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richwagener
Reviews
The Brady Kids: Long Gone Silver (1972)
Inaccurate credits
Fanciful story has the kids magic bird bringing silver and then the Lone Ranger, Tonto and Scout "from out of the past".
Played very much for laughs. However, the Lone Ranger characters are well rendered and handled with a basic respect. There's some fish out of water humor as they react to the 70s world.
The credit of William Conrad as the Lone Ranger is very questionable. His voice is very distinctive and the voice in the episode sounds nothing like him. I would really like to know the source of attribution for this uncredited work.
Conrad would definitely voice the Lone Ranger in the later Filmation cartoon series that was part of the Tarzan adventure hour. You just need to look an episode of that up and compare the voice with this episode and you will see what I mean. I don't think Conrad could alter his voice to this degree.
The Falcon and the Winter Soldier: The Star-Spangled Man (2021)
Solid entry, ramping up story and characters
This isn't a "New" Marvel. Isaiah has been around in the comics for like a decade. The interaction with the police seems to have been meant to give a narrative connection between Sam and Isaiah. It wasn't overstated.
The most compelling scene for me was Winter Soldier opening up about why he was disappointed Sam gave up the shield. Bucky clearly would have wanted to carry on Steve's legacy (as he did in the comics) if he'd known Sam didn't want it.
Sam's portrayal in the series is more complex than I expected and not all that sympathetic. He's clearly got some unresolved issues over cap's retirement and the blip. However, he's disregarding the feelings of others (his sister, Bucky) while claiming to know what's best for all.
I'm sure this is setting him up for some growth later on. If it isn't it's a very big missed opportunity.
Supergirl: Back from the Future - Part One (2020)
Good Cast, Good Direction
It was good seeing Jeremy Jordan again and his dual role was great. Jon Cryer was great as Lex. I wouldn't get to worked up about the whole William thing. Pretty sure he's here for one season. Only drawback is the annoying Andrea Rojas. Not interesting, just annoying.
Captain Marvel (2019)
There is a concerted effort to bash this film for political reasons
I'm a 53 year old life long Marvel fan who bought Ms. Marvel #1 off the newsstand back in the 70s. Once Mar-Vell died in "The Death of Captain Marvel", the company struggled to fill the void and maintain the name. So I was really glad when, a few years ago, Carol Danvers got the upgrade in the comics. I just rewatched the film this morning and I still found it moving and compelling. Technically, it's a quality Marvel film. The CGI gets slightly over ambitious in the finale. However, there is absolutely no justification for the low ratings certain "accounts" are giving this film except as some kind of weird anti-feminist statement. Some are talking about some kind of conspiracy relating to the IMDB ratings. I think the "conspiracy" is more likely trolls with multiple accounts dragging this film's rating far lower than it actually is.
Justice League (2001)
Warner Animation Studios do it again!
Starting with "Batman: The Animated Series" the producers of "Justice League" have scored consistent hits for nearly a decade. Where live action films fail to capture the spirit of Superman, Batman and the rest, these talented people bring the essence of the characters to life without bogging down in strict continuity. Also critical to this mix is the work of Andrea Romano as voice director. The performances she brings out vocally are tremendous and harken back to the golden age of radio drama.
"Justice League" builds on the foundation laid by the previous shows. The premiere story "Secret Origins" was filled with action. The characterization of Batman (voiced once again by Kevin Conroy) and Superman was a natural progression of their previous Warner Animation shows.
Wonder Woman made her Warner Animation debut in this story. The one drawback I had with the story was how it seemed to encompass her origin within the origin of the Justice League. As one of the Big Three of DC Comics, she should have had a separate story (or series) devoted to telling her origin. I felt it diluted her status.
Hawkgirl was excellent. She is definitely going to be one of the highlights of the series. Her use of the direct approach is refreshing. I'm sure at some point they will have to explain where Hawkman is. That should be interesting.
John Stewart as Green Lantern may have been a surprise to many, but I have to say I preferred his experienced Lantern to the Kyle Rainer Lantern that appeared in the Superman episode: "In Brightest Day". I was disappointed there was no time for the oath.
Hopefully the Flash will GROW UP sometime within the course of the series.
Martian Manhunter was very cool. It's great that the character who heralded the beginning of the silver age of comics is represented. Given that he was one of the original seven Justice League members in the comics, and became a member in nearly all the teams incarnations, it's only fitting that he be exposed to the mainstream. And yes, I think his costume is fine!
Thanks WB Animation. You've done it again!