Il giro del mondo in 80 giorni

Read the book, please read the books and you will be drawn into the most exciting, magical, bright story imaginable, and then watch this series.

Lifeless, it pains me to say it, because I am a massive fan of David Tennant, but having watched the first few episodes, that's the first word that sprang to mind. In the book you can feel the tension, the excitement, this had the thrills of people sat in a Dentist's waiting room.

I may well get captivated later on, it may move out of first gear, and I hope it does. Pacing initially though is the real stumbling block.

The positives, first on the list, the visuals, it is beautifully made and produced, production values are sublime, the clothes and location work are pretty jaw dropping. I thought the acting was terrific, Tennant never disappoints.

Some good elements in the mix, it looks good (even if I did have to look for the brightness setting on the TV for the first ever time,) but it just lacked any real thrills.

6/10 this should have been better.

The key word here is adaption - this show is not the book, nor is it an attempt to represent the book in a methodical translation from page to screen - it's an adaption. That allows for some creative license and rejigging in its retelling of the original story.

For me, this was a successful retelling of a classic story. There was dramatic tension between the three protagonists - who go on the adventure - and the antagonists were suitably nasty and conniving. It seemed clear to me that one of the main themes of this version of the tale was the particular journey of Phileas Fog (David Tennant). His transformation from upper class man of leisure and suspended animation, who doesn't really care for anything anymore beyond his own comforts, into someone who eventually finds a part of himself and can begin to live, to be involved in his life.

This aspect of Fog's transformation plays out against the interesting main story arc of the 'romp' around the world in 80 days - an at times cavalier and hair raising journey that is quite entertaining - requiring some suspension of disbelief to be sure, but what classic heroes journey (within the realms of entertainment) doesn't.

This show is supposed to entertain rather than enlighten - and I think it does that very well.

I have not read the book and see that some of those that have are disappointed by this series. Free of such preconceptions I found this an enjoyable watch. Best was to see the three main characters develop and grow through their adventures, especially Mr Fogg.

So, if you have read the book I urge you to free yourself of any expectations and enjoy this in its own right. The book is a recognised classic and this is not, but this will entertain you if you can allow it to do so.

Golly - what a lot of people moaning about this adaptation! Yes there are changes to the novel but they are not transgressing it's spirit. Its great to have a thoughtful and proactive passe-partout, and Miss. Fix is a welcome addition appropriate for a 21st century screenplay. The films look great and the production quality is clear. The music is a treat too (Hans Zimmer again!)

Only on episode 2 and so far so good, I'm not sure what all the fuss is about changing the race or sex of characters from the original - nobody complained when Phileas Fogg was represented by a Lion in the 1980s... And yes, it is not the brightest of filters they've used, but I had no problem seeing any of the characters.

Most of the reviews on here are not rating it in its own right, they are generally comparing it to their own version of the book, and as we are all different, someone else's adaption can never live up to what we create in our own minds.