Wicked: For Good?

(Note: This piece contains minor spoilers.)

Adapting Wicked for theatres was never going to be easy. For one, the stage production was tied to The Wizard of Oz and well-suited for its respective medium. And two, the second-half of the story’s a mess, relying on pre-established lore to function. So when it was announced suddenly that the movie would be split into two, the second part was inevitably absorbing the weaker part. Truthfully, I’m amazed Wicked: For Good isn’t only decent, but actually improves upon its source material slightly in a key area.

Taking place a year after its predecessor, the movie jumps right back into the world of Oz. The famous Yellow Brick Road’s complete, Elphaba’s been rebranded The Wicked Witch of the West and Glinda’s set to marry Fiyero. In addition, Nessarose is the Governor of Munchkinland, inheriting the role from her late-father, and she’s become quite the oppressive ruler. As Glinda and Fiyero’s wedding day approaches, the question of Elphaba’s supposed treachery looms large. Will she be brought down, or will she finally expose The Wizard’s ways?

Right from the opening, it’s clear who the real star is: the songs. Not to diminish the performances, particularly from Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo, but the musical arrangements steal the show and help compensate for the pacing and writing. The big showstopper this time around is “No Good Deed”, sung by Erivo as she desperately tries saving Fiyero from death. Like “Defying Gravity” in the first movie, this is Erivo’s moment, and she carries it with, pardon the pun, flying colours. She’s also faithful to the Broadway rendition while adding her own spin, which is great since movies and plays aren’t the same medium.

Another strength of Wicked: For Good is its art direction. It’s clear director John M. Chu and company went to great lengths with the practical sets and props, and while the CGI animals are still distracting to look at, they don’t override how much care was put into making Oz lived-in and tangible. Many modern day films wouldn’t dare attempt this, as practical effects are time-consuming and costly. I also like how this movie takes better advantage of its sets than its predecessor, as this is the more lively entry. Basically, this should be seen on the big screen at least once.

The movie’s biggest improvement, and one that should be taken note of, is a small scene involving Nessarose that I’ve covered before. I was worried the movie would repeat the play’s “Nessarose is cured of her disability” plot beat, but that isn’t the case. Yes, Nessarose does temporarily levitate, her shoes coming to life, but the moment’s deflated when Boq enters the room and she lands in her wheelchair. Wins like that help fend off the ableist subtext of the original moment, on top of Marissa Bode being a wheelchair user in real life. Congratulations, fellow advocates: we succeeded.

It’s harder to justify the other improvements when the original second-half’s pacing issues are ported over here. Wicked: For Good, like the play, assumes audiences have some level of familiarity with The Wizard of Oz, as most of its tie-in sections occur off-screen. What little we see is remixed in a different way, as that story was “propaganda”, but it’s not considered essential viewing. It’s unfortunate because there’s missed potential to show these moments to younger, more unfamiliar audiences; besides, who wouldn’t want to see this version of Dorothy’s adventure? I would!

It's too late to complain, though. This movie was filmed alongside its predecessor, only chopped into two parts for marketing and length purposes. But it raises the question of whether or not a single, undivided film is possible as an over 5-hour cut. True, that’s a little long. But it’d be the most ideal way to watch this, and it’d help remedy the problems of the story’s second-half. Or, in this case, the second part. Also, never underestimate Director’s Cuts!

One last note, and this is a minor quibble, is that Jeff Goldblum’s flashback as a younger version of The Wizard falls into Uncanny Valley territory. The de-aged face doesn’t quite look right for Goldblum, even with the lighting obscuring it. It’s not a deal breaker, and it’s easy to overlook in the moment, but it begs the question of why a look-alike wasn’t possible. Especially since the actress chosen to play a younger Glinda early on is spot-on. Then again, perhaps that’s my critical side speaking.

Wicked: For Good is as you’d expect from the second-half of this story: it’s darker, and it’s more emotionally-weighty, but it’s also messier and rushed. This is especially true after the storm that brings Dorothy into the narrative, as, like I said, you’re required to have prior knowledge of everything there. So while I thoroughly-enjoyed the experience, even clapping alongside the audience, I still think Wicked’s the better of the two movies. Also, the two films would work better as a 5-hour experience. But that’s me.

24 GameCube Lane

This week marks the 24th anniversary of the GameCube in North America. It was the first console I owned, having received it as a Bar Mitzvah gift, and I still have a soft spot for its library. It was also the first console I rented games for, and I was never the wiser. However, even with my memories of playing Super Smash Bros. Melee with my brothers, I often felt weird knowing I had a console that was unpopular, sitting at 3rd-place in the 6th Generation Console Wars. So why is the GameCube gaining popularity nowadays?

Truthfully, not everything about the GameCube has held up. Much has, like its controller, but the console’s library and hardware specs earned its poor sales when compared to the Xbox and PS2. Even with its AAA titles, several of its early successes were rushed, and it showed. It especially showed in the fighting mechanics for Super Smash Bros. Melee, as well as the in-game glitches in Super Mario Sunshine. Factor in no DVD player, or a solid online, and it’s no wonder Nintendo had to rethink everything with the Wii.

I feel bad criticizing the console. For all its flaws, the GameCube was quite intuitive. Not only was its controller an improvement over the N64’s, which was bulky and confusing, it also could fit neatly into a bag for travel. I specifically remember tucking it into a suitcase when I visited my cousin’s grandmother’s cottage one Winter, and plugging it in to their TV wasn’t difficult. The GameCube also introduced the WaveBird, a controller that let you play games without a wired plug. That was game changing.

Playing 4-player was also great. We take this for granted, but multiplayer was a bonus for a console that was family-friendly. It’s true that 4-player options already existed on the N64, but this was the first Nintendo console to pull it off without lag or frame drops. Besides, it was great for family gatherings, something I miss as an adult. That, and online play isn’t the same.

Perhaps the surge in popularity bugs me because, rational or not, it feels too-little-too-late. Where was this validation when the GameCube was struggling? Why now? And is the adoration sincere, or a form of “what’s old is new again”? These are questions that plague my mind looking back on the Nintendo console that wasn’t “cool” to own, and it stings.

Part of it could also be wishing that fondness had translated to the Wii. The Wii was a far bigger success story, even allowing backwards compatibility with the GameCube’s library. But the “uncool” nature of the GameCube was amplified, with third-party developers using it as a dumping ground. Nintendo catering to non-gamers was seen as a betrayal, which I’ve always found exclusivist. Perhaps that’s why the GameCube saw a re-evaluation, as it was the last stronghold of “true Nintendo” for many gamers. Either that, or GamerGate has poisoned the discourse.

I do think this fondness for the GameCube is too much, though. Maybe I’m reaching for sour grapes, I don’t know. Maybe this is me being jaded by the last four console generations, I also don’t know. However, it won’t leave my mind. And that’s the problem.

It's not all bad. The Switch 2 emulating the GameCube’s library via NSO is a great decision, and I respect them recognizing their 6th generation console got the shaft. It also allows me to play games I never fully-completed or tried at release, like Luigi’s Mansion or Chibi-Robo. I’m grateful Nintendo’s willing to reevaluate their “failures” and see their merits, even if only for financial reasons. Because it’s all financial anyway.

Nevertheless, the fandom now seeing the GameCube as “cool” stings. After years of being apologetic, to the point of ridicule from peers, this feel like whiplash. Have I won? And if so, why aren’t I satisfied? Has time ruined everything? Am I a bitter old man, shaking my fist at clouds and yelling? Is this me now?

I don’t want to think too hard here. Not only is it unpleasant pondering this, it’s equally as weird that the GameCube’s considered “retro”. If anything, I should be happy. But I’m not. I’m sad that it took too long to achieve justice over Nintendo’s most-maligned console prior to the Wii U.

But I digress. While late, it’s better now than never. And for all intents and purposes, the wave of nostalgia for the GameCube is something that’s warranted 24 years later. Nintendo struggled with it, slashing its price several times, and it bled money until they removed a key component from the hardware. That their biggest home console flop at the time, one they were forced to move away from, is getting its day in the Sun shows how time heals all wounds. Or most wounds. The longstanding trauma of being a diehard GameCube fan when it wasn’t cool doesn’t disappear all that quickly…

A Rosy Thorn

The Sydney Sweeney hate is overblown.

I can’t believe I’m typing that, but it’s true. Not only is she a decent actress, but she’s being productive with her youthful looks while she still can. Sure, she’s “everywhere”, but is that any different than the dozens of men in Hollywood who promote themselves ad nausea? I don’t think so. And neither should you.

I mention this due to Sweeney’s recent biopic, Christy, failing to connect with audiences. I don’t know the movie’s quality, I haven’t seen it, but it’s already on several people’s “shit-lists” of 2025. It’s wild that a boxing movie would attract that much ire, but that’s what happens when someone’s the target of faux-controversy. It’s also attracted the attention of Ruby Rose from The CW show Batwoman. Specifically, Rose ripped apart Sweeney, saying:

"For her PR to talk about it flopping and saying SS did it for the ‘people’. None of ‘the people’ want to see someone... parading around pretending to be us. You’re a cretin and you ruined the film. Period…"

Far be it for me to throw shade at Rose for criticizing taking roles from lesbian performers. That happens often in Hollywood, and it’s something I’ve addressed before. Also, Rose is entitled to an opinion. She has agency. Besides, I’ve heard worse from other actors in Hollywood before.

What irks me is Rose claiming Sweeney’s a “cretin” who “ruined the film”. Deflecting legitimate criticism by saying something was “for the fans” is embarrassing, but Rose could stand to dial it back. Especially since the real Christy Martin has defended Sweeney following the backlash. That alone should fizzle out this drama. But perhaps that’s asking too much when Sweeney was chastised for appearing in an American Eagle ad because she was “promoting an unhealthy body image”. (And no, she didn’t do that either.)

I want to throw the floor back to Rose here. Batwoman, or Kate Kane, is Jewish in the comics. Ruby Rose, however, isn’t. Yes, both Kane and Rose are lesbians, but the Jewish part’s missing with her casting. Considering Rose claimed that Sweeney was stealing roles from lesbians, isn’t it hypocritical for Rose to steal roles from Jews?

This is something I’ve covered before, sometimes to criticism from others. Judaism’s a complex ethnoreligion you can opt into. There are also plenty of Jews who play gentile characters. But if we’re using the minority card here, then shouldn’t that apply to Rose too? Especially given their resumes?

Sweeney doesn’t need my blind loyalty. I don’t know or care enough to be a simp. I also know she’s had a brush-in with controversial music producer Scooter Braun, which is a can of worms on its own. However, Sweeney as a “conservative psy-op” is laughable. Sweeney can’t be a psy-op because she keeps her politics close to her chest. Saying she leans a particular way, therefore, is hearsay. It’s also annoying when many actively-conservative actors already exist in Hollywood.

I know what this is really about. It all goes back to Sweeney’s American Eagle stint. The idea that Sweeney’s shaming people for not looking a certain way is ridiculous, as that’s not what she did. She modelled clothing, that’s it. And this adoration conservatives have for her is equally ridiculous.

Hollywood is a world of excess. So much nonsense goes on regularly that it’s easy to latch onto scandals. But this? Picking on an actress simply because she exists, really?! I knew people were misogynistic when Gal Gadot and Shira Haas were criticized for being in superhero films, but at least that misogyny goes into the-albeit Antisemitic-category of “Zionists in Hollywood”. That, and they’re from Israel, everyone’s favourite punching bag. Sydney Sweeney, on the other hand, I don’t get the hate for.

Truthfully, people have too much free time. There are so many legitimate issues that deserve our attention more: poverty. War. Disease. Politicians making the world more dangerous by the hour. Claiming an actress is “bad” because “reasons” isn’t one of those issues, and it’s ridiculous that this is touted as such.

This “scandal”, if you’d call it that, needs to be put to bed. Ruby Rose might have a point about equitable casting, but she’s going too far by labelling Sweeney a cretin. I know she won’t read this anyway, but I still think it’s worth giving my two cents. Especially since, when the chips are down, this reads as her being bitter over something she doesn’t need to be bitter over.

And to those dogpiling on Sydney Sweeney for existing? Back off. Sweeney’s doing nothing wrong by taking on gigs for money. That’s what actors do constantly, even if it means taking on roles that “suck”. She might be “box-office poison” currently, but she’s still young. That could always change if she lands the right role, it’s too early to tell. For now, however, I think people need to get a life. There’s too much negativity in the world to be adding to the pyre unnecessarily.

A Brown Harbour

Tabloid journalism is tricky. Not only do you report constantly on celebrity gossip, which is exhausting, you also have to juice up your stories. Sometimes, this even leads to jumping the gun, which reflects poorly once the truth emerges. Other times, you have to fabricate stories to meet quotas. And then there are hit-pieces, which happened recently with Stranger Things.

I love Stranger Things. I was surprised initially, since horror and 80s nostalgia aren’t normally my jam, but the genuine storytelling’s the show’s greatest asset. It’s also revived and started several careers in Hollywood. But that’s not my focus here. Rather, I’d like to zoom in on a recent controversy, how it was presented and how damage control made the original story read like defamation.

David Harbour, who plays Jim Hopper, has built a reputation as being a lovable father-figure, not unlike Tom Hanks before him. This is especially apparent with Harbour’s other big role, The Red Guardian in The MCU. Despite only really appearing in two movies, Harbour has made an impression as actress Florence Pugh’s adoptive father, with his goofy, larger-than-life characterization making him funny and heartwarming simultaneously. If you don’t believe me, watch Thunderbolts*.

While Harbour has cultivated an image, he’s still a human being. This was supposedly brought to the surface when it was “revealed” that Millie Bobby Brown, who plays Eleven in Stranger Things, alleged that Harbour had been verbally abusive on set. On one hand, this wouldn’t seem out of the ordinary given how many celebrities have had their jolly personas destroyed. On the other hand, the paper that broke this story was The Daily Mail, which has a reputation in England for being trashy. Nevertheless, with no denial or confirmation for some time, the allegations stuck around…

…At least until recently, when Brown publicly reaffirmed her fondness of Harbour. Considering that she’s a mom, having recently adopted a baby, it’s possible she didn’t have the time or energy to rebut the allegations initially. That, and she was too busy promoting the show that made her a household name. Regardless, The Daily Mail now has a potential libel lawsuit on their hands. I’d feel bad for them, but this, apparently, is par for the course.

I get the temptation to jump into this controversy head-on. For one, this is Hollywood, home of many “eccentric” creatives. Two, actors commit sketchy acts constantly, most of which don’t get reported. Three, David Harbour was recently caught cheating on his wife, so it’s easy to paint him as a monster. Four, Millie Bobby Brown’s younger than him, and she played his adopted daughter for close to a decade on Netflix. And five, considering Harbour’s a veteran actor, it’s not impossible to think that Brown was taken advantage of and was covering for him out of fear. I get all this.

What I don’t get is jumping on a half-story. Or, at least, not acknowledging that it’s a half-story. It’s not like tabloids don’t report on still-unfolding stories, but there’s the caveat of “still-unfolding” they can use as cover. This “story” was considered gospel before all the details were present, catering to shock value. It’s an example of journalistic malpractice, and it needs to be called as such.

I understand the temptation to write clickbait. I wrote clickbait for a gaming website for almost a year, and it felt like I was selling out. Besides, writing clickbait nets more traffic than niche or thoughtful pieces, something I’ve seen on The Whitly-Verse and Infinite Rainy Day numerous times. However, with that comes criticism or inaccurate writing. Again, I’ve seen it myself.

With The Daily Mail, it’s possible the person who broke the story meant well. I don’t know, I’m not on the editing committee. But that doesn’t mean it should’ve been taken as absolute truth by other outlets. It might be easy to mock celebrities, as they engage in questionable behaviours regularly, but they’re still people. And like all people, they’re entitled some level of respect and privacy.

I know this is hard when dealing with tabloids, which invade people’s privacy for gossip columns. It’s especially hard with British tabloids, which are extremely in-your-face about it. And it’s particularly hard with The Daily Mail, which has a history of inaccuracies. But that doesn’t make this less true.

As for Harbour and Brown? They deserve apologies. Brown for coercing her into making a statement, and Harbour for defamation. In the case of Harbour, while he has to contend with a ruined marriage, something he’s at fault for, that’s between him and his spouse. We don’t need to use that to shamelessly extort him, which is what The Daily Mail did.

I think tabloids serve a purpose. In a world where reality changes quickly, they keep the general public informed about the power structure. However, with that comes the responsibility to not fabricate anything, which is what The Daily Mail’s scoop is guilty of. It’s embarrassing, and it was touted as fact by other outlets that should’ve known better. Then again, when clicks are what matter most, is this really surprising?

Half is Less?

The last time I discussed Manga as an art-form, it was in a piece on Infinite Rainy Day that I’m not proud of. Since then, I’ve come to respect Manga, even becoming invested in one Hayao Miyazaki wrote. I mention this as context for Half is More, which has received plenty of racist backlash for portraying its protagonists as mixed race. I’m not mixed race myself, hence I feel out of my league, but I figured it was worth discussing. Because it’s ridiculous.

What’s Half is More? Based on the Mangaka’s life, it’s about two teenagers whose father’s black and mother’s Japanese and their lives in Japan. I don’t know much else, since it premieres here next year, but there’s plenty of discussion about alienation and racism in it. That alone has promise, but there are many Manga fans who are mad. So much so that there’ve been videos on YouTube discussing it.

I wonder if Western Otakus have too much free time, such that they’d get riled up over this. I can’t say I’m an expert on Japan, despite my cousin living there, but I know racism exists there. It exists everywhere. But while I can discuss the racism in The West, since I live in Canada, Japan’s flavour’s more alien. Still, based on past anime portrayals, as well as the country’s current prime minister taking pages from The US’s president, it’s definitely a problem.

Why is having a half-black protagonist in a Manga so bad? I know racists don’t think logically, but that type of representation’s still pretty novel. And as with anything novel, it’ll attract attention. Specifically, it’ll receive pushback from those who aren’t fans of upsetting the status quo. We see that all over the world. Basically, people don’t like anything different.

But so what? Mixed race people exist everywhere, Japan included. And given how Yoiko Fujimi’s injecting personal experience, I think it’s worth hearing that racism exists there too. Especially with people of mixed backgrounds, whom Japan unflatteringly refers to as “Hāfu”. That they’re frequently singled out is already a micro-aggression.

This goes back to how Japanese people views foreigners, particularly black foreigners. The best example is in the popularity of Little Black Sambo, a Scottish book that took off in Japan. Despite being criticized for its racism, it’s had a lasting impact, even influencing characters like Mr. Popo. This idea that black people are the objects of “kawaii”, as opposed to actual people with aspirations, is upsetting considering the history of slavery. This isn’t even accounting for how the depiction of Sambo isn’t far off from racialized minstrel portrayals, complete with affectations that sound illiterate.

Half is More, which challenges longstanding biases about black people in Japan, does away with these stereotypes, even drawing its protagonists appropriately, yet still can’t win. I’d be upset, but it’s not surprising. It’s especially not surprising since Zendaya was given crap for being Spider-Man’s love interest in The MCU. Racism’s a popular sticking point with nerds. This despite Zendaya being a talented actress.

I haven’t really discussed much about the Manga, and for that I apologize. Despite being almost 4 years old, not much is known about it here. I’m hoping that changes when it premieres stateside in 2026, even receiving a Wikipedia page, but for now I have to rely on the backlash and counter-backlash. I also think it’s worth listening to black anime and Manga fans, many of whom are excited to see themselves portrayed respectfully. That doesn’t happen often, and I’m happy for them.

I’m no stranger to someone’s existence being controversial. I’m Jewish, and I frequent the internet a lot. Life has been Hell for over two years, and I’ve received enough Antisemitic backlash to last the rest of my life. I’m only 35. That alone is telling.

It also feels like I’m overstepping, since I’m not black. However, I get that this is traumatizing for many black people, having been at the forefront of racism for decades. In that sense, I feel their pain. It’s not 1:1, for obvious reasons, but nevertheless. And that’s why this faux-controversy’s so obnoxious. Don’t people have anything better to do than harass a Mangaka for tackling a real problem? Why romanticize Japan this heavily, acting like it isn’t like every other country on Earth?

Perhaps it’s an issue of the “foreign” as being picture-perfect. People don’t want their illusions of Japan shattered, which this is doing. But it needs to be shattered. Much like how Japan’s a stickler for recreational substances, even making possession of marijuana a felony, Japan also has a racism problem. And it’s worth discussing if anything’s to change. I applaud Fujimi for having the courage to make this Manga, as I doubt it was easy.

Ultimately, I think Otakus need to chill. So what if Half is More deals with racism? Racism exists! And discussing it respectfully is interesting! Isn’t that what we want from art, to have interesting stories? I’d say so, but I’m that weirdo who steps outside of his bubble occasionally. If I can do it, so can you!

Mario's Melodic Maps

Super Mario Bros. 3 is awesome. It’s not only widely-regarded to be the best NES Mario platformer, it’s also one of my favourite Mario games. Yet while there’s much to discuss, I think the unsung hero’s the music. Particularly the overworld map tunes, which are still impressive over 37 years later. So why not discuss them? Yeah, let’s do that.

As always, this list is subjective. Also, I’m ranking these not only by how good they are, but also by how well they complement their respective maps:

9. Warp Zone

I’m going to say something controversial: if I were judging it solely on its catchiness, this’d be near the top of the list. Not only does it evoke the feeling of being swept away to a heavenly place, it’s easily the catchiest tune in Mario’s pantheon. So much so that it’s been referenced in future Mario games to underscore otherworldly retreats from reality, like in Super Mario Sunshine where you visit a 5-star hotel. It’s so lulling that it even can put me to sleep. That’s not easy given that I have insomnia.

However, we’re not judging solely on music. Warp Zone’s definitely relaxing, but its map isn’t essential. It can also only be accessed with a Warp Whistle, of which there are only a handful. And the map allows you to, as implied by the name, warp to other levels, making it feel like cheating. Essentially, this is really a placeholder, one most gamers will never experience.

Nevertheless, I really like it. Super Mario Bros. 3’s notorious for pushing the envelope of The Nintendo Entertainment System/Famicom, and this encapsulates that. After all, it’s a tune in a dreamlike environment! And it’s entrancing! What’s not to love? I’m waiting for an answer…

8. Castle of Koopa

Moving on to entries you’ll actually experience, Castle of Koopa is one of the weaker entries here. I say that both as music, and a map. Musically it’s haunting, but Super Mario World revamped it with its final boss theme. It keeps getting darker and darker, but never resolves itself melodically. Instead, it loops endlessly, made more frustrating by the map having sections that feel disconnected geographically. One section even occurs in darkness, and it’s annoying keeping track of my location.

If there’s one area where this is saved, it’s in the feeling of doom and gloom. This is the final world, and it lets you know that. Between the map being surrounded by flames, interruptions from thunder and hands that drag you into specific levels, the game knows that you’re nearing the end. It throws out all the stops to make you earn your victory. Couple that with Princess Peach being held captive by Bowser, and the stakes couldn’t be higher.

I know this is low on the list, but I don’t dislike Castle of Koopa. Quite the contrary! I like all these tunes! But it doesn’t do it for me like the others do. You’re entitled to disagree, though. And I wouldn’t begrudge you for it.

7. The Sky

Another low entry, The Sky’s tune isn’t terribly inspired. The only point of note is the drum beat, which begins with a bang before repeating on loop. It’s a shame because the map itself is unique and inspired, with the first and second halves divided by a fake-out castle where you ascend to-you guessed it-the sky. I’m not sure why this tune was chosen for this map. Couldn’t it have been swapped with Warp Zone? That’d make more sense!

Whatever! For what it is, it’s catchy. The banging of the drum makes it hard to get out of your head, and that’s good because there’s not much else to discuss. It’s a repeat of the drum, interspersed with mildly-catchy notes. Those notes prevent it from getting stale. That’s it.

But…why have this be the choice for such a cool map? Seriously, no other world changes thematic layouts halfway through, not even the one with Bowser! You couldn’t have come up with a better choice of music? Really?! Oh well!

6. Big Island

Come to think of it, The Sky and Big Island should’ve swapped places. Why? Because the former’s otherworldly, while this map’s gimmick is that everything’s gigantic. Since the enemies here can stomp you flat or paralyze you temporarily by ground-pounding a platform, a heavy drum beat fits. Instead, here’s a high-energy disco theme with a fast beat and a catchy melody. Okay, sure.

That harmonic dissonance is Big Island’s greatest strength and greatest weakness. On the plus side, it’s really catchy, preparing you for enemies three times their normal size. On the flip side, that makes you feel intimidated in each level. Having the map beat pump you up only gets you so far before you freak out. It’s a weird choice to have, essentially.

Still, does Big Island’s theme work? Yes. Yes it does. It’s not only easy to hum, it’s also faster-paced than everything else, making it unique. I simply wish it’d been used for a different level.

5. Pipe Maze

Pipe Maze is a fittingly middle-of-the-road entry. As a tune, it evokes film noir in its vibes, like you’re traversing an underground economy. This is complimented by the map being interconnected pipe mazes, with each taking you somewhere new and unexpected. Essentially, the marriage of music and level theme is perfect. It’s a classic example of “setup” and “payoff”, which is what you’d expect. So why isn’t it higher?

For two reasons. And both have to do with the world’s gimmick. For one, a level map themed on pipes isn’t terribly inspired. Yes, the levels are unique, relying on the concept of interconnected pipes. But pipes being the modus operandi is annoying. Couldn’t the game have chosen something more inspired?

And two, these pipes can be frustrating. Not only in the levels, but also in the overworld map. I frequently find myself trying to figure out which pipes take me to which sections, and for someone with a faulty working memory that can be challenging. Factor in that this is an 80s game, and those are notorious for not giving any guidance, and it’s easy to become confused. So while the tune is neat, the world…not as much.

4. Desert Hill

Getting to the upper-half, Desert Hill’s what I remember most as a kid, with it being exotic. But that could also be because I never progressed past it until I beat the game as an adult. Still, it’s really awesome. Whenever I listen to it, I picture the hot, glaring Sun beaming down on me like I’m in The Sahara, and it’s fitting that it’s attached to a desert-like map. Go figure!

That’s a testament to this level though, as well as its tune. Ignoring how Desert Hill was the bane of my youth, the tune feels like it’s drawing from Arabian-style music. This is especially-apparent in how sly and slow its notes are, really dragging the feeling of being in a harsh, unforgiving climate. Which, for all intents and purposes, isn’t untrue to what’s going on. But I digress.

What sells it is the terrain of the map. Not only does it have a lot of sandy browns, but there are pyramids and mini-oases scattered everywhere. It’s no surprise future Mario titles would take inspiration from this level, because it works. It anchors you with sand dunes, pyramids and an angry Sun that tries to kill you. I wouldn’t have it any other way.

3. Iced Land

One of the biggest strengths of Iced Land is that it’s endured enough to be referenced in the Paper Mario series. That’s because, despite the map being a tundra, there’s an eery, ethereal quality that gives me shivers listening to it. Snow levels in Mario games aren’t usually this eery, and the world map glistening periodically from the ice caps makes you feel like you’ve entered a hellish world you have to escape from. Either that, or survive. I’m unsure if one or both are true.

That said, the tune is quite powerful. A tundra, like a desert, is notorious for being harsh and difficult to live in, as the only major difference between the two is temperature. That’s right, a tundra’s basically a frozen desert! And while you’d think a tundra would be worse, because it’s colder, it’s not. Still, it’s nice to think that anyway. And the tune here doesn’t convince you otherwise.

Another advantage? This tune’s similar to Castle of Koopa, complete with a lack of resolution, but it works so much better. Because while Castle of Koopa’s lack of wholeness is frustrating due to the map itself, as well as being improved upon in future titles, Iced Land drills home the existential dread that compliments the map perfectly. That’s hard to do, since Mario games rarely have foreboding themes for their “Winter levels”. You can’t help admiring that, which is why I love it.

2. Ocean Side

And here we get to my favourite map tune. It’s not the “best” one, we’ll get there, but it’s my favourite. Why? Simple: it became the file select music for the Zelda franchise. That’s right, one of that series’ greatest pieces of music started as Ocean Side. Is your mind blown?

It should be! Aside from both franchises having the same composer, hence cross-pollination, this particular tune’s also really memorable. It might actually be too memorable, as this map’s gimmick is water. Lots and lots of water. Water’s usually a video game designer’s biggest irritant, as it’s hard to program. So for an otherwise frustrating concept to be underscored by such awesome music? It’s jarring, and I mean that in a good way.

It's especially jarring because water levels in Mario games are my least-favourite. Swimming and floating in an element not weighted by gravity can be challenging, made worse by Mario moving slower than if on land. My most frustrating experiences with Super Mario Bros. 3 involved navigating water levels for that reason. So for a tune to bring this map so many rungs higher up with its melody alone? That’s the highest praise I can give this Zelda tune prototype.

1. Grass Land

Now we get to the “best” map tune. Picture this: it’s 1990, or 1988 in Japan, and you’ve purchased Super Mario Bros. 3. You take it home, pop it into your console and press the power button. After the intro screen, you’re greeted to the game’s first map. And alongside learning the ropes, you’re greeted to a catchy jingle with hummable bops. In those first 5 seconds, the game’s music has already imprinted on you.

Doesn’t that make you feel good? I know it does for me! And I like how, despite being short and looped, Grass Land’s a complete melody. It has a tune that it remixes in three different ways, each with a brief silence afterward, and then it ends. That’s some impressive sound design for an 8-bit game that’s testing its console’s limitations.

Additionally, it’s fun to listen to! It’s fun to listen to in the game, and it’s fun to listen to on its own. The map itself is good on its own, but this? This glorious tune? A tune that’s an iconic bop in its own right? That it resonates with me now like it did when I was younger is a testament to its timeless. I wouldn’t have it any other way.

And that about does it for me! Feel free to listen to the tunes yourselves, and I’ll see you next time!

CGI Isn't "Bad"

6 years ago, I wrote about CGI in filmmaking. Specifically, I mentioned this:

“CGI, or computer-generated imagery, is a tool to tell a story. Like every storytelling tool, it’s best used as a prop in service of it, not directly opposed to it. There are good uses of it, and bad uses of it, and both appear frequently. Sometimes you won’t even know that TV or film has used it, as it’s so ubiquitous with both formats. CGI isn’t good or bad, but a neutral force that goes either way.”

I went on to discuss how people don’t give CGI enough respect, even listing examples where it excelled. However, that was 6 years ago. Some people haven’t received the memo, like Nerdstalgic. He even uploaded a video discussing his gripes with CGI, suggesting it was “killing practical effects”. And so I figured I’d respond to his “old man yells at cloud” arguments. Brace yourselves.

I’ll begin with his selection of movies. Specifically, Nerdstalgic uses the opening of Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness to discuss being pulled from the experience. I like that movie, flaws aside, and I doubt that CGI’s one of its problems. If anything, not using CGI would’ve made the opening not work, as Doctor Strange and America Chavez are fleeing from an inter-dimensional monster. We’re supposed to feel disoriented because they feel disoriented.

This highlights the issue with Nerdstalgic’s choice of movies: he’s cherry-picking. It’s one issue to complain about bad CGI. It’s another to complain about an over-reliance on CGI, only to use an example of where it was necessary. That’s dishonest criticism, completely missing the forest for the trees. It’s something 5 minutes of research would mark as a red flag.

Another problem I have is his pining for practical effects, saying that they “add to the immersion” more than CGI. I don’t know if I agree. For one, practical effects can also be done badly. I immediately think of 1987’s Robocop, specifically when Alex Murphy shoots the movie’s big baddie and sends him plummeting out a window. The death uses stop-motion animation, and it looks awful. I know there were production complications surrounding this moment, but still. Bad practical effects exist.

And two, practical effects, save being costly and difficult to execute, are often dangerous. We can admire the truck flipping in The Dark Knight, but a stuntman died. CGI not only does the work faster and cheaper, but also safer. Perhaps that truck flip wouldn’t have been as impressive with computers, but I’ll suspend my disbelief knowing no one was injured. Isn’t that what matters?

By pining for practical effects for immersion, Nerdstalgic, again, misses the forest for the trees. It’s true that practical effects tend to be more immersive because they’re tangible, but CGI can be equally impressive. No one complains that Gravity was directed on a soundstage because it looks so convincing, never mind that filming in space is nigh-impossible. Additionally, Pandora in the Avatar franchise still looks stunning, only becoming more-so with each new entry. This is despite almost none of it being practical.

There’s also Nerdstalgic’s complaint about overlaying CGI with practical effects, as if the audience can’t handle real locations. He points to the cliff jump in the most-recent Mission Impossible movie, which was initially shot on a ramp. I don’t get the issue: isn’t the jump what matters? Tom Cruise drove a motorcycle off a chasm and onto a train, and you’re worried about a ramp? Really?!

Immersion isn’t solely about “looking real”. Something can “look real” and not be immersive, especially when done with artificial intelligence. What matters is “feeling real”, and CGI can accomplish that. I’d list examples, but there are too many. Even movies that use plenty of practical effects, like Mad Max: Fury Road, anchor them with CGI in places where practical work is impossible (such as the tornado storm). That matters more than how it was made.

Tangibility also isn’t exclusive to practical effects. Nor is an artist’s vision. Nerdstalgic points to how older movies feel more timeless because the artist had complete control, as opposed to modern movies having studio executives scribbling notes. There are so many issues there, particularly how that’s not about CGI, but the big one is that “true auteurs” still exist. And even with older auteurs, they had input from other people. This despite CGI being the norm now.

I can continue deconstructing Nerdstalgic’s video, which I thought was ignorant. But it’d be futile. I understand that CGI feels overused to many, and I get it. I also get that there are plenty of instances of badly-incorporated CGI. But that doesn’t mean it’s all bad, or that practical effects are inherently better. Sure, we should strive for a healthy balance, but that’s the key: a balance. One isn’t inherently better than the other.

One last point is that good CGI’s usually invisible. Did you know Armie Hammer’s face and body were duplicated to play the Winklevoss brothers in The Social Network? Or that the airport fight in Captain America: Civil War was staged? Of course not, and that’s intentional. These sorts of effects are designed to go unnoticed, and that’s good. It means we’ve come a long way from the 60s and 70s. Isn’t that what we want?

So yeah, Nerdstalgic was being unfair in his critiques. Which’d be a problem itself…assuming it was an isolated incident. Bashing CGI’s a time-honoured tradition going back many years, with people who claim to be “experts” making ignoramuses of themselves. Remember, CGI’s a tool. And like all tools, the key is knowing how to use it. When even the worst CGI today looks passable, I think we’re in good hands. I wish people like Nerdstalgic understood that, instead of complaining.