BlueDragon998

Being in the process of playing Cyberpunk 2077 (the videogame this is based on), I wanted to check out this series, especially as I had found an easter egg IG and wanted to know more.

All I can say is that this is a short but excellent cyberpunk series, a very good companion if you are playing the game. This series is very reminiscent of old school ultra violent 90s cyberpunk and scifi anime such as Cyber City Oedo 808 or Ghost in the Shell.

All I will say about the plot is that it follows a mercenary crew before the events of the game. The music and art are excellent.

My only negative point is that the characters and plot could be more fleshed out. For example, I feel that the MC's entire motivations are irrational and that he burns out for stupid reasons. But again, this doesn't take away the 10/10 score for me, because I'm willing to suspend my disbelief for a tragic and violent cyberpunk story.

It's honestly a must watch if you're playing Cyberpunk 2077.

Ridley Scott actually tries his best with this movie. The movie is a non stop action sequence, with action sequences that defy anything the original did, thanks to the use of CGI that didn't exist back in the day (actually used well in this film, as I usually think that CGI looks terrible).

The problem is that the original was carried by stellar actors (Russell Crowe, Joaquin Phoenix, etc) and a plot which was entertaining despite being historical nonsense.

You have none of that in this film. The characters are uninteresting, the main character (Maximus' son) is not compelling or charismatic like Russell Crowe was, and the main villain (Denzel Washington) is nowhere near as interesting as Commodus was, and could almost be a minor villain (he also dies like one).

The plot, when you remove the action sequences, is also nonexistent. But this is a trend in recent films by Ridley Scott like Napoléon. There are lots of very impressive epic sequences, but when you look at the writing and plot (the actual meat and quality of a film) there is nothing.

I think that Ridley Scott tries too much to emulate the first film here. The way the plot happens is quite similar (MC finds himself in the arena) but the villains and writing is sub par and forgettable.

I feel that the problem is lack of originality. The actors have the talent, but the writing isn't there. Ridley Scott should have made a sequel that wasn't necessarily about Gladiators maybe, but something set in Roman times but elsewhere (for example in Judea or Germania/Britannia).

Don't get me wrong, my dopamine addled brain, which enjoys a burger and a coca cola, somewhat enjoyed this film. But it's nothing more than that. Some critics call it a Marvel type film and I agree.

Gone are the monologues by tragic and mad characters (Joaquin Phoenix) with an amazing soundtrack by Hans Zimmer. The original was not a masterpiece of writing but it had flair and charisma. This film has none of that. Unfortunately I think it's a trend where Ridley Scott simply lost his touch (Alien Covenant, Napoléon, and now this). His only recent good film was the Last Duel, precisely because he explored an entirely new setting and story (medieval France).

I don't really understand why this gets raving reviews, I'm guessing lots of people haven't watched classic Japanese Samurai movies or media from Japan.

I give this show a 6/10 based on the main cast performance alone, mainly the Japanese actors. But other than that, the plot is extremely weak and nonsensical. The show doesn't do a good job of explaining the setting (which GOT does extremely well), and in fact the setting is clearly a nonsensical excuse to justify the show (it was written as fiction by a Westerner obviously). It's basically an excuse to have a Western guy come into Japan and show Japanese culture. It's as bland as "The Last Samurai" but even worse.

The main Western actor is also not memorable visually, and the constant trope of him not understanding Japanese and needing a translator gets tedious more than it is interesting.

The first episode is basically good, maybe the second. But then it just gets nowhere. It feels like an 80s movie (which it was) that aged very badly, in an age where Japanese films or films such as "Silence" exist.

The main fundamental plot is to follow the story of the Westerner, or the "Anjin" (Pilot). None of this is interesting, you don't even make sense of what this Westerner wants and his scene are cringe worthy. Even a videogame like "Nioh" by Team Ninja presented this story in a much more effective manner, with a better visual character than Cosmo Jarvis.

This is a series that needed a much better characterisation of the Westerner, with better script, but also a better more beautiful and memorable actor such as Viggo Mortensen or Henry Cavill.

I was honestly extremely bored throughout the entire series and forced myself to continue watching.

Again, the only true positive is the beautiful performance by the Japanese actors/actresses. Everything else is weak plot, weak characterisation, etc.

I just can't see where people call this "Japanese GOT".