unqualified-critic

[unqualified-critic]

i don't really see the big deal about the waldron script. there's only the vaguest similarity, and writers do tend to engage with similar themes over and over again and sometimes retread the same ground. look at any director/writer who's had a whole career and you see that. wes anderson comes to mind. can you explain a little more what you think is so worrisome or offensive or whatever about it?

Yes of course, but a writer should prepare something new. Instead of making something new for the characters he was given, he applied his own original characters to Loki. Making it feel out of character. The Loki script was written in under two weeks, which is insanely quick. Given we don’t know their deadline or time frame. Anderson is a veteran of the craft, but he still brings something new each time. The signature you see is often in his shot styles, color, ect. He’s also doing his own work and not work for pre-made characters. However, I absolutely see what your getting at. I work in film and what Michael did was distasteful. Especially on content for big budget like Disney. If you’re over 18 check out the script (content warning very nsfw) or feel free to harass me on Twitter (that’s a joke but actually quite a number of ship fans r not happy w me) I love to discuss these things and if you read the material and enjoy it, props. Totally fine to enjoy the series, but we should look deeper into all media. Especially when it’s by a cishet white man, who’s already had accusations of transphobia.

[unqualified-critic]

I’ve seen something passed around on the internet of late and had to check it out. There has been accusations that Loki head writer, Michael Waldron, took an old sci-fi script of his, and inserted it into the series; rather than write an original one. I had to check it out, because some people will find anything to use as fire for something they don’t like.

Now I have nothing against Michael, despite my displeasure of the series. But this. This was a lot to swallow. My first thought reading it was “is this the first draft Loki script?” Sometimes, they change the names in scripts incase of anything leaked. But no, this was his own original story, from years prior.

Quite honestly, I was unable to read the entire script. So maybe it’s not as much copied as it seems. It felt as though I was reading a fanfiction. Some have said it’s akin to “My Immortal” (a little references for our internet veterans) The premises is an evil guy, who is turned good by the insatiable love of a girl boss on a mission the kill a guy. The entire thing felt a bit fetishized, putting a woman in a somewhat abusive, dominatrix, enemies lovers. Which now you start to see a bit more of the insertion, when you look at Sif and Sylvie putting Loki in submissive yet sexualized positions. Such as stripping him of his clothes, beating him, and gaslighting. In the show they’re generally breaking him in sadistic ways. Trying to make him pliable (not to mention he’s stripped of his clothes, beaten, and gaslit) Reading the script I kept thinking “this isn’t feminist or progressive, it’s ridiculous….and oddly sex driven”

Feels a little familiar doesn’t it? Other than the whole sex thing…

What about Kang and Sylvie? What about Lamentis which takes place in 2077? Including the woman living in her shack.

Now the TVA, chasing them around like the cops, is similar; but that’s a very common trope. We have to remember some of this is just common media.

In the brainstorming phase a lot of the ideas seemed identical, the ones adapted to the Loki script only changed slightly (just less sex really)

Personally I feel this is a bit of a kick in the face. At most, he saw an opportunity to fulfill his own dream story. At very least, he subconsciously inserted his own previous ideas. Do you think he applied his own original characters into a show (rather than use Amora, Femme presenting Loki, Verity, Karnilla, or another strong female presenting character?) Is this why it felt out of character? Maybe it’s just coincidental and we are looking too deep

I have no qualms about steering away from the comics, but this felt too off course to be relevant. We can expect Michael to be writing for season 2 as well, interesting to see what will change.

Even if I wasn’t a fan of the series, I feel a bit put off by this. Feel free to discuss!

Read the full script here

https://www.google.com/amp/s/amp.reddit.com/r/menwritingwomen/comments/owqap4/i_fear_for_wanda_maximoff/

[unqualified-critic]

Doing a poll here so you can cast your vote if you liked the Loki series or not.

https://twitter.com/unqua1ifiedcrit/status/1427335695224524804?s=21

[unqualified-critic]

Hey all. If you could support my review of Loki on Twitter it would be a great help.

https://twitter.com/unqua1ifiedcrit/status/1426433621628493826?s=21

I follow back btw

[unqualified-critic]

With my recent criticisms and somewhat fan chaos, here is Loki related media I absolutely recommend to everyone. I pray we are granted additional installments by these talented folk. Writers and artists don’t profit extensively, so please purchase copies if you can or check your local library; instead of supporting websites that illegally upload content.

Loki: Where Mischief Lies by Mackenzi Lee

(Audio book available)

I adored this book beyond belief. One of the best comic related books I’ve read. Critically speaking, it’s well written. Enjoyability wise, I loved it. This book takes place not long before Thors coronation in the events of the first movie. Loki and Amora get into trouble and Loki is sent to earth to investigate a murder concerning magic; as punishment. This book addresses Loki’s feelings and point of view as Odin’s emotionally neglected son. We also see his softening out from a defensive shell, without feeling out of character or weak. This book also explores bisexuality and gender. This was the first content I’ve seen giving Loki a male love interest and it never felt tokenized or empty. This may be one of the only romances in media that felt genuine and not cringey. I really hope they have Mackenzi Lee returns for more Loki content.

Comics

Loki: Agent of Asgard by Al Ewing

This comic hit one of my all time faves. This comic follows Loki, as he explores a new lifestyle. Focusing on bettering himself yet never feeling out of character. He’s still a witty pain in the butt, however we see a side of sincerity to him. This comic addresses sexuality and gender In depth and giving us the genderfluid representation we’ve craved. We also see many characters from the original comics such as Lorelei and Sigurd. Although I recommend reading Journey Into Mystery prior, I originally didn’t and isn’t obligatory to understand the plot. I recommend this comic to everyone from the show writers to the casual fans. I enjoyed that Loki has a friend and cares for Verity, yet doesn’t see her as a love interest. We get to see many variants of Loki, and his coming to terms with his actions. The self love and acceptance was perfectly executed without awkwardness or confine.

Loki: The God Who Fell To Earth by Daniel Kibblesmith

This comic builds on Agent of Asgard and brings back Verity, my beloved. We see some references to Loki’s character development, genderfluidity, and sexuality. Going through different story themes and time periods was exciting (especially with Wolverine one of my favorites) this comic bases a bit off Journey into Mystery, and War of Realms. I also enjoyed the bringing back the classic villain Nightmare and Loki’s clever way of addressing him. This comic was cancelled only shortly after launch (Marvel you cowards) so show it a little love.

Journey into Mystery (2012) by Kieron Gillen Issues #637-645 follow Kid Loki who first appeared in Thor #615-621, but really you can start with Journey into Mystery and pick up what’s going on. This is the start to Loki’s rise from the ashes, most literally rebirth into a new start. This comic was a fresh take with a more innocent yet still clever Loki. Hated for his past crimes despite not committing them. Ok so I haven’t finished this arc yet, but I’m really enjoying it so far. It’s a good read for those who wish to dig a little deeper.

Double Trouble by Mariko Tamaki

The artwork in this comic was so so fun. It’s fairly hard to make me laugh, but I cracked a few giggles at this comic. Double Trouble is friendly for any age, but don’t let that push you aside as an adult. This story added substance to Thor and Loki’s rocky relationship, as well as exploring their young escapades. I loved watching Loki use their magic and Thor try to save their skins. We get to see Lady Loki and Lady Thor and everything still felt on brand for their respective characters. There’s nothing prior you really need to know for this comic, and is great for casual fans.

[unqualified-critic]

Dave Filoni does it again with another amazing series. Today marked the last episode, for the premiere season of The Bad Batch. As a long term Star Wars fan, I wasn’t initially interested. The Clone Wars had ended and all my favorite characters were gone. I love Dave’s work so I said I’d give it a try. In the end The Bad Batch became one of my favorite Star Wars series. Not only was it well written but it was fun and exciting. The entire season was perfectly balanced. It didn’t feel rushed, the character development was on character and felt genuine, the action and conversation was well spaced, the viewer never felt emotionally exhausted even after addressing dark topics.

The animation brought back favorites; Cad Bane, Captain Rex, Fennec Shand. As well as Clone Wars style, with modern technology rendering the final product gorgeous. The only qualms I have with the series, is the lightening of the skin. The clones are modeled after Tumera Morrison, a Maori actor; who played Jango Fett and the clones in Attack Of the Clones (and recently Boba in The Mandolorian) in The Clone Wars series, the clones had darker skin so the shift was noticeable. This was brought up by a good number of fans, and I’m interested to see if it will bring any changes next season; or if words are lost on mouse ears.

Out of all the Disney+ original series, this is a top contender.

TLDR: An exciting beginning and a solid ending. This series preformed way past my expectations. 8/10

[unqualified-critic]

The first episode of “What If…” may be the most entertaining and fun show marvel has produced yet.

The animation was beautiful and storyline was well written. Right when I thought I knew what was happening, I was surprised in the most pleasant way. The first episode had the right mix of action and somehow character development; that didn’t feel rushed or uncharacteristic within the short 30min.

Looking forward to more of this show, and my end of season review.

[unqualified-critic]

Excellent point that I don’t think has been addressed. Or at least I haven’t seen. 3 powerful female characters were conjoined into one, taking away the roles for them as individuals. It’s unlikely we will see Amora, or Slyvie Lushton in the MCU. The likelihood we see Loki in their female presenting form has also been decreased.

By making the variants surprised at there being a female presenting Loki. The writers singled the “representation” to something not seen or expressed. A comment was made by the team along the lines of “they aren’t all genderfluid or at least don’t know it yet.” Then they aren’t Loki’s are they? Which comes back to the episode asking “what makes a Loki, a Loki?”

The very core of what makes you, yourself, is your identity. My variants would come in all shapes and sizes, but they’d still all have the same allergies. All be bisexual. All enjoy chocolate milk.

I’m hoping more Loki comics soon bc I need to not think about the show and how they zapped the possibility of Slyvie Lushton from the MCU

they really slandered female Loki Amora and Sylvie all in one fell swoop but at least people arguing for Lady Loki being a transphobic move get something worse to mull over <3

[unqualified-critic]

I’d like to come back to this after recent statement by head writer Micheal Waldron saying he will continue to “subvert” fans. I found this dismissive and bitter towards viewers. He seemed to correlate wanting; better LGBT representation with Mobius and Loki together as a romantic pair. I found this a bit biting and defensive. Wanting better representation does not mean a relationship nor does it mean pushing a ship. He said It in a way that felt if to say “you only want fan service” to shoe away any actual criticisms. Waldron will be head writer for the next Doctor Strange movie, as well as future Disney media.

I’d like to note I do not “ship” characters and typically fall into like with canon, however, the Sylvie and Loki relationship gave me recoil. Representation wise, I have no issue with here as they are both bisexual. It does not negate ones bisexuality to date their opposite sex. However that they are the same flesh and blood, puts it just as bad as those who ship Loki with Thor.

(Mobius shippers don’t come at me either, he studied, manipulate and abused Loki, there are no plausibly healthy relationships in this show)

I’d like to start off this review with the reminder that these people put their heart and soul into their work. They work countless hours, while I sit on my ass and type on a blog. I have no film experience, or writing skill, yet plenty of opinions.

I was initially very excited for the series, I love Loki as a character and Tom Hiddleston always does a fantastic job playing him (I actually wish they had him write the character instead of giving him minimal input) However, I wish I didn't watch past episode 3. The directing and writing felt sloppy at best. Loki felt extremely out of character. The development he goes through feels overnight. Remember this is the same Loki that ripped out a guys eye and the next day is in the TVA.

We see Loki go through great change in Dark World and Ragnarok (I get it we can’t all be Taika Waititi) despite the limited scenes featuring him. I’m the movies we see his transition from evil, but he is still the god of mischief, first and foremost. Those movies were maybe 5 hours together, yet better translated the characters depth, than the entire show about him. If it really was about Loki... the series felt as if Loki is back seat to a long monologue filled with plot holes.

There is a severe lack of action. At one point it is addressed that magic cannot be used in the TVA; but Loki is still witty, a good fighter, and has super human strength. We see none of that here and he is reduced to a powerless shell of himself. The few over the top “super hero” effects used, were produced beautifully by the cgi and film crew. The TVA set was well produced and fun with the retro “DMV” feel. The simple costume design with neutral colors and progressively darker lighting, could've paired nicely in contrast against Loki’s character. He’s typically sarcastic, quick on his feet, egotistical, and energetically self absorbed. This series he didn’t even feel broken or exhausted, just bland. Hey, you should always have artistic vision and change material. But characters can only be changed so far, and so quickly without any sustainable reason. It felt almost like a fan-fiction written from the writers ideas, and not the source material.

One of my biggest issues and final straws was the relationship. The relationship felt very forced and wrong. Slyvie and Loki are essentially twins, due to the same parentage. A love interest is not necessary in every series, and it took away from this one severely. I found myself dreading the finale due to the obvious upcoming kiss. The director, Kate Herron, addressed that it was to represent self love...however if you have to explain why it's not incest, it's probably incest. I understand some people don't mind because Slyvie doesn't feel like a Loki (Maybe it's the fact that she looks like and is named after Enchantress rather than lady Loki...not very creative guys) But it made me very uncomfortable. The director is a LGBT woman herself, yet I feel she was locked in a very male gaze, heteronormative, direction. A woman can co-star without being a love interest. An example of this done well is Loki’s friendly relationship with Verity in the comic Agent of Asgard. They met and became friends in only a matter of comics, with better tangibility of relations. In the comics we also see as a version of Lady Loki, and expression of gender-fluidity; without feeling forced or “woke.” On that note, if Loki is established as gender fluid in the MCU, why is there only one female variant of him. The other variants even express surprise of there being a female variant.

Slyvie lacks depth and felt “gatekeep, gaslight, girlboss.” Sophia Di Martino plays Slyvie well and I have no qualms with the castings. I was very excited for a female character with more story than Black Widow, but it was never given. It’s been confirmed that Sylvie isn’t Enchantress, however for the sake of character design, continuity, and incest...I hope she is and that they’re just keeping it a secret.

With a second season coming, I’m glad a new director will be taking the reins. As bad as I feel saying it. Disney has the budget to do better, and not use a “well let’s see what they make” strategy.

I’m not sure how a series can feel so rushed and so empty at the same time. As if it was drawn out to waste time and tell us nothing.

I also found the secondary characters like Owen Wilson’s Mobius and Wunmi Mosaku who plays hunter b-15 likable but underused. Something that left a bad taste in my mouth was how all the characters played by POC were bad guys or killed off. For those unaware this is a trope often exercised by “progressive” creators, usually attempting to include black or Hispanic characters but promptly killing them off or reducing them to a villain. This all just contributes to an absolutely messy series.

No, I didn’t think they’d reverse Loki’s death, give us gender shifting Loki, or Lady Loki as she is from the comics. However the lack of coherent writing (not that I’m one to talk,) contrast of Loki’s character, and rushed emptiness, was a major disappointment. If you love this character, don’t go past episode 2. Feel free to let me know your thoughts both critically and enjoyability at face value.

TLDR: good acting, casting, special effects. Poor character development, weird incest relationship, empty “progressiveness” and lack of action.

Wouldn’t watch past episode 2 if I could go back in time

[unqualified-critic]

I’d like to start off this review with the reminder that these people put their heart and soul into their work. They work countless hours, while I sit on my ass and type on a blog. I have no film experience, or writing skill, yet plenty of opinions.

I was initially very excited for the series, I love Loki as a character and Tom Hiddleston always does a fantastic job playing him (I actually wish they had him write the character instead of giving him minimal input) However, I wish I didn't watch past episode 3. The directing and writing felt sloppy at best. Loki felt extremely out of character. The development he goes through feels overnight. Remember this is the same Loki that ripped out a guys eye and the next day is in the TVA.

We see Loki go through great change in Dark World and Ragnarok (I get it we can’t all be Taika Waititi) despite the limited scenes featuring him. I’m the movies we see his transition from evil, but he is still the god of mischief, first and foremost. Those movies were maybe 5 hours together, yet better translated the characters depth, than the entire show about him. If it really was about Loki... the series felt as if Loki is back seat to a long monologue filled with plot holes.

There is a severe lack of action. At one point it is addressed that magic cannot be used in the TVA; but Loki is still witty, a good fighter, and has super human strength. We see none of that here and he is reduced to a powerless shell of himself. The few over the top “super hero” effects used, were produced beautifully by the cgi and film crew. The TVA set was well produced and fun with the retro “DMV” feel. The simple costume design with neutral colors and progressively darker lighting, could've paired nicely in contrast against Loki’s character. He’s typically sarcastic, quick on his feet, egotistical, and energetically self absorbed. This series he didn’t even feel broken or exhausted, just bland. Hey, you should always have artistic vision and change material. But characters can only be changed so far, and so quickly without any sustainable reason. It felt almost like a fan-fiction written from the writers ideas, and not the source material.

One of my biggest issues and final straws was the relationship. The relationship felt very forced and wrong. Slyvie and Loki are essentially twins, due to the same parentage. A love interest is not necessary in every series, and it took away from this one severely. I found myself dreading the finale due to the obvious upcoming kiss. The director, Kate Herron, addressed that it was to represent self love...however if you have to explain why it's not incest, it's probably incest. I understand some people don't mind because Slyvie doesn't feel like a Loki (Maybe it's the fact that she looks like and is named after Enchantress rather than lady Loki...not very creative guys) But it made me very uncomfortable. The director is a LGBT woman herself, yet I feel she was locked in a very male gaze, heteronormative, direction. A woman can co-star without being a love interest. An example of this done well is Loki’s friendly relationship with Verity in the comic Agent of Asgard. They met and became friends in only a matter of comics, with better tangibility of relations. In the comics we also see as a version of Lady Loki, and expression of gender-fluidity; without feeling forced or “woke.” On that note, if Loki is established as gender fluid in the MCU, why is there only one female variant of him. The other variants even express surprise of there being a female variant.

Slyvie lacks depth and felt “gatekeep, gaslight, girlboss.” Sophia Di Martino plays Slyvie well and I have no qualms with the castings. I was very excited for a female character with more story than Black Widow, but it was never given. It’s been confirmed that Sylvie isn’t Enchantress, however for the sake of character design, continuity, and incest...I hope she is and that they’re just keeping it a secret.

With a second season coming, I’m glad a new director will be taking the reins. As bad as I feel saying it. Disney has the budget to do better, and not use a “well let’s see what they make” strategy.

I’m not sure how a series can feel so rushed and so empty at the same time. As if it was drawn out to waste time and tell us nothing.

I also found the secondary characters like Owen Wilson’s Mobius and Wunmi Mosaku who plays hunter b-15 likable but underused. Something that left a bad taste in my mouth was how all the characters played by POC were bad guys or killed off. For those unaware this is a trope often exercised by “progressive” creators, usually attempting to include black or Hispanic characters but promptly killing them off or reducing them to a villain. This all just contributes to an absolutely messy series.

No, I didn’t think they’d reverse Loki’s death, give us gender shifting Loki, or Lady Loki as she is from the comics. However the lack of coherent writing (not that I’m one to talk,) contrast of Loki’s character, and rushed emptiness, was a major disappointment. If you love this character, don’t go past episode 2. Feel free to let me know your thoughts both critically and enjoyability at face value.

TLDR: good acting, casting, special effects. Poor character development, weird incest relationship, empty “progressiveness” and lack of action.

Wouldn’t watch past episode 2 if I could go back in time