Hello Tomorrow! Is a sci-fi series set in a retro-futuristic world, where seemingly machinery is stuck in time. We follow Jack Billings (played by Billy Crudup) and his team of phone and door-to-door sellers as they try to sell timeshares on the moon. The central question revolves around their effectiveness in securing sign-ups and whether there is actually anything on the moon.
The series excels in production design, showcasing a captivating retro-futuristic style. From functioning computers, self-preparing popcorn cups, video-integrated telephones, levitating cars, and robot assistants, the technology is an intriguing blend of existing, partially existing, and newly adapted concepts. It's refreshing to see a different vision of the future compared to what we have today. While retro-futuristic aesthetics can grow stale if they lack substance, Hello Tomorrow introduces new and innovative uses of technology in each episode, gradually unfolding its possibilities. Fans of the video game series "Fallout" will find similarities in the atmosphere, albeit without the post-apocalyptic theme and dark humour.
The biggest drawback of Hello Tomorrow lies in its pacing, which hampers the series' immense potential. Each episode follows the lives of the established characters, filled with work and personal troubles. However, it struggles to strike the right balance between the two. Some characters were frustrating to watch, engaging in manipulation and getting away with it, further exacerbating the issue. The central question that drives the series is repeatedly pushed aside, leaving viewers feeling like the people who signed up for the moon trip.
Hello Tomorrow! Is not a show for everyone, and it doesn't attempt to be. It tells its story, explores and affects the relationships of its characters, and concludes on a melancholic note. The ending is open-ended, offering various interpretations a potential blessing, as it allows each viewer to perceive it differently.
Apple TV has delivered respectable series and films, covering a range of themes with unique execution. While Hello Tomorrow! May not reach the heights of previous series, it still surpasses the majority of original Netflix productions.
Although the series is unlikely to receive a second season due to negative word-of-mouth, low viewership, middling ratings (which can deter potential viewers), a slow-paced story, and a time period that may not be as popular, I find Hello Tomorrow! To be a distinct and stylish show that sets Apple TV apart from other streaming services.