I'm one of the few that read the books and didn't particularly enjoy them. I thought the first book was great, with the first half of the first book being excellent, but as the story expanded and with each subsequent book I became more dissatisfied and frustrated with the characters and plot. This series (I've watched the 7 episodes so far released) hasn't reached the halfway point of the first book, so that's the context of my review.
Criticisms: First, I'm quite surprised just how much time is spent at the lab where the experiments are done. It feels like this part of the story has been fleshed out quite dramatically. This may or may not be a good thing. If the story arc of the books were to be followed, this would turn into a ten-year project. I can't see that happening so it means some fat will be trimmed elsewhere.
It does seem like some of the changes to characters have been done not for creative reasons but to broaden the demographic appeal of viewers. This doesn't really matter to me as far as the plot is concerned, but it does feel as if the direction and writing are rather too gynocentric for my tastes. Everyone seems to talk about their feelings all the time. In small doses that's not really a bad thing but sometimes it feels too much and the pacing is impacted. They're trying to give more depth to the characters, but it comes at the expense of moving the story along. Wolgast's wife Lila is a good example. If I remember correctly in the books she's a fairly minor character but in the show it's not long before we're getting her backstory too. I found her annoying and unnecessary.
Some of the writing is too expository and some of the flashbacks were too obvious. I get that 'fill-in' writing can be necessary sometimes but if it should be done with care and nuance. Implied rather than declared. This is a reflection on the standard of writing, which IMO is good but not great.
Praise: When the author Justin Cronin spoke about his reasons for writing this book he said he said his daughter inspired him to write about a young girl who was really special, a girl who could save the world. It feels like Saniyya Sidney as Amy could be that girl. She does feel a tad Mary Sue-ish who doesn't put a foot wrong but remember, this is still early in the plot and her character will expand. Hopefully. Anyway Saniyya Sidney is convincing as Amy and a good choice for such an important central character.
Overall, I'm left feeling about this TV series much the same way I felt when I was halfway through reading the first book. The premise is exciting and the scale vast. I've enjoyed watching so far and am really keen to see how it goes when it reaches the point where the world changes forever and the epic part of the story really kicks off. I hope the latter part is tighter than the books.
Recommended. 7.5/10 with high hopes for the coming episodes.
Criticisms: First, I'm quite surprised just how much time is spent at the lab where the experiments are done. It feels like this part of the story has been fleshed out quite dramatically. This may or may not be a good thing. If the story arc of the books were to be followed, this would turn into a ten-year project. I can't see that happening so it means some fat will be trimmed elsewhere.
It does seem like some of the changes to characters have been done not for creative reasons but to broaden the demographic appeal of viewers. This doesn't really matter to me as far as the plot is concerned, but it does feel as if the direction and writing are rather too gynocentric for my tastes. Everyone seems to talk about their feelings all the time. In small doses that's not really a bad thing but sometimes it feels too much and the pacing is impacted. They're trying to give more depth to the characters, but it comes at the expense of moving the story along. Wolgast's wife Lila is a good example. If I remember correctly in the books she's a fairly minor character but in the show it's not long before we're getting her backstory too. I found her annoying and unnecessary.
Some of the writing is too expository and some of the flashbacks were too obvious. I get that 'fill-in' writing can be necessary sometimes but if it should be done with care and nuance. Implied rather than declared. This is a reflection on the standard of writing, which IMO is good but not great.
Praise: When the author Justin Cronin spoke about his reasons for writing this book he said he said his daughter inspired him to write about a young girl who was really special, a girl who could save the world. It feels like Saniyya Sidney as Amy could be that girl. She does feel a tad Mary Sue-ish who doesn't put a foot wrong but remember, this is still early in the plot and her character will expand. Hopefully. Anyway Saniyya Sidney is convincing as Amy and a good choice for such an important central character.
Overall, I'm left feeling about this TV series much the same way I felt when I was halfway through reading the first book. The premise is exciting and the scale vast. I've enjoyed watching so far and am really keen to see how it goes when it reaches the point where the world changes forever and the epic part of the story really kicks off. I hope the latter part is tighter than the books.
Recommended. 7.5/10 with high hopes for the coming episodes.