As a person who read the books and enjoyed them, I gotta say, the first episode was disappointing. The proof of concept film they created in 2016 felt closer to the spirit of the books then this episode.
I read an enjoyed the books, though I think they had a few major flaws, and weren't as amazing as many seem to think, but they were still enjoyable.
When I heard they were making a tv show, I held my breath in anticipation. They built hype, hired professionals, raised the money. I expected myself to mostly enjoy the series, while slightly cringing at its, lets say, narrative flaws. Now I don't think I will need to worry about those narrative flaws, because the first episode felt GUTTED of everything I expected. And it wasn't just the story that was disappointing, but the visuals and music as well.
I knew things needed to be cut for the show, but they cut things I would never have thought would have been cut. Things in the book that seemed non negotiable, and they cut them. Maybe they will be in a later episode, but even so, its still feels like a poor start. There were also moments in the dialogue that made no sense, and gave contradictory implications.
Visually, it was kind up and down. Some parts were animated consistently, but then other scenes were jankier, and then a few out of the blue that were as smooth as butter, and off putting. The backgrounds were also up and down, not being consistent, sometimes having lots of detail, to hardly any. A few characters also looked like they were made for a completely different show, not being stylised the same way as others. And the characters often didn't look like they were actually in the environment, and the colour palate felt crowding and hard on the eyes. It felt overall like it had low quality control. Where was the art director?
The music was okay, but during the midpoint montage during the festival, the music weirdly made me feel uncomfortable. It didn't sound exactly happy, just weird and disorienting. (That's probably just a personal nitpick)
Perhaps things will improve, but even the characters themselves were changed from what they were, in attitude, behaviour, and desires. If you are a fan of the books, and are looking for a consistent adaptation, I'm not sure if this show will be that, but make up your own mind as we wait for episode 2. I'm aware that the writer of the books is one of the producers of the tv show, but it I'm worried that the original magic of the books will be forgotten.
I read an enjoyed the books, though I think they had a few major flaws, and weren't as amazing as many seem to think, but they were still enjoyable.
When I heard they were making a tv show, I held my breath in anticipation. They built hype, hired professionals, raised the money. I expected myself to mostly enjoy the series, while slightly cringing at its, lets say, narrative flaws. Now I don't think I will need to worry about those narrative flaws, because the first episode felt GUTTED of everything I expected. And it wasn't just the story that was disappointing, but the visuals and music as well.
I knew things needed to be cut for the show, but they cut things I would never have thought would have been cut. Things in the book that seemed non negotiable, and they cut them. Maybe they will be in a later episode, but even so, its still feels like a poor start. There were also moments in the dialogue that made no sense, and gave contradictory implications.
Visually, it was kind up and down. Some parts were animated consistently, but then other scenes were jankier, and then a few out of the blue that were as smooth as butter, and off putting. The backgrounds were also up and down, not being consistent, sometimes having lots of detail, to hardly any. A few characters also looked like they were made for a completely different show, not being stylised the same way as others. And the characters often didn't look like they were actually in the environment, and the colour palate felt crowding and hard on the eyes. It felt overall like it had low quality control. Where was the art director?
The music was okay, but during the midpoint montage during the festival, the music weirdly made me feel uncomfortable. It didn't sound exactly happy, just weird and disorienting. (That's probably just a personal nitpick)
Perhaps things will improve, but even the characters themselves were changed from what they were, in attitude, behaviour, and desires. If you are a fan of the books, and are looking for a consistent adaptation, I'm not sure if this show will be that, but make up your own mind as we wait for episode 2. I'm aware that the writer of the books is one of the producers of the tv show, but it I'm worried that the original magic of the books will be forgotten.