I'll keep this short, like the time that was spent on developing the casting, story and dialogue. There's little to no intrigue, it all feels too similar to other stories - some is even given away in the intro video. It almost feels like everything this is trying to be has been done better with the same context in other films and series.
Its not funny, even when it is trying to be - it is not intimidating, when it is trying to be. The opening scene of the first episode has a great antagonist that is later completely made into a farce for reason that I can't fully understand from the story's perspective. It does occasionally dabble in horrifying subjects when it deals with characters' past.
Alas the main cast falls flat, while many of the supporting crew does a great job - with the given dialogue. Al Pacino is wasted playing a caricature with unoriginal story, again, even when he's trying to be interesting - it is Al Pacino with an accent.
Verisimilitude went out the window when the main character - a young adult or late teenager - goes superhero after the death of relative without any portrayed conviction. Nowhere is it established that the main protagonist is any good at what he seems to be able to do as a savant and that feels like a missed opportunity.
It takes away tension as well, since it seems unbelievable for the main character to have any interest in his world other than the obvious - loss of a family member. Any situation he's put it ends with a witty remark, a curse or him doing something that is unbelievable or wasn't established anywhere he could do.
So the positives, it is well shot and made, scenes feel like they belong - 1984 feels like 1984. Flashbacks of some of the characters to different times are well shot and made and are the only scenes that had a lasting impact, the transition and editing of these scenes is fluid as the meager story is being told. The music is great, since it deals with several different time periods it does a good job of blending transitions.
No doubt in my mind some will view this series as political and while I think this series is a fantasy with real life elements and nothing else it far more important to remember that it doesn't challenge any notions we weren't already aware of or doesn't spark any thoughtful conversation like last year's Watchmen could. This series is far too light for it to have any meaningful political impact however, anyone who thinks it does is wasting their time talking to a wall.
It is not great, it is not terrible either. Could've been fun with a better developed story and dialogue.
