Spartacus: War of the Damned (2013) Review

It has been a lot of fun, going back and watching the seasons of Spartacus in preparation for watching the newest tale of the franchise. I have now got to the fourth season of the show War of the Damned and it is the final season before this new spinoff show and I have watched it all and here is my review. The premise of the season sees Spartacus recruit a larger army of slaves which sees Rome go to great lengths to stop him, leading to an inevitable final confrontation. 

Main Character

Liam McIntyre gets to play Spartacus again and he is great. I really feel this season is where the character had huge development and really grew as a leader of these slaves and see them get more then just revenge against Rome. Overall, it probably wasn't easy for McIntyre to step into this role but he nails it and is truly worthy of this epic role. 

Supporting Characters

Manu Bennett is back as Crixus and he is great. He really steps up this season as a leader of the slave army. But as this progresses there does become some friction between him and Spartacus but it is done so well that it doesn't make him a villain but just another protagonist with a different opinion. 

Dustin Clare reprises his role as Gannicus and he is such a great character and his more laid back entertaining manner is really fun and something different with the other characters. However, he has more character development this season and it is handled really well. 

With pretty much all of the villains being killed off over the previous 3 seasons, we are introduced to these new villains with the main one being Simon Merrells as Crassus and I loved this character. Sure, he is a bad guy but he has true honour and respect for the opposition. He isn't as cartoony as previous villains and is a truly worthy foe. 

Another new villain is Julius Caesar played by Todd Lasance and he adds plenty of charisma and is the more cartoony villain which I think was necessary. His arc over the show is one of the most interesting and entertaining from a bad guys perspective. 

There are so many people in this show and everybody is fantastic, so many great performances and characters that get time to really shine. 

Story

The story of the show has really evolved and I really like where it went this season. Seeing the slave army really try and take the fight to the Romans is really fun but it is equally matched by the interesting things taking place amongst the Romans. The characters are given well written story arcs and it culminates in one of the best finales, I have seen that really felt worth it for fans of the show. 

Script

This show is really well written, as I have mentioned the characters are given great character arcs that felt worthwhile for our protagonists. There is real emotional drama, especially towards the end of the show mixed with bits of humour to make these characters that are larger then life feel more human. 

Style

The show carries on the feeling of sex and violence and glorifies it in brutal nature and that really helps make the show stand out. There are some truly horrific moments with great action, but I can't stop in my slight complaints on the over use of slow motion and how it became just too repetitive and took away from these great performers. 

Overall

Overall, Spartacus: War of the Damned is a fantastic show that culminates the story of Spartacus incredibly well and delivers a series high in terms of quality. It is this show at its best and I am really glad that they nailed the ending of the show. 

Rating - 9/10

Spartacus: Vengeance (2012) Review

After the terrible passing of lead star Andy Whitfield, the future of Spartacus was in balance, that was until a recasting was decided on in order to continue the story in all of its glory. I have watched this season of the show Vengeance and here is my review. The premise of the season sees the former slaves led by Spartacus on the run from the forces of Rome, while they attempt to free other slaves to join them in there cause. 

Main Character

As mentioned above, we have a new actor playing the titular character and that is Liam McIntyre and he is great in the role. He doesn't try and just copy Whitfield but adds his own part to the role and really delivers. This is a character who is more of a leader and has to focus on more then the arena and winning and McIntyre takes over the role admirably and as good as anybody could. 

Supporting Characters

Manu Bennett is once again playing Crixus and it is nice to see him and Spartacus actually get along unlike the majority of the previous season. Manu is just a great actor and he really nails the mix of aggression and sadness in the character. 

A character who has been in all of the previous seasons but I haven't mentioned is Ashur played by Nick E. Tarabay and he is just delightful here. He is so evil and slimy that he totally revels in it as Ashur once again attempts to worm himself into a position of real worth. 

Dustin Clare is back as Gannicus, he was the lead character in Gods of the Arena but he plays a supporting role here and he is so much fun. It is great fun to see him interact with the characters in the current timeline and he is once again so cool and Whitty that makes him such a great addition. 

Craig Parker reprises his role as Glaber and this is the season that he is most frequent and he does a good job in taking over the main villain role with a wonderfully over the top evil performance and I did have fun watching him here. 

The rest of the cast are all great with Lucy Lawless and Peter Mensah once again giving great performances in there roles. 

Story

The story is very different to the previous seasons, it is away from the arena and the training of gladiators and basically sees two sides waging war. It is handled well and it shows real progression in the main heroes and how they have progressed throughout the show. However, because of this there is so much going on and I think there was quite a bit, especially in the first half of the season that I found a bit dull and questioning whether it was really needed. Though, I must say this is probably my favourite finale of the three seasons so far. 

Script

The script is good, it still has that dramatic dialogue that you would expect as the different personalities clash on both sides of the war. There was probably a little bit of more humour in this series and when it is sprinkled in, I think it works. 

Style

No surprises that the style of the show has a lot of violence, politics and sex and it delivers it in abundance which keeps it standing out from most shows as something that is really visceral to the eyes. However, the pacing isn't at its best here as I mentioned above that there is just so much going on that it doesn't always feel developed. Also, I feel like there was way more slow-mo used to possibly hide weaker choreography of the action. 

Overall 

Overall, Spartacus: Vengeance is another great season of this show and makes it incredibly consistent and enjoyable. If you weren't a fan before, this won't bring you in but if you have already started then this will see you well before future instalments. 

Rating - 8/10

Spartacus: Gods of the Arena (2011) Review

I love the first season of Spartacus: Blood & Sand and couldn't wait to rewatch more of the series. However, this show wasn't exactly planned and only took place due to sad reasons. Unfortunately, Spartacus actor Andy Whitfield had a terrible illness while the show was being made, so instead of recasting they decided to make a prequel series focusing on characters from the previous show. I have watched Gods of the Arena and here is my review. The premise of the show sees the rise of the gladiators, led by their ambitious leader, the men attempt to make their mark when the new arena opens. 

Main Character

With no Spartacus, we are introduced to a new Gladiator in Gannicus played by Dustin Clare and this is a great character. He is totally different to Spartacus, he is a drunk, arrogant fighter who can back it up when he is in the arena. He is very charismatic and has proper depth to him which makes for an interesting lead. 

Supporting Characters

John Hannah as Batiatus was so entertaining in the original show and he continues to be here. Hannah calms it down a bit as he is a younger version of the character there, but his ambition and manipulation is there with some of his truly legendary outbursts. 

Lucy Lawless also reprises her role as Lucretia and similar or Batiatus this is a great character that is a bit more reserved here as she leans into her role. She meets another character who really inspires her rise and Lawless owns the screen. 

Manu Bennett is also back as Crixus and he has one of the best character developments over the series. He really progresses from a slave with no skill, to a true gladiator and it is pretty well done with Bennett once again giving a strong performance. 

Peter Mensah as Oenomaus was a fun character in the first season with not too much character development. But he gets lots of that here and we really see as he progresses from injured gladiator to the leader of the group and he does good work. 

Story     

The story is good, it shows these characters in their infancy and even though we know where all of their journeys progress it didn't make it any less interesting. It had the political intrigue mixed with the rivalry of the gladiators. But it had a similar issue that the first season had in that it feels like a few bits of the show are rushed. Also, some of the stories feel a bit on the nose and forced due to the fact we know of the characters fate. 

Script

The script is once again well written, it has everything in it. I cared about the drama, I chuckled at times and saw the overall feel of the original show kept alive by this strong writing. 

Style

The show once again has all the violence and sex that you could want from a show like this and it really doesn't hold back. It clearly has a smaller budget then the original so we don't have as much bad CGI and the action scenes are still cool. But we only got 6 episodes this time and it makes the show feel a bit rushed and like they have to get everything included, if it had a couple more episodes I think this could have been an epic show. 

Overall

Overall, Spartacus: Gods of The Arena is another great addition to the franchise and anther great sword and sandal adventure. If you love the first series then this is a must watch and it is made for those of us who enjoyed what we saw the first time. 

Rating - 8/10

Spartacus: Blood and Sand (2010) Review

A new Spartacus show has been released and that means that I wanted to go back and watch one of my favourite shows. I was recommended to watch Spartacus by a friend many years ago and I loved it and now I am re-watching it and here is my review for the first season Blood and Sand. The premise of the show sees a warrior ripped away from his wife and forced into slavery, in order to survive and reunite with his wife he aims to become a gladiator and dominate the arena.

Main Character

Andy Whitfield plays Spartacus and he is fantastic. This isn't some brutish performance, this is a character that is really well layered and is easy to root for. He just oozes charisma and I loved watching the characters journey throughout the show. Tragically, Whitfield passed away after doing this season of the show but his legacy will live on with his great performance. 

Supporting Characters

This show has a huge cast and everybody does a fantastic job, so if I miss anybody just realise that every actor nails there role. First off is John Hannah as Batiatus the owner of The Gladiators, he is clearly relishing this role and absolutely nails it as this wicked but charismatic leader who is just manipulating the whole show. 

Lucy Lawless plays his wife Lucretia and she equals his devilishness and possibly even raises the bar. She is also clearly loving her time on the show and is really oozing in the evil charisma that her character is afforded. 

Manu Bennett plays Crixus and I love this character. He is a natural rival to Spartacus but he clearly isn't a straight up villain. The show does a wonderful job of showing his character arc and making him way more then just a generic rivalry. 

Peter Mensah plays Doctore and I also loved this character. Amongst all of the chaotic characters he brings real order and Mensah is super intense and makes it believable that he could control all of these other Gladiators. 

Story

The story is really good, it really gives our lead character a great story and makes us really care about his journey. But it also gives us super interesting supporting characters that are given time to be fleshed out and make us interested and cared about their plight. The issue I have is the finale feels a bit rushed, lots of things happen and they just seem to happen very fast which maybe takes away from the impact. 

Script

The script is great, some really great emotional moments between characters. You really feel like the actors are giving there all and really care about the characters that they have crafted for the screen. There are some humorous moments too that really make it work. 

Style

The show is full of sex and violence and it excels at both of them and it really fits the tone. The action scenes are great, it feels like these guys are gladiators and that they are really fighting to the death. The only issue is sometimes the show goes a bit too far with the style which takes away from some moments. Plus there is some truly terrible background CGI which makes it feel pretty dated. 

Overall

Overall, Spartacus: Blood and Sand is a Great show that nails its premise and delivers epic fighting with great characters and is a show that I loved watching. If you like shows with uber violence amid a historical backdrop then this is for you. 

Rating - 8/10

Wicked: For Good (2025) Review

After the success of Wicked last year, we have finally got the second half of the story in Wicked: For Good. I managed to see it today and here is my review for the much anticipated sequel. The premise of the film sees Elphaba on the run from the Forces of Oz, while Glinda Struggles with her new place in the high parts of Oz society. 

Main Character

Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande reprise there roles as Elphaba and Glinda and they are once again both good in their roles. They are obviously both good in their singing roles and they still feel like they are embodying these characters. Though, I don't think these performances are as complex as the first film and I don't see Oscar nominations for them this time around. 

Supporting Characters

He isn't in the film much but once again Jeff Goldblum plays The Wizard and out of everybody in this film he is clearly the one having the most fun and it really is great to see him enjoying himself and adding some real charm and charisma in the film. 

I am saying that because the rest of the cast fall really flat. I thought Jonathan Bailey was great as Fiyero but he is super underutilised in this film and his role wasn't anywhere near as fun or energetic as he was in the first film and it didn't work for me. 

Same goes for Michelle Yeoh as Madame Morrible, for starters she is probably the worst singer in the film but everything that was good about her in the first film is just taken away. She is just a generic bad guy in this film and she just feels like she is here because Jeff Goldblum was too busy to film more dates. 

Then we get Ethan Slater as Boq and Marissa Bode as Nessa. They are underdeveloped in this film and their whole part feels like a side story that is just tacked on here because they were a part of the first film. Their stories really don't end up going anywhere interesting and it is a shame as I think there was potential there. 

Story

Similar to the first film, the story is at its best when it focuses on the relationship between Elphaba and Glinda and it is well developed here throughout the film and the two actresses are clearly giving it their best. However, this film tries to cram so much in it that none of it feels developed enough. The film feels so desperate to connect to the original Wizard of Oz that it kind of forgets its own story and it ends up having a pretty flat ending that lacked suspense and emotion. 

Script

The script is okay in terms of the fact that it genuinely has some impactful emotional moments that are well realised on screen and it has a little bit of the charm of the first film. But it doesn't hit the mark fully, though these things are there it is not as strong as it could have been and lacks the real charm that the first film had. 

Style

The film still looks great, the backdrops and costume department are top class and it really brings you into Oz and feel connected to this world. Though, I have to say the musical numbers are just not as good or memorable as the previous film, though well performed none of them hit like I wanted. Also the film has a pacing issue, it is really slow and dragged, especially over the last 20 mins where I thought the film was going to end two or three times. 

Overall

Overall, Wicked: For Good is an Above Average Film that has some of the good stuff from the first film but disappoints in many factors and really fell flat for me which was a huge shame. Overall, if you liked the first film you will like this but I don't think it is a film to rush to see. 

Rating - 6/10

Playdate (2025) Review

Recently Amazon Prime released a new film called Playdate, I have now got around to watching this comedy and here is my review for the film. The premise of the film sees a Stepdad attempt to connect with his new son, when they are both wrapped up in a conspiracy involving another Father/Son Duo. 

Main Character

Kevin James plays Brian and I found him pretty annoying in this film. I think James can be funny but he really needs a well written script and this film just doesn't have it. His character arc is really underdeveloped and felt tacked on to the rest of the film. 

Alan Ritchson plays Jeff and he at least is trying his all. He is basically playing Reacher who gets very excited, he is really charming and charismatic and has the best scenes in the film and at least he seemed like he wanted to be there. 

Supporting Characters

The two kids Lucas & CJ played by Benjamin Pajak & Banks Pierce are fine and were pretty good for child actors. They never annoyed me and I thought they did the best that they could in this pretty messy film. 

The rest of the cast offer very little. I mean it has pretty big names such as Isla Fisher, Alan Tudyk & Stephen Root but they are fleeting parts of the film and they did incredibly little for me and didn't make me laugh. 

Story

The story here is the weakest element of the film. It has no depth and you won't care about anything. The relationship between Brian and Lucas doesn't have the depth required and the relationship between Jeff & CJ would be better if the writing was better. The film is incredibly predictable and I know some people won't care about it but when the film isn't particular funny it can be boosted by a good story. 

Script

The film has some chuckle worthy moments that did make me slightly laugh so I guess that gets a small amount of praise. It also has some okay dramatic scenes from Ritchson but overall the writing is unremarkable and not that funny which is a problem when your film is a comedy. 

Style

The film has some okay action scenes, especially the first car chase which is actually pretty fun. The film has okay pacing but there were times when I was pretty bored and the film does overuse slow-motion in some action scenes.

Overall

Overall, Playdate is an Below Average Comedy. I think there is still a place for films like this but it needs better writing and storytelling and this film doesn't have that. It is only like an hour and 20 but I would still say it isn't worth your time. 

Rating - 4/10

Lego Marvel Super Heroes (2013) Review

I have a pretty big Video Game collection and there are some games that I haven't played in a while, so I thought I would go back and replay Lego Marvel Super Heroes and over the last few days I have done that and here is my review for the game. The premise of the game sees the heroes of Marvel attempt to stop a group of Super villains led by Doctor Doom, Loki and Magneto from creating a weapon that can enslave the earth. 

Characters

The best thing about this game is the depiction of all of these legendary Marvel characters. We play as a numerous selection of Super Heroes and it is super fun to do it. Some are akin to their Marvel Cinematic Universe counterparts such as Iron Man, Thor & Hulk, whereas some are more comic book based such as The X-Men and The Fantastic Four and it blends incredibly well and makes it enjoyable to play as all of these different characters. 

The Villains are the same and are really enjoyable to go against. This game has so many bad guys and it is a joy to come across new ones each mission to fight. Similar to the heroes we have villains that are similar to the MCU such as Loki & Abomination whereas some Comic Book ones such as Magneto, The Green Goblin and Doctor Doom. 

Story

The story is fun, it travels to lots of different locations over The Marvel Universe and has us play as different characters, especially with some team ups you wouldn't expect. It does what the films haven't been able to do and seamlessly brings all the big Marvel Universes Together. However, it is an incredibly basic story and it isn't particularly compelling with the attraction of playing as these great characters being where it really is. 

Side Activities

This game is massive, it is very open world and has plenty for us to do. As you travel through the world there are a lot of mini games to play in order to unlock other characters and these range in difficulty and comes with a real reward. Though there is a lot to do, it isn't all particularly that great and feels a bit repetitive which means you probably won't even bother with most of it as I didn't. 

Gameplay

The gameplay is good and I was super impressed how all the characters feel different and play differently. The variation between characters such as Iron Man, Spider-Man, Hulk & Mr Fantastic is great and it keeps the gameplay fresh and forces you to work out what characters can aid with what. But, there are some clunkiness to the overall action and the controls made it hard to control some people, especially when flying. 

Graphics

The game looks fantastic, the Lego Marvel world is one that has been used plenty and the detail here is great. The different enemy types and locations are really well realised and the over the top Lego nature made me enjoy every mission that the characters went on. 

Overall

Overall, Lego Marvel Super Heroes is a good game that has so much fun for Marvel fans and Lego Fans. It has some issues but I just couldn't stop smiling as I played this and I would highly recommend giving it a go. 

Rating - 7/10

Predator: Badlands (2025) Review

I am a fan of The Predator franchise and seeing Prey a few years ago was a real shot in the arm to this universe and I really hope this film can keep up that momentum. I watched Predator: Badlands today and here is my review for it. The Premise of the film sees a young Predator get exiled and sent to destroy a monster where he has to learn about himself. 

Main Character

The main character is a Predator called Dek played by Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamtangi and I really enjoyed this character. We have only really ever seen The Predator as an ice cold killing machine, but this is an actual character here and he was a character that I enjoyed watching. He has an arc throughout the film and I thought it was really well done for a Protagonist.    

Supporting Characters

Elle Fanning plays Thia & Tessa and she is great. First of all as Thia, she is a great partner for Dek and they have great chemistry together. She has some real charm about her and adds plenty of charisma to this role that adds some life to it. Tessa meanwhile, is more of a traditional synthetic and she also delivers this role well with the contrast being really here. 

To be honest, there isn't really any other characters in the film. Some of the creatures are really well designed and some of them have great moments which was really cool to see. 

Story

The story is pretty simple, it is basically a Predator going on a hunt after a big beast. But it is handled pretty well and leads to some cool things taking place. Dek also has a clear progression and story arc which is well handled and made me care about the character. However, I do think the film is a bit formulaic and plays it pretty easy, also I thin the last 5/10 mins feel really tacked on and I think could have actually been saved for a sequel. 

Script

The script is okay, I really liked that Dek only spoke in his own language as it really added something to the role. There was some humour and decent drama with the progress of Dek. But it doesn't really have any huge moments with its script like it could have, especially with a lack of depth with its story. 

Style

The film looks fantastic. The planet is filmed really well and the different creatures have great designs. There are some really fun action sequences that uses the technology of The Predator well and the grand nature of his enemies. Though, I did think there was a pacing issue. The First act in particular feels like it rushes through and it is just action scene after action scene without much depth to it. 

Overall

Overall, Predator: Badlands is a good movie. It has a great depiction of The Predator and I really liked the world building and action scenes. Though, it has a pretty basic plot and slight pacing issue. It is fun and is worth a watch, especially if you love The Franchise. 

Rating - 7/10

Frankenstein (2025) Review

For a long time now, this new Frankenstein movie directed by Guillermo Del Toro has been much anticipated for its release on Netflix. It made its way onto the streaming service today and I have found the time to watch it and here is my review for Frankenstein. The premise of the film sees an egotistical scientist believe he can avoid people dying and create the answer to everlasting life. 

Main Character

Oscar Isaac plays Viktor Frankenstein and he shows just how fantastic an actor he truly is. He is such a complex person and Isaac really shines and shows the different sides to Frankenstein. He clearly believes he is the greatest and he is super arrogant but I felt sorry for him and I felt the real reasons that he had for doing what he does and it makes him super fascinating. 

Jacob Elordi gives the performance of a lifetime as The Creature and he adds such humanity and care to this monstrous being and he really added so much to the role. This is a really difficult role to get right but Elordi nails it and this is an incredibly memorable performance.

Supporting Characters

Christoph Waltz plays Harlander and he is great as you would expect. He is the benefactor of Frankenstein and he has great chemistry with Isaac and their scenes together are a highlight. His character is given some depth and it is worthwhile for a great actor. 

Mia Goth plays Elizabeth and she is also really good. She is an interesting character and has a complex story. I slightly wish she had a bit more screen time and a bit more time to shine but that doesn't stop Goths good performance. 

Felix Kammerer plays her Fiancé William Frankenstein and he is good as well. You feel like his relationship with Viktor is a mixed bag and it is a nice subplot seeing them try and work through it together. 

There are also some really cool smaller supporting roles played by Charles Dance, David Bradley & Lars Mikkelsen and they add plenty to their small roles. 

Story

The story is fantastic, you see the perspectives from both Frankenstein and the creature and both are real character studies and they are both handled really well. It shows the differences & similarities between the two of them and it is just super interesting and focuses on large themes. 

Script

The film is really well written. The dialogue feels very snappy, especially from Frankenstein himself, but there are some really dramatic scenes and character moments between the characters to really flesh them out. 

Style

The film looks absolutely stunning, the cinematography looks brilliant and I do wish that a cinema near me had it as it is worthy seeing at the cinema, it is one of the best looking films of the year. But this film has a pacing issue in that it just feels quite long and their were points where I felt that it slightly dragged. 

Overall

Overall, Frankenstein is a fantastic film that has beautiful visuals, great acting and brilliant storytelling. Some slow bits do not hold it back from being one of the best films of the year and certainly worth a watch. 

Rating - 9/10

Aileen: Queen of the Serial Killers (2025) Review

This documentary has been dominating the Netflix charts since its release last week, So I decided to give Aileen: Queen of The Serial Killers a watch and here is my review for it. The premise of the Doc looks at Aileen Wuornos and how she came about murdering seven men. 

The best thing that this documentary does is that it is very informative about the subject matter. I went into this not knowing anything about the person or incidents and I feel like coming out of it, I know much more about what went on and how the people reacted to it. 

It uses archive footage from the timeline of the original which makes it feel more legit and does give a feel that we are seeing the unedited footage of what really happened. 

The problem is that this film doesn't offer anything particularly interesting. There is no why she committed these crimes or why everyone was against her. Or how exactly these murders really happened and how it affected the families of the people that she murdered. 

It is just a bit dull and it feels like the story either isn't that interesting or the people that made this film didn't have the means to make it interesting and that is a shame. Just some discussion with the victims family could have offered a greater perspective. 

Overall, Aileen: Queen of the Serial Killers is an average documentary that fits in right in the middle. It documents this interesting story but doesn't have much to say and it does make you question why it really even exists. 

Rating - 5/10

Bugonia (2025) Review

There are a lot of films coming out before the end of the year and one that caught my eye was Bugonia. I saw the trailer for it before watching another film and was intrigued, I found the time today to go and watch it and here is my review for the film. The premise of the film sees two young men kidnap a CEO with the thought that she is an Alien who is set to destroy the world. 

Main Character

Emma Stone plays Michelle and she does a great job in this film. She is clearly the victim here but she owns the role and as it progresses she grows braver and more confident which is where she really shines. Stone is really good at keeping the viewer guessing about what is really going on and that makes her interesting. 

Supporting Characters

Though Emma Stone is great, Jesse Plemons steals the show here as Teddy. He gives a sublime performance that is just unnerving but full of emotion and I really do believe his name will be thrown around when it comes to award season as he us that good. 

Aidan Delbis plays Don and he has a pretty tragic tale in the film. He really isn't sure what to do and he really nails it and I felt really sorry watching him and his story throughout the film. 

There aren't too many other characters here. There is a police officer that I thought was a little tacked on and a bit weird of an addition, maybe it was a missed opportunity to not have one or two more interesting characters here. 

Story

The story is great, it is an absolutely ridiculous idea and presentation but it just really works. The storytelling by the actors, writers and director makes this premise work and the characters are really interesting with a really effective ending that really resonated and made me think long after it.

Script

The film is incredibly well written, the dialogue is sharp and natural with a great blend of drama and some well placed humour in there. It is a great example of how dialogue can really influence a film as this one really relies on it. 

Style

The film looks really good, it is very old school and uses many different techniques to make it stand out alongside some really tense sequences. The music as well and sound design is so good and added to the overall feeling of the film. 

Overall

Overall, Bugonia is a Fantastic Film and I really was surprised by how much I was invested in the film and the acting. I think this film will be much talked about when it comes to The Oscars and it is really deserving of all the praise. 

Rating - 9/10

 The Witcher Season 1 (2019) Review

The 4th season of The Witcher dropped last week on Netflix, but I have only watched the 1st season before and even that was 6 years ago. So I thought I would start a watch of the series and I have just completed the first season of the show again and here is my review for it. The premise of the season sees a Monster Hunter sent on a quest to embrace his destiny and save another. 

Main Character

Henry Cavill plays Geralt of Rivia and he is fantastic in the role. It has been known for a while that he is a huge fan of the games and the character and he really gives it his all in this show. He really encapsulates the role of Geralt and I loved watching his character and the adventures that he goes through. 

Supporting Characters

Anya Chalotra plays Yennefer and she is also fantastic on the show. For the majority of the season she has her own story and it really shows her development and growth and how she struggles to really find her place in the world. 

Freya Allen plays Ciri and she is good on the show. She finds herself on the run and her has her own story arc and Allen does a good show. I was interested in her character but the show definitely keeps its cards close to there chest regarding her abilities. 

Joey Batey plays Jaskier and he is a lot of fun and a bit of comic relief for the show. The chemistry between him and Cavill works for the show and I really enjoyed the episodes that he was around for. 

MyAnna Burning plays Tissaia and she is an interesting character. She is a strong mage and spends plenty of the season teaching Yennefer and her cold delivery was pretty memorable and she is a solid part of the show. 

Story

The story is pretty episodic in nature but I love being introduced to this world and learn more about it. Seeing Geralt go against these different monsters is really call and works really well alongside Ciri & Yennefer's stories as well. However, this show has some confusing timeline issues and I had to google when certain parts of the story take place as it isn't explained that well on the show. Also, I thought the finale focused way too much on Yennefer instead of Geralt considering he is the main character. 

Script

The writing for the show was good. Geralt is a very serious character but they manage to provide enough humour to make it not a totally grim affair. Those dramatic moments were well handled though and made me care about the characters involved. 

Style

This show clearly has a huge budget and it looks beautiful, the show is epic in nature and doesn't hold back on the effects. The Action scenes are also fantastic and flow incredibly well with Geralt in particular being incredibly entertaining when in these fight scenes with either humans or different monsters. 

Overall

Overall, The Witcher Season 1 is a Fantastic Season of TV and I loved this universe that they were setting up. A Pretty simple premise but it worked really well and I loved the first season of The Witcher.

Rating - 9/10

Ballad of a Small Player (2025) Review

Netflix has been making plenty of original films that involve big stars and that can be a big marketing ploy for their streaming service. The next one being Ballad of a Small Player starring Colin Farrell and I watched the film today, here is my review. The premise of the film sees a gambler struggling to meet ends meet when he finds someone who might be able to help them. 

Main Character

As mentioned above Colin Farrell plays the lead character Lord Doyle and he is fantastic here. You really believe the peril that this man is in and his performance is always on edge that you can't take your eyes off of him and he is by miles the best thing in this film. 

Supporting Characters

Fala Chen plays Dao Ming and she is fine in the film. She is a good companion to Farrell and I liked how their characters build this dynamic and progress throughout the film. 

Tilda Swinton has a role in this film as Blithe and when she is on screen she is great, she just isn't used that much. The chemistry between her and Farrell is clear and is handled pretty well. 

The rest of the cast are functional but don't really offer much, even Chen and Swinton don't do that much. This is the Farrell show and that does affect the overall group of characters presented here. 

Story

The story is basically how one mans life can go downhill as quickly as possible and in terms of that it handles it pretty well as I did feel for Lord Doyle and wanted to see him get out of the rut that he is in. However, I think that is more down to Farrell's performance as the story is pretty dull and though there is an interesting twist towards the end of the film, it didn't quite hit the mark for me as much as it really could have done. 

Script

There is some decent writing here, especially when it comes down to Lord Doyle and his way of trying to get out of different situations. But the film does lack some dramatic moments and isn't funny so it doesn't go as far as it really needed. 

Style

The film is set in Macau and it looks beautiful and is a nice fresh location on film. Also the first act of the film moves at a great pace and is shot beautifully. However, the films pacing grinds to a halt and basically kills all of the momentum that the film had and made the final act feel a bit underwhelming. 

Overall

Overall, Ballad of a Small Player is an Above Average Film and that is mostly due to a great Colin Farrell performance. It is a nice film to look at but it lacks lots of substance and just needed better writing to make it stand out, so probably only worth a watch if you are a big Colin Farrell Fan. 

Rating - 6/10

Tron: Ares (2025) Review

After 15 years, we finally have another Tron film and with our huge advances in technology there should be big hopes for Tron: Ares and I managed to finally give it a review today so here is my review for Tron: Ares. The premise of the film sees a programme from the grid sent into the real world in order to undertake a mission. 

Main Character

Jared Leto plays Ares and he does an okay job. Now, though his career recently has been a bit of a mixed bag, I really do think he is a great actor and he is really trying his best here to make this character interesting. But Ares just falls a bit flat for me, his character arc is really rushed through and it makes him a pretty forgettable protagonist. 

Supporting Characters

Greta Lee plays Eve Kim and I actually like her character. She is the new chairwoman of Encom and she is looking to help the world but she actually has some personality to her and somebody who actually seems worth rooting for. 

Jodie Turner-Smith plays another programme called Athena and I thought she was great. There was just a presence about her intimidating role and there was definitely some development in her character, I just wish there had been more. 

Evan Peters plays Julian Dillinger and he was an over the top generic bad guy. I mean Peters is a good actor and he is clearly committed here but there is nothing for him to really do in the film and he kind of gets forgotten about. 

The great Gillian Anderson plays his mother in this film and she is completely wasted, she could have been played by anybody and she was just a pointless character that was super cliché and poorly written.

Story 

The story has some good themes to it and at least tries to give some of the characters arcs throughout. It also tries some new things in an attempt to refresh the franchise. But this story has no meat on it and feels incredibly rushed, it moves so quickly through it that it doesn't give us anything to make us really care, it is definitely style over substance. 

Script

The Script has some decent moments, I actually chuckled a few times which I wasn't expecting from this film. But the writing is overall pretty weak and doesn't allow the characters or plot to shine in a way that it could have. 

Style

The style of this film is beautiful. Tron films have always really focused on its style but this film really nails it. It feels really grand in scale and finally delivers on what it wanted to back in the 1980s. The film flowed really well and it is just hard to take your eyes off of this beautiful film. 

Overall

Overall, Tron: Ares is an Above Average Film and is actually my favourite film in the franchise. It is frustrating as I truly believe this could have been a fantastic film and it falls way short of that. But when it comes available on a streaming service I would say it is potentially worth a watch. 

Rating - 6/10

Tron: Legacy (2010) Review

I am going to watch Tron: Ares tomorrow, so before that I thought I had to watch the film in the franchise before it in Tron: Legacy and here is my review for the film. The premise of the film sees the son of a computer programme go into the grid in order to try and track him down. 

Main Character 

Garrett Hedlund plays Sam Flynn and he is a pretty dull character. Hedlund tries his best and he seemed to really dive into the role and give something to it. It is just there isn't really anything interesting about Sam at all. He is the most generic protagonist for a film like this and it takes away from the film when you really just don't care about the main character. 

Supporting Characters

Olivia Wilde plays Quorra and I really liked her here, to be honest with a bit of a rewrite she could have been the main protagonist as she is a way more interesting character the Sam and offers a lot to the film. 

Michael Sheen appears in a small role but it certainly is memorable. He seems off his rocker and is having the time of his life and he isn't in it enough to make it an issue but he is a lot of fun. 

Now Jeff Bridges plays two roles here in Kevin Flynn & Clu and it is a mixed bag. He is decent as Kevin and there are shades of his performance from the original film and some charisma there. But as Clu he is really cheesy and the CGI used is some of the worst CGI I have seen in a long time and made his character even more jarring to watch. 

Story

The main positive I can say about the story is that it is way more coherent then the previous Tron film. I like how it shows the progression of the grid and how Kevin really failed in what he was attempting to do in the original film. However, the film is pretty cliché and I just really didn't care about Sam's character development. The film also has a really frustrating ending that is just in the business of setting up sequels then giving a satisfying ending.  

Script

The film is written okay, it has some good moments of character, mainly for Quorra and everything about her when she is introduced. But the film falls a bit flat when it comes to really looking at its themes and overall writing of the characters. 

Style

The film is visually stunning. It looks like what the filmmakers wanted the original Tron to look like and it is fantastic to see this world really come to life with more modern technology. However, there is one character that relies on CGI and it just looks awful and like something out of a dodgy game. Also the aspect ratio kept changing for me and it was super annoying and really felt quite jarring which is such a shame because the film does look great. 

Overall

Overall, Tron Legacy is an average film that looks fantastic but falls flat in pretty much every other department. It is such a shame as there is a lot of potential here but it just doesn't hit those levels and it took them 15 years to make another one of these films. 

Rating - 5/10

Chad Powers (2025) Review

For the last month or so, I have been watching a new show on Disney Plus call Chad Powers and the finale was today and I have watched that so here is my review for the whole season of Chad Powers. The premise of the show sees a disgraced former quarter back aim to get back to playing football under a new identity. 

Main Character

Glen Powell is one of the hottest commodities in Hollywood at the moment and can pretty much pick any project he wants and he is Chad Powers. He is easily the best part of this show and his star power shines through some of the other elements of the show, he really delivers a mix between comedy and drama and really excels, especially at the surprising dramatic moments. 

Supporting Characters

Perry Matfield plays Ricky a female coach who takes a liking to Chad. Though there is more to her character then that, she is going through her own character arc and that works alongside the arc of Chad. The two of them have great chemistry and are a real highlight of the show. 

Steve Zahn plays Coach Hudson and he is a fun character here. He is really feeling the pressure of being the coach of an American Football Team and he really sells it well. He is pretty charming but always on edge and it works for him. 

Unfortunately, the rest of the cast aren't so good. Wynn Everett plays Tricia and she is super unlikeable. She sees herself above everybody else in the show but not in a charming way but in a way that made me dislike her character. 

Frankie A. Rodriguez plays Danny and he is the closest friend to Chad and honestly I found him quite over the top and annoying for the most part. I just didn't really buy into their relationship and it is the one part of the show that didn't quite hit for me. 

Story

The story has some good character arcs that make you care about Chad and some of the people around him. The finale has some interesting turns that really subvert expectations of a show like this and I really appreciated that. However, this show is pretty predictable throughout and some of the character were pretty annoying throughout. Also, the ending of the show is disappointing and feels like it is just setting up a second season. 

Script

This show has some really surprising heartfelt moments that are written really well and flesh out the characters. But this show is focusing on comedy and I barely laughed throughout, the writing is weak and just not very funny which is a big shame when your show is mainly a comedy. 

Style

The show flies by with its pacing which is both good and bad. Certain episodes, especially when it focuses on the actual football, I really enjoyed the fast pace and way the show is shot. But at times it feels like it is rushing itself and doesn't give certain aspects of the show the time that it needs. 

Overall

Overall, Chad Powers is an above average show that has some potential. Some good performances and surprisingly heartfelt moments help this but it isn't funny enough or memorable enough to watch. If a second season gets announced then maybe give it a go as it is an easy and quick watch. 

Rating - 6/10

Monster: The Ed Gein Story (2025)

It has taken me a while but the new series of the anthology Monster focusing on Ed Gein has been out and I have now watched the series. So here is my review for Monster: The Ed Gein Story. The Premise of the show focuses on Ed Gein who was the first real serial killer and how his impact affected people over the next number of years. 

Main Character

Charlie Hunnam plays Ed Gein and I am really conflicted about his performance. There is no doubt that he fully commits to the role and there are some times when he is super chilling and really uncomfortable. But there are times when it is just too over the top and the accent that he is doing made me laugh. I think he does improve as the episodes go on but I can't get over how silly he can be, especially in those first few episodes. 

Supporting Characters

Laurie Metcalf plays Augusta Gein and I thought she was pretty good in the show. She is really over the top and controlling but it kind of works and the relationship between the two of them was a better part of the show. 

Suzanna Son plays Adeline Watkins and she is also pretty good. Her relationship with Gein is a major part of the show and it is pretty well realised and actually gives time to flesh out her character. 

There are a large group of people on the show but none of them stand out and do very little. Tom Hollander plays Alfred Hitchcock but the overuse of makeup and his weird performance was really distracting and took away from those scenes. 

Story

The story is clearly trying to document this crazy man and the legacy that he left for other people with issues. But I have to be honest, I just don't think the show does a particularly good job at it. It is so all over the place and tries to cram so much into it that it just really feels like nothing gets the time to be that interesting or something worth caring about. The Finale also is underwhelming and doesn't really do enough to justify this show existing. 

Script

The script has some okay writing, some really chilling pieces of dialogue are in here. But the writing suffers from the fact that it is trying to cram so much in here and make it so outlandish that it kind of comes across as a bit of a caricature. 

Style

The show certainly doesn't shy away from violence and the gore. You really feel the terrible things that this guy did and the gruesome way that he did them. However, this show has a really slow pace about it and I found myself pretty bored throughout with storylines that I really didn't care about. 

Overall

Overall, Monster: The Ed Gein Story is a Below Average Show that missed the mark for me. This show had poor pacing and a bad story that didn't all connect. Mixed with a strange lead performance and it just isn't worth your time. 

Rating - 4/10

Tron (1982) Review

I am looking to get the chance to watch Tron: Ares at some point in the next week, so I thought in prep I would go back and watch the original film as I actually have never watched Tron. So I did that today and here is my review for Tron. The premise of the film sees a computer hacked abducted by a Digital Programme and is forced to try and survive with the aid of some new allies. 

Main Character

Jeff Bridges plays Kevin Flynn and he is great here. He is the person who is enjoying himself the most and I think with that it makes him the most fun person to watch. I mean his character isn't the most interesting but he manages to make it work just about enough to make me care about his story. 

Supporting Characters 

Bruce Boxleitner plays Alan Bradley/Tron and I thought he was also really good, especially as Tron. He plays the AI really well and the fact that he is basically the saviour of the universe was handled pretty well. 

David Warner plays a pretty entertaining villain in Ed Dillinger/Sark. He is a pretty generic character but he ate up all of the scenes that he was in and provided some much needed entertainment on screen. 

The rest of the cast aren't so lucky, I mean the only real ones to talk about are Cindy Morgan as Lora/Yori & Dan Shor as Ram. The first is just their as a love interest really and she is a boring one of that, especially with some weird writing for her towards the end of the film. Ram is fine but I never really cared about him and I just think the film needed a 3rd member of our heroic group of male AI's so they added him. 

Story

The story heavily focuses on AI and its relationship to humans which is quite funny as it probably fits more with modern times then it did in 1982. I think it achieves this in an okay manner but the majority of the plot is either cliche or just not very well explained. It fails to really delve into its subject matter enough like other films and has a really abrupt ending that leaves us with more questions then answers. 

Script

Unfortunately, the worst part of the film for me was the script and writing. It really feels like this film went for a style over substance philosophy and that was really realised with the lazy and dull writing. A few good moments here and there, but it just doesn't have anywhere near enough depth for it to be worthwhile. 

Style

For a film that was released in 1982, the CGI and Style is amazing for this film. It has great colours and some really unique ideas that were ahead of its time. It also has a great score and sci-fi feel that is rare to see even amongst current films. However, the film is really short, barely making it to 90 mins and thus everything feels really rushed and the story is just forgotten about in order to show these pretty revolutionary computer effects. 

Overall

Overall, Tron is an average film that doesn't really stand out in todays market. I am sure in 1982 that this film was revolutionary and that should be appreciated. But when you look at the film as a whole it doesn't really stand up and is one I wouldn't rush to see. 

Rating - 5/10

One Battle After Another (2025) Review

This film has been out for a few weeks and I have finally found the time to go and see One Battle After Another and here is my review for it. The premise of the film sees a Father go on the hunt for his daughter when an old enemy returns. 

Main Character

Leonardo DiCaprio plays Bob and he is fantastic. I don't think there is too much surprise to hear this as he is one of the best actors of this generation but his performance here is really great. He is the bumbling fool but he plays it really well and there is just such pace about his performance that you can't help but keep your eyes on him throughout. 

Supporting Characters

Sean Penn plays Col Steve Lockjaw and this is one of the best villain performances that I have seen for a long time. He is super intense and scummy but there is some uniqueness to him that makes him really stand out. He is a real star of this film and I have a feeling there could be an Oscar Nomination heading his way. 

Benicio Del Toro plays Sensei Sergio St Carlos and he is his enigmatic best. Del Toro is one of the most charismatic actors around and he really owns that in this film. His delivery of lines is so quick and his dynamic with DiCaprio is one of my favourite parts of the film. 

Chase Infiniti plays Willa and she is fantastic. She is a new actress but she has a huge future and she is a real shining light here. She isn't just a damsel in distress but she has strength and Infiniti really plays the role well. 

Teyana Taylor plays Perfidia and even though it is a smaller role in the film she is fantastic to watch and eats up the screen for the opening sequences of the film and is a crucial part of the overall film. 

Story

I really liked the story, It feels like it moves at a brisk pace and we are on the run with DiCaprio and we really feel like we are part of his mission. Characters motivations and beliefs are pretty basic but they work for this film and the poilitcal nature that is hovering in the background. 

However, I wasn't as big a fan of the final act and I think the story makes some odd decisions. There is one part of the film in particular that is underdeveloped and I think if you have watched the film you will know what I mean. Certain characters don't really get any closure and it just would have been nice to have got that. 

Script

The script has some tight writing. The dialogue is fantastic and it makes these characters feel like real people with some real crazy stuff said. As I said above, I have some issues with the plot but I can't deny that the film does a great job in balancing its characters story and keep what could have been a confusing story relatively simple. 

Style

The film is absolutely beautiful. It feels somewhat old school in the way it is shot and presented just really stands out and it is all the better for it. This film is pretty long, it clocks in at over 2 hours & 30 mins and I was never bored. The pacing is great and the film moves well, keeping me invested throughout. 

Overall

Overall, One Battle After Another is a fantastic film that should be seen by all movie goers. I think it will be one of the frontrunners at the Academy Awards next year and it is such a great watch that will end up being one of the best of the year. 

Rating - 9/10

The Woman in Cabin 10 (2025) Review

For many years, Netflix have been making films with some big names and The Woman in Cabin 10 is no different. This film is based on a novel and has a huge cast filled with lots of talent and I watched the film today and here is my review for the film. The premise of the film sees a journalist invited on a luxury Yacht, an event causes her to question everything and everyone around her. 

Main Character

Keira Knightley plays Lo and she is perfectly adequate in this film. I mean she is a great actress and she delivers a performance that is something she can do pretty easily. It is just her character is really dull and there isn't enough in this film to really make me care about her, which is a real shame. 

Supporting Characters

Guy Pearce plays Richard Bullmer and he is really similar to Knightley in that he plays the character well but there just isn't anything really interesting about him and it just feels like Guy Pearce is delivering the minimum that he is capable of which is still decent. 

David Ajala plays Ben Morgan and he is meant to be a love interest for Knightley but it doesn't really work. There chemistry just isn't there and the film isn't written well enough to get the audience invested in them. Ajala is okay but it does feel like he could be played by numerous people. 

Hannah Waddingham, Kaya Scodelario & David Morrissey are big names but are given absolutely nothing to work and I didn't care about any of them and I don't understand why as these are super talented people. 

Story

The story is not particularly interesting, as I have said above the characters are super weak and obviously add nothing. The film doesn't give us enough time to know the characters and the big twists was pretty predictable to me leading to a rushed and bland ending. 

Script

The film has some okay dialogue, especially at the beginning of the film. The best character interactions come in the first act and it made me feel that this film would be better. But the next 2 acts are boring, predictable and as cliché as you get with a big part of that having to go to the writing. 

Style

The film looks pretty good, it has some nice views and it just comes across as pretty sleek with its filmmaking. But the film is super short, barley clocking in at 90 mins. This means everything is underdeveloped and doesn't give the characters time to become interesting which is the biggest weakness of the film. 

Overall

Overall, The Woman in Cabin 10 is a Below Average Film and just another copy and paste release for Netflix. This film has a superstar cast but they didn't bother to focus on other elements of the film and t is just a big disappointment. 

Rating 4/10

The Last of Us: Left Behind (2014)

Pretty quickly after the initial release of The Last of Us, a DLC Expansion was released call Left Behind. This DLC further expands the story and gives us a bit more time with Ellie and really focuses on her character. The DLC goes through her origin and bridges the gap between some events in the main story. Here are my thoughts on this DLC Expansion. 

We play as Ellie

In the main game, we have a bit of time to play as Ellie but the majority of it we play as Joel and I really feel like the main game is Joel's story. Left Behind is Ellie's story and playing as her helped with that as we learn more about her and her relationship with Riley and taking down infected and humans alike. 

The Game is split into two timelines

The game flashes between two different time periods in the games timeline. We start off in Winter with Ellie looking after Joel when he got injured in the main story. The other is a flashback that shows Ellie's origin with Riley and how they both got infected. The Flashbacks are incredibly engaging with the story, whereas the other story is focused on the gameplay and the balance is pretty good. 

The Gameplay is still strong

The gameplay is pretty much the exact same, just without all the weapons that Joel uses. It is still great and the more mini games in the flashbacks breaks up the action and makes it feel different to the main story. 

The Relationship between Ellie & Riley is really well done

We get a brief mention of Riley in the main story and how she got bitten alongside Ellie. But this DLC does a great of showing the two of their characters and the chemistry they have together. Despite the lack of time we see of them, I really cared about their relationship even though I knew where it ended. 

The Pacing is a bit slow and it is way too short

The only thing is that the flashbacks have no combat and that makes this slow game feel even slower. I appreciate the story and the focus on it but I could have done with a bit more of creative gameplay. Also it is super short, I wouldn't say I am great at the game but I finished it in 3 hours which is just way too short and I could have done with even a few more hours. 

Overall

Overall, The Last of Us: Left Behind is a great character piece for Ellie and does a great job of showing her past. But it is a bit boring and is way too short, it is a good companion place that should be played after finishing the campaign but it falls a little short of the main campaign. 

Rating - 7/10

The Last of Us (2013/2014) Review

For years I have heard that The Last of Us is one of the best video games ever made, I've tried to get into it before but I never quite got too grips with it. But recently, I decided that I was finally going to play the game to completion and I finished the main story last nice and its DLC story today, so here is my review for the game. The premise of the game sees a deadly disease destroy a chunk of humanity, a rugged man goes on a mission that might give the human race a second chance. 

Characters

The Prolific voice actor Troy Baker plays Joel Miller and he absolutely knocks it out of the park. He is a gruff, angry man who seems to lack humanity but as the game progresses you really see Joel grow as a person. He has so much depth to him and Baker plays it superbly, this is one of the best video game protagonists that I have ever seen. 

Ashley Johnson plays Ellie, she is a vital character in the game and is so much fun to be around. Though the situation is pretty dire, she has plenty of wise cracks and jokes to get her by. The chemistry between Johnson & Baker is brilliant and really carries this game.

The rest of the cast are way smaller in the size of their roles but are also really well acted. Henry & Sam are two brothers that the protagonists meet and they are really well acted and reflect the two of them really well. 

Tommy & Tess are allies to Joel & Ellie and both have pretty fiery personalities that make them memorable and fun additions to the cast here. 

Story

The story is really where the game truly thrives here. The main characters are so enriched and developed fantastically. The world is built incredibly well and it really feels fleshed out which adds even more to the performances. I really cared about Joel & Ellies story and the large amount of cutscenes didn't upset me and had me gripped to watch. 

Side Content

This game is pretty linear, it is a very story driven game and focuses on its characters, gameplay and story. There are some pretty cool collectables and some good crafting mechanics that can be done. There is also a multiplayer, however, nobody is playing it anymore so I can't really comment on it. 

The fact that this game is so engaging means I can overlook the fact that there isn't too much side content and I would rather have a game like this then a massive game that fails to provide the depth that this game has. 

Gameplay

The game's gameplay is a little bit different to what I am used to. It is a real Survival Game, you have limited resources and this really forces you to cherish your ammunition and really plan your attacks. Though there is a large variety of weapons and gear that keeps the game fresh and unique. You fight both humans and the infected monsters and the game balances these incredibly well, you have your more action missions against humans compared to your horror missions with the infected and it is balanced in a way that both are engaging. 

Graphics

I played the first remaster of The Last of Us that was made for the PS4 and it looks fantastic. The character models looks great and the designs of all of the infected are horrifying and fit the world perfectly. Also, this game has tremendous sound design that just adds to the creep factor of certain elements of the game. 

Overall

Overall, The Last of Us is as good as people say and is an Epic Video Game journey that has some of the best character and story work that I have ever seen in a Video Game. It is a must play for anybody that enjoys single player video games and I can't recommend it high enough. 

Rating - 10/10

Wednesday Season 1 (2022) Review

Ahead of the second part of the second season of Wednesday, I thought now would be the time that I actually watch this really popular show and give my take on it. So the last few days, I have watched the first season of Wednesday and here is my review for it. The premise of the show sees Wednesday Addams transferred to a school for pupils with powers, when an attempted murder takes place, she sets out to find out the potential killer. 

Main Character 

Jenna Ortega plays the titular character and she is fantastic. This is an incredibly nuanced and complex character and Ortega nails it with her delivery and mannerisms. The character must be a tough one to play but I was interested in Wednesday throughout and I thought Ortega was a huge part of that. 

Supporting Characters

Hunter Doohan plays Tyler and I thought he was also really good in his role. The dynamic between him and Wednesday is well handled and I actually bought into their development as a potential romance. 

Emma Myers plays Enid and is Wednesday's roommate throughout the season. She was great and the perfect foil for Wednesday as she tries to deal with moving to a new school. Their chemistry was excellent and a real highlight of the show. 

Gwendoline Christie plays Principal Larissa Weems and she was great. This is a strong performance from her and even though she doesn't have loads of screen time, she really delivers and owns the screen in the scenes that she is in. 

All the school mates are well cast and even though the school doesn't necessarily play the biggest part of the show the kids never annoyed me which is a bonus considering shows that are set in high school are likely to have some annoying kids. 

Story

The story is good, this is a classic mystery but it definitely did a good job keeping me interested and invested. It also did a good job with its school storylines which are limited because usually they aren't very good. However, the ending of the season feels rushed. It's like they forgot they only had 8 episodes and rushed the last episode to get every story arc completed just in case they didn't get a second season.

Script 

The script is great, there is a great combination of humour and drama. Also the dialogue is very quick and witty that elevated the characters here. Though I thought the final reveal was a bit predictable it still did a good job of keeping me guessing so that shows a decent level of writing. 

Style

I really liked the artistic style of Wednesday. It really stands out and makes it unique compared to other shows and was one of the main reasons I liked this show. But this film has a pacing issue and as I mentioned earlier I think the ending of the show is a bit rushed and lacklustre, also there is some bad CGI here at times which is hopefully better in the second season. 

Overall

Overall, Wednesday Season 1 is a Great Show and does a great job of building this universe for hopefully a bright future. It is a show you should watch as it is a brisk and enjoyable watch.

Rating - 8/10