The Magnificent 7 is a remake of an old western which is a remake of an old samurai movie. The original movie is considered a classic, and the new movie is quite long. The question is if the new movie is any good. The quick answer is: yes, it is really good.
For the sake of brevity I won't bother comparing it to the originals but let it stand on it's own merits. In this, Denzel Washington is a bounty hunter (warrant officer) who gets involved in a battle against a mining magnate who is trying to take over a town and killing people in cold blood. In his quest, he recruits 6 other highly-skilled men to help take back the town.
Of course this is achieved through violence. And the cast does not disappoint. All the seven are really good and get their own personality and style of fighting. They also all have their demons and pasts, but this movie doesn't make the mistake of dwelling on these. Instead, it simply alludes to them and keeps the movie going at a good pace.
The gun fights are where the movie is best, but the movie recognises that having weight behind each shot is what makes them stand-out. The only weak character is Chris Pratt, but this is because the writers rely on him to get by on his charm and maybe give him slightly too much screen time compared to the others. This is not the fault of the actor, but outside of one random line about being haunted (which isn't followed through by his actions), the character he plays is perhaps the weak link in the movie.
However, even with this weak link, the rest of the movie is exceptionally strong. This is definitely a movie worth checking out and not just another remake relying on nostalgia. Yee-ha.
4.5 out of 5 Gun-slingin' Waffles.
Sunday, 2 October 2016
Saturday, 24 September 2016
BOARDGAME REVIEW: NAME OF ODIN (2016)
NSKN Games have released a game that seems to be in the latest in a spate of Odin games recently, In the Name of Odin. Funded off Kickstarter (as per most their other games), this game probably best exemplifies this studios strengths and weaknesses.
Name of Odin is primarily a euro-type, card-driven hand management game. You recruit Vikings and heroes, build a settlement and go on raids in order to get victory points. Everything is very abstract as you quest for points, but the theme really comes across from the artwork on the board and the cards looking suitably Viking-ish.
This game is a really pleasant game. There isn't really any player blocking or griefing other players as you instead focus on building your hand and settlement up to achieve points. As the cards are multi-use, you constantly have choices at to how play your turn. This leads to the game having a simplicity as you can plan your turns ahead but a depth as you have to constantly think how your hand can get you points this turn and set you up next turn (and whether you should sacrifice for this).
Unfortunately, the problems stem from what appear to be late design changes. The Viking minatures don't quite fit on the storage spaces (suggesting they might have been cubes at some stage). There is no player color marker on your player boards and no player aides (considering there are 9 different actions you can take, this is a critical oversight). And the end game can mean whoever takes the last raid ends of on negative points for lost raiders (suggesting points for leftover raiders was a late addition).
These are a real sham because the prototype copies reviewers had (i.e. Rahdo) had player aides and scoring tracks on the player boards (so you know who you are). I really like this game and the options it represents. It makes me think (like their other games) if a professional developer could've made this game great (more playtesting after the final changes to pick up these issues). As it stands, it is merely a very good game that perhaps highlights the dangers of Kickstarters for talented but smaller companies.
3.5 out of 5 Raiding Waffles.
Name of Odin is primarily a euro-type, card-driven hand management game. You recruit Vikings and heroes, build a settlement and go on raids in order to get victory points. Everything is very abstract as you quest for points, but the theme really comes across from the artwork on the board and the cards looking suitably Viking-ish.
This game is a really pleasant game. There isn't really any player blocking or griefing other players as you instead focus on building your hand and settlement up to achieve points. As the cards are multi-use, you constantly have choices at to how play your turn. This leads to the game having a simplicity as you can plan your turns ahead but a depth as you have to constantly think how your hand can get you points this turn and set you up next turn (and whether you should sacrifice for this).
Unfortunately, the problems stem from what appear to be late design changes. The Viking minatures don't quite fit on the storage spaces (suggesting they might have been cubes at some stage). There is no player color marker on your player boards and no player aides (considering there are 9 different actions you can take, this is a critical oversight). And the end game can mean whoever takes the last raid ends of on negative points for lost raiders (suggesting points for leftover raiders was a late addition).
These are a real sham because the prototype copies reviewers had (i.e. Rahdo) had player aides and scoring tracks on the player boards (so you know who you are). I really like this game and the options it represents. It makes me think (like their other games) if a professional developer could've made this game great (more playtesting after the final changes to pick up these issues). As it stands, it is merely a very good game that perhaps highlights the dangers of Kickstarters for talented but smaller companies.
3.5 out of 5 Raiding Waffles.
Saturday, 3 September 2016
BOARD GAME REVIEW: SCYTHE (2016)
Scythe is one of the big releases of 2016 and much anticipated. Set in a mech-filled world, each faction on the map is trying to take over by earning the most points (of course) by completing a bunch of different tasks.
The key to Scythe is effectively setting up your engine and trying to hinder your opponent as much as possible. The main form of hindering involves combat and blocking. Each player has a faction (with differing actions) and a hero (with differing powers) and some nice, unique looking mechs (which start the same but can have different powers).
The end game is triggered by completing 6 objectives (winning a fight, getting all your workers out, a hidden objective). At the end of the game, a bunch of stuff is scored with differing points based on your popularity. It all feels very prescribed and the point of the game is efficiency (as most Euros are).
Scythe is a brilliant game. The upgrade system (you move a cube and voila, an action is cheaper and more effective), the combat system (with combat being a resource), the prescribed starting positions with each faction mitigated by the way each faction can break the movement rules (submerging for that game winning play behind enemy lines) is great. Combat is not all-encompassing but it is there and is a good tool to get rid of expansionists.
It is not a perfect game. It isn't quite the sandbox. Also, some of the objectives feel very forced to shoehorn making certain options viable. Finally, sometimes the whole thing can feel a bit heartless (especially rushing towards an arbitrary objective to trigger the end game). But compared to the good and how fast playing it is, these are minor quibbles.
4.5 out of 5 Riverwalking Waffles
The key to Scythe is effectively setting up your engine and trying to hinder your opponent as much as possible. The main form of hindering involves combat and blocking. Each player has a faction (with differing actions) and a hero (with differing powers) and some nice, unique looking mechs (which start the same but can have different powers).
The end game is triggered by completing 6 objectives (winning a fight, getting all your workers out, a hidden objective). At the end of the game, a bunch of stuff is scored with differing points based on your popularity. It all feels very prescribed and the point of the game is efficiency (as most Euros are).
Scythe is a brilliant game. The upgrade system (you move a cube and voila, an action is cheaper and more effective), the combat system (with combat being a resource), the prescribed starting positions with each faction mitigated by the way each faction can break the movement rules (submerging for that game winning play behind enemy lines) is great. Combat is not all-encompassing but it is there and is a good tool to get rid of expansionists.
It is not a perfect game. It isn't quite the sandbox. Also, some of the objectives feel very forced to shoehorn making certain options viable. Finally, sometimes the whole thing can feel a bit heartless (especially rushing towards an arbitrary objective to trigger the end game). But compared to the good and how fast playing it is, these are minor quibbles.
4.5 out of 5 Riverwalking Waffles
Thursday, 21 July 2016
MOVIE REVIEW: CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE (2016)
The Rock Dwayne Johnson and Chris Rock bring us this latest comedy offering. Being a pretty basic "buddy-cop/reluctant-partners" type comedy, this movie has the slight twist that the Rock is a buddy cop and Chris Rock is a reluctant-partner. Trying to mash together these 2 tropes, Central Intelligence does entertain but comes up feeling quite empty.
Dwayne plays a former bullied school kid who has turned into a CIA agent. The former School Captain Chris Rock is now living life as a middle-management accountant (after being voted most likely to succeed). Dwayne needs some help and goes to Chris Rock. However, other forces are also after Dwayne to bring him in.
This movie pretty much puts the two main characters in a bunch of situations and relies on them doing what they do best. Chris Rock is a fast-mouthed, reluctant hero cynical of allot of stuff. Dwayne Johnson is a bit of a muscled oaf but deadly underneath his apparent jovial demeanour. And their are a bunch of inside jokes about their careers and past roles.
However, after all the jokes, the movie just feels hollow. There is no real character arc (apart from a mid-life crisis which doesn't really go anywhere). At the conclusion, apparent arcs get resolved without any kind of resolution and the whole idea of the story just feels like lip-service. This movie entertains, but doesn't really satisfy at the end of the day.
2 out of 5 Undercover Waffles.
Dwayne plays a former bullied school kid who has turned into a CIA agent. The former School Captain Chris Rock is now living life as a middle-management accountant (after being voted most likely to succeed). Dwayne needs some help and goes to Chris Rock. However, other forces are also after Dwayne to bring him in.
This movie pretty much puts the two main characters in a bunch of situations and relies on them doing what they do best. Chris Rock is a fast-mouthed, reluctant hero cynical of allot of stuff. Dwayne Johnson is a bit of a muscled oaf but deadly underneath his apparent jovial demeanour. And their are a bunch of inside jokes about their careers and past roles.
However, after all the jokes, the movie just feels hollow. There is no real character arc (apart from a mid-life crisis which doesn't really go anywhere). At the conclusion, apparent arcs get resolved without any kind of resolution and the whole idea of the story just feels like lip-service. This movie entertains, but doesn't really satisfy at the end of the day.
2 out of 5 Undercover Waffles.
Saturday, 25 June 2016
BOARD GAME REVIEW: MONSTER MANSION (2015)
Monster Mansion was a Kickstarter project that is based around escaping a modular-board within 10 minutes/player(real time). It also has a hidden player role mechanic, unique characters with different stats, and different monster decks for different experiences.
The basic gameplay is that every turn, you draw from the Monster Deck (which may be a monster that follows you around, a curse/blessing, or nothing). Then you take one action (moving or attacking or healing). And then your turn ends. This continues in real-time until you escape or the time runs out (and you all die). Once you reach the exit, you need to roll 5+ on a dice to actually escape.
This game suffers from a lack of direction. There is definitely allot going on (modular board, character powers, hidden roles, time-based gameplay) but it just feels like you are waiting and reliant on your monster draw. You draw weak monsters or nothing, you advance to the exit. You draw strong monsters, you are stuck attacking, hoping not to die. And some of the random roles and cards are harsh if you fail (immediately losing 3 health when you only tend to have 4 means you are often a monsters meal next turn) to increase the difficulty.
But at its heart, this feels like a roll-and-move game, just replace the rolling with random card draws. Maybe with the steady hand of a developer rather than the excesses of kickstarter this idea could've been made allot better. At the moment, most the game just comes down to hoping to draw good cards (with no way to manipulate too much) and hoping for the best. This game doesn't offer too much extra from other games (Zombie 15 immediately springs to mind). The components, however, are really cool.
1 out of 5 Monstrous Waffles
The basic gameplay is that every turn, you draw from the Monster Deck (which may be a monster that follows you around, a curse/blessing, or nothing). Then you take one action (moving or attacking or healing). And then your turn ends. This continues in real-time until you escape or the time runs out (and you all die). Once you reach the exit, you need to roll 5+ on a dice to actually escape.
This game suffers from a lack of direction. There is definitely allot going on (modular board, character powers, hidden roles, time-based gameplay) but it just feels like you are waiting and reliant on your monster draw. You draw weak monsters or nothing, you advance to the exit. You draw strong monsters, you are stuck attacking, hoping not to die. And some of the random roles and cards are harsh if you fail (immediately losing 3 health when you only tend to have 4 means you are often a monsters meal next turn) to increase the difficulty.
But at its heart, this feels like a roll-and-move game, just replace the rolling with random card draws. Maybe with the steady hand of a developer rather than the excesses of kickstarter this idea could've been made allot better. At the moment, most the game just comes down to hoping to draw good cards (with no way to manipulate too much) and hoping for the best. This game doesn't offer too much extra from other games (Zombie 15 immediately springs to mind). The components, however, are really cool.
1 out of 5 Monstrous Waffles
Thursday, 2 June 2016
ANIMATED MOVIE REVIEW: JUSTICE LEAGUE: THRONE OF ATLANTIS (2015)
Justice League: War was an animated reboot of the Justice
League that I really enjoyed. It did have its problems but for the most part, I
thought it set up an interesting premise for the new Justice League. And then
Throne of Atlantis realised the worst of its potential.
Throne of Atlantis is set after War and the formation of the
Justice League. It starts with Cyborg acting less human and getting rid of some
of his human parts. This amounts to absolutely nothing and has no bearing on
the story at all. Also, his doctor is also his love interest. This is another
problem as every female character is depicted as a love interest to a Male
Character (Wonder Woman and Lois Lane for Superman; Aquaman’s Atlantean
protector) who end up getting with the guy as part of the quest rewards.
Anyway, this movie has allot more issues than being
completely chauvinistic. Aquaman is a super-powered person getting drunk and
talking to fish (one-way) and getting into bar fights. The Atlantean prince
wants to wipe out humanity. He kills his mother, steals here trident and frames
surface dwellers for it. How he frames her is never explained as an Atlantean
knife is used to kill her and there were no surface dwellers around at that
time.
Anyway, this magic trident is apparently much more powerful
than the whole Justice League combined, except for Batman. Everyone also acts
like brainless brutes, except for Batman. Batman has to lecture them through a
crime scene. And yeah, the whole movie is a Batman-love letter as he seems to
be the only one capable of thinking. And he is the leader of the Justice
League.
Spoilers: By the end of the movie Aquaman accepts his
heritage (taking his Atlantean guard os his queen) and has a trident apparently
more powerful than the whole Justice League put together (which makes them
redundant with him on the team). This complete change of character is presented
through so much disinterested voice acting and pretty average animation that it
all feels phoned in.
Don’t even get me started on how the Justice League
slaughters Atlanteans who were tricked into war, the Atlantean army being
immune to guns and the army but can be taken down by a normal person hitting
them with a club, or how Aquaman develops powers as the plot demands.
This animated movie is horrible. It is Batman V Superman
bad. Don’t see it unless you love Batman and can’t bother waiting for
Goth-Movie-Aquaman.
0 out of 5 water-soaked waffles.
Monday, 23 May 2016
MOVIE REVIEW: CAPTAIN AMERICA CIVIL WAR (2016)
Two movies in a row focus on heroes versus heroes. One of these was the most insulting, boring movie I have seen in a long time where the definition of hero is stretched to capture Batman and Superman whose reception encouraged reshoots for Suicide Squad. I think this other one proves why Marvel is currently on top of the game.
Set in the Marvel Universe where we have had 10+ movies to build the world and the each character, Civil War aims to tell an epic tale. However, what makes it so good can't be talked about without spoilers. So from here on out there are some very non-specific spoilers.
Civil War starts with a brawl with a super villain on international soil. A mistake from the Avengers leads to some civilian casualties, which leads to the superhero registration act. This is a much more defined but also defendable document than the comic book equivalent. Circumstances force Captain America and Iron Man to go on opposite sides with their teams of allies to help fight it out.
This movie starts and ends on a very personal note for all the characters. Although it seems to be building up slowly to another global threat, it pulls the rug out from under all the characters feet to make the final conflict very personal. Although it never really solves the superhero registration act problem or provides a conclusion to it, that is really not the point of the finale.
Civil War is 2.5 hours and covers allot of ground. Some things miss but allot of things hit. Spiderman is awesome. The fight scenes are awesome with the best stuff outside of the trailers (although that stuff is pretty good as well). Spiderman is awesome and all the characters feel great. Even the sides there on don't take huge leaps in logic.
That is even leaving out the great fight scenes. This is a great movie with a really good story and action. After the disappointment of Batman V Superman, this was the correct way to do a superhero vs superhero movie. Make the stakes personal with believable reasons to make them fight.
5 out of 5 Revolutionary Waffles
Set in the Marvel Universe where we have had 10+ movies to build the world and the each character, Civil War aims to tell an epic tale. However, what makes it so good can't be talked about without spoilers. So from here on out there are some very non-specific spoilers.
Civil War starts with a brawl with a super villain on international soil. A mistake from the Avengers leads to some civilian casualties, which leads to the superhero registration act. This is a much more defined but also defendable document than the comic book equivalent. Circumstances force Captain America and Iron Man to go on opposite sides with their teams of allies to help fight it out.
This movie starts and ends on a very personal note for all the characters. Although it seems to be building up slowly to another global threat, it pulls the rug out from under all the characters feet to make the final conflict very personal. Although it never really solves the superhero registration act problem or provides a conclusion to it, that is really not the point of the finale.
Civil War is 2.5 hours and covers allot of ground. Some things miss but allot of things hit. Spiderman is awesome. The fight scenes are awesome with the best stuff outside of the trailers (although that stuff is pretty good as well). Spiderman is awesome and all the characters feel great. Even the sides there on don't take huge leaps in logic.
That is even leaving out the great fight scenes. This is a great movie with a really good story and action. After the disappointment of Batman V Superman, this was the correct way to do a superhero vs superhero movie. Make the stakes personal with believable reasons to make them fight.
5 out of 5 Revolutionary Waffles
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