This review is coming from somebody that has seen the whole of 2019's 'Watchmen', which to me was actually very, very impressive on the whole. Not one that judged it with over the top hate after just the first episode. The alternate universe continuation concept sounded great, the advertising were strange but fascinating, there was a lot of great talent on board and being someone that loves the source material and liked very much the 2009 film in its own way, potential was big.
'Watchmen' on the whole did live up to high expectations if not quite exceeded them. Despite what was indicated in my review for the whole show, the first episode "It's Summer and We're Running Out of Ice" was not bad at all and was interesting, doing well in its aim generally in setting things up, introducing this world and establishing the tone. It did have flaws though and is one of the weakest episodes of the nine the show comprises of, so it is easy to see in a way why it didn't connect with people. One just needs to know what to expect.
"It's Summer and We're Running Out of Ice" isn't perfect, though the good things (well make that brilliant things) outweigh the flaws. Although it does really well in introduction and setting up, narratively the episode is on the slight side at times and not everything felt necessary (i.e. although Jeremy Irons looks amazing for his 70s and looks a lot better than a lot of people much younger than him seeing him type-writing nude is a big "what the heck and why" moment). It's occasionally a little too deliberate pace-wise initially.
Also felt that there were a few too many ideas introduced and if actually the length was longer it would have meant more development and explanation. As a result of that not happening quite enough, "It's Summer and We're Running Out of Ice" is not always easy to follow. Although the whole Veidt/Ozymandias subplot throughout 'Watchmen' was highly entertaining and intriguing, here in this episode it perplexes and is too much of a disconnect with the rest of the episode.
However, "It's Summer and We're Running Out of Ice" looks fantastic. The photography is incredibly stylish and filled with dark atmosphere and already has one immersed into this very rich world. The opening scene is especially striking in this regard and one of the show's finest examples of the cinematic quality of the visual and technical work. The production design is wonderful, especially the interiors and exteriors of the castle, the lighting matches the episode's uncompromising boldness perfectly, the editing is seamless and the effects don't jar a bit. Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross' score is haunting and the clever (again almost cinematic quality and like a mirroring of thought processes) use of sound enhances it. There is some great use of pre-existing music, great pieces on their own and are not used awkwardly or feel too much of a mishmash. It's very diverse, it's not everyday you hear an episode for anything having hip-hop, Mozart and 'Oklahoma!' on the same soundtrack.
Writing has subtle wit and grit and is thought-provoking, the first line perfectly summing up what the episode is all about. Any references are knowing and affectionate. Even though "It's Summer and We're Running Out of Ice" is only the first episode, the bold and uncompromising tone is very evident here. Especially in the shocker that's the opening. The show has been criticised for heavy-handedness, to me it makes its points with a lot of force but that's what the pull no punches content needs. It has a lot of recognisable themes already starting to be expanded upon, and the content is a long way from out of date today (in fact it's even more relevant now, which is quite painful to think about). The characters have interest value, even Veidt is oddly intriguing even if the character at this point perplexes. The acting is great, Regina King is fearless, Don Johnson has a lot of authority and Jeremy Irons (complete with a contender for the show's best entrance for any of the characters) has a ball as Veidt.
Concluding, promising start and serves its purpose in setting things up for what's to come, but there is that uncertainty too of whether to continue if worried that the rest of the show wouldn't get more eventful and answer any questions. 'Watchmen' is a slow starter but it really does get much better in my view, stick with it. 7/10
'Watchmen' on the whole did live up to high expectations if not quite exceeded them. Despite what was indicated in my review for the whole show, the first episode "It's Summer and We're Running Out of Ice" was not bad at all and was interesting, doing well in its aim generally in setting things up, introducing this world and establishing the tone. It did have flaws though and is one of the weakest episodes of the nine the show comprises of, so it is easy to see in a way why it didn't connect with people. One just needs to know what to expect.
"It's Summer and We're Running Out of Ice" isn't perfect, though the good things (well make that brilliant things) outweigh the flaws. Although it does really well in introduction and setting up, narratively the episode is on the slight side at times and not everything felt necessary (i.e. although Jeremy Irons looks amazing for his 70s and looks a lot better than a lot of people much younger than him seeing him type-writing nude is a big "what the heck and why" moment). It's occasionally a little too deliberate pace-wise initially.
Also felt that there were a few too many ideas introduced and if actually the length was longer it would have meant more development and explanation. As a result of that not happening quite enough, "It's Summer and We're Running Out of Ice" is not always easy to follow. Although the whole Veidt/Ozymandias subplot throughout 'Watchmen' was highly entertaining and intriguing, here in this episode it perplexes and is too much of a disconnect with the rest of the episode.
However, "It's Summer and We're Running Out of Ice" looks fantastic. The photography is incredibly stylish and filled with dark atmosphere and already has one immersed into this very rich world. The opening scene is especially striking in this regard and one of the show's finest examples of the cinematic quality of the visual and technical work. The production design is wonderful, especially the interiors and exteriors of the castle, the lighting matches the episode's uncompromising boldness perfectly, the editing is seamless and the effects don't jar a bit. Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross' score is haunting and the clever (again almost cinematic quality and like a mirroring of thought processes) use of sound enhances it. There is some great use of pre-existing music, great pieces on their own and are not used awkwardly or feel too much of a mishmash. It's very diverse, it's not everyday you hear an episode for anything having hip-hop, Mozart and 'Oklahoma!' on the same soundtrack.
Writing has subtle wit and grit and is thought-provoking, the first line perfectly summing up what the episode is all about. Any references are knowing and affectionate. Even though "It's Summer and We're Running Out of Ice" is only the first episode, the bold and uncompromising tone is very evident here. Especially in the shocker that's the opening. The show has been criticised for heavy-handedness, to me it makes its points with a lot of force but that's what the pull no punches content needs. It has a lot of recognisable themes already starting to be expanded upon, and the content is a long way from out of date today (in fact it's even more relevant now, which is quite painful to think about). The characters have interest value, even Veidt is oddly intriguing even if the character at this point perplexes. The acting is great, Regina King is fearless, Don Johnson has a lot of authority and Jeremy Irons (complete with a contender for the show's best entrance for any of the characters) has a ball as Veidt.
Concluding, promising start and serves its purpose in setting things up for what's to come, but there is that uncertainty too of whether to continue if worried that the rest of the show wouldn't get more eventful and answer any questions. 'Watchmen' is a slow starter but it really does get much better in my view, stick with it. 7/10
