The Muppets

Full disclosure, I have been looking forward to this film since it was announced. For reasons I can't actually explain I love the Muppets. The Movies, TV shows, the obscure characters, they all hold a sweet spot in the hunk of coal known as my heart. So unless this movie was the spawn of Satan I was guaranteed to at least like this film. Spoilers: It's not the spawn of Satan.

The Characters
I think almost everyone knows the core Muppets: Kermit, Miss Piggy, Gonzo, Fozzy Bear, Animal. Kermit is the nervous leader. Miss Piggy is the violent starlet. Gonzo is the embodiment of weird. Fozzy has no idea what's funny. Animal is an excitable wild man (Muppet?). So with those basics in mind lets focus on the the three humans and the new Muppet: Gary (Jason Segel), Mary (Amy adams), Tex Richman (Chris Cooper), and Walter

Gary and Mary are both fighting internal conflict. Gary wants to help Walter even when it negatively effect his relationship. Mary wants more time with Gary but doesn't want to rip him away from his family. These problems that don't amount to much more than a song resolution (a fun song mind you). The characters are presented as loving and understanding people so there is no doubt things will work out between them.

Tex Richman is the weakest of the human characters. He is an evil businessman looking to get more money and Muppets are in his way. He has Muppet called Uncle Deadly and Bobo the bear. He is given a villain quirk as is tradition in modern comedies (see if you can spot it). The only thing he is missing is the volcano lair and their may be one under his office building (oil is under a studio in the center of LA, so why not.) Cooper plays it appropriately hammy for what the character calls for, but I honestly think it would have been better if he was another Muppet with Cooper's voice.

Lastly we have Walter. He is an entirely new Muppet creation made expressly for this film. He loves the Muppets to obsessive and without a doubt the main character of this film. He is the sole reason for why the movie happens. As far as I can tell Walter is an exaggeration of Muppet fans, specifically Segel himself. I suspect the commonality between Walter, Segel, and even myself is we became fans after the original run of the Muppet show. Segel took his affection for the characters and much like Walter was able to join them on stage. And that sentiment is what leads us to the story.

The Story
I almost missed the true story of this film. What you're presented with is a generic plot about "the band getting back together". That story is an enjoyable one. The song and dance numbers are infectious. There are enough jokes for everyone from children to adults to enjoy. Does it have issues? Yes. Why does Segel have a Muppet brother? How is there oil under a studio in LA? Why Doesn't Gonzo use his successful business to help save the studio? No one knows. The lunacy of that surface plot doesn't leave you enough time to think about those things. You get caught up in the ride and that's OK. You're supposed to enjoy the roller coaster. As I said before there is a story hidden under that ride. That is the story of Walter. Walter's journey from fan to cast mate is what is propels the movie. And when I say Walter I actually mean Segel. This is Segel's story. Not only in the obvious as he gets to work with the Muppets, but also the story of his career. He found not only cohorts to make films with but also an audience just like Walter. I'm not sure if I've made my opinion clear enough.

So here's the bottom line, go see this movie. Like I said numerous times throughout this piece this is a fun movie. It is impossible not enjoy. I also am making the call now that the eventual DVD release should be picked up as well. Knowing the cast and having watched the trailers there guarantees to be fun deleted scenes and cast commentary.

Jurassic Park - The Game

I love Jurassic park 1 and 3. So when I heard that a Jurassic Park game was coming from Telltale I was filled with Joy. After playing the Back to the Future game I was convinced Telltale was perfect for handling my nostalgia. And while they definitely hit the metaphorical target, It wasn't a bullseye.

The Story
I thought the story was a clever idea. Instead of making a new excuse for more people to get on the island the game takes place during the first movie. This allows the game to tell it's own narrative while still showing the classic sets without it feeling forced. This story also expands on plot threads from the movie and the background of the island giving there new characters better motivations for their actions other than "just because". Unfortunately the nature of the game really messes with the pacing of the story. This is an action puzzle solver. While the action sections can be fun and even intense, the puzzles slow the story down noticeably even if they are brief. It's like if you're running down the sidewalk and come across a cross walk. You stop to make sure you're not struck by a car and then keep moving.

The Characters
Generic. That's the only word to describe these characters. The father and daughter who have grown distant. The hippy scientist who puts the main threat ahead of the survival of everyone. The Mercenaries: One who is working to save a child, One who has done bad things but is ultimately good, and one who we think is good but ends up being a bad guy in the end. We have seen these characters every where, some in this very franchise.

The Gameplay
The immediate comparison that comes to mind is heavy rain. During action sequences button prompts appear on screen that tell you how not to die. During puzzles possible important objects will be marked providing information or solutions. The system works but does cause the above mentioned story issues. I played on the PC using the mouse and keyboard. Don't do this. It is awful. This game was designed with a controller in mind. Without that controller a simple button press becomes 3 button press on the arrow keys. Researching the other platforms I saw that the PS3 version had a slight problem with button visibility. The game is dark and they didn't highlight the colors of the Sony controller. Now even playing with a controller I guarantee your going to die. Which you should, because death by dinos is amazing to watch. I'm not sure I enjoyed failing so much.

In the end if you enjoyed the Back to the Future game or the Ghostbusters game regardless of their faults then you will enjoy this game. Beyond that I would say wait for it to go on sale. It actually pains me to say that.

Assassin's Creed Revelations

I did it. I finished Revelations. I did in one day. I feel awful.

But lets place my mental state aside and talk about what's important. This is the last AC game with new toys and that's awesome. All the gadgets and weapons allow you to find a play style that suits you the best. In short this game is fun. Which honestly shouldn't surprise anyone.

Where the game loses me is the story. I love AC, I really do, but this game didn't have the same impact as AC 2 or Brotherhood. Everything told in the story was hinted at before, or didn't actually seem important enough for it's own game. This could have been just a few additional chapters to Brotherhood. With the lack of the side characters from previous games and the under use of subject 16 nothing in the story seemed especially noteworthy.

Overall it feels like this is a bad middle movie in a trilogy nothing vitally important occurs but exist to keep the story going to the climax. That all being said play this game. It's an Ac game. You go in to use hidden blades to stab people in the face. This game delivers that without problems.