Well, today was the day. The day that no one really cared about, except Great Britain and lone housewives. April 29th, 2011 will go down in history as the Royal Wedding of Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, and Kate Middleton. First of all, I'd like to say congratulations!
Now, I don't know a lot about the British Royal Family, but I certainly know that it's a big enough deal for network television to shut down and play 4-6 hour coverage of the big day. I watched the ABC coverage, and no, I didn't wake up at 3 AM to watch, but I enjoyed the commentary that Diane Sawyer, Barbara Walters, and various other reporters gave, and for once, it didn't put me to sleep. That's not to say that weren't any luls in the "action", and granted, it was kind of boring to watch the royal carriage depart from the cathedral over to Buckingham Palace, but that's what a DVR is for, right?
The grounds were packed, and almost all of London was there, including many exclusive guests, including Sir Elton John. Of course, the whole Royal Family was there, from Prince Charles to The Queen, and it was exciting to see who was coming next in the long parade line. Also, I got my brief history lessons as well, since ABC did a great job in explaining each family member and their ancestry.
The actual wedding was held in Westminster Abbey, London. There were a LOT of songs, with cute kid choirs and some excellent fanfares throughout. The wedding actually wasn't that long, and there were various readers, such as Middleton's brother who did a great job. Of course, Princess Diana was mentioned more than a few times, and many tears were shed acknowledging her heartfelt loss.
Overall, it was a very exciting day, and I wish them all the best.
NEXT REVIEW: KNIGHT AND DAY
Friday, April 29, 2011
Monday, April 25, 2011
Donkey Kong Country Returns Review
Donkey Kong Country Returns (Wii)
Beginning with the SNES, the Donkey Kong Country franchise has had its fair share of ups and downs. From the phenomenal DKC to the less than mediocre DKC 3, the series is in need of a reboot. Thankfully, our friends at Rare answered that prayer (rhyme?), and Donkey Kong Country Returns delivers a fantastic platformer for the Wii to call its own.
The story in DKCR is short and simple, and that's a good thing. Instead of an over-complicated story like some games have, DKCR keeps it to the point. Basically, a tribe of tiki monsters steal Donkey Kong's coveted stash of bananas, and, with Diddy Kong in tow, Donkey Kong gives chase. The game is split up into a world map, very similar to New Super Mario Bros, with various levels scattered around 8 worlds. Each level has collectibles to capture, like K-O-N-G letters and the very difficult puzzle pieces. Collecting these unlocks special temple levels and collectibles in the menu like dioramas and music. These collectibles, unlike many from other games, are actually worth getting, as they offer a lot of incentive to replay. It's a shame then, that that's all the game has going for it. Its presentation is amazing, but it feels too similar to previous titles for me to notice any difference, and while it may sound cool, it doesn't give off a vibe that DKCR is anything new.
You control Donkey Kong as he chases through all eight worlds to get his banana stash back. You use the Wiimote for his basic actions, like run and jump, and shake it to pound the ground or roll. Diddy Kong is scattered around some levels, and he gives you extra hearts as well as a greater jump distance. Donkey Kong Country Returns is difficult, and I mean it. It starts out easy, and the difficulty quickly ramps up for the final 3 or 4 worlds, and you'll definitely find yourself hurling your Wiimote at your television, and pounding in frustration. But, once you do finish these levels, the sense of accomplishment is profound, and gives you an incentive to continue and beat the game.
There are a variety of levels, and this is what makes the game great. From swinging on vines to invading a factory, DKCR never fails to impress in level design. In addition to your simple run-and-jump, there are mine cart levels, as well as new rocket barrel race levels. These are a blast, and you might expect them to feature tacked-on motion controls. That's not the case here, as each level uses traditional button pressing. These levels are among the hardest in the game, and will really test your skill. Kranky Kong has also set up shop in each world, and he helps you get through each world with a host of items, such as extra lives and Squawks, who helps you find those darn puzzle pieces. Rambi the rhino is also back, and, though he isn't found often, it's still a lot of fun to rampage through the level on the back of a rhinoceros. Co-op play also makes an appearance, although the levels don't seem that they were designed to be played in co-op mode, which is a shame. I prefer New Super Mario Bros Wii's style of co-op play, but it's still fun to play here with your friend as Diddy Kong.
The visuals in DKCR are good, with simple 2-D textures and such. The whole game is really colorful, and the visuals really pop with added flair like moving platforms and triggered events within the levels. The soundtrack in DKCR is also stunning, with remixes of old school tunes like Jungle Hijinx, as well as all-new tunes that are really fitting to each world's theme.
Donkey Kong Country Returns is a welcome return to the DKC franchise, and though it's not perfect, it still offers a lot of nostalgic fun with its phenomenal level design and great, challenging gameplay.
Pros:
Amazing Level Design
Very Challenging
Great Visuals & Soundtrack
Cons:
Very Similar to Previous Games
Decent Co-Op
TOO HARD! (jk)
Overall: 9.0/10.0
Beginning with the SNES, the Donkey Kong Country franchise has had its fair share of ups and downs. From the phenomenal DKC to the less than mediocre DKC 3, the series is in need of a reboot. Thankfully, our friends at Rare answered that prayer (rhyme?), and Donkey Kong Country Returns delivers a fantastic platformer for the Wii to call its own.
The story in DKCR is short and simple, and that's a good thing. Instead of an over-complicated story like some games have, DKCR keeps it to the point. Basically, a tribe of tiki monsters steal Donkey Kong's coveted stash of bananas, and, with Diddy Kong in tow, Donkey Kong gives chase. The game is split up into a world map, very similar to New Super Mario Bros, with various levels scattered around 8 worlds. Each level has collectibles to capture, like K-O-N-G letters and the very difficult puzzle pieces. Collecting these unlocks special temple levels and collectibles in the menu like dioramas and music. These collectibles, unlike many from other games, are actually worth getting, as they offer a lot of incentive to replay. It's a shame then, that that's all the game has going for it. Its presentation is amazing, but it feels too similar to previous titles for me to notice any difference, and while it may sound cool, it doesn't give off a vibe that DKCR is anything new.
You control Donkey Kong as he chases through all eight worlds to get his banana stash back. You use the Wiimote for his basic actions, like run and jump, and shake it to pound the ground or roll. Diddy Kong is scattered around some levels, and he gives you extra hearts as well as a greater jump distance. Donkey Kong Country Returns is difficult, and I mean it. It starts out easy, and the difficulty quickly ramps up for the final 3 or 4 worlds, and you'll definitely find yourself hurling your Wiimote at your television, and pounding in frustration. But, once you do finish these levels, the sense of accomplishment is profound, and gives you an incentive to continue and beat the game.
There are a variety of levels, and this is what makes the game great. From swinging on vines to invading a factory, DKCR never fails to impress in level design. In addition to your simple run-and-jump, there are mine cart levels, as well as new rocket barrel race levels. These are a blast, and you might expect them to feature tacked-on motion controls. That's not the case here, as each level uses traditional button pressing. These levels are among the hardest in the game, and will really test your skill. Kranky Kong has also set up shop in each world, and he helps you get through each world with a host of items, such as extra lives and Squawks, who helps you find those darn puzzle pieces. Rambi the rhino is also back, and, though he isn't found often, it's still a lot of fun to rampage through the level on the back of a rhinoceros. Co-op play also makes an appearance, although the levels don't seem that they were designed to be played in co-op mode, which is a shame. I prefer New Super Mario Bros Wii's style of co-op play, but it's still fun to play here with your friend as Diddy Kong.
The visuals in DKCR are good, with simple 2-D textures and such. The whole game is really colorful, and the visuals really pop with added flair like moving platforms and triggered events within the levels. The soundtrack in DKCR is also stunning, with remixes of old school tunes like Jungle Hijinx, as well as all-new tunes that are really fitting to each world's theme.
Donkey Kong Country Returns is a welcome return to the DKC franchise, and though it's not perfect, it still offers a lot of nostalgic fun with its phenomenal level design and great, challenging gameplay.
Pros:
Amazing Level Design
Very Challenging
Great Visuals & Soundtrack
Cons:
Very Similar to Previous Games
Decent Co-Op
TOO HARD! (jk)
Overall: 9.0/10.0
Thursday, April 21, 2011
The King's Speech Review
I don't know why it's taken me so long to collect my thoughts into a review for The King's Speech. It's been out a while now, but I can't find the correct words to express how wonderful the movie was. I think I've gotten a good enough grasp on the film in order to write a review now, so enjoy.
The King's Speech is not the kind of movie that I would go see, which is part of the reason of why I waited to rent it. Until it won Best Picture, I didn't think much of it, because it seemed like the exact kind of movie that I would fall asleep in. I quickly found that not the case, however, and The King's Speech delivers a phenomenal story with powerful characters as the emotional journey of King George XI is chronicled.
Like I said, The King's Speech follows the true story of King George XI, the son of King George X, who has rightfully claimed the throne after his older brother (who, in royalty terms, would be first in line), is abdicated. He has a speech impediment, and can't enunciate words correctly, and has a nasty stammer. Before he takes the throne, he seeks the help of a speech teacher, who helps him overcome his speech issues so that he can properly lead the nation. The story is greatly powerful, and full of emotion as the king overcomes his problems and takes the throne. The story is exciting enough to keep you interested, as it leads up to a wonderful finale with the final wartime speech.
The acting in The King's Speech is beyond good, featuring voice talents of Collin Firth as the king, and Helena Bonham Carter as his wife. Firth delivers an astonishing and believable performance as King George XI, and Carter supports him all the way. Geoffrey Rush (BARBOSSA!) plays Lionel, the speech teacher who helps the king, and he gives the performance of a lifetime, and I believe that it is his greatest role yet.
The art direction in The King's Speech is stunning, as well. Although it's obviously not what was focused on, it was still cool to have a look around Great Britain and it's astounding landscapes. In addition, the score for the film is wonderful, and the music plays in just the right parts to add to the movie.
The King's Speech easily deserves that Oscar, and not only does it provide wonderful acting and story, it delivers in every other department to create a beautiful work of art that shouldn't be missed.
Overall: 5.0/5.0
NEXT REVIEW: DONKEY KONG COUNTRY RETURNS
The King's Speech is not the kind of movie that I would go see, which is part of the reason of why I waited to rent it. Until it won Best Picture, I didn't think much of it, because it seemed like the exact kind of movie that I would fall asleep in. I quickly found that not the case, however, and The King's Speech delivers a phenomenal story with powerful characters as the emotional journey of King George XI is chronicled.
Like I said, The King's Speech follows the true story of King George XI, the son of King George X, who has rightfully claimed the throne after his older brother (who, in royalty terms, would be first in line), is abdicated. He has a speech impediment, and can't enunciate words correctly, and has a nasty stammer. Before he takes the throne, he seeks the help of a speech teacher, who helps him overcome his speech issues so that he can properly lead the nation. The story is greatly powerful, and full of emotion as the king overcomes his problems and takes the throne. The story is exciting enough to keep you interested, as it leads up to a wonderful finale with the final wartime speech.
The acting in The King's Speech is beyond good, featuring voice talents of Collin Firth as the king, and Helena Bonham Carter as his wife. Firth delivers an astonishing and believable performance as King George XI, and Carter supports him all the way. Geoffrey Rush (BARBOSSA!) plays Lionel, the speech teacher who helps the king, and he gives the performance of a lifetime, and I believe that it is his greatest role yet.
The art direction in The King's Speech is stunning, as well. Although it's obviously not what was focused on, it was still cool to have a look around Great Britain and it's astounding landscapes. In addition, the score for the film is wonderful, and the music plays in just the right parts to add to the movie.
The King's Speech easily deserves that Oscar, and not only does it provide wonderful acting and story, it delivers in every other department to create a beautiful work of art that shouldn't be missed.
Overall: 5.0/5.0
NEXT REVIEW: DONKEY KONG COUNTRY RETURNS
Sunday, April 17, 2011
Lady Gaga - Judas
Yep...Lady Gaga's got a new single. And the title? Judas. That's right, Judas, that evil man from the Bible. And apparently she's in love with him.
The song is downright catchy, just like all her previous songs, and it wouldn't be a Lady Gaga song without her repeating the title thousands of times in an auto-tuned fashion. All of her song elements are here, from a catchy chorus to an interesting hook, and it still feels the same as her old songs. I didn't feel like I was listening to a new song, just one from a recycled Gaga album. And she needs to make her listeners feel like they're not just listening to repeated songs from previous albums.
I'm only guessing here, but Judas sounds like she's repeating themes from previous songs. That is, that she is talking about how she is love with the wrong man, because Judas was the one whom betrayed Jesus Christ. This follows the "betrayal" pattern that we see in such songs as LoveGame and Bad Romance. I guess that this theme makes for good songs.
Judas is certainly a great song, with all of Lady Gaga's trademark beats and tunes in it, but it feels too much like her previous songs.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aAWpkZSCMXU
The song is downright catchy, just like all her previous songs, and it wouldn't be a Lady Gaga song without her repeating the title thousands of times in an auto-tuned fashion. All of her song elements are here, from a catchy chorus to an interesting hook, and it still feels the same as her old songs. I didn't feel like I was listening to a new song, just one from a recycled Gaga album. And she needs to make her listeners feel like they're not just listening to repeated songs from previous albums.
I'm only guessing here, but Judas sounds like she's repeating themes from previous songs. That is, that she is talking about how she is love with the wrong man, because Judas was the one whom betrayed Jesus Christ. This follows the "betrayal" pattern that we see in such songs as LoveGame and Bad Romance. I guess that this theme makes for good songs.
Judas is certainly a great song, with all of Lady Gaga's trademark beats and tunes in it, but it feels too much like her previous songs.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aAWpkZSCMXU
Friday, April 15, 2011
More Rumors of Wii 2
Ahh...hardware rumors. Gotta love 'em.I'll be covering all the crap you hear on the Internet about Wii 2 and compile it into one place here on my blog.
Nintendo's new project is currently called "Project Cafe". I have no idea what that would mean or how that is relevant to any console in any way.
Also, this new "handheld HD display controller" thing is kind of ridiculous. Why would I want to play a CONSOLE game with a HANDHELD controller displaying information like a DS? It sounds illogical. And I'm calling bull on the Blu-Ray thing. Last time I checked, Blu-Ray was owned by Sony, and was the PS3's main selling-point. If Nintendo embraced BR discs, they would have to pay Sony a huge amount of money.
And instead of catering to the "hardcore" audience, Nintendo should stick with what it does best and not focus on any audience at all. The whole gaming audience is corrupt, and since Nintendo is first out of the gate with new technology, the Xbox and Playstation are right behind it trying to one-up it. So, if this so called "HD" display is true, there's no way they can top Microsoft and Sony in the long run. It's not Nintendo's fault, I just think it's too early to call a new console.
- launch titles from third-party developers are in the works right now
- all-new controller
- controller features a built-in HD screen
- Blu-ray as the main optical drive
"Nintendo's plans sound unreal. Publishers are already planning launch titles and it's all very exciting. The hardware is even more powerful than current HD consoles and backwards compatible with Wii. The controller will be all-new and has a HD screen on it." - inside source
Nintendo's new project is currently called "Project Cafe". I have no idea what that would mean or how that is relevant to any console in any way.
Also, this new "handheld HD display controller" thing is kind of ridiculous. Why would I want to play a CONSOLE game with a HANDHELD controller displaying information like a DS? It sounds illogical. And I'm calling bull on the Blu-Ray thing. Last time I checked, Blu-Ray was owned by Sony, and was the PS3's main selling-point. If Nintendo embraced BR discs, they would have to pay Sony a huge amount of money.
And instead of catering to the "hardcore" audience, Nintendo should stick with what it does best and not focus on any audience at all. The whole gaming audience is corrupt, and since Nintendo is first out of the gate with new technology, the Xbox and Playstation are right behind it trying to one-up it. So, if this so called "HD" display is true, there's no way they can top Microsoft and Sony in the long run. It's not Nintendo's fault, I just think it's too early to call a new console.
Update: Sources now confirm to IGN the new Nintendo controller allows players to stream entire games to the device from the console, saying it's like a miniature television. The screen size on the controller is also confirmed to be six inches in size.
Thursday, April 14, 2011
Wii 2 Essentially Confirmed
News is pouring in right and left that Nintendo is working on its successor to the Wii. Everything from specs to release date have been speculated, and here I wrapped up all the news I could find into one thread.
Honestly, I think it's too early to tell. E3 is hyping about it as well, and stated on the Twitter that we may see Wii 2 at E3.
IGN article: http://wii.ign.com/articles/116/1161875p1.html
The following information comes from Game Informer...
- new system is capable of running games at HD resolutions
- system may either fall short of or surpass 360/PS3 in graphics, but it will be competitive
- Nintendo is already showing publishers the system
- late 2012 launch
- no word on backwards compatibility
- no word on 'Wii' being in the name
- when Nintendo was approached with this information, they were told that Nintendo won't comment on their E3 plans, but "stay tuned"
"Nintendo is doing this one right. [It's] not a gimmick like the Wii." - anonymous source
We're also hearing the same sort of information from another source. The only major difference between the two articles is discussion of another new controller.
The following information comes from inside sources at IGN...
- console is significantly more powerful than the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360
- Nintendo is looking to recapture the hardcore market
- 1080p resolutions
- Nintendo will release a pre-announcement this month
- full reveal expected at E3
- backwards compatible with current Wii software
Well there's a really interesting bit of information. If the system is backwards compatible with Wii games, that either means you can use a Wiimote/Nunchuk on the new system, or the new system's control scheme will be able to mirror that of Wii.
Honestly, I think it's too early to tell. E3 is hyping about it as well, and stated on the Twitter that we may see Wii 2 at E3.
IGN article: http://wii.ign.com/articles/116/1161875p1.html
Monday, April 11, 2011
The Tourist Review
Johnny Depp and Angelina Jolie in a movie together almost sounds too good to be true, and one might expect the film to be great. The honest truth, however, is that while The Tourist has all the makings of an action blockbuster, it falls short in the presentation and acting.
The Tourist is a cliche action film. The story will make no sense to anyone unless they've extensively studied it, and the scenes are thrown together with no organization in mind in order to make the movie understandable. That's not saying that it isn't enjoyable, because there are some fun action sequences that break away from the rest of the film.
The Tourist is a very boring film, and be prepared for a lot of dialogue, many unnecessary scenes, and a lot of shots of the locations. The movie is an ambiguous genre, and I'm still confused as to what The Tourist wanted to be. Is it was an action film, a comedy, or a drama? It's more of what you take from it, and that's sort of why the movie fell short, because it didn't identify itself in a world full of travel thrillers.
The acting, although it sounds good in theory, is not good at all. Angelina and Johnny practically have no chemistry, and scenes with them talking put me to sleep because they didn't interact in a way that made it enjoyable for the viewer. Their scenes were boring, and they never got along. The music was beautiful, and being in Venice made the film a lot more sophisticated and the whole atmosphere felt better overall.
The Tourist is not what it looks like. Although shown as an exciting thriller with good acting, it's the exact opposite, and the movie just isn't enjoyable at all.
Overall: 2.0/5.0
The Tourist is a cliche action film. The story will make no sense to anyone unless they've extensively studied it, and the scenes are thrown together with no organization in mind in order to make the movie understandable. That's not saying that it isn't enjoyable, because there are some fun action sequences that break away from the rest of the film.
The Tourist is a very boring film, and be prepared for a lot of dialogue, many unnecessary scenes, and a lot of shots of the locations. The movie is an ambiguous genre, and I'm still confused as to what The Tourist wanted to be. Is it was an action film, a comedy, or a drama? It's more of what you take from it, and that's sort of why the movie fell short, because it didn't identify itself in a world full of travel thrillers.
The acting, although it sounds good in theory, is not good at all. Angelina and Johnny practically have no chemistry, and scenes with them talking put me to sleep because they didn't interact in a way that made it enjoyable for the viewer. Their scenes were boring, and they never got along. The music was beautiful, and being in Venice made the film a lot more sophisticated and the whole atmosphere felt better overall.
The Tourist is not what it looks like. Although shown as an exciting thriller with good acting, it's the exact opposite, and the movie just isn't enjoyable at all.
Overall: 2.0/5.0
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Pilotwings Resort Review
Pilotwings Resort (3DS)
As the only 3DS launch title that I bought, I had decent hopes for Pilotwings Resort. It seemed as an excellent way to showcase the Nintendo 3DS and what it can do, and while it certainly does that, it falls flat with presentation and lasting appeal.
Pilotwings Resort is the third entry in the highly beloved Pilotwings series, with the first two games being on the SNES and N64, respectively. The basic premise of Pilotwings Resort is that it's a flight simulation game in which you fly around Wuhu Island (same one from Wii Sports/Fit) in a variety of vehicles. The game is split into two huge modes: Mission Mode and Free Flight Mode.
Mission Mode is self-explanatory, and has you fly around the island completely missions of various difficulties. These can range from anything to flying through hoops, landing on pads, or even putting out fires. The missions start out easy, but difficulty ramps up from gold on, and there are some brutal missions at the end. The game encourages you to get 3 stars in each mission, so as to unlock collectibles such as more vehicles or a super secret unlockable at the end.
Free Flight Mode is also what you'd expect, but there is enough to keep you satisfied with its many unlockables. You can choose what vehicle to fly: plane, hover pack, or hanglider, and also what time of day. You start out with only 2 minutes in free flight mode, but that number is increased by the amount of unlockables you collect around the island. These range from I Points, which give you information about places around the island, to trophies with your Mii on them.
Speaking of Miis, they are the star of the show here, and show up in a multitude of places around the island. Collecting all these unlocks dioramas (NO WAY!) in the menu, which are fun to look at, especially in 3-D. But, after collecting almost all that's humanly possible, I found myself putting Pilotwings back on the shelf, and putting in Pokemon Black, which is a shame. I'm a bit surprised that multiplayer wasn't considered for Pilotwings, and the game would be a great fit.
The graphics in Pilotwings Resort are breathtaking, and soaring around the island in a hanglider is a sight to behold. The 3-D isn't a dealbreaker, but it adds an extra sense of depth to missions, such as judging the distance between objectives or figuring when to turn, and this adds some strategy to the game. The music is simple elevator tunes, with some notable remixes from the previous two titles.
Pilotwings Resort is an excellent launch title, and shouldn't be missed by anyone who owns a 3DS. It isn't a masterpiece by any means, but it's enough to keep you satisfied until the next batch of 3DS games are released.
Pros:
Excellent Gameplay
Beautiful Graphics
Cons:
Low Replay Value
Not Enough Variety
Overall: 7.5/10.0
As the only 3DS launch title that I bought, I had decent hopes for Pilotwings Resort. It seemed as an excellent way to showcase the Nintendo 3DS and what it can do, and while it certainly does that, it falls flat with presentation and lasting appeal.
Pilotwings Resort is the third entry in the highly beloved Pilotwings series, with the first two games being on the SNES and N64, respectively. The basic premise of Pilotwings Resort is that it's a flight simulation game in which you fly around Wuhu Island (same one from Wii Sports/Fit) in a variety of vehicles. The game is split into two huge modes: Mission Mode and Free Flight Mode.
Mission Mode is self-explanatory, and has you fly around the island completely missions of various difficulties. These can range from anything to flying through hoops, landing on pads, or even putting out fires. The missions start out easy, but difficulty ramps up from gold on, and there are some brutal missions at the end. The game encourages you to get 3 stars in each mission, so as to unlock collectibles such as more vehicles or a super secret unlockable at the end.
Free Flight Mode is also what you'd expect, but there is enough to keep you satisfied with its many unlockables. You can choose what vehicle to fly: plane, hover pack, or hanglider, and also what time of day. You start out with only 2 minutes in free flight mode, but that number is increased by the amount of unlockables you collect around the island. These range from I Points, which give you information about places around the island, to trophies with your Mii on them.
Speaking of Miis, they are the star of the show here, and show up in a multitude of places around the island. Collecting all these unlocks dioramas (NO WAY!) in the menu, which are fun to look at, especially in 3-D. But, after collecting almost all that's humanly possible, I found myself putting Pilotwings back on the shelf, and putting in Pokemon Black, which is a shame. I'm a bit surprised that multiplayer wasn't considered for Pilotwings, and the game would be a great fit.
The graphics in Pilotwings Resort are breathtaking, and soaring around the island in a hanglider is a sight to behold. The 3-D isn't a dealbreaker, but it adds an extra sense of depth to missions, such as judging the distance between objectives or figuring when to turn, and this adds some strategy to the game. The music is simple elevator tunes, with some notable remixes from the previous two titles.
Pilotwings Resort is an excellent launch title, and shouldn't be missed by anyone who owns a 3DS. It isn't a masterpiece by any means, but it's enough to keep you satisfied until the next batch of 3DS games are released.
Pros:
Excellent Gameplay
Beautiful Graphics
Cons:
Low Replay Value
Not Enough Variety
Overall: 7.5/10.0
Saturday, April 2, 2011
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo Review
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo is one of the greatest books I've read in a long time. I felt compelled to write this review (my first for a book) to tell you what I thought of it.
Steig Larsson's first entry in the three part Millennium Series hits all the right notes that a mystery legal novel should. The story follow budding journalist Mikael Blomkvist. Having just gotten destroyed in court by Hans-Erik Wennerstrom, Mikael receives a call asking him for a job from Henrik Vanger. He wants Mikael to investigate the disappearance of his niece, Harriet, nearly 40 years ago. Mikael reluctantly accepts, and falls in love with Hedeby Island and its inhabitants. He enlists the help of a computer hacker by the name of Lisbeth Salander, after she deliberately hacks his own computer, and together they solve the case, and free Mikael of his embarrassment in court.
The plot is unique, and has many twists and turns like you'd expect, and the story does its best to keep you guessing and has many surprises until the end. The book is very well-written, and the relationship between Mikael and Lisbeth is a sight to behold. They start out cold, barely any interaction with each other, but they warm up and become very good friends. These scenes with both of them are the best in the book, as they help develop the otherwise flat characters into non-stereotypical people. As Mikael and Lisbeth investigate Harriet's disappearance, they meet and greet with the islands many inhabitants, mostly Harriet's relatives, who all hide their own secrets waiting to be revealed, and this makes for a very exciting finish to the book.
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo is a literary achievement. Not only is the plot fantastic, but the characters and how they interact with each other really make the book stand out in a genre full of mystery.
Overall: 4.5/5.0
Steig Larsson's first entry in the three part Millennium Series hits all the right notes that a mystery legal novel should. The story follow budding journalist Mikael Blomkvist. Having just gotten destroyed in court by Hans-Erik Wennerstrom, Mikael receives a call asking him for a job from Henrik Vanger. He wants Mikael to investigate the disappearance of his niece, Harriet, nearly 40 years ago. Mikael reluctantly accepts, and falls in love with Hedeby Island and its inhabitants. He enlists the help of a computer hacker by the name of Lisbeth Salander, after she deliberately hacks his own computer, and together they solve the case, and free Mikael of his embarrassment in court.
The plot is unique, and has many twists and turns like you'd expect, and the story does its best to keep you guessing and has many surprises until the end. The book is very well-written, and the relationship between Mikael and Lisbeth is a sight to behold. They start out cold, barely any interaction with each other, but they warm up and become very good friends. These scenes with both of them are the best in the book, as they help develop the otherwise flat characters into non-stereotypical people. As Mikael and Lisbeth investigate Harriet's disappearance, they meet and greet with the islands many inhabitants, mostly Harriet's relatives, who all hide their own secrets waiting to be revealed, and this makes for a very exciting finish to the book.
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo is a literary achievement. Not only is the plot fantastic, but the characters and how they interact with each other really make the book stand out in a genre full of mystery.
Overall: 4.5/5.0
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