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MegabyteLover
Reviews
ReBoot (1994)
One of the best animated shows ever created
Here be *spoilers*
Now and again in TV, something really really brilliant comes along and grabs your attention. ReBoot was one of those brilliant things. I was 11 when ReBoot was first aired in the UK, in September 1994. I remember the first episode being shown on CITV and thought "Hmm, this is going to be good - the first TV series completely in CGI" - I'd just got my first PC so was interested in all things computer related. The show spoofed many different shows and this became something of a trademark of ReBoot. Wallace and Gromit, James Bond, Wacky Races, indiana Jones, Pokemon, the X Files, Sailor Moon, to name but a few. I seem to recall a Spinal Tap joke too.
Season 1 and 2 were good, but it was season 3 that really blew me away. That was when ReBoot grew up. Freed from the crippling censorship of ABC, each episode took on a darker, more adult theme, and many of the characters were upgraded - Dot suddenly had eye popping cleavage, and skin tight outfits, subtle innuendo started creeping in "I think she likes being tied up" Enzo became a tough as nails renegade, blasting most things that moved with his gun, In the episode "Megaframe" Megabyte decapitates Phong, seals his head in a jar and then tortures him using shock treatment to extract some important computer codes. Other episodes see binomes being blown to bits, Matrix fighting with Megabyte and giving him a nasty gash across the stomach - wow, what a series this was! I so wish the entire lot would get released on R2 DVD in the UK, so I could relive it all again. my fave character is, and will always be Megabyte - surely the most suave and cunning villain ever - oh and he's quite hot too, LOL! Superb voice work from Tony Jay really made Meggy have such an impact. Oh and anyone who doesn't think Meg's new appearance in season 4 makes him look sexier is wrong!!! My Rating: ALPHANUMERIC. If you don't like ReBoot, you're just random.
Supergirl (1984)
I want everyone to know that I love Zaltar...
I was 2 when this film was released, but only saw it on TV last week. Being as I am, a total Peter O'Toole admirer, I only watched this coz he was in it. And I'm so glad I did, because I absolutely loved his Zaltar character!!!! I think Zaltar make come close to knocking Tiberius (Peter's Caligula role) off my fave O'Toole character list! I really wish this movie had been more about Zaltar and how he came to create Argo City rather than Supergirl. I'll even forgive the costume designers for forcing my beloved Peter to wear a rather frightful piece of knitwear in this film.
Jerry Goldmsith's wonderful score really stuck in my head, especially the Flying Ballet sequence. I'm currently trawling eBay for a copy. Also the opening titles are pretty good, but that's about it.
The film itself suffers from so many plot holes that it's impossible to grasp what's supposed to be happening. So many things left me puzzled. How does Supergirl suddenly acquire her powers while traveling to Earth? Why did Zaltar give her the Omegahedron in the first place knowing full well how important it was to the city's survival? And why does nobody on Earth ever notice Supergirl as she flies overhead? Faye Dunaway is gulity of chronic overacting. The opening shot of Argo City looks like it's made out of a milk carton. Some obvious back projection, and other naff SFX don't help either, and the ending is just ludicrous.
Still it was a fun way to spend a rather dull Monday afternoon, and I give this film a far higher rating than it deserves because of Peter's superb performance. He really took this role seriously.
Balto (1995)
A wonderful film, completely underrated
Balto is a movie that I chanced upon by accident. I remember seeing it at the cinema in 1996 instead of the film I'd originally intended to see, because of some technical error. I wasn't really looking forward to this, however the movie completely surprised me. It's a wonderful story, based on actual historical events. James Horner's spirited soundtrack adds depth to the film. The animation isn't on a par with the Lion King or other Disney, but it has its charm.
*SPOILER*
Balto is an outcast in Nome, Alaska. Half-wolf, half-dog, he doesn't know where he belongs. Ridiculed by other dogs and viewed with suspicion by humans, his only friends are a goose and two polar bear cubs. But he befriends a husky named Jenna who can see Balto for what he really is: a true hero, selfless and brave. The defining moment in this movie has to be the part where Balto comes face to face with the white wolf, and finally faces up to his lupine heritage. A wonderful film for the whole family. A++++
Caligola (1979)
I love Tiberius!!!!
Why the hue and cry over this film? It ain't that bad! I think the violence is pretty tame compared with today's films. True, Bob Guccione's extra footage is completely unnecessary and ruins the whole thing, but despite that, this film is one of my faves. So many scenes make me laugh and I enjoy watching it again and again. Malcolm McDowell is superb as the insane emperor, as is Helen Mirren as Caesonia, she kicks serious ass.
But...I reserve all my praise for the great actor Peter O'Toole who is simply ACE as Tiberius, my favourite character in the film.
"Out Little Fishes, you've had enough for today!" - brilliant! My rating: Scenes with Tiberius in - 10/10 Rest of film -8/10
The Dreamstone (1990)
A gem of a show
The Dreamstone. What can one say about it? It remains one of the best children's tv series of the 1990s. In my opinion, nothing has surpassed it yet, although Bimble's Bucket, another of Mike Jupp's creations, comes close. Having been lucky enough to meet the talented and very nice Mr Jupp, I can honestly say that the Dreamstone will always remain my favourite cartoon. I just wish ITV would do the decent thing and repeat it! I also wish it would come out on DVD! I strongly recommend buying Mike Jupp's novel RETRIBUTION, too. If you liked Dreamstone, you'll love this: