The Continental

Loved the world building. Loved Period music. Love Period sets. All Stellar. The writing and plot progression is a problem. The plot suffers from contrived plot armor and plot conveniences in critical plot moments, which is sad as this could have become a GREAT TV experience. Instead of this becoming Wick Canon/Lore -This is "Meh".

The plot needed better story /commonsense/ sequencing interconnects, vs. Script convenience. The big example of this is the McConnor resolution scene where a supporting character appears out of no where without context to complete the main deliverable of the plot. This was "Almost" a great TV. Just because this is an action movie, doesn't mean it should not have a logical, world based plot.

Being a John Wick fan I've been looking forward to The Continental ever since I first heard about it. Then after seeing the trailers my excitement grew even more. After watching the first few episodes I can absolutely say that The Continental has not only met my expectations but has exceeded them in every way. It's as fast paced and entertaining as the John Wick movies. Even though you'd probably enjoy this more if you've seen the John Wick movies, you don't have to have seen them to like this. The action scenes are as good as anything I've seen on tv. I can't stop watching this and know it's a limited series but I really hope they plan on doing several seasons of this because I'm hooked.

The Continental is an intense, Gotham styled dark Action thriller with similar feels we got from John Wick. Was quite good, but a little less than the expectations. Cinematography and the Deep Photography made it look cool.

One thing I liked about the John Wick Universe was no concept of Cops, making this universe more deep. But, The Continental brings the concept of the department of law, other than the uniqueness of 'High Table' only, which would make me deduct a star in the ratings.

Expecting some more kick offs from the Universe, and hope the others will bring more deadly Guns, ballistics and drama like the "Real John Wick Style"!

I don't know what people expect from this but I have seen many negative reviews and complaints. Going into it with an open mind I really enjoyed the first episode, people need to realise that this isnt the John Wick movies it's something different and not to compare them and nitpick every detail about the differences. This is a television show with a different story and different actors, you need to just enjoy it for what it is and have a good time watching it. So far the story is interesting and it's great seeing backstory from characters who aren't John Wick. I think this show has great potential and I am really looking forward to seeing the rest of it.

"The Continental: From the World of John Wick" offers a tantalizing peek into the intricate world of the John Wick universe, setting its narrative in the gritty, vibrant 1970s. The series focuses on the early days of Winston Scott (Colin Woodell) and the iconic Continental Hotel, a neutral ground for the criminal underworld. Despite its ambition and intriguing premise, the series struggles to fully capture the magic of its cinematic predecessors.

The show excels in its detailed world-building, recreating the 70s New York aesthetic with impressive production design. The Continental Hotel, a familiar yet mysterious setting from the movies, is brought to life with a gritty charm, highlighting the darker corners of the assassin's world. The action sequences, a hallmark of the John Wick franchise, are choreographed with precision, featuring intense hand-to-hand combat and martial arts that are both thrilling and brutal.

However, the series falls short in several areas. The narrative, while rich with potential, often relies on familiar tropes and lacks the sharp pacing of the John Wick films. Some plot developments feel contrived, and the show occasionally leans too heavily on clichés. The character development, especially of supporting roles, is uneven, with some characters not given enough depth to make their arcs compelling.

The casting of Mel Gibson as Cormac, the Continental's ruthless manager, brings a significant star power but also polarizes the audience due to his controversial off-screen persona. Meanwhile, Katie McGrath's portrayal of The Adjudicator adds an intriguing layer to the power dynamics within the series, although her character's impact is diluted by lackluster dialogue.

One of the series' highlights is its soundtrack, which is filled with well-curated 70s rock tracks that complement the visual style. However, at times, the music overshadows the scenes rather than enhancing them, making the series feel more ordinary than extraordinary.

In conclusion, "The Continental: From the World of John Wick" is a mixed bag. It successfully expands the John Wick universe with its stylish portrayal of the 1970s underworld and delivers on action. Yet, it struggles with pacing and character development, falling short of the franchise's high standards. For fans of the John Wick series, it's a worthwhile watch, but with tempered expectations.

7/10.