Japanese style works for you then my critique might very well be of little relevance to you.
My conclusion as such is that this show is definitely worth watching. The animation is a 10 for me. The story is 7 while the characters receive a 5 for lack of believability (so far). The Macross Plus as well as the Robotech series did a much better job with realistic characters in a realistic drama. I hope that an English dub will be forthcoming which will better suite my taste...