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Idris Elba

SF Radio 8.22 High-Speed Heroes in SONIC THE HEDGEHOG 2

April 17, 2022 by Steve Norton Leave a Comment

Now that SONIC THE HEDGEHOG 2 has sped into theatres, its box office success shows that this franchise actually has legs after all. With fun and furry, the sequel sees Sonic run far beyond the limits of Green Hills as he and new friend Tails work together to find the Chaos Emerald before his new adversary, Knuckles (Idris Elba). This week, Kirk Haviland (InTheSeats.ca; Blood in the Snow Film Festival) stops by to talk about the success (and failures) of video game films and what makes a hero.

You can stream on podomatic, Alexa (via Stitcher), Spotify, iHeart Radio or Amazon Podcasts! Or, you can downoad the ep on Apple Podcasts!

Want to continue to conversation at home?  Click the link below to download ‘Fishing for More’ — some small group questions for you to bring to those in your area.

8.22-Sonic-the-Hedgehog-2Download

Filed Under: Featured, Film, Podcast Tagged With: Idris Elba, James Marsden, Jim Carrey, Knuckles, Sonic, Sonic 2, Sonic the Hedgehog, Tails, Tika Sumpter

Sonic the Hedgehog 2: Faster and More Furry-ous

April 7, 2022 by Steve Norton Leave a Comment

Knuckles (Idris Elba) and Sonic (Ben Schwartz) in Sonic The Hedgehog 2 from Paramount Pictures and Sega.

Faster and more furry-ous than the original, Sonic 2 manages to take the franchise to the next level.

Directed by Jeff Fowler, Sonic the Hedgehog 2 sees the return of the Blue Blur as he eagerly seeks to prove that he has what it takes to be a hero. Although he has settled in Green Hills, he frequently seeks out crime in order to show off his skills. However, his ultimate test comes when Dr. Robotnik returns from the Mushroom World with a new ally. Teaming up with the powerful echidna Knuckles, the two begin a quest for an all-powerful emerald that could destroy civilizations. As he battles Robotnik’s evil drones, Sonic must also team up with a brilliant fox named Tails in order to retrieve the emerald before it falls into the wrong hands.

Sonic (Ben Schwartz) in SONIC THE HEDGEHOG 2 from Paramount Pictures and Sega. Photo Credit: Courtesy Paramount Pictures and Sega of America.

Leaning further into its video game roots, Sonic the Hedgehog 2 is a wild and frenetic chase around the world. As with the first film, Sonic 2 is energetic and enthusiastic across the board. Known for his speed and ‘attitude’, pop culture references and 90s music fly at such an astounding rate that they’re practically dizzying. Much grander in scale than its predecessor, the sequel expands the world extremely quickly, bringing in many more of the franchise’s characters that we know and love. As a result, the film feels more like a superhero film than its predecessor with its emphasis on global threats and powerful team-ups. Whereas the first film was a more intimate affair about Sonic’s connection with a small-town family, the sequel expands at… well… a sonic pace.

The addition of Sonic’s besties Tails and Knuckles to the world combined with the global adventure for an all-powerful emerald make the film feel massive in scale and changes the tone of the film. As a result, admittedly, the sequel does miss the more intimate moments that made the first film special. While there are some quieter character pauses that are memorable—like Sonic’s conversation with his friend/father Tom (James Marsden) in a rowboat—they often get lost amidst the chaotic story going on around them. However, in all honestly, the film has such humour and heart that it still feels special somehow.

Sonic (Ben Schwartz) in Sonic The Hedgehog 2 from Paramount Pictures and Sega.

Amidst the CGI mayhem, performances still remain enjoyable and fun. Fueled by Ben Schwartz, Sonic has the same whiz-bang personality that we have come to know and love. (There’s even a Parks and Recreation reference to fans of his Jean-Ralphio character.) After the success of the original, Schwartz’ voice has become synonymous with the character due to his ability to carry both innocence and attitude at the same time. What’s more, returnee Jim Carrey continues to find new energy as the villainous Robotnik. In many ways, it’s surprising to see Carrey so enthusiastic about returning to a franchise as he has remained (mostly) averse to sequels throughout his career. Even so, stepping into the role of Sonic’s arch-nemesis seems to have rejuvenated him by giving him an opportunity to lean into his more over-the-top performance style. (In fact, one could argue that he’s created a character who is allowed to literally mustache twirl his villainy.) 

Jim Carrey in Sonic The Hedgehog 2 from Paramount Pictures and Sega. Photo Credit: Courtesy Paramount Pictures and Sega of America.

However, the best addition to the franchise may be its new characters, especially Idris Elba‘s Knuckles. All brawn and very little brains, Knuckles is a strong addition to the canon and has some of the film’s best dialogue. Signifying brute force, Elba‘s intense growl works well for the character yet his mighty warrior mindset is frequently offset by his innocence. (Incidentally, Tails is quite the opposite to Knuckles, with an ‘all brains and no brawn’ demeanour.)

In some ways, the film is reminiscent of The Wizard of Oz insofar as it involves three protagonists all on their own separate emotional journeys. (In fact, it’s also worth noting that the goal of all three characters remains the all-powerful Emerald…) For Tails, his arc seems to be about finding courage. Following his hero Sonic around the universe, the young fox doesn’t believe that he has anything to offer the mission. Of course, this isn’t the case… but he must discover that for himself. At the same time, the Tin Ma… er… Knuckles may have a rough exterior yet he is struggling to understand what it means to open up his heart to friendship. Although he believes he’s found one in Dr. Robotnik, their alliance is an uneasy one at best and he must learn who is worthy of his trust. 

Knuckles (Idris Elba) in Sonic The Hedgehog 2 from Paramount Pictures and Sega. Photo Credit: Courtesy Paramount Pictures and Sega of America.

Even so, the primary emotional arc throughout the film remains Sonic’s understanding of what it means to be a hero. Wanting desperately to be able to use his powers to help people, he spends his nights stopping crime in the big city. (He even refers to himself as ‘Blue Justice’.) To Sonic, heroism is about being the standalone force for good that gets the glory for their actions. Unfortunately, that’s simply not the case. Instead, Sonic must learn that true heroism requires self-sacrifice, humility and putting others needs before your own if he ever truly wants to leave his mark. 

For sure, Sonic the Hedgehog 2 is often silly and definitely over-the-top but frankly it’s still wildly enjoyable family fare. It’s also clear that the franchise is far from over. As with the first film, a post credit scene suggests that another adventure is on the way. (Without giving any spoilers, the scene’s introduction of another fan favourite character elicited almost Marvel-like enthusiasm from those in our theatre.) 

Assuming that’s the case, I know my kids and I are ready for the next level.

Sonic the Hedgehog 2 is available in theatres on Friday, April 8th, 2022.

Filed Under: Featured, Film, Reviews Tagged With: Ben Schwartz, Colleen O'Shaunessy, Idris Elba, James Marsden, Jim Carrey, Sonic the Hedgehog, Tika Sumpter

6.16 Pouncing on CATS

January 17, 2020 by Steve Norton Leave a Comment

Featuring iconic songs from Andrew Lloyd Webber and starring such talents as Jennifer Hudson, Idris Elba, Taylor Swift and more, the first big screen portrayal of the Broadway smash musical CATS seemed like a sure-fire hit over the Christmas season. However, despite its award-winning pedigree, terrible reviews and troubled special effects have caused the film to suffer at the box office. But does the film deserve to be in the centre of Oscar buzz or does it really cough up a hairball? This week, we’re joined by Allen Chabot and newcomer Naomi Bain to talk about welcoming outsiders, T.S. Eliot and what went wrong… horribly, horribly wrong… 

You can also stream the episode above on podomatic, Alexa (via Stitcher), Spotify or Soundcloud! Or, you can download the ep on Apple Podcasts or Google Play!

Want to continue to conversation at home?  Click the link below to download ‘Fishing for More’ — some small group questions for you to bring to those in your area.

6.16 CatsDownload

Filed Under: Film, Podcast Tagged With: Andrew Lloyd Webber, cats, Dame Judy Dench, Idris Elba, Jason Derulo, Jennifer Hudson, musical, Oscars, Taylor Swift

TIFF17: The Mountain Between Us

January 3, 2018 by Steve Norton Leave a Comment

The Mountain Between Us tells the story of Alex (Kate Winslet) and Ben (Idris Elba), two strangers who both find themselves stuck in an airport when their respective flights are suddenly cancelled.  Anxious to get to their destination, the two strangers decide to charter a flight together to beat the system.  However, when their pilot (Beau Bridges!) takes ill mid-flight, the plane crashes in the mountains, leaving the two to fend for themselves against all odds in the harshest of conditions.

Shot in Vancouver, British Columbia, Mountain features stunning visual photography and, according to the cast, no CGI wizardry.  The film’s emphasis on practical visuals lend credibility to the perils of the wilderness.  While ‘survivalist’ films are nothing new (remember, it was only two years ago that we witnessed DiCaprio make a similar trek in The Revenant), Mountain somehow feels almost fresh due to the strength of its leads.  While no one would doubt their talent, Elba and Winslet work surprisingly well together, creating genuine sexual tension between the two strangers.

At its heart, Mountain is less about surviving the elements and more about what draws us together.  As such, the ‘mountain between them’ becomes more metaphoric than literal as the strangers must navigate the challenges of trusting another person with whom you have no prior relationship.  While other films show sacrifice as the greatest act of love, Mountain recognizes that mutual sacrifice is also a key part of the community.  Winslet’s nosy journalist is a solid foil for Elba’s emotionally stunted Ben as they are forced to decide whether or not they are better off together or alone in their fight to survive.  This strain is further emphasized by the cinematography between the two subjects, as director Abu-Assad consistently places Winslet and Elba in either extreme closeness or distant separation onscreen.  The result is a visual push/pull that emotionally unites the actors in the midst of dire circumstances.

In the end, The Mountain Between Us is a surprisingly engaging piece about what connected us.  By focusing the story on the tension between the two leads, the script allows them to drive the narrative emotionally, which is their strength.  Through solid performances and writing, the film reminds us that the greatest mountains between us are often what we create ourselves.

Special features include “Love and Survival: Creating Chemistry,” “Mountain Between Them: Shooting in Isolation,” “The Wilds: Surviving Stunts,” a director’s commentary by Hany Abu-Assad, and deleted scenes. 

Filed Under: DVD, Reviews Tagged With: Beau Bridges, drama, Idris Elba, Kate Winslet, romance, Survival, The Mountain Between Us, TIFF, TIFF17, Vancouver

The Jungle Book – Updating a Classic of a Classic

April 15, 2016 by Darrel Manson Leave a Comment

“Now this is the Law of the Jungle — as old and as true as the sky;
And the Wolf that shall keep it may prosper, but the Wolf that shall break it must die.

As the creeper that girdles the tree-trunk the Law runneth forward and back —
For the strength of the Pack is the Wolf, and the strength of the Wolf is the Pack.”

The Jungle Book is Disney’s new high-tech, live-action (sort of) remake of their 1967 animated film based on Rudyard Kipling’s 1894 book. The new version tries to find a middle path between the more light-hearted earlier film, and the darker, more mythic Kipling story. Director Jon Favreau purposely wanted to keep some of the elements of the earlier film that he loved as a child. But rather than produce a straight remake, he has created something much more enticing with much greater depth.

Because the film is mostly CG animation (assisted at various points of production with puppetry and motion capture), it has an amazingly realistic look to it. These are not cartoon tigers, wolves, and bears. They look real, even though they talk. That in itself makes the film a bit darker and scarier (especially for younger children). The action/adventure element can be intense at times, but that just adds to the enjoyment of the film.

thejunglebook55f856edc4aa8

The film is part coming of age story and part hero’s journey. This is the story of Mowgli (Neel Sethi, the only actual onscreen performer), a man-cub discovered alone in the jungle as an infant by the panther Bagheera (voiced by Ben Kingsley). Knowing that Mowgli would need “a people” to raise him, he was left with the wolf pack lead by Akela and Raksha (Giancarlo Esposito and Lupita Nyong’o). This is the only home and family that Mowgli has known. When the tiger Shere Khan (Idris Elba) discovers there is a man-cub in the jungle, he vows to kill it and anyone who stands in his way.

It is decided that Mowgli must leave the jungle for the realm of men. He and Bagheera start off on a journey to the human village. Along the way there are adventures—some fun, others quite dangerous—in which Mowgli must learn to make wise choices. He also must use his resourcefulness (a part of his human nature) as he makes his way. Among those he meets on the way are Kaa (Scarlett Johansson) a massive and seductive python, Baloo (Bill Murray) a slothful but lovable bear, and King Louie (Christopher Walken), a huge Gigantopithicus (a cross between an orangutan and a yeti) who wants Mowgli to give him the secret of man’s red flower (fire) so he can rule the jungle.

thejunglebook56b918f3de2d4

There are several themes in the story worth exploring. The first is what it means to be human and what it means that humans are animals. Mowgli, having been raised by the jungle animals, really thinks like them. He has had no contact with humans so he doesn’t know what they are like. Yet, he is also different from the animals. He has “tricks”. He creates and uses tools. He makes complicated plans to achieve an end. But Mowgli, even though he has certain skills as a part of his nature, is never seen as above the other animals. He feels he belongs to the jungle, and most of the animals accept him as he is.

Mowgli also must choose between two approaches to life. Bagheera, his primary mentor, and the wolf pack live by order and rules. The pack regularly recites the Law of the Jungle (taken from a Kipling poem). Bagheera (as played by Kingsley) has a military swagger. But when Mowgli meets Baloo, he is exposed to a much different understanding. Baloo lives for ease and pleasure. At first look, this may come across as the kind of difference between wisdom and folly found in the biblical book of Proverbs. But Mowgli learns that each way of living has its own rewards. It is not so much that he must choose between them as he must learn to balance them. Bagheera and Baloo also learn of the need to balance.

thejunglebook56b918f52fcee

But the key value that The Jungle Book puts forward is that of community. Mowgli alone may be resourceful and creative, but he is no match for the dangers in the jungle. That is why Bagheera gave him to the wolf pack to raise. Much of the film is built around the idea of community: Mowgli and the Pack, Mowgli and Bagheera’s relationship, and Mowgli’s working and playing with Baloo are all about the importance of being tied to one another. And when Mowgli and Shere Kahn must settle scores, as we know they must, it is the Law of the Jungle—“For the strength of the Pack is the Wolf, and the strength of the Wolf is the Pack”—that sets the stage for the outcome. In Ecclesiastes it says,

“Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up the other; but woe to one who is alone and falls and does not have another to help. Again, if two lie together, they keep warm; but how can one keep warm alone? And though one might prevail against another, two will withstand one. A threefold cord is not quickly broken.”

The importance of helping each other and living in peace with others is at the core of The Jungle Book.

Photos courtesy of Walt Disney Studios

Filed Under: Featured, Film, Reviews Tagged With: 3D, animation, Ben Kingsley, Bill Murray, Christopher Walken, Disney, Giancarlo Esposito, Idris Elba, Jon Favreau, Lupita Nyong'o, Neel Sethi, remake, Rudyard Kipling

Podcast: Dividing ZOOTOPIA

March 23, 2016 by Steve Norton Leave a Comment

zootopia3

http://screenfish.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/2.11-Zootopia.mp3

This week on the show, ScreenFish writer, Darrel Manson and Steve Norton talk about the racial barriers between lions, foxes and bunnies (Oh my!) in Disney’s ZOOTOPIA!

Want to continue to conversation at home?  Click the link below to download ‘Fishing for More’ — some small group questions for you to bring to those in your area.

2.11 Zootopia

Filed Under: Film, Podcast Tagged With: animation, Disney, Ginnifer Goodwin, Idris Elba, Jason Bateman, zootopia

Zootopia – Can Diversity Work?

March 4, 2016 by Darrel Manson Leave a Comment

Zootopia568c69e6a12faI think one of the most impressive things about Zootopia is not its animation quality (which is very good) or its storyline (which is certainly worthy of the Disney trademark), but the prescience of the filmmakers to have this film coming out when it does. Animated films take a long time to make, so in reality the filmmaking team led by directors Byron Howard and Rich Moore couldn’t have known just how timely the film’s release would be, but it seems like just the right time.

Zootopia is a world in which anthropomorphic animals have learned to live in harmony—no more predator/prey dichotomy. It is a place where lions and lambs dwell together in peace. (There’s something biblical about that vision.) Yet, there are still vestiges of mistrust especially between rabbits and foxes. It is also a place that claims “Anyone can be anything.” Young bunny Judy Hopps (voiced by Ginnifer Goodwin) takes that to heart. It is her dream to be a police officer. Her parents counsel against the idea. (Mother (Bonnie Hunt): “It’s good to have dreams.” Father (Don Lake): “Just so you don’t believe in them too much.”) Through an affirmative action program, Judy becomes the first rabbit police officer for Zootopia. All the other cops are large, tough animals. Chief Bogo (Idris Elba) doesn’t want a rabbit on the force and assigns her to parking duty. Soon, though she pushes herself into a missing animal investigation. Bogo gives her 48 hours to solve it or resign. She enlists the help of Nick Wilde (Jason Bateman), a con-man fox to help her through the seamier side of Zootopian life. Of course, the mistrust that Judy has learned all through her life makes it hard at times to trust Nick.

ZOOTOPIA – Pictured: Judy Hopps. ©2016 Disney. All Rights Reserved.
©2016 Disney. All Rights Reserved.

It is essentially a police/buddy movie. Judy and Nick are both outsiders, but they are very different in temperament. Judy is an optimist who believes she will make the world a better place as a police officer. Even when she is assigned to parking duty, she writes 200 tickets before noon to prove what a good officer she is. Nick is a cynic. He trusts no one because he understands that animal nature is not as rosy as Judy seems to think it is. But as they work together to solve the mystery, the two come to respect each other and will each be willing to sacrifice to save the other.

One of the key themes of Zootopia is diversity. The film features 64 species of mammals from shrews to elephants, including weasels, otters, a yak, sloths, lions, sheep, rhinos, hippos, wolves and many more. Yet although Judy starts off seeing this world as a utopian society, she learns that some prejudices and biases that are hard to overcome. It also shows how some are willing to use those biases and fears to gain power.

©2015 Disney. All Rights Reserved.

This is what makes Zootopia so timely. In a world in which we proclaim #BlackLivesMatter and had an awards season defined by #OscarsSoWhite, this film celebrates a diverse society as an ideal, but also recognizes that such diversity is not easy to maintain. It sees that we often bring prejudices we don’t recognize. It sees that those fears can be exploited by those who would manipulate people for their own advantage. And it sees that if we are going to live together that we must work hard to know and respect one another. The film creates a world in which we can look at the sin of racism and the possibilities of reconciliation in a non-threatening way.

The commitment to diversity is not limited to the story. One of the things I noted when the credits began was the number of people of color who were part of the cast. Others not already mentioned include Olivia Spencer (Mrs. Otterton), Tommy Chong (Yax the Yak), and Shakira (Gazelle, the hottest singer/dancer in Zootopia). Although we don’t see this diversity onscreen, it is impressive that the filmmakers seem to have been intentional in making this a cast that represented that vision they were trying to convey.

Photos courtesy of Walt Disney Pictures

Filed Under: Film, Reviews Tagged With: animation, buddy movie, Byron Howard, Disney, Diversity, Ginnifer Goodwin, Idris Elba, Jason Bateman, police, racism, Rich Moore, Tommy Chong

The Wire: Are You Listening? #TBT

May 28, 2015 by Jacob Sahms Leave a Comment

The Wire starring McNulty, the Barksdales, Stringer Bell, Lt. Daniels, Kima, Bunk, Rawls, Burrell, Rhonda, Bubbles, Freamon, Sobotka, Beadie, Carver, Herc, Bodie, Vondas, Prez, Omar, Sydnor, Carcetti, Marlo, Cutty, Bunny, Royce, Snoop, Poot, Prop Joe etc.
The Wire starring McNulty, the Barksdales, Stringer Bell, Lt. Daniels, Kima, Bunk, Rawls, Burrell, Rhonda, Bubbles, Freamon, Sobotka, Beadie, Carver, Herc, Bodie, Vondas, Prez, Omar, Sydnor, Carcetti, Marlo, Cutty, Bunny, Royce, Snoop, Poot, Prop Joe etc.

I never knew how important The Wire was until I was in the gym a few weeks ago, and the creator of the show, David Simon, flashed up on the television. They’re showing The Wire on regular television? you ask. No, Simon was an interviewee about the Freddie Gray case in Baltimore! Art imitating life imitating art? Or can we just agree that some stories are stranger than fiction?

The groundbreaking HBO show, which took narrative television in a different direction, ran from 2002 to 2008. (Surprisingly, it’s taken this long for the company to deliver the complete series on Blu-ray/Digital HD – out next Tuesday.) Spanning five seasons and sixty episodes, the series is ripe with characters and story lines that, quite frankly, sprawl throughout several of Baltimore’s major ‘sections,’ individually tackled in its own season. Starting with the drug trade, the first season dives into an investigation of the ports, the government, the schools, and the media.

At the center of the show is Detective Jimmy McNulty (Dominic West, 300, John Carter), a personally dysfunctional human being whose insubordination ticks everyone off, but ultimately proves necessary for getting to the bottom of cases that others would ignore. Initially, he works with his partner Bunk Moreland (Wendell Pierce, Suits, The Odd Couple), but ends up assigned to a team no one wants, headed by Lieutenant Cedric Daniels (Lance Reddick, Lost, Fringe, John Wick) that includes Detective Kima Greggs (Sonja Sohn), Lester Freamon (Clark Peters), and “Prez” Pryzbylewski (Jim True-Frost). They open up an investigation into the drug trade that the government and police above them seem to have turned a blind eye to for their own benefit.

While the narrative often seems to meander, which makes it more realistic, it’s a laser focus on the drugs that are ruining the city that both sides of the trade seem to care about. Simon wouldn’t call it good versus evil, but different sides of the same coin. On the other side of that coin are the drug dealers. The biggest fish on the block is Avon Barksdale (Wood Harris, Remember the Titans), Barksdale’s righthand man, Stringer Bell (Idris Elba, Thor, Prometheus, Luther), and Barksdale’s chief competition, Omar Little (Michael K. Williams, Boardwalk Empire).

thewire1It’s clever, and intricate, drawing us in with subtle clues and plot moves, not over-the-top steady violence like more over-the-top shows. That’s thanks to Simon’s own understanding of how things work, and his collaboration that had previously lead to Homicide: Life on the Streets and before he would make Treme.

Simon said in 2002, “Ed Burns and I wrote The Corner together. That book is a subtle argument against the drug war. But we both felt that since the book was for the most part a microcosm of that war in the tale of a single open-air drug market, there was more to be said about the nature of the disconnect between law enforcement and the drug culture. And we felt that this could be accomplished through a narrative like The Wire.”

The big name actors wouldn’t have made their mark if it hadn’t been for some of the ‘little guys’ over five seasons. They’re actors you might know now, if you’re watching Game of Thrones, The Walking Dead, or other gritty dramas, with names like Lawrence Gilliam, Chad Coleman, Seth Gilliam, Domenick Lombardozzi, J.D. Williams, Amy Ryan, Pablo Schreiber, Maestro Harrell, and Aidan Gillen, but they weren’t well known before their ride on The Wire. And, best of all, there’s a young Michael B. Jordan of your upcoming Fantastic Four.

Watching current shows, like Game of Thrones or True Detective (ironically, both on HBO), I see whispers of The Wire. But, you ask, how can that be so, when one’s pure fantasy and the other is a quick miniseries? Of course, it’s about the storytelling that flows less-than-episodically, that dares to kill off characters you care about, or pound you with frustration after frustration over your favorite’s inability to rise above their situation. It’s about recognizing that we live in a world of gray, where what we believe or think about is dictated by nature and nurture, where right and wrong are a sliding scale based on where you stand. It certainly helps keep us guessing that Simon (like George R.R. Martin) wasn’t sentimental, but he was telling stories he saw play out in real life, examining people and their motives.

Simon again: “We are not selling hope, or audience gratification, or cheap victories with this show. The Wire is making an argument about what institutions – bureaucracies, criminal enterprises, the cultures of addiction, raw capitalism even – do to individuals. It is not designed purely as an entertainment. It is, I’m afraid, a somewhat angry show.”

thewire2Years later, packaged with four documentaries about the show, with the Season Five mini-prequels, and a taped event that was a reunion of sorts, the show holds up to scrutiny in ways that even current shows don’t. I imagine there’s a short stack of television I’ll revisit in ten years: Lost, Game of Thrones, The Wire. The shows that pack powerful punch and refuse to let you settle for simple answers.

It’s easy to see “drugs bad, cops good,” but we know that life isn’t like that. We might not be able to imagine a life where drug sales seem to be the only way up, or a world where cops seem out to get us. But watching the news, we should be able to see how broken the world is: it doesn’t work right, and for some people, based on location, class, or the color of their skin, this is their reality. Like Simon said, it’s not just entertainment but it’s an angry commentary on the injustices of the world we live in today.

Shows like this are fascinating, but there’s also a sadness there, if we think about it long enough. What made these people act this way? What robbed them of their innocence and stole their hope? What made the world work this way? Where I’m sitting, it’s endemic of the fallen world we live in. Maybe it makes us angry, or maybe it makes us apathetic. But what if it would make us re-examine our expectations of the world and the people who live in it? What if we recognized in stories like this, that the people we judge on the nightly news have more complicated lives than we thought? What if we recognized that it was on us to help try and change the world, not judge the people who don’t live in it like we think they should?

The Wire just might entertain you for days. Or it might make you think. It probably depends on how willing you are to look with new eyes and examine the possibilities.

Filed Under: DVD, Reviews Tagged With: Aidan Gillen, David Simon, Dominic West, HBO, Idris Elba, Lance Reddick, Michael B. Jordan, Sonja Sohn, The Wire

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