War of the Worlds

It only needed 4 episodes tops, maybe 3. I detest when creators deliberately stretch plots to get multiple seasons. Do it right or don't do it at all.

I had high hopes of a classic story and a strong cast. But this is like eating the same thing, every meal, every day, for the rest of your life. I gave it a go, I really did, but the episodes are so similar I couldn't tell you if I was watching episode 2 or 22. Nothing seemed different except a few spoken lines here and there and a different shot of ruined cars. I felt sorry for the cast, filming the same episode week in, week out. Oh, and who knew that when drivers simultaneously died at the wheel all the cars would stop in line exactly 2.5 feet from each other. Anyway, I gave up. Oh, and there is no war, and no aliens except clunky doggy-type robots. There is a second series. Allegedly.

I have to say I had an advantage in that I speak both English and French fluently, therefore I did not need subtitles, but the story itself is interesting enough that I don't believe subtitles would diminish the experience.

It was refreshing to watch an apocalyptic event that had nothing to do with Americans, and although the action is fairly minimal with more attention being paid to human interaction, it was fairly enjoyable with mostly good acting throughout.

I also enjoyed the fact that someone in the show actually pointed out what I always think during this type of story; Why would aliens attack Earth when the resources available here are readily available elsewhere in the galaxy? Although the question is not exactly answered at the conclusion of the first season, we come to have a general idea as to what is going on, if not the details.

I would recommend this so long as they produce a second season.

I am a native French speaker and speak English quite well, so I looked at the version with both languages.

This is not a action series. Spielberg fans, go your way! So we have here a free adaptation of H. G. Wells' novel, which I read a number of years ago, and we must remember that the 2005 movie was too. The story is interesting and includes a British and French cast, which is new to me. We find the progression of 3 groups of people in this post-apocalyptic world between the Alps and London who are trying to find meaning in what happened to humanity after the surprise attack of the 1st episode. The motivations of the main characters are divided between pure survival, the search for relatives and the search for reasons and justifications for the attack rather than eradicating the invader.

Concerning the scenario, it was chosen to unfold the story in a rather intimate way by focusing only on the 3 groups as well as to develop some personal aspects, sometimes too much. I would perhaps have preferred to see more references to human nature (selfishness, individualism...),which was criticised by H.G. Wells, there are a few but not many. On the other hand, I have noted some inconsistencies concerning travels, sometimes too fast, and one or two script inconsistencies that sound weird.

For the realization, we will also note the profusion of plans with the dead people on the ground which reinforces this feeling of "alone in the world " The dominant colour in the different shots remains grey which is common in Canal+ series.

The acting is often good but I have a lot of trouble with Léa Drucker and we will also notice from time to time some unconvincing dialogue.

The soundtrack is minimalist and unpretentious and it should be remembered that it is not a blockbuster, that it is useless to put epic music on a series that wants to be cold and dark. Not everyone will like it, but it was enough for me.

As for the last scene, although it is surprising, I was expecting it with the rare clues crumbled during these 8 episodes.

I cannot understand the hate for this show. I get that it's not War of the Worlds in the Wells sense and if you're expecting an action series then this is not for you.

The script can be a bit clunky in places, but all in all I think it's fairly well acted for the most part. I like the characters and the 3 different POV works really well to progress the story. Another reviewer commented that the aliens reveal was a mistake and that I do agree with. When they were out of shot and seen only in flashes they were far more menacing and added to the tension. Hence why it's not an 8/10.

It deserves a 2nd series to see where they go with it. An enjoyably solid 7/10 for the first season so far.