The Dresden Files 1 & 2

[catalyst2]

Just watched the first two episodes of this series and I am quite impressed.


The premise is interesting and is a little Angel-like in "helping the helpless" and quite noir in its appearance. That said, I like the lead actor, Paul Blackthorne, and I think that he plays Harry with a great deal of range and charisma. Terrence Mann is OK as Bob but he's a little too spare-exposition-guy for my liking. Valerie Cruz is OK as Connie Murphy although the part is a little too cliched as the perky but tough female cop with a chip on her shoulder.

I like the stories so far, the first being, of necessity, a little brief so that a fair bit of exposition could be inserted. Having said, that exposition was smoothly done. The story on the second episode had enough twists to keep me interested although I was yelling "It's the stone tablet, dumbass!" at one point because it was obvious that the story would revolve around the afore-mentioned tablet. Just how it would revolve wasn't obvious and caught me out when it did happen - good writing there!

Not being familiar with the source material, I have no other guide to draw on to judge but as a drama with supernatural elements, this was certainly good enough to keep me watching.

Comments

[asgaja.livejournal.com]

Mmmm Dresden is good. What I must admit I like the most about it is how they've really nailed Harry's personality and everything - Paul Blackthorne is doing an amazing job of the role.

[sanguinepen.livejournal.com]

It was hard to adjust to the differences between the book/series universes at first, but once I sorted it out I really got into it. I really like Paul's portrayal of Harry, and really it was more scene dressing changes that bothered me than characterizations. Bob being a ghost tied to the skull even worked for me in the end.

[catalyst2.livejournal.com]

Do we get more of an explanation of Bob's background later in the series - like why he is tied to that skull for example?

[sanguinepen.livejournal.com]

yes :), but that's all I'm saying.

[catalyst2.livejournal.com]

Ooh, sounds interesting! I must watch the next few episodes soon.

[tijnat.livejournal.com]

I'm a bit ambivalent about the series, but so I am about the books. I have the first six books, but have only made it partway through Book 4. When I pick it up, I enjoy it, but when I put it down, I have trouble wanting to pick it up again.

On the series, I like Harry and Murphy and their 'relationship'. I don't have a problem with Bob as portrayed in the series. The stories I've watched so far have been fine but I haven't rushed to view the tapes.

I heard on the weekend that the only reason James Marsters isn't playing Harry (he did the audio books) is that it's being filmed in Toronto and he won't leave his kid(s) for that long. The word is that Jim Butcher still hasn't been told whether the show will be cancelled or not.

[catalyst2.livejournal.com]

I could so see James Marsters as Harry - now that would have been cool! Because I don't have the books, I have no readjustment issues with the TV version. Having wrestled with that issue with Dexter last year, I can appreciate the dilemma!