Recently Jen and I have just started watching the Netflix original series 'Hemlock Grove' which is based on a novel of the same name. (I can't comment or compare as I haven't read the novel).
Now let's start with this. I don't like Werewolves. It takes a lot for me to like anything about them. Why?
I aren't sure, I've just always been more of a Vampire guy if I'm honest.
I love the 'Ginger Snaps' trilogy, even the third quite terrible prequel, 'Dog Soldiers' I found entertaining but it still didn't give me much, but 'Hemlock Grove' a series about werewolves that isn't like teen saga of 'Teen Wolf' or that horrible set of books and films called 'Twilight', gives me everything I need.
It has trailers that make it look like some show for teens, but when you get into it, you realise it's much more for adults than you thought.
Both Jen and I thought we wouldn't like the main two characters due to them looking like cocky kids but as soon as we saw them on screen we liked them and that's some good acting to look like one thing but be something else altogether.
Yeah it doesn't have the best acting (Which is what most critics didn't like) but then what does in reality?
(The critics also hated the fact that early 20 year olds are playing 17 year olds, look at the show 'Glee'. The guy who plays th character Finn is in his 30's for crying out loud.)
I really do have to recommend the show, if you have Netflix, watch it as soon as possible and if you don't have Netflix then sign up just for a free month. All 13 episodes of the show are up and around 50 mins each, a full month will give you plenty of time to watch them.
I'm only half way through the series and it has started to lose itself a little, it just doesn't seem as focused as it was to begin with but I'm sure it will get back to focus again.
Of course there are flaws with the show (too much nudity, cough) as there are with everything, nothing major worth writing home about though.
The best part of the show?
It's not really about werewolves. So how can it be a werewolf show you ask?
Well, it is about werewolves, but it's more about the characters and story surrounding the wolves.
The actual werewolves are just bit parts in the full thing. And that's why I think most critics don't actually like the show, brought in to see the werewolves and they aren't really there. It's the same as when people watched the film 'Super 8' expecting another 'Cloverfield'. Just chill out and watch, enjoy for what it is, not what you thought it might have been.
Up to now, if reviewing the show I would give it an 8/10.
And I still have episodes 7 - 13 to watch.