Alex Garland, the man behind Ex Machina and Annihilation has done it again. Floored by the first two episodes. The man creates art.
This is the "Prometeus school of little space explorer" all over again.
They have the technology, they have the know-how, but for some reason they put the worst possible people in charge of the most important mission of human history.
It's like NASA put highschoolers inside Apollo 11.
Why writers can't write a good sci-fi show without making people complete incompetents?
I miss SG1
I can't make to episode 2. It's so boring, full of cliches and shallow characters. Never read the books. Never played the game. Didn't like what i saw. It's kind of pathetic and tacky.
This is a Netflix series that drew my curiousity for it's interesting premise. It was filmed in Portuguese and I'm assuming those viewers who gave it rave reviews saw it in Portuguese, And those who felt the acting and dialogue were horrible saw it on Netflix, dubbed into English, which is how I first encountered it. And a horrible job of dubbing it was, causing many to abandon the series disappointed. However, I discovered you have the option, in Netflix settings, to choose Portuguese with English subtitles, and, voila, the acting and dialogue issues disappear (except for a few places when Brazilian passion for political speeches overtakes the moment). The pilot is available on YouTube, in Portuguese (no subtitles), so I couldn't start at the beginning of this tale (my Portuguese is non-existent). Netflix doesn't carry the pilot, only seasons 1-3. With the setting corrected, I found the series to be very enjoyable. I give this a 7.5 (really good) out of 10.
Update after Season Three - I have always believed that the weakness of this show was its tendency to melodrama. The last three episodes of this 3rd season fell victim to this, which is why I rated them so low. But it seems it is all set up for a 4th season, so I'm settling into a wait and see position, but I've reduced my rating to a 7 (potential) out of 10. [Dystopian Drama]
<Update after Season 4 - After much loss and sadness they opted for a very optimistic ending, but the contrast made it hard to swallow.
<Altogether, I would recommend this series for it’s unique approach to apocalypse, a talented core cast, and some great writing. I give this series an 8 (well rounded) out of 10.
Another one of those shows that starts off pretty meh then finds it's footing and takes a significant turn for the better.
Gave up half way through season 1, gave it another chance, and now I can't wait for each new episode!
You can skip this! Trust me, you are not missing out on much.
Wow, this came out of nowhere and impressed me a lot - very nicely filmed, acted and interesting enough to keep my attention. Fingers crossed!
Could only do 3 episodes it's pure garbage
Ok, 4 episodes in and the writing isn't improving. I maintain there could be an interesting story in there somewhere, but I don't think it's enough to make me keep pushing on with this one, which is disappointing and I was looking forward to this series.
While there is multiple larger stories at play, they don't really seem to mesh well together and only the one about beacons turning off and shutting down systems is of any interest to me, but the rocks and the companies and whatever that was in episode 4 just were not interesting to me.I get and like what they were trying to do with episode 4 with the entire episode being an origin/flashback, but the writing and screenplay just isn't working for me.
Multiple episodes with characters going from hating a character to liking and loving a character or vice versa within scenes with no organic flow of those emotional states, or being highly suspicious to completely trusting in the space of a scene.
Maybe it's the writing or screenplay or maybe the direction because I feel the actors are doing what they are being told/scripted to say and do and they are doing the best they can with the material they are provided.
Maybe if you're a fan of shows like The Ark it might be your jam, but I don't even think it measures up to sci-fi originals from 2015 like Dark Matter and Killjoys let alone anything more recent like The Expanse/Foundation.
It's a pity they spend all this money on special effects but don't bother employing anyone with actual space knowledge to make it realistic, first episode in and we're going to the moon in a shuttle and the booster rocket stays attached until they are almost there but a bolt rattles looses at the point where it wouldn't. Then we're on the moon surface looking into the direction of the sun with clear visors.
Within in the genre of 'Teenage-Apocalypse' I'd say this show is pretty decent. But it obviously comes with all the bad stuff that normally comes with that genre.
I'd say it's a good show for a brain-off weekend binge. Nothing more, nothing less.
First episode is atrocious. Choices from characters (and plot) are stupid.
After a couple of episodes it is a little bit better, but it is a bad tv show. Not decent enough to have a second season and low standard to be "by Netflix".
Not without flaws, but if you find the premise intriguing, the series is really very binge-worthy. The acting is decent, the direction pretty good. I'll be excepting the second season with excitement
It's good. Not bad but not great either. It would have benefitted greatly by having 10 episodes. Season felt way too rushed.
Good:
Acting is really good all over. Henry Cavill really feels like he was born to play this part.
The swordfighting is absolutely beautiful and fantastically done. Especially Geralt. Although the bigger battles (not one on ones) are really not that great.
Music/soundtrack is really phenomenal. Got goosebumps at times.
Costume design was really well done. And cinematography was pretty good.
Bad:
The different timelines. Not only is it a bit confusing at times (although that can be forgiven with a decent payoff which IMO does not exist in this show) but it just kills any flow of the show whatsoever and the pacing was really bad at times. I think the show would be a lot better with 10 episodes and focusing the first two or three only Geralt and explaining the world we're in.
Worldbuilding. I feel like they expect only book readers to watch this show. They namedrop/show a lot of stuff but never bother explaining anything to non book readers. Of course a bit of mystery is always good but viewers need to understand this world, how it functions and what rules there are (in regard for magic for example).
Dialogue feels really clunky at times. Geralt is fine but everyone else just felt weird at times.
The CGI was okay but I kinda expected better.
I have hopes that Season 2 will be better with a more linear/cohesive story. Right now only the writing is holding this show back from becoming great. I can see a lot of potential for future seasons.
EDIT AFTER SEASON 2 (and after having read the books in between seasons)
It's a decent and entertaining show on it's own. It's just knowing the books, Henry Cavills absolute love for them and the budget behind the show it could be so much more than just decent.
As a show on it's own it's a solid 8/10. But as an adaption of incredible books? 2/10.
A great world war 2 documentary, it feels a little bit fast at some points. But that is to be expected when trying to put 7 years of war in 12 hours.
Although the series is quite good I a bit disappointed that it only covers the battles. And doesn't give an in depth view of WW2.
Just went through and correct all the mistakes on TMDB, TVDB and Wikipedia so it should update soon.
Overacted. Overly dramatic. Obnoxious laughtrack. No funny jokes, they fall flat all the time. Often because of lame stereotype jokes no one laughs about in reality anymore.
Is it by accident that the female, lesbian main character Lizzy is wearing similar stuff that Ellen DeGeneres wears? No? I didn't think so. There's more Ellen than Lizzy in this show. Not that this is bad on its own.
I like the premise. It's controversial and a newer version of "The Odd Couple" concept that generally could work today, in opposite of the "reboot" with Matthew Perry. But not how this is worked out here.
Given the premise I find it subtly offensive how the male character plays the dumbass here. The premise doesn't need it and by doing so it decreases the value of this show and its ability to give a social comment.
Cut back on at least half of the awful jokes and establish the underlying, actually believable concept and make fun of its obstacles, especially those given from the society around the characters. You could debunk all the prejudices easily. That would make the show good.
And while you're at it, give some brain to the only male main character, would you? Thanks.
This show is very unbalanced. Some episodes are utter shit, while other are very polished and well filmed. This is true both for the UK version and the new Starz + BBC version.
Only exception is season 3 which was pretty intense from the beginning to the finale.
This is a series not Movie
Cancelled again! Hated the new characters. It deserved to be canceled now!
It's hard to believe how well this was put together at times. I'd say the first 10 episodes are definitely the best, after that the story line has reached a point where it's less exciting. That doesn't mean the rest of it is bad though, not at all.
One thing that striked me is that there were often tensions moments when Light get's interrogated. Ever time when it seems like he's getting caught he comes up with another waterproof lie/alibi to trow off any suspicion. Which is what I meant by the first sentence.
I actually got a Death Note book as a gift after I finished the series :)
WOW! This took me by surprise, cant wait to see what else this show has to offer.
Very interesting documentary series, hampered only by moments of cringe worthy presentation.
This series had a really good vibe, but it feels like they rushed the ending a bit.
At least there will be a second season.
