You know, I don't think it's about if this series is akin to Pratchett work or if it isn't. If I had to sum up my experience of 'The Watch' today with you, I'd say that this is firstly characters, characters who give the viewer helping hand, when the viewer starts to question if to invest more time here, when the viewer asks himself a question "this story arc is simple as fork, what else does it have?". And it is a bit curious to realize that these characters, so different from their book prototypes, forge a way the series is perceived. Because when you expect the taste of the book thing, the way the things were described and are sitting in your imagination, sometimes you can't appreciate the different vision of "inspired by", I'd say, the slightly crooked mirror which helps you to progress, see things from different angles. Well, it's not my case today because I could, and I thank life! This series has indeed a different DNA than original STP work (and I agree with STPs daughter on that). I say it's punk rock, it's slums, it's nothing but retelling, a differently told story and differently weighted accents of it. And finally, when a lot of people ask me "How can you be so content with this sacrilege?" I simply answer, it is this taste of love for stories, this taste of love for surprise, completely different character creations from the expected ones, which pushed me today to love the new Vimes, Cheery, Carrot or - absolutely different yet still gorgeous - DEATH, but tomorrow, who knows, I may serve the community, and give the gift... The gift of reviewing some other title.
The main story arc is indeed very simple. Visually - it's a great attempt to remake Ankh Morpork, total punk rock, slums, wasted folks, anti utopian style. The most disappointing thing: Vetinari, only in the last episode of the series there was a glimpse of this ominous patrician. All the time I was wondering why everybody is afraid of her. Most surprising: how well reinventing the Death came out. I was initially a bit disappointed seeing the Death not speaking in capital letters, yet this disgruntled supernatural grew on me and I find him hilarious.
My general impression is that 'The Watch' takes a lot from the source material, yet tries to remix and retell that story very much differently, given that moving pictures is a bit different medium than a book. The humor is simpler, has less satirical edge than the one in the books (which is sad, but it is what it is) - yet still has shining moments all over the series, especially in goblin and death departments. The series final is expected, yet well played and I actually think if the final episode was finished after the scene in The Watch House, it would make for a strong WOW! Factor due to its bitterness. Unfortunately, producers went for a cliffhanger for possible continuation, which watered it down.
If you like BBC Doctor Who, punk rock, don't mind the reviews focusing on comparing it to the books or one's expectations and remain indifferent to all sociopolital views impacting the rating - you will most probably enjoy 'The Watch'. It has potential not fully used, true, but it is also a good entertainment already and I think there's a great injustice done to it in many reviews: it is not the books or more traditional Discworld movies produced before, it's simply a different take on STP work.
P. S. Yes, the first part is a paraphrased monologue from the comedy movie I really enjoyed.
The main story arc is indeed very simple. Visually - it's a great attempt to remake Ankh Morpork, total punk rock, slums, wasted folks, anti utopian style. The most disappointing thing: Vetinari, only in the last episode of the series there was a glimpse of this ominous patrician. All the time I was wondering why everybody is afraid of her. Most surprising: how well reinventing the Death came out. I was initially a bit disappointed seeing the Death not speaking in capital letters, yet this disgruntled supernatural grew on me and I find him hilarious.
My general impression is that 'The Watch' takes a lot from the source material, yet tries to remix and retell that story very much differently, given that moving pictures is a bit different medium than a book. The humor is simpler, has less satirical edge than the one in the books (which is sad, but it is what it is) - yet still has shining moments all over the series, especially in goblin and death departments. The series final is expected, yet well played and I actually think if the final episode was finished after the scene in The Watch House, it would make for a strong WOW! Factor due to its bitterness. Unfortunately, producers went for a cliffhanger for possible continuation, which watered it down.
If you like BBC Doctor Who, punk rock, don't mind the reviews focusing on comparing it to the books or one's expectations and remain indifferent to all sociopolital views impacting the rating - you will most probably enjoy 'The Watch'. It has potential not fully used, true, but it is also a good entertainment already and I think there's a great injustice done to it in many reviews: it is not the books or more traditional Discworld movies produced before, it's simply a different take on STP work.
P. S. Yes, the first part is a paraphrased monologue from the comedy movie I really enjoyed.