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I really enjoyed this film given that it was a chance-encounter. I don't often go for the odd blend of horror and fantasy. However, this one worked because of the compelling circumstances upon which the story was built. More specifically, the addition of horror gave fantasy its depth. I wonder though if its overall low rating was due to Christine (Eva Green) getting a little taste of her own medicine. I thought her role was quite one-dimensional and could have been portrayed just as easily -if not, better- by an up-and-coming actress than by Eva Green herself. Personally, I thought her stardom made her too big for the part; Was she using her reputation to shine a light on the injustices wrought by Western greed at any cost? On the other hand, Chai Fonacier was a true delight to behold given how little such overseas talent is celebrated.

If the roles were reversed and the Filipino was on the receiving end of retribution, my guess is that it would have likely gotten a much better rating. Folks who saw it and gave it a thumbs down aren't keen on seeing themselves as acquisitive villains, and who would be? Even so, this story had no agenda believe it or not. It's effortless approach to simply telling a story of a wounded 'Mary Poppins' -albeit of the Filipino variety, seeking vengeance was superb and would have been just as convincing if the antagonist and protagonist were played by white females from opposite ends of some European country. Other high-minded folk might think that its unintended message should have been about forgiveness than about meting out punishment; but game theory teaches us that doing so too often with an opponent for whom morality and fairness have no intrinsic value will be seen as a reward for their wrong-doing giving them license to inflict further harm. Again, there was no agenda! Justice, retribution, and vengeance are all synonyms chosen by one's vantage point. Hands down, this was a great story.

This rendition of the Halo saga has unfortunately gotten a bad reputation by a dedicated fan base, ironically. Very much like that of the Marvel, and D. C. franchises, they are inflexible to whatever it is they've always known -even if it isn't the least bit sensible or accurate. For a long time I thought it was simply due to the 'Tried-n-True' phenomenon but this isn't necessarily the case. I forget who said the following but it bears mentioning: People require continuity.

...and because that is so, we should do our best to control for it. So if it's at all possible, please watch with no expectation of a seamless live-version of the lengthy game play cut-scenes that we've all come to know and love. Do that, and I can almost guarantee that you'll love and enjoy this.

And while there is more than some attachment to the original HALO series story line, this incarnation divulges a good deal more of what real Transcendence is, especially as it culminates in the season finale. I'm not sure if they'll come back for a second season but it's been interesting thus far.

I am a little late to the party but was finally convinced that I should at least give this series a chance; it's gotta be something special when the son of the late writer, Christopher Rice, gives his own seal of approval to the project. Before then, I was apprehensive being such a huge fan of the vampire chronicles in its totality. If you've ever had the pleasure of reading Anne's work, you'll know just how emotive she can be. Her plots are driven almost singularly by a hedonistic passion for life by the prime characters -a common device used throughout most of her works. In any case, we can live vicariously through these fictional but exciting personalities as they do and say things we wouldn't dare. This is why so many are drawn to her wonderful world of the occult and mysticism which is so familiar to us and yet still so shrouded in mystery.

Despite the topical changes, this story is at heart more faithful to the original Anne Rice novel in the following ways: a true depiction of Louie's deep affection and concern for his saintly but unbalanced brother; the open and clear expression of homoeroticism (something that was only intimated in the theatrical 1994 release); and a profoundly complex three-way love affair that ultimately turned out to be a sordid version of domestic violence within a vampire coven. The streaming platform of today provides enough of a runway for the full exploration for all these topics -something which the movie could not. In that regard, it surpasses the original Tom Cruise-Brad Pitt rendition.

And lastly, the interpretations of Louie, Lestat, and eventually Claudia were fabulously executed with the true fidelity of thespian professionals. I'm sure other actors could've made these characters shine, but not so brightly I imagine. It was a delight to watch them work, so much in fact that I wound up bingeing the whole thing over the weekend. I'm glad I did.