Moonlight Review

[rabid1st]

Yes, it's the Angel Lite review. And what can I say beyond this show is a very good match with Ghost Whisper? Let's go under a cut and find out what else I can say.

So, first things first, Sophia Myles does a very nice American accent. Limited squeak and no drawl. I can't comment on her acting, yet. She lacks inflection from time to time...but I can't tell if that's her or her rather lifeless accent. Her character seems warm and approachable. Just spunky enough without breaking out of the soccer mom crowd. I warmed to her. Warm is about where I am on this whole series. It didn't light my fire, but it didn't leave me cold either.

The only truly stand out character in the show was Logan. I know the actor has a real name...but I won't remember it until he shows me something new. He didn't here. However, what he did show me was just as compelling as his work on Veronica Mars. It takes some force of celebrity power to look like he does and play a 400 year old vampire lord. He is creepy and holds your attention when he's on screen so, for me, he was the bright spot in this otherwise dull canvas.

The vampire...is a bit Nick Cage...sort of laid back sarcasm. The plot was painfully transparent and I'm not sure that removing most of the traditional vampire restictions was a good idea. I know it frees you up for daylight shooting...so the show costs less money...but it also takes a lot of the mystery out of vampirism. I'm also not a big fan of the Bionic Powered running and fighting. I prefer my vampires to be stealthy.

Overall...this show is probably dead in the water unless it graps onto some Ghost Whisper fans. It just might be able to do that...which means, getting rid of all the Joss Whedon alumni was probably a good idea. The show lacks orginality and bite...but it might have staying power.



Rae

Comments

[kammgirl.livejournal.com]

And in all honesty I wasn't impressed by Jason Dohring all that much. The character didn't seem very different from how he played Logan Echools.

[queenrikki-hp.livejournal.com]

You know, for a show I have no interest in I really do want this one to succeed. My cunning plot is this: If it stays on then I won't have to see Sophia Myles or Jason Dohring in anything I actually want to watch.

[webeh.livejournal.com]

I tried the pilot because of all the coverage given to the show for all the changes made in the acting/writing team. And I have to admit that I wasn't very impressed. Here's my reasons why.

1. The actors. Greenwalt (when he was still around) hired a good set of actors, who we know can provide solid performances. (Well, at least I know Sophia Myles and Jason Dohring can.) But, the script for the first episode greatly underused their talents. Also, the lead actor just fell flat for me. He was a bore to watch.

2. The vampire theme. Like you said, a lot of the mysticism of the traditional vampire was removed. What we were left with were a whole bunch of vampire cliches because everything were so poorly executed. We see the vampires bite people, we see the vampires not age, we see the vampires fight, we see the vampire dress goth-like, etc. But, the writers completely missed the allegories surrounding the vampire myth, which is backbone of every good vampire storyline. (Ex. Sexual ambiguities, freedom from personal/social restraints, fear of the other, etc.) So basically, the show bypassed on everything intellectual, in exchange for the superficial.

3. The writing. This fails in so many areas.
- The dialogue was painful in several scenes
- An effort wasn't really made to establish a proper chemistry between the two main leads
- The plot of today's episode was a tad ridiculous and relied way too much on stereotypes. (What was up with the goth stereotypes? The goth is a fraction of the show's needed audience. You won't attract the goths if you stereotype them.)
- I don't care about the characters because the show didn't give me a reason to. Whatever background or personal information we were given just sounded really stupid and a bit like bad fanfic.

So yeah, I pretty much hated the show. But, there was one thing I did like. I thought it was interesting how the vampires were integrated into human society. This had the potential to create a really good storyline if everything didn't screw up the show.

I think others will disagree with me, but I still feel that Joss Whedon has the monopoly on the vampire storylines on television and film combined. Yes, I know some people didn't like Buffy or Angel. But, those were examples of good vampire fiction. Joss didn't ignore the vampire allegories and he also expanded the program to include other things as well. I think this is why the guy has a such a cult/pedestal status among so many people.

[ladyoneill.livejournal.com]

I liked it well enough. I still prefer the Whedonverse and all its extended glory and mythos, but I'll give this a shot.

Plus, I totally agree with you on LoganJosef. There's something wonderful sinister about him, and I love that he keeps human girls around to feed on (yeah, I'm weird that way).

[keswindhover.livejournal.com]

She lacks inflection from time to time...but I can't tell if that's her or her rather lifeless accent.

I often find this when Americans do British accents - technically right, but the effort means there's no naturalness to the inflection. It probably works the other way round too.

[rabid1st.livejournal.com]

She actually did a very good job. It's not like anyone in the series stood out but she was likable. Her voice lacked inflection. but I can believe it was the accent and she'll improve. She did manage to convey warmth, which the show sorely needed in her character. I would have to reserve any real comment about her acting until I see her do something challenging but she wasn't overwhelmed the way the Bionic Woman actress was.

My coworker loves the show and means to keep watching it. As I said, I think it has that Ghost Whisper appeal even if it's not really critically acclaimed or particularly memorable. It's like any of those shows that go on and on and on...and you just can't believe it...Highway to Heaven or Charmed or Seventh Heaven.

Rae

[nostariel]

It's like watching Forever Knight, only not as fun or interesting. Meh.

Yeah...that's kind of what I got

[rabid1st.livejournal.com]

...out of it. Really not much of an Angel vibe. I think this is middle of the road fare, not for the hardcore fantasy fandom. Which is probably going to work in it's favor. The hardcore fandom may view itself as important but all of our favorite shows drag the bottom of the ratings barrel, never give us what we want in shipperhood and end up cancelled quickly. So, more power to a lame, bland show that gets ratings on Friday night.

Rae
thinking...I might watch it if I remember it's on...it will probably run for 8 years. ;->

Your cunning plan is very much like mine

[rabid1st.livejournal.com]

I would like the show to be a success because one of two things will happen...1) David and Sophia will drift apart...and he will be available again or 2) David will come to America and I will get a better shot at ogling him.

It's a win-win!

;->

Rae

Re: Your cunning plan is very much like mine

[queenrikki-hp.livejournal.com]

Yours is a wise and brilliant plan.

*nods*

[ladypeyton.livejournal.com]

IMO it took Forever Knight quite a while to become fun and interesting so I'm giving it a shot.

Plus, Nick Cage or not the lead was cuter than the guy in FK (once they replaced Rick Springfield...I never *did* forgive them for that)

I'll watch Logan in anything and I think there's will be a lot of improvement since he was a late hire and he was probably rushed to shoot the scenes in the pilot.

I'm tired of pining for Joss. I'm just going to accept that no one will ever be as good as him and settle.

[ladypeyton.livejournal.com]

Joss ate my commas! (that's my story...)

Re: Your cunning plan is very much like mine

[deadlikeme13.livejournal.com]

1) David and Sophia will drift apart...and he will be available again

wow you're psychic O_O according to The Sun..they just broke up..

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/article310352.ece

And now for my next trick...

[rabid1st.livejournal.com]

...Billie Piper will return to Doctor Who for the three specials in 2009. Rose and the Doctor will live out her life together, skipping the boring bits and just giving us a few adventures to savor.

Rae
trying this psychic stuff out ;-D

Okay...in all seriousness, I should say, I'm sorry if Sophia was devastated...that's not funny or easy. However, I did have my doubts about how serious David was about her after his public declaration that she didn't "sleep over."