To review or not to review?

[RandomSelect 36]

To review or not to review?

 

Hiya folks. Happy new year.

 

I’ve recently been thinking about doing reviews on various things, like movies, books, animes, mainly entertainment stuff, and placing them online on Youtube and maybe some other sites that does reviews. If you want, feel free to check my rough review below and let me know what you think.

 

Questions:

1. Should I start making review videos?
2. Reviewing DVDs/Boxsets: Episode by episode or the whole thing?
3. Any other suggestions?

 

Paddington (Movie)

 

So, Paddington. This little bear’s furry face has been showing up on our book shelves, gift shops, TVs and DVDs for years since the late 1950s. All thanks to the author Michael Bond. His stories about this critter are filled with heart-warming and feel-good moments. Oh, and Paddington causing havoc from time to time, like getting a couple of toothbrushes covered by his own ear wax, drinking a whole bottle of mouthwash and some toilet water before flooding the entire bathroom... I’m just saying.

 

Anyway, the franchise doesn’t stop in London though, he’s been known in many countries. His books has been translated into 30 languages and sold over 30 million worldwide and it’s still going strong.

 

And now, after all those years, Paddington’s got his movie set out. One might say that it’s about time. However, with all those credentials belonging to a world famous franchise that started from a book, TV show, toy or game, does it fall into the same trap of having a film, like the Twilight Saga and The Last Airbender, ruining the entire thing? Well, let’s grab a ticket and ride the ride.

 

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It’s been a really long time since I read one of his books or watched one of his shows. And for as long as I can remember, it started with the little guy hanging out at Paddington Station like a lost cat placed inside an empty box, waiting to be taken home. Aw.

 

Not sure if the books or cartoons covered this at the very beginning. I wonder if it’ll be good idea for me to have a refresher before checking this out. Hm... nah. I’ll check it out later. Coming from this film, Paddington does have a sad story about how he became lost in that said place after travelling all the way from Darkest Peru. But don’t make me ruin that for you.

 

Before I forget, some people complained about the age rating of this film, being a rated PG instead of U. Well, there is a great amount of slapstick in the story, much like they have in the books if memory serves correctly. There was also a warning mentioning some ‘sexual references’. But in my opinion, they turned out to be harmless and only added to the comedy. And, in almost every kid’s movie, you’re bound to have villains. And in this case, we got a fanatical taxidermist, waiting to stuff rare animals for her museum. But, and by the law of Hollywood endings, the villain would either change their ways and/or get their comeuppance. Also, with a HUGE amount of children watching funny cartoons like Tom and Jerry, and films like How To Train Your Dragon all the time, you’re bound to have films like this being at this age rating. So, I don’t mind this. Besides, it’s not like the kids would cause that much chaos like Paddington did... or will they?

 

Everyone who worked on this did a brilliant job. The design and animation they did on Paddington was done brilliantly in a realistic way. Some people may complain that stop-animation wasn’t used like in the old days but I for one think we could keep with the changes here and there. So, after we had Wallace and Gromit, Fantastic Mr. Fox and Boxtrolls, it’s a shame we won’t be dealing stop-animation shows any time soon. *subtle*

 

The personality for this guy can get everyone loving him. He’s polite, noble, caring and would help anyone in need. But then, when it comes to courteousness, let’s just say that he doesn’t know that even though it’s good manners to do one thing in Peru, it’s not always good to do that in London. Like, when you have to wash your face, it’s not a good idea to have him lick it. But that’s okay, because, as you all know, he has a habit for comedic antics. Maybe disastrous for people who put up with him but for the audience, pure gold!

 

Same goes for the actors and actresses taking. And I got kick out of taking in the personalities of each Brown family member. You got Mr. Brown, an over-protective father and husband who does risk analysing. Three guesses of what percentage he’d come up with for having an accident prone bear in the house (Over 9000’s overdoing it). Mrs Brown, an open-minded and good-hearted wife and mother who was an illustrator, drawing for book covers... but she’s currently stuck on who the hero should look like for an upcoming one. And they got two kids, one suffering a condition called ‘embarrassment’ and the other had to put with safety toys after one rocket launching moment that cost him an arm and a leg, well, not literally.

 

There is one negative that I like to point out however. I noticed that the film was running a bit short for my liking. But considering that this is a kids’ film, they normally run for under two hours. Probably because of budget but that’s just my guess. Also, who would want to watch a film for five hours straight?

 

Despite that, I loved the plot and twists because they kept me interested all the way through. It made me laugh, it made me feel. It was very entertaining. I also loved the moral as well: No matter who that person or animal may be, if they have a great bond with you, relative or not, you’ll be like family.

 

So, here’s to having another addition to a great franchise. Here’s to you Mr. Bond, for making such wonderful stories. And here’s to you Paddington. You may cause a mess here and there, but you have brought love and joy to our hearts over the years and for many years to come.

 

I’m Brian Random, thanks for checking out.

 

And as for my reviewing OC, well, feel free to take a look:

Yeah. My temporary OC. Well, I’m not 100% happy with this and I don’t see myself showing my face on the net anytime soon. I’ve been looking around and creating my ideal OC but I haven’t made one suitable yet. So, I’m pretty much stuck with this but only temporarily.

 

So, if you want, tell me what you think. Thanks for your time. Laters.