I like when things get re-imagined, as long as the heart of the classic story and the essence of the characters - all that made the original story - is still strongly there. This adaption isn't that: Phileas Fogg in the book is a cool, mathematically precise, unflappable man, always in control of himself and his surroundings. Passepartout calls him "a machine." But in this, Fogg is an unorganized, scared, scampering bundle of fear - there is nothing of Verne's hero here at all. Jean Passepartout in the book is a curious, pleasant, friendly man who balances Fogg's cool demeanor and who has lead an adventurous life but is ready to settle down and serve as Fogg's domestic help. He's creative and emotional. In this, he's got some sort of violent insurgency in his past, and he's on the run, and lacks most of what made Verne's character so compelling. I was so excited to see this... and gave up after two episodes. So disappointing. Pretty, though.
Review of Around the World in 80 Days
