Fünf Freunde

I was really looking forward to this remake. I owned all the books by 10 years old ('70s) and read them many times.

I tried hard to watch it, but it was so awful. The changes to bring it "up to date", while leaving it still in the 40s were just confusing and jarring. I also couldn't watch Jack Gleeson (no, nothing to do with GoT) - his villain was worse than pantomine level.

As others mentioned, the plot/story was nonsensical at times. I also got far too confused trying to work out exactly how the cousins were related, and it took me out of the story.

I've not finished it, but saw enough to give this rating.

Absolute nonsense.

The only thing that told me this was the famous five was the name of the characters. It was more in the style of a badly written Indiana Jones.

Creepy techno music, poor dialogue, atrocious acting.

Not appropriate for young children, which was a shame as we sat down as a family expecting to enjoy the classic story we all enjoy. I was expecting some adaptation but this was silly and not age appropriate. My children read and love the books. Instead it was a nonsense full of unnecessarily creepy moments bordering on mild horror at points.

I would avoid if you enjoy any part of Enid blyton. Or just like stories to make sense. You won't get that here. Even the kids said it was rubbish.

The first episode wasn't overly bad and had some nice touches and I hoped it would continuetoimprove. Not sure about the stranger things soundtrack but admired the effort to be bold. However episode 2 rather than getting better got worse.... awful even. I Havnt watched the 3rd... It's such a shame but just doesn't capture the source material for me like it should have and drifts far too far away from it on tangents that don't work and end being very naff. Feel sorry for the wasted cast and opportunity to do something long lasting and breathe new life into, granted dated, but great adventure stories. Nice idea... but for this reviewer, it fails.

The acting is hammy, the dog is the only one not miscast. Five couldn't spot a fake priest, we ave ze Allo Allo school of accents and that's just for starters.

Jack Gleeson sporting the worst moustache since a dude called Adolf and a mullet Billy Ray Cyrus has a photo of on his bedroom wall, is wasted here, he struggles on with his mother fixation and bad writing. His wardrobe is from life on mars. He needs some mustard for all the ham during his glorious I am ze baddy scene. Kirrin Island is one feels a health and safety nightmare, dogs falling down holes, skint knees, getting swept out to sea.

George's mother feels more wooden than the boat.

It all falls together like a blancmange of daftness and fun with tongues firmly in cheeks and I had a lot of fun watching.

I am in my early sixties and remember the books well, unfortunately, this series is nothing like those cherished books, apart from the barking dog. I think the problem is with it being a period setting whilst pandering to our modern day idealistic values.

That in itself is not a bad thing but it just doesn't work. I think this could easily have been set contemporary and be much better.

As with the recent adaptation of 'Murder is Easy' the program makers have hashed it all up and what's with the muted techno beat background music..is it supposed to raise the tension? It's bloody annoying and adds nothing to drama at all.

Watch if you are new to the Fab 5, you will probably enjoy it, otherwise expect to be underwhelmed. Kudos to the kids for giving it their best, they are much better at it than the adults.