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Reviews
Deus Ex: Invisible War (2003)
A disappointing follow-up to one of the best in the genre(s)
Anyone familiar with the original Deus Ex should come to expect a certain quality in both the gameplay, in-depth user interface, and character adjustability. It SHOULD have been a no-brainer for such functionality to transfer over seamlessly to Invisible War, the sequel to a game that garnered Game of the Year (and honorary GOTY the year AFTER it was released, it was that stellar).
Unfortunately, the formula got diluted when console design was mixed in. The developers, in a stroke of silliness, decided to add ALL firearm ammunition into a single pool. Example: Use up all your ammo with the flamethrower, and you'll have no bullets to fire from your pistol or sniper rifle. Make sense? Of course not.
Likewise, the fluid upgrades given to the player have been watered down to an extent that you feel terribly limited no matter WHAT bio-mods you use. The voice acting is on par with the original, but the storyline is nowhere near as gripping. Likewise with Warren Spector's design. Combine it with a painful installation and performance akin to a mud-drenched hog, this game is one to avoid.
Deus Ex (2000)
Far and away one of the best games written.
To play Deus Ex is to delve into a complex world of detail and intricate moods. The plot seems simple enough to begin with, but at the end you see how it is one of the best written story-lines ever made in a game, vastly superior to the excellent stories of Half-Life, or Homeworld.
Even ignoring that, praise must be given to the system of gameplay, which mixes RPG elements (skills, upgrades to special abilities, branching storylines and multiple outcomes) and Action (First person, multiple weapons, quite violent)
The graphics engine is superb. Though not top of the line as far as engines do go, the amount of objects and detail allowed on a single screen while allowing good frame rate is astounding. A good example comes just on the first level, which requires a climb to the tourist center on what is left of the Statue of Liberty, to look down on the magnificent view.
Then there is the diversity of locations, from New York to Pasadena to Paris to Hong Kong and beyond. And at very few times does it ever seem that this kind of plot could never happen, because it could.
The social commentary is also excellent, as characters give speeches to eachother that are obviously aimed at government and corrupt practices of today.
Deus Ex is not to be missed.
The Dicktator (1974)
Ludicrous
If you were to read the description of this movie, you might actually want to see it, because of its surprisingly humorous plot-outline. Because of over-population, all males have been given a 2-year syrum that makes them sterile. Unfortunately... the syrum never wears off, and all the men are infertile!
But fear not! There are 5 losers who have not taken the syrum, for one reason or another, and stupid soft-core porn scenes follow.
Watch out for the Asian Dicktator scene, which involves two women, the fat dicktator himself, and his random shouts of (dis?)pleasure.
The one part that leaves you wondering is... "What the hell was the president?"
Unbreakable (2000)
Well Written, Well Acted... So Why Was It Bad?
Picture a movie that has good acting, and believable dialogue. Sounds like quite a good movie. But just because it was written well, doesn't mean it was a good movie. I saw this film, and from the beginning noticed that the cinematographer was trying a little too hard with some scenes to give a view of "Look at the talents I have."
I can understand that, but it was much more subtle and well-done in The Sixth Sense. Also, the movie tends to drag out, like a large novel. My personal interest only peaked during the last quarter of the movie, and sharply dropped in the last 30 seconds before the credits rolled. (If you see it, I think you'll understand why these 30 seconds should have just been cut out, and left the story hanging)
The plot is complex, so complex in fact, that it takes 3/4 of the movie to establish just what is going on, without it sounding cheesy.
I was looking forward to this movie mainly because the trailer was excellently mysterious, and because M. Night Shyamalan had established a quick but strong reputation with his Oscar-Nominated predecessor, but in the end, gave it a 5.
Coyote Ugly (2000)
Another Jerry Bruckheimer Joint
Once you get past the ladies, which are most definitely the only reason for this movie's existence, this movie has nothing to show for its un-insightful trailers and commercials. All it makes me wonder is, what do those women get paid to degrade themselves? I guess everyone has a limit to their morality.
You want Jerry Bruckheimer? Go see The Rock, Armageddon... or for romance, Con Air (well there's a little). Cause the main action you'll see here is a counter set on fire, and strategic use of mace. Fire in the hole!