River World (eventually spoilers as things happen)

[Black Omega]

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I could have done without the lead character dying in the Space Shuttle as it reentered the atmosphere and was destroyed because the heat shield failed, though if that's the way the book starts, it kinda makes sense to leave it that way.

I liked the use of Nero, I'm not familiar with the books and that seemed like an interesting touch. Seems like a good start out for a series, really it almost feels like a pilot.

The final scene was very Dark City-ish, as well.

 

[John Crichton]

I am not watching it because it is on Sci Fi (maybe I will give it a chance in future but I'm a bit jaded right now) but AICN.com has made mention that this 2 hour thing is actually a pilot. Just figured you'd all want to know.

 

[Jamdin]

It has been a long time since I have read any of the Riverworld books but they had Sir Richard Francis Burton as the main character. Also, Nero was not in the novels. However, I liked the movie's use of the astronaut, Jeff Hale, especially in the light of the recent shuttle explosion (talk about how chilling it was to watch that first few minutes).

I hope Riverworld does become a series. However, it would be too good to last on the SF Channel especially considering how many shows this past year that I have enjoyed has bit the dust.

 

[Black Omega]

It has been a long time since I have read any of the Riverworld books but they had Sir Richard Francis Burton as the main character. Also, Nero was not in the novels. However, I liked the movie's use of the astronaut, Jeff Hale, especially in the light of the recent shuttle explosion (talk about how chilling it was to watch that first few minutes).

Now I'm tempted to read the first novel.

I hope Riverworld does become a series. However, it would be too good to last on the SF Channel especially considering how many shows this past year that I have enjoyed has bit the dust.

Probably a good show to last, frankly. Unlike other shows, it would be fairly cheap to do the shows. I'm not sure it could hold my interest, though.

 

[Tiefling]

Spoilers

I could have done without the lead character dying in the Space Shuttle as it reentered the atmosphere and was destroyed because the heat shield failed, though if that's the way the book starts, it kinda makes sense to leave it that way.

See, I like that. Any other network would have cut it, but Sci-Fi has guts.

What I didn't understand was how the original dictator guy, who presumably got into that position through strength and skill at killing things, put up such a pitiful fight against Nero.

 

[Chun-tzu]

I liked it. For some reason, it reminded me a lot of Flash Gordon. You've got Jeff Hale, the astronaut; the beautiful girl who the hero saves; the evil tyrant; the hero's alien friend; all in a world that's a strange mix of all these different cultures.

The idea is interesting, although it definitely feels like it's just a beginning. We're exposed to a bunch of interesting ideas that remain undeveloped throughout the movie. From what I've read online, this movie was made with an option for an ongoing series.

I think it was pretty well done, and deserves a shot at a series. It's got potential, and hopefully it would get even better. I would NOT want to see every new character in every episode turn out to be a historical figure. In a TV show, which has very limited room for character development, that's only a mildly interesting gimmick. Given that this is the entire human race, historical figures would remain only the tiniest percentage of people you'd meet.

 

[Arani Korden]

I have no idea. Never read the books

That's okay. Neither have the scriptwriters, apparently.

Seriously, they've changed a lot. (Horses! Every horse who ever lived has been reborn, apparently.) I found the show pretty entertaining, though, and it reminded me of just how gamery the whole concept is. I'm seriously considering digging out my old copy of GURPS Riverworld and running a d20 Modern game, and sticking Wong Fei-Hong in there somewhere.

 

[Fast Learner]

SPOILERS HO!











While I more-or-less enjoyed it, I was certainly disappointed at the changes. While it's been nearly 20 years since I read the books, I already miss Sir Richard and... the other guy... can't remember his name, but his initials were PJF (like the author's, Philip Jose Farmer). And yeah, the horses.

Oh, and the lead actor has the charisma and emotive capabilities of Tom Berenger, which is to say none at all. He looks like Berenger, too. Freaky.

But still, it's such an incredibly cool series of books that I suspect that it bled into me finding some excitement in the movie/pilot anyway.

Recommended.

 

[Hand of Evil]

Missed it! The first couple of books were very good but started to drop off later. Wonderful concept and was kind of wondering how it would be.

 

[Chimera]

Very Clearly a setup for a series.

Let's see, they have...

The Captain. An American Astronaut of our time. White Male leader for all us to "identify with" (ha ha).

The Historical Figure with a Secret. Samuel Clemens.

The Romantic Interest. Victorian Era blond woman.

The Strong Black Woman. What, Gina Torres was busy? (I guess she was, with Firefly and such) Can fight with sticks (ala Xena) and bring in the "primitive mysticism" that will show the techno people what they're missing. Haha.

The Jewish Holocaust Victim. The "Coward who learns to fight while being sympathetic".

The Child With Mysterious Powers. (Excuse me while I vomit. I've really had enough of this cliche in TV.)

There's six, add Nero as the Villain.

It has that Brisco County Jr/Jules Verne type Victorian Age tech with modernistic people vibe mixed with a little Xena/Hercules. And some surface similarities with Farscape.

In a series, they would obviously travel the river, righting wrongs and thwarting the evil plans of Emperor Nero on a weekly basis.

I also predict that it would last only 13 episodes, one complete season at best.