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Rick & Morty has changed everything. It's a show which has everything and, if you're deep into pop culture, you'll love it to the point of worship and madness. This is the massive impact which has had the series created by the bonkers minds of Dan Harmon and Justin Roiland. Anyway, this isn't Rick & Morty and I'm still trying to understand how to wrap this introduction. You're in my blog and this a review about Solar Opposites, which happens to be a creation of Justin Roiland. Such a coincidence. Actually I don't believe in coincidence because it's a dumb concept. Things happens without no reason, like politcs, love, ignorance and politics. I'm trying to imitate the series voice over of the opening credits. I'm so bad at it, sooo bad. Anyway, this is my review of the show.
PLOT
"A family of aliens move to middle America, where they debate whether life is better there or on their home planet" or "Four aliens wreak havoc in the American suburbs".
SCRIPT
This is not the usual sitcom. Here everything is done to subvert your expectations and bring new ideas. The fact that a "family" of aliens is front and center is original. Usually the aliens are relegated as supporting characters or villains. Usually this create a weird situation but in this universe everyone seems to have assimilated them as humans. The show isn't just about oddities but it's also about human relationships. Even though the main characters are aliens, they display almost the same quality of humans, which make them more relatable. If you're familiar with Rick & Morty you'll notice the same structure for each episode and the series: at the end of every episode everything turns back to normal but the experiences and new informantions will carry on for the rest of the show. This is a clever way to stick to the sitcom's baseline and play with it. Each character has a well defined personality and an arch, which is subtle. I liked the fact that the kids are a reflection of their parents and how you can get it through a visual and verbal way. Every episode deals with a different kind of topic which is studied in deep by two parallels side plots and a subplot, which, I think, deserves it's own show because it's a pretty interesting idea. Just imagine a grittier and more realistic version of Gulliver and Ant-man. I find it particularly remarkable the fact that, evem though it isn't explicit, Justin Roiland has been able to portray a couple of bisexual androgynus being who have an open relationship with such an ease. I think that it sums up what's the main strength of this show: a witty, cynical, biting, gritty and fanciful script. There's just one issue. One character is a blatant copy of Rick, the mad genius of Rick and Morty.
Script: 8/10
ACTING
The actors are well cast and their voices fit the characters. This isn't on the level of other animated series like Invincible but the talent is there. Unfortunately Justin Roiland isn't able to detach himself from his most beloved character and his performance is a bit alienating sometimes. Probably you'll love the fact that a lot of great voice actors will appear for a brief period, to reinvigorate the show with their talent. Just to mention some of them: Christina Hendricks, Jason Mantzoukas, who has a distinct and unforgettable voice, and Alan Tudyk, he's been in a lot of Disney's productions.
Acting: 7/10
PHOTOGRAPHY
It's characterized by a cornucopia of bright colors and a large use of gore. The producers have fan with it, crafting a reality which is interesting and inventive. I liked the symbolism behind the aliens colour, for example blue represents knowledge and green naivety. The main character which is strongly linked with colour simbolysm and diversify its texture is The Pupa(the one below). She ranges between yellow, orange and purple. There's also something, which is subtle, about the recurring subplot which makes it differ a bit from the main one: it has slightly more shadows to underline the fact that, although it's a weird situation, it has to be taken more seriously.
Photography: 7/10
EDITING
It employs a bit of slow motion, used to enhance a comedic moment, but it's mostly made of jump cuts, used to keep the plot more dynamic and create comedy and uneasiness after a catastrophe(like Rick and Morty there's a lot of it). Another type of shot is the backward one, which is usually used to undermine the drama in favor of comedy and a moving shot left-right(and vice versa) to create laughable situations. It's funny but it isn't exceptional.
Editing: 6/10
SPECIAL EFFECTS
The design is simple but smooth and fluid. It takes a lot of risks by going all in with the gore and fantasy. I would say that it's extremely witty because the creators have poured in a lot of easter eggs. Some are easy to pick up and some are blatantly thrown at your face, which is a thing that I didn't like a lot. The best visuals are delivered in the weird world of the Wall, where the sketchers impress with a lot of disturbing imagery and uncomfortable situations. It's slightly above average but it isn't something new.
Special Effects: 7/10
SOUNDTRACK
Most of the time it's in the background but, when it needs to be serious and epic, it evolves into something beautiful. The show use also pop music to appeal to a younger audience and make some scenes more light hearted. Although it's harmless, the soundtrack is below mediocre because it doesn't have a lot of memorable moments(most of them are in the Wall).
Soundtrack: 5/10
COSTUMES
There isn't a lot of originality here. That's strange, because it's a show about aliens. I've expected more from Justin Roiland but it's hard to craft something outstanding when your setting is limited to the suburbs.
Costumes: 5/10
CONCLUSION
Script: 8/10
Acting: 7/10
Photography: 7/10
Editing: 6/10
Special Effects: 7/10
Soundtrack: 5/10
Costumes: 5/10
AVERAGE: 6,42
If you're a fan of Rick & Morty you'll love it, if you are not I think that it could be hard to watch or feel like a novel thing to be explored. The show deals with a lot of interesting questions and it's able to represent a LGBT+ couple without problems, which isn't common for animated show. It breaks the mold with new ideas and marvellous graphics, which please and disgust the eye. It's a light hearted show with a lot of wit and subtlety, which makes it even more engaging. I recommend it to every reader who isn't in touch with Roiland's style and wants an animated series above average or as a test before watching Rick & Morty.
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Last night I stayed up a little late and binged all of Hulu’s third season of Solar Opposites. Every season continues to blow me away at how funny they can make it. I continue to want just a pure drama spin off of the wall people. They take up so much of the show’s time and are still such an interesting story line that could use its own full length episodes. But the amount of references they’re able to get away with, the massive fourth wall break, so much of it is just so much fun. It always shocks me to hear Sean Giambrone with such a potty mouth after getting so used to him on The Goldbergs. Justin Roiland does so many voices on this show and they’re all so great. Thomas Middleditch sounds so unrecognizable as Terry and I always forget it’s him, he does such a good job here. Mary Mack is so good as Jesse, she remains my favorite on the team with some of the best interactions with other characters. Sagan McMahan doesn’t get too many lines as the Pupa but they do the job so well, the Pupa is easily the best character on the show. Tiffany Haddish is so much fun as the AI system the family uses. She is so funny here. I continue to be shocked at what Hulu allows them to get away with and the jokes they make about Hulu allowing them to do something are so good. Usually the seasons are 8 episodes but this one is 11 episodes this time so get ready for an extra 3 episodes of laughter and crazy adventures. From new politics on the wall to the wild adventures of the family. If you aren’t watching Solar Opposites get over to Hulu and have fun with not just three amazing seasons but a great Holiday Special as well. I’m giving season 3 of Solar Opposites a big 9/10 and an even bigger recommendation to go check it out. If you like Rick and Morty you’ll love this, if you don’t, it’s possible you’ll still like this. -Tyler.
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Director: Anthony Chun
Screenplay: Mike McMahan, Justin Roiland
Cast: Justin Roiland, Thomas Middleditch, Sean Giambrone, Mary Mack
Soundtrack: Chris Westlake
Running Time: 22 minutes
