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2011 In Review

2011 pushed plenty of people's patience to the growing limit. The year showed a relentless barrage of blizzards, storms and hurricanes against the United States and natural disasters around the world seem to be a grim reminder of the raw force of nature. It also showed the failure of some governments to be willing to fully shell out the funds to rebuild or support the communities and turning more toward more potentially radical solutions. The economic growth was pretty stagnant and people began looking for blame in somewhere and the growing amount was toward the banks and the governments that enabled them, especially after Iceland's successful governmental change after the issues regarding the bailouts. For many prominent leftists, they saw this as their time to shine. To try and reclaim what was lost in the years of neoconservatism and neoliberalism, especially with the rise of environmentalism as well. Regardless of what may come, the old guard came crumbling and there was growing divisions. There was those clamoring for the good ol days associated with people like Tony Blair or Al Gore. Others were wondering if they were not enough to really solve the problems. There were a few reactionary elements, but there were little incentive to lean there, especially with the terrorist attack in Norway, mainly being a homegrown one. The new decade was marked with turmoil yet opportunity. Unsurprisingly, the year filled with storms and propaganda fueled the pseudohistorical 2012 phenomena.

Furthermore, across the world, the remnants of the Arab Spring played out in war with the last of the Baathist powers and the Americans with their Middle East coalition stepped in to bring order and stability, especially with Iraq's callous attack and the civil war/anarchy of Syria, especially with the death of Assad. The end of the year saw the old states of Iraq and Syria fall with efforts heing discussed how to restore the nations along with the likelihood of new nations coming out. A Kurdish state, maybe even an Assyrian state. Iraq divided among Shia and Sunni along with what else could be done with Syria. Various voting options were being implemented and planned and the painful reminder of the paperwork and logisitics required for proper governing returned to the mainstream The recession continued to drag on with some nations recovering sooner than others. One noteworthy nation was Canada, who defied conventions by electing the NDP and Prime Minister Jack Layton, sticking out among the otherwise conservative-headed Anglosphere. Meanwhile, other places were faring better than most others in regards to the Recession such as China, whom many note of interest given that within a couple of years will have a new leader. Several candidates have been floated, but among the people of interesting were Li Keqiang, Xi Jinpeng and Bo Xilai in regards to potential future leaders, especially the latter two as they're considered rising stars.

Pop culture meanwhile began reflecting the slightly darker and more concerning reality, albeit in different ways. Mainly that in some instances, escapist films and flights of fantasy became more prominent as a coping mechanicism and even nostalgia for how things used to be. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows pt. 2 came out and bringing about an epic end to the film saga. The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 1 also came out which seemed to be symbolizing the potential end for teen-aimed fantasy stories since some did not do as well, though some note the atmosphere for escapism could still assist in it. One example was the Winnie the Pooh film who's innocence and charm would make it something that young adults and even some older ones clung onto as a way of coping with the difficult times. Another was the new Marvel film Captain America: The First Avenger and another being The Muppets. However, there were various other films that would grow to become cult classics like Hugo. However, perhaps the big one was none other than the Green Lantern film. Delayed because of the #MeToo movement shaking up stuff behind the scenes, the film underwent some rewrites and the announcement caused a Twitter trend over a desire to John Stewart within the film. The film would shock everyone as this trend would be taken seriously (likely as a way to gain good publicity and ignite positive interest within the film..) The plot had Hal Jordan (played by Ryan Reynolds) as the Green Lantern of Earth returning home and dealing with changes, such as trying to reconnect with his old flame Carol Ferris (played by Blake Lively, who would date Reynolds after working together in film) among his other friends. However, his return back home is in part to find a new partner, which is revealed to be John Stewart (played by Edris Ilba). The antagonist is none other than Hector Hammond with a vendetta against Stewart. The whole thing was played as a superhero buddy cop film with Stewart help save Hal from Hector and the two learning to trust the other. The ending sees Stewart officially inducted and Stewart asking how Hal got involved in all this, Hal sighing and saying it's a story for another time. The film was warmly recieved with Elba noting that he chose the role over a rumored choice to play Heimdall in Thor, due to the greater potential as John. However, Thor also did quite well, with Tom Hiddleston being lauded for his role as Loki.

In video games, the last of the old consoles were coming out with large hits. Legend of Zelda Skyward Sword was considered a delightful surprise though it did have a few minor issues. Some noted the reason for not delaying it was to celeberating the 25th anniversary of zelda as a result. However, Kirby's Return to Dreamland was more better recieved and another even warmly received game was Metroid: Other M. After numerous delays, it came out and surprised many, declaring it was worth wait. The delays came about due to troubled productions over the different visions and who to appeal though also conflicts regarding Sakamoto and Team Ninja played a part in this. Eventually, Sakamoto was forced to be much more hands-off regarding the plot and characterization with Samus. She is portrayed as the powerful warrior many envisioned her as though caught off-guard regard by her scientific mind, her compassion and even her philosophical side. Many have also noted that the characterization of some characters were inspired by an earlier manga. Of course, various other characters got attention such as Point Man Anthony Higgs. Of course, the big talk was on the release of the successor to the Nintendo DS, the Nintendo Ultra DS or UDS. Possessing stronger graphics, processing and sound to the original DS alongside the inclusion of a control pad allowing for better movemenet. The Nintendo UDS was apparently named as a reference to the original name of the Nintendo 64. Appropriately enough, they used this to market two launch title games, Legend of Zelda Ocarina of Time Ultra and Super Mario 64 Ultra. These were enhanced remasterings of the Nintendo 64 classics onto the handheld device. All of them coming with additional features and capabilities, such as the latter allowing the player to play as Luigi as well as a co-op mode to have two players working together as the brothers along with expanded and redesigned levels. This has of course to led rumors that more Nintendo 64 games would end up remastered for the UDS. This rumors grew when one of the rumors said that Banjo & Kazooie would get a reamstering on the UDS. Of course, those were far from the only games. Dark Souls came about and introduced a new level of difficulty for players to face. Portal 2 came and exceeded all expectations while Elder Scrolls Skyrim brought a return to focus for fantasy. Call of Duty Modern Warfare 3 came out as the last of a trilogy. Deus Ex: Human Revolution brought a cyberpunk vision that the prequel maintained. Rayman Origins came out and brought attention to the series of the limbless wonder by delving into his backstory and keeping in line with the lore. Overall, the excitement is held over the upcoming new consoles, especially with Nintendo delaying theirs by a year to further work on it.