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Archive for Henry Cavill

The Witcher (TV) Season 1

Dec26

Show: The Witcher

Genre: High Fantasy

Watched: Season 1 – December 23-25, 2019

Summary: Loved it, but I was prepared

_

It’s been a while since I wrote a TV review, but after binge watching the show, and given my love of Fantasy, The Witcher (both novels and games), and the general process of adaption, I pretty much had no choice.

This is a show written for fans and perhaps not for the uninitiated. It’s unabashedly High Fantasy and is (mostly) extremely faithful to both the source novels for plot and character and to Witcher III in terms of visuals. This last surprised me as the show (I believe) has no connection with the games other than that they draw on the same source material — but it really does (again mostly) look like them. It’s loosely adapted from the first two books, short story collections The Last Wish and Sword of Destiny with chunks of the novel Blood of Elves worked in. These are simultaneously both great material to work from and challenging to adapt, as the world and characters are sketched impressionistically via a series of short stories — and this “episodic” feel permeates this first TV season .

Essentially, season one is preamble, being the tale of this unique alternative history Slavic fantasy world and three (at first) disconnected characters: Geralt (the witcher), the sorceress Yennefer, and the princess Ciri. The trio inhabit parallel stories on a collision course — but not yet obviously connected.

And while I loved the show, it’s not without its issues, so let’s break down the parts:

_

Characters and their actors:

Henry Cavill nails Geralt of Rivia. I’m not a Man of Steel fan — although that was mostly the barfarific writing — but he really inhabits The Witcher. Sure, Geralt isn’t exactly the most emotionally available character in the history of fiction, but Cavill brings exactly the right confidence, ambiguity, and charisma to the bleak “hero.” His pale stringy hair and cat-like contacts give him this wide eyed stare — but it works — as does the gravely voice and the continual grunting. Geralt’s combat skills are superbly fluid and perfectly in line with the character.

Freya Allan is ghostly and intensely slavic as Ciri. Just the right kind of vulnerable and a distinctly elven quality. Also great. I heard there was some initial thought of switching up her “race” and I’m glad they didn’t.

Now the mages are one of those total modern melting pots of ethnicity and looking — but the conceit works well with them both because they presumably hail from around the world and because their appearances are sculpted as much by their own magics as by nature.

Compared to Geralt and Ciri, I was more mixed in my opinion of Anya Chalotra’s Yennefer. Early Yennefer is pretty good, and her transformation quite intense. But while post-transformation Yennefer looks the part, she doesn’t bring to it the level of forceful (and petulant) intensity that I have always considered to be a hallmark of the sorceress. Basically, she lacks some of the swagger that is essential to Yennefer.

Anna Shaffer’s Triss was very flat, not at all what I was looking for. But many other characters were solid, particularly Cahir, Tissaia, Mousesack, Eist, and others.

_


Visuals and setting:

Art direction was excellent. Maybe not quite as sweeping as the games, but very similar in style and often haunting. It brought the slavic setting starkly to life. Costuming is a bit varied, but so is the game. Sometimes gritty and medieval, sometimes colorful and a bit more Renaissance. Often the backgrounds were very desaturated. This was fine.

I was not bugged by the gratuitous nudity. This is at its heart an early 1990s fantasy series. It has elves and dwarves and nudity. That’s just part of its thing.

The spell fx could have been better at times. Sometimes they were good, but sometimes a touch offscreen or fake. This is a world (and a show) with a lot of direct magic. It’s not like Game of Thrones where the magic is “subtle” like Melisandre’s. No, this has mages hurling bolts of energy and opening up portals and all that. They handled it ok, but the magic could have benefited from looking even “more expensive” and dramatic.

The creatures on the other hand looked great, as did the settings generally.

_

Music and sound:

First rate. Particularly the sound track. I loved the video game sound trackers, and this one is good as well — similar in its exotic quality.

_

Writing:

Writing was generally good, but I had two problems. Sometimes the dialog seems overly modern, particularly some comic characters like Dandelion (returning to his Polish name Jaskier in the show). And the patching together of the short story based material periodically led to jarring transitions and some tonal shifts. The show maintains the grim pathos, high fantasy, and snatches of humor characteristic of The Witcher. All of these tones being there in the source material, but I wonder about the ability of new viewers to follow the multiple interwoven time frames — which taking a page from Westworld offer only minimals clues for distinguishing the period — particularly given that many important characters in this show do not age significantly (Geralt and the mages). It’s also a show that like its source material throws about the complex “noun soup” of a complex fantasy world and its moderately complex politics. Part of the enjoyment for a fantasy or SciFi reader — and a part not appreciated by people who aren’t steeped in these genres — is the joy of trying to piece together the rules and details of the world without too much handholding. And The Witcher show is fairly true to these roots.

So, given that I’ve read the books and played the games and “get” the world of The Witcher, it’s hard for me know how a new viewer would experience the show. My wife — having neither read nor played — did watch with me, and she enjoyed the show as well, but she also likes fantasy and was peppering me with questions. So if you’ve seen the show, and particularly if you are new to the franchise, feel free to tell me your experience in the comments.

So overall, despite some cheese and some flaws, I really enjoyed the show and am deep in that cathartic sadness that follows the end of a good season. Fortunately it’s already been renewed. I know the professional critics hated the show and the fans loved it. And I think that’s because unlike Game of Thrones, which is a bit of a crossover gateway drug into fantasy, The Witcher (and I speak of the franchise overall) is something rarely done at all, and even more rarely done well on TV: an unabashed masterpiece of genre fantasy — and that’s all right because I love genre fantasy.

For my thoughts on Witcher III (it rulez), click here.

Yep, there are even knights cursed to be hedgehogs

Related posts:

  1. Witcher 3 – Middle Impressions
  2. Game of Thrones – Season 3 Goodies
  3. Game of Thrones – Season 2 Trailer
  4. Game of Thrones Season 4 Trailer
  5. Game of Thrones – Episode 4
By: agavin
Comments (0)
Posted in: Television
Tagged as: Adaption, Anya Chalotra, Fantasy, Freya Allan, Henry Cavill, season 1, The Witcher, TV review

Man of Steel

Jun19

mosTitle: Man of Steel

Cast: Henry Cavill (Actor), Amy Adams (Actor), Zack Snyder (Director)

Genre: Science Fiction / Comic Book

Watched:  June 17, 2013

Summary: Takes itself VERY seriously

_

It was with mixed feeling that I went off to Man of Steel. The trailer actually looked pretty cool, but this is a Zach Snyder film and I loathed 300 (way, way too poor a representation of that most awesome of historical battles), found Watchmen overblown, and was just plain blown by by Sucker Punch. Actually Sucker Punch fascinated me. It was both so bad and so intriguing at the same time — plus the soundtrack rocks. The film just failed as a film.

In any case, the Superman reboot. Some things I liked:

  • The visuals and art direction. Boy does a lot of stuff explode.
  • The soundtrack. Sounds like Batman (not surprising, Hans Zimmer returns).
  • Henry Cavill is just about right as both Clark and Superman.
  • Amy Adams is cute as Lois.
  • Krypton and the Kryptonian technology. It looked cool. Somethings were silly – but it looked cool.
  • The impressive sense of power given to Superman and his opponents.
  • Some strong visual references to Superman II.
  • Russel crow leading Lois through the spaceship.
  • The fact that both dads were Robin Hood.

Some things that sucked:

  • Too many explosions. Not enough character development.
  • Superman’s cheesy Kryptonian mom and even cheesier birth sequence.
  • A lot of the plot feels rushed and barely makes sense.
  • Everyone seemed very calm and well informed (they needed to be to make the plot work).
  • The extras (like the Daily Planet staff) = cheesy!
  • The whole tornado sequence. Fromage!
  • A lack of any dual identity antics.
  • The forced “Clarks gets a job” sequence at the end.
  • Michael Shannon as Zod. Lame. Lame. Lame.
  • Plot holes. Lots of plot holes.

Fundamentally, Man of Steel tries too hard and takes itself too seriously. There is almost no sense of humor. It focuses on plot and background at the expense of character. What arc it attempts, Superman’s deliberate act of choice of humanity over his (not highly appealing) Kryptonian comrades is hardly in doubt — and forced at best. We are treated to numerous statements on the part of both fathers as to Clark becoming the “kind of man he should be.” Heavy handed to be sure. But still, they kinda, sorta, maybe worked, mostly I think because of the equally heavy handed but effective sound track and slow Synder-esque directorial style.

I really did basically dig the whole Krypton thing and particularly the visuals of the home-world and tech. All that gray particle stuff I interpreted as nano-tech, but who knows what they had in mind. And what the hell with the dragon-fly dragons?

man-of-steel-krypton-battle

Krypton was kinda cool – except for the labor scene

Given that Superman is nigh on indestructible, the insane building smashing during the fights was kind of cool — until the hundredth building. I mean they really punched through shit. Lots of CGI in this film, most shots. The battle between Superman and Zod was decent, although one does have to wonder given all this invincibility why and how one of them actually can be killed. It didn’t make a lot of sense.

There is no subtly to this film. The character driven mechanics of the 1978 Superman and sequel are missing entirely. Lois meets Superman as Superman, there is no Clark Kent reporter or secret identity, and hence one of the amusing/enjoyable things in secret identity superhero stories. This human drama has no room in this film of epic space battles and guys getting slapped through buildings. I can’t understate this — Kryptonians are punched through large solid structures at least 200 times in this film.

Some questions:

  • How do the new Kryptonians “powerup” so fast?
  • If Superman’s dad was so worried about Zod choosing the bloodlines, how come he got to choose them himself?
  • Why is there only one copy of the codex? And while we are at it, why does it look like a plastic skull?
  • And #1: if you planet is dying, why do you “save” all the villains by tucking them away in a black hole?
  • Why do the masks/helmets of the bad guys keep fading in and out except to show who they are?
  • How can the energy drive of the 2 part teraforming machines link up? Some cross planet induction?
  • Why does Lois get to go on a military bombing mission?
  • How come everyone in Metropolis hangs out for so long when the killer alien squid of doom shows up?
  • I can understand how Superman really gets around, but it seems like Lois and the military dudes can teleport.
  • Why does even young kent have a magnetic attraction to disasters? (tornados, falling buses, exploding oil rigs)
  • Why doesn’t Zod kidnap Superman’s mom and use her as leverage?
  • Why does he explain all his plans? Wait — he’s a comic book villain.

Regardless, it’s a watchable film, and certainly Snyder’s best yet. It’s just not a great film by any means, being about 95% style over substance. Isn’t it obvious to these studio types that movies are really all about character? I guess not.

And most amusingly, Man of Steel and The Last of Us (the latest Naughty Dog game) both came out on Friday. Apparently, LTOU grossed more!

For more Film reviews, click here.

man-of-steel-blog-jpg_204653

Most wooden villain in a long long time

By: agavin
Comments (19)
Posted in: Movies
Tagged as: Amy Adams, Hans Zimmer, Henry Cavill, Krypton, Man of Steel, Superman, Zack Snyder

Immortals – Quickly Forgotten

Mar20

Title: Immortals

Director/Stars: Henry Cavill (Actor), Mickey Rourke (Actor), Tarsem Singh (Director)

Genre: Swords and Sandles

Watched:  March 15, 2012

Summary: Gorgeous and oh so confusing

_

It’s a moral imperative for me to see all films set in the ancient world (although that descriptor is stretched by this historically adrift fantasy). How this strange piece ever got made is a mystery. My best bet is that the studio wanted a movie to compete with the execrable Clash of the Titans remake (and I’m a big fan of the original).

Both share certain “themes” and elements. Stylized visuals (although Immortals notches that up past 300 and beyond), sexy female seers, pseudo-wise mentors, titans, incomprehensible writing, and irrational hatred for the gods.

What is up with this theme? I totally don’t understand and it utterly ruined Clash for me. Why would an ancient people, particularly one with proof of divine presence, deeply resent this lightweight governance? While there are certainly atheistic writings in ancient times, few espouse a bitter hatred of divinity. Is this some sort of modern sentiment refocused? Or, more likely, a need studio producers have to expand the scale of the combat? In any case, Immortals is considerably better than Clash – but probably not by the standards of the mindless masses.

Let’s take it apart. Stylistically this film is pretty damn cool. It’s not “realistic” or accurate, but it does borrow heavily from traditional costume and such in a highly interesting way. For example, the red oracle costumes (partially shown above) were wonderfully evocative of north African and Anatolian women’s dress. Even the overdone costumes of the gods were interesting — although not totally to my taste. Ares (I think) with his huge spiky headdress, Poseidon with a giant conch on his head. Interesting. The temples were cool. The over-cliffy landscape. It’s even the second movie in the last few months to feature the Brazen Bull. Certainly this would seem obscure and the movie makes no effort to explain this horrific and anachronistic execution/torture device (the film is set in 1200BC and the bull was invented in 500BC).

Considering the script, the acting isn’t even that bad. But this brings us to the point: the script, which largely fails at both macro and micro levels. First of all, like most big effects movies these days, there is little or no arc and characterization is minimalist at best. Archetypes all: The warrior, the old man, the evil king. All conflict is external. The basic nature of the macro external objective throws good and bad guys together. But at the micro level, this film has scenes where you go, “what the hell just happened?” Partly this was due to inexplicably black cinematography. But mostly just due to lack of editing clarity. For example, Theseus is a slave at a watering hole and the virgin oracles, formerly in their temple just show up as vague captives. Why? How? No one explains. Then they stage a breakout, which devolves into some black figures fighting in a lightless room. Then both Theseus and the real oracle and a bunch of other slaves are free and outside, and the three other virgins captive. Again, no explanation — unless it happened in the dark.

Oh, well. This movie could have been so much more. Why can’t they take their subject a little seriously, and most importantly use some real writing? It’s gorgeous to look at, but I crave a movie about the gods and goddesses with some real substance. Perhaps even a universal moral theme? Like the evils of war or the fatal overextension of hubris? That might be in keeping with the source material and we couldn’t have that!

For more Film reviews, click here.

Zeus (where's the beard?) puts the smackdown on Ares

By: agavin
Comments (2)
Posted in: Movies
Tagged as: Ancient Greece, Apollo, Athena, Blu-ray Disc, Brazen Bull, Freida Pinto, Gods, Henry Cavill, Immortals, John Hurt, Mickey Rourke, Poseidon, Tarsem Singh, Theseus, Zeus
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