After five long weeks, we have finally reached our grand final. And boy, wasn't it a thrilling final? We saw some great driving, clever tactics and some major shocks, and of course we crowned our champion of the Third Wars of the new series.
LET THE WARS BEGIN
Ten-Way Robot Rumble
Our five finalists are Behemoth, Carbide, Rapid, Nuts 2 and Magnetar.
The sixth finalist was chosen from a ten-way, last-man standing free for all between the robots that placed 2nd and third in the heats. Let's run through them all quickly.
1. Apollo - champions of the first wars who are armed with a mighty flipper
2. Sabretooth - armed with a vicious spinning drum
3. Eruption - runners-up in the second wars who also have a powerful flipper
4. Big Nipper - a very flat robot with two interchangeable weapons - a spinning drum and a lifting claw
5. Concussion - finalists in the second wars who have a brutal spinning drum
6. Tracktion - a group of school children whose robot ran on caterpillar tracks and have a crushing arm
7. Thor - finalist in the first wars who had a smashing hammer
8. Iron Awe 6 - veteran of the original wars who were armed with a flipper
9. Terrorhurtz - another veteran of the original wars with a powerful axe
10. Expulsion - another group of school children armed with a vertical spinning disc
3...2...1...ACTIVATE
This fight was absolute chaos. It was a free-for-all with no rules or time limit. The winner was the last robot standing.
Thor went straight onto the attack, charging across the arena, while Concussion hit Tracktion's vulnerable tracks leading to them becoming dislodged. Thor then hit the pit release button. This was smart, tactical thinking. Thor wanted to take advantage of the mayhem happening in the arena in the hopes that a robot would become careless and drive into the pit.
Expulsion were the first robots to fall victim to this, while Thor was hammering down on Concussion. Sabretooth bashed into the former champions, Apollo, knocking them over, while Concussion escaped from Terrorhurtz and start to whack into Big Nipper. Then in the chaos, the Fog of War was released. Terrorhurtz took advantage of this to push Tracktion down the pit.
After this Apollo flipped over Iron Awe who have been beyond useless within this series. While they were armed with a flipper, I've never seen it work and this fight was no exception. Luckily for them, the Fog of War went of again, before Apollo could finish them off. Apollo then turned their attention to Sabretooth, flipping them against the arena wall.
Meanwhile, Terrorhurtz started attacking to Eruption, which hitherto had been hanging back. Eruption sneaked in behind Thor and gave them a mighty flip, while Iron Awe then hit the Dial of Doom, sensing they were in trouble. This released the house robots and Sir Killalot came out of his lair and just missed Iron Awe. And then again, Iron Awe hit the Dial of Doom, one again releasing the Fog of War. But this backfired for the Iron Awe team, as they drove onto the floor flipper and were flipped over and couldn't self-right.
Big Nipper managed to get underneath Apollo and almost lifted them over, before Concussion pushed Iron Awe into the pit, but were soon after pushed in by Thor.
6 robots left. Sabretooth got their spinning drum into play against Eruption's flipper, while Terrorhurtz began to lose the CO2 gas for their axe. This meant that their weapon was losing power. Apollo sensed this weakness and flipped Terrorhurtz over who were just able to self-right. Terrorhurtz was able to escape and they hit into Sabretooth. The house robots went rogue and Killalot went after Eruption, while Shunt attacked Apollo. In this confusion, Sabretooth drove onto the pit.
Thor hit the Dial of Doom again, before driving into the pit, while trying to pit Big Nipper. Killalot went after Terrorhurtz and almost threw them from the arena, but spared them. Meanwhile, in the background, Big Nipper were finally pitted. And then there were three robots left.
There was Terrorhurtz whose axe was failing them, the former champions - Apollo who were also becoming tired and the tactical thinkers Eruption.
The flippers could tell Terrorhurtz was slowly dying, so they began ganging up on it. Eruption shunted it into the side wall and flipped it so that it couldn't self-right. And then they turned their attention to the former champion. They got in a mighty flip on Apollo and then another and another. Apollo just couldn't recover and with their CO2 gas spent, they couldn't self-right.
Eruption were the last machine standing and thus claimed the sixth spot in the grand final. I have to say that the Eruption team played this fight well. They went in with the clear tactic of hanging back early on and letting the other robots take each other out, before they went on the attack.
Group Battle 1 Carbide vs Behemoth vs Nuts 2
Time for the first group battle between the first group of our finalists.
For starters we have current champions Carbide armed with a mighty spinning bar. Then there was Behemoth armed with a lifting scoop. The Behemoth team have been competing in Robot Wars since 1998, where they reached the semi-finals of Series 2 of the original wars. Reaching the grand final today is the best they have ever competed since.
Finally, we have Nuts 2, regarded by many as a "joke robot." However, they've proved their worth with their flail spinner doing some real damage, taking out former finalists Concussion. They also have little clusterbots designed to annoy and pester.
3...2...1...ACTIVATE
While Nuts 2 spans up to top speed, Behemoth and Carbide had their own private war. Behemoth used a specially-made scoop designed to deflect spinner blows, but this didn't stop Carbide from getting some stunners in. While Behemoth were going back on their attack, they drove over the pit, just as one of the Nuts clusterbots hit the pit release. And Behemoth sank out of sight.
This was great tactics by the Nuts team and it wasn't the first surprise of the episode. With one opponent down, Carbide went to attack Nuts 2, but the flailing arms of the Nuts machine ripped into Carbide and tore out their weapon chain, leaving the champions defenceless.
After this happened, it was Nuts on the attack and Carbide on the defence. The champions were running away. You could tell Carbide was scared as they hit the Dial of Doom twice, releasing both the house robots and the Fog of War, but to no great effect. At times, they were almost counted out, but they just managed to take it to a judge's decision who awarded it to Nuts.
The Nuts team were in disbelief, which is something I really love about their team. They're so humble and are such great sports, but their machine is good. They took out the champions Carbide. And to put this into perspective, Carbide were runners-up in Series 1 only beaten by Apollo and they were champions in series 2. This means that they have been practically unbeaten thus far. But Nuts 2 were able to do what only one other robot has done so far. This deserves real respect.
Group Battle 2 Magnetar vs Eruption Vs Rapid
The three robots in this second group battle are Magnetar who were finalists in series 1. They were armed with a mighty spinning drum. Then we have Rapid, a flipper, whose team captain wanted to recruit anybody who could beat them. Finally, we have Eruption, the flipper-bot who fought their way through the ten-way robot rumble.
3...2...1...Activate
This battle began slowly with Eruption and Rapid sizing each other up, while Magnetar span to top speed. And bloody hell, they were awesome once they reached their max speed. They bashed into Rapid, sending it flying through the air and crashing down. Rapid self-righted and tried to flip over Eruption, but instead flipped themselves over and couldn't self-right. That was until they were knocked back into life by Magnetar, but then they were flipped over by Eruption and this time they couldn't recover.
Meanwhile, Magnetar hit Eruption, but the flipper machine was well-armoured. They managed to fight back, but as the fight progressed, their flipper was losing power, as they their CO2 dwindled. However, Magnetar's spinning drum also lost power and this then became a tactical battle of attrition.
Magnetar slammed Eruption into the CPZ, which backfired spectacularly, as Magnetar was then flipped over by Matilda. Their self-righter failed and they were counted out. Another major upset of this final. Eruption were through to the next round.
Robot Redemption 1 Behemoth vs Magnetar
Time for the first loser's melee and to see which robot could claw their way back into the main competition.
Behemoth started the aggressor charging into Magnetar and flipping them over. However, Magnetar were able to self-right and they got their own back, hitting Behemoth - the force of which flipped Behemoth over. Just when it looked like they were down for the count, they self-righted.
Behemoth went back onto the attack, but overextended themselves and crashed into the arena wall. Magnetar's spinning drum them lost radio signal, while Behemoth lost drive on one side. With both robots badly wounded, this became a battle of attrition. But then Magnetar became cocky and got too close to Behemoth allowing them to be flipped over. They couldn't self-right and were immobilised.
Robot Redemption 2 Carbide vs Rapid
Time for the most explosive battle of the series - quite literally.
To stop Carbide's spinning bar, the Rapid team attached entanglement weapons, which didn't work at all. However, Rapid's flipper did work, as they were able to flip Carbide, but the champions recovered and then got a massive hit on Rapid, tearing off a side panel.
Rapid managed to get one last flip in, before Carbide slammed into them with such force that their machine began smoking. And when I say smoking, I mean smoking. A cloud of smoke filled the arena and then Rapid caught fire. It was safe to say they were out and Carbide was back in. Looks like the Rapid team should be hiring both the Magnetar and the Carbide teams.
Semi-final 1 Behemoth vs Eruption
When you get two flippers against each other, it's always a matter of who's closest to the ground and who can get underneath the other robot first.
In this case it was Behemoth who managed to flip Eruption over and push them into the CPZ. But Eruption recovered and they were angry. They flipped Behemoth over from the side, leaving them struggling to self-right.
They finally recovered only to be flipped again and again. And while they self-righted, they just couldn't recover. They couldn't get under Eruption who then flipped them into Matilda and, well, basically, all over the arena. Behemoth managed to take it to the judges who unsurprisingly awarded it to Eruption, but all credit to the Behemoth boys. They didn't give up and this was their best performance ever. Hopefully they'll come back even stronger next year.
Semi-final 2 Carbide vs Nuts 2
Could Nuts 2 do it again? Could they beat the reigning champions for a second time running? Carbide were worried they could, which is why they put armour around their weapon chain. And it worked. Nuts 2 spun up to speed and clobbered Carbide, but didn't inflict any major damage.
Carbide then went on the attack and ripped off one of Nuts 2's flailing arms. Sensing they were in trouble, Nuts 2 hit the Dial of Doom, unleashing the Fog of War. Carbide waited for it to clear, before they smashed into Nuts 2 who just couldn't recover and were soon immobilised.
If you had counted out the champions, you would have been wrong to do so. But all credit to the Nuts boys for getting this far. A great team with a great machine. You're no laughing matter anymore.
Final - Carbide vs Eruption
And we have reached it. The grand final of series 3 - a grudge match of last year's final, where Carbide beat Eruption to become series 2 champion.
Carbide started the stronger by unleashing an onslaught onto Eruption who managed to sustain the damage. They tried to recover, but their flipper was failing them. However, Carbide were having problems of their own when they began smoking and just when it looked like Eruption were down and out, they came back into it. They flipped Carbide over and then the tables had turned. Carbide lost their bar spinner and sensing they were on top, Eruption unleashed the Fog of War.
In the confusion, Carbide were flipped by the floor flipper and Eruption were able to flip them around the arena. Carbide's spinning bar began working again and they smashed into Eruption, but the flipper machine was still working. They flipped Carbide once and then twice and then a third and fourth time. Carbide ended the fight on the run. This was a great fight, which went back and forth a lot.
And overall, this has been a fantastic final, probably some of the best Robot Wars I have ever watched. Awesome destruction, great driving, smart tactics and of course, the 10-way Robot Rumble. Although, I was slightly disappointed that they didn't have a play-off for third and fourth place between Behemoth and Nuts 2.
But onto the champion of Robot Wars Series 3. The judges awarded it to...Eruption! They had beaten reigning champions Carbide to become winners of series 3. Well done, Eruption! You deserve it for your powerful flipper and smart tactics.
Dim the lights
cue the applause
Eruption is our new champion
on Robot Wars
Monday, 4 December 2017
Friday, 1 December 2017
Robot Wars Series 3 Episode 5 recap
Time for the final heat before the grand final and to see who will join Behemoth, Carbide, Rapid and Nuts 2. We will also see which two robots will take the last spots in the ten-way last man standing free for all, which will determine the final grand finalist.
LET THE WARS BEGIN
Group battle 1 Expulsion vs Thor vs Coyote
Expulsion was comprised of a group of secondary school girls who were competing, because they wanted to encourage more girls to get into engineering. Their weapon was a vertical spinning disc mounted against the side of their machine, which I think is a poor design.
Their first opponent was the veteran of the previous wars and former grand finalist: Thor, armed with a hammer that slammed down with a tonne of force.
Rounding out the trio was Coyote who were armed with crushing jaws and a chainsaw tail.
3...2...1...ACTIVATE
The battle began with Coyote slamming into Expulsion with Thor leaving them to it. Coyote pushed Expulsion into the CPZ, where they were attacked by house robot: Dead Metal. But Expulsion escaped and hit the Dial of Doom, which allowed Dead Metal to leave his home and start attacking Expulsion again, before roasting them on the flame pit.
Meanwhile, Thor and Coyote were having their own war, slamming into each other. Coyote tried to get their crushing jaws into play, but their bark was worse than their bite. However, Thor was able to slam their hammer down.
Coyote escaped and hit the Dial of doom, once again allowing Dead metal to come out and attack the already beaten Expulsion. Thor and Coyote tried to defend their fallen competitor with little success. Afterwards, Thor damaged Coyote's beak leaving them as the clear winners.
Group battle 2 Magnetar vs Hobgoblin vs Push to Exit
Magnetar is the latest incarnation of S1 grand finalist Pulsar. The Magnetar machine was armed with a lethal spinning drum and are ones to watch. Their first opponent was Hobogoblin who were also armed with a spinning drum - cum - egg-beater.
Finally, we have Push to Exit who were armed with a forward-hinged flipper. This means that rather than trying to flip other machines, they would aim to topple them over. It is a more uncommon flipper design, but has seen great success in veterans Firestorm.
3...2...1 ACTIVATE
Push to Exit's unconventional flipper led to them starting strongly. They were easily able to get under Hobgoblin and flip them over who couldn't self-right. Push to Exit then made the mistake of messing with Magnetar who were just awesome. They slammed and battered Push to Exit. Metal was buckled and Push to Exit were soon immobilised. An impressive start from the previous finalists.
Robot Redemption 1 Hobgoblin vs Coyote
To call this a fight would be exaggerating. It was pushing and shoving and calling names. Coyote bashed into Hobgoblin, but couldn't get their crushing beak into play.
Instead, they displayed some good tactical thinking. They pushed Hobgoblin into Shunt who rained down hell on Hobgoblin, who couldn't survive the assault. On the plus side, they were able to use their egg-beater weapon to destroy Shunt's axe-blade.
Hobgoblin goes home, but Coyote was through to the next round.
Robot Redemption 2 Push to Exit vs Expulsion
This was another Handbags at Dawn match. No great damage or destruction happened. Both robots danced around each other, while Push to Exit had intermittent control problems. They were not running smoothly.
Their flipper wasn't working either, as they had plenty of opportunities to flip Expulsion and didn't. Expulsion also suffered from poor driving, as they drove onto the floor flipper and were flipped over. Meanwhile, Push to Exit had broken down. The match went to the judges who awarded it to Expulsion, deeming Push to Exit to have been immobilised first.
Round 2 Battle 1
Coyote vs Thor
Again this battle began with both machines sizing each other up. Coyote then went on the attack, slamming into Thor but doing no real damage.
Thor shoved back, pushing Coyote into the arena wall and slamming their hammer down, getting in some heavy hits. Coyote escaped and sensing they were in trouble, hit the Dial of Doom, allowing Matilda to come out of the CPZ.
Scared, Thor ran away and straight onto the floor flipper which flipped them far and wide. Dazed after this attack, Thor then drove straight onto Matilda's flywheel, which led to their CO2 bottle exploding in a cloud of smoke.
In the end, the fight went to the judges who awarded it to Thor, as they were more aggressive throughout the fight.
Round 2 Battle 2
Magnetar vs Expulsion
We've seen how powerful Magnetar's spinning drum is, which is why I understand why Expulsion went straight for the Dial of Doom. With the hopes of confusing Magnetar, they released the Fog of War. However, Magnetar used the Fog of War tactically. They revved their drum to top speed and slammed into Expulsion, delivering a 1-hit KO. Afterwards Expulsion went in the pit and Magnetar went through to the heat final.
Playoff Expulsion vs Coyote
Time to see who will claim 3rd place and the 9th spot in the 10-way free for all.
From Coyote's early performance, it was clear it wasn't going to be them. They showed terrible driving by repeatedly driving into the arena wall.
Meanwhile, Expulsion were slamming into Coyote who tried to recover, but couldn't and they soon broke down. Expulsion were through to the 10-way robot rumble.
Heat final Thor vs Magnetar
To prepare for this battle, the Thor team attached steel ropes to their machine with hopes of entangling Magnetar's spinning drum.
This served to bemuse Magnetar, rather than hurt them, as they charged into Thor. While this was a powerful blow, Thor recovered, pushing Magnetar into the arena wall and bringing their hammer down.
Magnetar escaped and while Thor was pursuing them, they stupidly drove onto the floor flipper. Thor recovered, but then drove onto the floor flipper again, and when crashing down, they landed on Magnetar's spinning drum. And once again, Thor's CO2 bottle exploded in a cloud of smoke. Weaponless, they were soon immobilised.
Thor joins Expulsion, Iron-Awe 6, Concussion, Tracktion, Terrorhurtz, Big Nipper, Eruption, Sabretooth and Apollo in the ten robot, last man standing, free for all. The winner will become our last finalist.
I can't wait to see this. The original series never attempted anything this big, so I'm sure it will be pure chaos. I wouldn't even like to predict a winner. As former champions, the smart money is on Apollo, but who knows?
Meanwhile, Magnetar is out fifth finalist, joining Behemoth, Carbide, Rapid and Nuts 2.
Dim the lights,
scream your applause,
Magnetar is our fifth finalist
on Robot Wars.
LET THE WARS BEGIN
Group battle 1 Expulsion vs Thor vs Coyote
Expulsion was comprised of a group of secondary school girls who were competing, because they wanted to encourage more girls to get into engineering. Their weapon was a vertical spinning disc mounted against the side of their machine, which I think is a poor design.
Their first opponent was the veteran of the previous wars and former grand finalist: Thor, armed with a hammer that slammed down with a tonne of force.
Rounding out the trio was Coyote who were armed with crushing jaws and a chainsaw tail.
3...2...1...ACTIVATE
The battle began with Coyote slamming into Expulsion with Thor leaving them to it. Coyote pushed Expulsion into the CPZ, where they were attacked by house robot: Dead Metal. But Expulsion escaped and hit the Dial of Doom, which allowed Dead Metal to leave his home and start attacking Expulsion again, before roasting them on the flame pit.
Meanwhile, Thor and Coyote were having their own war, slamming into each other. Coyote tried to get their crushing jaws into play, but their bark was worse than their bite. However, Thor was able to slam their hammer down.
Coyote escaped and hit the Dial of doom, once again allowing Dead metal to come out and attack the already beaten Expulsion. Thor and Coyote tried to defend their fallen competitor with little success. Afterwards, Thor damaged Coyote's beak leaving them as the clear winners.
Group battle 2 Magnetar vs Hobgoblin vs Push to Exit
Magnetar is the latest incarnation of S1 grand finalist Pulsar. The Magnetar machine was armed with a lethal spinning drum and are ones to watch. Their first opponent was Hobogoblin who were also armed with a spinning drum - cum - egg-beater.
Finally, we have Push to Exit who were armed with a forward-hinged flipper. This means that rather than trying to flip other machines, they would aim to topple them over. It is a more uncommon flipper design, but has seen great success in veterans Firestorm.
3...2...1 ACTIVATE
Push to Exit's unconventional flipper led to them starting strongly. They were easily able to get under Hobgoblin and flip them over who couldn't self-right. Push to Exit then made the mistake of messing with Magnetar who were just awesome. They slammed and battered Push to Exit. Metal was buckled and Push to Exit were soon immobilised. An impressive start from the previous finalists.
Robot Redemption 1 Hobgoblin vs Coyote
To call this a fight would be exaggerating. It was pushing and shoving and calling names. Coyote bashed into Hobgoblin, but couldn't get their crushing beak into play.
Instead, they displayed some good tactical thinking. They pushed Hobgoblin into Shunt who rained down hell on Hobgoblin, who couldn't survive the assault. On the plus side, they were able to use their egg-beater weapon to destroy Shunt's axe-blade.
Hobgoblin goes home, but Coyote was through to the next round.
Robot Redemption 2 Push to Exit vs Expulsion
This was another Handbags at Dawn match. No great damage or destruction happened. Both robots danced around each other, while Push to Exit had intermittent control problems. They were not running smoothly.
Their flipper wasn't working either, as they had plenty of opportunities to flip Expulsion and didn't. Expulsion also suffered from poor driving, as they drove onto the floor flipper and were flipped over. Meanwhile, Push to Exit had broken down. The match went to the judges who awarded it to Expulsion, deeming Push to Exit to have been immobilised first.
Round 2 Battle 1
Coyote vs Thor
Again this battle began with both machines sizing each other up. Coyote then went on the attack, slamming into Thor but doing no real damage.
Thor shoved back, pushing Coyote into the arena wall and slamming their hammer down, getting in some heavy hits. Coyote escaped and sensing they were in trouble, hit the Dial of Doom, allowing Matilda to come out of the CPZ.
Scared, Thor ran away and straight onto the floor flipper which flipped them far and wide. Dazed after this attack, Thor then drove straight onto Matilda's flywheel, which led to their CO2 bottle exploding in a cloud of smoke.
In the end, the fight went to the judges who awarded it to Thor, as they were more aggressive throughout the fight.
Round 2 Battle 2
Magnetar vs Expulsion
We've seen how powerful Magnetar's spinning drum is, which is why I understand why Expulsion went straight for the Dial of Doom. With the hopes of confusing Magnetar, they released the Fog of War. However, Magnetar used the Fog of War tactically. They revved their drum to top speed and slammed into Expulsion, delivering a 1-hit KO. Afterwards Expulsion went in the pit and Magnetar went through to the heat final.
Playoff Expulsion vs Coyote
Time to see who will claim 3rd place and the 9th spot in the 10-way free for all.
From Coyote's early performance, it was clear it wasn't going to be them. They showed terrible driving by repeatedly driving into the arena wall.
Meanwhile, Expulsion were slamming into Coyote who tried to recover, but couldn't and they soon broke down. Expulsion were through to the 10-way robot rumble.
Heat final Thor vs Magnetar
To prepare for this battle, the Thor team attached steel ropes to their machine with hopes of entangling Magnetar's spinning drum.
This served to bemuse Magnetar, rather than hurt them, as they charged into Thor. While this was a powerful blow, Thor recovered, pushing Magnetar into the arena wall and bringing their hammer down.
Magnetar escaped and while Thor was pursuing them, they stupidly drove onto the floor flipper. Thor recovered, but then drove onto the floor flipper again, and when crashing down, they landed on Magnetar's spinning drum. And once again, Thor's CO2 bottle exploded in a cloud of smoke. Weaponless, they were soon immobilised.
Thor joins Expulsion, Iron-Awe 6, Concussion, Tracktion, Terrorhurtz, Big Nipper, Eruption, Sabretooth and Apollo in the ten robot, last man standing, free for all. The winner will become our last finalist.
I can't wait to see this. The original series never attempted anything this big, so I'm sure it will be pure chaos. I wouldn't even like to predict a winner. As former champions, the smart money is on Apollo, but who knows?
Meanwhile, Magnetar is out fifth finalist, joining Behemoth, Carbide, Rapid and Nuts 2.
Dim the lights,
scream your applause,
Magnetar is our fifth finalist
on Robot Wars.
Sunday, 19 November 2017
Robot Wars Series 3 Episode Four Review
We are just over the halfway point of Robot Wars and our current finalists are Behemoth, Carbide and Rapid. Let's see who will be number four.
LET THE WARS BEGIN
Group battle 1 The Kegs (Clusterbot) vs Tauron vs Iron Awe 6
The Kegs are a cluster-bot with a body shell fashioned out of steel beer kegs. Their team captain is veteran of the original series, John Frizell, who looks like your quintessential mad scientist.
If that name doesn't sound familiar, you've probably forgotten about Terror Turtle. If you have forgotten it, I don't blame you. Made by John Frizell, it was turtle-shaped robot, which always fared terribly. But the Kegs were armed with horizontal spinnng bars, but, as we've seen before, clusterbots have never done well on Robot Wars.
Tauron looked more impressive. With a sleek black finish, they had a vertical spinning hammer, rotating at 3000RPM. Their final opponent was another veteran of the original series: Iron Awe 6. While Iron-Awe always fared poorly in the original series, they did win subsequent untelevised competitions. They were armed with a flipper and an entanglement weapon.
3...2...1...ACTIVATE
One thing I've noticed this series is that the new entanglement weapons are useless. They do nothing to tangle up a robot's spinning weapon. Iron Awe was no exception with the Kegs ripping their entanglement weapon to shreds. To make matters worse, their flipper wasn't working either.
However, one weapon that was working was Tauron's lethal spinning hammer. it was so powerful that just one hit ripped off the Keg's spinning bar, sending it flying across the arena.
Sensing they werein trouble, The Keys hit the Dial of Doom, letting the House Robots out on the loose. Tuaron took advantage of this by veritably disembowlleing the Kegs. Unsurprisingly, the kegs were immobilised shortly after. meanwhile, Tauron and Iron Awe smashed together, which seemed to immobilise both machines. The decision went to the judges who awarded the fight to iron Awe, believing that Tauron was immobilised first. This wasn't the last controversial decision of the heat.
Group Battle 2 Concussion vs Androme 4000 vs Nuts 2
Concussions were finalists last year and so we already knew that they were ones to watch out for. This meant that Androme 4000, armed with a crushing arm, and the full-body spinner, Nuts 2 were complete underdogs.
Nuts has always been regarded as the joke machine of Robot Wars, not unlike Diotoir. But will the Nuts machine with their flailing, weighted arms have the last laugh?
3...2...1...ACTIVATE
Short answer? yes? Nuts' flailing arms smashed into Concussion's exposed wheels, buckling the hub.
The former finalists were in trouble here, as they were then flipped over by the floor flipper. Androma 4000, which hitherto had done nothing, came in for the killing, pinning Concussion down, but then Androma broke down.
Concussion couldn't escape from them and were declared immobilised too. Nuts were the unlikely winners.
Robot Redemption 1 Concussion vs the Kegs
Time for our first loser's melee. If anybody had counted the former finalists down and out, then that was a sincere mistake.
They were on top form here. Their first collision with one of the Kegs led to the latter's bodyshell being torn straight off.
This left the vulnerable insides exposed and Concussion were merciless. They tore one of the Kegs apart. Wires were torn out and circuit boards were reduced to smithereens. Once Concussion had finished here, they brutalised the other Keg machine. The former finalists shoved that they were still a force to be reckoned with.
Robot Redemption 2 Tauron vs Androme 4000
Androme began this fight strongly. They chased Tauron around the arena and pushed them into Sir Killalot. While Tauron hit Sir Killalot, they were unable to get any hits in on Androme.
That was until Androme let their guard down and got too close to Tauron. They paid their price for their recklessness by having their front armour torn away. Androme tried recovering by pushing Tauron into Dead Metal, but they escaped and had their revenge. Tauron's spinning hammer powered up to top speed and smahed through Androme's armour, as well as disabling their wheel.
However, at the end of the fight, both robots were still mobile and so it went to the judges who awarded it to Androme. Considering how badly damaged they were, I didn't understand this decision and I don't agree with it. But as Craig Charles used to say, controversy is never far away on Robot Wars.
Round 2 Battle 1 Concussion vs Iron Awe 6
Concussion continued to be on top form, as they smashed into Iron Awe, stopping them from getting any flips in. And then Concussion buckled Iron Awe's flipper and managed to flip them over, with another wicked hit by their awesome spinning drum. As Iron Awe's flipper still wasn't working, they couldn't self-right and Concussion were through to the heat final.
Round 2 Battle 2 Nuts vs Androme 4000
This was another fight that was over very quickly. Androme went straight on a foolhardy attack and resulting had Nuts tear away their hydraulic tubing, which powered their weaponry. Hydraulic fluid squirted all over the arena.
Stunned by this attack, they drove onto the floor-flipper and were flipped over. With their hydraulic fluid leaking everywhere, they were unable to self-right and were out. Nuts 2, the supposed joke machine were in the heat final.
Play off Androme 4000 vs Iron Awe 6
Time to see who will join Apollo, Sabretooth, Eruption, Big Nipper, Terrorhurtz and Tracktion in the ten robot rumble. This was perhaps the cagiest, and one of the most boring, fights in Robot Wars. To quote Craig Charles, it wasn't relly a fight, but pushing and shoving and calling names.
Neither Iron Awe or Androme's weapons were working properly, and thus this became a war of attrition. Instead, the robots chased and pushed each other around the arena.
Iron-Awe showed better control, pushing Androme into Matilda's flywheel and eventually the pit. Iron-Awe were through to the robot rubmle, all without a working flipper.
Heat final Concussion vs Nuts 2
Time for the lethal Concussion to face off against the supposed joke machine: Nuts 2. To protect their vulnerable wheels, Concussion installed plastic wheel guards.
The battle began explosively with both robots smashing into each other. And then Concussion stupidly drove onto the floor flipper.
Taking advantage of this, Nuts whacked into them, and while Concussion were recovering, they drove onto the floor flipper again, but this time they were flipped over. This was a poor demonstration of control.
Usually, Concussion can run either way up and this wouldn't be a problem. However, because of the newly added wheelguards, they couldn't properly drive across the floor. Nuts continued smashing into them, while Concussion desparetly tried using Shunt and the arena spikes to flip them back to their whees, but to no avail.
As Concussion were no longer fully mobile, they were counted out and Nuts 2 will be joining Behemoth, Carbide and Rapid in the final. Nuts 2 are certainly no laughing matter. Not anymore.
Dim the lights
cue your applause
Nuts 2 is our fourth finalist
on Robot Wars
LET THE WARS BEGIN
Group battle 1 The Kegs (Clusterbot) vs Tauron vs Iron Awe 6
The Kegs are a cluster-bot with a body shell fashioned out of steel beer kegs. Their team captain is veteran of the original series, John Frizell, who looks like your quintessential mad scientist.
If that name doesn't sound familiar, you've probably forgotten about Terror Turtle. If you have forgotten it, I don't blame you. Made by John Frizell, it was turtle-shaped robot, which always fared terribly. But the Kegs were armed with horizontal spinnng bars, but, as we've seen before, clusterbots have never done well on Robot Wars.
Tauron looked more impressive. With a sleek black finish, they had a vertical spinning hammer, rotating at 3000RPM. Their final opponent was another veteran of the original series: Iron Awe 6. While Iron-Awe always fared poorly in the original series, they did win subsequent untelevised competitions. They were armed with a flipper and an entanglement weapon.
3...2...1...ACTIVATE
One thing I've noticed this series is that the new entanglement weapons are useless. They do nothing to tangle up a robot's spinning weapon. Iron Awe was no exception with the Kegs ripping their entanglement weapon to shreds. To make matters worse, their flipper wasn't working either.
However, one weapon that was working was Tauron's lethal spinning hammer. it was so powerful that just one hit ripped off the Keg's spinning bar, sending it flying across the arena.
Sensing they werein trouble, The Keys hit the Dial of Doom, letting the House Robots out on the loose. Tuaron took advantage of this by veritably disembowlleing the Kegs. Unsurprisingly, the kegs were immobilised shortly after. meanwhile, Tauron and Iron Awe smashed together, which seemed to immobilise both machines. The decision went to the judges who awarded the fight to iron Awe, believing that Tauron was immobilised first. This wasn't the last controversial decision of the heat.
Group Battle 2 Concussion vs Androme 4000 vs Nuts 2
Concussions were finalists last year and so we already knew that they were ones to watch out for. This meant that Androme 4000, armed with a crushing arm, and the full-body spinner, Nuts 2 were complete underdogs.
Nuts has always been regarded as the joke machine of Robot Wars, not unlike Diotoir. But will the Nuts machine with their flailing, weighted arms have the last laugh?
3...2...1...ACTIVATE
Short answer? yes? Nuts' flailing arms smashed into Concussion's exposed wheels, buckling the hub.
The former finalists were in trouble here, as they were then flipped over by the floor flipper. Androma 4000, which hitherto had done nothing, came in for the killing, pinning Concussion down, but then Androma broke down.
Concussion couldn't escape from them and were declared immobilised too. Nuts were the unlikely winners.
Robot Redemption 1 Concussion vs the Kegs
Time for our first loser's melee. If anybody had counted the former finalists down and out, then that was a sincere mistake.
They were on top form here. Their first collision with one of the Kegs led to the latter's bodyshell being torn straight off.
This left the vulnerable insides exposed and Concussion were merciless. They tore one of the Kegs apart. Wires were torn out and circuit boards were reduced to smithereens. Once Concussion had finished here, they brutalised the other Keg machine. The former finalists shoved that they were still a force to be reckoned with.
Robot Redemption 2 Tauron vs Androme 4000
Androme began this fight strongly. They chased Tauron around the arena and pushed them into Sir Killalot. While Tauron hit Sir Killalot, they were unable to get any hits in on Androme.
That was until Androme let their guard down and got too close to Tauron. They paid their price for their recklessness by having their front armour torn away. Androme tried recovering by pushing Tauron into Dead Metal, but they escaped and had their revenge. Tauron's spinning hammer powered up to top speed and smahed through Androme's armour, as well as disabling their wheel.
However, at the end of the fight, both robots were still mobile and so it went to the judges who awarded it to Androme. Considering how badly damaged they were, I didn't understand this decision and I don't agree with it. But as Craig Charles used to say, controversy is never far away on Robot Wars.
Round 2 Battle 1 Concussion vs Iron Awe 6
Concussion continued to be on top form, as they smashed into Iron Awe, stopping them from getting any flips in. And then Concussion buckled Iron Awe's flipper and managed to flip them over, with another wicked hit by their awesome spinning drum. As Iron Awe's flipper still wasn't working, they couldn't self-right and Concussion were through to the heat final.
Round 2 Battle 2 Nuts vs Androme 4000
This was another fight that was over very quickly. Androme went straight on a foolhardy attack and resulting had Nuts tear away their hydraulic tubing, which powered their weaponry. Hydraulic fluid squirted all over the arena.
Stunned by this attack, they drove onto the floor-flipper and were flipped over. With their hydraulic fluid leaking everywhere, they were unable to self-right and were out. Nuts 2, the supposed joke machine were in the heat final.
Play off Androme 4000 vs Iron Awe 6
Time to see who will join Apollo, Sabretooth, Eruption, Big Nipper, Terrorhurtz and Tracktion in the ten robot rumble. This was perhaps the cagiest, and one of the most boring, fights in Robot Wars. To quote Craig Charles, it wasn't relly a fight, but pushing and shoving and calling names.
Neither Iron Awe or Androme's weapons were working properly, and thus this became a war of attrition. Instead, the robots chased and pushed each other around the arena.
Iron-Awe showed better control, pushing Androme into Matilda's flywheel and eventually the pit. Iron-Awe were through to the robot rubmle, all without a working flipper.
Heat final Concussion vs Nuts 2
Time for the lethal Concussion to face off against the supposed joke machine: Nuts 2. To protect their vulnerable wheels, Concussion installed plastic wheel guards.
The battle began explosively with both robots smashing into each other. And then Concussion stupidly drove onto the floor flipper.
Taking advantage of this, Nuts whacked into them, and while Concussion were recovering, they drove onto the floor flipper again, but this time they were flipped over. This was a poor demonstration of control.
Usually, Concussion can run either way up and this wouldn't be a problem. However, because of the newly added wheelguards, they couldn't properly drive across the floor. Nuts continued smashing into them, while Concussion desparetly tried using Shunt and the arena spikes to flip them back to their whees, but to no avail.
As Concussion were no longer fully mobile, they were counted out and Nuts 2 will be joining Behemoth, Carbide and Rapid in the final. Nuts 2 are certainly no laughing matter. Not anymore.
Dim the lights
cue your applause
Nuts 2 is our fourth finalist
on Robot Wars
Inglorious Basterds review
Number 120 on the top 1000 films of all time is Quentin Tarantino's war-comedy-drama Inglorious Basterds.
Set during WW2, Inglorious Basterds tells the storyfictional story of two different attempts to assassinate leading members of the Nazi party: Hitler, Goebbels, Goering and Boorman. The first one revolves around Shoshannah Dreyfuss. (Melanie Laurent) Dreyfuss' family were massacred by Hans Lauda (Christoph Waltz) a ruthless Nazi, known as the Jew Hunter.
The second revolves around the eponymous Inglorious Basterds, a crack-commando team of soldiers led by Aldo Raine (Brad Pitt.) They are charged with an operation to blow up Hitler and the other leading Nazis.
Despite having two separate plots and multiple subplots, everything within Inglorious Basterds worked perfectly. it would be easy to become confused by the large ensemble cast, which includes Michael Fassbender, Daniel Bruhl amongst others, but it was always clear what was going on. And considering Tarantino's films can be complicated and told in an unchronological fashion (Reservoir Dogs and Pulp Fiction) this is saying something.
And of course, another problem with having such a large cast is that it can be easy for one actor to overshadow another. But I don't think thishappened here. Every character had their chanced to have their story told. One particular example is Daniel Bruhl who played Private Frederick Zoller, a soldier who single-handedly fought off 300 Italian soldiers, killing over half of them. Armed with a machine gun, he was able to mow them down from his position in a clocktower. Goebbels decides to create a propaganda film about Zoller's exploits, yet upon watching it, Zoller finds himself sickened by the level of violence. He leaves the screening halfway through, as he is so disturbed by what he sees. This was a nice way of humanising his character. And, while it didn't romanticise the Nazis, it did show that some were human who were capable of feeling guilt and remorse.
A very big exception to this point is the character of Hans Lauda, played superbly by Christolph Waltz. His first scene sees him interrogating French dairy farmer, Perrier La Padite, whom he suspects of harbouring the Dreyfuss family. The tension in this scene was palpable especially when Lauda's suspicions are confimred. But what makes Lauda a despicable feeling is how he is only loyal to himself. Despite wearing a Nazi uniform, he does not share the Nazi ideology. He proves himself a turncoat, where at the film's conclusion, he helps to allow Raine's assassination plot to continue, in exchange for amnesty. Waltz won the best supporting actor oscar for his role and rightly so.
And now we've come to Brad Pitt who was great as Aldo Raine. Raine and the rest of his commandos were essentially mercenaries; not giving a damn about the rules of war, as long as the job is done. In fact, Raine says that the Nazi's aren't human and, as such, don't deserve the same level of respect. Raine and the rest of his men were anti-heroes - brutal and violent, but with their own strong moral code.
Finally, we've reached my favourite storyline of the film: the Shoshanna Dreyfuss subplot. I was rooting for her, because her motivations were crystal clear. Her only desire was to avenge her murdered family. To implement this, she plotted to burn down the cinema where Zoller's film was showing. Although she knew this would lead to lots of collateral damage, the fact that we saw her tragic backstory accounted for this. We understood why she was just so cold and this made her the most human character.
All in all, we had all the hallmarks of a great Tarantino film. There was a gratuitious amount of violence, plenty of dark humour and even Samuel L. Jackson cameoed in an uncredited role.
Set during WW2, Inglorious Basterds tells the storyfictional story of two different attempts to assassinate leading members of the Nazi party: Hitler, Goebbels, Goering and Boorman. The first one revolves around Shoshannah Dreyfuss. (Melanie Laurent) Dreyfuss' family were massacred by Hans Lauda (Christoph Waltz) a ruthless Nazi, known as the Jew Hunter.
The second revolves around the eponymous Inglorious Basterds, a crack-commando team of soldiers led by Aldo Raine (Brad Pitt.) They are charged with an operation to blow up Hitler and the other leading Nazis.
Despite having two separate plots and multiple subplots, everything within Inglorious Basterds worked perfectly. it would be easy to become confused by the large ensemble cast, which includes Michael Fassbender, Daniel Bruhl amongst others, but it was always clear what was going on. And considering Tarantino's films can be complicated and told in an unchronological fashion (Reservoir Dogs and Pulp Fiction) this is saying something.
And of course, another problem with having such a large cast is that it can be easy for one actor to overshadow another. But I don't think thishappened here. Every character had their chanced to have their story told. One particular example is Daniel Bruhl who played Private Frederick Zoller, a soldier who single-handedly fought off 300 Italian soldiers, killing over half of them. Armed with a machine gun, he was able to mow them down from his position in a clocktower. Goebbels decides to create a propaganda film about Zoller's exploits, yet upon watching it, Zoller finds himself sickened by the level of violence. He leaves the screening halfway through, as he is so disturbed by what he sees. This was a nice way of humanising his character. And, while it didn't romanticise the Nazis, it did show that some were human who were capable of feeling guilt and remorse.
A very big exception to this point is the character of Hans Lauda, played superbly by Christolph Waltz. His first scene sees him interrogating French dairy farmer, Perrier La Padite, whom he suspects of harbouring the Dreyfuss family. The tension in this scene was palpable especially when Lauda's suspicions are confimred. But what makes Lauda a despicable feeling is how he is only loyal to himself. Despite wearing a Nazi uniform, he does not share the Nazi ideology. He proves himself a turncoat, where at the film's conclusion, he helps to allow Raine's assassination plot to continue, in exchange for amnesty. Waltz won the best supporting actor oscar for his role and rightly so.
And now we've come to Brad Pitt who was great as Aldo Raine. Raine and the rest of his commandos were essentially mercenaries; not giving a damn about the rules of war, as long as the job is done. In fact, Raine says that the Nazi's aren't human and, as such, don't deserve the same level of respect. Raine and the rest of his men were anti-heroes - brutal and violent, but with their own strong moral code.
Finally, we've reached my favourite storyline of the film: the Shoshanna Dreyfuss subplot. I was rooting for her, because her motivations were crystal clear. Her only desire was to avenge her murdered family. To implement this, she plotted to burn down the cinema where Zoller's film was showing. Although she knew this would lead to lots of collateral damage, the fact that we saw her tragic backstory accounted for this. We understood why she was just so cold and this made her the most human character.
All in all, we had all the hallmarks of a great Tarantino film. There was a gratuitious amount of violence, plenty of dark humour and even Samuel L. Jackson cameoed in an uncredited role.
Saturday, 11 November 2017
Robot Wars Series 3 Episode 3 Review
The third episode of the metal-mashing, chrome-clashing, steel-smashing show has just hit our screens. But no further preamble:
LET THE WARS BEGINS
Group battle 1 Bucky the Robot vs Tracktion vs Rapid
Bucky the Robot was a curious machine. Described as a biter, it had a doubled-sided axe blade that could swing from side to side. They had an even more curious mascot. Tracktion was the youngest team in the competition, controlled by a group of school children aged 12 and 13. Their robot ran on caterpillar tracks and was armed with a crusher.
Finally, we had Rapid, which cost £25,000 to build. It was armed with a flipper and their team captain who ran a development company and was prepared to hire anyone who could beat them.
3...2...1...ACTIVATE
This battle began slowly with the various robots dancing around each other. And then the Fog of War was activated and things changed very quickly. Tracktion became confused and was toppled by the arena spikes. Rapid took this opportunity to fling them from the arena.
The Traction team took their defeat with grace, which was nice to see. Sometimes children cry when their machines are beaten, but not this time.
Meanwhile, I think Rapid lost a lot of power after flipping out Tracktion. They hoisted plenty of opportunities to flip Bucky, when they did get flips in, they were powerful. There were times when Bucky was wedged against the arena wall or were flipped into Matilda. Whatever way you look at it, Bucky was definitely on the defensive and they lost on a judge's decision. Rapid were the winners.
Group Battle 2 Apex vs Vulture vs Terrorhurtz
Apex had the biggest bar spinner in the competition at 39KG. They were facing Vulture who had a vertical spinning disc and were competing to prove you didn't need to be an engineer to win Robot Wars. I guess they're forgetting that Apollo was holiday camp performers, but never mind. Their final opponent is veteran of the original series: Terrorhurtz.
Terrorhurtz came 4th in the 6th wars and has won subsequent, untelevised competitions. They are armed with a double-headed axe.
3...2...1...ACTIVATE
The Apex team used to be the Foxic team aka one of the worse robots to ever perform. It should then come as no surprise to learn that just after one hit, their mighty weapon broke down. Knowing they were in trouble, they activated the Fog of War to no great effect. Meanwhile, Terrorhurtz were having their own private war with Vulture.
A war that Terrorhurtz dominated. They chopped and sliced into Vulture. And once they had a grip, they didn't let go, Terrorhurtz tactically held Vulture over the arena flame pit, leading to their weapon and drive system. This was great control by John Reid in the Terrorhurtz team.
After this, Terrorhurtz turned their attention to the toothless Apex. It wasn't long before Apex were immobilised too. Terrorhurtz were through to round two.
Robot Redemption 1 Apex vs Tracktion
Time for the first loser's melee to see which robot will join Terrorhurtz and Rapid in the next round. Courtesy of the Vulture team, Tracktion began this fight with a pushing wedge, designed to deflect Apex's spinning bar, which as we quickly learnt was too powerful for its own good.
Apex got in some good hits on Tracktion, beefore their spinning bar hit the ground and came flying off. A 40kg piece of metal was sent flying across the arena, shattering a pane of bulletproof carbonate, designed to protect the audience.
The fight was stopped for safety reasons, but Tracktion were the clear winners.
Robot Redemption 2 Vulture vs Bucky the Robot
This was a close-fought battle. Vulture didn't have the best control, repeatedly driving onto the floor flipper.
They then drove into Bucky's grasp who pushed them into Dead Metal and then Vulture's weapon broke down. Knowing they were on the ropes, Vulture depressed the pit button, but then bad driving saw Bucky being toppled by the arena spikes. They couldn't self-right and their Robot Wars journey ended there. But Vulture were through to the next round.
Round 2 Battle 1 Tracktion vs Rapid
If ever there was a battle, which epitomised "Blink you'll miss it," it was this fight.
Rapid knew that their CO2, compressed gas used to fire their flipper, was leaking, so they needed to get this fight over quickly.
And that's what they did. One drive, one flip and Tracktion were thrown from the arena. This all happened in six seconds, making it the shortest fight ever.
Round 2 Battle 2 Terrorhurtz vs Vulture
While Vulture's spinning disc spun at 6000RPM, Terrorhurtz was armoured with high-angled steel and polycarbonate designed to absorb kinetic energy. This meant that Vulture didn't stand a chance. Terrorhurtz just battered them. They took out their armour, their armour and the wheels, and eventually the robot itself.
Vulture was so badly damaged, they couldn't compete in the playoff, against Tracktion. This meant that Tracktion won by default and were automatically through to the ten robot free for all to decide the sixth finalist. They join Apollo, Sabretooth, Big Nipper and Eruption.
Final battle Rapid vs Terrorhurtz
Time for the main event. This was a great, close-fought match. Rapid started the stronger, using the arena tactically. They repeatedly pushed Terrorhurtz onto the floor flipper and into the house robots.
This was clever thinking by the Rapid team, especially, as I didn't think their flipper was up to top form. But the Rapid team quickly proved me wrong by almost flipping Terrorhurtz out.
Terrorhurtz recovered to damage Rapid's armour, but then they were flipped again, and then pushed onto the floor flipper, before finally being flipped out of the arena. But we'll see Terrorhurtz again in the Robot Rumble.
Meanwhile, Rapid joins Behemoth and Carbide in the final.
Dim the lights,
cue your applause,
Rapid is our third finalist
on Robot Wars
LET THE WARS BEGINS
Group battle 1 Bucky the Robot vs Tracktion vs Rapid
Bucky the Robot was a curious machine. Described as a biter, it had a doubled-sided axe blade that could swing from side to side. They had an even more curious mascot. Tracktion was the youngest team in the competition, controlled by a group of school children aged 12 and 13. Their robot ran on caterpillar tracks and was armed with a crusher.
Finally, we had Rapid, which cost £25,000 to build. It was armed with a flipper and their team captain who ran a development company and was prepared to hire anyone who could beat them.
3...2...1...ACTIVATE
This battle began slowly with the various robots dancing around each other. And then the Fog of War was activated and things changed very quickly. Tracktion became confused and was toppled by the arena spikes. Rapid took this opportunity to fling them from the arena.
The Traction team took their defeat with grace, which was nice to see. Sometimes children cry when their machines are beaten, but not this time.
Meanwhile, I think Rapid lost a lot of power after flipping out Tracktion. They hoisted plenty of opportunities to flip Bucky, when they did get flips in, they were powerful. There were times when Bucky was wedged against the arena wall or were flipped into Matilda. Whatever way you look at it, Bucky was definitely on the defensive and they lost on a judge's decision. Rapid were the winners.
Group Battle 2 Apex vs Vulture vs Terrorhurtz
Apex had the biggest bar spinner in the competition at 39KG. They were facing Vulture who had a vertical spinning disc and were competing to prove you didn't need to be an engineer to win Robot Wars. I guess they're forgetting that Apollo was holiday camp performers, but never mind. Their final opponent is veteran of the original series: Terrorhurtz.
Terrorhurtz came 4th in the 6th wars and has won subsequent, untelevised competitions. They are armed with a double-headed axe.
3...2...1...ACTIVATE
The Apex team used to be the Foxic team aka one of the worse robots to ever perform. It should then come as no surprise to learn that just after one hit, their mighty weapon broke down. Knowing they were in trouble, they activated the Fog of War to no great effect. Meanwhile, Terrorhurtz were having their own private war with Vulture.
A war that Terrorhurtz dominated. They chopped and sliced into Vulture. And once they had a grip, they didn't let go, Terrorhurtz tactically held Vulture over the arena flame pit, leading to their weapon and drive system. This was great control by John Reid in the Terrorhurtz team.
After this, Terrorhurtz turned their attention to the toothless Apex. It wasn't long before Apex were immobilised too. Terrorhurtz were through to round two.
Robot Redemption 1 Apex vs Tracktion
Time for the first loser's melee to see which robot will join Terrorhurtz and Rapid in the next round. Courtesy of the Vulture team, Tracktion began this fight with a pushing wedge, designed to deflect Apex's spinning bar, which as we quickly learnt was too powerful for its own good.
Apex got in some good hits on Tracktion, beefore their spinning bar hit the ground and came flying off. A 40kg piece of metal was sent flying across the arena, shattering a pane of bulletproof carbonate, designed to protect the audience.
The fight was stopped for safety reasons, but Tracktion were the clear winners.
Robot Redemption 2 Vulture vs Bucky the Robot
This was a close-fought battle. Vulture didn't have the best control, repeatedly driving onto the floor flipper.
They then drove into Bucky's grasp who pushed them into Dead Metal and then Vulture's weapon broke down. Knowing they were on the ropes, Vulture depressed the pit button, but then bad driving saw Bucky being toppled by the arena spikes. They couldn't self-right and their Robot Wars journey ended there. But Vulture were through to the next round.
Round 2 Battle 1 Tracktion vs Rapid
If ever there was a battle, which epitomised "Blink you'll miss it," it was this fight.
Rapid knew that their CO2, compressed gas used to fire their flipper, was leaking, so they needed to get this fight over quickly.
And that's what they did. One drive, one flip and Tracktion were thrown from the arena. This all happened in six seconds, making it the shortest fight ever.
Round 2 Battle 2 Terrorhurtz vs Vulture
While Vulture's spinning disc spun at 6000RPM, Terrorhurtz was armoured with high-angled steel and polycarbonate designed to absorb kinetic energy. This meant that Vulture didn't stand a chance. Terrorhurtz just battered them. They took out their armour, their armour and the wheels, and eventually the robot itself.
Vulture was so badly damaged, they couldn't compete in the playoff, against Tracktion. This meant that Tracktion won by default and were automatically through to the ten robot free for all to decide the sixth finalist. They join Apollo, Sabretooth, Big Nipper and Eruption.
Final battle Rapid vs Terrorhurtz
Time for the main event. This was a great, close-fought match. Rapid started the stronger, using the arena tactically. They repeatedly pushed Terrorhurtz onto the floor flipper and into the house robots.
This was clever thinking by the Rapid team, especially, as I didn't think their flipper was up to top form. But the Rapid team quickly proved me wrong by almost flipping Terrorhurtz out.
Terrorhurtz recovered to damage Rapid's armour, but then they were flipped again, and then pushed onto the floor flipper, before finally being flipped out of the arena. But we'll see Terrorhurtz again in the Robot Rumble.
Meanwhile, Rapid joins Behemoth and Carbide in the final.
Dim the lights,
cue your applause,
Rapid is our third finalist
on Robot Wars
Rush Review
Number 119 on the top 1000 films of all time is the high-octane biopic Rush.
Rush tells the story of two Formula 1 drivers in the 1970s: the British James Hunt (Chris Hemsworth= and the Austrian Niki Lauda (Daniel Bruhl) Their intense rivalry with one another and their rises and subsequent falls from fame are explored.
For me, the biggest problem with this film is that I am just not interested in Formula One or motor car racing. This was a similar issue I had with boxing films Rocky and Raging Bull, and it isn´t a criticism of the films as such, but rather my perception of them. As can be expected from a film about Formula One, there was a lot of racing in Rush, which I just didn´t find interesting.
Another problem was with the characters of Niki Lauda and James Hunt. I know that the producers took a lot of dramatic licence, especially with the supposed rivalry between Lauda and Hunt, which was nothing more than a friendly rivalry in real life, but neither character was very likeable. Both of them were arrogant in their own ways. Hunt was a hedonistic, free-spirited playboy womaniser, evidenced by his whirlwind romances with Nurse Gemma (Natalie Dormer) and his wife, Suzy Miller (Olivia Wilde)
As an aside, I think that neither of these relationships were portrayed very well. Both of them were rushed and both characters disappeared as suddenly as they appeared.
But back to the main event, Niki Lauda was very much the opposite of James Hunt. He was calculating, demanding, cold and didn't care at all what anybody thought of him. yet he was still quite unlikeable. Between him and James Hunt, it was difficult to find a character to root for.
Having said all this, Rush was definitely better than other car-racing films like the Fast and the Furious franchise. And I think this was because it was about more than just cars. While I might not have liked either, director, Ron Howard, did well to make both Lauda and Hunt sympathetic.
After Lauder is in a horrific car crash, which results in him receiving third degree burns to over 80% of his body, he decides to return to Formula One. In a following press conference, a probe asks whether Lauder's burns has negatively affected his marriage. Lauder quite rightly tells the reporter to fuck off, before storming out. Later, Hunt privately confronts the reporter and beats him up.
While the latter incident was fabricated, this was a great way to demonstrate how both characters are flawed humans.
Although the content of the film wasnºt for me, Rush was still an enjoyable watch. It had great camerawork and empathetic characters, even if it did play with the truth a little.
Rush tells the story of two Formula 1 drivers in the 1970s: the British James Hunt (Chris Hemsworth= and the Austrian Niki Lauda (Daniel Bruhl) Their intense rivalry with one another and their rises and subsequent falls from fame are explored.
For me, the biggest problem with this film is that I am just not interested in Formula One or motor car racing. This was a similar issue I had with boxing films Rocky and Raging Bull, and it isn´t a criticism of the films as such, but rather my perception of them. As can be expected from a film about Formula One, there was a lot of racing in Rush, which I just didn´t find interesting.
Another problem was with the characters of Niki Lauda and James Hunt. I know that the producers took a lot of dramatic licence, especially with the supposed rivalry between Lauda and Hunt, which was nothing more than a friendly rivalry in real life, but neither character was very likeable. Both of them were arrogant in their own ways. Hunt was a hedonistic, free-spirited playboy womaniser, evidenced by his whirlwind romances with Nurse Gemma (Natalie Dormer) and his wife, Suzy Miller (Olivia Wilde)
As an aside, I think that neither of these relationships were portrayed very well. Both of them were rushed and both characters disappeared as suddenly as they appeared.
But back to the main event, Niki Lauda was very much the opposite of James Hunt. He was calculating, demanding, cold and didn't care at all what anybody thought of him. yet he was still quite unlikeable. Between him and James Hunt, it was difficult to find a character to root for.
Having said all this, Rush was definitely better than other car-racing films like the Fast and the Furious franchise. And I think this was because it was about more than just cars. While I might not have liked either, director, Ron Howard, did well to make both Lauda and Hunt sympathetic.
After Lauder is in a horrific car crash, which results in him receiving third degree burns to over 80% of his body, he decides to return to Formula One. In a following press conference, a probe asks whether Lauder's burns has negatively affected his marriage. Lauder quite rightly tells the reporter to fuck off, before storming out. Later, Hunt privately confronts the reporter and beats him up.
While the latter incident was fabricated, this was a great way to demonstrate how both characters are flawed humans.
Although the content of the film wasnºt for me, Rush was still an enjoyable watch. It had great camerawork and empathetic characters, even if it did play with the truth a little.
Tuesday, 31 October 2017
Robot Wars Series 3 Episode 2 Review
Episode two of the metal-mashing, chrome-clashing, steel-smashing show has just aired, so let's review it.
LET THE WARS BEGIN
Gabriel 2 (Macebot) Vs Carbide (Spinning hammer) vs Big Nipper (crusher)
You may remember Gabriel from the first series. They are what is known as a thwackabot. At the end of a long stick is a mace, which they can use to smash into other robots. They also have an entanglement weapon, consisting of nylon ropes, which are designed to mess with spinners. Hitherto, entanglement weapons have always been banned, but this series is a series of firsts.
But the most curious aspect of Gabriel 2 is its massive wheels. The entire robot is made from high-density polyethylene plastic, which is designed to absorb the kinetic energy generated from spinner bots.
And Gabriel 2 needed everything to beat Carbide who is the reigning champion of the series. Carbide is quite possibly one of the most powerful spinner bots, which the wars have ever seen. Armed with a horizontal spinning hammer, they have turned countless robots into scrap metal.
Rounding out the trio is Big Nipper who has competed before, but to no great success. They were armed with a vertical spinning disc.
3...2...1...ACTIVATE
Gabriel 2 was a ponderous machine. The massive wheels made it quite clumsy and its mace was largely ineffective, as was its entanglement weapon. Gabriel were then slammed into the Arena release button, which sent the house robots on the loose. Shunt slammed into them.
Meanwhile, Carbide shredded away into Gabriel's wheels. They buckled them and tore off the tired treads, but the damage was mainly cosmetic. The polyethylene plastic did a good a job, absorbing a lot of the damage. Considering Carbide is the current champion, you think they would have breezed through this, but they did struggle.
Although they did plenty of damage to Gabriel, they couldn't deliver the killing blow. And then Carbide lost part of their wheel. The fight went to the judges in the end who awarded it to Carbide. All credit to Gabriel here. They survived 3 minutes with one of the most powerful robots in the wars.
Oh, you're probably wondering where Big Nipper was in all this. They were nowhere. Complete non-entities. They were immobilised quickly.
Eruption Vs Aftershock Vs Crackers N Smash
Eruption were runners-up last year. They are armed with one of the most powerful flippers since Chaos 2. Their first opponent was Aftershock who were also finalists last year who were armed with a 2400rpm spinning disc. This means that this heat had 3 finalists within it, which I found a bit odd. I'd've expected them to had a finalist in every heat.
But anyway, the final competitor was Crackers N Smash, a clusterbot: with one robot being armed with a lifter and the other a spinning drum.
3...2...1...ACTIVATE
As Craig Charles used to say "controversy reigns on Robot Wars."
Aftershock quickly proved why they were finalists last year. Their vicious flywheel slammed into Crackers and buckled away their lifter, pushing them onto the floor flipper. As the flipper came back down, it hit Aftershock's flywheel, ripping away some of the metal.
Usually, when the arena is damaged like this, the battle is paused while the damage is repaired. Thinking that this was going to happen, Aftershock powered down, allowing Eruption to sneak up behind them and spectacularly flip them out of the arena. They then flipped both clusterbots out too.
Eruption were the clear winners, but the Aftershock team were a little resentful that the battle wasn't paused.
Robot Redemption 1 Gabriel 2 Vs Aftershock
Time for the first loser's melee.
To prepare for this fight, Gabriel 2 attached more nylon rope to their mace, in the hope of entangling Aftershock's flywheel.
While this was a good tactic, it didn't work. Aftershock slammed into Gabriel, sending it flying through the air. Unlike their fight against Carbide, Gabriel could only take so much damage. They were soon immobilised and then Sir Killalot chopped off their mace.
Aftershock had won the first Robot Redemption.
Robot Redemption 2: Big Nipper Vs Crackers N Smash
Time for perhaps Big Nipper's best fight.
Just like how Gabriel attached an entanglement weapon, Crackers did the same. This was about as useful as bringing a wooden robot into the arena. Big Nipper slammed into Crackers and broke off the entanglement weapons. They then drove Crackers into the CPZ and under Sir Killalot.
Sir Killalot is near enough 600kg, while Crackers is under 100kg, so as you can imagine, Crackers didn't fare too well from this.
But they fared better than their brother: Smash. Big Nipper hit Smash with their flywheel with so much force, they sent Smash flying into the arena light rigging, before crashing down outside the arena.
Big Nipper were the worthy winners.
Round 2 Carbide Vs Aftershock
This was a great fight. We've already seen the potency of both spinners. Aftershock began on top. They bashed into Carbide and the sparks flew. Sensing some kind of weakness, Aftershock carried on attacking, sending Carbide flying through their. Their vertical flywheel came into contact with Carbide's spinning hammer, which is where things went around for Aftershock.
This last attack disabled Aftershock's spinner. The tables being turned, Carbide went on the attack and quickly immobilised Aftershock.
Round 2 Eruption Vs Big Nipper
Eruption started the stronger and were generally the more impressive robot throughout. They flipped Big Nipper over who were slow to self-right. Eruption took advantage of this by continually flipping them.
This isn't to say that their control was always the best, but they were far more aggressive than Big Nipper. Eruption actually flipped Big Nipper into the tyre button releasing the thoroughly ineffective Fog of War. I still think this is a stupid modification. It is useless.
Anyway, Eruption continued flipping Big Nipper around the arena and in the dying seconds of the fight, they got the final flip in. Eruption won by a judge's decision and were through to the heat final.
Playoff: Big Nipper Vs Aftershock
In the grand final, there will be an all vs all battle between the ten 2nd and 3rd robots of the series: with the winner going through to the grand final.
Apollo and Sabretooth have already qualified, but let's see who will join them.
This was a fight between two powerful spinning vertical discs. They smashed into each other richocheting away. Big Nipper got the second attack in, slamming into Aftershock's vulnerable underbelly.
Aftershock quickly recovered, but Big Nipper got in two more controlled hits, upending Aftershock. Big Nipper were the winners.
Grand final: Eruption Vs Carbide
Time for a grudge match. Carbide beat Eruption last year to become grand champions. Can Eruption get their revenge this time?
Unfortunately not. From the start, it was obvious that Carbide were the more powerful machine. They slammed into Eruption repeatedly not allowing them to get any flips in. Eruption were sluggish without and just couldn't recover.
One powerful hit took out their wheels and another immobilised them. The grand finalists Carbide have made it through to another final. But maybe Eruption or even Big Nipper could be joining them. Who knows?
Dim the lights
Cue the applause
Carbide is our second finalist
on Robot Wars
LET THE WARS BEGIN
Gabriel 2 (Macebot) Vs Carbide (Spinning hammer) vs Big Nipper (crusher)
You may remember Gabriel from the first series. They are what is known as a thwackabot. At the end of a long stick is a mace, which they can use to smash into other robots. They also have an entanglement weapon, consisting of nylon ropes, which are designed to mess with spinners. Hitherto, entanglement weapons have always been banned, but this series is a series of firsts.
But the most curious aspect of Gabriel 2 is its massive wheels. The entire robot is made from high-density polyethylene plastic, which is designed to absorb the kinetic energy generated from spinner bots.
And Gabriel 2 needed everything to beat Carbide who is the reigning champion of the series. Carbide is quite possibly one of the most powerful spinner bots, which the wars have ever seen. Armed with a horizontal spinning hammer, they have turned countless robots into scrap metal.
Rounding out the trio is Big Nipper who has competed before, but to no great success. They were armed with a vertical spinning disc.
3...2...1...ACTIVATE
Gabriel 2 was a ponderous machine. The massive wheels made it quite clumsy and its mace was largely ineffective, as was its entanglement weapon. Gabriel were then slammed into the Arena release button, which sent the house robots on the loose. Shunt slammed into them.
Meanwhile, Carbide shredded away into Gabriel's wheels. They buckled them and tore off the tired treads, but the damage was mainly cosmetic. The polyethylene plastic did a good a job, absorbing a lot of the damage. Considering Carbide is the current champion, you think they would have breezed through this, but they did struggle.
Although they did plenty of damage to Gabriel, they couldn't deliver the killing blow. And then Carbide lost part of their wheel. The fight went to the judges in the end who awarded it to Carbide. All credit to Gabriel here. They survived 3 minutes with one of the most powerful robots in the wars.
Oh, you're probably wondering where Big Nipper was in all this. They were nowhere. Complete non-entities. They were immobilised quickly.
Eruption Vs Aftershock Vs Crackers N Smash
Eruption were runners-up last year. They are armed with one of the most powerful flippers since Chaos 2. Their first opponent was Aftershock who were also finalists last year who were armed with a 2400rpm spinning disc. This means that this heat had 3 finalists within it, which I found a bit odd. I'd've expected them to had a finalist in every heat.
But anyway, the final competitor was Crackers N Smash, a clusterbot: with one robot being armed with a lifter and the other a spinning drum.
3...2...1...ACTIVATE
As Craig Charles used to say "controversy reigns on Robot Wars."
Aftershock quickly proved why they were finalists last year. Their vicious flywheel slammed into Crackers and buckled away their lifter, pushing them onto the floor flipper. As the flipper came back down, it hit Aftershock's flywheel, ripping away some of the metal.
Usually, when the arena is damaged like this, the battle is paused while the damage is repaired. Thinking that this was going to happen, Aftershock powered down, allowing Eruption to sneak up behind them and spectacularly flip them out of the arena. They then flipped both clusterbots out too.
Eruption were the clear winners, but the Aftershock team were a little resentful that the battle wasn't paused.
Robot Redemption 1 Gabriel 2 Vs Aftershock
Time for the first loser's melee.
To prepare for this fight, Gabriel 2 attached more nylon rope to their mace, in the hope of entangling Aftershock's flywheel.
While this was a good tactic, it didn't work. Aftershock slammed into Gabriel, sending it flying through the air. Unlike their fight against Carbide, Gabriel could only take so much damage. They were soon immobilised and then Sir Killalot chopped off their mace.
Aftershock had won the first Robot Redemption.
Robot Redemption 2: Big Nipper Vs Crackers N Smash
Time for perhaps Big Nipper's best fight.
Just like how Gabriel attached an entanglement weapon, Crackers did the same. This was about as useful as bringing a wooden robot into the arena. Big Nipper slammed into Crackers and broke off the entanglement weapons. They then drove Crackers into the CPZ and under Sir Killalot.
Sir Killalot is near enough 600kg, while Crackers is under 100kg, so as you can imagine, Crackers didn't fare too well from this.
But they fared better than their brother: Smash. Big Nipper hit Smash with their flywheel with so much force, they sent Smash flying into the arena light rigging, before crashing down outside the arena.
Big Nipper were the worthy winners.
Round 2 Carbide Vs Aftershock
This was a great fight. We've already seen the potency of both spinners. Aftershock began on top. They bashed into Carbide and the sparks flew. Sensing some kind of weakness, Aftershock carried on attacking, sending Carbide flying through their. Their vertical flywheel came into contact with Carbide's spinning hammer, which is where things went around for Aftershock.
This last attack disabled Aftershock's spinner. The tables being turned, Carbide went on the attack and quickly immobilised Aftershock.
Round 2 Eruption Vs Big Nipper
Eruption started the stronger and were generally the more impressive robot throughout. They flipped Big Nipper over who were slow to self-right. Eruption took advantage of this by continually flipping them.
This isn't to say that their control was always the best, but they were far more aggressive than Big Nipper. Eruption actually flipped Big Nipper into the tyre button releasing the thoroughly ineffective Fog of War. I still think this is a stupid modification. It is useless.
Anyway, Eruption continued flipping Big Nipper around the arena and in the dying seconds of the fight, they got the final flip in. Eruption won by a judge's decision and were through to the heat final.
Playoff: Big Nipper Vs Aftershock
In the grand final, there will be an all vs all battle between the ten 2nd and 3rd robots of the series: with the winner going through to the grand final.
Apollo and Sabretooth have already qualified, but let's see who will join them.
This was a fight between two powerful spinning vertical discs. They smashed into each other richocheting away. Big Nipper got the second attack in, slamming into Aftershock's vulnerable underbelly.
Aftershock quickly recovered, but Big Nipper got in two more controlled hits, upending Aftershock. Big Nipper were the winners.
Grand final: Eruption Vs Carbide
Time for a grudge match. Carbide beat Eruption last year to become grand champions. Can Eruption get their revenge this time?
Unfortunately not. From the start, it was obvious that Carbide were the more powerful machine. They slammed into Eruption repeatedly not allowing them to get any flips in. Eruption were sluggish without and just couldn't recover.
One powerful hit took out their wheels and another immobilised them. The grand finalists Carbide have made it through to another final. But maybe Eruption or even Big Nipper could be joining them. Who knows?
Dim the lights
Cue the applause
Carbide is our second finalist
on Robot Wars
Sunday, 29 October 2017
Robot Wars Series 3 Episode 1 Review
Series 3 of the metal-mashing, chrome-clashing, steel-smashing show Robot Wars is back on our television screens.
A lot of it is the same: Dara O'Briain and Angela Scanlon are still presenting and there are the same four house robots: Shunt, Matilda, Dead Metal and Sir Killalot. But the format has changed.
The heats within the first two series began with two four-way battles, the two winners of each battle then progressed to a round-robin mini league. This has now been changed in favour of a two threeway battles with the winner of each automatically progressing to the next round.
The losers then fight each other in a Robot Redemption or Loser's Melee with the winners of each progressing to the next round. In short the league format has been replaced with a more straightforward knockout championship.
I prefer this as it is more in the style of the old series and has a bigger emphasis on the killing potential of each machine, rather than how well engineered they are.
And the Robot Wars arena has now been upgraded. There is the now cheesily named "Fog of War," where for ten seconds the arena fills with fog.
But that's enough talking. LET THE WARS BEGIN!
Behemoth Vs Donald Thump Vs Sabretooth
The first heat saw the return of Behemoth- a six-wheeled machine armed with a lifting scoop. While they were regular competitors in the original series, they always fared badly, only once making it out of the heats.
Last series, team captain, Anthony Pritchard, became a viral sensation after he stormed out of the studios upon losing to Gabriel. Will he keep his cool this time?
Their first opponent was the satirical robot Donald Thump, armed with fake hair and a spinner bar. Rounding out the trio is Sabretooth, which is armed with a spinning drum. Similar to Behemoth, they are veterans of Robot Wars, but have never had great success.
3...2...1...ACTIVATE
This battle began slowly with each robot sizing each other up. Then Sabretooth went on the attack, charging into Behemoth and knocking it over. While Behemoth was recovering, Donald Thump smashed into Sabretooth damaged Sabretooth with their spinning hammer. But shortly after, they inexplicably broke down.
By this time, Behemoth had gotten back to their wheels. Bad driving sent them onto the floor flipper, but then they went back on the attack. Both behemoth and Sabretooth charged into one another; the impact of which immobilised both machines. However, the judges picked Behemoth as the overall winner, with Donald Thump and Sabretooth going into the loser's melee.
Apollo Vs Apocalypse Vs the Swarm
Apollo is already a legend. Armed with their flipper, they won the first series and were finalists in the second. I dare say they were favourites in this heat. But it's a long road to the final and to get there, they first have to beat Apocalypse and the Swarm.
Apocalypse was a robot, which looked like Splinter - a competitor in the original series. Apocalypse was armed with an axe and grabbing arms.
Finally, we have the cluster bot, the Swarm. Any eagle-eyed viewers, may have noticed that the Swarm was captained by Ian Watts, driver of the ferocious robot of old: Bigger Brother. Bigger Brother was teamed by Ian's children: Joe and Ellie and I do wonder where they are now.
Anyway, the Swarm was a curious machine. It was four smaller robots each armed with different weapons: an anti-spinner, a flipper, a spinning hammer and a wedge. The idea for the four robots to surround and overwhelm the enemy.
3...2...1...ACTIVATE
Apocalypse started badly with its axe breaking down. Apollo took full advantage of this by launching it through the air. From here, the axebot pondered around, not doing anything.
Apollo then turned its ferocious flipper to the Swarm. While the clusterbots were a creative concept, they were too small to be of any threat. Being so lightweight, Apollo was able to flip them all around the arena. Only the clusterbot with the spinning hammer was any good, but not strong enough to fight off Apollo who dominated this fight and were worthy winners.
Robot Redemption 1: Apocalypse Vs Sabretooth
Time for the first of the new losers' melees. This battle saw the first use of the Fog of War, which was unimpressive to say the least. Other than the arena filling with fog for ten seconds, nothing happened.
The fight itself was more interesting. Apocalypse started strong, going on the attack and chopping down with its axe. True, they missed a lot of the time but this was a big improvement on their first battle.
But just when it looked like Sabretooth were down for the count, they were just lulling me into a false sense of security. In the dying seconds of the fight, they slammed Apocalypse into the wall, immobilising it. A nice comeback by Sabretooth.
Robot Redemption 2:
Donald Thump Vs the Swarm
This was perhaps the Swarm's best fight. While Donald Thump's spinning hammer wasn't working, the Swarm's was. The clusterbot armed with the spinning hammer was lethal and tore away Donald Thump's armour. The rest of the Swarm did very little and i can't help, but think Ian Watts should have made a full-sized spinner robot, rather than four small clusterbots. But considering that they decisively won this fight, who knows?
Round Two: Apollo vs Sabretooth
Having been drawn against an ex-champion, Sabretooth were always going to be up against it.
ANd they were battered. Apollo flipped them around the arena and never allowed them the chance to get their spinning drum into play.
Sabretooth manged to set the house robots on the loose, but this backfired, when the house robots attacked them. Sabretooth then lost in style by being the first robot to be flipped out of the arena this series.
Round 2 Behemoth Vs The Swarm
While The Swarm performed well against Donald Thump,t hey were unable to repeat this success here. Behemoth was too well-armoured to be damaged by the spinning bot, which as we already know is the only robot with any potency.
As for the other clusterbots, Behemoth flipped them around the arena, they broke down or were torched over the flamepit. Behemoth were the clear winners.
The playoff: The Swarm vs Sabretooth
Time for a new addition to this series. The grand final will be fought between six robots: the five heat winners and one wildcard robot.
The wildcard will be picked out of the ten robots who placed 2nd and 3rd in the heats. All ten of these robots will fight in one massive battle until only one remains.
Personally, I can't wait to see this. It sounds like it will be absolute mayhem and certainly bigger than anything the old series ever attempted. Secondly, in the first two series, the judges picked a wildcard option, I think that this new method is much more in the fighting spirit of the contest.
3...2...1 ACTIVATE
Although it wasn't an entirely smooth run, Sabretooth battered the clusterbots. As we've seen time and time again, the Swarm is just too lightweight to be of any threat.
Even the spinnerbot was no match for Sabretooth's spinning drum. The flipperbot quickly ran out of the gas, and as for the other two, I can't remember them doing anything at all.
But like Is aid, Sabretooth made mistakes too. Bad driving sent them onto the floor flipper and Shunt, but they were the overall winners and we will be seeing them again. We also got to see the arena malfunction. In the middle of the arena are spikes designed to stab upwards and topple machines. However, in this fight, they pocked with so much force, they fully flew out of the arena, crashing down.
Heat final Apollo Vs Behemoth
This was a great fight, which could have gone either way. Apollo started strongly, charging into Behemoth and flipping them over. Behemoth quickly recovered, but were then shoved into the CPZ.
And this was where I think Apollo got a bit cocky. They let their guard down, allowing Behemoth to flip them over and go on the attack. It was Apollo who was running away and Behemoth who was doing the chasing. And then with a great drive, Behemoth drove Apollo into the pit of oblivion, which as Craig Charles would say was a "real turn-up for the books." After twenty years of defeat after defeat, Behemoth finally made it out of the heats. And good fort hem.
They took full advantage of Apollo's cockiness. But maybe we'll see a grudge match if Apollo wins the wildcard place.
Cue the lights,
scream your applause,
Behemoth is our first finalist
on Robot Wars
A lot of it is the same: Dara O'Briain and Angela Scanlon are still presenting and there are the same four house robots: Shunt, Matilda, Dead Metal and Sir Killalot. But the format has changed.
The heats within the first two series began with two four-way battles, the two winners of each battle then progressed to a round-robin mini league. This has now been changed in favour of a two threeway battles with the winner of each automatically progressing to the next round.
The losers then fight each other in a Robot Redemption or Loser's Melee with the winners of each progressing to the next round. In short the league format has been replaced with a more straightforward knockout championship.
I prefer this as it is more in the style of the old series and has a bigger emphasis on the killing potential of each machine, rather than how well engineered they are.
And the Robot Wars arena has now been upgraded. There is the now cheesily named "Fog of War," where for ten seconds the arena fills with fog.
But that's enough talking. LET THE WARS BEGIN!
Behemoth Vs Donald Thump Vs Sabretooth
The first heat saw the return of Behemoth- a six-wheeled machine armed with a lifting scoop. While they were regular competitors in the original series, they always fared badly, only once making it out of the heats.
Last series, team captain, Anthony Pritchard, became a viral sensation after he stormed out of the studios upon losing to Gabriel. Will he keep his cool this time?
Their first opponent was the satirical robot Donald Thump, armed with fake hair and a spinner bar. Rounding out the trio is Sabretooth, which is armed with a spinning drum. Similar to Behemoth, they are veterans of Robot Wars, but have never had great success.
3...2...1...ACTIVATE
This battle began slowly with each robot sizing each other up. Then Sabretooth went on the attack, charging into Behemoth and knocking it over. While Behemoth was recovering, Donald Thump smashed into Sabretooth damaged Sabretooth with their spinning hammer. But shortly after, they inexplicably broke down.
By this time, Behemoth had gotten back to their wheels. Bad driving sent them onto the floor flipper, but then they went back on the attack. Both behemoth and Sabretooth charged into one another; the impact of which immobilised both machines. However, the judges picked Behemoth as the overall winner, with Donald Thump and Sabretooth going into the loser's melee.
Apollo Vs Apocalypse Vs the Swarm
Apollo is already a legend. Armed with their flipper, they won the first series and were finalists in the second. I dare say they were favourites in this heat. But it's a long road to the final and to get there, they first have to beat Apocalypse and the Swarm.
Apocalypse was a robot, which looked like Splinter - a competitor in the original series. Apocalypse was armed with an axe and grabbing arms.
Finally, we have the cluster bot, the Swarm. Any eagle-eyed viewers, may have noticed that the Swarm was captained by Ian Watts, driver of the ferocious robot of old: Bigger Brother. Bigger Brother was teamed by Ian's children: Joe and Ellie and I do wonder where they are now.
Anyway, the Swarm was a curious machine. It was four smaller robots each armed with different weapons: an anti-spinner, a flipper, a spinning hammer and a wedge. The idea for the four robots to surround and overwhelm the enemy.
3...2...1...ACTIVATE
Apocalypse started badly with its axe breaking down. Apollo took full advantage of this by launching it through the air. From here, the axebot pondered around, not doing anything.
Apollo then turned its ferocious flipper to the Swarm. While the clusterbots were a creative concept, they were too small to be of any threat. Being so lightweight, Apollo was able to flip them all around the arena. Only the clusterbot with the spinning hammer was any good, but not strong enough to fight off Apollo who dominated this fight and were worthy winners.
Robot Redemption 1: Apocalypse Vs Sabretooth
Time for the first of the new losers' melees. This battle saw the first use of the Fog of War, which was unimpressive to say the least. Other than the arena filling with fog for ten seconds, nothing happened.
The fight itself was more interesting. Apocalypse started strong, going on the attack and chopping down with its axe. True, they missed a lot of the time but this was a big improvement on their first battle.
But just when it looked like Sabretooth were down for the count, they were just lulling me into a false sense of security. In the dying seconds of the fight, they slammed Apocalypse into the wall, immobilising it. A nice comeback by Sabretooth.
Robot Redemption 2:
Donald Thump Vs the Swarm
This was perhaps the Swarm's best fight. While Donald Thump's spinning hammer wasn't working, the Swarm's was. The clusterbot armed with the spinning hammer was lethal and tore away Donald Thump's armour. The rest of the Swarm did very little and i can't help, but think Ian Watts should have made a full-sized spinner robot, rather than four small clusterbots. But considering that they decisively won this fight, who knows?
Round Two: Apollo vs Sabretooth
Having been drawn against an ex-champion, Sabretooth were always going to be up against it.
ANd they were battered. Apollo flipped them around the arena and never allowed them the chance to get their spinning drum into play.
Sabretooth manged to set the house robots on the loose, but this backfired, when the house robots attacked them. Sabretooth then lost in style by being the first robot to be flipped out of the arena this series.
Round 2 Behemoth Vs The Swarm
While The Swarm performed well against Donald Thump,t hey were unable to repeat this success here. Behemoth was too well-armoured to be damaged by the spinning bot, which as we already know is the only robot with any potency.
As for the other clusterbots, Behemoth flipped them around the arena, they broke down or were torched over the flamepit. Behemoth were the clear winners.
The playoff: The Swarm vs Sabretooth
Time for a new addition to this series. The grand final will be fought between six robots: the five heat winners and one wildcard robot.
The wildcard will be picked out of the ten robots who placed 2nd and 3rd in the heats. All ten of these robots will fight in one massive battle until only one remains.
Personally, I can't wait to see this. It sounds like it will be absolute mayhem and certainly bigger than anything the old series ever attempted. Secondly, in the first two series, the judges picked a wildcard option, I think that this new method is much more in the fighting spirit of the contest.
3...2...1 ACTIVATE
Although it wasn't an entirely smooth run, Sabretooth battered the clusterbots. As we've seen time and time again, the Swarm is just too lightweight to be of any threat.
Even the spinnerbot was no match for Sabretooth's spinning drum. The flipperbot quickly ran out of the gas, and as for the other two, I can't remember them doing anything at all.
But like Is aid, Sabretooth made mistakes too. Bad driving sent them onto the floor flipper and Shunt, but they were the overall winners and we will be seeing them again. We also got to see the arena malfunction. In the middle of the arena are spikes designed to stab upwards and topple machines. However, in this fight, they pocked with so much force, they fully flew out of the arena, crashing down.
Heat final Apollo Vs Behemoth
This was a great fight, which could have gone either way. Apollo started strongly, charging into Behemoth and flipping them over. Behemoth quickly recovered, but were then shoved into the CPZ.
And this was where I think Apollo got a bit cocky. They let their guard down, allowing Behemoth to flip them over and go on the attack. It was Apollo who was running away and Behemoth who was doing the chasing. And then with a great drive, Behemoth drove Apollo into the pit of oblivion, which as Craig Charles would say was a "real turn-up for the books." After twenty years of defeat after defeat, Behemoth finally made it out of the heats. And good fort hem.
They took full advantage of Apollo's cockiness. But maybe we'll see a grudge match if Apollo wins the wildcard place.
Cue the lights,
scream your applause,
Behemoth is our first finalist
on Robot Wars
On The Waterfront Review
Number 118 on the top 1000 films of all time is the film that earnt Marlon Brando his first oscar: On the Waterfront.
The decade is the 1950's. The location: New Jersey. The New Jersey docks are rife with corruption and greed. And to make matters worse, the labour union leaders are also corrupt and in league with the local mob. When one longshoreman dies in an apparent suicide, the local priest Father Barry (Karl Madden) calls on the workers to stand against the mob, rather than playing deaf and dumb. Yet the one man that could do something: Terry Malloy (Marlon Brando) is perfectly content with staying silent.
What I most enjoyed about this crime drama was how the mob wasn't romanticised. In mob thrillers like Goodfellas and The Godfather, which earned Brando his second oscar, the Mafia is romanticised. And it shouldn't be. In On the Waterfront, they are obviously villains. Led by Johnny Friendly (Lee J. Cobb) they extort the dockworkers and kill anyone who stands in their way.
And then of course you get Marlon Brando who's the best part of this film. He very much follows the character arc of a reluctant hero. He begins unwillingly, but gradually becomes more heroic. Yet he is also an empathetic hero. We learn that he is bitter, due to an iconic speech, where he claims that he "coulda been a contender." Having once been a promising boxer, he threw a fight and his career, to help his brother win a bet. Ever since then, his confidence has been shaken and it was great to see it be restored. By the film's conclusion, he inspires the other dockworkers into action, and the image of them walking away from the screaming Johnny Friendly was a powerful one.
Ultimately, this was a good film. Brando definitely deserved his oscar and there was a nice range of different characters. And of course, it carries the important message of standing up to anything. This film is definitely a contender for one of the greatest for all time.
The decade is the 1950's. The location: New Jersey. The New Jersey docks are rife with corruption and greed. And to make matters worse, the labour union leaders are also corrupt and in league with the local mob. When one longshoreman dies in an apparent suicide, the local priest Father Barry (Karl Madden) calls on the workers to stand against the mob, rather than playing deaf and dumb. Yet the one man that could do something: Terry Malloy (Marlon Brando) is perfectly content with staying silent.
What I most enjoyed about this crime drama was how the mob wasn't romanticised. In mob thrillers like Goodfellas and The Godfather, which earned Brando his second oscar, the Mafia is romanticised. And it shouldn't be. In On the Waterfront, they are obviously villains. Led by Johnny Friendly (Lee J. Cobb) they extort the dockworkers and kill anyone who stands in their way.
And then of course you get Marlon Brando who's the best part of this film. He very much follows the character arc of a reluctant hero. He begins unwillingly, but gradually becomes more heroic. Yet he is also an empathetic hero. We learn that he is bitter, due to an iconic speech, where he claims that he "coulda been a contender." Having once been a promising boxer, he threw a fight and his career, to help his brother win a bet. Ever since then, his confidence has been shaken and it was great to see it be restored. By the film's conclusion, he inspires the other dockworkers into action, and the image of them walking away from the screaming Johnny Friendly was a powerful one.
Ultimately, this was a good film. Brando definitely deserved his oscar and there was a nice range of different characters. And of course, it carries the important message of standing up to anything. This film is definitely a contender for one of the greatest for all time.
Saturday, 14 October 2017
Raging Bull review
Number 117 on the top 1000 films of all time is Raging Bull. This film is considered Martin Scorsesee's Magnum Opus and earnt Robert De Niro the best acting oscar.
Raging Bull tells the story of the rise and fall of boxer Jake La Motta. (Robert De Niro) Based on the real La Motta's autobiography, it focusses on the relationships he has with his brother and manager Joey (Joe Pesci) wife Vicky (Cathy Moriaty) and mafiosi Salvy Batts (Frank Vincent) and Tommy Como (Nicholas Colasanto.)
This is not the only boxing film I've seen. I have also seen Rocky, but I much preferred Raging Bull. This is because Raging bull had less of a focus on boxing and more of a focus on Jake La Motta who is a far more interesting character than Rocky Balboa, although De Niro mumbles just as much as Stallone does. Raging Bull only has about fifteen minutes of boxing within it. The rest of the film is dedicated to La Motta's interactions with his friends and family. And we see how these relationships crumble, as La Motta allows his temper and paranoia to get the better of him.
He is constantly paranoid that his wife is cheating on him, going so far as to accuse her of sleeping with Joey. This paranoia develops into a full-grown rage, as La Motta beats Joey in front of his family. La Motta is an anti-hero of sorts who struggles deeply with his demons and seeing these struggles play out made for entertaining watching. Upon watching, Raging Bull, the real Jake La Motta apologised to his wife for being so bad. She corrected him, saying he was much worse.
Another way this film differs from Rocky (and this was intentional on Scorsesee's part) is how Raging Bull is in black and white. He did this to distinguish it from Rocky, but also because the colour of the boxing gloves was throwing off the rest of he film. And this was a great stylistic choice, adding in character and mood.
And lastly, a few words should go to Cathy Moriaty, Joe Pesci and Frank Vincent. of course, De Niro, Pesci and Vincent are all in Scorsesee's mob thriller Goodfellas, but Pesci and Vincent are great in their own respective roles. Pesci was convincing as La Motta's conflicted brother Joey and Vincent was great as mobster Salvy Batts. Unfortunately, Frank Vincent died recently. This saddened me particularly, as not only is he in Raging Bull and Goodfellas, but he also had a starring role in the Sopranos. He is a formidable actor who shouldn't be forgotten.
It is said De Niro relaunched Scorsesee's career by convincing him to direct this film. Thank God he did. If he hadn't, he might not have made great films like Goodfellas, The Departed and The Wolf of Wall Street.
Raging Bull tells the story of the rise and fall of boxer Jake La Motta. (Robert De Niro) Based on the real La Motta's autobiography, it focusses on the relationships he has with his brother and manager Joey (Joe Pesci) wife Vicky (Cathy Moriaty) and mafiosi Salvy Batts (Frank Vincent) and Tommy Como (Nicholas Colasanto.)
This is not the only boxing film I've seen. I have also seen Rocky, but I much preferred Raging Bull. This is because Raging bull had less of a focus on boxing and more of a focus on Jake La Motta who is a far more interesting character than Rocky Balboa, although De Niro mumbles just as much as Stallone does. Raging Bull only has about fifteen minutes of boxing within it. The rest of the film is dedicated to La Motta's interactions with his friends and family. And we see how these relationships crumble, as La Motta allows his temper and paranoia to get the better of him.
He is constantly paranoid that his wife is cheating on him, going so far as to accuse her of sleeping with Joey. This paranoia develops into a full-grown rage, as La Motta beats Joey in front of his family. La Motta is an anti-hero of sorts who struggles deeply with his demons and seeing these struggles play out made for entertaining watching. Upon watching, Raging Bull, the real Jake La Motta apologised to his wife for being so bad. She corrected him, saying he was much worse.
Another way this film differs from Rocky (and this was intentional on Scorsesee's part) is how Raging Bull is in black and white. He did this to distinguish it from Rocky, but also because the colour of the boxing gloves was throwing off the rest of he film. And this was a great stylistic choice, adding in character and mood.
And lastly, a few words should go to Cathy Moriaty, Joe Pesci and Frank Vincent. of course, De Niro, Pesci and Vincent are all in Scorsesee's mob thriller Goodfellas, but Pesci and Vincent are great in their own respective roles. Pesci was convincing as La Motta's conflicted brother Joey and Vincent was great as mobster Salvy Batts. Unfortunately, Frank Vincent died recently. This saddened me particularly, as not only is he in Raging Bull and Goodfellas, but he also had a starring role in the Sopranos. He is a formidable actor who shouldn't be forgotten.
It is said De Niro relaunched Scorsesee's career by convincing him to direct this film. Thank God he did. If he hadn't, he might not have made great films like Goodfellas, The Departed and The Wolf of Wall Street.
Tuesday, 26 September 2017
It review
2017 saw the release of the latest adaptation of Stephen King's It. Having read the goliath text and seen the 1990 mini series, I was keen to watch this remake.
Every twenty-year years, children go missing in Derry, Maine. After George Denbrough, little brother to William 'Bill' Denborough (Jaeden Lieberher) goes missing, Bill vows to find out why. He and his friends Ben Hanscom (Jeremy Ray Taylor) Beverly Marsh, (Sophia Lillis) Richie Tozier (Finn Wolfhard), Eddie Kaspbrak (Jack Dylan Grazer) Stan Uris (Wyatt Osleff) and Mike Hanlon (Chosen Jacobs) soon find out that they are up against a supernatural entity known as It or Pennywise the Dancing Clown. To stop children from going missing, they have to kill Pennywise. They also have to defeat neighbourhood bully Henry Bowers (Nicholas Hamilton.)
The book It is 135 pages long (far longer than it needs to be) and to adapt it all, you would need to go down the Peter Jackson route of making three, three-hour films. Thankfully, Andy Muschietti, only adapted the most relevant parts of the book. This meant that Pennywise's back story of being an eternal, interdimensional alien was removed, as it would have been too confusing.
This allowed more time to be spent on the children, all of which were great. All of the child actors gave brilliant performances. Finn Wolfhard had great comic timing, as he rolled out increasingly vulgar jokes and one-liners. At times, he had the whole cinema in stitches. Meanwhile, Sophia Lillis helped to give the film some much needed heart. In the book, as the only girl in the group, it is implied that all of the boys like her in one way or another. This idea was dropped in favour of a love triangle between Bill, Beverly and Ben, with the latter being left out in the cold. This is a struggle known by pre-teens worldwide and Jeremy Ray Taylor played it with humility and grace. It was sad to watch.
Unfortunately, some characters received less development than others. I'm speaking about the least developed character: Mike Hanlon. In the book, he has the most interesting and tragic backstory, least of all because he's the only black member of the group. Because of his skin colour, he and his family are subject to racist abuse, which lacking in the film. Although, in today's overly-sensitive climate, it might have been difficult to depict this without offending anyone.
Yet even Henry had some backstory which helped to fill in his character. We find out that his father is an abusive drunk, and while it doesn't make Henry likeable, we at least understand why he is a bully.
Pennywise the Clown was played by Ben Skarsgard. In the 1990 adaptation, Tim Curry played It and his performance was lauded. I think this was because of how he looked like a real clown who had just escaped from the circus. Whereas I think that Skarsgard's Pennywise looked too obviously like an evil villain. This isn't to say that Skarsgard didn't give a great performance, but I'd've preferred to see him actually dressed up as real clown.
A common criticism I read about on IMDB was the film's overreliance on CGI and jumpscares. In terms of the jumpscares, they mostly didn't get me and didn't particularly bother me. I say, mostly, as because I've read the book and seen the 1990 film, I saw a lot of the scares coming. But there were a few moments that did scare me. Pennywise capturing Beverly after she had just attacked her abusive, predatory father was one. Another is one of the film's few examples of them using special effects over visual effects.
When Pennywise is making Mike Hanlon seeing his fears, he makes him burnt hands reaching out from behind a locked door. This was a terrifying moment that sent a chill down my spine. It's scarier if you know the backstory too. In the book, Mike's family are in a club called the Black Spot, which is largely populated by black people, as a result it's a target for white hate. A white supremacist group lock everyone inside and then burn it down. Mike is one of the few survivors. This is so scary, because of how it is people that cause it, not an alien.
A final example is the visual effect of seeing the dead children float around the pillar of junk at the film's climax.
Another criticism I saw was that the film was rushed and I would agree with this. While being an hour longer than its 1990 counterpart, a lot of It felt quite squished together. The narrative doesn't kick off until about forty minutes into the film. Hitherto, we were just learning about the seven children, and as I've said before, too much time was spent on some and not on others.
And to dispel another common criticism, the reason why the children's parents seem so absent, is that they have been enchanted by Pennywise. Only the children can see him.
All in all, I think this was a great adaptation. It was scary and the performances were great. I can't wait for the second part. Have you seen it? Let me know what you think in the comments below. We all float down here. You'll float too.
Every twenty-year years, children go missing in Derry, Maine. After George Denbrough, little brother to William 'Bill' Denborough (Jaeden Lieberher) goes missing, Bill vows to find out why. He and his friends Ben Hanscom (Jeremy Ray Taylor) Beverly Marsh, (Sophia Lillis) Richie Tozier (Finn Wolfhard), Eddie Kaspbrak (Jack Dylan Grazer) Stan Uris (Wyatt Osleff) and Mike Hanlon (Chosen Jacobs) soon find out that they are up against a supernatural entity known as It or Pennywise the Dancing Clown. To stop children from going missing, they have to kill Pennywise. They also have to defeat neighbourhood bully Henry Bowers (Nicholas Hamilton.)
The book It is 135 pages long (far longer than it needs to be) and to adapt it all, you would need to go down the Peter Jackson route of making three, three-hour films. Thankfully, Andy Muschietti, only adapted the most relevant parts of the book. This meant that Pennywise's back story of being an eternal, interdimensional alien was removed, as it would have been too confusing.
This allowed more time to be spent on the children, all of which were great. All of the child actors gave brilliant performances. Finn Wolfhard had great comic timing, as he rolled out increasingly vulgar jokes and one-liners. At times, he had the whole cinema in stitches. Meanwhile, Sophia Lillis helped to give the film some much needed heart. In the book, as the only girl in the group, it is implied that all of the boys like her in one way or another. This idea was dropped in favour of a love triangle between Bill, Beverly and Ben, with the latter being left out in the cold. This is a struggle known by pre-teens worldwide and Jeremy Ray Taylor played it with humility and grace. It was sad to watch.
Unfortunately, some characters received less development than others. I'm speaking about the least developed character: Mike Hanlon. In the book, he has the most interesting and tragic backstory, least of all because he's the only black member of the group. Because of his skin colour, he and his family are subject to racist abuse, which lacking in the film. Although, in today's overly-sensitive climate, it might have been difficult to depict this without offending anyone.
Yet even Henry had some backstory which helped to fill in his character. We find out that his father is an abusive drunk, and while it doesn't make Henry likeable, we at least understand why he is a bully.
Pennywise the Clown was played by Ben Skarsgard. In the 1990 adaptation, Tim Curry played It and his performance was lauded. I think this was because of how he looked like a real clown who had just escaped from the circus. Whereas I think that Skarsgard's Pennywise looked too obviously like an evil villain. This isn't to say that Skarsgard didn't give a great performance, but I'd've preferred to see him actually dressed up as real clown.
A common criticism I read about on IMDB was the film's overreliance on CGI and jumpscares. In terms of the jumpscares, they mostly didn't get me and didn't particularly bother me. I say, mostly, as because I've read the book and seen the 1990 film, I saw a lot of the scares coming. But there were a few moments that did scare me. Pennywise capturing Beverly after she had just attacked her abusive, predatory father was one. Another is one of the film's few examples of them using special effects over visual effects.
When Pennywise is making Mike Hanlon seeing his fears, he makes him burnt hands reaching out from behind a locked door. This was a terrifying moment that sent a chill down my spine. It's scarier if you know the backstory too. In the book, Mike's family are in a club called the Black Spot, which is largely populated by black people, as a result it's a target for white hate. A white supremacist group lock everyone inside and then burn it down. Mike is one of the few survivors. This is so scary, because of how it is people that cause it, not an alien.
A final example is the visual effect of seeing the dead children float around the pillar of junk at the film's climax.
Another criticism I saw was that the film was rushed and I would agree with this. While being an hour longer than its 1990 counterpart, a lot of It felt quite squished together. The narrative doesn't kick off until about forty minutes into the film. Hitherto, we were just learning about the seven children, and as I've said before, too much time was spent on some and not on others.
And to dispel another common criticism, the reason why the children's parents seem so absent, is that they have been enchanted by Pennywise. Only the children can see him.
All in all, I think this was a great adaptation. It was scary and the performances were great. I can't wait for the second part. Have you seen it? Let me know what you think in the comments below. We all float down here. You'll float too.
2001: A Space Odyssey Review
Number 116 on the top 1000 films of all time is Stanley Kubrick's 2001 A Space Odyssey. It's regarded as one of the greatest films of all time, but is it all it's cracked up to be?
The film opens on a group of primates gathered around a mysterious stone black monolith. Over a short montage, we see these apes evolve into humans, revealing that the monolith had an influence on their development. Cut forward millions of years later, an identical monolith has been found on Jupiter. A team of astronauts led by Dr David Bowman (Keir Dullea) to investigate but when the mission is threatened by human error, the artificial intelligence Hal vows to complete it by any means.
A Space Odyssey is a movie that asks big questions: just what is mankind's place in the universe? Are we part of something bigger? But what interested me more were smaller questions. What does it mean to be a man? What does it mean to be human?
I think these ideas were explored well within the characters of Bowman and Hal. In today's society, AI is a fascinating topic and Hal was no exception. When Bowman realises that Hal is malfunctioning and conspires to shut it down, Hal takes control of the ship, killing Bowman's crew. Hal then becomes determined to carry complete the ship's mission. In some sense, this makes him the film's villain, but he is only an AI. He's following what he's programmed to do. Does that make him villainous? Is Bowman the villain for stopping him? No, probably not, but a Space Odyssey raises interesting questions about human morality.
A Space Odyssey also received critical acclaim for its special effects. While they were great for when the film was released in 1969, it was during this part where I started becoming lost. After Bowman terminates Hal and discovers the true nature of the mission, he decides to carry it out. He reaches the monolith which then takes him through a wormhole and into a neoclassical room, where he sees different versions of himself at various ages.
The film ends with a baby in utero knocking against the Earth. At this point, I had no idea what was going on, but this is more a criticism of my own lack of understanding, rather than the actual film. Although Kubrick himself never revealed what the end of the film means, I'm sure it's perplexing enough to keep scholars busy for decades.
Yet unfortunately, all of this symbolism and visual metaphors just flew over my head. While it was intriguing to watch, I would have preferred to have spent more time with Hal and just what it means to be human. I liked how Bowman outsmarted Hal, demonstrating that imagination can be stronger than intelligence.
But overall, my criticisms boil down to my own lack of understanding. I'm sure I would have a better sense of what was happening, if I watched the film again. It certainly is worth a rewatch. I love the ideas it posited about artificial intelligence. This is perhaps the ultimate film to watch for sci-fans.
The film opens on a group of primates gathered around a mysterious stone black monolith. Over a short montage, we see these apes evolve into humans, revealing that the monolith had an influence on their development. Cut forward millions of years later, an identical monolith has been found on Jupiter. A team of astronauts led by Dr David Bowman (Keir Dullea) to investigate but when the mission is threatened by human error, the artificial intelligence Hal vows to complete it by any means.
A Space Odyssey is a movie that asks big questions: just what is mankind's place in the universe? Are we part of something bigger? But what interested me more were smaller questions. What does it mean to be a man? What does it mean to be human?
I think these ideas were explored well within the characters of Bowman and Hal. In today's society, AI is a fascinating topic and Hal was no exception. When Bowman realises that Hal is malfunctioning and conspires to shut it down, Hal takes control of the ship, killing Bowman's crew. Hal then becomes determined to carry complete the ship's mission. In some sense, this makes him the film's villain, but he is only an AI. He's following what he's programmed to do. Does that make him villainous? Is Bowman the villain for stopping him? No, probably not, but a Space Odyssey raises interesting questions about human morality.
A Space Odyssey also received critical acclaim for its special effects. While they were great for when the film was released in 1969, it was during this part where I started becoming lost. After Bowman terminates Hal and discovers the true nature of the mission, he decides to carry it out. He reaches the monolith which then takes him through a wormhole and into a neoclassical room, where he sees different versions of himself at various ages.
The film ends with a baby in utero knocking against the Earth. At this point, I had no idea what was going on, but this is more a criticism of my own lack of understanding, rather than the actual film. Although Kubrick himself never revealed what the end of the film means, I'm sure it's perplexing enough to keep scholars busy for decades.
Yet unfortunately, all of this symbolism and visual metaphors just flew over my head. While it was intriguing to watch, I would have preferred to have spent more time with Hal and just what it means to be human. I liked how Bowman outsmarted Hal, demonstrating that imagination can be stronger than intelligence.
But overall, my criticisms boil down to my own lack of understanding. I'm sure I would have a better sense of what was happening, if I watched the film again. It certainly is worth a rewatch. I love the ideas it posited about artificial intelligence. This is perhaps the ultimate film to watch for sci-fans.
Friday, 30 June 2017
The Road Review
The Road isn't on the top 1000 films of all time. However, the Road was inspired by Cormac McCarthy's book of the same name, which I have just finished reading.
The Road follows an unnamed father (Viggo Mortenson) and son (Kodi Smit-Phee) as they walk across a post-apocalyptic America, trying to reach the coast. On the way they meet other refugees, thieves and cannibals who inhabit the road
Judging from that description, you'd think The Road is a downbeat and disturbing film and you'd be right. I was incredibly depressed after I had finished watching it, which works to its advantage. It pulls no punches when exhibiting the darker side of humanity. One particular chilling scene sees the father and sons tumble across a group of people who are being kept imprisoned to be eaten by cannibals. This was a frightening scene and rightly so. This is what a post-apocalyptic world would be like and it would be insulting to portray it any other way.
However, it isn't dark throughout. While the more light-hearted moments are few and far between, they do exist particular in reference to the father and son's relationship. The son acts a moral compass helping to anchor the father's fleeting humanity. For example even after the father and son are robbed by a thief (Michael Kenneth Williams,) the son pleads with his father not to kill the thief. There are also flashbacks showing the father's life of pre-apocalypse, including moments with his wife (Charlize Theron) who opted out. These moments were important in providing something for the audience to latch onto.
For the most part, John Hillcoat's adaptation was very faithful to to the book. It captures the horrific moments, but also the more human. However, he also stayed faithful to the book's infuriating vagueness. Apart from an old traveller called Ely (Robert Duvall), and Ely could just be an alias, there are no named characters in the film. Furthermore, the film is also vague about the location or what the actual apocalypse was. We know it's America, but we don't know where.
Now I can understand why Cormac McCarthy did this, and by extension, why John Hilcoat adapted it so loyally. Firstly, by making it so general, it could apply to anyone. The unnamed father is an everyman who could be any father. The desolate American landscape could just as easily be somewhere in Europe. And this is what makes it so scary. Secondly, any revelation about the apocalypse could detract from the central theme of the film: how to preserve your humanity in such an unforgiving environment.
I understand and respect this, but I'd argue, as one IMDB reviewer argued, "you start to disassociate from the main characters." I felt this about the book too. The fact that we know practically nothing about the characters made it difficult for me to identify with them. It stopped them from becoming real. They could have been just "anyone," rather than special, memorable characters.
Overall, while The Road is irritatingly vague and general, it still also teaches powerful lessons about what it means to be human.
The Road follows an unnamed father (Viggo Mortenson) and son (Kodi Smit-Phee) as they walk across a post-apocalyptic America, trying to reach the coast. On the way they meet other refugees, thieves and cannibals who inhabit the road
Judging from that description, you'd think The Road is a downbeat and disturbing film and you'd be right. I was incredibly depressed after I had finished watching it, which works to its advantage. It pulls no punches when exhibiting the darker side of humanity. One particular chilling scene sees the father and sons tumble across a group of people who are being kept imprisoned to be eaten by cannibals. This was a frightening scene and rightly so. This is what a post-apocalyptic world would be like and it would be insulting to portray it any other way.
However, it isn't dark throughout. While the more light-hearted moments are few and far between, they do exist particular in reference to the father and son's relationship. The son acts a moral compass helping to anchor the father's fleeting humanity. For example even after the father and son are robbed by a thief (Michael Kenneth Williams,) the son pleads with his father not to kill the thief. There are also flashbacks showing the father's life of pre-apocalypse, including moments with his wife (Charlize Theron) who opted out. These moments were important in providing something for the audience to latch onto.
For the most part, John Hillcoat's adaptation was very faithful to to the book. It captures the horrific moments, but also the more human. However, he also stayed faithful to the book's infuriating vagueness. Apart from an old traveller called Ely (Robert Duvall), and Ely could just be an alias, there are no named characters in the film. Furthermore, the film is also vague about the location or what the actual apocalypse was. We know it's America, but we don't know where.
Now I can understand why Cormac McCarthy did this, and by extension, why John Hilcoat adapted it so loyally. Firstly, by making it so general, it could apply to anyone. The unnamed father is an everyman who could be any father. The desolate American landscape could just as easily be somewhere in Europe. And this is what makes it so scary. Secondly, any revelation about the apocalypse could detract from the central theme of the film: how to preserve your humanity in such an unforgiving environment.
I understand and respect this, but I'd argue, as one IMDB reviewer argued, "you start to disassociate from the main characters." I felt this about the book too. The fact that we know practically nothing about the characters made it difficult for me to identify with them. It stopped them from becoming real. They could have been just "anyone," rather than special, memorable characters.
Overall, while The Road is irritatingly vague and general, it still also teaches powerful lessons about what it means to be human.
Thursday, 22 June 2017
28 Weeks Later Review
As promised, here is the review of the sequel of 28 Days Later: 28 Weeks Later. Unsurprisingly, it didn't make the cut onto the top 1000 films of all time. I also watched this film with my dad.
Set 24 weeks after the events of its predecessor, 28 Weeks Later features an entirely new cast and narrative. Don Harris (Robert Carlyle) is one of the few survivors of the virus outbreak in London. He becomes the Caretaker of District One (the Isle of Dogs in London,) where he reunites with his children Tammy (Imogen Poots) and Andy (Mackintosh Muggleton.) When it emerges that Andy has a genetic abnormality, which means he could be immune to the virus, it is imperative that he is taken out of London.
While 28 Days Later was inventive and entertaining, 28 Weeks Later was generic and disappointing. The narrative is weaker and the characters are more annoying. However, before I begin criticising the film, let's start with what was good about it.
28 Weeks Later began explosively and far more in line with its predecessor. We are introduced to a small group of characters including Don and his wife Alice (Catherine McCormack) hiding out in a little cottage. Not before long, they are overcome by the Infected and all, but Don, die. This includes Alice whom he abandoned to save himself. This was a great beginning to the film. It was chaotic, intense and fast-paced. Even though, we only spend a few minutes with the characters, we got to know them well and we felt their conflicts. However, from here, the film devolves into an absolute mess.
Firstly, I think there is a lack of a clear protagonist. You might think that Don would be the protagonist, as Robert Carlyle has star billing. However, halfway through the film, he becomes infected and then fades into the shadows. This is when his children begin to take centre stage. I understand that the film was supposed to follow Don's journey, especially as one of the Infected. His wife is discovered alive with the same genetic immunity that she has passed onto her son. She is brought into the safezone and Don goes to see her. He kisses her, and in their passing of saliva, she infects him. He kills her, as the guilt of leaving her behind, manifests itself into a murderous rage.
From there, he then stalks and tries to kill his children, as they then become the object of his rage.
I get that the film tried to portray him as the next level of "Infected." They wanted to demonstrate him as having a humanity of some type, as he has enough latent memory to remember his children. They want us to sympathise with him and pity him. However, I don't think this worked. We spend too little time with the Infected Don to properly identify with his journey. We don't see him struggle enough with any humanity that he might left, and thus his conflict doesn't come through clear enough. This is a shame, as it was a good idea, but wasn't demonstrated well.
Don's children were also quite annoying. They generate conflict by making stupid mistakes. They sneaked out of the safe zone to return to their old home, where they find their mum and bring her back. While her mum is immune to the virus, she is also a carrier, and she then infects Don. If Tammy and Andy hadn't sneaked out, then this wouldn't have happened. Also a "safe zone" isn't very safe, if two children can sneak out, virtually undetected. If they can sneak out, what could sneak in?
Having said this, while Andy and Tammy were annoying at first, I think they gradually become more likeable. Right at the end of the film, Tammy kills her infected father, which came as a refreshing surprise. This demonstrated her inner strength and turmoil, and I just wish that this came through earlier.
One reason why 28 Days Later was so good was that it had a very small cast, which we got to know well. This was forfeited in favour of a large, sprawling cast and too many special effects. There were a lot of characters, but very few were actually interesting. I'd argue that Don was the most interesting character, but he was very much squandered. Instead, there were explosions and gunfire, which became very tedious after a time. Yes you did get medical officer Scarlett, (Rose Byrne) who is determined to get the children to safety, and soldier Doyle, who deserts his post to help Scarlett, but as my dad rightly identified, they were just stock characters. We learnt all that we needed to know about them, but not enough to make them three-dimensional.
Finally, we come to the camerawork. I read IMDB reviews, which argued that the "shakey-cam" footage was overused. But I'd disagree with this. Director, Juan Carlos Fresnadillo, used a shakey-cam, as he wanted to shoot this film as a documentary; he wanted to make it real as possible. And I think that it worked. The camerawork was frenetic and chaotic and did raise the suspense. It harked back to the excellent camerawork of 28 Days Later.
28 Weeks Later was a disappointing sequel to the brilliance that was 28 Days Later. Instead of interesting characters, it relied too heavily on explosions and special effects. Maybe it is worth watching once, but only once.
Set 24 weeks after the events of its predecessor, 28 Weeks Later features an entirely new cast and narrative. Don Harris (Robert Carlyle) is one of the few survivors of the virus outbreak in London. He becomes the Caretaker of District One (the Isle of Dogs in London,) where he reunites with his children Tammy (Imogen Poots) and Andy (Mackintosh Muggleton.) When it emerges that Andy has a genetic abnormality, which means he could be immune to the virus, it is imperative that he is taken out of London.
While 28 Days Later was inventive and entertaining, 28 Weeks Later was generic and disappointing. The narrative is weaker and the characters are more annoying. However, before I begin criticising the film, let's start with what was good about it.
28 Weeks Later began explosively and far more in line with its predecessor. We are introduced to a small group of characters including Don and his wife Alice (Catherine McCormack) hiding out in a little cottage. Not before long, they are overcome by the Infected and all, but Don, die. This includes Alice whom he abandoned to save himself. This was a great beginning to the film. It was chaotic, intense and fast-paced. Even though, we only spend a few minutes with the characters, we got to know them well and we felt their conflicts. However, from here, the film devolves into an absolute mess.
Firstly, I think there is a lack of a clear protagonist. You might think that Don would be the protagonist, as Robert Carlyle has star billing. However, halfway through the film, he becomes infected and then fades into the shadows. This is when his children begin to take centre stage. I understand that the film was supposed to follow Don's journey, especially as one of the Infected. His wife is discovered alive with the same genetic immunity that she has passed onto her son. She is brought into the safezone and Don goes to see her. He kisses her, and in their passing of saliva, she infects him. He kills her, as the guilt of leaving her behind, manifests itself into a murderous rage.
From there, he then stalks and tries to kill his children, as they then become the object of his rage.
I get that the film tried to portray him as the next level of "Infected." They wanted to demonstrate him as having a humanity of some type, as he has enough latent memory to remember his children. They want us to sympathise with him and pity him. However, I don't think this worked. We spend too little time with the Infected Don to properly identify with his journey. We don't see him struggle enough with any humanity that he might left, and thus his conflict doesn't come through clear enough. This is a shame, as it was a good idea, but wasn't demonstrated well.
Don's children were also quite annoying. They generate conflict by making stupid mistakes. They sneaked out of the safe zone to return to their old home, where they find their mum and bring her back. While her mum is immune to the virus, she is also a carrier, and she then infects Don. If Tammy and Andy hadn't sneaked out, then this wouldn't have happened. Also a "safe zone" isn't very safe, if two children can sneak out, virtually undetected. If they can sneak out, what could sneak in?
Having said this, while Andy and Tammy were annoying at first, I think they gradually become more likeable. Right at the end of the film, Tammy kills her infected father, which came as a refreshing surprise. This demonstrated her inner strength and turmoil, and I just wish that this came through earlier.
One reason why 28 Days Later was so good was that it had a very small cast, which we got to know well. This was forfeited in favour of a large, sprawling cast and too many special effects. There were a lot of characters, but very few were actually interesting. I'd argue that Don was the most interesting character, but he was very much squandered. Instead, there were explosions and gunfire, which became very tedious after a time. Yes you did get medical officer Scarlett, (Rose Byrne) who is determined to get the children to safety, and soldier Doyle, who deserts his post to help Scarlett, but as my dad rightly identified, they were just stock characters. We learnt all that we needed to know about them, but not enough to make them three-dimensional.
Finally, we come to the camerawork. I read IMDB reviews, which argued that the "shakey-cam" footage was overused. But I'd disagree with this. Director, Juan Carlos Fresnadillo, used a shakey-cam, as he wanted to shoot this film as a documentary; he wanted to make it real as possible. And I think that it worked. The camerawork was frenetic and chaotic and did raise the suspense. It harked back to the excellent camerawork of 28 Days Later.
28 Weeks Later was a disappointing sequel to the brilliance that was 28 Days Later. Instead of interesting characters, it relied too heavily on explosions and special effects. Maybe it is worth watching once, but only once.
28 Days Later Review
While 28 Days Later is 653 on the top 1000 greatest films, that's not why I'm reviewing it. Recently, my dad and I have finished watching the hit BBC series Peaky Blinders, which stars Cillian Murphy, as Birmingham gangster, Tommy Shelby. Knowing that Murphy plays the protagonist, my dad wanted to watch 28 Days Later. As I've already seen it and know it's a great film, I was only too happy to oblige.
Set in central London, 28 Days after a virus turns most of the population into zombies, Jim (Cillian Murphy) wakes up from a coma. He soon befriends the emotionally damaged Selena (Naomie Harris), Frank (Brendan Gleeson) and his daughter Hannah (Megan Burns.) Their quest to find salvation draws them to a group of soldiers led by Major Henry West (Christopher Eccleston.)
One of the strongest facets of the film is its use of zombies. I know that there's debate over whether they can actually be called humans, as they aren't reanimated humans, but I'm going to refer to them as zombies. The zombies were scary and original with their jerky movements, strange screeches, but mostly, how they run, rather than limp to their victims. This is what separates them from other zombies and what sets 28 Days Later apart from other zombie horror films.
Director, Danny Boyle was also clever in his sparing use of the zombies. Only a handful of them appear in the film, which kept them fresh and exciting. If they had been used too much or had appeared in hordes, then their effect would have been diluted. The viewer would become too used to them. And, of course, it also emphasises how in zombie horror, the biggest threat is not the zombies, but the surviving people.
And there was no greater threat than the villainous Henry West who promised his men "women," in exchange for their loyalty. While this isn't anything new, it doesn't make it any less horrific. And Christopher Eccleston played the part well. Major West was deeply flawed in his loyalty to his men and how he truly believed that he was doing the right thing.
Danny Boyle also did brilliantly at creating a suspenseful atmosphere. The first few minutes of the film, showing a desolate London, was very creepy for somebody like me, who knows the hustle and bustle of London all too well.
Further, I also read that Danny Boyle used a special camera lens, which added a slow-motion effect. This mixed with a range of quirky camera angles, helped to add to the film's creepy atmosphere.
I also think that the characters were written well. There was only a handful of them, which allowed us to really get to know them. Murphy played Jim well. At the beginning of, he is completely out of his depth and overly-reliant on the far tougher Selena. However, by the film's conclusion, Jim has adapted to the brutality of the world, saving Selena from being raped, by gouging out one of the soldier's eyes.
And then we come to Naomie Harris who gave a great performance as Selena. The emotionally damaged, ruthless pragmatic Selena set a new precedent for female characters in horror films. In the first fifteen minutes of seeing her, we see her mercilessly kill her friend Mark, suspecting him of being infected. The emphasis here is on "suspecting," she doesn't know for sure, but decides not to take the risk. Yet under the cold exterior is a vulnerable, yet brave woman, which comes out later on in the film, particularly within her growing relationship with Jim.
I read that Danny Boyle, Naomie Harris and screenplay writer, Alex Garland, had developed a backstory for Selena, which explained why she was so emotionally damaged. She had to kill her parents to stop them infecting her little brother, only to find out that he was infected as well, forcing her to kill him too. This never made it to screen, but I wish it had. It would have been really interesting to delve into her backstory.
Finally Brendan Gleeson was great as Frank. He was deeply loyal to his daughter, Hannah, and his death scene was one of the saddest of the film.
Although, there were a couple of moments, which didn't make sense, such as the roads being clear instead of gridlocked or a supermarket being fully stocked, instead of raided, if I am to criticise the film for anything, it would be its ending.
The climax where Jim rescued Selena and Hannah from the soldiers was thrilling to watch, but from there, I think things were a bit rushed. Before West meets his death at the hands of one of his infected soldiers, he shoots Jim. This is when the film rushes through his recovery, instead picking up 28 days later, with a fully recovered Jim, Selena and Hannah, in a remote cottage. I think the film could have used a few more minutes showing what happened during these missing days.
My last criticism notwithstanding, 28 Days Later is a great film and a must-watch for fans of zombie horror. And don't worry, I will be reviewing 28 Weeks Later next.
Set in central London, 28 Days after a virus turns most of the population into zombies, Jim (Cillian Murphy) wakes up from a coma. He soon befriends the emotionally damaged Selena (Naomie Harris), Frank (Brendan Gleeson) and his daughter Hannah (Megan Burns.) Their quest to find salvation draws them to a group of soldiers led by Major Henry West (Christopher Eccleston.)
One of the strongest facets of the film is its use of zombies. I know that there's debate over whether they can actually be called humans, as they aren't reanimated humans, but I'm going to refer to them as zombies. The zombies were scary and original with their jerky movements, strange screeches, but mostly, how they run, rather than limp to their victims. This is what separates them from other zombies and what sets 28 Days Later apart from other zombie horror films.
Director, Danny Boyle was also clever in his sparing use of the zombies. Only a handful of them appear in the film, which kept them fresh and exciting. If they had been used too much or had appeared in hordes, then their effect would have been diluted. The viewer would become too used to them. And, of course, it also emphasises how in zombie horror, the biggest threat is not the zombies, but the surviving people.
And there was no greater threat than the villainous Henry West who promised his men "women," in exchange for their loyalty. While this isn't anything new, it doesn't make it any less horrific. And Christopher Eccleston played the part well. Major West was deeply flawed in his loyalty to his men and how he truly believed that he was doing the right thing.
Danny Boyle also did brilliantly at creating a suspenseful atmosphere. The first few minutes of the film, showing a desolate London, was very creepy for somebody like me, who knows the hustle and bustle of London all too well.
Further, I also read that Danny Boyle used a special camera lens, which added a slow-motion effect. This mixed with a range of quirky camera angles, helped to add to the film's creepy atmosphere.
I also think that the characters were written well. There was only a handful of them, which allowed us to really get to know them. Murphy played Jim well. At the beginning of, he is completely out of his depth and overly-reliant on the far tougher Selena. However, by the film's conclusion, Jim has adapted to the brutality of the world, saving Selena from being raped, by gouging out one of the soldier's eyes.
And then we come to Naomie Harris who gave a great performance as Selena. The emotionally damaged, ruthless pragmatic Selena set a new precedent for female characters in horror films. In the first fifteen minutes of seeing her, we see her mercilessly kill her friend Mark, suspecting him of being infected. The emphasis here is on "suspecting," she doesn't know for sure, but decides not to take the risk. Yet under the cold exterior is a vulnerable, yet brave woman, which comes out later on in the film, particularly within her growing relationship with Jim.
I read that Danny Boyle, Naomie Harris and screenplay writer, Alex Garland, had developed a backstory for Selena, which explained why she was so emotionally damaged. She had to kill her parents to stop them infecting her little brother, only to find out that he was infected as well, forcing her to kill him too. This never made it to screen, but I wish it had. It would have been really interesting to delve into her backstory.
Finally Brendan Gleeson was great as Frank. He was deeply loyal to his daughter, Hannah, and his death scene was one of the saddest of the film.
Although, there were a couple of moments, which didn't make sense, such as the roads being clear instead of gridlocked or a supermarket being fully stocked, instead of raided, if I am to criticise the film for anything, it would be its ending.
The climax where Jim rescued Selena and Hannah from the soldiers was thrilling to watch, but from there, I think things were a bit rushed. Before West meets his death at the hands of one of his infected soldiers, he shoots Jim. This is when the film rushes through his recovery, instead picking up 28 days later, with a fully recovered Jim, Selena and Hannah, in a remote cottage. I think the film could have used a few more minutes showing what happened during these missing days.
My last criticism notwithstanding, 28 Days Later is a great film and a must-watch for fans of zombie horror. And don't worry, I will be reviewing 28 Weeks Later next.
Saturday, 17 June 2017
Greater works? The 'Greater' Father? Did God die? Are Christians judged?
Religion
How do animals and women fit in? Why do evil and viruses exist?
How big was the flood and why doesn't God intervene?
What is the Trinity to other religions? Where does Jesus fit in? Does purgatory exist?
No further word from God? Only containing God's words? What about the errors?
Can it have different meanings? May a bible story be legend? Help from outside the bible...?
How dangerous is wealth? What about forgiving the unrepentant? Can euthanasia be Christian? What makes a church a sect?
Is Jesus the one to follow? Did Jesus rise bodily? Jesus and the Holy Spirit? How is Christ coming back? A synthesis of traditions?
Am I a real disciple of Jesus? What do I do when I am tempted? Why should Christians suffer? Why are other Christians a problem?
Creationism? Evolution? Other populations than Adam's? Who was Cain's Wife? Does God feel threatened? Was he harsh on Pharoah?
No images? No art? Show no mercy?
Condoning Force? The Unknown date? The third or sixth hour? When did Jesus die?
It is time for the last installment of The Top 100 Questions: Biblical Answers to Popular Questions. Across 15 articles, we've examined the place of women and animals in Christianity, attitudes towards homosexuality and why discrepancies exist in the Gospels. Time to round off this series with four last questions.
41. John 14:12 - Greater Works? Is the age of miracles past, or ought we to be expecting increasing miracles, on the basis of John 14:12?
John 14:12 reads, "very truly I tell you, all who have faith in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father."
Richard Bewes says that this scripture was once quoted to him by a man who had interpreted it "as an encouragement to expect greater physical miracles than Jesus ever performed."
However, Bewes argues that this scripture should be interpreted in terms of its context:
"the coming of the Holy Spirit in power." Bewes asserts that when the power of the Holy Spirit has been globalised, Christians worldwide will accomplish miracles greater than Christ's, but not in a physical, bt a spiritual capacity.
I find Bewes' answer very evasive, so this is my response. I think that the age of miracles is past or at least the age of divine miracles. Rather, I think that the capacity to perform a miracle, lies in the everyday person. We can all perform miracles in little or large displays of kindness. For me, this tackles one of the biggest issues that I've always had with religion: relying on an external force to act on our behalf. We can take control of our own lives by performing our own miracles.
42. John 14:28 - The 'Greater' Father? 'The Father is greater than I.' This is often quoted by those who want to disapprove the deity of Christ. What is behind these words?
As per usual, Bewes' response to this question comes down to semantics. John 14:26 reads:
"the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you."
According to Bewes, this is yet another example of how "New Testament texts combine all three persons of the Trinity in a single sentence." However, we need to remember that they all have different functions. Bewes asserts that "our salvation is authorised by the Father, achieved by the son and activated by the Holy Spirit."
This context shows that Jesus isn't speaking ontologically, but functionally. It is not Jesus' function to send the Father to do anything. Rather, it is the God that sends the son, and it is the Father that the son will return. And it is in this sense that the Father is greater.
Not that I know for certain, but I feel that whoever asked this question was a Muslim, Jew or somebody that doesn't recognise Jesus' divinity. And I think that Bewes' explanation puts them in their place.
44. Acts 20:28 - Did God die? The phrase in Acts 20:28 that God obtained his Church 'with his own blood; has provoked some of my unbelieving friends to ask sarcastically, 'Then did God die? Where does the answer lie?"
Acts 20:28 reads "keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseas. Be Shepherds of the Church of God, which he brought with his own blood."
Richard Bewes is adamant that these "words are an irrefutable painter to the deity of the Lord Jesus Christ - for it was his blood that was shed upon the cross for the sins of the world." The rest of Bewes' argument focusses on how it was the "external son who died upon the cross."
Yet I feel that Bewes undermines his whole argument by concluding "Did God die? Our respectful answer should be 'You tell me. Who is this? Jesus, who died on the Cross - for you?"
I think that non-believers would respond to this in two ways. Firstly, they'll argue that Jesus didn't exist. As he didn't exist, it's impossible for him to die. Secondly, if they do accept his existence, then they would only acknowledge him as a human being, and not a divine being. The fact that he dies demonstrates that he is a mortal human and not a divine God.
I think that in some sense, God did die. And by God, I mean Jesus. The Holy Trinity is all intrinsically linked and what affects one affects the other. As Jesus is the Son of God, part of God died when Jesus did.
How do animals and women fit in? Why do evil and viruses exist?
How big was the flood and why doesn't God intervene?
What is the Trinity to other religions? Where does Jesus fit in? Does purgatory exist?
No further word from God? Only containing God's words? What about the errors?
Can it have different meanings? May a bible story be legend? Help from outside the bible...?
How dangerous is wealth? What about forgiving the unrepentant? Can euthanasia be Christian? What makes a church a sect?
Is Jesus the one to follow? Did Jesus rise bodily? Jesus and the Holy Spirit? How is Christ coming back? A synthesis of traditions?
Am I a real disciple of Jesus? What do I do when I am tempted? Why should Christians suffer? Why are other Christians a problem?
Creationism? Evolution? Other populations than Adam's? Who was Cain's Wife? Does God feel threatened? Was he harsh on Pharoah?
No images? No art? Show no mercy?
Condoning Force? The Unknown date? The third or sixth hour? When did Jesus die?
It is time for the last installment of The Top 100 Questions: Biblical Answers to Popular Questions. Across 15 articles, we've examined the place of women and animals in Christianity, attitudes towards homosexuality and why discrepancies exist in the Gospels. Time to round off this series with four last questions.
41. John 14:12 - Greater Works? Is the age of miracles past, or ought we to be expecting increasing miracles, on the basis of John 14:12?
John 14:12 reads, "very truly I tell you, all who have faith in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father."
Richard Bewes says that this scripture was once quoted to him by a man who had interpreted it "as an encouragement to expect greater physical miracles than Jesus ever performed."
However, Bewes argues that this scripture should be interpreted in terms of its context:
"the coming of the Holy Spirit in power." Bewes asserts that when the power of the Holy Spirit has been globalised, Christians worldwide will accomplish miracles greater than Christ's, but not in a physical, bt a spiritual capacity.
I find Bewes' answer very evasive, so this is my response. I think that the age of miracles is past or at least the age of divine miracles. Rather, I think that the capacity to perform a miracle, lies in the everyday person. We can all perform miracles in little or large displays of kindness. For me, this tackles one of the biggest issues that I've always had with religion: relying on an external force to act on our behalf. We can take control of our own lives by performing our own miracles.
42. John 14:28 - The 'Greater' Father? 'The Father is greater than I.' This is often quoted by those who want to disapprove the deity of Christ. What is behind these words?
As per usual, Bewes' response to this question comes down to semantics. John 14:26 reads:
"the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you."
According to Bewes, this is yet another example of how "New Testament texts combine all three persons of the Trinity in a single sentence." However, we need to remember that they all have different functions. Bewes asserts that "our salvation is authorised by the Father, achieved by the son and activated by the Holy Spirit."
This context shows that Jesus isn't speaking ontologically, but functionally. It is not Jesus' function to send the Father to do anything. Rather, it is the God that sends the son, and it is the Father that the son will return. And it is in this sense that the Father is greater.
Not that I know for certain, but I feel that whoever asked this question was a Muslim, Jew or somebody that doesn't recognise Jesus' divinity. And I think that Bewes' explanation puts them in their place.
44. Acts 20:28 - Did God die? The phrase in Acts 20:28 that God obtained his Church 'with his own blood; has provoked some of my unbelieving friends to ask sarcastically, 'Then did God die? Where does the answer lie?"
Acts 20:28 reads "keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseas. Be Shepherds of the Church of God, which he brought with his own blood."
Richard Bewes is adamant that these "words are an irrefutable painter to the deity of the Lord Jesus Christ - for it was his blood that was shed upon the cross for the sins of the world." The rest of Bewes' argument focusses on how it was the "external son who died upon the cross."
Yet I feel that Bewes undermines his whole argument by concluding "Did God die? Our respectful answer should be 'You tell me. Who is this? Jesus, who died on the Cross - for you?"
I think that non-believers would respond to this in two ways. Firstly, they'll argue that Jesus didn't exist. As he didn't exist, it's impossible for him to die. Secondly, if they do accept his existence, then they would only acknowledge him as a human being, and not a divine being. The fact that he dies demonstrates that he is a mortal human and not a divine God.
I think that in some sense, God did die. And by God, I mean Jesus. The Holy Trinity is all intrinsically linked and what affects one affects the other. As Jesus is the Son of God, part of God died when Jesus did.
46. Romans 14:10 - Are Christians judged? How true is it that Christians must face the judgement sent of God? Didn't Jesus teach that believers escape the judgement?
Bewes argues that the evidence for Christians facing God's judgement is massive. He clarifies that "it is not that we shall be saved for the last. We have already passed from death to life."
He continues by asserting that "there are enough indications in Scripture that the Christian will face the searchlight of Christ's enquiring gaze at the last date: How did you spend your days for me? How did you use your opportunities? How did you grow in character and discipleship?
Bewes then points to 1 Corinthians 3:10-15, which reads
"By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as a wise builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should build with care. For no-one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, their work will be shown foe what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each person';s work. If what has been built survives, the builder will receive a reward. If it is burned up, the builder will suffer loss but yet will be saved - even though only as one escaping through the flames."
Bewes argues that this scripture is addressed towards the early church leaders. He asks "how are they building the work of God? Is the foundation secure? Will it end up like gold, or only as straw? For those who teach others, there are 'rewards,' but there is also a possibility of ''loss' - though not of salvation."
From what I know of Christianity, I would like to believe that everyone will be judged when they die. This promise of being judged will then serve as motivation to live a good life. It discourages complacency or arrogance, as Christians will constantly strive to improve themselves and help others. This is why I don't like the idea of predestination. I don't like how a person's fate is picked out before they're even born, and they can't do a thing to change it. This has the danger of creating a self-fulfilling prophecy. If a person thinks they're damned to hell, then why should they try to be a good person?
And this concludes my fifteenth and last article concerning biblical questions. I've enjoyed writing these articles and I think I've learnt a lot more about Christianity and I hope you have too. However, I am still not an expert and as always, I welcome your comments and criticisms. Just keep it mature. Keep it respectful. Keep it intelligent.
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