fredoxv

I have read numerous negative reviews of The Shield recently, and am troubled by their narrow-mindedness. I'm even more troubled to think that such jaded, subjective reviews might cause others from missing out on what is probably the best piece of programming ever to flicker across the television screen.

First, if I may address the so-called knocks on The Shield. The two main beefs with the show are camera work and content. It is true, the camera work is VERY different when compared to standard police shows. Many viewers on IMDb have called out the cinematography and editing as rushed, and amateur. If you're a cinema purist and love the classic shot-reverse shot technique of filming a scene, then you have some adapting to do. The Shield has a rough, gritty film style of unconventional angles and moving shots done by jerky handhelds. While some brush this off as poor work, I laud it as genius. This rough style of filming is done to amplify the chaotic setting of the show. Smooth shots and slick transitions that you see in Law and Order or CSI would not tell the story of The Shield. It will take some getting used to, but after an episode or two, it is an absolute pleasure to watch.

The second problem many have is with the content. TV ratings exist for a reason, as do the pre-show disclaimers. Pay attention to them. If you are squeamish, or, dare I say, uptight, this is not the show for you. Many reviews on this site pass the violence and depravity of the show as immature and gratuitous. Again, The Shield strays from the norm. While many cop shows focus on the investigation of crimes, the Shield focuses on the crimes themselves, and how living in a world plagued with this violence and immorality can twist the human spirit and psyche, sometimes beyond repair. Those of you who get up in arms at the first inkling of immorality, try using some objectivity. The show does not promote the world it portrays. It is a chronicle of human struggle within extreme conditions. Sometimes that struggle gets messy. Just like real life, right......?

The Shield is a character-driven marvel. Its characters are complex and engaging, and the writers unfold gritty, sharp -witted story line that is never less than spectacular. The acting is superb and definitely overlooked by many critics as of late. From start to the pending finish, this has been the best story-telling that I have ever seen on television. It is not conventional TV drama, divided into forgettable, disjointed 60 minute segments. It is a continuous story, meant to be enjoyed in its entirety. Most of the bad-mouthing that occurs is completely ignorant to this fact. If you want cut-and dry cop stories that wrap up at the top of the hour, complete with the bad guy going to jail, stick to Law and Order. The Shield is much, much deeper, and ultimately much better.

One word of advice I have to potential viewers, start at the beginning. This is NOT a show that you can jump into half-way through and get the true experience, and thus, it is a time commitment. It is a tremendous build-up of tension, and you MUST start from the beginning to truly appreciate it. Rent season one, and go from there. And prepare to view a masterpiece.

This film, although staying true to typical Hollywood thriller clichés, does accomplish a few good things.

By far the best thing about this film is the feeling of claustrophobia it puts upon the viewer. All of the tight spaces and underwater shots really made me feel ill at ease, which is a mark that a horror film is doing its job. For those of you who have seen the original Alien, it's a bit like that.....only in an underwater cave. (The creatures even share physical characteristics...from what you see of them...with Ridley Scott's space monsters).

The film also creates tension in that the subject matter is a bit foreign, i.e. cave exploration. The characters wander around in an enormous underground maze, and unlike most horror flicks, you really can't think of an obvious solution. It's not a film where the characters stare blindly at an blatant remedy for their situation, and finally find it at the last second. The viewer feels just as lost as some of the characters (which, I will admit, becomes borderline annoying after a while) and thus, a good level of tension is created.

Another neat little underlying device the film utilizes is the feeling of constantly being followed. Sound is a big part of this, in that the creepy, cricket-like chirping of the creatures follows the viewer throughout the entire film. A lot of the camera work (especially in the underwater scenes) adds to this effect.

While the film's use of these devices is borderline brilliant, the rest of the movie is laughable. A hole-filled plot paired with disposable, static characters and unconvincing acting make the film another forgettable horror flick.

The most frustrating thing of all is that the monsters are never fully shown. They are visible mostly in brief flashes. In the rare occasions when their entire forms make it on-screen, they are moving so fast that one still cannot get a good feel for what they would look like. I waited for that one big long shot where the hero stares down the monster, and it never came. Big disappointment here, and it made the film feel cheap.

I'd say it's worth seeing in the theater, since it's only good points won't be done justice on your television (unless of course, you have a really nice home entertainment center). It's an entertaining film, and I do not regret going to see it. It's not one I would see again, however.