Da Vinci's Demons

If you are looking for a real historical fiction about Leonardo da Vinci this is not the right series to watch. Fantasy and dark worlds, contaminations from Dracula and the contemporary era make this fiction strange and unlikely, but to be faithful to reality is not the main goal of the director. So, if you take the series as it is, with a Leonardo that is a genius but also a sort of rockstar, then you can appreciate it and have fun following his adventures. I liked him and I liked the count Riario and Zo. The rythm is good, in each episode many things happen and you really want to discover what will happen at the end. Three seasons are long, but if you are not in a hurry it is a good way to spend some hours.

First of all, I would like tot say that Starz did a magnificent job creating a fantasy series (which is essentially what it is. Nowhere is actually claimed that this is supposedly a historically accurate retelling of Da Vinci's life) based upon the life of one greatest men to live. Now, while it isn't even close to the actual historical Da Vinci, it doesn't mean that you should write off this series as drab. On the contrary, there is nothing wrong with basing yourself off history and build your own story around that. If you want historical accuracy, please go watch a bloody documentary. If you go into this series expecting a history lesson (and then complain about the fact that it isn't), you might as well walk around with a sign reading "I am an imbecile". It is classified and described under the genre "historical fantasy" for a reason. Further more The setting and the costume works is absolutely beautiful, showing Florence's extravagance in an exaggerated manner. The CGI, just like Starz' previous series, Spartacus, was in some places quite jarring to say the least. A good example of that would be the helicopter shot near the beginning where guards are marching across a courtyard. But that is negligible in my personal opinion. While I do like the more extravagant, arrogant Da Vinci, none the less I find his performance sub par in certain scenes. Especially those where he is acting out a scene of pain, or fear. It isn't convincing enough, it is once again far too exaggerated. But then again, that seems to be the entire theme of this series. The mythological elements worked into the series is interesting to me, it adds a magical aura to the storyline, to the point where it is the the stereotypical thing of "You are destined, fate has chosen you.", which doesn't make it bad, but it isn't original either. I'm looking forward to where this series is heading. It has some great potential. Although it is quite sad that people are clenching their behinds so hard because it isn't a documentary, considering the series is listed as a historical FANTASY. Learn to read, then think, then form your opinion, then share it.

It's a little bit like Doctor Who meets the Borgias, they've picked Da Vinci out of history and given him a fantasy series. It is fun, it's exciting, I get that it is truly inaccurate, but in it's own way it's really good fun to watch. Series 1 is well worth a look, and the quality continues into the second.

It is a visual treat, it is stunningly filmed and directed, it's a visual treat, the effects are fabulous too.

Tom Riley is really good as DaVinci, he's great fun, exuberant and bursting with energy. Elliot Cowan is fabulous as Lorenzo, he is an actor of intense charisma, when he is on screen you watch.

There are some truly beautiful actors and actresses in this, Laura Haddock, Greg Chillin, and of course Elliot Cowan. The women all put in a lofty way, and the guys all have their shirts pulled so their chests are out, it's really comical. They all have beautiful teeth, fabulous skin and glorious hair, get past that and you'll learn to really enjoy this swashbuckling romp. It's big fun. 8/10

I must say I have been looking forward to this show since I first laid eyes on the trailer. The acting is superb, the dialog is very well written, the setting is both beautiful yet can seem to have a darkness about it. I enjoyed every minute of it with Da Vinci's quick wit to the manipulation between characters. Though some parts did seem to move quite fast giving the thought "Where the hell did that come from and why so soon?" The only thing I can say could be better is the graphics, I know it's a television show and recreating an entire historic city would prove costly however a bit of love put into it could have make it seem less...cartoon perhaps. None the less it is a small detail in the grand scheme of things. I highly recommend watching this show there will be more greatness to come I am sure.

This show is ridiculous. I just can't get beyond the anachronisms which start in the first scene when I'm supposed to think that da Vinci took drugs. And that they were mixed with tobacco which didn't event get to Europe until da Vinci well into the 1500s.

Has no one else in America ever learned anything about da Vinci besides me? This show leads me to believe that my fellow Americans must be philistines if they can find anything redeeming about this show. And all the crap about secret societies is just superfluous. The real story is much more interesting than this crap.

Furthermore, the drawings glimpsed are poor. Why not just use copies of da Vinci's drawings?

I was hoping for something more like the Borgias. This subject matter has potential. But using da Vinci's name for this series is misleading and disappointing.

The cartoons and illustrations are poor. The hairstyles are anachronistic. The clothes show lack of research. The soldiers' hats are more Napoleonic than renaissance. Da Vinci's show of his chest (and other cast members) is too unrealistic.