normanemailer

When a Roman historical drama's opening line is spoken by a character with 'Listen up ... ' I know i'm in for poor, anachronistic, dialogue. But it goes downhill from there. The action is predictable. The clichés are lining up, so originality is absent. Actors, with one dimensional characterisations, spout their lines with all the depth of a first reading of the script. Hopkins, age overtaking his skill, must be there for the dosh. Having watched two episodes, so far, in which his screen time is minimal, and flat; few established actors to give the production some credibility, this, seems to me, a waste of time. There are many other, superior, movies and series, you'd be better off watching.

I was doubtful that this series would break new ground in period drama. The pilot was veering between credible and nonsense. Huge amounts of money have been spent on sets, wardrobe, design, actors, et al.

Here's my take, having watched 3 episodes with reasonable expectations, I found out that what was promised as a serious piece of drama, based on the late classic author's unfinished work, has deteriorated from average into Mills and Boone. It's shallow, vacuous, irritating, and doesn't deserve a second season. There's little depth to characterisations, and it comes across as modern, feminist, predictable, and boring.

Having seen all the Indiana Jones movies, I was surprised that the studios decided on one more outing. Even more so that Harrison Ford would accept playing the rôle once more. CGI is there to de-age him for the first part of the film and then we see what an 81 year old body looks like on a semi-naked man who's prepared himself with diet and exercise.

What Waller Bridge contributed to the writing and acting was unwanted. She has no charisma on the big screen and being signed by a desperate Hollywood to help write a script that was weak and had plot holes from the opening.

This was flat, lacked tension, a lot of tell instead of show. Should never have been made.