What’s Wrong With The Nostalgia Critic’s Recent ‘Reviews’?

So, I just got finished watching the most recent episode of the Nostalgia Critic, wherein he talked about Mad Max: Fury Road. For the most part, I really liked it. Sure, I find myself using the term ‘review’ somewhat loosely, but I still liked it. But, when I scrolled down to the comments section, I couldn’t help but see comment after comment talking about how much it sucked strictly because of that fact: That there’s no footage of the movie present, that it’s just Doug Walker and his friends acting out scenes, and that this is now the third time he’s done this instead of his usual style of reviewing movies. It just feels like a lot of people are reacting negatively to these kinds of videos, and want to see more of the kind they originally liked. And, after thinking about it for a bit, I think I know how best to respond to this.

…I don’t have a joke or reason for this, I just really like this picture. XD

Now, first off, I should admit that me and the people who dislike these videos are probably getting off on the wrong foot right away. Why? Because at least a few complaints I’ve seen about these videos compare them in a negative fashion to another show that Doug did for a while called Demo Reel. The problem is…I really liked Demo Reel. Like, a lot. I was really sad when I found out he was discontinuing the series, and more than a little concerned when I found out he was bringing back the Nostalgia Critic. But, after finding out that Malcolm and Rachel were gonna be sticking around, and after seeing a few episodes of the new Nostalgia Critic, I mellowed out a bit… … …Unfortunately, for the same reasons I calmed down, a lot of people seemingly lost their fucking minds, ranting about how different the show was now with them acting out skits and showing Critic on adventures. Hell, I remember one episode where he made a joke about fan comments and complaints regarding the fact that the wall behind him was a different colour. I don’t know if that was actually a thing or not, but it honest to God would not shock me in the slightest if it was. And as for the skits…do you even remember the pre-To Boldly Flee episodes of the Nostalgia Critic? He did skits all the time back then, too. The only differences are that, aside from Rob and the occasional fellow reviewer or friend he could get into the video, he did them by himself, and they were usually a little bit shorter. So really, the only reason people complain about them is because they’re more apparent to your eye and your mind.

With that said, it occurs to me that likely a big part of the reason people don’t like the episodes talking about Jurassic World, Pixels, and now Fury Road is simply because they’re different from what they’re used to. However, here’s where I think you’re being unfair: After so many years of doing the same thing over and over, where videos can be taken down for the slightest thing, what did you think was going to happen? Of course things changed. They had to in order for the show to survive. Really, think back to the first episode of the show. Not the Transformers one, mind you, since that was more him fangasming over the movie, but his review of Cartoon All-Stars. Imagine him in that room, in those clothes, on that camera, in that level of quality, and the exact tones of voice used for EIGHT YEARS. You’d probably be sick to death of it within four years. And even if you weren’t, there’s one other reason it wouldn’t continue to survive.

Look, let’s just call a spade a spade: YouTube’s copyright claim system is inherently broken and easily exploited, which you can learn more about HERE. This has been a problem practically since day one of the show, and is the reason why it and so many other internet reviewers moved their content to Blip. Unfortunately, Blip shut down this year, and it was something a lot of people knew was coming, so they had to either move to less user-friendly sites or back to YouTube. And even if YouTube’s system wasn’t the problem, let’s again be honest with ourselves: Hollywood, for the most part, does not give a damn about free use. They and others have pulled videos featuring content they created, regardless of if the video was bashing their work or praising it. Hell, it’s a known fact that videos by internet reviewers, even negative ones, have increased the rate in which certain movies, TV shows, video games, comics, and so on have been sought after and viewed/played/read/etc., but that has not been enough to convince some people. That’s why Jurassic World, Pixels, and Fury Road didn’t have any footage from the movies present, and why I wouldn’t be surprised if more of the Nostalgia Critic’s reviews might end up taking on this style.

So, where does that leave us? Well, unfortunately for the people who dislike recent Nostalgia Critic videos, I don’t think you’re gonna like what’s to come. I’m sorry, and I sincerely I wish there was a way to make this easier for you all, because of course many of us tend to react to change negatively. We all want things to stay the same, and oftentimes become nostalgic for how things were before. People can make arguments for how or why that is, but it’s pretty clear that most, if not all, of us tend to behave in such a manner, and nowhere is that more evident than on the internet. At the same time, though, you have to understand why these changes happen, and try to at least give things a chance to turn you around on how it is. And, if you’re not convinced by the end, then maybe it’s time for you to move on and find something else to be passionate about.

…Because CHANGE. lol

And yes, before anyone brings it up, of course I’ve complained about stuff changing before. There’s proof of that right here on my blog in my various rants about comics. However, I like to think that I at least TRY to give change a chance, and a lot of the changes I’ve done angry rants about were in regards to things that conflicted with my views of right and wrong, like the Amazons in Wonder Woman being changed into rapists and child traders. One example of a change I was unwilling to give much of a chance to, though, is the whole Jim Gordon-becoming-Batman scenario. And yeah, you can make the argument that doing so was a bit childish of me, but I at least gave my reasons for why I didn’t like the idea and moved on, rather than sticking with it and ranting about it 24/7. Really, the only time I got angry about the arrangement was when I uncovered a massive plot hole in the story, and found out about some of the stuff Alfred was doing, which FYI has actually gotten WORSE if you can believe it, but I digress. The point is, while this blog is called Jyger’s Rant, I don’t necessarily want to only bitch and complain about stuff I don’t like ALL THE TIME, and I understand that some people actually DO like this storyline. I may not understand how or why, but I don’t necessarily wanna rain on their parade either. So, in the end, all I can ask is that the people going through the same thing with the Nostalgia Critic keep that in mind, that even if you don’t like the recent episodes, others do. Also, for those on the opposite side of the fence, remember that not everybody voicing their negative opinions are necessarily doing it to troll you or anyone else, and try not to get into heated debates and arguments over it. It may be a fine line on the internet between voicing opinions and arguing, but it’s nonetheless a line we can all choose to cross or not cross.

Anyway, those are my thoughts on the matter. Have a counterpoint to all of this, or anything else you’d like to add? Lemme know in the comments below…just, try not to get too aggressive with one another. Ja né!

Vlog – I Have Enhanced Status…WTF?!?!

…I think I’m gonna faint. O_O

Okay, so to everybody that made this possible, I cannot express my thanks enough. I am COMPLETELY overwhelmed by all of this, it’s INSANE.  I have so many people to thank, and I know I thanked you already on Twitter, but I’m going through it again. lol I want to thank Lewis Lovhaug for being such a HUGE inspiration to me. I want to thank the greatest woman in the world, my beautiful new girlfriend Teagan, for being such a positive influence on me this past month, I love you so much. I wanna thank PinkRangerWannabe, so-shipsahoy, GracefulWitch, and so many more for helping me with this however I needed it, you guys rock. I of course have to thank N.Harmonik for being a great co-star wherever possible and putting up with my bullshit off-screen, and I gotta thank my Mom for filming that bit where I had the Turbo cassette “run over”. I also gotta thank Annetto for letting me be a co-host on her show, however brief I lasted, and giving me some much-needed confidence AND for introducing me to Teagan.

So in short, to EVERYBODY that watched my show, helped get it going, whatever, I owe this ALL to you, thank you all very much, but I’ll tell ya this: My name is Jyger85, and you ain’t seen nothin’ yet, baby! Ja né!

Jyger’s Rant – Kamen Rider Wizard Review

My first review of an episode of Kamen Rider as I take a look at the first episode of Kamen Rider Wizard.

Audio and images from Kamen Rider (duh), Kool Aid, Kingdom Hearts, and Final Fantasy VIII.

Jyger’s Rant Facebook Poll

Ever wanted to tell an internet reviewer what to do? Now’s your chance! XD

http://www.facebook.com/groups/383738538322574/ If you neither have nor want a Facebook account or to join my group, merely cast the vote in the comments section of this post.

Music is “Frontline” by Pillar, images are from The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya, Kamen Rider W, and Pokémon.

Jyger’s Rant – Turbo A Power Rangers Movie Review Part 03

Here it is, Part 03, and the début of the Illogical Train. Sorry I’m so late.

Intro theme is ‘Roar’ by Treat, as always. Images and clips and whatnot are from Pokémon, Power Rangers, Shadow the Hedgehog, and Command And Conquer Red Alert 3.

Jyger’s Rant – To Thine Own Pokémon Be True

My first ever internet review! 😀 Lemme know what you guys think of it, I worked really hard on this as, after all, you only get one shot to make a good first impression.

Video clips and screen-shots belong to Pokémon and The Simpsons, and music is ‘Pokémon (Gotta Catch ‘Em All)’ as sung by Powerglove.

Jyger’s Rant – PreReview Video

Just me sitting down and talking about myself and my reasons for doing my upcoming video review, as well as letting you in on the style I chose to use for the review.

Actual review should be out VERY soon!

Prototype Jyger’s Rant Intro

Well, as I revealed earlier on, I plan to do a video review of an episode of Pokémon. For that reason, I have recently decided to make a short video. It is the prototype intro for my own internet review show, should I decide to go ahead with it (which at this point, I am prepared to do). Now remember that my movie making abilities are somewhat limited, and that this is still a work in progress, but by all means let me know what you think.

Anyway, hope you at least got a laugh out of that, and PLEASE give me feedback, I would really appreciate that. Thanks for watching.