betterthanreality

In addition to suffering from pretty lame writing (with a few funny exceptions), the biggest thing that ruined this series was how generally distracting and annoying it is to see actors in their thirties and forties trying (for the most part, unsuccessfully) to be even remotely convincing as teenagers. This is made worse by the fact that they are working side by side with so many actual teenagers.

I understand that part of the "excitement" for fans of the original movie is getting to see the old cast reprise their roles, but this series comes off as cheap "See how many really famous actors we crammed into this cast?" celebrity porn. In most cases, the talent is largely wasted (I'd bet some of them are even embarrassed by the finished product), and I actually thought some of the best (or at least most genuine) acting was done by the real teenagers in the series.

It could have been so much better. What a waste.

If I were a family member or other loved one of a victim discussed in this show, I'd be very angry & offended by the smarmy narrator with the salacious tone in his voice. If ever a show demanded a SERIOUS narration style, it would be this one. This narrator's style might be appropriate for a show like CHEATERS, but here it just trivializes the gravity of the murder of completely innocent victims (this show's specialty).

The flashy "music video" style in which they make the detectives mug and pose for the camera when first introduced adds further insult to injury. It's a shame because the facts of the cases are very interesting - and SAD, which gets almost completely brushed aside by this show's obnoxiously inappropriate style (even the music is completely wrong much of the time).

Nice going, Investigation Discovery - you blew it with this one!