Justice League non-spoiler review!

Ever since Man of Steel released in 2013 the hype engines were released! BatmanVSuperman followed in 2016 and the possibility of a Justice League movie excited many comic and movie fans. Well, that time has come, Snyders vision reaches its climax in hopes of creating the beginning of something very special. The idea of this movie is incredible for me personally being a DC fan and taking deep interests in the DC world and it's characters. However, critically the movies of the DC universe haven't done very well. So, you're wondering, is it good? Lucky for you, you are now reading (...and I can't believe I'm about to say this but...) my non-spoiler JUSTICE LEAGUE review!! You already knew that from the title, I just wanted to say it.

The good!

Right from the start, this movie does an awesome job at showing familiar themes and locations such as Gotham and Themyscira whilst also introducing new locations such as Central City, Star Labs, and Atlantis. It gives the audience a feeling that they're part of a growing universe. The movie introduces three new characters; Barry Allen aka The Flash, Arthur Curry aka Aquaman, and Victor Stone aka Cyborg. Considering the fact, the movie was only two hours, it did well to establish a strong background and potential background for these characters showing us who they are and where they have come from. The movie progresses quickly, the pacing is fast and never really slows down meaning there are no moments that drag. The team dynamic is the movie's highlight. The cast chemistry is brilliant and relationships are developed well through dialogue and purpose.

Each character is given their own style and time in the light, really giving you a feel this is a Justice

League rather than a 'Batman and the Justice League movie'. Bruce's character is coherent with the continuation of development since the end of BvS and Wonder Woman is still in top form, reproducing what we loved from her own solo movie. The Flash's humour works well and displays Barry's intelligence as well as his awkwardness. He is very much a hero with no experience yet. Aquaman is the 'rockstar' of the group who lightens moments as well as intensifies them. As for Superman... I won't say anything because there are no spoilers here! The movie also ties in really well with all the previous movies plots really giving the sense of its all come to this. Having said that, it leaves you with the feeling of it only just beginning.

The humour is mostly handled well creating a very positive and optimistic vibe and dynamic whilst not damaging the downfalls and imperfections that are key to the portrayal of the characters. It develops the characters, sets the mood and keeps the movie rolling. DC operate on moving from the darkness to the light and telling tales of victory from tragedy. Its a balance of light and dark that I don't don't feel BvS or Wonder Woman achieved. They were on the opposite ends of the spectrum but Justice League found the middle meet. The action was spread throughout, it was well done, organised and very well shot with mini team-ups and character spotlighting.




The Bad!

Nothing. It's perfect. Everything was amazing. No need for this section of the review. I'm joking of

course, just like every movie, there are things that didn't work in my opinion. The first stand out negative for me is the length of the movie. Scenes moved too quickly and jumped around various locations. The scenes were good, it's just that the audience isn't really left with much time to fully process them. It is pretty clear that the studio cut the movie down as some trailer scenes aren't included and I really would've liked to see some of those scenes extended. Maybe in an ultimate cut! This is particularly present early on. One of the other things that unfortunately was pushed a little too far was the humour. It definitely worked but there's a couple line where it was unnecessary and a little cringy.

The plot of the movie is well defined and explained. It's not awfully complicated or awfully simple. It's interesting and easily digestible. The villain, however, falls short in the movie. He gives the League a hell of a fight but is weak in the background and origin. His motive is clear but the absence of origin leads him to become a character who is one dimensional. This, of course, is a common negative for nearly every superhero movie nowadays. The way the villain is defeated is a very comic book cliche end and in this case, it seemed like a weak end the main villain.

Conclusion.

Overall the movies CGI proves to be a negative that just plays as an annoyance rather than a damaging visual. The reason for this is the team dynamic, action and humour. It is a great coming together of the things that we liked from previous movies and this leads on to feel like the beginning of an expansive DC comics world that may be able to find it's own lane. The villain was weak but was a good adversary to the team. The humour is a little hit and miss at a few points throughout but if it doesn't make you laugh, it still plays into understanding the characters more. Cyborg is a stand out character for me through Ray fishers acting and voice, I'm excited to see what happens to him next. The point of the movie was to progress and finish arcs for Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman as well as create new arcs for them all (except Supes because he's dead of course). The movie isn't fantastic and won't be the best movie you have ever seen but it is a very fun movie which ties together previous plots and creates new ones. It's the DC characters you have been waiting for and it's a very satisfying two-hour watch. The movie is a tale of optimism. A journey from the darkness into the light and the actualizing of destiny for all its characters. Justice League gets a blog of steel rating of 8/10. I am almost certain, if they release an extended cut, the movie would be even better.

That's all for this post! I hope you enjoyed reading it and I hope you go out there, watch the Justice league, have a good time and form your own opinions! My next post will probably be a Justice League spoiler talk post so make sure you have seen the movie before then. As always, if you like this post, share it on any social media by using the buttons just below. Follow me on google+ or subscribe by email at the top of the page and if there's anything you want to say, maybe have a discussion, use the comment box below or tweet me @Akash_Sond. Until next time!

Stranger Things 2: Review

Hey everyone! It's been a while but what better way to return than reviewing Stranger Things 2, the sequel to the widely loved Netflix original series Stranger Things. Does the second season keep up the standard or does it turn the show upside down? Find out now by reading my Stranger review! no wait that sounds weird, im not reviewing strangers I promise. Take two... Find out now in my Stranger reviews things! nope that didn't work either. There's a good punny title in there somewhere i'm sure. You get the point, read on to see my view on the shows highly anticipated second season!

Things only get stranger...

**Oh and huuuuuge spoiler warning if you have not seen the entirety of the show thats currently out and available. Theres also a few puns. You've been warned** 

When Will they give this kid a break!? Once again Will Byres has a horrid time because the evil of the upside down just won't let him go. The season kicks into action almost immediately by showing audiences the residue of the upside down is still very much looming in the dark and unknown. Will is very much an outcast off the back of last years events and is struggling to fit in. The shadow monster then uses his body as a vessel to help conduct a larger plan, which they never actually explain. It is, however, safe to assume that it was evil and people were in a lot of danger.

Who ya gonna call?... Jim Hopper!

The dynamic between the kids is great once again, I really enjoyed how the show didn't just rely on season one themes like the groups interactions. We know these kids now and we love em'! They build on the mystery, intelligence and they even expand the group with a new member, Max! Mike has changed since Eleven's disappearance last season which causes friction purposeful to the plot but not boring or too elongated. Plus it kept fans waiting for that all important reunion. Although the show didn't rely on past themes, it does stick to the same DNA that made season one successful. The kids start Dustin off their thinking caps and figure out what needs to be done. With only nine episodes, the seasons plot moves along intensely, pushing the show to it's Max whilst still having character building/developing moments that don't feel forced at all. This creates a very cohesive season where everything feels in place and nicely timed.

One of my favourite arcs of the season was Steve Harrington. The all popular school Jock turned all caring babysitter played a pivotal role in the show. Its moments that scale the huge wider-picture Demogorgon invasion down to a tale about a small town that really makes stranger things work. Last season it was just the main kids, but this season it was the dynamics between groupings of characters like the Max, Dustin, & Lucas love triangle, the adventures of Nancy & Johnathon, the father-daughter tales of Hopper & Eleven and the babysitter Steve Harrington. These subplots and arcs kept the show interesting and engaging whilst also furthering the shadow monster plot. Oh and quick shoutout to Lucas' sister, she was so funny in the few scenes she appeared in.

Speaking of the plot, it's a little strange. Good but strange. There's a big ass monster in the upside down that seemingly wants to kill everyone and uses Demo-dogs as its minions but it's never truly explained more than that. We see the Shadow monster but at the same time we don't really. The stranger thing, is how show almost uses a 'smoke and mirrors' tactic to make audiences feel like there's a real danger but distracts them away from fully questioning what the end game actually is. This means the season ends with fans having so many questions. SO MANY. What does the evil in the upside down want? What is the shadow monster? How intelligent are Demogorgons? Is Hawkins the only place this is happening? Where are the other kids like Eleven and Eight? And thats just to name a few.

The show features a super wide range of easter eggs and nods to the 80's of course as its the time which the show is set. Theres too many to list but i'll share a few of my favourites. The music is always a nice touch, some classically popular songs are played throughout, most featuring in the final episode at the Snowball. In the fifth chapter titled 'Dig-Dug', the range are playing an old arcade game called dig-dug. At first this may seem like nothing but 80's fun however the point of the game involves going deep into tunnels underground and battling monsters. In chapter nine, Nancy and Steve are digging through junk at the Byers' house to find anything useful, its hidden by distracting dialogue but Steve picks up Christmas lights. Yep! Stranger things just easter egged itself by referencing a throwback to season 1's famous scene where Joyce communicates with Will.

Ok so overall does the season stack up? Of course it does! It was very enjoyable, it expanded the stranger things world very well without losing its roots or DNA. There weren't any side plots I was not interested in and all characters developed really well. The two main cast additions fit the world well, Max immediately felt like a true member of the party and Billy... well... he was an ass but they gave us an insight to why he's like that and im excited to see where his arc takes him next season. The only major gripe I have with Stranger things 2 is chapter Seven. Yes, its basically Eleven's soft spin-off episode. In my opinion, it didn't fit the theme, feel or vibe of the show. I wasn't interested in Eight's story, the weird gang she was with or what their mission was. It felt like a weirdly edgy attempt at an X-men TV show that i wouldn't watch. With all this being considered Stranger Things 2 gets a Blog of Steel rating of 9/10 Aaaand Bob's your uncle!... actually no, Bob's dead, let's have minute of silence for the founder of the AV club.

Next season im hoping to see different groupings of characters, less of the stuff we saw in chapter Seven, the expansion of the knowledge of what the upside down is and what the Shadow Monster actually wants. Most importantly though, I want the show to keep the same DNA and keep it close to the characters rather than the plot. I'll leave you with one very interesting question... What will happen with the Demo-dog that was left in the fridge?... you have to remember, he likes it cold.

Well that's my review, I hope you enjoyed reading it! Agree or disagree with my thoughts? Let me know by commenting below or tweeting me @Cashman_97. If you haven't already, subscribe by email in the box at the top right of the page or click that follow button to follow me on google+. Use the buttons below to share this post to various social media sites. Until next time Stranger Thinglings!