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From the "Call of Duty" series, I always expect something striking and memorable - be it iconic heroes, charismatic villains, or plot twists that stay with you long after the credits roll. And, surprisingly, most entries in the franchise manage to deliver. But "Call of Duty: Black Ops III"... thinking back on it, I suddenly realized that the story is so convoluted and vague, full of clichés and forgettable moments, that it slips out of memory almost instantly. A clear sign that the narrative didn't land.

At first, everything seems straightforward - you're a cyber-enhanced super soldier straight out of "Cyberpunk". You get a suite of high-tech upgrades, there are robots everywhere, bullets flying, enemies leaping all around you. But by the end of the campaign, I had no idea who I was working for, why I existed, or whether I was losing my mind along with the main character. The plot is such a tangled, generic mess that it feels like a fever dream after a heavy lunch - nothing really sticks.

But visually? It's stunning. The graphics are top-notch: flashy effects, explosive action, and richly detailed environments. The sound design holds up as well - gunfire sounds satisfying, and while I vaguely recall music in the background, it's mostly drowned out by the endless explosions and chaos. The robots, at least, act convincingly - the devs definitely nailed the presentation.

Gameplay-wise, there's a ton going on. You're not just running and gunning anymore - you're wall-running, double-jumping like a cyber-kangaroo, activating special vision modes, taking control of machines, and even waving your hand like a digital Jedi to unleash powers. It's all pretty cool - at first. But then the game throws everything at you all at once, and it starts to feel like an action movie on steroids. You don't know what to use or when, because there's just too much of everything. The balance between "awesome" and "overkill" definitely got lost somewhere along the way.

In the end, "Black Ops III" feels conflicted. It's fun to run around and blast enemies - especially if you're not too bothered about narrative coherence. But for me, story matters a lot. And here, it's, well... muddled, to put it kindly. If you're craving a coherent plot and tighter focus, you'd be better off revisiting the entries with Woods, Mason, and their haunted psyches and legendary lines. In this one, you're part cyber-ninja, part action-hero, but mostly left wondering what the point of it all was.

7 out of 10.

Movies about giant apes have always drawn audience attention, but not all manage to escape the towering shadow of the legendary "King Kong". "Mighty Joe Young" is a prime example. Directed by Ernest B. Schoedsack - one of the creators of the original 1933 "King Kong" - the film revisits the story of a colossal gorilla, this time aiming for a gentler, more humanized take. But comparisons to the iconic predecessor are inevitable.

The plot centers on a young woman named Jill, who has raised a gorilla named Joe Young in the African jungle since childhood. Facing financial troubles on her ranch, Jill agrees to bring Joe to America, where he can perform for the public. However, life in a foreign world proves challenging for both the gentle giant and his devoted caretaker.

From the opening scenes, it's clear that the film tries to set itself apart from "King Kong", but the results are mixed. The story unfolds along familiar lines: initial wonder at the exotic creature, followed by inevitable complications, and finally a moral reckoning for the protagonists. Yet unlike "King Kong", this film leans away from tragedy and instead embraces a more family-friendly, adventurous tone.

One of the movie's standout qualities is its special effects. The effort put into bringing Joe to life is genuinely impressive. His movements are surprisingly fluid and lifelike, especially for the 1940s. It's no surprise the film earned an Academy Award for Best Visual Effects - a well-deserved recognition for its time.

Narratively, though, the film is somewhat uneven. At times, the characters' motivations feel inconsistent. One moment they're enthusiastic about turning Joe into a showbiz sensation; the next, they're morally conflicted about exploiting him. This character transformation feels a bit forced and unconvincing.

Overall, the film is watchable but feels derivative. It doesn't bring anything radically new to the table, and much of its appeal comes from its technical execution rather than its storytelling. At least, that's how it came across to me. Perhaps if "King Kong" had never existed, "Mighty Joe Young" would have stood out more, leaving a stronger impression.

In the end, "Mighty Joe Young" is a well-made film for its era, with strong visual effects and a decent enough story. But it's hard to shake the feeling that this is simply a toned-down, alternative version of "King Kong", with less impact and scale.

6 out of 10.

"Chip 'n Dale Rescue Rangers 2" was one of those games I first played when I could barely read - shortly after finishing the original. So the comparison between the two came naturally. I replayed the sequel many times, and every run brought back that unshakable habit of mentally measuring it against part one.

Released in 1993, this follow-up continues right where the first game left off. While it doesn't offer much in terms of innovation, it still delivers a solid and enjoyable experience - especially if you have a second controller and a friend ready to take on the role of Dale.

The story stays true to the animated series: the ever-troublesome Fat Cat is up to no good once again, causing mayhem just because he can. Naturally, the Rescue Rangers leap into action without a second thought. Everything is familiar here - boxes fly, enemies get bonked on the head, and you're running, jumping, and collecting all sorts of goodies along the way.

The game preserves the spirit of the original. Like the first installment, there's some light non-linearity in how you progress through levels. This time, though, there's no overworld map - instead, you occasionally get to choose which level to tackle first and which one to save for later. The levels themselves are fun and diverse: from haunted houses and slimy sewers to sliding through freezers and exploring futuristic bases. The bosses are interesting, too - especially the final showdown with a giant robo-cat. But just like in the original, once you figure out each boss's attack patterns, they're pretty manageable.

Gameplay-wise, it's classic platformer goodness. You grab objects, throw them at enemies, dodge traps and baddies, and jump around like crazy. Everything works as it should, and it all feels satisfyingly familiar - the kind of muscle memory that brings soreness to your thumbs and a smile to your face. The level variety keeps things fresh, and some of the bosses can actually get pretty tense - especially if you're playing solo with only a life or two left.

Visually, the graphics were a standout back in the day. Compared to the original, the colors here are a bit more muted, but there's a noticeable sense of depth - the backgrounds feel a little richer, giving the visuals a more "refined" look. Still, I personally preferred the bright, cartoon-like palette of the first game. It felt more like the show. This one's slightly toned down, but not enough to really complain.

In the end, "Chip 'n Dale Rescue Rangers 2" is a great game - warm, nostalgic, and worth replaying from time to time. It's the kind of title you fire up for a quick half-hour session, run through a few levels, and instantly get transported back to childhood. A rock-solid classic that still brings joy to retro gamers - especially in co-op. Especially with a hot cup of tea in hand.

8 out of 10.