Boy was I stoked when I thought to check and see if this was available online (not having a TV). The trailer that's been circulating gave me high hopes. I'd give the trailer a 9 1/2, and as you can see, I've given the first two episodes a 7.
The first warning sign was the green-screen used early in Episode 1 when the kids are riding in the bus. \sad trombone\ And I did catch some clunky dialogue as the "Crisis" was beginning. What's bothering me the most, though, is the opportunities missed by the director. (OH MY GOD! I just looked it up! It's freaking PHILLIP NOYCE! He should know better!) How are the kidnappers not being shot in a way that makes them more menacing. (Really? No low POV or slightly slowed mo as they first enter the room? I could waste a lot of character-count with specifics about the directorial and cinematography choices.) And I do have to agree with some other posters on the cookie-cutter nature of some of the teen characters. That's tough to avoid with a bus full of high-school kids, sure...but it can be done.
I'm not going to call it a waste of time, but I am going to say I'm a little disappointed. Not a lot...yet. But still.
The first warning sign was the green-screen used early in Episode 1 when the kids are riding in the bus. \sad trombone\ And I did catch some clunky dialogue as the "Crisis" was beginning. What's bothering me the most, though, is the opportunities missed by the director. (OH MY GOD! I just looked it up! It's freaking PHILLIP NOYCE! He should know better!) How are the kidnappers not being shot in a way that makes them more menacing. (Really? No low POV or slightly slowed mo as they first enter the room? I could waste a lot of character-count with specifics about the directorial and cinematography choices.) And I do have to agree with some other posters on the cookie-cutter nature of some of the teen characters. That's tough to avoid with a bus full of high-school kids, sure...but it can be done.
I'm not going to call it a waste of time, but I am going to say I'm a little disappointed. Not a lot...yet. But still.