Reviews by:
@the_owlseyes
RATE THIS SERIES
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“The world is a dangerous place to live, not because of the people who are evil, but because of the people who don't do anything about it.”
Albert Einstein
PLOT
"In a dystopian America dominated by Nazi Germany and Imperial Japan, a young woman discovers a mysterious film that may hold the key to toppling the totalitarian regimes" or "What If...? World War II"
SCRIPT
The concept is bold and the execution is even bolder. I think that this series will reasonate with every generation because it shows the fact that with or without the war our world is still doomed by power hungry oligarchs and greed. Only the goodness of the people can change it. The shows exposes every aspect of the life in a world where the axes has won the Second World War and it's hard not to feel for John Smith, an army officer splitted between the love for his family and the need to change his reality. There're a lot of particularly touching moments where the audience is shaken to the bones.
The sci-fi side of this series isn't prominent but it's well handled.
All of it works till the last season, where the politically correct takes central stage and ruins the experience.
Overall it isn't a bad series but it loses itself in the last season and the finale is anti-climatic.
I consider myself half satisfied because the third outing of this show isn't at the same level as the previous ones.
Considering what made it worse, it's kinda ironic. Destroyed by the people who are explictly condemned in this show.
Such a pity.
Script: 8/10
ACTING
Rufus Sewell delivers a top notch performance as well as minor actors like Luke Kleintank, Rupert Evans, Joel de la Fuente, Chelah Horsdal and Brennan Brown. I didn't like Alexa Davalos because she felt a bit motionless sometimes, DJ Qualls, Quinn Lord and the off putting accent fo Bella Heathcote. Overall it's good but I don't consider it too good. It respects the audience expectation, that's all.
Acting: 7/10
PHOTOGRAPHY
I like the fact that the "dystopian" universe has a grey color grading and our reality has warmer colours to counteroppose the two universes. There're also a lot of cool shots of a Nazi New York and San Francisco which are kind of threatning. I think that this is probably one of the best aspects of this show.
There's also a great care for lights and shadows which are always used in an interesting and eye pleasing way.
Photography: 8/10
EDITING
Mostly uninspired and boring. I consider it stale. Sometimes it shines but it's just for a few seconds. I've expected more from a series produced by Ridley Scott.
Editing: 5/
SPECIAL EFFECTS
There's just a few of them and most of them aren't even perceptible. Sometimes they look a bit unfinished but overall they works. I don't think that there is much to say because this isn't a series which relies on CGI spectacle.
Special Effects: 6/10
SOUNDTRACK
It's good but not impressive. Henry Jackman has made a good work ut I don't consider it its best, mostly because it tends to be kinda repetitive, especially in the last season. The integration of period's music doesn't save this section from being a low 6.
Soundtrack: 6/10
COSTUMES
There's a particular care about them in order to represents the dystopian 60s as believable as possible. The American Nazi and Japanese's uniform are gorgeous. Even though the show nails them, it isn't enough to consider the costumes above decent, because they don't have ay kind of relevance for the plot.
Costumes: 7/10
CONCLUSION
Script: 8/10
Acting: 7/10
Photography: 8/10
Editing: 5/10
Special Effects: 6/10
Soundtrack: 6/10
Costumes: 7/10
AVERAGE: 6,71
An interesting series which will always resonate with us. A flawed must watch.
Director: David Semel
Screenplay: Frank Spotnitz
Cast: Alexa Davalos, Rupert Evans, Luke Kleintank, DJ Qualls, Joel de la Fuente, Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa, Rufus Sewell, Brennan Brown, Callum Keith Rennie, Bella Heathcote, Chelah Horsdal, Michael Gaston, Jason O'Mara. Frances Turner
Soundtrack: Henry Jackman, Dominic Lewis
Cinematography: James Hawkinson, Gonzalo Amat
Running Time: 55 min
By @the_owlseyes
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