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Sarah (7800 KP) rated The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part (2019) in Movies

Dec 31, 2019

The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part (2019)

2019 | Adventure, Animation, Comedy

6.9

(58 Ratings)

Movie Rating Watch

An average sequel

The original Lego movie (and the Lego Batman film) were surprisingly great films, so it's no surprise they decided to make a sequel. Sadly it's also no surprise that the sequel only ends up fairly average.

It looks visually stunning, and I loved how they've tied this in more with the real world. I think it's quite smart how they've managed to link the characters to the real life toys. The problem is the story itself is rather lacklustre and a little all over the place, and most of the jokes fall flat. There was only 1 or 2 things I laughed at during the entire film, which is a shame as the original and Batman film were downright hilarious. Even the music is pretty dull. There's no song that really matches up to the brilliant Everything is Awesome and the ones that almost do are the remix versions of that song. Although I did love the Lonely Island song over the credits. There's a great voice cast in this too, to the point where I spend most of the film trying to figure out who's who. But there are some who sound a little out of place - Richard Ayoade and Noel Fielding to name a couple. And also what was with Will Ferrell? He barely featured in this at all apparent from being a voice from another room, rather odd!

Kudos

Phil Leader (619 KP) rated Throne of Fools (The Omaran Saga #2) in Books

Nov 26, 2019

Throne of Fools (The Omaran Saga #2)

Adrian Cole | 1987 | Science Fiction/Fantasy

6.0

(1 Ratings)

Book Rating

The second book of the Omaran Saga, Throne of Fools, changes the tone a little from the first. Where that was fairly standard in structure of an obvious evil to overcome, this is more concerned with the political machinations of the island state of Goldenisle. Ottemar Remoon intends to take the throne but the corruption of the court is deep. The mysterious Orhung, who claims to have been created and carries a rod of enormous power, reveals that the darkness at the heart of Goldenisle may be a power beyond any reckoning.

To some extent this book does suffer from being a bridge between the rather self-contained first book and the rest of the Saga and so rates with me as the weakest of the series. But its still better than the strongest books of other series, helped by Cole's take on worlds and creatures, neatly sidestepping creations that might be construed as 'Tolkienesque'. And indeed the whole saga has a very much darker and more brooding tone than anything set in Middle Earth.

As a bridge between the first and subsequent books this works well, setting up the nature of the threat that must be tackled as well as cementing the characters, Wargallow, Ottermar and Sisipher in particular. The actual narrative is perhaps less engaging but perhaps should be viewed as the framework which holds together the necessary threads being woven for the end of the saga

Kudos

Kate (493 KP) rated The Summer My Life Began in Books

Jan 6, 2020

The first book was better than the second (0 more)

I really enjoyed the first story, Em's Story, better than the second story.
The first book was really heartwarming. I loved how much Em grew throughout the book and how she changed as a person. I was hoping she would and she did. The twist at the end was very unexpected and helped explain the story and tie up some lose ends. It really made the story. The chapter had me hooked and the book didn't go how I thought it would but that's what grabbed my attention and kept me reading.
There were a few spelling mistakes and missed words here and there but it didn't effect the the story or the way it read.
This book was romance but also about finding yourself and growing as a person.
The whole story made me smile throughout.
I felt this book was for any age group.
The most memorable part of the book was the description of Anna Island. I really could see it in my mind's eye. Sounded idyllic.
The second book didn't grab me as much and I felt myself getting a bit bored. It was so on and off and it didn't really add to the book or keep me gripped.
I didn't really feel the character or feel for them.
I received a complimentary copy of the book from the author via Voracious Readers Only.