I have a proven record of quickly delivering items with accurate descriptions. In fact, I've been told my grading of items is too conservative, but I'd rather error on the side of caution. :)
Take the essential elements of a video game -- story, gameplay, animation and music -- and consider how important each of them is to a game's success. When "Kingdom Hearts" is broken down this way, it is easy to see why it has become one of the most-heralded games of all time.
The story itself is the center of the game. It focuses on a trio of kids who lives on a tropical island. One day, they're split up and transported to different worlds. The goal of the main character, Sora, is not to get home but to reconnect with this friends. Along the way, he receives help from a host of Disney characters -- chiefly Donald Duck and Goofy. In doing so, they travel to other worlds, each of which is designed to look like the set of one of Disney's many animated movies. This is where the game's can't-put-it-down excitement comes in. For anybody familiar with the Disney catalogue, "Kingdom Hearts" brings a host of familiar places in a new light. Instead of a projector flickering by pictures that the viewer takes in, the game puts the player in the director's chair and allowers him or her to almost recast the story. Granted, the outcomes of every level is the same no matter how it is played, but controlling the action of the characters millions of people already recognize is the primary draw of the game.
Perhaps the only real drawback to "Kingdom Hearts" is its button-mashing gameplay. Players charge into run-of-the-mill enemies, called "Heartless," and hack and slash them to pieces. That said, there is a fair amount of customization for the characters -- especially Sora. Sora's primary weapon, the keyblade, comes in various forms, each with a unique feature. Choosing the right Keyblade for certain situations can often turn a daunting battle into a fair fight. With that, the game's rather simple interaction with enemies becomes a litle more complex.
Aside from enemies, "Kingdom Hearts" has fantastic gameplay interaction with its environments. Players can scale ladders, submerge in the sea and fly with Peter Pan. All of which require new control filters for the player's mind. On top of that, each world seems to have a puzzle that requires specialized travel to advance the story. These are sometimes simple and other times rather complex. Eithe way, new player and veterans alike will find some challenge.
"Kingdom Hearts" has amazing animation in both its gameplay and automated sequences, which make up a fair portion of the game. Anybody familiar with the SquareSoft studios will recognize the fluid movement and vibrant colors rendered throughout the game. Some sequences are worth watching a second time just to take them all in.
The music for "Kingdom Hearts" is among the best and most-recognizable of anything available in any video game. Again, the game draws heavily on the Disney library, and even the cheesiest of sing-along songs is remixed in a way so that a level that takes 20-30 minutes to defeat doesn't lead to a mind-numbing sonic experience.
All in all, "Kingdom Hearts" is an amazing video game that was groundbreaking at the time of its release and still holds an impressive "Wow!" factors after all these years. It truly does bring out the best of Disney with the best of SquareSoft.
1 of 1 found this helpful
20 Feb, 2009
Part Concert Film/Part Documentary
Calling "Dave Chappelle's Block Party" a concert film or a documentary would be a wash. Instead, it's both. On the one hand, viewers get a behind-the-scenes look at how multi-act concerts come together -- and sometimes fall apart. On the other hand, the film centers around an all-day concert with some of Chappelle's favorite musical acts. It's like "The Last Waltz," but about 40 percent of the movie is made up the interviews Martin Scorsese did with members of The Band and edited in between songs.
Overall, "Block Party" is an enjoyable film. It follows the motto Chappelle's impersonation of Rick James coined on the comedian's Comedy Central show: "It's a celebration, *****es!" Indeed, it is. The heart of the movie is Chappelle's fulfillment of a dream to have all of his favorite musical acts in a single place. As it come closer to reality, he truly lights up the same way a child does when he or she opens a birthday gift. As good as the concert footage is, it is equally rewarding to watch Chappelle bask in the glory of his accomplishment from off stage.
That lead to the concert itself. On the whole, its footage is good, but the fact this was a one-time event with many unpredictable moments as well as some rain, the cinematography perhaps leaves out some essential shots that you can mostly see but not quite. At the same time, the concert's chief calling card, the Fugees reunion, falls short of expectations. For those of us who were unable to see one of their shows in the late-1990s, this is a big disappointment. Their performance starts out inspired but falls flat by the end. Thankfully, there are many other great performances -- chiefly Common, Mos Def and Dead Prez, whom I had not really heard of before this film but quickly liked.
Since this is a Chappelle production, there are plenty of laughs, and just like his cable show, the movie is extremely quotable. The humor spans from slapstick to topical to somewhat raunchy, but that's what anybody who has followed Chappelle's career has come to expect. That and a bright, uninhibited view of life. It isn't Chappelle at his best. It's Chappelle at his happiest, and viewers can't help but to be just as happy as him.
It's a celebration, *****es!
1 of 1 found this helpful
Dewalt DC9280 28-volt 2.0Ah Battery Pack
26 Feb, 2021
It works. For a little while (if you don't mind recharging rather soon)
It does not hold a charge for very long.
Yes, it holds charges for longer than the batteries I've owned for years. However, I get only 50-70 board feet out of this before it slows. My old ones would get at least 300 board feet.
For a lower price, these would be worth it. However, after charging and draining this battery three times rather quickly in my track saw, I switched back to using my circular saw with my track.