- Joined
- Jun 20, 2008
- Messages
- 111,874
- Reaction score
- 109,271
- Gender
- Male
- Political Leaning
- Independent
Vertigo fans who learned that AMC was taking on one of the all-time kings of the graphic novel genre, Preacher, may have experienced apprehension that the same horror that made Constantine family-friendly would also be visited upon one of their iconic favorites, while also experiencing the inevitable nerd-gasm that comes with such an announcement. It's no secret that graphic novels have historically adapted poorly to the screen (big or small), though in my opinion the reaction to Watchmen was kind of unfair. However, while Watchmen did not have (to my knowledge) Alan Moore's direct hand involved, fans will be pleased to hear that the television adaptation of Preacher is produced and written with Garth Ennis and Steve Dillon on board. This would not only imply that their input is valued, but that it is explicit. Both are true, from the pacing, the facial ticks, the casting and some of the actors who you could swear had makeup or cgi applied to make them look just a little bit more like Matt Dillon's illustrations.
The casting of Dominic Cooper for the titular role took a small amount of warming up to for the sole reason that he didn't look like the comics version (which is admittedly only a problem for nerds). However, by the end I was convinced that he had the character and the screen presence to pull off the character successfully. Ruth Negga likewise brings attitude and screen presence to Tulip, but the real treat is what Joseph Gilgun brings to the comic relief sidekick Cassidy. You will love every moment he is on screen, and no matter how relevant the surrounding scenes and how charismatic the characters that fill them, you will always be a just a little sad when his scenes end. While every actor in every new show needs to grow into their roles, Gilgun seems to arrive in the show completely fleshed out. He is an instant win.
Visually, this show is made for graphic novel fans. Gorgeous panoramas of landscapes and outer space, fantastic compositions, cleverly shot background scenes of characters just poking their heads around a corner, everything you liked about the comic will be here. With any luck the cinematographer will remain on board to the very end.
The dialogue, even when seemingly irrelevant or gratuitous, is captivating. Only when looked at in hindsight are you left with the feeling that none of it is gratuitous in the lesat. Everything interlocks and has functionality. The pacing is perfect, and no scene overstays its welcome.
Warning to parents: this is not made for you and the young ones. It's made for fans who demand absolute loyalty to the humorous, gritty and often gory nature of the graphic novel.
Rating: 9/10. It would be 10/10, but as with most first episodes it needs to flesh itself out a bit more, with the exception of Cassidy who comes out of the box fully assembled.
The casting of Dominic Cooper for the titular role took a small amount of warming up to for the sole reason that he didn't look like the comics version (which is admittedly only a problem for nerds). However, by the end I was convinced that he had the character and the screen presence to pull off the character successfully. Ruth Negga likewise brings attitude and screen presence to Tulip, but the real treat is what Joseph Gilgun brings to the comic relief sidekick Cassidy. You will love every moment he is on screen, and no matter how relevant the surrounding scenes and how charismatic the characters that fill them, you will always be a just a little sad when his scenes end. While every actor in every new show needs to grow into their roles, Gilgun seems to arrive in the show completely fleshed out. He is an instant win.
Visually, this show is made for graphic novel fans. Gorgeous panoramas of landscapes and outer space, fantastic compositions, cleverly shot background scenes of characters just poking their heads around a corner, everything you liked about the comic will be here. With any luck the cinematographer will remain on board to the very end.
The dialogue, even when seemingly irrelevant or gratuitous, is captivating. Only when looked at in hindsight are you left with the feeling that none of it is gratuitous in the lesat. Everything interlocks and has functionality. The pacing is perfect, and no scene overstays its welcome.
Warning to parents: this is not made for you and the young ones. It's made for fans who demand absolute loyalty to the humorous, gritty and often gory nature of the graphic novel.
Rating: 9/10. It would be 10/10, but as with most first episodes it needs to flesh itself out a bit more, with the exception of Cassidy who comes out of the box fully assembled.
