ftm68_99

I have two more episodes to go, but I don't think they'll change my opinion by much.

I've found over the years that shows and movies rated over, say, 8.2 *''s end up being over-rated, IMO. And this is another show that strengthens my findings.

While it's well-acted enough, a lot of the reactions don't ring true. So many people, for example, are disappointed and annoyed with the main character, a hospital doctor, when he's late for event because he was called into conduct an emergency surgery or the like. Really? Do they not know that doctors are often called into do emergency surgeries? Give him a break. Worse, the doctor acts as if he's somehow let his friends or family down because of the surgery. Man up, dude. Tell these people where to get off.

Then there's this head doctor who's relentlessly sarcastic and demoralizing, but no one ever points this out; it's as if this is supposed to be par for the course.

I feel like something's being criticized here, but I'm not sure what. Is it underfunding for the British health system? Societal prejudice towards gay people? Overbearing supervisors? All of the above?

Whatever...I still find it engaging viewing; just not worth 8.4 stars.

My review is based only of the first half of the first episode.

Alas, there's not nearly as much dance in this show as there is non-dance. And I found the non-dance portions--that is, the talking portions--to be somewhat tedious.

There's a lot of rapid-fire dialogue, which I didn't find particularly witty, nor did most of the actors deliver it particularly skillfully.

Finally, there are quite a few F-bombs sprinkled in, and I always find these wearing after a while. They also make the characters sound alike and inarticulate.

No need to read anymore, since this last bit of text is just being inserted to meet imdb's minimum text requirements. Thank you.

Okay, my bona fides first. Saw a touring production of this show and really enjoyed it. Have listened to the Original Cast cd many a time. So was primed to enjoy this movie. But OMG was it slow. Which illustrates, to me anyway, that it did not to be in two parts. What's more, that putting it into two parts was a cynical cash grab.

In addition, it was frenetic. Stomping-style choreography in nearly every number, and quick cut edits that ruined songs like Popular and Dancing through Life.

Plus, the Emerald City didn't look much different from Munchkinland.

The two singers were fine, except I found it hard to understand Ariana G. When she sang high.

I have a feeling the rating will go lower as more people see this.