TV DVD Review: "The Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes": Volume Four: "Thor's Last Stand"

Rated: TV-Y7 for fantasy violence
Starring: Eric Loomis, Brian Bloom, and Colleen O'Shaughnessey
Released: October 25, 2011 (DVD)

Synopsis
The Avengers will stop at nothing to save the day...which is just what the villains are expecting! When scientist/superhero Ant-Man's robotic project goes haywire and becomes bent on mass destruction, it seems to be too much for Iron Man and his crew to handle...but, what comes next separates the heroes and leaves them to fend for themselves while all of Earth hangs in the balance.  Will these superheroes still be able to save the day, or have they finally met their demise?
Based on stories from Marvel Comics.

The Good
The animation is mostly great, and the action sequences are spot-on.  Positive themes--working as a team, sacrificing for the greater good, putting aside difference to work together for a common goal--are also quite present.  Every voice actor does an amazing job.  As you'd expect, there's no profanity or sex.  The cliffhanger ending of each episode leaves you wanting more, especially the last one in the set.

The Bad
The animation may be great for the most part, but some sequences could have been done better.  Some sequences were also disturbing; the opening episode features what the SDHs called "demons," though that may have been wrong, as a later episode had a scene where the same subtitles referred to a male villain as "Wonder Woman," who isn't even part of the Marvel universe.  Not only that, but...using female characters--particularly Janet Van Dyne/Wasp and the Enchantress--as eye candy got rather old, especially when the first episode starts off with Janet lounging poolside in a bikini.

Conclusion
I love superhero stories; ever since I watched Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Fast Forward about 1.5 years ago, I've gobbled down several other animated do-gooder programs, ranging from Superman: The Animated Series to Batman Beyond to even the currently obscure Fantastic Four.  When I first started watching The Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes, I was a bit surprised.  Sure, I expected plenty of action, but it was rather intense for a kids' cartoon.  Just like many other series, the further you get into it, the more intense it gets, and, though good overall, I couldn't help but be slightly disturbed by this fourth set.  Still, I'm curious to see how it ends, and you bet I'm putting in a request at my local library for the next volume.

Score: 3.5/5

Live Theater Review: Sight & Sound Theater's Performance of "Moses"

Synopsis
You probably know the story of Moses...but, you've never seen it like this! From his miraculous rescue as a baby, to his dedication to the people of Israel, to the various plagues God sent to Egypt, to the divine inscription of the Ten Commandments, this portrayal makes the Bible story leap off of the page! Complete with a large cast, elaborate sets, several musical numbers, and a dash of humor, this play brings the book of Exodus to life!

The Good
It's hard to find something about this play that wasn't good.  The musical numbers were spot-on; the actors were amazing, and really got into their parts; the special effects were amazingly done for a live production; and, best of all, this stage version is true to the original Bible story.  If you haven't seen any of Sight & Sound's productions, you're missing out!

The Bad
I don't really have anything to say in this department.

Conclusion
What a treat! This is the third Sight & Sound production I have seen, and it was just as good if not better than the previous ones.  If you love the Bible, you simply must see one of their productions!

Score: 5/5

TV Season Review: "Sonny With a Chance": Season One

Rated: TV-G
Starring: Demi Lovato, Tiffany Thornton, and Brandon Mychal Smith
Released: 2009 (Disney Channel premieres)

Synopsis
Sonny Munroe's (Demi Lovato) dream has come true! After winning a contest, she is leaving her home state of Wisconsin, and moving to Hollywood, where she will join the cast of her favorite sketch comedy show, So Random! Upon arriving, she finds that not all is well in Tinseltown; she shares a dressing room with Tawni Hart (Tiffany Thornton), a stuck-up, self-obsessed diva, her two male co-stars are pure goofballs, and there's a major rivalry with the cast of MacKenzie Falls, a teen drama that films in the same studio! In this first season, Sonny and friends deal with the bratty daughter (G. Hannelius, Dog With a Blog) of the studio head, throw an underground prom, make an exclusive Hollywood club in the basement of their studio, and lots more!

The Good
Nobody makes a sitcom like Disney Channel; that's just the way it is.  Though this show centers around a sketch comedy, the show-within-a-show plot thread is more in the style of Home Improvement than All That.  Still, the hilarity is insane; as absurd and goofy as the characters act, it's hard not to laugh.  Positive elements also abound: friends sticking together, people uniting for a cause they believe in, respect for one's parents and others' privacy, etc. The lack of profanity, drug use, nudity, and sexual content only augments this inaugural season.

The Bad
My complaints are all minor, but I wouldn't be doing my job if I didn't address them: Some of the humor is a bit disturbing, but, only in a "PG" way.  There is also a bit of bathroom humor, such as using Smelma Pitts as a fake name.  The closed captioning was strangely absent until I was halfway through the season; was that an iTunes glitch? Two other issues: The last two episodes were apparently out of order; the penultimate one has clips from the one that came after it. Not only that, but, as most Disney Channel fans know, Demi Lovato's health issues caused this show to end prematurely, which means that it probably won't reach a satisfying conclusion.

Conclusion
I've watched this show in bits and pieces over the years; in fact, all five of the episodes on the Sonny's Big Break DVD were included in this set, which meant I ended up sitting through them for the second or third time.  Still, the majority of them were completely new to me, and I enjoyed pretty much all of them.  Negative moments aside, this Mouse network creation is a definite winner.  If you like Disney sitcoms, and haven't seen this one...what are you waiting for? Go buy it on iTunes, NOW!

Score: 4.75/5

TV DVD Review: "Once Upon a Time": The Complete First Season

Rated: TV-PG for language, sexual scenes, and violence (US) / PG: "Violence" (Canada)
Starring: Ginnifer Goodwin, Jennifer Morrison, and Lana Parilla
Released: 2011 - 2012 (ABC premieres) / August 28, 2012 (DVD)

Synopsis
On her twenty-eighth birthday, longtime loner Emma Swan is in for a surprise: her son Henry, whom she gave up for adoption years ago, has found her.  After they meet, Emma immediately takes him home to the town of Storybrooke.  Henry insists that everyone there is a storybook character, but, even though Emma tries to play along, she doesn't really believe him.  To make matters worse, Henry insists that Regina, his adopted mother, is an evil queen, and flagrantly disobeys her as a result.  Despite the doubting of Emma and other townspeople, Henry knows in his heart that his beliefs are true...and they are.  Emma is the only one who can break the curse on the town of Storybrooke...but will she believe? What lengths will Henry have to go to in order to convince her? Whether or not she believes, Regina will stop at nothing to prevent the curse from being stopped.  Who will succeed?

The Good
This first season is among the most involving experiences I've ever experienced.  Instead of a situation comedy that bounces from one random adventure to the next, the continued storyline and various plot twists made this very gripping.  Even the ending--which I won't give away here--left me wanting more.  The acting was also amazing, especially from the three female leads.  I liked the soundtrack, and the sets were spot-on; they did a great job taking you to a land of fantasy.

The Bad
First off: Some scenes were downright scary, particularly one where two people are turned into hideous dolls.  Also, profanity was present in every episode; though some episodes had only one or two expletives, others had as many as five or six.  Though the producers went out of their way to make sure nothing gruesome was shown, there were a few scenes that were a bit bloody.  The "S" advisory is because of one sexual scene, which could have been left out.  A few of the plots--for example, dwarves hatching from eggs?--were slightly dumb, and some of the themes--such as an extramarital relationship--were not exactly kid-friendly.

Conclusion
What a ride! Finishing this first season makes me feel like I just finished a year of school.  It's true that I started watching this series over four months ago; maybe that's why I feel a sense of accomplishment after finishing the first season.  Above problems aside, it made for some good entertainment...which is more than I can say for most of what's on the major networks these days.

Score: 3.5/5

Movie Review: "Halloweentown"

Rated: TV-PG (US) / PG (Canada)
Starring: Kimberly J. Brown, Judith Hoag, and Debbie Reynolds
Released: October 17, 1998 (Disney Channel premiere)

Synopsis
It's Halloween night, and thirteen-year-old Marnie (Kimberly J. Brown) couldn't be more frustrated with her mother (Judith Hoag).  Instead of getting to trick-or-treat or go to a costume party, Marnie and her siblings are stuck at home, because their mother refuses to let them do anything to celebrate the ghoulish holiday.  When Marnie's maternal grandmother (Debbie Reynolds) stops by for a visit, she tells of a place called Halloweentown, where ghosts, vampires, werewolves, and monsters live.  Marnie and her siblings sneak out and hitch a ride on the bus their grandmother left on...only to end up in the place she spoke of! When evil seems to be afoot, Marnie is more than willing to help her grandmother defeat it...but, will her new-found powers be enough?

The Good
As usual for Disney Channel movies, there was a complete lack of profanity, sexual content, and drug use.  The costumes, sets, and animatronics were all well-done.  Positive themes included looking past physical appearance, courage in the face of fear, and sticking together as a family.

The Bad
There were some occult references, such as a ghoul speaking of bringing up "a demon from the underworld" and a ghost speaking of "Hades," which some viewers--that is, the kind that make an effort to avoid the Harry Potter franchise--may have a problem with, and even bothered me a bit.  However, to me, what was even worse was the character of Marnie.  For most of the film, she is flagrantly disrespectful to her mother; not only that, but, a teenage boy in Halloweentown wants to date her, even though he has just met her.  (Can you say, "Mary Sue"?)  Also, the closed captions spelled an important character's name wrong, and the video was too fuzzy for a DVD released in 2005.  I realize this is a telefilm from 1998, but, really...they couldn't bother to remaster it to make it look better than an "SP" VHS tape?

Conclusion
I'll be honest: I'm not a fan of Halloween.  Some people believe it's demonic, the devil's birthday, or whatever, but I don't agree with that; I just think it's silly to have a holiday that's all about consuming gobs of candy and being scary.  If this hadn't been a Disney Channel movie, I don't even think I would have bothered.  Though this telefilm came on when I was a big fan of the network thanks to Lizzie McGuire, I never considered Kimberly J. Brown as one of my favorite Disney girls.  Maybe it was because she did movies instead of series; still, I know now that, by avoiding this movie, I wasn't missing much.  Fans of all things ghostly and ghoulish may enjoy this, but, everyone else should just wait for this to come on the Disney Channel in October.  The DVD edition I have has both the original and the 2001 sequel; I'm not even going to bother with the second movie.  Sure, there were some redeeming qualities...but, overall, I couldn't help but be disappointed.

Score: 2/5

Movie Review: "Joseph: King of Dreams"

Rated: Not Rated (US) / PG (Canada)
Starring: Ben Affleck, Mark Hamill, and Jodi Benson
Released: November 7, 2000 (VHS and DVD)

Synopsis
From the people that brought you The Prince of Egypt comes another animated Bible story! Joseph's mother and father consider him their most special son, but his many brothers despise him...so, they sell him into slavery.  While working at the house of the wealth Potiphar, Joseph gets wrongly accused and thrown into prison for a crime he didn't commit.  When Joseph hears his fellow prisoners discussing their dreams, God helps him interpret them...a gift that helps him in ways he never expected!
Based on the story in Genesis.

The Good
The Prince of Egypt was praised by critics everywhere for its wonderful animation, and this direct-to-video sequel--or is it prequel?--follows suit.  Every scene is lavishly illustrated, and (most of) the dream sequences are quite wondrous.  Also, the voice work--featuring A-list talent ranging from Ben Affleck (Daredevil) to Mark Hamill (Star Wars) to even Jodi Benson (The Little Mermaid)--was outstanding.  Some Christian movies suffer from shoddy production values, but this one definitely does not.  As for the story, I liked how Joseph was presented as a flawed individual--which he likely was--instead of a Mary Sue.

The Bad
I didn't really care for the songs that much, especially the ones in the background; they sounded too much like elevator music.  Also, though I know some liberties have to be taken to do a audiovisual interpretation of a Bible story, the makers changed a bit too much of the Biblical account.  Sure, VeggieTales changes up many of the stories from God's Word, but, with that series, it's always obvious what was in the original story and what wasn't; with Joseph: King of Dreams, it wavers too much between faithfulness to the Good Book and deviating from it.  Not only that, but...the dream sequence involving the cows was weird and freaky, even though it did feature nice computer animation.

Conclusion
The story of Joseph and his "coat of many colors"--or, depending on your translation, "richly ornamented robe"--has been adapted several times in various ways.  Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice did "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat", a Broadway musical; last year, a modern-day adaptation called Seasons of Gray came to theaters; Big Idea's VeggieTales did it Western-style with The Ballad of Little Joe; and, a few traditional-style films based on the story have been released in the past few decades...such as this one.  Though it was entertaining and fun, I can't imagine I'll be watching this again.  I wasn't a tremendous fan of The Prince of Egypt, but I could see why people liked it; if you did, you'll have to judge for yourself if you'll like this or not.  It's unsettling to think that DreamWorks went from releasing Biblical animated films to the crass Shrek quadrilogy.

Score: 3/5

Quickie Book Review: "Just Ask" ("Diary of a Teenage Girl: Kim", No. 1)

Author: Melody Carlson
Published: 2005 by Multnomah

Synopsis
Kim's parents told her they'd buy her a new car...as long as she refrained from getting any traffic tickets. When her father finds out that she was clocked going well over the speed limit, he cuts her a deal: she can get the new car as long as she does an advice column for the local paper. So, Kim adopts the pen name of "Just Jamie", and dispenses the usual teen-friendly advice. However, when a classmate is killed in a car accident, Kim gets asked serious questions about life, death, and what it all means. She went to church with her adopted parents growing up, but has been looking into Buddhism online. Which one has the answers?

My Review
Much like the series premiere of a TV show, this one sets up the story quite well. Reading Kim's advice to teens actually was quite fun. However, the events of the last chapter imply that later books in this series will take a much more somber tone.

Score: 3.5/5

Book Review: "The Chair"

Author: James L. Rubart
Published: 2011 by Broadman and Holman

Synopsis
Corin Roscoe, an antique dealer and restorer, is given a chair that is said to be made by none other than Jesus Christ.  Corin doesn't really believe in such things…until a young boy is healed of his asthma after sitting in it, which makes headlines everywhere.  The pastor of a mega-church tries to trick Corin into handing it over, but, the lady who gave him the chair told him it was his duty to protect the chair at all costs.  Corin wants more than anything to heal the rift between him and his brother, who was severely injured in an accident several years ago thanks to Corin's mistake…but does the chair really possess such power? If so, how will Corin ever convince his brother to sit in it? The two of them are going to be in for a big surprise…

My Review
James L. Rubart is a relatively new Christian author whose storytelling talents can't be denied.  Much like C. S. Lewis, he uses the power of allegory to both teach and entertain.  This story made me realize that I can't progress until I move on from my past…and that's just what I plan on doing!  My hat's off to you, Mr. Rubart!

Score: 4.5/5

Movie Review: "Tron: Legacy"

Rated: PG for sequences of sci-fi action violence and brief mild language
Starring: Jeff Bridges, Garrett Hedlund, and Olivia Wilde
Released: December 17, 2010

Synopsis
Two decades ago, young Sam (Garrett Hedlund) was told by his father, Flynn (Jeff Bridges), a master programmer and creator of the best-selling video games ever, of a world inside the computer, and that they'd go there together one day…then, Flynn mysteriously disappeared. Now all grown up and living on his own, Sam wants nothing more than the realization of his father's dream.  Out of nowhere, a former co-worker of Flynn's says that Flynn paged him…from a number that was disconnected years ago.  Determined to figure out the real story, Sam investigates…and finds himself in the digital realm that his father spoke of.  Unfortunately, not all is well in that world; Clu, a digital clone that Flynn created of himself, has become wanton and bent on mass destruction, not just of their world, but of ours.  It's up to Sam, Flynn, and their new ally Quorra (Olivia Wilde) to stop Clu…but will they be able to do it?
The sequel to the 1982 film Tron.

The Good
Well, first off…the special effects are definitely outstanding! The entire digital world looks so lifelike, it's hard to tell what's CG and what isn't! Also, the action sequences are well choreographed.  I liked the themes of self-sacrifice for the greater good and how chasing after perfection was shown to be futile.  There were also some great parallels, such as the son of "the creator" coming into the digital world to save it, which is allegorical to the Gospels, and how Clu is portrayed as an evil dictator, like Hitler, Saddam, or one of the Antichrist characters in all those "end times" movies.  All of the actors deserve credit, too; Jeff Bridges, especially, since he played two different roles quite well.

The Bad
This movie may be rated "PG," but, I found it a bit disturbing.  Not only is there talk of mass murder--which is also depicted, though non-graphically--but, the way the programs "died"--their "bits" splattered everywhere--was a bit unsettling, as was seeing a "program" with part of his face missing.  Also, though I expected a profanity or two, having three or four uses each of the d-word and h-word was quite un-Disney, and not "brief mild language" like the MPAA said.  Elsewhere, some of the female programs are used as eye candy; Quorra's outfit shows her shoulders, and other ladies in the digital world wear some very tight outfits.  A scene involving alcoholic beverages was unnecessary.  Probably the worst part was finding out from one of the previews that there's a sequel of sorts on the Blu-Ray edition, when I only have the DVD.

Conclusion
I've only seen the original Tron once, and that was about a decade ago, so, I hardly remember it.  That said, I knew enough about the story to appreciate this bigger, better sequel.  Though well-made, some parts were unsettling enough for me not to watch it again; still, I enjoyed it as a whole.  It's just one more Disney production that gives me faith in the company as a whole, and makes me all the more excited about their upcoming Star Wars sequel.

Score: 3.75/5

Quickie Book Review: "'Round the Corner" ("The Sister Circle", No. 2)

Authors: Nancy Moser and Vonette Bright
Published: 2003 by Tyndale

Synopsis
After Evelyn Peerbaugh opened up her house to renters, she and the four tenants became like sisters…but, since then, all of them have moved out, and her house is now open for renters again.  However, things won't be easy this time around; one potential renter is suing for discrimination, while one tenant struggles with putting her faith before a potential mate, and Evelyn's son is involved in a custody battle! Evelyn and her "sister circle" will be put to the test…but will they make it out unscathed?

My Review
The story was good…the writing was great…the characters were likable…but there was still one big problem: The copy I read had a page missing right towards the end, and during a crucial scene at that.  Now, instead of trading it in or donating it to the library, I have to throw it in the recycle bin; what a waste! If you're a fan of the series up to this point, and you buy this second novel, I sure hope the same thing doesn't happen to you.

Score: 4/5

Quickie Book Review: "My Life as a Smashed Burrito With Extra Hot Sauce" ("The Incredible Worlds of Wally McDoogle," No. 1)

Author: Bill Myers
Published: 1993 by Word

Synopsis
Wally McDoogle is a nerdy, awkward kid who, much to his chagrin, is sent to church camp by his well-meaning father.  Though his friends Opera and Wall Street are on his side, he ends up getting on the bad side of the biggest, strongest kid in the camp.  When their rivalry gets out of hand, the head counselor doles out a punishment that teaches everyone a lesson.

My Review
Many years ago, this series was pretty much my introduction to Christian fiction.  I liked them back then, though I didn't understand them all that well; now, I both understand and appreciate them quite well.  Though I'm not a kid anymore, I still consider myself a kid at heart, and that's why I enjoyed this.  If you're an adult who still watches Nickelodeon or the Disney Channel, you'll likely find enjoyment in this series.

Score: 5/5

TV Series Review: "Incredible Crew"

Rated: TV-PG
Starring: Nick Cannon, Chanelle Peloso, and Tristan Pasterick
Released: December 31, 2012 - April 11, 2013 (Cartoon Network premieres)

Synopsis
Nick Cannon, formerly of Nickelodeon and America's Got Talent, has a crew of incredible up and coming young stars in this Cartoon Network sketch comedy! With various skits such as "Carter the Startler," "Sticker Friend," "Emoticonnie," and "Origami Snowball," Incredible Crew is sure to entertain!

The Good
Well, Chanelle Peloso is attractive, and at least there's nothing sexual, like there is in way too many "TV-PG" comedies.  Also, the theme song is decent…and that's about all the praise I can give it.

The Bad
You have no idea what a strain it was to write the above synopsis and sound positive.  Anything good about this show--even its innocence--is overcome by one major problem: It is not funny.  Instead of the insanity and off-the-wall craziness you get from shows like All That or Sonny With a Chance, the attempts at humor here are so stark in their strangeness, it's depressing and downright disturbing.  That's likely why the show got low ratings and was eventually cancelled.

Conclusion
When I was younger, there were many short-lived shows that I thought were great: Kids Say the Darndest Things, Meego, Weakest Link, The Next Great American Band, Emeril, The Chair, and some others I'm probably not thinking of at the moment.  Since I've hardly seen even any scenes from those shows in ages, I'm not sure whether or not I would like them now; maybe, if I did, I'd realize why they flopped and why no one else seems to remember most of them.  Going into Incredible Crew, I was prepared for it to be a treat; Chanelle Peloso, who recently starred alongside Zendaya in Disney Channel's Zapped was in it, and sketch comedies tend to be hilarious; I can hardly watch All That without laughing out loud, especially when Lori Beth Denberg is onscreen.  Sure, Incredible Crew had low viewership ratings and negative reviews…but what do those people know? Apparently, more than I gave them credit for, because this show is such a dud, I couldn't even finish the first episode, though I did watch part of another one, and found it just as inane.  I can't believe I wasted twenty bucks on this series on iTunes; thank goodness I didn't buy it in high definition, or else I'd be out even more! Next time, I'll think twice before buying a flop series just because some pretty young actress is in it.

Score: 1/5

Movie Review: "Escape"

Rated: Not Rated (Dove approved for ages twelve and up)
Starring: John Rhys-Davies, C. Thomas Howell, and Anora Lyn
Released: 2011 by Pure Flix

Synopsis
Paul (C. Thomas Howell) and Kim Jordan (Anora Lyn) are two doctors who travel to Thailand to help the underprivileged there.  Paul goes to help a young boy…only to be captured by criminals and put in a makeshift jail alongside wealthy merchant Malcolm Andrews (John Rhys-Davies).  The two become friends…but they disagree on the existence of God.  With the Thai police and Malcolm and Paul's wives frantically searching and hoping for their return, it seems there is only One who can bring them back.
From Pure Flix, the makers of God's Not Dead, Jerusalem Countdown, and What If…?.

The Good
The production values of this film are better than usual for the "faith-based" genre, though Pure Flix's movies are generally relatively high quality anyway.  The acting, action sequences, soundtrack, scenery, and even the closed captions were good if not great.  As usual for films like this, this movie makes some good points, too.

The Bad
Some of the violence is bloody; however, for me, the biggest problem was the rushed ending.  It just wrapped matters up too easily and quickly, and it kind of diminished the overall experience. 

Conclusion
You've probably seen a movie that was ruined by the final moments before the closing credits; Escape is one such film.  The too-quick resolution made me feel like I had wasted my time.  Regardless, Escape is an exciting faith-based action/adventure film…but you may wish you didn't spend eighty-eight minutes with it.

Score: 2.5/5

Book Review: "Dragon Weather"

Author: Lawrence Watt-Evans
Published: 1999 by Tor

Synopsis
Arlian was content with village life on the Smoking Mountain…until the dragons came and destroyed everyone he loved and everything he had.  Without family, friends, or property, Arlian is determined to avenge his loved ones and his village…but will his mission be his undoing?
The first in a trilogy.

The Good
Lawrence Watt-Evans is a talented writer, no question.  His prose here is crisp and exciting.  There is also plenty of action and suspense.  Arlian is a likable hero, and the kind for whom you can't help but cheer.

The Bad
There was a small amount of profanity, but the main problems are the violence and sexual content.  The rather lurid description of a woman's nude body was unnecessary, and at least one character is killed only for sport.  Some of the violent scenes are bloody as well.  Not only that, but…the novel runs a little too long; some trimming would have helped.

Conclusion
A great, well-written story that was muddled by inappropriate content and too much length; that's how I can best sum up Dragon Weather.  I have the next two novels in my collection, but I'm not sure now if I'm going to read them.

Score: 3/5

Manga Review: "Speed Racer: Mach Go Go Go": Volume One

Author: Tatsuo Yoshida
Published: 2008 by Digital Manga

Synopsis
For the first time ever, the original Speed Racer manga--known as Mach a Go Go Go in Japan--has come to American shores! These were the genesis of the classic cartoon and the Wachowski brothers live-action film.  With the regular cast of characters--Pops, Trixie, Spritle, Chim-Chim, Sparky, and Speed himself--you'll cheer as everyone's favorite cartoon racer faces one challenge after another…and triumphs!

The Good
I'm fairly new to this whole manga thing, but, I think the old entertainment rule applies here: You can't beat the classics.  Since these comics are the basis for an anime that came to American shores decades ago, these are definitely old-school, but still very fun.  The art style is very polished, though I'm unsure why some of the panels are in color and others aren't.  Every race is thrilling and exciting, even though the outcome is pretty much obvious.

The Bad
There were a few profanities, which, though only "PG" level, were surprising for what most would consider a kid's comic.  Also, one sequence features a big, ugly monster that I didn't really care for, and felt out of place in a series like this.

Conclusion
Despite being a longtime fan of old-school television, I'm largely unfamiliar with the character of Speed Racer.  I've only seen about a minute or two of the original anime, though I did watch and enjoy the live-action movie that came out a few years back; I even have its theme song on my iPod.  After reading the original manga, I think Speed Racer is one classic show I need to check out.  Despite their few unfortunate moments, these Japanese comics were crazy fun!

Score: 4.5/5

Movie Review: "Inspector Gadget 2"

Rated: G (US) / PG (Canada)
Starring: French Stewart, Elaine Hendrix, and Caitlin Wachs
Released: March 11, 2013 (VHS/DVD)

Synopsis
The once legendary crime fighting cyborg Inspector Gadget (French Stewart) is bored out of his mind; since the evil Claw and his minions were thrown in prison, there hasn't been crime to fight in Riverton.  His superpowers are also glitching like crazy, and always do anything but what he tells them to do.  When Riverton introduces G2 (Elaine Hendrix), a new female version of the Gadget, the original Inspector wants to help her...but she works alone.  Gadget's old nemesis The Claw has escaped, and has yet another plan for world domination.  G2 and Gadget's niece Penny (Caitlin Wachs) are willing to help Gadget overcome his glitches and thwart Claw once and for all...but will that be enough?
Based on the classic cartoon.

The Good
Well, honestly...the fun and insanity of this movie overrides any complaints I might have.  Also, I must give kudos to actress Elaine Hendrix, who did a very good job playing a robot.  The action sequences--though cheesy--were well-done.  Not only that, but the clean content--no profanity or sex--was a great bonus.  Positive elements abounded, and there were some truly funny moments.

The Bad
Most kids likely won't notice, but the special effects in this movie felt like something from a newer incarnation of Power Rangers instead of what you'd see on the big screen; then again, this was direct-to-video.  There was one brief reference to smoking.  The violence in this film is more "PG" than "G"; I'd say the most apt rating would be "TV-Y7-FV" (the last two letters standing for "fantasy violence".)  Probably the one thing that may bother people the most is that, save for D. L. Hughley as the voice of the Gadgetmobile, none of the cast of the original film are anywhere to be found.

Conclusion
Just recently, I came across a film review that said this:

In the last decade or so, action movies have almost completely migrated into PG-13 territory. They've typically earned that rating due to intense stylized violence and the implication (if not depiction) of scores of innocents being killed (see virtually every comic book adaptation recently) and/or the maddening infusion of profanity and sensuality (the entire Transformers franchise comes to mind). Action fare aimed at—and appropriate for—younger audiences has all but disappeared.

If that's the case--and it likely is--then we need more movies like Inspector Gadget 2.  Most teens and adults might find it stupid, but the kid in me really enjoyed this movie.  It's just another Disney production that gives me faith in that corporation, and makes me excited to see what they will do with the Star Wars saga.  It may not be groundbreaking cinema, but it harkens back to the time when movies were supposed to be fun flights of fantasy, not full of gritty realism.

Score: 4.5/5

Movie Review: "New World Order"

Rated: Not Rated
Starring: Michael Alvarez, Melissa Farley, and Erin Runbeck
Released: May 9, 2013 (DVD)

Synopsis
Demi Halloway and Christen Brooks are two Christian young ladies living in the post-rapture period.  Lord DeLuca, reigning leader of the New World Order, is requiring everyone in the world to have his symbol tattooed on themselves; anyone who refuses will be killed.  Everyone--even Demi's parents--is getting the Mark...but Demi and Christen know that it's really the Mark of the Beast, and, therefore, a symbol of Satan.  With their beliefs put to the test, and their own friends and family seemingly against them, it's up to the two young ladies to stand up for what's right...even at the cost of their own lives.

The Good
For being a low-budget movie, this film actually has some scenes that are well done and appropriately creepy.  The fight sequences were also relatively realistic.  Not only that, but, the ending was rather chilling, and a bit surprising.  That's about all of the kudos I can give it, though; keep reading for why.

The Bad
Pretty much everything else about this movie was poor.  The music on the soundtrack sounded absolutely horrible, even on my surround sound Blu-Ray player.  There was even a scene where a character is listening to opera music that sounded absolutely awful, like it came from a cheaply produced album.  As for the acting, some of the actors did a decent job, but the two girls were definitely straining when strong emotions--i.e., crying--were required of them.  Even the closed captioning was amateurish, as it broke off in weird places and was rife with typos.  Not only that, but...Demi and Christen may have been Christian girls, but their wardrobe--short shorts and low-cut tops--would provide inappropriate eye candy for those of the male gender, and their two misuses of God's name seemed unnecessary.  As you'd expect, Rapture theology is the main focus of this movie, which may be a problem for some viewers.

Conclusion
I went into this movie not expecting much, as I'd had bad experiences with low-budget Christian movies--C Me Dance, Hollow, etc.--previously.  Still, it was only a dollar at a local garage sale, so, I figured, why not? Though not great, it ended up not being the travesty I thought it would be; it definitely had its great moments, which is more than I can say for some similar films.  I doubt most movie fans would enjoy it all that much, but, I have to give it kudos for being at least somewhat better produced than many films in the low-budget faith-based genre.

Score: 2/5