Twisted Metal

Twisted Metal is absolutely bananas but it works. It's one of the more entertaining new shows that I've seen this year. You can't really compare it to anything since there's never been anything quite like it. The series is based off a PlayStation game of the same name. It's about a quirky outsider (Anthony Mackie) who's offered a chance at a better life if he can deliver a mysterious package across a post apocalyptic world all the while by being chased by a bunch of different violent maniacs trying to stop him. He's helped from a badass car thief (Stephanie Beatriz) who is the perfect sidekick for him.

This feels like a show from a bygone era: Locally made no-budget B-movies that somehow manage to be bad yet somehow great too?

The shots are flat, oversaturated, uninteresting, and often ugly. The effects are bad and shockingly subpar for today. The plot is predictable (though it does manage a few surprises). The world is about as big as a postage stamp. It looks cheaply made. Most of the acting is pretty 'whoever they could round up locally for their b-movie' level... even though it stars Anthony Mackie.

HOWEVER! It has charm. The driving chase/fighting scenes are real cars in real places being driven by real drivers. The locations are real locations that actually exist in the world and not only inside a computer. The humor is pretty spot-on for the material and quality of the show, which means the goofiness fits the end-product show. Theres a half-naked maniacal clown who drives an ice cream truck with machine guns who lusts for destruction.

By no means is this a show for everyone. Its based on an "edgy" PS1 game about cars blowing each other up with zany drivers. I dont know how they sqeezed this decent of a show. Its ridiculous and it shouldnt work, but nevertheless its good silly fun.

Started this show with the idea that it would be a big bright colorful background noise. I was pleasantly surprised. I was very well aware of the game growing up but not being a PlayStation owner I didn't have much excitement for this show as I wouldn't have the slightest clue for what was happening. Listen if you've got a few days (or hours if you're a binge freak) and want something fun this is your show. If you take things too serious than look the other way.

Positives: Great characters. Great pace. A few good laughs. 2000's Nostalgia music

Negatives: a few minor plot holes that make you scratch your head.

For a TV show based off of a video game series it really isn't that bad. There are quite a few references to the video game and others if you know them otherwise the references just fit into the shows dialogue. It's not the worse adaptation I've seen it's actually one of the better ones. They did a good job adding things from the game that people will recognize. It is a show not just for fans of the game series but also for new fans. The casting was done really well. The ending was the only thing that brought the score down for me. I think if they added one or two more episodes it would have been great.

HELL YEAH! This show is beastly and hilarious.

For perspective, I know very little about the Twisted Metal games. I've played it a few times when visiting a friend, but I never owned the game myself. And this was about 25 years ago. The only thing I remembered was it involves armed vehicles.

I went in with low expectations given the terrible history of video game movies/shows. But we have been on a good streak lately (Sonic 1/2, Mario, Gran Turismo). And I'm ecstatic to say that the streak continues with Twisted Metal.

It hooked me immediately. I love the tone and over-the-top nature. I love that it doesn't hold back with the violence and blood. I love all the comedic attempts, with so many of them being memorable. I love the two leads, I didn't know Mackie could play funny/slightly goofy.

But the thing I loved the most, and it's not even close, is SWEET TOOTH!!!! He's so awesome. I've never liked clowns. Never been scared of them. Just never saw the appeal. So for me to like him this much is saying a lot. The show is elevated every time he's on screen.

At first I couldn't tell who was voicing him. I kept wondering, who is the actor fully bringing this character to life? Who is the one making this sadistic psychopath so likeable? Of course, it's Will Arnett. What a beast. He's able to bring so much to the table with his voice, as we've already seen with his performances as Lego Batman and BoJack Horseman.

EDIT: I should have my Nolan card revoked for forgetting about Joker in The Dark Knight. But I never really saw him as a clown. He's more like an endlessly intriguing character who dresses like a clown. But if you include him, Sweet Tooth would be second.

This show is highly efficient. It doesn't meander. It does so much with so little time. Most shows these days are terrible at that, especially streaming ones. I also love the song selections on this soundtrack. Some are late 90's/early 2000's songs I love and still listen to. Others are songs I haven't heard in decades. The choices seem odd but all work. Never in a million years would I have thought a scene playing the Thong Song would give me goosebumps.

In conclusion, YES and GIVE ME MORE! (1 viewing, 7/29/2023)