By “Game of Thrones” writer-producers David Benioff and Dan Weiss return with the Netflix sci-fi epic series “3 Body Problem,” a lavish new drama that has overtaken the live-action “One Piece” to become the most expensive first season of any show on Netflix at $20 million an episode.
The reviews for this trippy sci-fi tale, based on Liu Cixin’s novels, aren’t as kind as they were for that pirate adventure though. Following its premiere at SXSW, “3 Body Problem” has clocked up a relatively average 71% on Rotten Tomatoes.
The Hugo Award-winning novel trilogy runs from the 1960s on Earth until the end of time in the distant fringes of the universe. and boasts an expansive cast including Jovan Adepo, John Bradley, Rosalind Chao, Liam Cunningham, Eiza González, Jess Hong, Marlo Kelly, Benedict Wong and Jonathan Pryce.
There’s a ton of praise for the show’s ambition and scale in the reviews, but criticisms are abound in regards to its characterizations and overall writing.
“It’s rare to see this kind of hard sci-fi on-screen, with the financial foundations in place to fully realize what is a complex and brazen vision of our world.” – Kayleigh Donaldson, TheWrap
“A hugely ambitious adaptation of a hugely ambitious book. As an opening season, it feels like a set-up for something bigger – but what’s here is thoroughly impressive giant-scale television.” – John Nugent, Empire
“It’s grounded in a solid sci-fi premise, but continually weighed down by flat, often two-dimensional characters and a weak script.” – Emily Garbutt, Total Film
“3 Body Problem certainly has its high points, but the convolution of plot manages to damper any goodwill the episodes conjure up with the audience.” – Tyler Doster, AwardsWatch
“The fact is 3 Body Problem is pedestrian at best when it should be epic – and that’s a problem.” – Dominic Patten, Deadline
“3 Body Problem moves at a brisk, often breakneck speed to convey a sense of spectacle and awe. But in the process, it sacrifices the thing that made Three-Body so singular in the first place: the science.” – Hoai-Tran Bui, Inverse
“3 Body Problem just doesn’t know what to do with its terrestrial cast of characters, and the globalization of its cast dulls what was otherwise a distinctly Chinese perspective with the original novel” – Clint Worthington, Consequence
“The series isn’t devoid of good stuff. It’s just flat, with decorative touches, which extends to the characterizations and acting.” – Dan Fienberg, THR
The story follows a young woman’s fateful decision in 1960s China that reverberates across space and time into the present day.
When the laws of nature inexplicably unravel before their eyes, a close-knit group of brilliant scientists join forces with an unorthodox detective to confront the greatest threat in humanity’s history.
Benioff and Weiss serve as showrunners alongside co-creator, writer and executive producer Alexander Woo (“True Blood,” “The Terror: Infamy”).
Rian Johnson and Rosamund Pike are among the many executive producers, as is Brad Pitt’s Plan B Entertainment. Oscar-nominated director Derek Tsang (“Better Days”) directs multiple episodes.
“3 Body Problem” premieres on Netflix on March 21st.
The post The “3 Body Problem” Reviews Are In appeared first on Dark Horizons.
