4 Reasons Why You Should Watch Stranger Things

On July 15, 2016, Netflix started streaming a new show that started gaining buzz. I was hearing about this new show from different people, namely my brother Jake, that I needed to see this. Should I watch or should I not? Well, the answer is I should and you should! I didn't start watching it until this week, but after finishing all 8 episodes, I honestly think this is one of the best first seasons of television I've ever seen. While I wish there were more episodes, I think 8 episodes gives you just enough. It makes the viewer want to see more based on each aspect of the show. The Duffer Brothers did great with this. Stranger Things is MUST SEE! I am not a big fan of most Netflix original shows, but I think Stranger Things is going to be extremely successful for the site and a treat for people trying to find that next show to get invested it. There is something for everybody in this show. I will list four reasons why I think you should be watching it.

1. THE COMPLEXITY & MYSTERY OF SCIENCE, TIME, & PARALLEL DIMENSIONS

The Duffer Brothers put together a show that focuses on elements of 80s horror and Stephen King novels. It looks at the world of science-mainly the complexities of the field.  It looks at government conspiracies, parallel dimensions-based on the works of H.P. Lovecraft, and elements of 80s pop culture. The Upside Down dimension is our world with a dark twist, similar to Silent Hill. I have always been fascinated by the parallel dimension studies. It's a focus on bending time and space, finding a rift in it, and entering the world. It reminds me of when Bastian creates Fantasia as he reads the NeverEnding Story! In Stranger Things, the world of Dungeons and Dragons combined with the scientific studies helps to create these different worlds. The Demagorgon is actually one of the chief villains of Advanced D&D play. The Duffer Brothers combining science fiction like D&D and Star Wars with real science mysteries automatically pulled me in. Yes, I'm a nerd. Have you met me? Each of the 8 episodes builds on the mystery of the Upside Down, the complexity of science and energy, and how small our world is in comparison to everything else around us.

2 THE BONDS OF FRIENDSHIP

While the scientific aspects of this show are absolutely amazing, I think the heart of the show lies in the characters, particularly the characters of Mike, Dustin, and Lucas. They are on the hunt to find their friend Will Byers, who has disappeared. It reminds me of the bond in The Goonies or Stand By Me. These three show how important friendship is. Even if they stray from their mission, they find their way back to each other. There are other elements of friendship and relationships as well such as Mike's friendship with El (incredible scenes), Nancy's friendship with Barb, Nancy's bond with Jonathan (Nancy evolves so much as a character from when we first meet her), etc., but it's the friendship of Mike, Dustin, and Lucas that provides the best aspects of the show. I like how close the three are. It's very important for kids to have friends they can rely on and go above and beyond for each other. Stranger Things does a great job with that. It's a good message for younger audiences. Even if somebody may find your friend "weird", stick with them. That's a big element of Mike's friendship with El, and Dustin and Lucas have their doubts, but eventually they realize El is a good friend, and she's awesome just the way she is.  I definitely could feel the emotion from these three. You laugh and cry with them. I was bawling at the quarry scene. I laughed when they teased each other. Finn Wolfhard, Gaten Mattarazzo, and Caleb McLaughlin made these characters believable. They're on an adventure as they battle monsters and bullies. While obstacles deter them, their bond helps them pull through. The performances from the young actors creates the heart of the show, and in turn, makes Stranger Things must see!

3. STRONG FEMALE CHARACTERS

Stranger Things has the incredible bond between Mike, Dustin, and Lucas, but The Duffer Brothers also balanced it out by creating three strong female protagonists as well. Each of these three characters are strong in their own way: El is the product of government tests. She is my favorite character on the show. Her telekinesis makes her an absolute bad ass. Her awkwardness due to being cut off from the outside world is amazing to watch. Millie Bobby Brown stole the show every time she was on screen. She had amazing chemistry with everybody on screen. Her chemistry with Finn Wolfhard's Mike Wheeler is fun to watch. There's a certain innocence to it that's lost on so many shows and movies these days. Mike helps El navigate the world around her. El is able to adapt better in each situation. The blonde wig and pink dress is cool, but the shaved head and her Dark Phoenix/Jean Grey nature is a physical manifestation of who she is inside. Mike accepts her and treats her so well. I loved their scenes together. Dustin thinks she's awesome. Lucas is skeptical, but eventually accepts her. El's protection of her friends and expanding the scope of her powers is explored in each episode. The pain El has suffered throughout her life has caused her to become a stronger person. That aspect of the character might be lost on some people, but it's definitely a big part of the El character. El helps us to embrace the inner freak we all have inside of us. The thing is she's not a freak. It's what she knows and who she is. Mike helps us see that. El accepts it, because Mike, Dustin, and Lucas accept her. Another great female character is Nancy. She is Mike's brother. She evolves as a character over the course of the 1st season. Her striving to be popular in the first few episodes is what causes her to lose focus of who she is. After a certain moment in her life, she begins to change and grows stronger. Her bond with Steven shows her striving to be accepted for somebody she's not. This tells you she lacks confidence in who she is early on. However, her bond with Jonathan helps her to become a different character where she faces her challenges head on. Nancy seems like she is fragile, but she's tougher than the entire police department here. Jonathan is her unofficial guide to realizing that she is better than what she's striving to be. Natalie Dyer was great here. I loved watching her physically stare into the eye of the monster, both physically and mentally and tackle them in any way she could. She's similar to and definitely supposed to be a nod to Nancy in Nightmare on Elm Street. However, Nancy Wheeler is still her own entity. She is able to deal with the men in her life-Steve and Jonathan as well as the monster in front of her, and realizes the fire that burns deep within her. I really like the Nancy character. While she has guys by her through every step of her journey, she doesn't necessarily need them to protect her. They definitely made sure that Nancy could defend herself, and when she does, it's simply awesome. I have always been a Winona Ryder fan. Ever since I first saw her as Lydia Deetz in Beetlejuice, I was invested in her as an actress. She's somebody that is a perfect fit for Stranger Things. The Joyce Byers character shows how strong a mother can be. It's literally a mother going to the ends of the Earth to find her son. My mother would be going to the Upside Down in a hazmat suit as well to save me as well. What I love about Joyce is while all these people think she's a nutcase, she's out there pounding the pavement, never giving up on Will. She is even able to make everybody realize that what she's saying is true: Jonathan, Chief Hopper, etc. She finds ways to communicate with Will. She's spending every minute trying to find him. She does not rest. I also think it's awesome how well she knows her sons. While we see Chief Hopper evolve as a character, it's really Joyce that causes him to open his eyes and realize what's going on. While Joyce may get scared at things that go on, she keeps going. El, Nancy, and Joyce are all strong in their own ways. All three are connected to the big picture in their own way as well, which is awesome. As a fan female characters, it's great to see how much Stranger Things invests in that. 

4. THE MUSIC

While it is important to create intriguing storylines and characters, it's also important to capture a certain atmosphere to make everything more believable. I think the music in this show is it's own character here. The theme music is incredible-it's an original piece, but really brings you back to those classic 80s horror themes that John Carpenter had in his movies. I love that synthesizer. Also, the songs used throughout the episodes are excellent. Should I Stay or Should I Go is an apropos song here. The instrumental music is well composed and really adds to the emotional aspect of El's character, the bond between Mike, Dustin, and Lucas, Nancy trying to find the girl she is inside, and Joyce pounding the pavement to find Will. 

Suicide Squad Review

Justin, Mike, and I saw Suicide Squad on August 7, 2016! As a fan of the DC Universe, I was excited for this movie! I think the movie did a great job focusing on characters, as well as delivering great action sequences. It's a movie where it's okay to root for the villain...even though, I tend to root for villains most of the time in movies. This is a movie that promotes the necessity of an anti-hero. It also did well providing back story for each of the members of the squad.

I think the casting was really well done here! Margot Robbie absolutely stole the show as Harley Quinn! I think she captured the zaniness and aura of the character the best possible way she could. This is her breakthrough performance.  Will Smith was awesome as Deadshot. He was the defacto leader of the group in my opinion. He had a commanding presence, while also delivering well placed comedic dialogue. His conscience throughout the movie helps us to keep seeing this rogue group as heroes. Jay Hernandez was underrated as Diablo. Delving into his power only creates the worst possible chaos. He captured the pain of using his power. However, it's his power that ultimately will serve as the catalyst to save the world. Jared Leto's Joker is a great take on the character. He's maniacal, intimidating, and hilarious-a blend of the Jokers of the past with his own amazing twist. While he is only in the movie for a limited amount of time, his connection to Robbie's Harley Quinn is shown, and they did a great job selling their romantic subplot. They touched on the positives and negatives of their relationship, which was captured brilliantly. Leto's Joker in a bigger role will be impressive from what I saw in this movie. He really nailed the character with his look and personality. Cara Delevingne's Enchantress was one of my absolute favorite parts of this movie. I loved the effects that went into the character, combined with the dark nature of the character. Enchantress is truly awesome, and really creates some of the most intriguing parts of the movie. Delevingne did well as a woman caught between two souls-the light side of June Moone, and the dark side of Enchantress. Captain Boomerang and Killer Croc were fun additions to the group adding some more colorful personalities to an eccentric group to begin with. Viola Davis is probably one of the best actresses going today. You give her a role, and she'll nail it. She definitely did as Amanda Waller, the woman behind the Suicide Squad. She had a commanding presence throughout the movie, and did a great job playing both sides of the fence.

Every character in the movie gets a chance to shine. The character's evolve over the course of the movie. The action sequences particularly the Midtown Subway Station finale battle are excellent. While the Squad is being manipulated in more ways than one throughout the movie, they find that motive to keep going and saving the day. They put their own twist on saving the day. Watching the battle between the dark and the light within yourself is the biggest part of this movie. Enchantress is the physical version of watching that. The Suicide Squad does this internally. The characters are fun to watch, the battle scenes are awesome, the effects are incredible, and the soundtrack is phenomenal. Much like Batman vs. Superman: Dawn of Justice, this gets an easy 5/5 for me. I will be on the look out for an Enchantress figure, because I absolutely love the character.

X-Men Apocalypse Review

Justin and I saw X-Men: Apocalypse on May 29, 2016! This movie is epic in every sense of the word! It was an excellent addition to the X-Men franchise. In my opinion, the X-Men: First Class trilogy is the best trilogy in comic book movie history. The movie had a great mix of story & intense, dark action that was perfect for the tone of the movie.

Apocalypse is one of the biggest threats in the X-Men universe. He has caused so much destruction around the world. He's not somebody that is just against humans. He's against anybody that he deems weak, which includes mutants. The premise of the movie focuses on the potential of all mutants and how powerful they can be. Oscar Isaac's work as Apocalypse was excellent. He is one of the best actors in the industry. His take on the character made him truly menacing. He knows how to manipulate those around him to follow commands. I like his speech about following blind leaders. Isaac really helped the audience to understand Apocalypse's motivation. He is an intimidating presence that has unlimited power, because of the souls he has amassed over the year. He's basically absorbed other powers to become a supreme mutant. That is the reason he has a mutated voice. It's the voices of all the souls. It's a fitting villain for a final movie in a trilogy. As he's marching with his Four Horsemen (Magneto, Storm, Psylocke, Archangel), you just feel intidimidated.

James McAvoy and Michael Fassbender are incredible as Charles Xavier and Magneto. Fassbender's Magneto in general makes you understand his struggle with humanity. He has suffered so much pain since he was a boy. McAvoy's Xavier shows you his struggle with his message of helping humanity, but also shows his hope that mutants and humans can live together in harmony. By opening Xavier's School for Gifted Youth, he is trying to help mutants hone their abilities to help mankind. Their performances have deep layers and create complex characters that are interesting to study.

Sophie Turner's Jean Grey was really well done. Turner's performance showed the complexity of Jean Grey. We see how events around the world affect her. The movie shows that her power is truly unlimited and exceedingly dangerous. I really liked how the movie focused on the fact that she is the most powerful mutant in the X-Men universe. She's a Class 5 mutant, which is more powerful than Xavier. Her telepathy is on a different level. Jean Grey has always been one of my favorite characters. It was great in general to see young versions of X-Men characters we know like Cyclops, Storm, & Nightcrawler as well. I thought both Tye Sheridan, Alexandra Shipp, and Kodi Smit-McPhee did well with these roles. Sheridan shows a Cyclops that matures over time to become the leader of the X-Men. Shipp uses her respect for Mystique to make a difference. We watch how important Nightcrawler is in terms of saving the X-Men as well as his religious beliefs (which works really well for this movie based on the antagonist). It's also great to see more layers added to Nicholas Hoult's Beast. I also think Jennifer Lawrence's Mystique was developed better than ever here. Lawrence was on both sides of the fence here, ultimately choosing loyalty to Charles and Eric over everything. She also realizes the true potential of the X-Men. The whole movie is about realizing potential, so this is great. That's her journey-to accept her role as a mutant and a leader of the X-Men.

Some of the best scenes in comic book movie history are on display here. Apocalypse taking over Charles Xavier's mind, Quicksilver's rescue, Alkali Lake (great connection to X2 with a fun cameo by Wolverine), Apocalypse's formation of his Horsemen, the incredible telepathic battle between Xavier & Apocalypse, and the huge final battle between Jean Grey & Apocalypse (which results in a fun surprirse for fans that know what happens when Jean really taps into her power) are all incredibly well done. The battle scenes are brilliant. There is raw emotion in these scenes. You feel the emotion when Magneto looks into Raven (Mystique's) eyes. You see the physical and mental exhaustion on Xavier's face as he battles Apocalypse. Every scene flows well and creates an epic final battle which ultimately finds a way to incorporate each character well. Everybody gets a chance to shine in some ways. What you're seeing during this final battle is the true formation of the X-Men. Each member of the team is working together to take down a huge threat to the security of the world. It's incredible to watch.

The battle scenes loaded with intense, dark emotion, the complexity of each character, the performances of the cast, and the writing and directing by Bryan Singer make this one of the best movies of 2016, and one of the all time great comic book movies. It's an amazing movie capping off a tremendous trilogy. It's a definite 5/5 for me.

The Nice Guys Review

Justin and I saw The Nice Guys on May 22, 2016! This is definitely one of the best movies of 2016, and honestly, one of the better movies in the last few years. It was a great mix of mystery, action, comedy, and dynamic characters.

This movie reminded me of Kiss Kiss Bang Bang (which is one of the most underrated movies of all time IMO). It makes sense as Shane Black wrote and directed this. The movie gives us a very intricate plot where every little detail connects in some way: whether it's pornography, the environment, or even Richard Nixon. This movie has brilliant writing throughout. The dialogue is intelligent. There are never any slow moments in this movie. Each piece of the movie flows. The characters constantly keep us invested in the story.

I think Ryan Gosling's work as Holland March is my favorite male performance of the year thus far. His work as the down on his luck private investigator was a fantastic character study. His imbecility blended with his drive to prove his worth to those around him, including his daughter, Holly is a great story. Much like Kiss Kiss Bang Bang his investigation eventually connects with Russell Crowe's brute of a character Jackson Healey. He also is on a mission to prove his worth where he truly belongs in society. Crowe was phenomenal here. He might have unorthodox, intense ways to get information, but at the same time he is doing these things for the right reason. I think the chemistry with Gosling and Crowe is excellent. They never missed a beat. The dialogue between them was timed perfectly. They shared tremendous comedic and dramatic scenes together. I think Angourie Rice also deserves a lot of praise for her work as Holly. She was the glue that held this team together through everything. She is intelligent and helps her father and Jackson each step of the way.

The action sequences are so well done. They are so over the top, but with the nature of the different stories going on it worked so well. The brutality in the action sequences was necessary for the tone of the movie. Everything was timed perfectly. The auto show scenes keep you on the edge of your seat. The scenes at Sid Shaddick's mansion are some of the best movie moments of 2016. Both Holland & Jackson's journey has a great ending that both deserve. The bumps and bruises accumulated along the way are necessary for them to feel whole. It also helps Holland become closer to Holly, which I really liked. Jackson also bonds with Holly in his own way which was great for Jackson's character.

I highly recommend this movie. The excellent characters, the dialogue, the action sequences, the genuine comedy, the dramatic elements, the cast in general, and the tremendous writing and directing gets a definite 5/5 from me. This is the type of movie we go to the theaters for.

Batman vs. Superman: Dawn of Justice Review

Justin and I saw Batman vs. Superman: Dawn of Justice on March 28, 2016! I'm a DC guy and I'm finally glad more focus is being put on the Justice League. Let me just say: This is my new favorite comic book movie. The only comic book movies I like as much are Kick-Ass, Guardians of the Galaxy, The Dark Knight, and Man of Steel. This was an incredible introduction into the beginning of the Justice League while also looking at real world political issues as well as motifs within the comic book genre.

This movie really does an amazing job exploring the positives and the negatives of Superman. I think Superman is by far the focus of this movie. The whole mythology of Superman and the question of is he good or evil is done so well. We look at how Superman has created so much destruction, but on the other hand this destruction was done to save humanity. I think looking at the Superman vs. Zod battle from Bruce Wayne's vantage point was interesting. You see how people were suffering while Superman was fighting to help the people. Henry Cavill was excellent here.  I think he is the best Superman since Christopher Reeve. His performance should be considered one of the best from any comic book movie. You feel like you're watching Superman come to life from the comics before your eyes. His relationship with Lois Lane, his mother, and his dealings with Perry White at the Daily Planetshow his humanity. When he is in battle, we see the God come forth. Superman is the personification of God vs. Man. It's really intriguing to see.

I think Ben Affleck did a great job under the cape & cowl of Batman. He played a great Bruce Wayne, and definitely brought a grittier edge to Batman. His issues with Superman hinge back to what happened to Wayne Enterprises in Man of Steel. His mission initially is to bring down Superman, but as events unfold with people like Lex Luthor (played maniacally well by Jesse Eisenberg-who basically pulls the puppet strings of Batman, Superman, & even Washington D.C. as well as introducing the important element of kryptonium that will end up being such a major part of the movie), he realizes Superman may not be the devil some paint him out to be. In my opinion, the movie showed how similar Batman & Superman are in many ways. It showed how both can create so much damage, but at the same time both believe they are making the necessary sacrifices for the greater good.  I also think that even though Batman is a mortal man, I believe the fear he induces on his enemies make him feel he is a god, which also ties in the similarities between them.

The battle scenes in this movie are excellent. They were so exciting and had me on the edge of my seat the whole time. They did an excellent job making it a fair fight between Batman & Superman. It was one an epic encounter for sure. Both Batman & Superman had their moments to shine in the huge clash between them.  Batman vs. Superman is such a gritty fight.The force and power in each punch is felt by the audience. God vs. Man was on full display in physical form & it was amazing to watch. The action amplifies under the thumb of Lex Luthor introducing the element of science into the mix. What happens from here is the most epic battle sequences I've ever seen: The DC Trinity (Wonder Woman, Superman, & Batman vs. Doomsday). Seeing the DC Trinity together for the first time on screen brought tears to my eyes, and I think Gal Gadot is awesome as Wonder Woman. Hans Zimmer & Junkie XL did a phenomenal job on the music as well-capturing the mood and tone of each scene to match with the amazing visuals on screen.

Batman vs. Superman: Dawn of Justice had me smiling, crying, cheering, and enjoying every second of the movie-a definite emotional rollercoaster. It's a realistic, darker movie that does an amazing job exploring the most recognizable faces in comic book history. It's a movie that does an amazing job in terms of performances (particularly Henry Cavill & Ben Affleck), exploring real world issues through the lens of DC Comics, studying the Superman character, exploring the vengeance of Bruce Wayne, showcasing intense battle scenes that amplify the gritty nature of the movie, as well as phenomenal musical scores & a movie that truly shows how the more adult oriented themes of DC Comics are why I enjoy the comic book genre. All of these elements definitely receive a 5/5 from me. I know many critics disagree with me, but I really think this movie is well done and should be seen by everybody that appreciates comic books, the mythology of superheroes, & a look at the world around us through a different lens.

Allegiant Review

Justin and I saw Allegiant on March 19, 2016! In my opinion, the Divergent series is extremely underrated! Much like Divergent & Insurgent, I thoroughly enjoyed Allegiant. I thought the story was great. It centers around the complexity of human beings. It's really incredible to watch how both main view points of Evelyn & David would end up leading to utter chaos. Tris Prior opens up our eyes to realize human beings choose their own path. Paths and ways of life cannot be dictated to us. The complexity of our personalities and genetic make-up cannot be placed into one category whether it's pure, damaged, or one of the five factions: Dauntless, Erudited, Abnegation, Candor, or Amity. Being damaged as a person shouldn't necessarily be treated as a negative. Tris tells us to embrace our differences and damaged selves rather than strive to be pure. The message of the Divergent series has always been an incredible one, and Allegiant just continues to present an amazing visual representation of this.

Shailene Woodley continues to be one of my favorite actresses as she delivers another solid performance as Tris Prior. She is torn between stopping Evelyn's radical regime & David's vision of perfection. In my opinion, Tris is one of the most amazing literary & film characters in recent years. She's such a strong character that looks at issues from both sides. She has to determine who to trust (which is ultimately herself & those closest to her). She physically and emotionally leads revolutions to produce a society that embraces each other as equals. Woodley's work in this movie perfectly presents the complexity of a human being. She presents both the positives and negatives we experience in every day life. She sells pain & betrayal so well, but also shows the power of hope, trust, and forgiveness. She is the embodiment of yin and yang. She shows the light and the dark in her personality, and shows us that even though she may be deemed "pure", she definitely is "damaged." Being damaged isn't a detriment-it's what keeps her fighting and pushing on. Woodley absolutely owns this. Tris Prior's vision is definitely one that society should embrace.

I think Theo James produced his best work in the role of Four thus far in Allegiant. He had a bigger presence here realizing the flaws in David's plan, and pleading with his mother that her way isn't the way to attain respect and a habitable society. Theo is a gritty, physical being as Four, but also presented how intelligent & mentally pure his mind is. Four is considered "damaged", but it's Theo that delves deeper into the Four role to show us that this is a positive. His outside the box thinking helps Tris to doubt her trust in David (which is ultimately proven to be a good instinct), and he shows great emotion for the children who have their memories wiped clean with the new serum concocted by David.

 Evelyn's radical regime will cause fear & death. David's vision will cause people to become puppets by eliminating their identity & forcing them to think and act as he sees fit. Both Naomi Watts & Jeff Daniels were excellent here. While I find flaws in both their methods, I understand Evelyn's views. She does have a very physical & violent way to get results, but I do think much of this is because of Marcus and her estrangement from Four. Her speeches resonated with me as somebody who has suffered emotional trauma from past events and is now unleashing that physically on the traitors who helped Jeanine. Ultimately, Four will help her realize it isn't the way to produce results. Jeff Daniels was excellent as David. He presented a character in the Bureau of Genetic Welfare that believes everything he is doing will purify society. He wants the faction systems so he can control people. Daniels had a calm demeanor that made David's tone more cerebral & in my opinion sadistic. His plan is truly despicable in many ways. While it doesn't necessarily cause bodily harm, he is still taking away the core of what makes us who we are. Daniels did so well manipulating Tris & those around him to make them believe his message and vision was flawless. Naomi & Jeff needed to be discussed, because they represent the flawed thinking. On one hand you have Evelyn: military/physical vengeance/chaotic factionless system, while on the other hand you have David: a man hellbent on creating mindless sheep that follow what he deems necessary-using the faction system to control society.

I give this movie a definite 5/5 for a great storyline, solid performances, a brilliant study on human beings, and intriguing twists that keep everything flowing.

Zootopia Review

Justin and I saw Zootopia on March 5, 2016! It's been a weak 2016 as far as movies go thus far, but I finally found the 1st movie I actually enjoyed this year. Every year there is usually one animated movie that I really enjoy. In year's past it's been Wreck-It Ralph, Big Hero 6, and Inside Out. Zootopia is a smart movie that caters to both children and adults that incorporate current themes of racism and sexism and acceptance from society, while giving us a fantastic story with good twists and turns.

Zootopia is a world where only animals exist. Predators and prey live in harmony. You are free to be whatever you want to be. If you have a dream, go out and take it. We follow Judy Hopp's dream to become the first bunny police officer. Judy represents females in society. We watch her navigate her way through negative attitudes from peers telling her she'll never make it, but her determination to prove everybody wrong is amazing to watch. She also represents prey. Nick Wild is a sly fox who has been pulling off schemes for most of his life. He ultimately represents minorities in society, as well as predators. Natural enemies their whole life simply because of how they were born, it's interesting to watch the interactions with Judy and Nick early on. Judy is determined to solve a big case of 14 missing animals to prove to Chief Bogo that she is a real officer. Nick assists Judy on her journey based on incriminating evidence she has on him.

The journey that Judy and Nick take to solve this case allows us to explore the beautiful world created in this movie. Each section of Zootopia is different in terms of climate and population. We watch Judy and Nick's friendship grow and we watch as Judy and Nick both realize they possess characteristics of both predator and prey. This is a great message for adults and children: No matter the differences they possess, when it comes right down to it, they're both animals. I really like that, and I think the dialogue between them was really well done. Jason Bateman and Ginnifer Goodwin did really well with the characters. Both were clever in their own ways, and each used their intellect to take one step closer to solving the mystery.

The twists and turns the audience encounters in this movie are well done. The most unsuspecting character ends up being behind the conspiracy. I thought the villain's stance made perfect sense as well. It takes a look at politicians and people in higher positions using fear to gain more power. The cunning wit of Nick and Judy was tremendous and really made us applaud the conclusion of their journey. Each twist and turn was designed to not only build up Nick and Judy's friendship, but it was also designed to show that the ordinary citizen can make a big difference in the grand scheme of things. We feel real emotion for the characters, as Zootopia delivers great drama. It also delivers genuine humor (particularly in a DMV scene with three-toed sloths).

I give this movie a definite 5/5 for incredible, well developed characters in Judy Hopp & Nick Wilde, tremendous work by the voice actors, a beautiful, original world filled with colors and opportunity, and a solid storyline that keeps the audience guessing as we follow Judy and Nick on their journey. I highly recommend this. It was the 1st movie I truly enjoyed in 2016.