Neil Gaiman's Neverwhere
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Movie Reviews of Neil Gaiman's Neverwhere
Movie Review: Better than the book
Summary: 5 Stars
I was a little wary of watching this series after reading the book. I loved Gaiman's Sandman series, and have read all of his other books. I wasn't a big fan of Neverwhere when I read it, though. It was just a little too slow for me. This tv series, however, gave me a new appreciation of the story. Although you can tell it was made on a low budget, that doesn't detract from the greatness of the story. I think that with recent movies like the Matrix and Star Wars, we've lost our appreciation for a good story and expect every movie to blow us away with their cool special effects. Unfortunately, those kind of movies don't usually have great stories to accompany their expensive effects. I don't think Gaiman's stories need expensive effects. I love the idea that homeless people aren't just the vagrants people think they are... that they have a whole other society and "talents". One thing bothered me through the whole show. I kept trying to figure out where I had heard the name Marquis de Carabas before. As it turns out, Gaiman explains in the special feature interview, that the name comes from the fairy tale Puss In Boots. It's the name Puss gives when asked who his master is. Anyway, this is a great series with an excellent story to tell.Movie Review: Very, very good....
Summary: 5 Stars
No, the TV series isn't as complex as the book. And I understand that the book was written by Neil Gaiman to better reflect his true vision. And it's a pity that being shot on videotape, it lost the sheer beauty and authenticity of the locations, and looks like Dr Who sets.Doctor Who comparisons abound on the commentary track. Partly in terms of the poor effects/filming qualities, but I think the series also captures the best elements of Dr Who, an entertaining, intelligent story with quirky and interesting characters (like Mr Croup and Mr Vandermar). Neil mentions that the Marquis de Carabas was somewhat inspired by the Doctor, and I think that actor Paterson Joseph would make a damn fine Doctor. And I like that dodgy, trickster quality with his ...-eating grin.
The concept of London Below just sucks me in and I'd love a return visit to that world.
I also felt very nostalgic for the tube. (London Underground, not the TV set.)
If you don't like things like the Narnia series or Dr Who, you may not like this -- it's not flashy and Hollywood. But I like this very British style of storytelling.
And after you've seen this, read the book ... and mind the gap.
Allen
Movie Review: A Wonderful (albeit low budget) Fantasy Series
Summary: 5 Stars
I really love this BBC TV series that was written by Neil Gaiman.
Neil himself was disappointed with the production value and the fact the encounter with the Great Beast at the end lacked dramatic punch due to the low effects budget. While all this is true, in my opinion the writing and the amazing actors made up for all of this.
It is a classic fish out of water set up with the main character being drawn into the Underground world of London because he saves a girl's life. Neil does a perfect job of setting the landscape of this fantasy land and making the characters there come to life. What stands out the most is his crafting of the main character. It is always hard to write it so the main character is helpless but not so helpless and bewildered that they come across as whiney and dense. Neil balances this well so that we sympathize with the main character and his adjustment to this new world comes across as natural.
I would also recommend buying the book since it adds to the series and allows the reader's imagination to correct for the low budget special effects.
Movie Review: I loved it, but WHERE OH WHERE is the commentary?????
Summary: 5 Stars
Sorry for substituting a question in place of a review, but I've got a real mystery on my hands. On the back of the slipcase (as well as on the backs of the two DVD cases), it states that there is a "Commentary with Creator Neil Gaiman". If there is, it's VERY well hidden. The first DVD has only the first three chapters on it, as well as a PLAY ALL feature (there are NO BONUS FEATURES ON IT AT ALL). The second DVD has the last three chapters, and a Bonus Features choice, which offers "The Original BBC Neil Gaiman Interview", a "Neil Gaiman Biography", "Character Descriptions", and a "Photo Gallery". On several of the reviews, people rave about the feature-long commentary. Why does my set not include it. I would suspect that someone had switched discs for this set, but that's not possible. I bought this set at Best Buy, and it was shrinkwrapped. Is the commentary hidden, like an "easter egg"? If so, can someone tell me how to access it? Thanks in advance for your help.Movie Review: Neil Gaiman's Neverwhere
Summary: 5 Stars
This BBC produced series is about as close as one can get to the mind bending book by Neil Gaiman as anyone can hope for short of a "Lord of the Rings" budget. The story is filled with all the elements that just about everyone sees as a flit out of the corner of their eye, or as a fleeting thought. But, the Hero, Richard Mayhew, finds his notions of reality shaken and a shadow world takes over, a world that exists in the hollows of the 'world above'. The series, admittedly, is not exactly for the lazy viewer and I'm not certain that it would be fully understood without reading the book. Nevertheless, it is so rich with skilled acting, artistic camera work, fanciful sets, and other world costuming that is not to be missed.