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Avatar: The Last Airbender (2024)
Adapting a Masterpiece of 20 Episodes into 8
I can't say enough about how absolutely genuine, earnest, and enjoyable this adaptation is. You can tell that Netflix did NOT want to disappoint and that the creators were careful with this beloved show and its characters. I believe, even with the original creators bouncing from the project, Netflix still wanted to do them justice. They were never going to be able to make it perfect. It already was. Rarely are expectations so high, and the chance for failure so probable, and yet they still did it, and boy did they go for it. And how many of us turned on episode 1 knowing lighting can't strict twice? Yes, it will not be Aang's exact same character arc, nor Sakka's, but an arc is still there for both. Zuko's arc is even better than in the animated show (hot take there), and Katara's is intact. Iroh is phenomenal, and so is Ozai. I believe they did what they set out to do, and a 7.0-7.5 rating, with as many of us watching it, is enough to justify seasons 2 and 3 (I can't WAIT to meet Toph!) and hopefully Korra after that. A fun trick to enjoy beloved masterpiece remakes more these days (as we will inevitably be getting more) is to learn to engage with them without any expectations. Not low expectations or heaven forbid high expectations, just no expectations. And then sit back and enjoy. I find it helps a ton 🤣
Frozen II (2019)
Simply Stunning in Every Way
These low scores are pure cacauphony. Don't be bitter because Chris Buck and Jennifer Lee are better storytellers than all of us put together. They've crafted a phenomenal sequel whose maturity and tone progress the first film in every way. They had ALOT to live up to and they did so while not giving in to what society or even the Disney stigma might have warranted. I, for one, am glad they did not give in to the "Elsa-girlfriend" theories we kept reading about for months, not because they chickened out, and not because it would not have made for a compelling story line, and NOT because I wouldn't have gone to see the movie if they did, but rather to further Elsa's character in a different way. The decision was purely for the story THEY wanted to tell and that should be applauded. Of course, the whole film should be applauded from beginning to end. People are complaining that there "might" not be a bad guy, um... rarely in life is there one person that is our antagonist, isn't it enough that life, our relationships, the "unknowns" we all face, be difficult and challenging in and of themselves? There IS an antagonist in this film you just have to be mature enough to see it. I have 3 daughters all under 5 who have loved the first film for their entire lives since it came out in theaters before they were all born. And they loved this film too. And they should. I would see it again right now. The story is phenomenal and NOT predictable and the songs are greater as a whole than the first films (barring Let It Go of course, that was lightning in a bottle). I feel like the best advice any of us can take to films nowadays is to let ourselves be vulnerable to the emotions being portrayed on screen. If you don't then no film will ever live up to what you wanted it to be. Sit and fume then, nay sayers, while I enjoy this beautiful film again.
Fancy Nancy (2018)
LOVE this show!
Those who give this show a bad rating obviously didn't stick around for the whole episode. Nancy ALWAYS learns her lesson, whether she was mean to Jojo or didn't include someone or realizes her dog is perfect even if he's not as fancy as Miss Divine's dog. There's such a thing called a SET UP in a story so that there's a PAY OFF at the end. GOOD shows use this so they don't end up like Mickey Mouse Clubhouse where characters can't even make a mistake for fear of it being seen by people as a "bad example to our children." News flash - kids won't ever be perfect, so let's give them a RELATABLE main character instead of a flat, lifeless one.
Anywho - Nancy is one of those rare shows that to me hearkens back to the day when a moral wasnt needed in a story to make it accessible to children (i.e. Ducktails, Talespin, gummi bears, etc...) Its simple, sweet, well-written, witty, and true to the storybooks while charting its own path. It's a show I never hesitate to let my girls watch whenever they want. The music too is quality for a 2018 disney channel show. It's a breath of fresh air and a show I enjoy watching along with my kids.