Sneha Jaiswal's Blog, page 151
September 4, 2023
Laws of Attraction Review – Thanapat Kawila Steers Series With ‘Corrupt Lawyer’ Act
Damn. I am really beginning to regret not reviewing the 2020 Thai thriller “Manner of Death” when it came out because a belated critical look won’t be as effective as when my thoughts on the show were fresh. It’s a gripping show with serious themes, including the exploitation of those who aren’t privileged. Then there’s the 2023 Thai series “Laws of Attraction,” which attempts to highlight class differences and a flawed justice system but ends up being a prolonged mundane thriller/crime drama.
Directed by Worawit Khuttiyayothin, “Laws of Attraction” follows ruthless lawyer Charn (Film Thanapat Kawila) as he clashes with Tinn (Jam Rachata Hampanont), a working-class man whose younger sister, Tonkhao, was run over and killed by Charn’s client, Thaenthai Theethanathat, the son of the powerful politician Thatthep Theethanathat. While working on the case, Charn begins to suspect that Tonkhao’s death wasn’t a mere hit-and-run, leading to a falling out with the Theethanathat family. Charn decides to represent Tinn, partly as payback and partly because he senses a bigger profit for himself by exposing the Theethanathats. As the two rivals team up to delve deeper into the case, they form a close bond despite their ideological differences. The series thus explores Charn and Tinn’s fight for justice, even though they were on opposite sides of the fence at the beginning.
Okay, before I address the problematic aspects, let’s talk about the lead performers. Film Thanapat Kawila is actually quite perfect in his role as the money-minded lawyer Charn. He delivers his role like the devil’s advocate, complete with a crazed, serial-killer look in his eyes. “The writers follow up by making him do crazy things; for example, Charn sets his own client’s house on fire in order to frame his rivals. I’ve seen Thanapat Kawila in an older series before, and he definitely didn’t exude a ‘drunk on power’ aura in it. The actor smoothly transitions to a sweeter and more coy demeanor in the flirty and romantic scenes. In-fact Kawila’s performance is one of the primary reasons “Laws of Attraction” is somewhat watchable.
Jam Rachata Hampanont, as Tinn, a martial-arts trainer who loses his school-going sister to reckless driving, portrays the more idealistic character. He wants to see those who killed his sister behind bars and refuses to accept any compensation to settle the case. While Jam Rachata Hampanont does look the part of a helpless man trying to fight a rigged justice system, his acting lacks versatility and borders on boring. Duangdao Jarujinda was much more likable in her smaller supporting role as Tinn’s grandmother. She is far more sensible, calm, and practical than Tinn, who initially resists Charn’s offer to represent them. The grandmother helps Tinn see that his family could never afford a lawyer of Charn’s caliber, and her convincing pay off.
Where this series falters the most is with its primary antagonists. Not Vorarit Fuangarome portrays Thatthep Theethanathat, the powerful politician/businessman who attempts to buy Tinn’s silence to protect his brat son, Thaenthai (played by See Parattakorn Kaiyanan). While Not Vorarit is certainly despicable in his portrayal of an unscrupulous, wealthy politician with little regard for human life, his character lacks depth and is one-dimensional. He is simply shown as screaming, scheming and ordering people around. See Parattakorn Kaiyanan as Thaenthai has a weirdly confusing character, even though he does his best to pull it off. On one hand, the writers try to make us hate him, especially when he makes statements like how he felt nothing about an innocent girl’s death. On the other hand, they also attempt to evoke sympathy for him by portraying him as the victim of an abusive father. Thaenthai has no reliable friends or allies, except for his loyal bodyguard Thee portrayed by Pearl Satjakorn Chalard.
While the primary theme attempts to show how victims of middle-class families are bullied, defamed and written off when they try to take on powerful oppressors, the mystery surrounding Tonkhao’s death is convoluted and poorly executed. Despite “Laws of Attraction” spanning eight episodes, it feels like the series goes on forever due to the tedious hour-long episodes. The story could have easily been condensed into 30-minute chapters by editing out some of the pointless comical scenes that weren’t even funny. The writers also over-explain why Charn is the way he is, providing viewers with substantial backstories when that time could have been better spent on building a smoother romantic progression between the leads. Charn and Tinn’s “enemies to lovers” transformation is jarring since their core beliefs are so different, and it would take a substantial amount of time for two such clashing personalities to warm up to each other. Charn firmly believes money can buy anything and is the most powerful entity in the world, while Tinn thinks law and justice should be above money. Of course, there is the physical attraction to consider between the two, which needn’t take any time at all, but their relationship isn’t exactly shown from that perspective.
The last episode was the most random edition of “Laws of Attraction”, Charn and Tinn do uncover the whole truth behind Tonkhao’s death and the culprits face justice. However, the climax is too celebratory in tone and not in sync with the rest of the series’ tone, but well… the show is almost never consistent in its pace. It’s a chaotic hotpot of serious themes, unfunny comical scenes and unconvincing villains. The show is probably worth a one-time watch for fans of the lead actors.
Rating: 5 on 10. You can stream the series on YouTube.
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Liebestrasse Graphic Novel Review
Set during the 1930s, the graphic novel “Liebestrasse”, which means “Love Street”, follows American Sam’s romance with Berliner Philip, which is complicated by the rise of the Nazi party, as they soon fall on their hit-list.
Created by Greg Lockard, Tim Fish and Hactor Barros, the book first starts in 1952, where Sam is leading a pretty content life in the U.S but he goes back to Germany to reconnect with old friends and then starts to reminisce about his doomed romance with Philip. The setting reminded me of Netflix documentary ‘Eldorado – Alles, was die Nazis hassen’, which looks back at the freedom enjoyed by LGBT community in Berlin before the Nazis rose to power.
At under 100 pages, “Liebestrasse” is a quick poignant historical fiction novel which dwells on how unreal the Nazis seems, until they came knocking on your door. Sam is hard-working, discreet and restrained individual, while Philip is a more carefree wild-child, used to the freedoms of Berlin’s night life. The way these protagonists meet at a museum is similar to the 2022 drama “My Policeman”, although the time and settings are a world apart. It’s interesting how much of Philip’s relaxed attitude and fierce personality probably stems from a place of privilege. He doesn’t have a proper job and obviously comes from a wealthy family, which affords him the luxury of moving in exclusive circles and not having to worry too much about consequences of his actions. Sam, on the other hand, is a working-class man from America, and the hedonistic, liberated Berlin is not something he is used to.
The artwork by Tim Fish and Hector Barros is quite retro in style, the panels aren’t too busy and the colors are slightly subdued. The coloring adds a dated touch to the story, which was probably a deliberate choice since the plot unfolds in the 1930s/1950s, but I did not enjoy the color scheme. However, the character designs and everything else is quite nice and perhaps a black-and-white palette would’ve the suited this graphic novel better.
Overall, Liebestrasse is an engaging graphic novel, which chooses to focus on a tragic chapter in history through the lens of a gay couple falling in love with each other when everything else around them was falling apart.
Rating: 3.5 on 5. The book is also available on Kindle Unlimited.
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September 3, 2023
Choose Love Review – Not Too Wild, But Okay!
Okay, so the primary plot of the 2023 Netflix interactive film “Choose Love” is not that great. It follows music engineer Cami Conway (Laura Marano), who’s been in a happy relationship with her boyfriend Paul (Scott Michael Foster) for three years, but starts to have second thoughts about him when she runs into her ex-flame Jack Mena (Jordi Webber) and celebrity crush Rex Galier (Avan Jogia) on the same day. Cami feels strong sparks with both Jack and Rex, so she now has to choose between three different men and the viewer gets to decide how she goes forward with her romantic life.
Directed by Stuart McDonald and written by Josann McGibbon, “Choose Love” would’ve been a lot more fun if Cami wasn’t already in a serious relationship. Paul seems like a great guy, Cami is incredibly happy around him, the two don’t shy away from being lovey-dovey around others, so to make any choice for her that doesn’t put Paul first, seems kind of unfair! Anyway, it’s best not too take Cami’s life too seriously and roll with it. Choose the new charming musician over her handsome longtime partner? Sure, why not?!
Basically, “Choose Love” is an easygoing romance that feels a little like “The Sims” game (a social simulation game which allows you to control the lives of virtual people), although you don’t get to pick everything Cami does and thankfully so! I tried going back and forth on some of her decisions and the story does turn out quite differently with each choice you make. For example, when she runs into her ex-boyfriend Jack, viewers get to choose if she wants to go grab lunch with him or not. We also get to pick if she should be more assertive with her mean boss or nonchalant. Some people might not enjoy that kind of control over a protagonist’s life, even though, ultimately, it’s the writers who decide how those options pan out for Cami. Since I tried looking at most of the other options, one of the endings was far too abrupt and simple, leaving you wanting a lot more.
The cinematography is bright and pretty (like most Netflix romances), however, the background music wasn’t as impressive, especially since music is a key theme in the story. While the lead characters don’t necessarily standout, most of them are charming in their parts. Jordi Webber’s character Jack however was the most phony of the lot, he is a stereotypical activist type, who goes around the world volunteering and protesting against issues. Scott Michael Foster was earnest in his part as Paul, although viewers don’t get a lot of insights about him, except that he “truly loves” Cami. Avan Jogia is used to playing musicians, so he was very likable as the down-to-earth but impulsive singer Rex Galier. Laura Marano is cute as protagonist Cami, however, she has some really terribly written lines through the film. The direction makes it feel like you are watching a Disney romance made for teenagers. But overall, “Choose Love” is an interesting attempt at the interactive format.
Rating: 6 on 10. Stream the film on Netflix.
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September 2, 2023
Neeyat Review – Gets Lost in Grandstanding
Sneha Jaiswal (Twitter | Instagram)
Did I exclaim “wow” at the beginning of the 2023 Bollywood murder mystery “Neeyat”? Yes! The film is set in a breathtakingly lavish castle built along the Scotland shore. However, once the setting changes and you aren’t looking at a grand building by a beautiful sea, the movie quickly becomes less and less impressive.
Directed by Anu Menon, who shares the writing credits with Advaita Kala and Girvani Dhyani, “Neeyat” follows billionaire Ashish Kapoor’s birthday bash at his Scottish castle with close friends and family. But the celebrations end with his death, and it is up to Detective Mira Rao (Vidya Balan) to nab the murderer.
Each character in the film is introduced with slow, stylish flourishes, and the death doesn’t even occur until almost half the runtime is over! It’s ridiculous how slow the story is, despite the plot being loosely based on an Agatha Christie mystery. There’s too much grandstanding in the dialogues when some more casual comedic banter would’ve made most scenes a lot more entertaining. Seems like the writers couldn’t decide if they wanted a fun murder mystery or a serious one, so instead they serve an awkward mash of the two.
Ram Kapoor plays the Vijay Mallya-style billionaire Ashish Kapoor (AK), whose business goes bust, and he is wanted in India for owing banks Rs 20,000 crore. While his employees are struggling and haven’t been paid salaries for two years, AK is living the high life, traveling in choppers and hosting birthday bashes for himself, albeit not as high-profile as before. Ram Kapoor’s portrayal of the billionaire lacked depth, and in fact, no one in the cast stood out significantly. Shefali Shah’s blink-and-miss cameo was arguably more engaging than everyone else’s role.
Neeraj Kabi and Dipannita Sharma play the married couple Sanjay and Noor Suri, respectively, who are best friends with AK and are also indebted to him for financially bailing them out multiple times. Rahul Bose plays AK’s bitter brother-in-law Jimmy, whose father handed over his inheritance to AK instead of his own son. Shashank Arora is AK’s rebel son Ryan, who brings along his new girlfriend, Gigi (Prajakta Koli), for the party just to upset everybody. Niki Walia is AK’s spiritual guide/tarot card reader, Zara, who trusts him excessively, even more than his girlfriend Lisa (Shahana Goswami), who is decades younger than him. Half of AK’s guest-list does seem to have some sort of motive to kill him, but a lot of things don’t make any sense until the very end of the film. And even then there are loose ends. Vidya Balan’s Mira Rao is the last unexpected addition to the party, she is a CBI officer sent from India to extradite AK.
Despite its inherently gorgeous setting, the cinematography and screenplay of “Neeyat” lacks character. The interiors of the castle have no personality and the dressing and hairstyles of the guests makes you feel like the story is set in the distant past even though it’s set in the time of Wi-Fi. Vidya Balan is styled in a bad fringe for no good reason, unless the idea is to push the stereotypical notion that investigative officers have no sense of style. Also, there were a lot of dimly lit scenes sprinkled through the runtime, which ruin the viewing experience. There’s very little Indian flavor in the events, everybody is boringly polished, disgruntled or sulking in their own world.
There are two good twists towards the climax, but by then you are already exhausted from the slow storytelling and tedious pacing. Even though “Neeyat” does have some enjoyable moments, overall, it’s a rather disappointing murder mystery. The movie comes across as too “wannabe”, with creators trying to ape Hollywood settings, instead of adding their own desi twists to the tale. Vishal Bhardwaj’s 2023 web series “Charlie Chopra & The Mystery of Solang Valley” exhibited far superior world-building in just its first episode. I draw this comparison only because it’s also based on an Agatha Christie mystery.
You can stream “Neeyat” on Prime Video.
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‘Fck’n Nuts’ Review – Short n Nuts!
Some individuals may dread encounters with ghosts, demons, and monsters, but for many, the fear of introducing their partner to their parents or meeting their partner’s parents is a far more palpable fear. Writer and director Sam Fox astutely harnesses this relatable concern into a spine-tingling short story, complete with an unexpected twist, in the 2023 film ‘Fck’n Nuts’
The film kicks off with a foggy independent house, its rooms softly illuminated by neon lights, while eerie synth-pop music sets the tone in the background—a soundscape that will instantly evoke thoughts of “Stranger Things” or the works of Panos Cosmatos. Maddie Nichols takes on the role of Sandy, the story’s central character, a young woman grappling with anxiety and is desperate to end her relationship before her boyfriend meets her parents. However, her plans are disrupted when he unexpectedly shows up at her doorstep, entirely unprepared for what’s about to unfold.
Sandy’s introductory scene is a burst of vivid pink hues, she is dressed in pink, with a pink headband, pink bedsheets, pink pillow, even her telephone is light pink in shade. The nostalgic neon visual that draws you deeper into the narrative. For a brief minute, the cinematography remind you of Greta Gerwig’s “Barbie” with its pink wonderland symbolizing happiness and perfection. However, in ‘Fck’n Nuts,’ Sam Fox cleverly subverts the typical positive connotations of the colour pink. Sandy may be adorned in pink from head to toe, but she is seconds way from a nervous breakdown and soon enough, we learn why.
Vincent Stalba plays Sandy’s excessively enthusiastic boyfriend, Dan, who remains determined to meet her parents, despite her persistent warnings about them being “Fck’n Nuts.” There’s an unsettling quality about Dan, and his interactions with Sandy consistently leave viewers on edge, uncertain about what might transpire next. Throughout the film’s ten-minute duration, an eerie and ominous atmosphere looms, supported by the use of classic horror elements like a dishevelled, decrepit house.
The moments leading up to the climax take on a deliberately exaggerated, campy tone, reminiscent of 90s horror films, while a chilling and unexpected twist brings this neon-fueled tale to a striking conclusion. The ending is simultaneously grotesque and absurd, yet it harmoniously aligns with the film’s overarching theme. Maddie Nichols injects a dose of authenticity into this zany narrative with her heartfelt portrayal of Sandy, a woman whose apprehensions about her parents are entirely justified. In ‘Fck’n Nuts,’ the concept of “meeting the parents” is transformed into a metaphorical nightmare, blending humour and horror in a creepy cinematic thrill.
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September 1, 2023
Friday Night Plan Review – Of Sibling Shenanigans
Sneha Jaiswal (Twitter | Instagram)
A few days ago, my younger brother and I were engaged in a mock argument about how he was exaggerating my age. As the conversation grew increasingly competitive, he urged me to “relax.” Apparently, older siblings aren’t as laid-back as their younger counterparts and most online “funny videos” also tend to support this notion. And you’ll find this as a recurring theme in the 2023 Netflix teen comedy, “Friday Night Plan,” which revolves around two brothers’ scheme to attend their school’s grandest private party. Luckily for the brothers the party falls on the same night their mom heads out of town for a meeting!
Directed and written by Vatsal Neelakantan, the film stars Babil Khan as the studious, responsible class 12 student Siddharth and Amrith Jayan as his carefree, impish younger brother Aditya. The story opens with Siddharth’s mother (Juhi Chawla) telling him to take Aditya to his inter-school football match, but he isn’t thrilled with the idea at all. Later the same day, Aditya convinces Siddharth to take out their mom’s car to the party and ask out the girl he likes for prom. The two brothers first go a hotel to celebrate Siddharth’s football victory with his classmates and then they all get into trouble for pranking their rivals from another school.
Since the story is set in an international school in Mumbai, all the American elements like prom night and beer pong aren’t too far-fetched. In-fact, “Friday Night Plan” has all the makings of a typical American teen comedy, but with desi characters and more family-friendly premise. Yes, you can watch this flick with the family without worrying about weird or cringe-y scenes. There are no drugged teens, no dead teens and criminal teens like in “Class”.
Juhi Chawla, for some strange reason, is very subdued and suspiciously soft-spoken in her supporting role. She talks in an apologetic tone with her kids, almost like they are strangers. It doesn’t go well with her bubbly personality nor with her “independent working mother” character. Babil Khan and Amrith Jayan, on the other hand, have great onscreen chemistry as brothers with a love-hate relationship. So there are quite a few relatable moments throughout the film for those who have a sibling. For example, there’s a scene where Aditya helps Siddharth pick out a shirt for the party, which would be relatable to anybody who helps their brother/sister choose their outfits.
For most part, “Friday Night Plan” is a simple fun film, although, there’s a small twist about the boys running into trouble with a cop that’s played by Ninad Kamat. The transition into the cop sub-plot is done in a way that makes you worry if the story is going to completely shift gears and become some dark serious “party night gone terribly wrong” tale. Thankfully, the film does maintain it’s light tone throughout the runtime and things don’t get out of hand. However, some of the dialogues between Aditya and Siddharth felt slightly scripted and lacked the spontaneity of impulsive arguments and conversations.
Babil Khan gives a convincing performance as a self-conscious 18-year-old senior, who always prioritizes his grades over fun and rarely hangs out with anybody. Amrith Jayan as 16-year-old Aditya comes off as the annoying younger brother, who always gets into trouble and is more bothered about doing “cool” things and couldn’t care much about the consequences of his thoughtless actions. Their sibling bond shines the best in “Friday Night Plan”, while the rest of the elements aren’t as entertaining or amusing. The story attempts to highlight the importance of having some fun alongside academic activities and the writers attempt to keeps things slightly closer to regular teen experiences.
Overall, it’s a nice little film to stream on a Friday night or the weekend. You can watch in on Netflix.
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Jujutsu Kaisen Season 2 Episode 6 Review
Jujutsu Kaisen creators took their time with making Episode 30 available for fans, but the wait has been worth it. Because flashback time is over, which means fan favorite Yuji Itadori is back in the story with his antics! The plot will re-focus in Yuji’s attempts to find all the body parts of the demon he has been cursed with, along with his rise in the ranks of Jujutsu sorcerers.
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Titled “It’s Like That”, episode 30 begins with Yuji, Kugisaki and Fushiguro fresh from a mission and the three split to have some “me time”, even though Yuji tries to convince his friends to watch a weird sci-fi film called “Earthworm Man 4”. We also get a hilarious plot outline to the movie, which looks straight out of a Junji Ito manga – creepy & unsettling. Even though the friends go their own ways, they all end up meeting at a restaurant when a stranger inquires about Yuji. Meanwhile, their Jujutsu sorcerer seniors have recommended the trio for an upgrade in rank, which means they will get to go on more dangerous missions and deal with wackier entities.
While the first half is upbeat and comical, with some romantic elements thrown, the second-half, like most Jujutsu Kaisen episodes, takes a grim turn. After a fun day out, Yuji, Kugisaki and Fushiguro assist a senior in investigating a mole in the academy. Somebody has been leaking their secrets and they need to find out who ASAP. Betrayal, blood and battles follow.
We get to see Mahito, one of the primary villains and special grade spirits, after a long time, and he is just as despicable as ever. Suguru Geto appears alongside him as the two plot together against Jujutsu sorcerers, and watching them together offers a great contrast of personalities. Mahito is the impulsive, sadistic, and almost childish antagonist, while Geto is more calm and calculated, preventing Mahito from making hasty choices. At least so far. The episode ends mid-fight, ramping up anticipation for the next chapter. It was thoroughly engaging, featuring excellent animation and seamless scene transitions.
Stream the series on Netflix.
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August 31, 2023
One Piece Episode 7, 8 Review
Friends come first for Monkey D. Luffy, even before his hunt for “One Piece”, the famed treasure of deceased pirate king Gold Rogers. Episode six of the live-action fantasy series ended with protagonist Luffy asking his crew to find and help Nami, despite her giving away his precious map to the Grand Line to Arlong, a rival pirate leader. So, Luffy (Iñaki Godoy), Roronoa Zoro (Mackenyu), Usopp (Jacob Romero) and Sanji (Taz Skyler) set sail to Conomi Islands, to investigate what’s going on with Nami (Emily Rudd).
For Plot Overview Read: One Piece Episode 1, 2 Review
Titled “The Girl With The Sawfish Tattoo,” episode seven commences with a flashback to Nami’s early years, offering viewers a glimpse into her origin story for the first time. Growing up amidst a picturesque tangerine orchard, Nami’s childhood initially appears idyllic; however, more tragic details emerge later to explain her hatred for pirates. Considering my prior grievances about poorly illuminated scenes in the first four episodes, I have to laud the cinematography in episodes 7 & 8. Most of the crucial scenes unfold during daylight, rendering the visuals brighter and more engaging.
While episode seven turned out to be much more emotional than I had anticipated, the season finale titled “Worst in the East” provided a fitting conclusion to this live-action adaptation of “One Piece.” Luffy and his crew confront the fearsome Arlong, the antagonist who has wrought havoc on multiple islands, including Nami’s homeland. Consequently, episode eight is replete with action, featuring multiple fights and entertaining exchanges between Roronoa Zoro and Sanji. Their fierce rivalry takes a fun turn as they confront Arlong’s crew, showcasing their camaraderie beneath their outward competitiveness. Mackenyu and Taz Skyler feed off each other’s energy and give us a good “hostile strangers to protective friends” arc.
Standing by your friends and pursuing your dreams remain the quintessential themes of this series, with Monkey D. Luffy proving that one can be a successful pirate without compromising their ideals. The sub-plot about Luffy’s marine grandfather pursuing him is not forgotten and the feuding grandfather-grandson also confront each other in episode eight. Iñaki Godoy makes all of Luffy’s special-effect scenes look delightfully hilarious instead of ludicrous. McKinley Belcher III plays antagonist Arlong, who is a fishman, so while the actor is covered up in heavy layers of make-up that doesn’t inspire much fear, his deep voice manages to make the character villainous and intimidating.
The climactic moments of “One Piece” were celebratory in nature, with Luffy finally finding a loyal group of friends ready to help him find the greatest treasure in the world. And so, the season ends on a triumphant note, with all of Luffy’s crew vowing to pursue their dreams and search for the elusive “one piece” together. Hopefully, there will be a second season soon!
Stream the series on Netflix.
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One Piece Episode 5, 6 Review
Finally! Lots of daylight scenes! Because the first four episodes of Netflix’s “One Piece” were dominated by dimly lit shots, obscuring exciting setting of the pirate fantasy tale. And yes, it does look like the live-adaptation creators were sticking to a lot of darker shots to cover weak spots in the special effects, because some of the sea/ship scenes looked out of an “Age of Empire” game from the 2000s. To be fair, AOE games had great graphics for their time. Anyway…
For Plot Overview Read: One Piece Episode 1, 2 Review
Titled “Eat at Baratie”, episode 5 starts with a funny throwback to Monkey D. Luffy’s (Iñaki Godoy) complicated relationship with his grandfather, who is a top marine man, which means – grandpa hates pirates! Now that Luffy’s new friends know his gramps is a vice-admiral hunting them down, they want explanations. Actually, only Nami (Emily Rudd) wants answers, the others aren’t as interested or worried. While Vincent Regan’s portrayal of Vice Admiral Garp hadn’t made much impact so far, his character is gradually finding its stride as an authoritative marine figure, also assuming the role of a perplexing mentor to Luffy’s friend, Koby (Morgan Davis).
The most exciting bit about episode 5 was new entrant Sanji, a chef at seafood restaurant Baratie, where Luffy and friends halt for a nice meal. Suavely portrayed by Taz Skyler, Sanji immediately impresses Luffy with his fighting skills when he breaks up a brawl at the restaurant. While the episode is largely fun in tone, the second-half takes a serious turn again, when a notorious warlord named Mihawk (Steven John Ward) reaches the Baratie for Luffy, but is challenged to a duel by Roronoa Zoro (Mackenyu).
It’s entertaining how Luffy has barely got his crew together to find the legendary “One Piece” treasure but has already made a bunch of enemies. Episode six sheds more light on Sanji’s life and a tragic flashback reveals how he became acquainted with head chef Zeff as a young boy. Christian Convery of “Sweet Tooth” fame plays the young Sanji, a feisty blonde who aspires to cook at a mythical restaurant called “All Blue” and crosses paths with Zeff moments before an unfortunate accident. So, while the first half of episode six lets viewers get familiar with Sanji, the second half is all about villains and fights. A group of mean fishmen are looking to Luffy, to steal his treasure map and possible even kill him.
We get some more daylight fight scenes, which were entertaining to watch despite some of the evident flaws with the special effects. I think the creators should’ve just been bolder, instead of hiding their lavish sets behind dimly lit shots in the earlier episodes. So what if some of the special effects don’t look realistic enough? The whole plot of “One Piece” is so exaggerated, that slightly gaudy VFS would only add to the hilarity of it all. This series is more about its larger-than-life characters, the sets don’t matter as much, as long as the plot is well paced, gripping and backed up by great performances. And the cast of this show is doing pretty great so far.
Iñaki Godoy is on a winning streak with his portrayal of Luffy and his contagious naive optimism unquestionably influences those around him. And while Luffy’s innate trust and his remarkable capacity for friendship is quite evident in the first episode itself, it is in episodes 5 and 6 that the series highlights its central theme best: the formidable influence of camaraderie and the profound human connections one forges along their way. The future pirate king might be far from finding his treasure, but he is already made some priceless friends along the way.
Stream the series on Netflix!
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One Piece Episode 3, 4 Review
“The Pirates are coming! The Pirates are coming!”
And with that loud excited announcement, commences episode three of “One Piece”, which is all about sea thieves, monsters, treasures and the wild wild adventures of Monkey D. Luffy from Eiichirô Oda’s epic series. Titled “Tell No Tale”, episode three is set in Syrup Village, whose residents are known for building fine ships, which works out great for Monkey D. Luffy (Iñaki Godoy) and his new friends, who are looking for a new home on the rough seas.
When Luffy falls in love with a huge ship at the dockyard, fate intervenes in the form of a young man to make his dream come true. Jacob Romero’s character, Usopp, is introduced in the episode as the best friend of the owner of a shipping business, a young girl named Kaya (Celeste Loots), who has tragically lost her parents. Usopp facilitates a meeting between Luffy and Kaya at her grand mansion, leading to a series of unfortunate events that take a darker and more serious tone. Alexander Maniatis plays Kaya’s imposing caretaker/butler Klhahadore, who looks like he up to no good, from the second he is introduced. Alexander Maniatis was intimidating and sinister in his role and it would be interesting to see him play more such roles in the future. An unlikely brief friendship blooms between Kaya and Nami (Emily Rudd), which did feel a little contrived but helps with their character curves.
The pace sort of begins to flounder and episode four titled “The Pirates Are Coming” was the slowest chapter so far in the series. It’s got over-stretched fight sequences and extended scenes. And top of all that, there’s the dimly lit cinematography again. Most of episode four unfolds late at night, so some of the battles that would’ve been more exciting in the daylight, are a little disappointing to watch with the dark tones. The only respite comes in the form of some flashbacks pertaining Roronoa Zoro. Maximilian Lee Piazza plays a young Zoro, and the throwbacks help establish an emotional back-story to why Zoro aspires to be the best swordsman in the world. However, his Batman style struggle in a well was quite boring to watch and I may have fast-forwarded just those scenes.
Morgan Davies who plays Koby, the young pirate who is technically Luffy’s first friend in his “One Piece” journey, has an interesting parallel sub-plot to himself about how he becomes a marine. Davies probably has the most growth in the show so far, considering the drastic change in his character’s trajectory, even though he doesn’t have as much screen-space as the others. Which brings me to a major problem I had with episodes 3 & 4 – it felt like Iñaki Godoy didn’t get enough screen-time, despite being the protagonist. It’s Iñaki’s zesty portrayal of the funny and sunny Monkey D. Luffy that’s the best ingredient of this show so far!
Hopefully, there’s more of Luffy in the remaining episodes. Episode four ends with a fantastic twist, so most viewers would definitely want to continue streaming “One Piece”.
Watch the series on Netflix.
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