First Thoughts on Mass Effect: Andromeda

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WARNING: This post contains minor spoilers for Mass Effect: Andromeda.

Exploring the galaxy, discovering other species, and enjoying grand adventures on alien planets are themes that have driven some of the most epic stories, shows, movies, and of course, video games for generations. Since the first game released in 2007, the Mass Effect series has captivated gamers around the world, creating an enthralling universe, incredible storyline, and exciting gameplay.

Anticipation for the fourth installment in the series was building before the game was even announced. At 2016’s E3 conference, the first trailer for Mass Effect: Andromeda was unveiled, revealing that the new game would take place 600 years after the first one and would be more about exploration. Unlike the first three games, which were incredibly linear, Andromeda boasted an open world style of gaming.

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When the game launched at the end of March, it generated a mix of excitement, thrill, and disappointment for many Mass Effect fans.

The first thing needing to be said about Andromeda is that it looks absolutely incredible. The graphics are mind-blowing, with so much detail in the planets, ship interiors, and outer space that much of my first play-through has already been spent just looking around in awe. There is so much colour and texture to everything, creating the feeling in many cutscenes, and even in parts of the gameplay, that you are watching a live-action movie rather than a computer-generated game.

One feature the graphics failed miserably on, however, is the characters. The NPCs look quite incredible, giving more life to some of the species we have come to admire and love in the original trilogy. The default settings for Sara Ryder are a different story, looking more like an attempt at creating an awkward Disney princess than a realistic-looking lead. It’s not even so much the specifics of her physical appearance as it is the manner in which they were drawn.

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While there has apparently been a patch to fix this, there are also major issues with the way a customized MC appears in gameplay. Bugged-out eyes, higher-than-normal mouths, and what I’ve come to call ‘monkey jaw’--because it makes Sara look like a talking ape--appear often in the cutscenes.

The actual customization options available for your character’s appearance in-game are also quite limited, taking some of the fun out of character creation. Where Bioware nailed the customization in Dragon Age: Inquisition, they definitely bombed it with Andromeda.

It should be noted, however, that a lot of the issues with Andromeda have more to do with a new studio taking over for this one. The creation of the latest Mass Effect game was taken from Bioware to Bioware Montreal, a studio known for--wait for it--singing games.

One major change in this fourth game is the elimination of the need to point your character in the direction of becoming either a paragon or a renegade, something which had great influence over the outcome of the first three installments. Instead, the developers opted for a different system, where your character has multiple ‘reaction’ options in conversation. Rather than your responses affecting everything from party loyalty to the actual conclusion of the game, these responses seem to have more of a limited impact. Namely, each response possibly triggers a different ‘reaction’ from the person with whom you’re conversing.

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At this point in the game, while I enjoy the chance to experiment with having a more emotionally-driven character, I’m not sure I like that there are very little consequences to the options I am choosing in conversation.

One major disappointment so far for myself in this game has been the romancing options out of party members for Sara. In the original trilogy, there were a lot of complaints about not putting enough depth into the LGBT options for lead romances, which was a fair criticism. Andromeda seems to have fantastic LGBT romance options for both Scott and Sara, with cute banter and sweet conversations.

If you’re looking for straight romancing options for Sara, however, don’t get your hopes up. It’s almost as if Bioware Montreal took the criticisms, addressed them, but put all effort into the opposite side, leaving any heterosexual options floundering. I won’t go into details with the options, but let’s just say the introduction to the romance leaves much to be desired.

The story itself is pretty good, but it builds much slower than the previous three games. In Mass Effect 1, 2, and 3, Shepard is often literally thrown directly into a non-stop storyline, created with a sense of urgency which often leaves you afraid of doing side missions for fear your slowness will result in the destruction of the galaxy and all life inside it. Andromeda replaces the urgency with a calmer feeling, one encouraging exploration over desperation.

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Much of the exploration is done planetside, utilizing the redesigned Mako--now called a Nomad--to drive around toxic planets and set up outposts for the Initiative to settle and expand through the Andromeda galaxy. Although the developers boasted about how the Nomad is supposedly way better than the Mako, it’s not. The controls are just as finicky and the new sixth gear isn’t very impressive. Plus, you no longer have any weapons on the vehicle, meaning when you encounter enemies, you have to get out, even if it means you’ll nearly die because of the atmosphere while doing it.

The side quests include a lot of back and forth, and useless scanning, and more back and forth, with the first major side quest being something of a let-down. The setup of it gives you the impression you’re about to have the opportunity to set the tone for justice in the Andromeda galaxy. Then it kind of just drops off a cliff into nothingness.

All criticisms aside, the game is good. Bioware and EA continue to release patches to address concerns raised by fans when it comes to glitches, design, and even some gameplay issues. The story is intriguing enough to keep playing through, and I have a feeling the deeper I get into it, the more action I’m going to see.

The combat is incredibly well done, taking the best of each of the original games to create what I feel is one of the best formats yet. There are obviously some flaws, but I don’t know if there will ever be a combat system capable of pleasing everyone.

This far into Andromeda, I’d say I give the game a solid 8/10. It looks, feels, and plays like a Mass Effect game, and as a hardcore fan of the series, that is one of the most important aspects. For those trying to play it as a standalone game, I’m not sure they’ll find the same kind of thrill in it. I have high hopes for the rest of Andromeda, but I won’t be replacing my N7 decals with an Initiative one anytime soon.

What are/were your first thoughts during the early stages of Mass Effect: Andromeda? 

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Sky's Review of Kong: Skull Island

When I first saw the trailers for Kong: Skull Island, I was intrigued but didn't know when I'd get to see it or if it was something I needed to see immediately (unlike Logan... more on that later). However, when my friend invited me to go see it, I happily jumped at the chance. I wasn't sure if I would like it, but I ended up being pleasantly surprised. Here's what I liked about Kong: Skull Island! (Spoilers are hidden.)

Highlights

The characters

Kong: Skull Island presents a varied cast, a group of adventurers who each come at the situation from different viewpoints and walks of life. This made for an interesting plot with various twists and turns and lots of conflict. The characters were also extremely likable. I hope we get to see more of them!

Pictured, three of my favorites: Slivko, Weaver, and Conrad.--(source)

The King himself

One incredible thing about this movie was its subversion of expectations. Spoiler, highlight to read: I started out the movie hating Kong, but by the end, I loved him. I loved his design, his animation, and his characterization. I loved the movie's usage of empathy and twists. It sends a good message, I think, about caring for those who are different than us. I loved it.

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The location

Skull Island was harsh and unforgiving, but the locations that they chose to shoot in were absolutely beautiful. I mean, I'm not saying I would like to visit there, but I appreciated the visual appeal it added to the movie. (The other locations like the cities in the beginning of the movie were beautiful, too!)

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The cinematography and aesthetic

In addition to the location, the cinematography and aesthetic in this movie were both stunning. The location, the historical setting, and the fact that Mason Weaver was a photographer all contributed to the style of this movie coming together in a gorgeous way that I didn't expect.

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The music

The music fit perfectly with the historical period of the film but also the discomfort, discord, and uneasy vibe of the island. In particular, loved how perfectly the electric guitars meshed with the overall feeling of the movie. It was very well done.

The creatures

I was so scared during this movie, but in the best way. I like that the movie expanded on the mythos of large creatures beyond just a huge gorilla. I'm definitely hopeful for a sequel so we can get to see even more semi-creepy things.

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The emotions

What's this? Kong has feels, you say? Yes, yes, it does. Without getting too spoiler-y, I'll say that it has a good message and an ending as the credits play that will make your heart get all gooey inside in the best of ways. (Also, don't be a fool like I was--stay till the very end of the credits!)

Bonus: Tom Hiddleston

Okay, okay, I'll be honest: 99.9% of the reason I saw this movie was because of Tom Hiddleston, and he was perfect in this movie. Spoiler, highlight to read: (Also, that scene where he had the gas mask on and was running through the green gas in slow-motion shooting all the birds? That was visually stunning and took my breath away. I was very weak. All-time favorite.) I enjoyed this movie so much partially because of him. I am not ashamed.

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Even though the movie was fantastic, there were, as there are with all films, a few things I didn't like. 

Criticisms

I wish there had been more diversity

The cast was diverse, but it could have been better. I wish that the characters like Brooks and San had been able to take the lead. Spoiler, highlight to read: While Samuel L. Jackson was a lead character, he ended up not being the best representation since he ended up "going bad" by the end of the movie. Yes, this movie had lots of POC characters, but they could have had bigger roles. I hope that if we get a sequel, the movie will improve on that.

Brooks and San--(source)

I wish there had been more ladies allowed to be center characters

Mason Weaver, the photographer, was actually one of my favorite characters in this movie. While she may not fit everyone's perception of what a badass female character looks like, I do think she was a really interesting character and a valuable addition to the female characters of the film world. I liked her mission to document the world through her camera. She was very cool, so I'm not criticizing her or saying she wasn't feminist at all. In fact, I absolutely loved her. However, I think we can always do better. In the future, I hope the Kong franchise brings even more female characters into the spotlight. I also wish we had been able to see more of San. I was very intrigued by her and wished to know more.

Mason Weaver--(source)

Overall

Kong: Skull Island pleasantly surprised me by becoming a new favorite. It was a high-paced action movie that kept me on my toes, yet had a surprising amount of heart. I definitely enjoyed it, and I'll definitely be back for more!

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Have you seen Kong: Skull Island? What were your thoughts?

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Morgyn's Review of Moana

Last night, my family and I went to see Moana. We've been wanting to see it since we saw the first teaser trailer last year. Obviously, as a resident Disney addict, I go to see every Disney movie when it comes to the theater.

   

The Plot:

In Ancient Polynesia, when a terrible curse incurred by Maui reaches an impetuous Chieftain's daughter's island, she answers the Ocean's call to seek out the demigod to set things right.

There wasn't a dull moment in the whole movie. There were times I was sitting on the edge of my seat wondering what was going to happen next. Moana was a fearless teenager who didn't let anything stand in the way of saving the people of her island. She was resilient and even bossed around Maui (the demigod!). I appreciated the relationships in this movie, as well. Moana, although she respected her parents, wanted to be able to get out on her own and live her life (outside of her small island), despite her parents wanting her to stay where she was, safe on their island.

This was a typical good versus evil movie, one that I found satisfying from the very first minute to the closing credits.

The Music: 

My favorite thing by far about Disney movies is the great music that always goes with them. The score for Moana was incredible. Featuring songs from newcomer Auli'i Cravalho and even Dwayne Johnson (who knew he could sing?), the Polynesian-style music was interesting and well-done. If nothing else, I say see the movie just for the music. (My sister also says that I should mention that Lin-Manuel Miranda produced the music.)

 

The Voice Cast: 

Like I said above, Auli'i Cravalho is a newcomer to film. She was so good at the part of Moana that I was thoroughly impressed that she'd never done any voice-over acting before.

Dwayne Johnson voiced Maui, the demigod. His character reminded me a lot of him, and he never failed to make me laugh.

Overall Rating: 

I would give Moana a 10/10 rating! The plot, the voice cast, and the music made this animated film a special treat for the whole family.  

Have you seen Moana? If so, what was your favorite part?
If not, when are you planning to see it?  

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Winds in the East (Disney's Saving Mr. Banks, 2013)

Spurred on by a promise he made to his daughters, Walt Disney embarks on what would become a 20-year quest to obtain the movie rights to Mary Poppins. The author, P.L. Travers, proves to be an uncompromising curmudgeon who has no intention of letting her beloved characters become mangled in the Hollywood machine. However, when the books stop selling and she finds herself in need of money, Travers reluctantly agrees to consider Disney's proposition. - Google

Story

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Based on a true story, this film is about Walt Disney's mission to gain the rights to make the film Mary Poppins. However, P. L. Travers, the author of the beloved book, is hesitant to hand over her precious characters. To her, Mary Poppins is family, literally. Her book was based on her childhood with an alcoholic father and a seemingly magical aunt who could fix almost anything. Being in talks with the creatives of the film brought Mrs. Travers several flashbacks to her difficult past. There is nothing I dislike about this movie. The conflicts were not simply a matter of Mrs. Travers being stubborn. There were real struggles lying beneath her hesitation. I think that the flashback scenes made the movie feel less shallow and less like a documentary. However, there were still lots of interesting facts to learn from the movie.

Visuals

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I loved the sets of this film! The lighting, the costumes, and the scenery made me feel like I was in the 1960s. It was beautiful.   I also loved seeing Disneyland!   It made me want to go there all over again. ☺ My favorite visual moments were when Mrs. Travers and Ralph were driving to the studios. The California landscape was breathtaking!

Music

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The music in this film is from Mary Poppins. It's all performed by the Sherman brothers as they introduce song ideas to Mrs. Travers. They sing "Chim Chim Cher- ee", "A Spoonful of Sugar", "Fidelity Fiduciary Bank", "Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious", "Feed the Birds," and "Let's Go Fly a Kite." The lyrics to "Chim Chim Cher-ee" are also spoken as a voice-over at the beginning and end of the film.

Acting

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The acting was magnificent. Emma Thomson did an amazing job playing the character of P. L. Travers. She really outdid herself with this role. It should have won her an Oscar! Tom Hanks was also very good at portraying Walt Disney. I wasn't sure what I felt about his acting from the trailers, but I think he did very well. I understand he did a lot of research for this role. My favorite characters were Ralph (played by Paul Giamatti) and Dolly (played by Melanie Paxson).

Final Rating

This was a truly excellent film. It was definitely one of the best live action films Disney has ever done. I also liked that it was a film based on Disney history. I'm always soaking up new Disney facts and trivia, and this was just the film for me. This film is a must see for Walt Disney and Mary Poppins fans!

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Have you seen Saving Mr. Banks? Which part made you cry the most?

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A Review of The Defenders by Matt Fraction: Volumes 1-2

Much of my summer has been filled with reading books and, as of this past month, comics! In preparation for the Netflix show in 2017, I recently read the first two volumes in Matt Fraction's The Defenders series. I figured that this series would be different from the Netflix one, and it was. What I didn't expect was for me to fall head-over-heels in love with this comic series.

The Defenders have had many iterations, but in Matt Fraction's version, the Defenders are a group of heroes tasked with defending the world from supernatural and otherworldly things. An unlikely combination of several different heroes results in a team similar to The Avengers but with rougher edges.

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In volume one, we are introduced to our core team: Doctor Strange, Iron Fist, Silver Surfer, Namor, and She-Hulk. As someone with minimal or no exposure to these heroes, I greatly enjoyed getting to know them better, especially in preparation for the upcoming Doctor Strange series and Iron Fist Netflix show. Each of these characters brought their own unique voice to the comic. Their perspectives and inner monologues were one of my favorite parts of these comics.

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"The older I get, the more life seems to be the stupid, frustrating stuff that gets in the way of you and reading comics..." -Danny Rand

Not only that, but I was pleasantly surprised to see familiar faces, too, such as The Hulk, Captain America, T'Challa, and Scott Lang--all of whom you can see currently in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Seeing these characters was exciting, and they all added to the story.

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In volume two, the cast remains mostly the same, but we are introduced to Felicia Hardy, aka Black Cat, who unwittingly helps our heroes. She brings me to another favorite part of these comics: the girl power. Felicia and Betty Ross (She-Hulk) are both powerful forces to be reckoned with (well, that and Betty's "big-ass sword.")

With this colorful cast of characters, The Defenders volumes 1-2 take us on an adventure through the most mystical sections of the Marvel universe. We travel to different places and even different dimensions, due mostly to the Concordance Engine. The Concordance Engine has five iterations scattered across the galaxies, and it's basically a map to the universe that influences time, reality, and everything in between. It's first discovered in the first volume, and by the second, it's led to something drastic and dangerous. Most of The Defenders first two volumes are centered around it and the consequences of using it, which leads us to some pretty interesting places.

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The art is gorgeously drawn, and the writing is solid. While the story could get confusing at times, I was solidly riveted by these comics and read the two volumes within a weekend. With lovable characters, hilarious moments, and an entertaining story, The Defenders series is definitely marvelous.

Have you read The Defenders? What did you think of it? 

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Short-Term Remembery Loss (Disney•Pixar's Finding Dory, 2016)

In this sequel to Pixar's 2003 smash hit Finding Nemo, lovable, amnesiac blue tang Dory decides to go off in search of her long-lost parents. With the help of young clownfish Nemo and his dad Marlin, Dory heads for California and the Monterey Marine Life Institute, evading predators along the way as she hopes to find a place she can call home. - Fandango

Story

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This movie is an interesting contrast to the last one. In Finding Nemo, Marlin tells Nemo that he can't do some things because of his disability (his "lucky fin"). In Finding Dory, Dory's parents teach Dory how to live with her disability (short term memory loss). I thought it was interesting that the two films highlighted two different ways to raise children with disabilities. The story was creative, and while at the beginning I thought it was going to be a repeat of the first film, it turned into something beautiful and original.

Visuals

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I looooooovvvveeedd the animation! It was so pretty, and the water felt like real water. It was really, really well done, even better than Finding Nemo! It amazes me how Pixar improves their animation with every film.

Acting

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Returning from the last film are Ellen DeGeneres as Dory and Albert Brooks as Marlin. Nemo, who was played by Alexander Gould in the last film, was replaced by Hayden Rolence. (Don't worry, he sounds exactly the same as Gould and Gould still has a cameo in this film.) I really loved the character of Hank, played by Ed O'Neill. He was lots of fun to listen to!

Final Rating

This movie has a similar feel to Toy Story 3. We revisited old characters and plot lines, while also introducing new, original characters that still feel just right for the movie. I loved this movie a lot, and I think you'll really enjoy it!

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Have you seen Finding Dory? Who is your favorite character?

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Turn Back the Hands of Time (Disney's Alice Through the Looking Glass, 2016)

Alice returns to the magical world of Underland, only to find the Hatter in a horrible state. With the help of her friends, Alice must travel through time to save the Mad Hatter and Underland's fate from the evil clutches of the Red Queen and a clock like creature, known as Time. - IMDb

Story

   The only similarity between this film and the book of the same title is going through the looking glass. It really isn't similar in any way, shape, or form. It's important to remember that the original animated film and the first Burton film were actually a combination of the books Alice in Wonderland and Alice Through the Looking Glass. You couldn't exactly make the sequel film like the sequel book in this case. This film was made to give backstory to the first one. Why is the Mad Hatter the only Hatter left? Why is the Red Queen's head swollen? Where did the sibling rilvarly between Iracebeth and Mirana come from? It did this very well, and I was very happy with the result.

Visuals

     The film was as visually stunning as the last, maybe even more. It seemed a bit brighter and happier than the last one. This could be because it was mostly set in the past or in the White Queen's palace. I really loved Time's palace as well, which had a darker Steampunk theme.

Acting

     As I said last week in my review of Alice in Wonderland, I really didn't enjoy Mia Wasikowska's performance in the first movie. However, I thought her acting really improved this time. It was not nearly as dry as last time, and when she was supposed to be excited you could actually see she was excited. My favorite FAVORITE character was Time, who was played by Sacha Baron Cohen. He really brought the character to life. The Mad Hatter's father, Zanik Hightopp, was played by Rhys Ifans (Nanny McPhee Returns and Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows). I enjoyed his performance, but he kind of looked like Mr. Noodle from Elmo's World. (Sorry.)

Final Rating

     This sequel was one of the best sequels I have ever seen. I loved it even more than the original! If you're not a fan of Disney remakes or Burton films, this movie could change your mind. (Also, the movie is dedicated to Alan Rickman. Yes, I did cry.)

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What is your favorite thing about Alice Through the Looking Glass? 

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Six Impossible Things Before Breakfast (Disney's Alice in Wonderland, 2010)

Alice, an unpretentious and individual 19-year-old, is betrothed to a dunce of an English nobleman. At her engagement party, she escapes the crowd to consider whether to go through with the marriage and falls down a hole in the garden after spotting an unusual rabbit. Arriving in a strange and surreal place called "Underland," she finds herself in a world that resembles the nightmares she had as a child, filled with talking animals, villainous queens and knights, and frumious bandersnatches. Alice realizes that she is there for a reason - - to conquer the horrific Jabberwocky and restore the rightful queen to her throne. - IMDb

Story

     Unfortunately (in my opinion), the movie followed the story of most Alice in Wonderland rewrites I have read.   Alice goes to Wonderland as a little girl, comes back to the real world, forgets everything, and has to come back as a teenager to save Wonderland.   This has happened in almost every Alice in Wonderland spinoff book I've ever read, and I'm a bit tired of reading the same story over and over again.   Fortunately, Tim Burton was able to make the same old story feel fresh and new by using his slightly creepy, insane style.   I think that Burton's style really suited the story.

Visuals

     The visuals were the best of any Burton film I have seen and very impressive in comparison to Disney live-action films.   They brought whimsy to the story, but also made everything feel a bit twisted and wrong.   The CGI characters were very well animated as well.

Acting

     I'll be honest here: I wasn't overly thrilled with Mia Wasikowska's performance as Alice.   I thought she was a bit dry and boring.   I think she could have been a bit more animated.   (That being said, she is much better in the next film.   I'll talk more about that when I review Alice Through the Looking Glass.)   However, the other actors were very good.   Burton's favorites, Johnny Depp and Helena Bonham-Carter, were wonderful as always.   I also really liked the voice of the Dormouse (Barbara Windsor) and the voice of the Caterpillar (Alan Rickman).

Final Rating

     Despite its shortcomings, Alice in Wonderland is a beautiful and creative take on Disney's original vision.   It really set the bar for future Disney remakes.   Alice in Wonderland fans should definitely try this film.

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What is your favorite thing about Alice in Wonderland?

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Just Keep Swimming (Disney's Finding Nemo, 2003)

A clown fish named Marlin [who] lives in the Great Barrier Reef loses his son, Nemo. After he ventures into the open sea, despite his father's constant warnings about many of the ocean's dangers. Nemo is abducted by a boat and netted up and sent to a dentist's office in Sydney. So, while Marlin ventures off to try to retrieve Nemo, Marlin meets a fish named Dory, a blue tang suffering from short-term memory loss. The companions travel a great distance, encountering various dangerous sea creatures such as sharks, angler fish and jellyfish, in order to rescue Nemo from the dentist's office, which is situated by Sydney Harbor. While the two are doing this, Nemo and the other sea animals in the dentist's fish tank plot a way to return to Sydney Harbor to live their lives free again. - IMDb

Story

The story begins with Marlin, a clown fish, struggling to parent his son. Because of the brutal murder of his wife and other eggs, he is hesitant to let his child go to school and be without him. Nemo is tired of his father's constant nagging and decides to accept a dare to touch "the butt," a fishing boat past the edge of the reef. Nemo is caught by fisherman and taken to a fish tank. Marlin chases after the boat but isn't fast enough to get there. On the way, he runs into a forgetful fish named Dory who offers to help him find his son. This story is very interesting and entertaining. The struggles of the characters feel real to the viewer. Plus, plenty of humor keeps the movie funny and lighthearted.

Visuals

This movie has some of the best animation out of all the Pixar movies ever made. It was so stellar that even Pixar movies released later paled in comparison. It felt like I was really underwater. Lovely colors, lighting, and shading made this movie so great. (It also won an Oscar, so that should tell you something.)

Acting

 The acting in this film was spot on. Albert Brooks (Marlin) really made the viewers connect to his character. I feel like a lot of parents were able to empathize with him, which is key for a good movie. I bet no parent went into the theaters expecting to empathize with a fish. Ellen DeGeneres was born to play Dory. No one could have played her better. Her performance was funny, original, and realistic. I loved it. I was really pleased with Alexander Gould's performance as Nemo. I find that often child actors aren't actually very good at acting. You can't expect them to be at their age with no training, but it would still be nice to have good actors. This movie did not leave me with such a feeling. Pixar is always really good at instructing young actors.

Final Rating

     Finding Nemo is an instant classic. Everyone can watch it and find something they like about it.   Every time you watch, you'll find something different you hadn't noticed before. That is the mark of a true classic.

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