Tuesday, April 19, 2016

Shadowhunters Season One Review


In 2013, just before I read the book series, The Mortal Instruments was adapted into the infamous City of Bones movie that ultimately flopped.  In 2015 it was announced that the series was getting another shot at success--this time an unrelated TV show with a brand new cast and set of writers.  But maybe it didn't quite succeed in the way we had hoped.

It always baffles me when adaptations of well written books somehow manage to be poorly written, and Shadowhunters is included in that.  Instead of simply pulling the witty, sarcastic quotes from the book we already know and love, the writers attempted to come up with new lines...that just come off as cheesy and awkward.  In fact, the show doesn't capture the essence of the book series very much at all. 

The show doesn't follow the book plot too closely, which is fine, except when it doesn't make sense.  There is unnecessary drama invented to catch the audience's attention and some serious plot holes.  The world building often doesn't line up and plot lines created in one episode are thrown out in the next.  It's a bit all over the place.  Instead of allowing for a slow, natural build, things happen without having any real repercussions which greatly deteriorates the value of the story and the character arcs.  



What makes the book series so beloved is the cast of characters, all of whom are complex individuals.  I for one have no issue with the actors cast for the roles of the characters, for the most part.  Alberto Rosende (Simon) and Alan Van Sprang (Valentine) are particularly fantastic.  However, the writers transformed these deep, multi-faceted characters and stripped them down to a base level that is easy to sell to an audience.  

Clary Fray, formerly stubborn and passionate, has been reduced to a damsel in distress cliche while the ever complicated Jace is now a stereotypical brooding hero.  Their romance is awkward and forced, given that it was not allowed a substantial amount of time to develop.  Other than that, quite a few of the others are given lines or plots that are extremely uncharacteristic and are robbed of their deeper personality traits.



The special effects, just like the writing, is cheesy.  This was to be expected coming from Freeform (which I still call ABC Family).  I can forgive the effects for the most part, although the knock-off light sabers that they insist on calling seraph blades are laughable.  The fight sequences are brilliant on occasion and look quite posed the rest of the time.  They could benefit from watching Daredevil for pointers.  

Shadowhunters is entertaining and I had the best time watching the episodes, despite the flaws and my criticism.  While the shots often lack creativity and are shot straight on, it is still rather visually pleasing overall and a fun experience.

The show is not exactly the second chance we all hoped for, but I am prepared to give it the benefit of the doubt and wish for the best next season.  



8 comments:

  1. *claps* this review is just fantastic Erin! I think my favorite part of this show is Simon, Magnus and of course, Malec<33 I agree with the cheesy dialogue, it improved, but on the earlier episode it was really cringe worthy! Clary and Jace even get more annoying than the book ones! (I don't even know how's that possible since the book ones is already really annoying) And the special effects ugh! Can we not talk about the portal and the seraph blade?? They look terrible. But other than that I don't really have complaint though! I hope this show improve in the next season!

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    1. Thanks, Tasya! Simon is seriously the best character in the show. They cast him perfectly and I am loving all the Malec. I am hoping the writing improves a lot in the second season and maybe a bigger budget will allow for better effects... The good news is, it can only get better, right? Thanks for commenting!

      ❤ Erin

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  2. I really agree with you! This show was one of those shows that was kind of like a guilty pleasure for me. I thought it was very cheesy, but for some reason I had to keep watching it! Now I have to admit, I actually haven't finished the season yet, but I do plan to and give it a second chance.

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    1. It was so fun to make fun of in a weird way, and very entertaining. I would say finish season one--it DOES get better as the season progresses. Thanks so much for commenting!

      ❤ Erin

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  3. I watched the first episode but haven't been able to see the the rest (mainly because it isn't airing on TV over here and I don't have Netflix, so yeah...) BUT I still agree with your review because it pretty much covers my first impressions of the tv show! Although, I must admit, I don't really think they cast Jace right (again!). What confused me was the fact that in the first episode, it showed Valentine's secret hideout as somewhere in Chernobyl. Ummm... what?! I don't know if it changes in further episodes but what was wrong with the abandoned hospital place where he had his headquarters in City of Bones? Also, they pronounced the word 'stele' as 'stelly' when I always said it as 'stell'... though to be honest, that's probably just me who's wrong!?! Brilliant review, Erin! ♥

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    1. I know it is on the Freeform website (that's how I watched it), but you have to sign in with your cable provider, and they don't have all the networks. I was happier this time around with the cast for the most part, but I definitely think that Jace is one of those casts we will never be satisfied with no matter what. And don't worry, they change Valentine's base (that part confused me, too). I always though it was stell-ay? We need clarification for sure. Thanks so much for commenting, Rebekah!

      ❤ Erin

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  4. Happy Birthday to my favorite blogger.

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