An adaptation of Neil Gaiman's comic series by the same name, The Sandman features the enigmatic Lord of Dreams as he governs his kingdom ("the Dreaming") in the face of selfish mortal machinations and diabolical familial schemes. Presented largely in the form of episodic adventures, the first season consists of two distinct plotlines. The first pertains to Dream's search for his tools after his release from a century of human captivity while the second revolves around Rose Walker, the dream Vortex whose existence and powers are a source of peril to both the real world and the Dreaming.
It must be said that the premise of The Sandman is a thrilling one. Thanks largely to its wonderful source material, the story presents its mythological and fantastical elements in a gripping manner while also retaining human emotions to render it meaningful and relatable. The rich visuals in the form of the varied vivid settings (like the unsettling "cereal" convention) and colourful character designs (of which the Corinthian is a stand-out) are impressive, immersing one into an entrancing new world to explore and discover. And the short anecdotes are an especial delight, be it the timeless tale of Hob Gandling, Dream's illuminating conversation with his sister Death, or the binding and release of the muse Calliope.
Unfortunately, the second half of the show does not live up to the promise of the first. The whole Vortex subplot feels a muddled mess with too much exposition and little reason given for the audience to care about the introduced characters. There are other general grievances, most notable of which is the naivete and powerlessness with which Dream is portrayed, aspects that do not fit one of The Endless. To state further personal criticisms: the score is lacklustre, the acting quality is variable, the casting choices feel at times forced, and the dialogue tends in places to have an overly British tone.
Nevertheless, as a fantasy buff, I have hope and anticipation for the next season. Not having read the comic books myself, I have no specific expectations or preconceptions but look forward to another dream-filled escapade, even if it's a nightmare-dominated one. Care to join along on the wild ride?
It must be said that the premise of The Sandman is a thrilling one. Thanks largely to its wonderful source material, the story presents its mythological and fantastical elements in a gripping manner while also retaining human emotions to render it meaningful and relatable. The rich visuals in the form of the varied vivid settings (like the unsettling "cereal" convention) and colourful character designs (of which the Corinthian is a stand-out) are impressive, immersing one into an entrancing new world to explore and discover. And the short anecdotes are an especial delight, be it the timeless tale of Hob Gandling, Dream's illuminating conversation with his sister Death, or the binding and release of the muse Calliope.
Unfortunately, the second half of the show does not live up to the promise of the first. The whole Vortex subplot feels a muddled mess with too much exposition and little reason given for the audience to care about the introduced characters. There are other general grievances, most notable of which is the naivete and powerlessness with which Dream is portrayed, aspects that do not fit one of The Endless. To state further personal criticisms: the score is lacklustre, the acting quality is variable, the casting choices feel at times forced, and the dialogue tends in places to have an overly British tone.
Nevertheless, as a fantasy buff, I have hope and anticipation for the next season. Not having read the comic books myself, I have no specific expectations or preconceptions but look forward to another dream-filled escapade, even if it's a nightmare-dominated one. Care to join along on the wild ride?