Andrew Ruse was a huge part of what made World Peace so good, but we can't forget that MDE did a bunch of high quality shit before he was involved.
Here are a few examples of some great early cinematography and/or editing:
MDE has always been at its best with the trio fully at the helm. It may have some resemblance to other styles, but MDE has always been its own thing. I think the current crew just doesn't understand it enough to be given so much creative control, specifically Schultz.
The reason why we like Ruse is because the combo of MDE and Thanks Computer was like peanut butter and jelly. Perfect compliments, neither overriding the other in any way that reduced the quality of the finished product (unless you're a purist and think the camcorder years were peak, which is understandable). That just isn't the case anymore. Shultz' style isn't bad, it just eats through and covers up the understated humor of the MDE style. It's over the top in every way, and leaves no room for "interpretation", so to speak. There is no layering. You watch it once, and there's not much of a reason to watch it again. If you remember, Sam would criticize his own ideas nearly as sharply as whatever he was parodying in often nearly unnoticeable, crafty ways. It made re-watching a requirement, not an option.
My biggest question is how Sam doesn't see the issue. I know for a fact that he still knows and leans on his own style of humor based on his interactions on Fishtank. Part of the reason I love Fishtank is because it actually feels more like older MDE stuff every now and then.
Sam has to know that Schultz and the rest of the crew clearly do not understand the work they should be creating. I may understand it better, but I couldn't recreate it either.
Given MDE's cultural relevance, I think Sam owes it to his work to give it one more go, but this time with complete creative control split between him and Nick, with Chuck sharing in the dialogue. Shared Google docs, spitballing retarded ideas that only they think are funny, sharp editing. If his whole crew laughs at it, crumple it up, toss it, and try again.
tl;dr Sam needs to take full control and stop catering. The trio will always be very funny and talented, they don't need anyone else to have creative control or even input.
