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Reviews
Britannia (2017)
A perfect fantasy series playing with history
I love historical fiction in itself so I never look for historical accuracy in a series. Provided with a good background (script, scenery, acting and an historical framework) I do enjoy a good story.
And I do find Britannia a great entertainment!
Historical fiction is a super effective way to attract history to many people. Some will actually end interested in real facts and do some research but don't expect thst from entertainment series.
They are costly productions that provide a way better product from average media so they need viewers support if we want to keep them coming!
Outlander: Through a Glass, Darkly (2016)
Great episode indeed
A lot of excitement has been building up for this Season 2. Fans of the books knew this season was a great challenge to adapt, while fans of the series were left in shock by the end of Season 1. This first episode was excellent! It was able to bring you back to both sides of the story with the main characters dealing with heartbreaking emotions and at the same time setting in motion a plan to change history. Costumes and set design are absolutely incredible, a joy to watch in itself. The music score is fantastic and the performances truly immerse you back into Jamie's, Claire's and Frank's lives. Ron D. Moore and his team of producers, writers and directors have started this new season exceeding all expectations!
Emulsion (2014)
Loved this film!
I was able to watch Emulsion during a short stay in the US. Having read some enthusiastic comments, I was intrigued about this British independent film that's being screened in small theaters all along the US. It was also a chance to see main actor's - Sam Heughan - performance, prior to the premiere of Outlander. I was ready to be surprised by the film, but in fact had to admit to myself that I hadn't been quite ready to be engaged by its' powerful storytelling as I indeed ended. Therefore, from an initial aloof intrigue,I found myself more and more immersed in the story, sharing Ronnie's anguished and sometimes hopeless quest for an answer about his beloved's wife without a trace disappearance. Sam Heughan does an excellent job in portraying his tortured character, making you feel growing sympathy for Ronnie, while you keep asking yourself about what's actually happening and who - if any - is to be trusted. When the surprising end arrived, I simply wanted to go back and watch it again. So I do hope that this film is released in DVD and that I can see more of director Suki Singh's work in the future.
Outlander: Castle Leoch (2014)
Getting better still
After enjoying the first episode and finding my expectations fulfilled about how would the TV adaptation work, I was more than ready for this second episode. Even though I have already read the whole book series, I know that I will be finding differences and some new scenes too in every episode. I'm actually looking forward to it, since I find it very interesting to see how the creative process of turning a book I love and know into a TV series works. And I'm not in the least adamant about keeping book faithfulness to the word. This second episode is more straight forward than the first, so maybe it's more friendly to less patient viewers. The actors do a great job in evolving their characters and, at the same time, letting the audience know there is so much more to be discovered about them. Castle life recreation is fantastic and the new scenes and dialogs added to those in the book are perfectly blended into the story. The music is always wonderful. Being filmed in Scotland and under the same weather conditions that the characters endure, adds to the realism of the adaptation and is another great example of how detailed this production is.
Outlander: Sassenach (2014)
Challenge fulfilled
I was really intrigued about this first episode, being a fan of the books for some years now. And it fulfilled completely my expectations about how would the story begin and attract both fans and new viewers. The producers did a great job (I recommend listening to Ron Moore's pod-cast about the episode): spectacular Scottish locations, great period recreation, fabulous costumes and music and perfect cast. This is the beginning of a story about human relationships. It is out of the ordinary, complex and subtle. I'm not happy with those plots summaries that are everywhere, full of common-place comments usually extracted from somewhere else. Nor I agree with those endless comparisons to Game of Thrones or, even less, to 50 Shades, just because there's action, intrigue, betrayal, passion or love in the story. There's so much more and it will develop through the season. The book is not a page turner and the series isn't either. This first episode takes its' time in introducing the story and it does it very well indeed. Congratulations!
Outlander (2014)
A great story finally coming to TV
I discovered the Outlander books some years ago through readers' reviews, after enjoying Bernard Cornwell and Edward Rutherfurd's historical fictions. The only series I had re-read more than once up to that time was Lord of the Rings. It was not an easy start with the first book, but I gave it a chance. And found myself trapped in a story about human relationships that is timeless and at the same time immersed in impeccable researched historical fiction. It's not a surprise that after more than 20 years it can still be the great literary success it is right now. After several re-reads, I was looking forward to watching the beginning of the series and the question was: will it be up to the challenge of the story? These first two episodes are a big YES for me. They are superbly crafted, respectful of the story, with beautiful locations, fantastic recreation, costumes and music. The cast is perfect. I have watched them already quite a few times, enjoying its' details. Ron Moore's pod-casts are very enjoyable if you want to learn more about his creative process. I'm very happy that Season 2 has already been announced!