laptoppclaptop
Joined May 2016
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Reviews26
laptoppclaptop's rating
I was first fascinated by this show but then the cracks started to show. I loved the original movie and was very keen to see the new interpretation. It has many good features and at least 3 episodes with very good suspense. But then episodes 8, 9, 10 started to drag and became weary.
Good things: the cast and acting is good. Anthony Hopkins, Thandy Newton and some other more and less known actors do a good job. I specially like Hopkins and Newton characters, also the actress who played the "First Clementine". The visuals and scenery are good. The directing as per script seems to be good.
What starts to drag this series down is the script, concept and giant plot holes. While you do not expect a 100% accuracy from any of such series, here the plot holes are little to big. I understand that this is a mystery etc but i mean things that come across as not intentional but oversight of script writers and creators of the concept.
Such as important things about how the robots function and the rules of their functioning. One example: for some reason, if the service staff comes to collect the damaged robots for re-booting they are always wearing white protective suits with silicon masks. Why? The guests who interact and spent time amongst "corpses" of killed robots do not require any protective suits. Or is it to protect the robots? But from what? When they handle the damaged robots in the laboratory they often do not wear masks.
Why do the robots have to be naked when they are re-programmed? Why is it a crime to have them dressed up while talking to them? Also: when in one episode two technicians let the Thandy Newtons character walk into the upper floors -which is against the rules - it is in the full view of everyone as all walls are made of glass. And yet nobody seems to notice. Also, in one episode one of the technicians wants to use the body of a robot sexually while robot is in a sleep mode. He says to his colleague not to tell anyone. But... he is doing it in a glass cabinet in a full view of the whole floor! Another example: Newtons character commands the two technicians to change her program. She could not do much if they refused to do it but they still do and it is never explained why.
Concept: I find the shows overall concept a little pathetic. Of course we need secrets, plot twists, etc, but the "secrets" are just little pathetic and far fetched to my taste.
I like the scenes that happen in the "office" areas, in the more intimate setting and concentrate just on few characters at the time. All group scenes and endless mindless killing scenes get incredibly boring very soon. Also the repeated killings of the same characters. It does not work as it was intended, it just gets irritating. Its like yes, we get it, can you stop it now? Inn group scenes in desert, bush and small towns it is even difficult to figure out who is who, what is the meaning of this scene and how does it relate to general story.
Also I wish it would be easier to separate humans from robots because all robots look just like regular humans.Perhaps all guests could wear a special hat or something. Otherwise it simply difficult to follow what is happening.
The alterating between here and now reality and robots memories becomes increasingly confusing and difficult to follow in the second half of season one. Again, i understand it is part of concept but they should show it in such a way that the audiences could keep up and not get completely confused.
Most irritating is the story line of Dolores. It is not the fault of the actress of course who is acting well. I blame the script writer and director. Dolores story is a constant tear-jerker and she, Ted and William heavily started to get on my nerves in the end.
Her visits of a small town in the desert are very confusing, and i could not keep up with it.
There were some episodes that were very good, i think these were 5,6, 7. The beginning was quite good as well but then the season started to drag.
Good things: the cast and acting is good. Anthony Hopkins, Thandy Newton and some other more and less known actors do a good job. I specially like Hopkins and Newton characters, also the actress who played the "First Clementine". The visuals and scenery are good. The directing as per script seems to be good.
What starts to drag this series down is the script, concept and giant plot holes. While you do not expect a 100% accuracy from any of such series, here the plot holes are little to big. I understand that this is a mystery etc but i mean things that come across as not intentional but oversight of script writers and creators of the concept.
Such as important things about how the robots function and the rules of their functioning. One example: for some reason, if the service staff comes to collect the damaged robots for re-booting they are always wearing white protective suits with silicon masks. Why? The guests who interact and spent time amongst "corpses" of killed robots do not require any protective suits. Or is it to protect the robots? But from what? When they handle the damaged robots in the laboratory they often do not wear masks.
Why do the robots have to be naked when they are re-programmed? Why is it a crime to have them dressed up while talking to them? Also: when in one episode two technicians let the Thandy Newtons character walk into the upper floors -which is against the rules - it is in the full view of everyone as all walls are made of glass. And yet nobody seems to notice. Also, in one episode one of the technicians wants to use the body of a robot sexually while robot is in a sleep mode. He says to his colleague not to tell anyone. But... he is doing it in a glass cabinet in a full view of the whole floor! Another example: Newtons character commands the two technicians to change her program. She could not do much if they refused to do it but they still do and it is never explained why.
Concept: I find the shows overall concept a little pathetic. Of course we need secrets, plot twists, etc, but the "secrets" are just little pathetic and far fetched to my taste.
I like the scenes that happen in the "office" areas, in the more intimate setting and concentrate just on few characters at the time. All group scenes and endless mindless killing scenes get incredibly boring very soon. Also the repeated killings of the same characters. It does not work as it was intended, it just gets irritating. Its like yes, we get it, can you stop it now? Inn group scenes in desert, bush and small towns it is even difficult to figure out who is who, what is the meaning of this scene and how does it relate to general story.
Also I wish it would be easier to separate humans from robots because all robots look just like regular humans.Perhaps all guests could wear a special hat or something. Otherwise it simply difficult to follow what is happening.
The alterating between here and now reality and robots memories becomes increasingly confusing and difficult to follow in the second half of season one. Again, i understand it is part of concept but they should show it in such a way that the audiences could keep up and not get completely confused.
Most irritating is the story line of Dolores. It is not the fault of the actress of course who is acting well. I blame the script writer and director. Dolores story is a constant tear-jerker and she, Ted and William heavily started to get on my nerves in the end.
Her visits of a small town in the desert are very confusing, and i could not keep up with it.
There were some episodes that were very good, i think these were 5,6, 7. The beginning was quite good as well but then the season started to drag.
This movie is not absolutely perfect artistically, but considering all elements of the movie as a whole I think this is one of the best movies I have seen in last decade. And, as a movie lover, I have seen a LOT.
Why do I think so? Because it touches so many important issues in a deeply moving way. The question of fundamental selfishness and unfairness of success-oriented Western society where weak and less fortunate are stepped over, left behind and blamed for things that are not their fault. (Main character, James). Where your own family disowns you for the fact that you are the "sensitive one." Keeping the facade as versus truly loving and having compassion for someone. General attitudes towards homeless people and animals.
And, the theme that I am very passionate about: the relationship between human and animal, and treating an animal as an equal companion, not a "pet", destined to meet the emotional needs of a human - but not vice versa. I love the fact that the film so boldly showcases James love for his cat and treating his cat as a human person. Most people in the world still treat and think of animals as objects. Even the most pampered pets are little more than fluffy toys or accessories. The children abuse is a widely recognized issue this days but the daily abuse of animals by humans is equally important issue. What happens in the farms is often beyond horrible. Animal rights activists and people who deeply love and care for animals are often ridiculed and thought of as crazy. Often people assume that if you love an animal as deeply as you would love a human then this is some sort of "substitute" for human relationship - while it is not. James and Bob love for each other is boldly shown as normal and equal to "human loving human" and I love that about the film.
Film about James and Bob shows what the relationship between a man and higher vertebrae animal should be: the relationship of equals, treating the animal as "person" with his /her rights similar to human. We should execute our superiority only in terms of helping the animal such as providing food or medication if they are ill or starving but not using them for food, fur or entertainment or curing our emotional problems without giving anything in return. I like the fact that James love interest was vegan and through her character the general mass abuse of animals by humanity was spoken of.
I also liked the fact that they did not try to over dramatize the story it but kept it real, the chain of events made up of little daily encounters and struggles in James life. I have lived in London and all the situations and characters that James encountered looked realistic to me. I think the general setting and atmosphere of London life was well portrayed.Mr. Tearaway performance as James was incredibly touching and real. Also the other characters in the film were well executed and came across as believable human beings. He had a good chemistry with his love interest, who was also a colorful character. I also loved the fact that the director at many occasions used the POV camera for the cat.
If there is anything to(constructively)criticize about this movie,then perhaps the cats personality and character could have had more attention. After all, he was one of the two main characters and Bob-James relationship was the vertebrae of the story. The director used physically cats POV camera but I wished he would have found the ways to show cats psychology and his side of attachment to James more. Something was lacking in this department in spite of cat looking incredibly cute of course, but while director did a very good job getting into James head, he should have got into cats head too. There would have been lots of ways/artistic tricks to show cats inner life more, his love, worries, attachment etc.At the moment it is more like pretty footage of a cute cat.
Also I wish the director/scriptwriter would have been more heavy handed on these stupid organizations and institutions who put a starving person into an impossible situation -like prohibit the person busking while this is his only way to earn income. Or blame him for breaking the rules of Big Issue selling while the incident was not his fault. I have not been homeless in London but I have experienced first handed the stupidity and numb ignorant cruelty of British bureaucracy and the upper-handed selfishness even of those organizations who kind of help homeless but do it in a very selfish and ignorant way.
However in spite of these two critical remarks I consider this film one of the best I have seen in recent years. It is sincere, touching and carries so many valuable messages without being pathetic or tear-jerker. A great film with a big hearth.
Why do I think so? Because it touches so many important issues in a deeply moving way. The question of fundamental selfishness and unfairness of success-oriented Western society where weak and less fortunate are stepped over, left behind and blamed for things that are not their fault. (Main character, James). Where your own family disowns you for the fact that you are the "sensitive one." Keeping the facade as versus truly loving and having compassion for someone. General attitudes towards homeless people and animals.
And, the theme that I am very passionate about: the relationship between human and animal, and treating an animal as an equal companion, not a "pet", destined to meet the emotional needs of a human - but not vice versa. I love the fact that the film so boldly showcases James love for his cat and treating his cat as a human person. Most people in the world still treat and think of animals as objects. Even the most pampered pets are little more than fluffy toys or accessories. The children abuse is a widely recognized issue this days but the daily abuse of animals by humans is equally important issue. What happens in the farms is often beyond horrible. Animal rights activists and people who deeply love and care for animals are often ridiculed and thought of as crazy. Often people assume that if you love an animal as deeply as you would love a human then this is some sort of "substitute" for human relationship - while it is not. James and Bob love for each other is boldly shown as normal and equal to "human loving human" and I love that about the film.
Film about James and Bob shows what the relationship between a man and higher vertebrae animal should be: the relationship of equals, treating the animal as "person" with his /her rights similar to human. We should execute our superiority only in terms of helping the animal such as providing food or medication if they are ill or starving but not using them for food, fur or entertainment or curing our emotional problems without giving anything in return. I like the fact that James love interest was vegan and through her character the general mass abuse of animals by humanity was spoken of.
I also liked the fact that they did not try to over dramatize the story it but kept it real, the chain of events made up of little daily encounters and struggles in James life. I have lived in London and all the situations and characters that James encountered looked realistic to me. I think the general setting and atmosphere of London life was well portrayed.Mr. Tearaway performance as James was incredibly touching and real. Also the other characters in the film were well executed and came across as believable human beings. He had a good chemistry with his love interest, who was also a colorful character. I also loved the fact that the director at many occasions used the POV camera for the cat.
If there is anything to(constructively)criticize about this movie,then perhaps the cats personality and character could have had more attention. After all, he was one of the two main characters and Bob-James relationship was the vertebrae of the story. The director used physically cats POV camera but I wished he would have found the ways to show cats psychology and his side of attachment to James more. Something was lacking in this department in spite of cat looking incredibly cute of course, but while director did a very good job getting into James head, he should have got into cats head too. There would have been lots of ways/artistic tricks to show cats inner life more, his love, worries, attachment etc.At the moment it is more like pretty footage of a cute cat.
Also I wish the director/scriptwriter would have been more heavy handed on these stupid organizations and institutions who put a starving person into an impossible situation -like prohibit the person busking while this is his only way to earn income. Or blame him for breaking the rules of Big Issue selling while the incident was not his fault. I have not been homeless in London but I have experienced first handed the stupidity and numb ignorant cruelty of British bureaucracy and the upper-handed selfishness even of those organizations who kind of help homeless but do it in a very selfish and ignorant way.
However in spite of these two critical remarks I consider this film one of the best I have seen in recent years. It is sincere, touching and carries so many valuable messages without being pathetic or tear-jerker. A great film with a big hearth.
Well, it was not as bad as Force Awakens, it was quite watchable. However, I agree with all those who say that this film has not recreated the original magic in the films written, directed or at least produced by George Lucas himself. Whoever makes the film puts the stamp of their mind and imagination on it and neither of two films made by Disney has the feel and magic of George Lucas Star Wars world. In spite of any flaws that Lucas films had, he created a huge gallery of very interesting, unique, memorable characters and different worlds in universe. His films were always full of surprises. It was easy to remember all the main characters. Both in Force Awakens and Rogue one we have a bunch of greasy looking fellows, and they always come in a big pile and are hard to remember as most of them are quite boring. A lot of places in the universe look too much like Earth. Rogue one was definitely better and more intelligent out of the two made by Disney, but still, it had too much confusing, all-the-same looking action, predictable and clichéd storyline. Still, it was OK to watch at Saturday evening.