Wading
through the multitude of transparently teenie-targeted darker themed television
shows that pervade primetime today makes me reel in disgust (i.e. Buffy
and Angel). Once in a while though one of these execs finally comes up
with a decent idea. Witchblade definitely looks to be one of the latter.
Withblade,
which is based off of the best selling comic of the same name, is a follow
up to the hugely successful TV movie that aired last August. Admittedly,
since I live in Canada and TNT doesn't reach throughout this country, I
wasn't able to see it until recently but was blown away when I finally
was able to. TNT has been known to put forth some very well done original
movies but Witchblade stood head and shoulders above any of the others.
The movie combined elements of fantasy, police drama, and some outstanding
background music (including Rob Zombie) into a movie that seemed like more
of a big screen picture.
The
premise of the movie and now the series that's following is that Sara Pezzini,
a New York detective uncovers a powerful symbiotic gauntlet that chooses
female partners to assist in it's quest to destroy evil. Sara must come
to grips with controlling the gauntlet and her own emotions that it brings
forth. Unlike most, the lead character of Witchblade, Sara Pezzini, has
amazing potential to actually have depth. Add in a wealth of great storylines
that can be original or taken from the comic and you have the makings of
a cult classic.
One
of the downfalls of series that are based off of comics is a lot of the
"purists" not being interested in the show for fear of them destroying
it. TNT seems to have a plan in works though to solve that little problem
by having Marc Silvestri (of Image comics fame) join on as Executive Producer.
Also joining on in the Executive Producer role is Ralph Hemecker who has
directed episodes of X-Files and Millenium. Let's just hope that Marc gets
a little more involved than Mark Rein-Hagen did with his Executive Producer
role on Kindred: The Embraced (oh lord the travesty that ensued from that
one).
A
few ups and downs:
UP
- Yancy Butler is not in her late teens or early twenties. She actually
has some maturity and experience in her acting unlike most other leads.
Plus, I absolutely adore her throaty voice.
UP
- I'm looking forward to finding out more of Ian Nottingham (Eric Etebari)
when the series starts, as his incredibly skilled assassin/bodyguard character
was one of the bright spots of the movie.
UP
- Marc Silvestri as Executive Producer. This is the man that assisted in
bringing the X-Men and then Spawn & Witchblade to international fame.
He is the man.
UP
- the Witchblade - Swords and sorcery in a modern setting...nuff said
UP
- In the movie you catch a quick glimpse of Thundercats playing on a tv.
UP
- Maybe we can finally get some decent background music on one of these
shows.
DOWN
- From watching the movie you know that Sara Pezzini's principal love interest
will eventually be Jake McCartey (David Chokachi). The insanely cool woman
will end up dating a blonde surfer...DAMN!
DOWN
- David Chokachi you may recognize as he is formerly from Baywatch...nuff
said again
DOWN
- Anthony Cistaro playing Kenneth Irons, the mysterious businessman who
wants to control the gauntlet too, will eventually seriously get on my
nerves. He seems to be playing the part by combining Malcolm McDowell with
the older vampire on Forever Knight and goes a bit over the top.
