War of the Worlds

I am a native French speaker and speak English quite well, so I looked at the version with both languages.

This is not a action series. Spielberg fans, go your way! So we have here a free adaptation of H. G. Wells' novel, which I read a number of years ago, and we must remember that the 2005 movie was too. The story is interesting and includes a British and French cast, which is new to me. We find the progression of 3 groups of people in this post-apocalyptic world between the Alps and London who are trying to find meaning in what happened to humanity after the surprise attack of the 1st episode. The motivations of the main characters are divided between pure survival, the search for relatives and the search for reasons and justifications for the attack rather than eradicating the invader.

Concerning the scenario, it was chosen to unfold the story in a rather intimate way by focusing only on the 3 groups as well as to develop some personal aspects, sometimes too much. I would perhaps have preferred to see more references to human nature (selfishness, individualism...),which was criticised by H.G. Wells, there are a few but not many. On the other hand, I have noted some inconsistencies concerning travels, sometimes too fast, and one or two script inconsistencies that sound weird.

For the realization, we will also note the profusion of plans with the dead people on the ground which reinforces this feeling of "alone in the world " The dominant colour in the different shots remains grey which is common in Canal+ series.

The acting is often good but I have a lot of trouble with Léa Drucker and we will also notice from time to time some unconvincing dialogue.

The soundtrack is minimalist and unpretentious and it should be remembered that it is not a blockbuster, that it is useless to put epic music on a series that wants to be cold and dark. Not everyone will like it, but it was enough for me.

As for the last scene, although it is surprising, I was expecting it with the rare clues crumbled during these 8 episodes.

The show is not bad so much as just a super slow pace. I feel like they could have made the show like a 10 hour limited series and picked up the whole pace of the show instead of making everything move so slow and methodical. I'd give it an 8 if they had squeezed all the story from both seasons along with an ending into those 10 hours.

I cannot understand the hate for this show. I get that it's not War of the Worlds in the Wells sense and if you're expecting an action series then this is not for you.

The script can be a bit clunky in places, but all in all I think it's fairly well acted for the most part. I like the characters and the 3 different POV works really well to progress the story. Another reviewer commented that the aliens reveal was a mistake and that I do agree with. When they were out of shot and seen only in flashes they were far more menacing and added to the tension. Hence why it's not an 8/10.

It deserves a 2nd series to see where they go with it. An enjoyably solid 7/10 for the first season so far.

I enjoyed the first half of this series a lot. Even though is shares next to nothing with the book (if anything its closer to Day of the Triffids) the characters were original and much of the set up didn't go with the normal tropes and characters you see in this kind of programme.

But about half way through the story seems to stall and the whole thing is just spinning its wheels and going nowhere. I felt we needed a bit more investigation as to the what and the whys (I was hoping for some tripods too!)

The end of the final episode was just nonsensical, I guess it is supposed to make us want to learn more, but we have seen so little and so much of it is without explanation you feel more that the writers aren't sure what is happening any more than the audience.

None the less I enjoyed this so much more than the recent BBC adaptation which was itself very far from the book. I wonder if we will ever see a faithful adaptation of the novel in the period and place where it is set.

First problem with this is that some parts go on too long and should have been edited out or episodes cut.

Second the Aliens seem clothed from a charity shop and their spaceship seems like a public toilet and fact they haven't developed weapons more effective than guns.

Third, there are many holes in the plot; like after Bill Ward is stabbed the 1st time, why isn't he guarded more closely by the main guy with the machine gun. Why do those mechanical/robot dogs seem to disappear in the 2nd series?

The Aliens just aren't convincing enough! However the actors do well in carrying the dodgy plot.