Those About to Die

Is the show perfect? No. Is it entertaining? Heck yes!

I've seen complaints that 'it's not as good as hbo's Rome'. My brothers and sisters, nothing will ever be as good as Rome, simply because it was an era of terrific shows, masterpieces of golden age, with a gigantic budget that ultimately led to cancellation.

I've also seen complaints about the CGI. Yes, I agree, in a couple of scenes it was super clunky. But all the rest? Come on!!! Chariot races looked spectacular, the city looked spectacular, wide shots were beautiful. Even animals looked ok - the last rampage of a lion was terrifying, I don't care what you say, it looked and sounded real.

Interior design was masterful - those marbles! Colors! Burning lamps and flames! Emperor palace rooms! Gods, it looked amazing and DEFINITELY not cheap.

Some claim that 'it was all CGI'. Nah. There were beautiful sets built, houses, streets of Rome, and underbelly of Circus Maximus. From wide shots to little details, it was - dare I say - almost as immersive as 'Rome'.

Iwan Rheon is terrific as always. What a fascinating character Tenax is! Love love love. Sara Martin is excellent. Domician is a delightfully creepy guy, Scorpius is hilarious (up to a point), spanish horse carers are adorable.

Yes, the script is clunky here and there. Especially in the first episode. So please give 'Those about to die' a chance and stay for the second episode - and further. It gets better and better with each episode, with an excellent, excellent last one.

Maybe it's not for the highest of taste, but hey - it's a great, meta, plebeian entertainment for those who want to be entertained.

Those About to Die reminds me very much of a BBC historical drama wrapped up with a 2010s Prince of Persia style Hollywood movie.

Some of the acting and dialogue is a tad painful to watch and the CGI is very ropey. The scenery itself is quite stunning, but, as a soon and chariots start racing, the often used panning out shot has the riders looking like Duracell Bunnies with whips.

The giant white lion, although impressive in size, is again underwhelming in it's overall appearance.

I did enjoy parts of the story but in general was left frustrated and irritated by alot of the character interaction.

A series with a lower first season budget like Vikings did alot better of a job drawing the audience into a historical timeline. Whilst adding drama, humour and excitement.

Not bad but could have been alot better.

Alright; many of the reviews are correct. The CGI was ordinary, just let it go. The acting is pretty good, the perspective highly entertaining. The plot quite original and engrossing. Do not quite understand the hate on this one. Gladiator; it ain't. Actually liked the plot more than Spartacus.

Oddly enough, Hopkins is somewhat out of place, probably got paid a packet by being there, pretty flat showing by him in all honesty. Not familiar with the rest of the cast, the characterisation of Vespasian's two sons was great, they pulled it off beautifully. Iwan Rheon was cast well, as Tenax I was unsure whether to love him or hate him. Give it a go folks. It's far from the worst thing you'll ever invest your time in.

The show's attention to detail in set design and costumes immerses viewers in the era, making the brutal and often heart-wrenching scenes even more impactful. Plunges viewers into the gritty and intense world of ancient Rome. The performances are top-notch, with the cast delivering powerful portrayals that bring the historical figures to life. The narrative is gripping, filled with twists and turns that keep you on the edge of your seat. Overall, "Those About To Die" is a show you should watch for fans of historical dramas and action-packed storytelling. It offers a raw and unflinching look at the lives of those who fought for survival and glory, leaving a lasting long impression on its viewers.

When I first saw the trailer for Those About to Die I knew this show was for me. I'm definitely the target audience when they approve shows like this and I have to say even though it probably could've been a little better, I still really liked it. While I don't think it will win any awards but I promise you that at the very least you'll have a good time watching this. If you have a problem with violence or nudity then you should pass because this show has a plenty of both. The show takes place during the height of the Roman Empire as it explores the dark side of the city while also providing plenty of political drama too. I binged through this series as fast as I could (there's not a bad episode) and I pray they renew this for at least another season because there were still a lot of stories unresolved.