mjconway1

I almost didn't watch this, based on several reviews here. After watching, I could understand how the bleak story could divide viewers. Though depressing, I found myself immersed in the situation.

I love the desert, so the setting immediately sucked me in. Though mostly limited to a house in a hole, it made for a fairly dramatic set piece. I'll need to search out how this was achieved.

I was also drawn to the character of Alina. I was wondering why she was so quiet and calm, while the main guy was freaking out. She seemed both disconnected and alluring.

Technically, it was very competent. Good cinematography, wonderfully eerie music. Overall, the movie did a great job of making me believe that this place could exist.

I think the reason that this movie got some hate was because it didn't have the ultra dark tone of the first. It wasn't trying to do that and I loved it for being its own animal (or insect). Other than the back story, I recommend that viewers not compare this to the original, and watch it as its own story.

As a first time director, Chris Walas does a commendable job. Stoltz and Zuniga are good, the makeup effects are awesome, and the music is fantastic.

The well paced script was written by some very accomplished writers - Mick Garris (Amazing Stories), the Wheat brothers (PITCH BLACK), and Frank Darabont (WALKING DEAD, SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION, THE GREEN MILE). There is never a dull moment. Several scenes, especially involving dogs, are quite moving. Unlike the downer story of the original, THE FLY 2 sets up characters and liberally serves poetic justice for audience satisfaction

The only thing I find lacking, is that the supporting players, like the scientists and security guys, are a bit wooden. As they are, they make for some nice fly fodder.

I just started binging on Black Mirror. I have seen a couple of good ones in the past, such as Metalhead and USS Callister, which I really enjoyed. I was putting Mazey (not Zazie!) off for later, due to lukewarm ratings (the lowest of the season 6 episodes). Thankfully, a friend recommended it.

Admittedly, this had the potential to better play up the photo technology angle, so a bit of a lost opportunity to make it more Mirror-ish. It does show the chaos a famous person has to endure with the paparazzi.

Zazie Beetz was excellent. The episode had a lot of interesting characters - her roommate, fellow photographers, Mazey herself, and even the guy at the diner were stealing scenes. For the short running time, it was almost too much character building. The story might have benefitted from being more linear (starting with Mazey's film shoot, and going from there), but I still really liked it.

It all really comes together in the frenetic conclusion. I actually preferred this episode to a lot of Black Mirror episodes.