#retroblasting #theacolyte #akibamaidwar Support us on PATREON: / retroblasting People have been asking about our thoughts on The Acolyte. OK... Careful what you wish for.
In 1968 when George Romero was making Night of the Living Dead a black man was cast as the male lead: "Ben". It wasn't because of a pre-existing agenda, but because he was the best actor who read for the role. When Weaver was cast as Ripley in Alien it was for similar reasons as the character was written as a genderless role. Art creates its own legacy based on its audience and their perception of the themes and how they become transformative as culture plugs into them and they become plugged into culture. What Disney/Lucasfilm have been doing over the past ten or more years is trying to make a legacy and then slap art around it. It doesn't work and falls apart under the slightest cultural pressure.
On that former one I always love to listen to people, and I mean film snobs when I say "people", and they talk about how Romero was making a commentary on lynch mobs and all of that... Except he wasn't. He had no money, this guy did the best with the read, and that's it. Now, deeper political messaging is retroactively applied to films that never had it, and then that same kind of thinking is applied int he "creative" process of making TV, films, comics, games... and that's destructive. It's like pouring termites into the foundation.
I feel the plague of bad writing we are suffering is because the people in charge don't know good writing, the people helming the projects don't know good writing, and the people doing the writing don't know good writing because they came through a college program taught by people who don't know good writing. Its like this huge ouroboros of bad writing smelling its own farts and then farting more to repeat the process.
I call it cargo-cult writing. They have these concepts of what makes good writing ("oh I need to establish things before I use them") but they don't understand the core of what makes it work (establishing things so it feels organic and the audience doesn't notice you're establishing them).
@@VolkswagenGamer - I wish. If they thought it a product we would get something entertaining once in awhile (see Roger Corman, peace be upon him). IMO, these people see entertainment as a sermon/lesson, neither art nor product.
Yes, because it is corporatized. It's not that writing is a lost art, it's that it's been pushed out by corpos because they prefer to work with other corpos.
Telling us we hate women-led shows when most of us grew up watching The Bionic Woman, Charlie's Angels, Wonder Woman, Cagney & Lacey, Scarecrow & Mrs King...it's insulting! Great video! I will have to check out Maid War 👍👍
The bechdel test actually came from an old comic strip. One character refuses to see movies unless it has two women talking to each other and not about men.The punch line is the lady in question hasn't seen a movie since alien😁 The lady that wrote it has repeatedly stated that it was a JOKE and not supposed to be used as a yard stick for all movies The media always forgets about that part when discussing it
Clearly an actor hired to act, not know the lore. I took the R2 comment as a joke, just like what The Acolyte show is…. Shouldn’t get hung up on things, like spelling Anakin incorrectly 😉🫡
I really can’t blame you for not giving a fraction of a damn about modern starwars I laid it to rest when Cartoon Network cancelled the Clone Wars series. And that was long ago
You have no idea how thrilled I am with someone else bringing up Akiba Maid War! EDIT: Having now watched the vid, can confirm the descriptions of AMW are 100% accurate and fair.
I gotta find this anime. You’ve made it sound really awesome. For the acolyte, I have Disney + just because my daughter loves Mickey Mouse clubhouse. No other reason. But I’ve kept up with this show because it’s like watching a train wreck. Who in their right mind cleared this and where’s all the money going. It’s just soooo bad, I’ve laughed out loud as some terribly bad moments. I wouldn’t think its Star Wars except lightsabers have been used. Also when you said they draw out a diagram I thought if that scene in Jay and Silent Bob Strike back when the screen froze and the arrow pointed abd said “Hey kids it’s Mark Hammil”. Yep accurate. Also so glad you are able to articulate this without all those catchphrases that just set everything back.
You know I always gravitated towards good female characters. I was the weird kid who always wanted the female characters when they did make them for toy lines. I know the Trope is the token female, but the thing was a lot of 80's and 90's cartoons had well-written female characters. I grew up liking Jasmine from Aladdin, Gadget from Chip and Dale's Rescue Rangers, and Elisa Mazza from gargoyles.
I don't have Disney Plus, I don't even stream, but there's not a single thing I've heard about The Acolyte that's made me want to see it, and my reason has nothing to do with politics. It just sounds horrendous. I'm glad I didn't pay to see The Last Jedi, because I couldn't get through 20 minutes of it when I saw it on TV.
Well said Michael! If you want to see well written characters of all types, look at the show Barney Miller from the 70’s and 80’s. There was an episode where Sgt Wojo arrested a cross-dresser. The guy was a truck driver and former WW2 Marine who fought in the Pacific, but wearing women’s clothes made him feel better. Wojo didn’t understand wearing women’s clothes, and was uncomfortable with it, but since they both were U.S. Marines they were the same on that level. Captain Miller even covered for the guy when his friend came to bail him out and pick him up, since his friend didn’t know about his cross-dressing.
I am just surprised that you know about Akiba Maid War... It really is a good series... If I may put my recommendation, there is a show called Shirobako, which basically is an anime about making anime... Nothing brutal like Maid War, but it shows the ups and downs of making an anime series and the toll it can have on the people working on it...
Haven't watch the video yet. I'm just confused seeing a fantastic show from several seasons back being coupled with the Acolyte of all things. Interested to see where this goes.
Anime and manga have established strong female chats since it's inception, even if it's not at all afraid to be risque. The Acolyte is just a bunch of people who have never read or watched any media at all and think they're ground breaking when they're not. It's like the crew stepping on stage to accept an award that the real winner is already grasping in their hands.
1:04 this is exactly why I refuse to take a chance on anything with recent Disney. That’s not just Star Wars. It’s in the upper level Disney properties too. The directors and creators are so desperate to be liked that they’re declaring war on their audience the second they’re critical. What the hell??? Btw Michael, I’m loving that you’re diving into more modern Anime. Sounds like you’re having fun!
This was a nice reminder of Akiba Maid War. I stopped midway into it (more because of other stuff happening at the time) and forgot, but I had a fun time and may rewatch it at some point. If you're interested in some sci-fi anime, I'd suggested Vivy: Fluorite Eyes' Song. Pretty much, Terminator meets Hatsune Miku in a thoughtful and emotionally-gripping story about robots. Also, I tried watching ep 4 and 5 of Acolyte out of curiosity and for the fight. Choreography's just okay (nice to see some grappling and had a few moments), but that's just a first impression and it still doesn't save the show. As for what I've heard about the birth of the Acolyte's MC, all I'll say is that it was dumb in the PT and it's dumb now.
As always Michael spot on, the difference between these shows could be summed up as the makers of Akiba wanted to entertain their audience , the makers of the Acolyte wanted to preach to their audience and as long as those people are in charge at Lucasfilm Star wars will continue to deteriorate .
Having just returned from my first trip to Japan and delving more into the culture (and anime), I only recently learned what maid cafes and ‘tout’ maids and Hostess Clubs were. I haven’t been, yet. It’s a strange and interesting part of Japanese culture that I may check out when I return. I’ll also be checking out this anime as well. Thanks for the video.
The Beckdel Test was suggested to whats her face by black scifi author Samuel R. Delany. He gave her his notes on ideas he had. She turned them into her test then credited feminist authors as inspiration. When Delany mentioned in a 2014 documentary his role in the developement of the test Beckdel began to distance herself from it.
This is why anime and independent media is gaining popularity. Good story, good writing. Reminds me of a video I saw with the South Park creators. "If your story goes: This happens, then this happens. Your story is fucked."
Wish I could hit the LIKE button far more than once This is the second Star Wars series I stoped watching, the other was Resistance. It couldn’t keep my interest, but this one had a script that was too convoluted, lore bending (potentially), Jedi as bad guys (probably), and a terrible script dialogue in Episode 3 … for me. And the interviews outside the production didn’t help any. They made it clear they were not making a show for Lucas’ original demographic of “12 year old boy” that I gravitat to still. All ages good vs bad. Not subverted expectations or counter to those expectations. I’ll be back for Skeleton Crew and Ashoka 2. Your mileage may vary.
This video sums up my feelings about American entertainment in general. It isn’t just STAR WARS, or Disney, or even Hollywood in general. As a horror film fanatic, I have seen the same kind of pandering and fan service infect the genre, too. The phrase “elevated horror” makes me want to throw up in my mouth. Everything has to have a message, and it must beaten into the audience’s heads. It feels like everything we watch now is created by people wagging their fingers at us.
this was great as an original 6'er to see, well put, and I love the example you brought to the table, I don't bother with Star Wars under Disney after the last Jedi. already had problems with the Joke awakens. great points you eloquently worded here. keep up the great work as always and keep on keepin on!
I’m just curious. You have said before that you do not have a Disney Plus subscription. Have you watched the Acolyte or are you just going by what people have posted online?
I'm pretty much like you when it comes to the Acolyte show. I have no desire to watch it. Not even to hate watch it. So I can't say if I like it or not.
I've been watching the acolyte, but the last episode screwed it up. It's one thing that they killed off my favorite character, and literally half the main characters. They added the stupidest explanation for the villain's motivation since Highlander 2.
Michael I really like the unplugged videos with you because you speak on my behalf as in a normal person that just wants tentertainment. One of favorites are your take on Dial Destiny. That said Acolyte doesn’t talk to me and I lost interest in current Disney Star Wars. It simply doesn’t make sense to me anymore…. Sadly 😢 considering that it bears the STAR WARS because that used to mean something Michael 😞
The Acolyte is ultimately only made for the women who wrote and produced it. I don't think they'll learn that lesson because I don't think they're aiming to tell a good story or be successful with fans. They want to play at being creative, they want attention. They want to be interviewed, be at conferences and all that entails. Let's put it this way, they want to be famous like George Lucas or Spielberg, not have their talent, they want the prestige of the position not the responsibility and commitment that it requires. I know it's presumptuous but I just have to look at all the interviews and shows that Kk and Leslye have been in to see how they seek people's attention.
I don’t care on characters gender or sexuality, I just want a story that entertains, the problem Disney have is, some of these cast and crew draw negative coverage by some of the things they are saying in interviews
I have not got a Disney+ account since Obi Wan Kenobi, that's when I decided I was out with new SW media. However, Akiba Maid Wars - now that's a show I'm going to now go watch. Thanks Michael.
This took me by surprised that Michael is talking about one of my all time favorite anime series.. Hope someday you'll look at Spy Family, Zombieland Saga, Outlaw Star or Edgerunners
Funny thing about The Acolyte series, although there are a bunch of female characters, the best writing and acting so far has been given to the male characters, particularly Sol and Qimir. If the goal of the show was to make the audience care about female characters, it has failed. Maybe things will change in the remaining episodes that have not been seen, but so far any intended "agenda" has not succeeded with the audience. Anyway, just my 2 cents! Great video as always, Michael, appreciate everything that you do!👍
Damn Akiba Maid War is violent as hell. I was not prepared for those clips in this video. A lot more violent than I'm used to seeing on this channel. I get the point that Michael is making. Putting women into good stories instead of doing performative TV/movies.
I can't bring myself to watch a TV show that is painfully boring, no matter how much people try to guilt me into watching it. A person's decency is not predicated on watching certain TV shows.
I just began to watch Alika Maid War and already it looks awesome. For example, the opening scene where the car pulls up alongside a sidewalk during the rain. Watch that scene and somewhere around five seconds later, you can see where the rain "washes" away the tracks left by the vehicle's tires. I love little attention to details like that. Then things really escalate, and that is all I'm going to say.
thanks for this! I look forward to your Andor/Rogue video. What's funny is that the red droid in Andor had more personality than these characters in the Acolyte
I honestly really like the idea of a Star Wars film or show with all-female leads, but it HAS to be written in a way that's believable and engaging to watch. Like for instance, seeing them have disagreements and fights over what to do next in the story, or seeing their bond as friends grow organically with each mission. We need to be able to see the humanity in these characters first and foremost, instead of the shallow tokenization we've seen countless times from Disney...
Totally just my opinion, and it may sound stupid to others but, I feel like Disney missed a golden opportunity by not putting season 1 of Andor on ABC prime time. I feel like it could have reached a larger audience AND might have brought in more subscriptions for their streaming service, when season 2 comes out next year.
Akiba Maid War was one of the best anime released in the last five years. Comparing the anime to this nu-Star Wars show isn't even fair. Akiba Maid War is so much better in every aspect, entertainment factor, personage development and passing.
It's really hard to believe that the same company that made something as good as Andor, also made The Acolyte. The Andor series had a diverse cast with minorities, STRONG female leads, LGBQT characters... and it is highly rated among many SW fans. So Disney/Lucasfilm CAN'T use the "you're all just biggots who don't get it" when the same fans complain about The Acolyte.
I think someone got it right when star wars was compared to a cargo cult. Rather than make planes and control towers from bamboo to make the supplies come, lucasfilm has made screen stuff with lightswords and magical mind powers to get star wars fans to come
Apparently, one of the writers of this show had never even seen Star Wars. Same with the She-Hulk show where a writer had never read the comics. But that's okay because LIGHTSABERS!!!!!!!
Totally agree on everything here Michael says here. Oh Lord, can’t believe they’re bringing out the same argumentative BS as with the female Ghostbusters. No, I didn’t like the movie, but not because of the women, because of the writing and the mostly unfunny comedy. BTW, my favourite anime / OVA of all time is bubblegum crisis, also all female main characters with a few sexy tropes here and there, but otherwise really good. Please check it out people, it deserves more love.
One recent RU-vid Movie reviews channel put it this way: in a movie, Don't say it, SHOW IT. It short, Monologs and dialogs on screen are not good cinema. Show us a good story and we will find it interesting. Just forcing us to watch and like someone tell us what we are to believe and if we don't, call us bigots will surely push us away.
haven't been this sold on an anime since interspecies reviewers. (it's borderline hentai) but has top tier world building for fantasy races and monster girls
I really enjoyed Akiba Maid War. The humor was just the right level of absurd. The uncomfortable moments were even good especially the climax of the story.
I think to much has happened to bring back Star Wars . Disney has alienated the Star Wars fan base. Maybe the Star Wars IP can be sold to someone/ or Company who could resurrect it, if that person/company even exists is unknown
Your commentary is on point. I am as liberal as they come and hate all of these new shows, not because of the message or content, but because of the poor story. These writers have violated the first principle of writing: do not place your agenda before your story. I am convinced that AI is used to seek storylines, plots and characters to maximize commercial exploitation and profits. Having a diversity of voices is a good thing; the problem is bad writing based on the capitalist market exploitation/saturation model. To your final comment; would it really be a bad thing if this incarnation of SW (or ST for that matter) died?
Well said Michael It seems like Hollywood has lost the art of writing somewhere along the line everything is signposted theres no mystery or nuances to discover
There is an active plot in media writing today to destroy canon--to actively demolish established canon within IPs, and then mock and deride the fans when they react in a bad way to its destruction.
i dont even think its the reason why acolyte is bad, i think its just bad and lazy writing and terrible direction (outside of the fighting choreography). the hole "its about women" is just the PR around it
The whole thing is forced. Like you said Michael, audiences want a good story. We do not care about anything else. But we are told, we are bad people because we are not watching their show. Yea, I could say a lot in response to that stupidity. The one thing I would say, the last industry I saw telling their audience/readers the same thing. Were newspapers, where are most papers today? Gone, and/or a small fraction of what they used to be. I think Hollywood is already there.
Forget the shitty Star Wars show, let's talk more about the Maid War Anime!!! Im going to try and find and watch it. If Disney wasn't so obsessed with quantity over quality, by now Rey might've been as popular as Luke Skywalker, problem not but could've come close with great story writing and taking their time putting out the sequels.
I need to watch Akiba Maid War dub version, that show was great. Comparing Disney star wars to something written and directed by someone with actual talent isn't fair.
It's like, you want to ask them, "Do you go out of your way to point out, or make a spectacle of your hetero characters? No, of course you don't. So why do you do that with your non-hetero characters?" If you're trying to "normalize" something, treat it like it's NORMAL, not a spectacle. In the S:TAS episode, where we see Inspector Maggie Sawyer, a lesbian character in the comics, get hurt and wind up in the hospital, she's joined there by her girlfriend, and it's no big deal. She's just sitting at her bedside, holding her hand. They're not making out or doing anything else to make it explicitly overt that they are in a lesbian relationship. Every appearance of a 2SLGTBQ+ person in media does not have to be a pride parade.
