The Man Who Fell to Earth

Not inspired by a video game, nor is it a tired spinoff in a tired franchise - fresh sci-fi for the thinking person who also likes high adventure. Who knew that was still possible in Hollywood? Marvelous performances by everyone on cast, pleasing cinematography, riveting plot and editing, intriguing CGI that serves rather than fuels the story, even funny at times, what's there not to like?

Oh wait, it's "woke". Or so we are told by dozens of reviewers. I literally scrutinized the show for inappropriate wokeness, ready to cringe at the very first opportunity. But no.

Could this be because the show implies we are destroying ourselves as a civilization? That's such a reach given what's going on, right? Or because the main characters are ... gasp ... black? That was so unheard of in 1950. I will concede that they don't look like David Bowie, who starred in the original movie the show is very loosely based on. If that sort of departure disappoints then skip this show.

If you like anything intelligent at all, then by all means watch it. You'll love it, as I did. Looking forward to a rocking season.

Chiwetel Ejiofor does an outstanding job acting in this series. The show started the first few episodes with a lot of promise and it was pretty entertaining. Naomie Harris' character is supposed to be highly intelligent but instead she's written to be a highly emotional ridiculous character. (I blame the writing, not the actress)

Once the series hits halfway, you can tell there's a shift behind the scenes where they decided to go from a series to limited series and end it at the end of the season. This is where it all falls apart. Nonsense everywhere. Terrible characters making stupid choices all the time. Everything that made the first half good was reversed.

I'm a big fan of the original as a big fan of David Bowie. This stands alone, but it echoes back and pays tribute nicely, while being a compelling story in its own right.

Chiwetel Ejiofor performs convincingly and with humour as an alien learning to behave as human and deal with the sensory input. Watching as an autistic person I felt resonance with that and I think that's no accident with Justin assuming and stating he was on the spectrum.

I really don't understand why anyone would be so fixated on the fact that lead characters happen to be black. If it's out of some sort of loyalty to the original film then it's sadly, deeply misguided. Bowie was passionate about civil rights and disgusted by racism and I believe he'd fully support the casting choices. It is in no way AT ALL honoring his memory or legacy to be racist.

An unusually talented cast, the mind of Kurtzman and a reliable core-concept, what could possibly go wrong? Well ... nothing actually, this is a fabulous start to this novel/movie adaptation/sequel told from a fresh perspective.

Chiwetel Ejiofor is exceptional as the wide-eyed, genius child with a sense of naïve wonderment, beautifully portrayed with rictus grin, uncoordinated movement and simpleton dialogue. As the Yin to his Yang, Naomie Harris plays his street-smart, big-hearted sidekick.

The effects are awesome, they are hardly noticeable and completely credible, dovetailing with gorgeous cinematographic choices.

Overall, a fine first episode with great promise, well worth a watch!

You see, this is a sequel. It seems most reviews missed this. A fresh and respectable one at that. Just don't call it woke, for that would date and degrade its artistry. Yes, Bowie's character appears here. Thomas (Jerome) Newton, played quite well with his spidery William S. Burroughs dead ringer look by Bill Nighy. I'm sure if Bowie were still alive, he'd be appearing here. Nice, classy touch titling each episode after a Bowie tune. Solid acting by the leads, decent cinematography, though not on the sublimely high level of the great Nic Roeg, and dare I say a bit more surface clarity in its storytelling than the movie. I do deeply miss Rip Torn though. I think the brilliant author Walter Tevis, one of the finest and most monstrously underrated sci-fi writers of his generation, would surely endorse this repurposing of his work. It is quite imaginative and inventive. Also, deft use of comedy where you wouldn't necessarily expect it. I expected this interpretation to fall flatly on its face, instead the experience was rather uplifting. Kudos to those responsible. Who doesn't like surprises?