There has always been a fascination with animals and their behavior in the wild. Documentaries have become a popular way for people to learn about the natural world and gain a deeper understanding of different species. One such documentary that gained significant attention is the "Magic and Bird" documentary. The "Magic and Bird" documentary focuses on two iconic players of the National Basketball Association (NBA) in the 1980s, Earvin "Magic" Johnson and Larry Bird. Both players were highly regarded for their individual skills and rivalry on the court, but this documentary aimed to explore their unique bond and friendship. The documentary delves into the lives of both players, showcasing their journeys from their respective backgrounds to their rise in the NBA.
The first one was an awkward start of the franchise. It was mostly ok until the movie tries to convince you that the protagonist isn't a monster anymore because she doesn't kill anything that walks anymore with a boring exposition. It was interesting to talk about because it was pretty weird and misanthropic. It's bold enough to suggest that superpower is a product of nazi science and US could acquire the technology through Operation Paperclip.
I really respect Park Hoon-Jung making this movie despite many hardships such as having to quickly rewrite the script and having less budget than he was going to for the sequel because of pandemic and Warner Bros. The theme of the movie is that people who have more power than others are violent monsters so I think conveying queasiness of violence is important but CGI should have been more polished to make that work.
The documentary delves into the lives of both players, showcasing their journeys from their respective backgrounds to their rise in the NBA. It provides a closer look at their early basketball careers, highlighting their rivalries and how these fueled their competitive spirits. Moreover, it examines the influence they had on the game of basketball and the effects they had in transforming the sport into a global phenomenon.
The Witch Part 2: The Other One is underwhelming.
I really respect Park Hoon-Jung making this movie despite many hardships such as having to quickly rewrite the script and having less budget than he was going to for the sequel because of pandemic and Warner Bros. Korea which produced the first one shutting down. I admire his passion for telling this slightly unconventional, dark, edgy, and violent superhero story with female protagonists. (I was pretty disappointed with the industry when I heard Park had a hard time getting the first one funded because it had a girl as the protagonist.) However, the movie is still disappointing.
The first one was an awkward start of the franchise. It was mostly ok until the movie tries to convince you that the protagonist isn't a monster anymore because she doesn't kill anything that walks anymore with a boring exposition. It was interesting to talk about because it was pretty weird and misanthropic. It's bold enough to suggest that superpower is a product of nazi science and US could acquire the technology through Operation Paperclip.
Screenwriting is bad. It has the worst tendencies of Marvel movies yet it's so lore brained that the structure is a mess. Comedic scenes and exposition scenes try to communicate the characters but it's done in such a clunky way and they tend to be too long. I despised cutesy humor that belong in movies like Edward Scissorhands. It was so predictable and didn't fit with the film language and the tone. I don't understand why you would try to make the protagonist 'likable' with cutesy bullshit when the protagonist behaves like Michael Myers or Jason Vorhees with superpower for the rest of the movie. Dialogue is painfully overwrought. You can see the writer desperately trying to make the dialogue sound interesting but it ends of being irritating.
They got way too ambitious with CGI. The theme of the movie is that people who have more power than others are violent monsters so I think conveying queasiness of violence is important but CGI should have been more polished to make that work. Violent scenes that have a lot of CGI don't really land.
Action editing is inexcusable. Action scenes are consisted of 3-4 very well framed shots, 5 bad insert shots, and 4 shots that aren't well framed that aren't inserts with a pace that is impossible to follow. Think of set pieces from Quantum of Solace. It's a shame because you can clearly see that the action scenes could work if they just used good shots. In other words, cinematography was genuinely good enough to make set pieces work but editing ruined them.
I liked the theme of the movie that is 'the more power you have, the more of a monster you are, and you will also be responsible for the horrific death of those with less power'. I love how it rejects power fantasy through pretty nauseous depiction of violence and making power fantasy sequences function as the reason of tragic conclusion.
The best part is when it becomes a mean spirited slasher movie with superpower with sadistic violence. There are two scenes that I really like. One is the protagonist testing out how to subdue an enemy with superpower. The protagonist stabs the enemy with telekinesis multiple times to test out which part to stab to subdue her and breaks her spine and toss her when stabbing doesn't work. I kind of wish she stabbed her until it worked though. The other is the scene where the protagonist keeps breaking a feet of a supervillain so that regeneration ability gets triggered until the side effect reaches the brain of him, which pops his brain and kills him painfully. I think the movie could have been better if there were more violence simply because I like the idea of a superhero movie full of sadistic violence. It still feels too restrained because there are moments where decapitation and head popping are obscured probably to avoid 'adults only' rating.
I will give the movie 3/8. Pretty underwhelming. It's definitely Park's worst movie. I really like where he's going for and love that his superhero franchise is consisted of weird, edgy, and dark entries. I just wish we could get movies like this but good.
Edit: There's also an American character and you can see how much the director wanted Aaron Taylor Johnson in this.
I really respect Park Hoon-Jung making this movie despite many hardships such as having to quickly rewrite the script and having less budget than he was going to for the sequel because of pandemic and Warner Bros. Korea which produced the first one shutting down. I admire his passion for telling this slightly unconventional, dark, edgy, and violent superhero story with female protagonists. (I was pretty disappointed with the industry when I heard Park had a hard time getting the first one funded because it had a girl as the protagonist.) However, the movie is still disappointing.
Through interviews with teammates, rivals, coaches, and basketball experts, the documentary provides valuable insights into the lives of Magic and Bird. It explores not only their basketball achievements but also their personal lives and the challenges they faced throughout their careers. Additionally, the "Magic and Bird" documentary touches on the impact these players had beyond the basketball court. It sheds light on their contributions to the growth of the NBA, their role in promoting racial harmony in America through their friendship, and the legacy they left behind. Overall, the "Magic and Bird" documentary is a captivating exploration of two basketball legends. It provides an intimate look at their journey, their impact on the sport, and the unique bond they developed throughout their careers. Whether you are a basketball enthusiast or not, this documentary offers valuable insights into the lives and legacies of Magic and Bird..
Reviews for "The Magic and Bird Effect: How They Transformed the NBA"
1. John - 2 stars
I have to be honest, I was quite disappointed with the "Magic and Bird Documentary." As someone who grew up watching these two icons dominate the basketball court, I expected a more in-depth and engaging exploration of their careers. Instead, the documentary felt shallow and lacked the depth I had hoped for. It barely scratched the surface of Magic and Bird's rivalry and limited itself to showcasing their on-court performances without delving into their personal lives or the impact they had off the court. Overall, I found it to be a missed opportunity to truly honor these basketball legends.
2. Sarah - 3 stars
While the "Magic and Bird Documentary" did provide some interesting insights into the lives of these basketball legends, I couldn't help but feel that it was a bit disjointed. The narrative jumped around too much, making it difficult to follow the chronology of their careers and the development of their rivalry. There were moments of brilliance in terms of capturing the intensity of their on-court battles, but they were overshadowed by the lack of cohesion in the storytelling. Additionally, the documentary didn't offer any new or groundbreaking information about Magic Johnson and Larry Bird, which was a letdown for someone who was hoping for a fresh perspective on these iconic figures of the game.
3. Emily - 2.5 stars
I had high expectations for the "Magic and Bird Documentary," but unfortunately, it failed to meet them. The film focused too heavily on their basketball careers and neglected to explore the deeper personal connection between Magic and Bird. It would have been fascinating to see their off-court relationship and how their friendship, rivalry, and mutual respect shaped their lives and careers. Instead, the documentary felt superficial and lacking in substance, leaving me wanting more. As a fan of both players, I felt disappointed by the missed opportunity to provide a comprehensive look into the lives of two of the greatest basketball players in history.
4. Michael - 2 stars
As someone who has closely followed the careers of Magic Johnson and Larry Bird, I was disappointed by the "Magic and Bird Documentary." It felt like a rehashing of well-known facts and highlights without providing any new insights or perspectives. It seemed more like a tribute to their basketball prowess rather than an in-depth exploration of their journey and impact on the sport. The documentary failed to capture the essence of their rivalry and the nuances of their playing styles, making it feel like a missed opportunity to truly honor the iconic status of these two basketball legends. I expected more from a documentary about Magic and Bird.