Gotham Season One: The Balloonman

The episode begins with a Gotham politician who swindled citizens out of their money being lifted in to the air when a man wearing a pig mask straps several weather balloons to him, the press nickname the killer the Balloonman. Gordon and Bullock are assigned to the case but Gordon quickly takes Selina to where the Waynes where murdered; he finds a wallet but Selina manages to give him the slip and escape. Detectives Montoya and Allen question Fish about Cobblepot who has actually just arrived back in Gotham. At the Wayne Manor, Alfred finds out that Bruce is looking over crime scene photos over his parent's murder much to his dismay.

Using a pig mask to approach his victims? Now where have I since this off....

Cobblepot then kills someone who works the kitchens in one of the restaurants of the Maroni family, rivals of the Falcones so he can get a job there. Gordon and Bullock question the man who made the balloons but says three where stolen by a former employee, at night Lt. Bill Cranston, a dirty cop, is the next victim of the Balloonman. Gordon and Bullock then find the employee by asking around Gotham who admits he sold the balloons but cannot remember the face of the person he sold them to. Montoya later visits Barbara to say that she doesn't trust Gordon and it is revealed the two where lovers meanwhile a third victim of the Balloonman falls from the sky and crushes an unsuspecting civilian.

"You see Gordon that's how you handle a woman"

At the restaurant Cobblepot starts off on good terms with Don Salvatore Maroni (David Zayas) while the third victim of the Balloonman was found with a set of keys that belonged to social worker Davis Lamond. Gordon and Bullock go to an old juvenile facility but are ambushed by Lamond at gunpoint who says he is sick of the corruption of Gotham and the way it treated its street kids he wanted to protect so he became a vigilante. After a short fight Lamond is stuck to one of his balloons but Bullock shoots it down after Gordon refuses to let him die like that, before being taken away Lamond warns Gordon that more vigilantes who are sick with Gotham will rise. The episode ends at Gordon and Barbara's apartment but they get a surprise visit from Cobblepot.

Surprise!

This episode introduced the first vigilante in Gotham but of course this one chose to murder those who did wrong. I liked the Ballooman man because first his way of killing was really imaginative, it was like some over the top way a villain would kill someone form the comics and it was funny when that guy came falling back down. He was also a character you can sympathise with because it is Gotham's fault that he killed people because the guy was a good social worker just doing right until he encountered just one injustice too many. His warning to Gordon about more vigilantes rising also gets me hopeful that we will see more like him and how they could affect Gordon if he agrees with them because he wants to make a difference so much but is bound by the law.

"Bye, bye detective"

I am again liking the partnership between Gordon and Bullock because as I have said before the interaction between the two and the way they handle cases is one of the best parts of the show. Like the montage they had when they gathered information on the streets (like in episode 1) and the funny way they raided that apartment and Bullock just slugged that woman who was beating him up. Also even though Bullock wants to come off as detached and thinks they can't really save Gotham I think Gordon and his views are growing on him because he did shoot down the Balloonman at the end.

"I should have though that through a bit more"

Two characters who are defiantly two of the highlights of this show is Selina and Cobblepot. Selina only had a part in the beginning but it was so cool seeing her get out of those handcuffs when Gordon wasn't looking, hopefully she'll get involved in more cases in future episodes. As for Cobblepot he has come back to Gotham sooner than I thought and is joining the rival family, possibly to get revenge on Fish. Cobblepot may be young and isn't yet a somebody in Gotham but he comes across as one of the smartest characters in the show. I don't know why he showed up at Gordon's apartment or why yet he is working for the Maronis but you just get the feeling he has some big master plan in mind. Lastly I liked the scenes with Alfred and Bruce as well, with them having that sword fight which was Alfred's way of trying to get Bruce's mind on something else.

At least you can enjoy the view

Now for what I didn't like in this episode was the reveal that Barbara and Montoya where lovers in the past and that is because I just think it is a cheap way to get Barbara more involved in the story. Barbara's been an alright character so far but this was just the wrong thing to do; if they wanted her to have a secret past with someone than have one with a comic book character not an uninteresting and unlikable character. Your probably going to hear my rip on Montoya a lot in these reviews but that is because she is the b***h in the show and every show seems to have the b***h character you just cannot stand and just want to see killed off. For Revolution its Rachael, The Walking Dead it's Lori and Andrea, in Falling Skies it's Anne (in season 4). In the end is this little subplot between Barbara and Montoya going to important or are we ever going to care? no not really.



Now this was really fun to see

Overall this was just as good as the last one but I did like the villain better in this one.

SCORE: 7/10

Highlights: The Balloonman
                   Cobblepot is up to something
                   The way Gordon and Bullock handled their cases

Let - Downs: Introduction of a Barbara and Montoya past

The great screenshots of the episodes where provided by the great site Screencapped. You can look for yourself from the link below;

 

 





http://screencapped.net/                         

Bleach Review: MASTER

This chapter continues on the fight between Yhwach and Ichibe, with Yhwach still confident he will win the fight and sending beams of Reishi towards Ichibe. Ichibe however merely garbs it between his palms and saying he wanted to half Yhwach's powers because taking down the Quincy King at full strength would shame all Quinces before using Bakudō #62. Hyapporankan, only for Yhwach to block the beams with Blut Vene Anhaben.

Awesome power!

Blut Vene Anhaben extends the power of Blut outside of the users body and create a dome shield, protecting those within. Ichibe then uses Urahadō Sannodō Tetsufūsatsu which creates a dragon shaped ball of energy that breaks the dome, this allows Ichibe to grab Yhwach around the throat. However the Blut soon travel up Ichibe's body and Yhwach explains that Blut Vene Anhaben can consume everything in it's path. Ichibe then sends the Blut back to Ywach which explodes in his face before releasing his Zanpakutō, Ichimonji.

"Your f**ked now"

This epic fight still continues and I have to say this is turning out to be one of the best fight in the Bleach series. Here we have two of the most powerful beings in Bleach and neither of them seem to be giving up and we also go to see them display some great abilities. Firstly there is Yhwach who of course still believes he can win this fight even at half his strength but that probably isn't just arrogance since Quinces fight by stealing the Reishi around them, which is probably what he did at the beginning. Next we have the more powerful Blut Vene Anhaben and I am just really glad to finally see Blut again after so long because the Sternritter don't even mention it after the first invasion. It was just so cool seeing Yhwach create that massive dome and using it in an offensive way as well when it was crawling up Ichibe's arm.

Is this Kido or something else entirely?

Speaking of Ichibe the guy continues to act more and more like a maniac the longer this fight continues, like when he is confident how he could of beaten Yhwach at his full strength. He also seems to keep getting more powerful by first stopping the Reishi with his hands, using a Kido without saying any of the chant, using a new move that went through the Blut dome and stopping the Blut. I think he stopped the Blut from travelling up his arm by using his own Spiritual Pressure to force it out and sending it back to Yhwach. His expressions as well when he fight is just so crazy; the art work for this chapter is one of Kubo's best. Of course the biggest reveal is Ichibe releasing his Zanpakutō and that was an epic moment (as pictured above), it's basically his brush with a blade but I like it; simple yet effective. Since he now has a blade I guess his Zanpakutō allows him to cut flesh now not just words and if we are lucky maybe we could see a Bankai soon!

"Even at half the strength I am still the strongest!"

Overall I am glad this fight is still going strong and even though I don't know when it would end I hope it lasts for another three or fours chapters. Yhwach will probably win in the end since I just think Kubo is going in the direction of him succeeding but I cannot see Ichibe dying either, still he doesn't have to die if he loses. There isn't really anything at fault with this chapter but I guess it felt a bit short but so does every chapter that just focuses on a fight.

SCORE: 9/10

Highlights: Ichibei vs. Ywach
                   Ichibei's cool abilities and releasing his Zanpakutō (Hopefully Bankai soon!)
                   Yhwach using a new Blut power

Gotham Season One: Selina Kyle

The episode begins with Bruce purposely burning his hand however Alfred quickly puts a stop to it. In the streets of Gotham several homeless kids are kidnapped by a man and a woman, one gets away, a homeless war veteran is shot and this is witnessed by Selina Kyle. In the morning Gordon and Bullock investigate the scene and then question the kid who escape; Bullock is sceptical but the kid argues that more and more street kids have been disappearing. Meanwhile nine miles from Gotham, Cobblepot gets a ride from two guys but kills one of them when they call him a Penguin. At the GCPD Nygma confirms the kid's story when he finds traces of knock out drug his system, Captain Sarah Essen (Zabryna Guevara) puts Gordon and Bullock on the case but tells them to keep the press out of it.

She knows not to accept food from strangers

At Fish's club Falcone has Fish's recent 'lover' beaten up over the allegations that she has been making moves against him while Crispus and Montoya question Cobblepot's mother about her son's disappearance. Gordon and Bullock ask Fish about the kids disappearing and she only says that there is a buyer for them overseas, later Barbara anonymously phones the newspaper when Gordon admits his frustrated with not be able to warn Gotham. Gordon and Bullock later go to a facility that stocks the knock out drug and gets into a fire fight with Patty and Doug; the ones abducting the kids. While those two get away they manage to rescue the kids recently taken. Mayor Aubrey James (Richard Kind) announces that all street kids will be under the care of juvenile services but Gordon is furious because it really means clearing Gotham of street kids and sending them to juvenile prison without a trial.

"Hope no one shoots my hat off"

Selina is one of the kids rounded up to go to juvenile but their bus gets hijacked by Patty and Doug. Gordon and Bullock question the manager of the drug facility and succeeds in getting a description of the vehicle the kidnappers use. Patty and Doug prepare the kids to be taken to the Dollmaker but Selina escapes and Gordon and Bullock arrive to arrest everyone. Gordon then goes to Bruce to discuss recent events and Cobblepot is later seen trying to get money from the rich parents of one of the passengers in the car he was in but is unsuccessful. The episode ends with Selina telling Gordon that if he lets her go she will tell him what she saw the night the Wayne's where murdered.

"GIVE ME THE MONEY!"

Great follow up to the Pilot episode, I like it when the next episode continues to be strong, and it focuses on Selina Kyle which is what I wanted. First let me point out that once again they are not so subtle with characters from the comics because I was annoyed that they call Selina, Cat in this. It just bothers me that as if the fact that she is a thief and likes cats isn't enough they have to call her Cat, this is probably for people who don't know much about the comic but still there was no need. Moving on from that I am really liking Camren Bicondova she is such a great actress; so energetic as Selina, really like her attitude when dealing with the cops and I really liked how she tired to comfort the one kid about scratching out an enemies eyes and then doing the same thing to the guard and that was pretty gory.

Wayne manor must only have that one room because its the only one we see

Got some good gun fights involving the villains in this episode, Patty and Doug, however I kind of found them a bit too goofy. I just couldn't take them that seriously because even though what they where doing was serious they kind of felt like comic relief. However I really like the mention of the Dollmaker in this because in the comics he is usually portrayed as a gifted surgeon who makes dolls from the body parts of his victims. I know the Arrow already had their version of the Dollmaker but I hope Gotham's version, if he does appear, is closer to the comics.

"Arrest all the kids in Gotham, that's my policy"

I also liked that this episode introduced another one of Gotham's problems which is it's homeless kids, last episode was police corruption. Gotham is almost like a character itself with a whole mess of problems so I look forward to seeing them addressing more of it's issues later on. Also even though it wasn't a huge part Cobblepot remains as great as usual and probably the best character in the series. His change in attitude sure is terrifying; the way he joked with the people who offered him a lift one second but slices the neck of one of them the next just because they called him Penguin. We also got to see is mother in this episode and she was pretty weird I must admit lol.

Maybe she went too far.....cool though

Something I didn't like was the them just putting characters in this when there wasn't any need for it. Even if I did like Fish I don't think she had to be in this episode, the same with Barbara because both of their roles didn't feel too important and they where barely in it for long. They don't have to show every one of their main cast in every episode so I hope they don't force them on us in all the future ones.

"If a puppet asks us to play a game then we are screwed"

Overall I did like this episode because of we got to see more of Selina but I wished Bruce could have got a chance to interact with her because I thought when he said he wanted to help be might have got more involved.

SCORE: 7/10

Highlights: Selina Kyle
                   Reference to the Dollmaker
                   Cobblepot scenes are always great

Let - Downs: Didn't like Patty and Doug too much
                      Some characters didn't have to be involved in this episode

The great screenshots of the episodes where provided by the great site Screencapped. You can look for yourself from the link below;

 

 





http://screencapped.net/    

The Flash Season One: Plastique

The episode begins with Barry hanging out with Cisco, Caitlin, Iris and Eddie in a bar and he finds out that his high metabolism prevents him from getting drunk. Meanwhile a red haired woman has stolen some files and caused a powerful explosion in a building. Barry arrives in time to save the window - cleaner by running up the building, Iris also gets there in time to see Barry in his costume. West, Eddie and Barry investigate the scene the next day and Barry cannot find any trace of explosives but manages to find the folder with the missing file. At the CCPD the military has taken over the case and a General Wade Eiling (Clancy Brown) demands all of the evidence. S.T.A.R labs then finds out that the missing files belongs to Bette Sans Souci (Kelly Frye) AKA Plastique and Barry goes to her address but she manages to blow up his suit just by touching it.

Now this is really cool!

Back at S.T.A.R labs West tells Barry that Iris's blog on The Streak is getting out of hand and Barry tries to talk her out of it but she refuses. Later Barry tracks down Plastique who wanted to kill a doctor who experimented on her and talks her out of it but not before Eiling arrives and one of his men shoots her, Barry takes her with him. At S.T.A.R labs the team tell Plastique that her powers is the result of the anti - matter explosion bonding the shrapnel in her body she received in Iraq with her cells however this is cut short when a tracker is found in her bullet wound. Wells stays to confront Eiling while the rest escape and it is revealed the two have worked together before but are not on the best terms. That night Barry visits Iris in his costume while changing his voice to convince her to stop writing the blog but she still wants to do it.

If she blows up whatever she touches then how could she get her clothes on?

At S.T.A.R labs the team tell Plastique that her powers cannot be removed, Barry wants her to join the team but they say that may be impossible because of the extreme nature of her powers. Later Wells convinces Plastique that she should do one more mission and kill Eiling because he will keeping hunting Meta Humans. She lures Eiling to her and knocks out him and his men with her powers but Barry arrives to stop her delivering the finishing blow however Eiling comes to long enough and shoots Plastique dead. Barry then uses his speed to run on water and takes Plastique's body away from Central City because it was detonating. Later Barry once more tries to convince Iris to give up on the blog but when she again refuses Barry says they need to stop seeing each other. Eiling then visits Wells and thinks they should co operate but Wells refuses because he knows Eiling wants the Meta Humans as weapons. The episode ends in a Flashback five years ago and Wells refuses to perform certain experiments on an ape for Eiling, on the ape's cage the name read GRODD.

Like running up buildings, this was really cool!

SPOILER ON POSSIBLE FUTURE FLASH VILLAIN BELOW



Finally we get a Meta Human who isn't hell bent on the destruction of Central City or killing those who wronged them before they got their powers. It is quite the change to sympathise more with the Meta Human who didn't even like the powers they where given. Besides from being the first female Meta Human she defiantly comes off as a victim of the anti - matter the way she is hunted down by Eiling and she did also give us some great scenes with her powers. It is actually a damn shame they killed her off because I wouldn't have minded seeing her again, maybe not as a main member of the team but maybe she could come back in certain episodes to help out. Also once again they gave the Meta Human a great backstory which provides the source of her powers and I liked how her corpse turned into a bomb in the end.

Good idea meeting on a roof........only Superman, Batman and Arrow have done it first

I also really liked the confrontations between Eiling and Wells and their conflicting views and I hope this rivalry between them continues I future episodes. I hope Eiling comes back and maybe has a few Meta Humans on his side and also I like Clancy Brown he is a great actor and is in two of my favourite films; Highlander and Starship Troopers. Also really like the possible appearance of Gorilla Grodd on this because he is a great villain in The Flash comics. Those who doesn't know Gorilla Grodd is a super intelligent, super strong ape with telekinesis and I am looking forward to seeing him on the TV series. His broken cage was spotted in episode one but that could have been just an Easter Egg but this pretty much confirms he will be in it. I didn't mention it before because I don't want to spoil possible future villains or storylines they might use e.g. I haven't given you my thoughts on the guy in the yellow light yet because since there has been barely anything known about him in the TV series what I might say could ruin future episodes but since most people can guess what has happened to GRODD now during the ending I don't mind giving you bit of info.

She's evolving!

What I didn't like in this episode was the overblown drama between Barry and Iris because I just think her blog and Barry not telling her is just a nuisance now. I know they need Iris to be involved in the story, and I did like the rooftop conversation they had, but this is really just creating an unneeded problem for Barry. I blame her because of her stupid blog and her stubbornness of not listening to West or Barry about removing it but I also blame West and Barry because it really would be just so, so easy just to tell her. I just hope they get this little sub plot resolved soon because I just think it is something the series could do without.

When will we see Grodd?

Other quick mentions; I did really like that Barry's abilities to run up buildings and on water where finally addressed in this episode. It was awesome seeing him do both and it looked really cool; I was wondering when he will be able to do that from the comics and they finally brought it in. Lastly I found the scene with Barry and West funny because of West's reaction to Barry changing his voice.

"Forget asking nicely if we can use your powers, we're just going to force you"

Overall this was a great episode because we have a different kind of Meta Human introduced and again it just raises more questions about Wells and they way he convinced Plastique to kill Eiling, it is kind of too bad she died before telling Barry about it.

SCORE: 8/10

Highlights: Plastique
                   Wells vs. Eiling (with possible Gorilla Grodd)
                   Barry's new abilities

Let - Downs: Killing off Plastique
                      The Barry and Iris drama          

Gotham Season One: Pilot

It turns out Screencapped (The awesome site that lets me uses their screenshots) now has Gotham on there so I'll start now and hopefully be up to date on it soon like The Flash. Like with all of my TV series reviews this is an in depth look at the episode and meant for those who have already seen it.

The episode begins with a young Selina Kyle (Camren Bicondova) stealing a wallet and milk from people on the street and feeding it to her cat in an alley but quickly gets out of sight when she hears someone coming. Thomas and Martha Wayne are with their son Bruce (David Mazouz) but are soon shot dead by a masked thief while Bruce looks on. Detective Harvey Bullock (Donal Logue) and his new partner James Gordon (Ben McKenzie) arrive at the scene and Gordon promises Bruce to find the murderer, Alfred Pennyworth (Sean Pertwee) then collects Bruce. Later two other detective from Major Crimes Renee Montoya (Victoria Cartagena) and Crispus Allen (Andrew Stewart-Jones) want to take the case from them but an annoyed Bullock refuses.

"You like bats kid?"

Gordon and Bullock begin to rough up some of Gotham's criminals to find answers to the murder and even get coroner and forensics operative Edward Nygma (Cory Michael Smith) to examine evidence at the scene. They then go to question underworld mobster Fish Mooney (Jada Pinkett Smith), who is employer of Oswald Cobblepot (Robin Lord Taylor), but they still get no answers. Their investigation eventually leads them to the residence of Mario Pepper who resists arrest and is killed in the struggle. While searching his apartment they find a necklace that resembles the one stolen from Martha Wayne and the case is apparently solved. Later however Cobblepot tells Montoya and Crispus that Pepper was framed for the murder, Montoya later confronts Barbara Kean (Erin Richards), Gordon's fiancé, about this and then Gordon himself.

"You'll find I shoot first and ask questions later"

Gordon suspects corruption in the police department after questioning Pepper's wife and then decides to question Fish but is knocked unconscious along with Cobblepot who is found out as a snitch. Bullock tires to save him but fails and he and Gordon are almost killed until they are saved by Don Carmine Falcone (Carmine Falcone) the boss of Fish and who doesn't want cops killed. Falcone orders Gordon to kill Cobblepot as a test of loyalty but Gordon refuses to go through with it and fakes shoots Cobblepot instead, telling him to never come back to Gotham and throwing him in the river. Gordon then goes to Bruce's manor to tell him that Pepper was framed but he will find the killer one day. The episode ends with Cobblepot emerging from the river and killing a fisherman.

Now that is one scary ass butcher

When I first heard that they where going to make a series set in Gotham that didn't actually have Batman I admit I thought it was a bit of a gamble. Batman is one of the greatest and iconic superheroes ever created so this series had to be interesting enough if it focuses on other characters. Fortunately after watching this Pilot I have to say that it is a gamble that paid off because they sure did make it work. Gotham is almost like one of the numerous cop shows that are on TV right now the biggest difference of course is that the audience will feel familiar with this because it is based on existing material but what is great about it is that it is a take on Gotham just after the murders of the Wayne's which not many Batman comics have touched upon.

"Got to think of a good thief name......"

The events of this episode was really good because just like mostly every Pilot episode it more establishes the setting and introduces the main characters more than anything else. This of course introduces younger versions of the characters we know from the comics like Gordon a young detective who still has a sense of justice in this corrupt city and then there's the Penguin one of the most powerful mob bosses in the comics but he is barely up the ladder of power right now. It also does a great job at showing us the corruption of the police department and how unpleasant the streets of Gotham is; its got a kind of neglected, gritty feel to it. It also does an interesting take on the Wayne murders because as shown in numerous retellings in the comics, and Batman Begins, their murders are done just by a lowly criminal. However in this it introduces an overarching mystery that will carry on in future episodes that may involve the police department and mafia.

Your lucky it was Gordon, Cobblepot

I think we got an excellent cast here such as Gordon and Bullock because I really like that they are opposites and the way they interact with each other. Bullock is corrupt and accepts it because he thinks that's how it will always be but Gordon always tries to fight it and actually wants to make a difference in Gotham. The young Bruce and Selina are good too, these are two really good young actors and I hope they become more involved in the story and even meet each other later. It was also good seeing Nygma in this as well, it was only briefly but it was funny seeing him using riddles even to his co - workers right now. There are two standouts in this and that is Alfred and Cobblepot, they where the best characters introduced in the Pilot. First Sean Pertwee is an awesome actor and I have seen him in a lot of films and he brings a uniqueness to Alfred, more no nonsense and wilfulness. For example when Bruce is on the roof of the manor trying to face fear Alfred shouts up "get your bloody arse off that roof" I never would have expected that from the Alfreds I have seen before. Then there is Cobblepot who is just so well acted and really feels like a younger version of the Penguin. The guy is calculating, sadistic and I like the way he speaks as well, it comes off as nervous and really confident at the same time. I also like how he hates the name Penguin right now because its an insult to him but I guess eventually he makes it his own.

At the very least you got good taste in stage performers

However there are a few characters I hated and the first is Fish Mooney; she is an original character created for the series and I just cannot stand her at all. The acting of the actress who plays her is just poor, her voice for one just sounds stupid, and I find her character just uninteresting and unnecessary and I find her attitude just damn annoying. She's probably really only in the show so that Penguin might kill her and take over her turf and I hope that doesn't take too long. Then there are the two Major Crime detectives who are just p***ks for the sake of being p***ks. I don't see any relevant reason for those character to be there at all, especially that prying Montoya whose a real b***h, they suspect Gordon of being corrupt when he makes it so obvious to anyone that he is the only honest cop on the force.

"Riddle me this!"

I guess something I just want to nit pick at, and this doesn't lower the score, is that I think they made it too obvious to who the future villains are. For example the daughter of Mario Pepper is called Ivy Pepper, if she is based on Poison Ivy from the comic (since we also saw her with plants its highly possible) then call her by her actually real name which is Pamela Isley and let the audience figure it out. I guess them having Edward say riddles counts as well because it should have been more subtle. An example when they did it right is when Fish was watching a comedian in her club and I was like "is that the Joker?" but they don't tell you, it was a nice reference for the audience to spot.

How it all started

Overall this is an imaginative retelling of the origins of Batman and the villains he faced from the perspective of one of Batman's closest allies. This is like a cop/detective drama but it defiantly has a comic book feel to it and I am interested to see how they keep this working. It had some great action scenes, character interaction and keeps your drawn in with the conspiracy of the Wayne murders and police corruption.

SCORE: 8/10

Highlights: Great take on the origin of Batman                 
                   Younger versions of the comic book characters
                   They really made the city of Gotham come alive

Let -Downs: Fish and Major crimes are just annoying
                     Should have let you guessing more about the villains

The great screenshots of the episodes where provided by the great site Screencapped. You can look for yourself from the link below;

 

 





http://screencapped.net/   

Film Review: Resident Evil Retribution

The most current film in the Resident Evil film series, lets get to it! SPOILERS

Retribution takes place after an uncertain amount of time from the events of Afterlife and Alice (Milla Jovovich) has been captured by the Umbrella Corporation. She finds herself in a special Umbrella facility deep under the ice in Russia that is under the control of the revived Red Queen and has simulations of major world cities. However a strike unit has been sent to free Alice under orders from Albert Wesker (Shawn Roberts) and consisting of Ada Wong (Li Bingbing), Leon Kennedy(Johann Urb), Barry Burton (Kevin Durand)  and Lurther West (Boris Kodjoe). However the Red Queen is prepared for intruders as she has hundreds of monsters at her disposal while her human clone forces are led by Jill Valentine (Sienna Guillory).

Place your bets on who to win

Once again this is directed by Paul Anderson and even though it is obvious at this point the film is again an entirely original plot not based on any of the games however it draws inspiration from 5 and 4.

Your still as great as ever Milla!

I want to talk about the story first before getting in to the characters because I really want to say that it story might actually be one of the weakest in the series. Overall I did enjoy watching this film however it just nagged me with how many similarities it had with the first one. For example the Red Queen A.I. is back again and running Umbrella but there is no explanation as to why she is back when she was fried at the end of the first film, we already had her as a villain I just don't get why she had to come back. Also even though it is set in a massive underground testing facility it again felt too similar to the setting in the first film because once again the characters have to escape from it because of a time limit. Lastly I do not get why Wesker is suddenly helping Alice and humanity because he just seemed to want to destroy both in Afterlife, I know he might have a secret plan to be revealed in the sequel but still I just don't get it. However I did find the whole cloning aspect in this interesting and all of the simulated environments that they have.

"Who wants to experience ultimate pain first?"

Once again we have Alice back and she is just as great as ever with a cool new costume and kicking some zombie ass. For other returning characters we also have Lurther and Wesker; Lurther, like in Afterlife, is a great character but he doesn't feel as significant in this one but I'm still glad he is in it but I really wished that Wesker had a larger role because he is only in it for a few scenes. We also have Jill Valentine and I am so glad she has returned because I really liked her from Apocalypse and she is more like her 5 version here. Whatever problems I have with 5 I liked Jill in it because she was like some unstoppable killer; pulling off some great moves and in a skin tight purple outfit I might add and its all been adapted perfectly here.

"Who shall I get to push me?"

For other returning characters we have Rain (Michelle Rodriguez), One (Colin Salmon) and Carlos (Oded Fehr) and it was a surprise because they are all dead but that is where the cloning comes in. Seems they where cloned after death to be Umbrella soldiers and characters in a simulation so we have good and bad versions of Rain and Carlos. I really liked that they did this because Rain and One at least got to have a larger role in the film series now overall and its always great to see Carlos back. Also Rain fighting along side Jill at the end is one of the best moments in the film and is just as good (actually probably better) than the Wesker fight in Afterlife.

"Who wants to mess with this badass team?!"

Now for the new characters and I have to say that we have got some great choices and casting. I'll start off first with Johann Urb as Leon and he is a great character and its good they are using one of Resident Evil's most known protagonist but I kind of felt that he didn't have that much of a presence in this. As for Ada, Li Bingbing really nailed it as her because she looked exactly like her and I liked all of the scenes she was in. However my favourite was Kevin Durand as Barry because firstly I feel like I am seeing Kevin Durand in a lot of films lately (he is on The Strain right now) and he is such a great actor but I am also just really glad that Barry is in the films. Barry is a great character in the games but so, so underused (like Billy and Rebecca) since he has never been a playable character and hasn't had a large role since 1 (unless you count the cameo in 3). But in this film Barry was awesome, he was great in all of the action scenes and his death scene was so badass the way he shot One. Sure he died in this but I think he has had a better role in this than the games have been giving him!

I thought this in the games and I am thinking this now: That red dress isn't practical field gear!

Now on to the monster which is the biggest weakness of the Resident Evil films and that is because we barely get any. First we have the zombies but they are actually the best monsters in this film because they where awesome. They are like the military ones from 4, 5 and 6 in which they use guns and vehicles and I thought I wouldn't enjoy it much because in the games I prefer proper zombies. However in the scene where they are all attacking Barry, Leon and Lurther in the Russia simulation was so cool and they even had a chainsaw wielding one that looked damn creepy. This film failed though in bringing back the Executioner and the Licker from the previous films and I just wonder why? We have already seen them couldn't they have given us something else? I don't care if there where two Executioners and a giant Licker I wanted Hunters or Bandersnatches or one of the bosses.

Best character in the film

Overall this might be the weakest entry in the film series however I still enjoyed watching it because it had some great action scenes, some new characters from the game and the ending implies a pretty badass finale to the series.

SCORE: 6/10

Highlights: Great action sequences (Alice fighting the zombies, Russia attack, final fight)
                   More characters from the game (especially Barry!)

Let - Downs: The plot felt too much like the first film
                      Not enough variety of monsters (again)

You can find all of the great screenshots I used right here;

http://ladymanson.com/ShadowofReflection/home.php

                     

Revolution Season One: The Dark Tower

The Finale!

The episode begins with Miles and Monroe facing off against each other but are ambushed by Jenkins's men, they run for it but the two fall down a pipe that is part of the water main system while Nora is left behind. Randall, who escaped last episode, retrieves a keycard from behind the portrait of George W. Bush. Meanwhile Grace and Rachael talk about the risks of shutting down the Nanites and Rachael insists that they are replicating out of control. Jenkins has received word that Miles and Monroe are gone and informs Rachael and the rest that if they try to access level 12 then he will kill them all.

That's got to be a painful way to go

Outside of The Tower, Tom has successfully turned the soldiers in the camp to his side and even kills someone who refused to join him despite telling him he was free to go. Miles wakes up in a nearby wood and Monroe immediately attacks him but are stopped when a Militia solider fires on them and doesn't take orders from Monroe. Miles slips away in the confusion and we have a Flashback ten years after The Blackout and he and Monroe are celebrating his birthday but a bomb destroys the bar the where in, injuring them both. In The Tower Aaron is stunned to learn that his code is used for it's operating system and Grace says it wasn't by chance that Ben chose to befriend him. Back outside Tom orders C4 piled at the entrance to The Tower and actually wants to prevent the power turning back on at all costs. Jason is angry at this, and that his father has switched sides again, but agrees to help as long as Charlie and Rachael are kept alive.

They sure brought ALOT of explosives with them

Inside Rachael tries to appeal to Grace to let her continue with her plan but when she doesn't Charlie and Aaron chloroforms her and steals her keycard. We then have another Flashback shortly after the bombing and Miles is recovering with Nora at his side. Monroe informs him that they have not only killed the bomber but his entire family so that an example can be made. In The Tower Aaron believes that The Blackout was actually done on purpose, Nora then shows up to tell them Miles is gone she also tells Rachael that she admits Miles loves her and will chose her and that Rachael loves him too. Back outside Monroe and Miles continue their fight but Miles has had enough saying he has bigger problems, this angers Monroe who says this was all Miles fault in the first place. Miles admits that he tired to assassinate him because he was killing too many innocents but before anything else can be said one of Monroe's helicopters flies overhead, Miles escapes but Monroe is captured. Inside The Tower the group comes across Jenkins and his men however Nora has a plan.

"Come back and finish this Miles!"

Outside Monroe is brought before Tom who says he will take over the Republic, Monroe says that he will kill Tom and his family but Tom smiles and says that Monroe is just foolish and demented and leaves with Jason to lead the assault in The Tower. Inside The Tower Nora's bomb against Jenkins and his men worked however she is severely wounded in the process. Outside Miles frees Monroe and says that they are still brothers and sneaks back inside The Tower while Monroe escapes, inside Tom and his men come across Grace whom Tom recognizes. Elsewhere Rachael wants to go turn the power on but Charlie wants to save Nora first however Rachael says this comes first because it's for Danny. Charlie doesn't believe that saying that Danny is dead and begs her mother to chose her who is alive, Rachael doesn't and leaves with Aaron (f***ing b***h). Later Charlie and Nora are attacked by Militia but are saved by Miles, Nora then dies in Miles's arms.

Goodbye Nora

On level 12 Rachael and Aaron are attacked by Tom, Jason and the Militia but when Miles and Charlie arrive they are able to get to the control room and lock themselves in. Aaron uses the computer and wonders if Grace was right but Rachael tells him to do it, Aaron then turns the power back on. All across the world power is slowly being restored; Julia sees a ceiling fan spinning again, Priscilla hears static over the radio, Foster sees all of the lights in Atlanta turn on again and Monroe, out in the open plains, sees an unusual lightning storm. In Atlanta a solider asks Foster what will they do now and she replies that they will throw everything they have at Philadelphia.

And now we have light!!!

Back in The Tower the group hears a gunshot and sees that Randall has locked himself in to the missile control room and has launched nuclear missiles at Atlanta and Philadelphia. Rachael asks why he is doing this and Randall says his plan was to join Monroe and eventually have the Republic and Federation destroy each other but thanks Rachael and says it is all because of her he can do it himself with missiles. Miles tires to shoot the glass but it is bullet proof, Randall then walks up to the glass and says "I am a Patriot" before shooting himself in the head.

The new villain for season two?

With Randall dead the group watches in horror as nuclear missiles are heading towards the two cities. The episode ends with an unseen man turning a lamp on and off and another man says that Randall has finally succeeded and that it is time to go home; "Mr President". It is revealed that there is a United States of America Colony in Guantanamo Bay Cuba and they have been waiting for Randall to finish his mission and return.

Now that is what I call a finale! Full of action, suspense and twits you did not expect, lets go over them all right now! Firstly I think the final confrontation between Miles and Monroe was done really well because even though they where interrupted in The Tower they had some pretty brutal punch ups on the outside. I am really glad that Miles just can never bring himself to kill Monroe because after they have been trying to kill each other for most of the series Miles still cares about him as a brother with how he helped him escape at the end. I guess we'll see if Miles may regret that decision or if Monroe may owe him one.

"So where's my birthday cake?"

As for Tom I am just really glad to see that if managed to overthrow the Republic even if it is late in the series. I really think he could have made a good leader because he does treat his men a lot better than Monroe, like near the beginning when he mercy killed a wounded Militia and buried him. I can also completely understand him wanting to keep the power off because this is a world that he excels at while before he was insignificant. He had some great scenes in The Tower where he tries to stop Rachael and Aaron but its a shame he never used Grace for anything when he ran into her.

Those guys are good at finding people

Something I admit I didn't like, even though it was sad and tragic to see, was the death of Nora. Mainly because it kind of came completely out of nowhere and, I am not saying this because I hate her, but Rachael should have died and I actually thought it might have happened before watching this. I think Rachael's death would have had more of an impact because imagine she went through all of this journey and after everything she has done, she manages to succeed but dies before she see what becomes of it. Nora just really didn't deserve it because she's just been a great character all throughout the series while Rachael is a back - stabbing, traitorous, murderer of innocence, whore! Those who even like Rachael have got to admit that she did a really rotten thing of ignoring Charlie's pleas and not helping Nora who has done more for Charlie than her own mother? It also shows that I think Rachael doesn't care that much for Charlie because everything she says she does is for Danny and she always has no problems leaving her, but at this point I don't think she is even doing it for Danny she is just doing it because its what she thinks is right.

No one messes with Tom Neville now

Now I want to talk about one of the best scenes not just in this episode but in the whole series and that is when the power was coming back on. Really love that scene; when it changes to the other characters and their expressions when they see power for the first time in fifteen years and that brilliant music that was playing during it. One of the best scenes I have seen, it was just done really well and the build up leading to it was great as well with Aaron struggling with the decision and taking his time to press the button.

"So they actually did it" 

Lastly is Randall's plan revealed and I have to say that it was a really smart plan; letting them turn on the power so he can use missiles. In the end Rachael lost and Randall won because millions of people are now dead because of her stubbornness of allowing him carry out his plan. It is a real shame that he killed himself though but since he was obviously working for the President and I guess his mission was "complete". It also raises more questions than answers because why would the President go to such extreme measures to destroy the Republic and the Federation? and where they the ones who caused The Blackout in the first place?

"I win, you lose!"

Overall this was an awesome finale and a great set up for the events of season two. I have said it before but Revolution sure has come along way if you have watched the whole season from start to finish. Charlie simply set out on a mission to rescue her brother but it became something a lot bigger with conspiracies, scientists hiding secrets, all out war between two Nations and basically changing the fate of the whole world. That's why I really love this series, it has really evolved over time, surprised us with many reveals and didn't just stick with the same thing and I hope everyone realizes what an amazing series this truly is. This finale was one of the best episodes and a great way to finish season one.

SCORE: 10/10

Highlights: Randall's master plan
                   Power being restored to the world
                   Tom and the other fighting in The Tower
                   Miles and Monroe confrontation

Let - Downs: Nora's death, handled really well but it should have been Rachael

I have finally reviewed every episode of Revolution Season One!!! I really have enjoyed, I know I am not the best reviewer in the world but I hope you have enjoyed it too. Like I have mentioned before I am not reviewing season two straight away because I want to review other shows. I do really like season two but I'll say it now that it wasn't as good as this season and since there will be no season three (DAMN!!!) there is no rush to review the episodes but I will get round to it probably early next year.

The great screenshots of the episodes where provided by the great site Screencapped. You can look for yourself from the link below;

 

 





http://screencapped.net/