Sense8 (2015)

Sense8 is a show that explores the connections between eight people who are psychically connected, for lack of a better description.

While high concept Sci Fi is difficult to follow, but every so often it is worth it.

Sense8 follows Lito (Miguel Angel Silvestre), Sun Bak (Doona Bae), Capheus (Aml Ameen), Nomi Marks (Jamie Clayton), Kala Dandekar (Tina Desai), Riley (Tuppence Middleton), Wolfgang (Max Reimelt) and Will Gorski (Brian J. Smith) as they discover their connection to each other.

The overarching group story is peppered with each of the characters individual stories. Each of these stories helps to develop both the character who the story focuses on as well as the world. I feel like I should attempt to review each of the stories individually. However, in the interest of time, I will restrain myself.

The highlight of the individual stories in my opinion is Litos as it builds a world of interesting and exciting characters. The low point of the individual stories is Wills. I feel that the reason for his individual story not clicking is that his character was designed for the overarching narrative.

The characters vary from interesting and fun (Lito and his story) to dull (Will). However, each of the characters feel like individuals, a sign of great writing. This sense of character even extends to the supporting characters, they are vibrant and help to build a lived in world.

Finally there is the villain, Mr. Whispers (Terrence Mann). Whispers is a very good, enigmatic villain. Throughout the series we learn very little about him, bar his methods and his first name. This makes for a great villain. One who we know to be afraid of without having that pesky humanity to make us feel sympathy for him.

His opposition is Jonas Maliki (Naveen Andrews), a man with a chequered pass who is atoning for his sins. This character plays a vital role, helping to kick off proceedings for this show.

Despite there being action in this series, it is not something that needs to be focused on. This is primarily a Sci Fi character drama, peppered with touching moments, some of which are karaoke based. This series is difficult to pin down as it covers such an array of genres.

For what was advertised as an action show, I found a far more riveting show instead. I recommend that people watch this show.

Number of Episodes: 12

Recommendation: Watch it.

I hope you enjoyed this review, please let me know what other shows you would like me to review.

Have a great day. Looking forward to your feedback.

Daredevil (2015)

Warning: There will be no spoilers in this review.

Daredevil is where Marvel draws a line in the sand. The movies and network tv are aimed at an all ages crowd, while the online content is not. Online is where the darker stories can be told. There is no better opening statement for this than Daredevil on Netflix.

The quality of the show should not have come as a surprise given Netflix track record, but it did. Maybe it is because the television and movie branding was growing stale in my opinion, but that is besides the point.

Charlie Cox and Vincent D'Onofrio manage to completely embody their roles as Matt Murdoch and Wilson Fisk respectively. Their characters becoming more and more three dimensional as they both on their path to hell. The good intentions that this road to hell is paved with is wonderfully littered with a superb supporting cast, providing each of the two lead characters, Fisk and Murdoch, with their own pair of friends as well as a support team each.

The path of their stories is what makes it stand out. No matter how similar the characters paths are, they are on the opposite ends of said spectrum. When one is on top, the other is at the bottom. This duality makes the show more compelling as it acts as an invisible link, causing an unknown anticipation for when they face off.

The action also reflects this, the characters have opposite fighting styles which causes each of them to be unbeatable. The action is also fantastically shot. Cameras pan and change, but never in a way that confuses the audience. It seems brutal as it is shot, but that adds to the tone of the show.

The city is my only complaint. I know that it is an odd complaint, but I was hoping that the city would feel alive and not like a group of set pieces. Sure, there are locations which have personality, but they merely reflect the characters who inhabit them. It is one thing that I hope will improve next season, build a better Hell's Kitchen.

Otherwise, the show was bringing with life and had a range of characters that I was not expecting. I am anticipating the next Marvel/Netflix show.

Number of Episodes: 13

Recommendation: Binge Watch.

I hope you enjoyed this review, please let me know what other shows you would like me to review.

Have a great day. Looking forward to your feedback.

P.S. Later this week expect a movie review of "The Voices" starring Ryan Reynolds