BiblicalPerspective

This movie made me cry, and I appreciated it. (Now, I will not watch sad movies just to cry; this movie was not a downer, it was whimsical and sweet as well.) But sometimes crying is a good thing, and it means I've connected well with the characters. I enjoyed watching the girls develop throughout the film, and found myself empathizing with them through their tears and heartache. I didn't like one plot more than the others, though I do have to say Brigitte's point of view was a little less stimulating for me. I understand her motives, however, and was pleased that she came to understand them as well.

It's a sign you have a good movie on your hands when you feel a little lonely afterwards. As if you truly believed in the story, and wanted to continue believing that it was happening still, at the very same moment. Of course, you know, there are many friendships out there like this, and that makes my heart happy and satisfied. We need more movies about friendship that tie in real life-hardships as well! It doesn't have to always be about romance, it can be about daily life and the struggles of just being a teenager, too.

The Good Place starts off a little slow, but picked up for me in the second episode. The premise didn't initially pique my interest; I know where I'm going when I die, and didn't see myself fancying a show about the after-life. It sounded almost...dull. It is anything, but.

Eleanor Shellstrop is an adorable heroine, one who I found myself rooting for despite her judgement as a "bad person." She's good Enneagram type 7 rep, and that's the thing about this show: we get a widely diverse cast, both in ethnicity and personality. The main characters are very likable and easy to get along with, and I always look forward to where the series goes next with the show. It's not too serious of a series, but it plays around with a few ideas and tosses some pretty deep twists in there, too. It makes you question things, in a good way.

A note on the whole death thing: If you believe in heaven and hell, this show doesn't really support that. In later episodes, the average place could technically be considered purgatory or something of the sort, but it basically comes down to the characters' actions and "goodness" on earth that determines whether you go to the "bad place" or "the good place." The basic idea is there, but it doesn't really follow any theology.

The music along raises Galavant from an 8/10 to a 9/10. This gallivanting musical features original songs by Alan Menken (Disney's Lion King) and Christopher Lennertz, and are so wonderful I had to buy the soundtrack because they're just so catchy! I'm a person who appreciates musicals, but isn't always in the mood, so I was pleasantly surprised with the way Galavant handle the singing-versus-dialogue dilemma. Amazingly, the singing was handled in a way that really balanced the show; the plot kept moving and there are enough songs in each episode without being over-the-top or annoying. I never shouted, "Get on with it!" or, "Stop singing!" at the screen.

The characters and almost-slapstick humor are what got me to keep watching the show after the first episode. I honestly didn't think I'd like it as much as I do. As it stands, I have currently seen the entire series three times, and I still laugh at the hilarity. Yes, some of the jokes are crude, and yes, some of it is so cheesy and overdone you want to roll your eyes. But Galavant is refreshing in a way a lot of other TV series aren't, nowadays. It's light, not too serious or heavy, and makes fun of itself.

A note on profanity and sexual innuendos: Some words are bleeped out (it's meant to be funny, but it was kind of alarming the first time watching it). There are quite a few references to sex--including in the songs--and Magdelena is always on the lookout for a new "consort." I wouldn't recommend it to children or young teenagers (not sure they'd get into it anyway).