ARTS
The Michigan Daily - Thursday, March 8, 2001- 11A
Latest 'Knockout' puts
up good fight on P82
By Matt Grandstaff
Daily Arts Writer
For over a decade, EA Sports has
provided realistic and entertaining
depictions of many major sports, such
as football, baskeball, hockey and soc-
The Lone Gunmen and their spin-off cronies. The commies must be behind this trash.
FBI investlgation in
order for 'Gunmen'
M.
Grade: B
Knockout
Kings 2001
For Playstation 2
Electronic Arts
thing to be desired.
cer. Unfortunate-
ly, when EA
began its
"K n o c k o u t
Kings" franchise
three years ago,
critics and
garners alike
agreed that the
games left some-
Fortunately, with a
By Ryan Blay
Daily Arts Writer
The only conspiracy on FOX is who
green-lighted this ill-conceived idea.
Apparently they didn't learn from the
The Lone
Gunmen
Fox
Sunday at 9 p.m.
failure of "The
Michael Richards
Show" that spin-
off shows with
comic relief char-
acters just don't
work ("Frasier"
being one notable
exception).
Nonetheless,
conspiracy theo-
rists Byers
(Bruce Har-
wood), Langly
(Dean Haglund),
and Frohike
(Tom Braidwood) are taking their "The
Lone Gunmen" newspaper and comput-
er hacking expertise and setting up shop
on Fridays.
Last week's premiere began with a
goofy send-up of Tom Cruise's infa-
mous descent from a ceiling (lowered
via a rope, of course) from "Mission:
Impossible." Frohike tries to steal a chip
with possible spy technology in it. Of
course he fails, and the gorgeous solo
spy Yves Adele Harlow (a sort of lone
gunman in her own right) steals it.
After this rather odd opening, Byers,
a former government man, questions
what he is doing. He then gets a call
explaining that his father died. Except
he really didn't die, he faked his death
to throw off the government who is try-
ing to kill him because of his knowl-
edge of something to do with airline
terrorism. Got it? If not, don't worry. It
didn't really make much sense, and it
won't matter much later,
Admittedly, this show could turn
around quickly and find its identity. But
just when it seems to find a bright spot,
it covers it up like a classified govern-
ment file. Right now, the elusive Yves is
the most interesting character. The fact
that her name is an anagram of Lee
Harvey Oswald (the original Lone Gun-
man) would have made for an interest-
ing inside joke had it not been explained
to the viewers right away and ruined.
Also, the fact that Byers' father's
"death" was shady didn't shock any-
body, but the most paranoid guys in
America seemed shocked that the gov-
ernment was involved? What was up
with that? Eleven years running articles
about Teletubbies being evil, and they
couldn't figure that out on their own?
On this week's episode, they intro-
duce a new recurring character, Jimmy
Bond. Stephen Snedden, who portrays
the ditzy Bond, does have an impressive
resume; including "Coyote Ugly" It will
take more than one character to save
this show from crashing like a UFO in
Area 51.
Ever since 1994's "E.B.E." episode of
"The X-Files," the trio have been fan
favorites, but that's because they provid-
ed comic relief for a serious show. How-
ever, they don't have the depth and
charisma for an entire series of sight
gags involving Frohike being run over
by a whole football team and Langly
being kidnapped. Even rumored
crossovers with "X-Files" characters
like Assistant Director Skinner won't
solve what's really behind the show's
struggles.
both past and present including heavy-
weight champion Lennox Lewis,
Evander Holyfield, Oscar De La Nova,
Smokin' Joe Frazier and the greatest
of all-time, Muhammad Ali. Better
yet, gamers can start a "cat fight" with
a selection of female boxers, which
includes Christy Martin. In addition,
the game adds realism by having
famous referees Mills Lane and
Richard Steele, and the game also fea-
tures excellent (and sometimes comi-
cal) commentary from Al Bernstein
(of ESPN fame), Max Kellerman and
Tedday Atlas.
Adding to the excitement of
"Knockout Kings 2001" is improved
gameplay. In comparison to previous
efforts by EA, "Knockout Kings
2001" has faster gameplay and more
responsive controls. As a result, bouts
tend to be more like the ones you see
on television (the ones without brawls
and ear biting at least), as they often
go back and forth and can easily go
the distance in a twelve round match.
While not as enjoyable as the arcade-
style hit, "Mike Tyson's Punch-Out!,"
EA's latest boxing title is the most
new year and a new system to work
with, it seems that EA Sports has
finally built a contender with "Knock-
out Kings 2001" for the Playstation 2.
The heart of "Knockout Kings
2001" comes in its outstanding pre-
sentation. From the games introduc-
tion to the end of each bout gamers
will feel like they are in the world of
professional boxing. The game fea-
tures over 20 authentic boxers from
realistic boxing game ever.
Complementing the improved
gameplay of the latest in the "Knock-
out Kings" franchise are outstanding
visuals. Other than some heads that
look too big for their bodies, EA has
created extremely realistic boxers. No
longer do characters look like a pile of
polygons; these guys look like flesh
and blood. And speaking of blood,
when boxers get hit enough, their
faces get almost as nasty as Hannibal
Lecter's lone surviving victim.
Unfortunately, EA Sports improve-
ments to its boxing franchise do not
come without problems. Most
notably, the collision detection in the
game is poor. Punches seem to go
through the boxers' bodies similar to
when Arnold punches through the T-
1000 in Terminator 2. As a result of
this flaw, garners will not feel as if
they are really pounding their oppo-
nents, and right crosses will seem far
inferior to Jesse Spannow's blows on
her step-brother Eric. Nevertheless,
EA has moved in the right direction
with their latest effort, as "Knockout
Kings 2001" for the PS2 is a must-
have for fans of the genre.
A A BlUl Uplay0 1
Heriff Jones College Rings,
Collegiate Cap & Gowns, Graduation
Announcements, Diploma Frames and
Accessories will be available at
the 2001 Graduation Fair. Representatives
will be available to assist you with your
graduation needs.
SAVE! SAVE! SAVE! SAVE!
SPECIAL PROMOTIONS
PACKAGE DISCOUNTS A VA ILA BLE
ONLY DURING THIS EVENT
Date: Thur, Fri, Sat March 8-10
Time: 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Place: Michigan Book & Supply
317 S. State Street
FREE Cap & Gown and
20% off Graduation
Announcements with
College Ring Order
BOOK & SUPPLY
IV HERFF JONES
http://www.herff-iones.com
10-4390 (
The
It's always
moon
inspired
assion.
Now it's inspired
z2C0.12 -ro .
INTRODUCING NEW
ONCE-A-MONTH LUNELLE."
BIRTH CONTROL IN SYNC WITH
THE MOON AND YOU.
The moon is a source of beauty and emotion. For centuries, our
monthly cycle has mirrored the moon's. Now, for the first time,
there's birth control that's monthly, not daily: new Lune/le.
An injectable that's 99% effective without the daily hassle.
Lunelle is a combo of hormones that works continuously-all
month long. Given on time each month by your doctor,
prescription Lunelle gives you birth control that's 99% effective.
That means you get monthly pregnancy protection without the
daily hassle-without the daily worry-of taking the Pill. And if
you want to get pregnant? Most women get back to ovulating
about two to three months after receiving their last injection.
Lunelle doesn't protect against HIV/AIDS or other sexually
transmitted diseases.
Hormonal birth control isn't for everyone.
Pregnant women or women with blood clots, chest pain, certain
cancers, unexplained vaginal bleeding, or a history of liver
disease, stroke, or heart attacks shouldn't take Lunelle. Serious
risks that can be life threatening include blood clots, stroke, and
heart attack. And hey no smokingl It increases these risks,
especially if you're over 35 and smoke 15 or more cigarettes a day.
During the first few months of taking Lune/le, most women have
a change in their periods, which may include no bleeding,
irregular bleeding, or spotting. This change may continue with
use in up to one third of women. In studies, while some women
lost weight on Lune/le, the average change was an increase of
4 pounds in the first year. But you should know, some women
gained 10 or more pounds in the first year.
So ask your healthcare professional about new Lunelle.
Why worry about taking a daily Pill when there's monthly Lunelle?
Birth control inspired by the moon.
Lunelle. In sync with the moon and you.
m