TV Review: Krypton, “Pilot”

A busy week and a funeral kept me from posting this earlier, but, here we are, a review of Krypton‘s first episode.

It’s about Superman’s grandfather, who inhabits a dystopian version of Krypton, gets involved in a Romeo and Juliet relationship, and receives a visit from a time-traveling Adam Strange who dresses like a fifteen-year-old.

Title: “Pilot”

Cast and Crew

Directed by: Ciaran Donnelly and Colm McCarthy
Written by Ian B. Goldberg, David S. Goyer

Cameron Cuffe as Seg-El
Georgina Campbell as Lyta-Zod
Shaun Sipos as Adam Strange
Elliot Cowan as Daron-Vex
Ann Ogbomo as Jayna-Zod
Aaron Pierre as Dev-Em
Rasmus Hardiker as Kem
Wallis Day as Nyssa-Vex
Blake Ritson as Brainiac
Ian McElhinney as Val-El
Paula Malcomson as Charys-El
Rupert Graves as Ter-El
Nicholas Witham Mueller as Young Seg

Premise

A man tries to restore his name on a dystopian alien world. A Terran from the future appears and tells him his grandson will become another world’s greatest hero: Superman.

High Points

The movie has some fascinating designs and a cinematic feel. This is no original take on an alien / futuristic society, but it is an original version of Krypton, with some obvious ties to the Marthaverse.

Low Points

I’ll cut them some slack, but I want an explanation for why a culture this advanced feels the need to outlaw any mention that other parts of the universe might be inhabited. How would that even work, given the tech available to show that, you know, they live in a big honkin’ universe that might, you know, have room for other inhabitants?

The Scores:

Originality: 1/6 It’s not just that we’re getting backstory: everything in this episode feels like used furniture, with elements taken from a hundred other films, franchises, and comics.

Effects: 6/6 Krypton boasts more impressive effects than other DC-TV shows.

Story: 4/6

Acting: 4/6

Emotional Response: 4/6 It’s just not that interesting, and contemporary entertainment provides more SF/Fantasy/Superhero options. I’ll keep an ear to the ground, but, at present, I just don’t see much reason to keep watching.

Production: 6/6 The visuals are great, the show has a cinematic feel– but much of it takes place in closed spaces.

Brainiac looks surprisingly good.

And of course, everything is dark ‘n’ gritty.

Overall: 4/6

In total, “Pilot” and receive 29/42

2 replies on “TV Review: Krypton, “Pilot””

  1. tells him his grandfather will become another world’s greatest hero: Superman

    Grandson…

    Yeah, this was not exactly a sci fi spectacular. That it’s the first episode makes me worry about this series. That said, other shows have gotten better as the go, so I’ll keep watching for a little while, at least.

    • Ditto, and ditto to the review. “Used Furniture” summed it up nicely.

      As I’ve said, nothing specifically drove me away (like the idiocy of the other DC shows at present are threatening to do to me) but nothing would make me recommend it, either.

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