Alex Rider

This is a pretty good show. Not your usual spy show. It's dark and intriguing. The actors are pretty good. Slow burner. Oh and the background music and soundtrack is an absolute treat, it so friggin good.

I watch a lot of TV -- check out my reviews -- and this is one of the best first seasons I have seen in years. The writing, the suspense, the tension are at a level as good as or better than the best spy films. WOW

I haven't read the books and I think this helps me to enjoy the show much better.. I have nothing to compare it with and I have zero expectations.

It is midnight in UK right now, as I'm writing this review. I'm on episode 4, I really want to go to bathroom, to get something to drink, but am totally glued to the screen. I decided to pause and write this review to express my excitement. Honestly, I don't remember when was the last time a TV show made me feel like that.. Stranger Things season 1 perhaps..

And before you start throwing stones at me, No, I am not comparing Alex Rider to Stranger Things, these are two completely different entities.

All I am saying is that I am hooked.. I am loving it! I genuinely envy people who manage to consume series after series, to binge them. Unlike them I am like that crazy picky eater with tons of allergies. It takes me ages to find something I can digest and enjoy. Tonight I found that and this makes me a very happy person this evening..

STORY

If you read the books, you know 100% more about the story than I do.

If you haven't read the books.. Good! Keep it that way, definitely there are more chances that you will enjoy this. You can always read the books later.

Personally I find the story is captivating and intriguing, the pace is excellent keeps your attention, the action is great.

CHARACTERS

Great casting. Otto Farrant, the one who plays Alex Rider is excellent. His convincing as innocent teenager and as a badass undercover spy! Loving him!

Overall not a single miscast in my opinion. All great performances so far. Well done to all the actors and to whoever done the casting on this.

PRODUCTION One word.. "Great!" (based on first 4 episodes)

Great soundtrack, camera work, action, cinematography. Again.. well done to all involved!

So My SUMMARY to Whoever is reading this!

Please do not get discouraged by low ratings of some people. I encourage you to -**Please give it a try!** It may not be your 'cup of tea' which is fair, but if it is, I just wish that you will enjoy this series as much as I am enjoying it right now!

Stay Safe and Take Care Reader!

Alex Rider was a major part of my childhood, so I had high hopes and expectations going into this show. Safe to say, I wasn't disappointed.

Salient Features:

1. Otto Farrant - Otto Farrant does an incredible job as Alex, and he is everything the books made you believe. His physique and that superb run is just what you imagined Alex would have.

2. Casting - The casting for this show is great. Everyone does a very good job, especially Miss Jones, Jack Starbright and of course Tom.

3. Adaption - While they didn't meddle with the source story, significantly changes were made to fit times and make the show less childish. And they were mostly great choices.

Downsides:

1. Takes time to kick off - The show doesn't find it's pace immediately, and takes a good 3 or 4 episodes before it becomes intriguing. So PLEASE just watch the whole season before leaving behind a negative review, cause it really does get better.

2. Lazy writing - At times it feels like things happen too conveniently for Alex. There are a couple plotholes and inconsistencies, but nothing glaring.

3. Smithers - Not having Smithers is one thing, but calling someone Smithers and making his traits completely different is just unacceptable.

Conclusion:

Most of the bad reviews I've seen are people complaining about the show not getting you hooked and them leaving it after the first 2 episodes. Someone even gave a 3 stars for a poor synopsis. The show despite a rocky start finds its footing into episodes 4 and from there it's exactly the Alex Rider action the novels always promised us.

Tl;Dr - It's a great show. Just don't get discouraged by the first few episodes cause it really gets better. And if we get more seasons, the following books have some really great content so buckle up.

After the disappointing Stormbreaker movie in 2006 I was feeling nervous going into it but it's really good faithful to the book. My only complaint is they didn't use the "I'd rather kiss the horse" line. Other than that as a longtime fan of the series I'm feeling pretty pleased about it.