"Dark" is probably one of the more original TV series to come out in the past decade or so, and that is saying something. Especially coming from Netflix. It has a fairly unique narrative language and striking visual style. It is also an all around well made show.
A show like "Dark" is also proof positive that you don't need a budget of hundreds of millions of dollars per season to make quality programming. Inventiveness and creative vision can go a long way. That is not to say that "Dark" looks cheap or down scaled. It manages to retain a cinematic look and scope, with truly beautiful cinematography and a haunting soundtrack.
I must confess, that I am not as big a fan as some. "Dark" is not wholly original to me and I have seen other series deal with similar set-ups and themes with different levels success and quality. The cast is solid and it didn't feel that anyone in particular was lagging or out of place. However it seemed at times that there are a tad too many characters. Some of them and their story arches, especially some of the secondary ones, could have been excluded without affecting the overall cohesiveness of the series.
While "Dark" is set up as one large puzzle with many moving pieces, smartly demanding from it's audiences to pay attention and follow along, at times it seems too clever for it's own good. It appears on some occasions to be needlessly elaborate and layered, less as a storytelling exercise and more because of the whim of the writers/creators that they could do it.
The show does pull its puzzle structure off quite successfully. Yet there was no need to be overly complex or intricate. It did feel like overkill sometimes. Still an entertaining watch and time definitely well spent on this one.
A show like "Dark" is also proof positive that you don't need a budget of hundreds of millions of dollars per season to make quality programming. Inventiveness and creative vision can go a long way. That is not to say that "Dark" looks cheap or down scaled. It manages to retain a cinematic look and scope, with truly beautiful cinematography and a haunting soundtrack.
I must confess, that I am not as big a fan as some. "Dark" is not wholly original to me and I have seen other series deal with similar set-ups and themes with different levels success and quality. The cast is solid and it didn't feel that anyone in particular was lagging or out of place. However it seemed at times that there are a tad too many characters. Some of them and their story arches, especially some of the secondary ones, could have been excluded without affecting the overall cohesiveness of the series.
While "Dark" is set up as one large puzzle with many moving pieces, smartly demanding from it's audiences to pay attention and follow along, at times it seems too clever for it's own good. It appears on some occasions to be needlessly elaborate and layered, less as a storytelling exercise and more because of the whim of the writers/creators that they could do it.
The show does pull its puzzle structure off quite successfully. Yet there was no need to be overly complex or intricate. It did feel like overkill sometimes. Still an entertaining watch and time definitely well spent on this one.