zackplog

There was a singular moment that had me go, "Ohhhhh," and everything clicked into place. Seeing it through that lense, the cliche bits of the narrative made more sense for what they were trying to go with. Fair tales are 'fairly' (wink) straightforward. I understand the story they wanted to go with and the framework of said type.

It was an acceptable fairy tale. The ending was great. Fighting, great. If one's views it through that lense one should enjoy it.

... I'm not there yet so I guess I need to add more random words? Beeboobaaboo. I am curious about how a mermaid and a human get it on...

Having the dynamic of three teams with three players each means you can have more human to human interactions in the show. Colin's little jokes, and everyone taking it in good fun, really makes it such a positive space. Polycules, couples and friends, even returning Jeopardy contestants, it's just fun. With everything going on in the world, having this fun escape is just that: Fun. I've gone full games only knowing four answers but the way it all goes down is just so entertaining that I don't care.

Also. Legitimately. There have been some ridiculous comebacks. One's you can't help but cheer for while going, "Oh noooo! What!!? What?!" Just good. Wonderful content.

As I've now read some of the negative reviews, allow me to add some extra bits: Pop Culture is a vast category. Pop Culture trivia games at bars regularly have teams, this is just an extension of that niche. It does not but mean there aren't still people who know plenty of historical facts. Further still, if one thinks Colin is 'over-the-top', then I'd like to suggest watching game shows from either Japan or Mexico to receive better context for what 'over-the-top' actually entails.

I'm going to go through a pros and cons list with he pros first. Honestly I do think it's worth a watch even with its odd moments. The animation, looking like a blend of Studio Ghibli and the old 80's animated Hobbit movie, satisfied my art aesthetic.

--- Pros: The voice acting was excellent throughout. I don't think there was a moment that I didn't like it. Brian Cox and Gaia Wise, Helm Hammerhand and Héra, were great. I think Brian helped anchor things for me. Lorraine Ashbourne as Olwyn, who was a bad ass, was great, too.

Character design, I don't know if it could have been better. Although the belt below Héra's chest looked wildly impractical. I'm also tired of all ladies being these thin people when there actively are bulkier women.

Although there were odd moments of trying to blend 3D terrain with 2D characters there was so much beauty in the hand drawn characters in the movie that I really don't mind it. So so good. There were only maybe two scenes where they used computers to help with the animation. Other than that they regularly animated every single person and that cannot be overlooked.

There was a definite difference in the music between the first and second half of the film. A problem with the orchestra was that it sounded like only one trumpet was being used, crafting a sort of flat experience. As the film progressed in tension, the music began to swell, mirroring Héra's growth. There are some legitimately amazing songs despite those drawbacks.

The sword fight at the end, along with Helm friggin punching people to death, were amazing. ... That's it for this paragraph. I just wanted to say how much I loved that.

--- Cons:

There was an odd reference near the beginning. A horse with some kind of sickness that was then never explained. Maybe it was foreshadowing? I'unno. Seemed like a Netflix mini series could have accomplished more with the story with more time.

My number one drawback for the film is that Héra is bested, twice, and absurdly easily. This is compensated for the absolutely amazing scene where she fights at the end. It did give me a moment to go, "Where was this earlier???" However, being shocked at something and running around for way too long can probably be used. Whatever the case it was still disappointing, the two times she just kinda lost her fights.

You um...can't stand on an Oliphant's neck and chop into it without falling off, my guy. At least be in your knees.

The...erm...siege device at the end...was weird as all get out.

The first third of the movie, as I said before, the music was lacking. A solitary trumpet accentuating moments, rather than several to create depth to the sound, was a definite demerit, though somewhat balanced by the end.

--- I think I can fairly give it an 8 and don't think I could justify it being anything less than a 6. If you have an appreciation for hand drawn effects, you'll probably enjoy it.