*Spoilers ahead*
The Penguin: 9/10
Released on HBO Max on September 19 and ending on November 10, The Penguin caught many (especially me) by surprise with deep intrigue, a wonderful cast, and an emotional story. I did not discover the show until all the episodes were released, but all eight of the hour-long adventures had me enthralled. Two-time Golden Globe-winning Colin Farrell plays the antihero to perfection. Although many accents and tropes are used in the Italian-Mafia setting, Farrell portrays a deeply troubled villain whose care for his mother and drive to succeed trumps all. His character develops immensely throughout the show, leaving the viewers wondering how to react to the ending sequence. The antagonist, Sofia Falcone, plays another well-crafted role in the series who can outwit almost any opponent. The complexities portrayed by Cristin Milioti deserve the recognition as best actress. Although The Penguin finds success in the end, the story of his rise to power is chock full of mystery, plot twists, and slowly developed characters. The show treats the villain as a hero until the very end, revealing his true nature in a treacherous display of selfishness and caution. The entire series reflects differently upon looking back, although it becomes no less enjoyable. I cannot recommend this show enough for fans of dark dramas as it caught even English teacher Andrew Evans in its deep tangle of plot points.
Arcane Season 2: 10/10 (Written with Aydin Akyol)
Arcane, a Netflix original series produced by Riot Games and Fortiche Productions, is an animated masterpiece that expands on the lore of League of Legends. Released in November 2021, this 18-episode series is divided into six acts, each consisting of three episodes. This storyline is set in internally divided cities which are known as Zaun and Piltover. Piltover is known as the city of progress, while Zaun is just known as the under-city. The story starts off with two young sisters who separate from each other due to their “father” dying and later re-unite, but both of them have changed drastically. Throughout the story, these sisters grow so much and it is amazing to see their character development over the course of the two seasons. The story has a multitude of different plotlines that intertwine seamlessly with each other. Each episode ends with a perfectly executed cliffhanger, keeping the audience itching for the next episode. This show has been one of the best-animated series we have ever seen and deserves so much fame, especially since it cost them 250 million dollars to make over the span of 10 years. Arcane had originally started off with funding from the video game League of Legends as well as only being worked on by 15 employees which later grew into 300!
Moana 2: 5/10
Lacking the memorable songs and touching plot from the first film, Moana 2 did not capitalize on the strong foundation laid out by its prequel. Lin Manuel Miranda’s absence could be felt; the music did not have the same catchy rhythms and heartfelt lyrics, and considering the soundtrack is a core part of Moana, the lack of a great one hurts badly. Additionally, many of the songs feel like worse renditions of previous ones. Maui’s song, “Can I get a Chee-Hoo?” sounds like a stiffly reimagined “You’re Welcome,” and the opener is very similar to “Where You Are.” The story, although not terrible, was not set up as well as the first—leading to an awkwardly paced plot progression. This is in part due to the cancellation of the Moana show, which Disney restructured into this film. The divide between episodes openly presents itself in the three different arcs of the film: leaving home, finding Maui, and fighting the antagonist. Maui, a fan-favorite character, does not even enter the main story until HALFWAY through the show, something I am extremely disappointed to discover. The other side characters feel empty and uninspired, contributing very little to Moana’s journey. Speaking of Moana’s journey, there were very very little internal challenges she had to come to terms with that led to her character growth. She remains almost static throughout the movie, only feeling heavy doubts nearer to the end of the film when it becomes an opportunity for a song. These failures culminate in a mediocre sequel to a beloved release, shaming the work put into the previous.
Gladiator 2: 6.5/10
Arriving in theaters two decades after the massively successful original, Gladiator 2 follows the story of Lucius instead of Maximus. Lucius, thought to be Maximu’s nephew and later revealed to be his son, follows the path of a captured prisoner of war fighting as a gladiator. Although the two stories have very similar themes and events, the second strays far enough away from the first to not make it seem like a copy. Fight wise, Gladiator 2 competes with the first. The bloody, intense, yet intimate fights demonstrate the brutality of mortal kombat, and how in desperation humans will do anything to survive. The one-on-one fight at the party best displayed this intimacy—in my recollection, there was no music playing during this scene, only the sounds of the two men struggling against each other to survive. The unconventional and simple fashion in which it was portrayed combined with the drawn-out, back-and-forth violence culminated in a particularly disheartening fight. Pained grunts, clashing daggers, and closely displayed faces allowed for the audience to see on full display the raw, frenetic brutality of combat. The scene ends with the minor character slowly getting stabbed in the gut after a five-minute brawl, dying shortly after. No final words or remarks. His limp body is then unceremoniously dragged out of frame, forgotten by the characters and audience. The director of Gladiator 2 not only entertains the audience with the violence, but does so without glorifying it in the same way many movies like to do. The actors all do incredible jobs displaying a full spectrum of emotions, with no characters lacking in effort. As for my rating, the justification for a 6.5/10 on this film derives from the unoriginality of the plot. I love the surprise antagonist and Denzel Washington’s acting to back it up. However, Lucius feels much too similar to his predecessor Maximus, following almost the exact same journey with a very similar mission. I love the original and wish the second had the same impact, but, the creativity was not there and I can’t help but let that impact the score.