Television 3 Body Problem

WPMUFC

Full Member
Joined
Jul 9, 2013
Messages
9,655
Location
Australia
Have they confirmed whether this will be a series they fully commit to all the books? Because i've recently got into the book series and i'd fear that Netflix is looking to get a quick hit of cash and attention adapting Book 1 and then turn around and go "actually we don't think there is an audience for where this story goes".
 

Jev

Full Member
Joined
Apr 7, 2008
Messages
8,054
Location
Denmark
So reviews are in and … very mediocre. Has anyone watched any of it yet? Still think I’ll give it a shot because I’m interested in the story and concept (having not read the book(s)) but I had hoped for a warmer reception.
 

Salt Bailly

Auburn, not Ginger.
Joined
Apr 23, 2017
Messages
9,628
Location
Valinor
So reviews are in and … very mediocre. Has anyone watched any of it yet? Still think I’ll give it a shot because I’m interested in the story and concept (having not read the book(s)) but I had hoped for a warmer reception.
74% fresh on RT suggests better than very mediocre. All the reviews I've read so far have been 3/5 or above, which was around my expectation. I'll definitely check it out as soon as I get done with foundation season 2 (which is fantastic).
 

Jev

Full Member
Joined
Apr 7, 2008
Messages
8,054
Location
Denmark
74% fresh on RT suggests better than very mediocre. All the reviews I've read so far have been 3/5 or above, which was around my expectation. I'll definitely check it out as soon as I get done with foundation season 2 (which is fantastic).
74 percent is pretty low for a series (usually better reviewed than movies on average) and if you go through the reviews, most of the positive ones are lukewarm, none are glowing, and quite a few are very negative. For a big, ambitious Netflix show with well-known showrunners, it’s disappointing.
 

Salt Bailly

Auburn, not Ginger.
Joined
Apr 23, 2017
Messages
9,628
Location
Valinor
74 percent is pretty low for a series (usually better reviewed than movies on average) and if you go through the reviews, most of the positive ones are lukewarm, none are glowing, and quite a few are very negative. For a big, ambitious Netflix show with well-known showrunners, it’s disappointing.
Critics consensus:
Tackling its ambitious source material with impressive gusto, 3 Body Problem's first season proves a solid start that should leave sci-fi fans eager for more.

As a lover of the books, this about as good as could be hoped for a western adaptation.
 

Moby

Dick
Joined
May 20, 2011
Messages
51,356
Location
Barcelona, Catalunya
Critics consensus:
Tackling its ambitious source material with impressive gusto, 3 Body Problem's first season proves a solid start that should leave sci-fi fans eager for more.

As a lover of the books, this about as good as could be hoped for a western adaptation.
Is it worth watching the Chinese version before getting to this?
 

Ubik

Nothing happens until something moves!
Joined
Jul 8, 2010
Messages
18,930
74% fresh on RT suggests better than very mediocre. All the reviews I've read so far have been 3/5 or above, which was around my expectation. I'll definitely check it out as soon as I get done with foundation season 2 (which is fantastic).
Is it much better than season 1, which I found pretty bad?
 

Shane88

Actually Nostradamus
Joined
Jan 12, 2011
Messages
35,245
Location
Targaryen loyalist
Rotten Tomatoes is a load of rubbish. Watch 3 episodes and decide is my fool-proof method of reviewing a show. No stars, no mark out of 10, no percentages.

Just 3 ratings;

"It's great."

"S'alright."

"Shite."

It's my patented 3/3 rating system.
 

oneniltothearsenal

Caf's Milton Friedman and Arse Aficionado
Scout
Joined
Dec 17, 2013
Messages
11,175
Supports
Brazil, Arsenal,LA Aztecs
Is it worth watching the Chinese version before getting to this?
Depends on your preferences for TV. It goes pretty slow at first which I think some western audiences wouldn't have the patience for. Its fairly well done overall though if you like the books.
 

Bert_

Full Member
Joined
Sep 7, 2022
Messages
1,550
Location
Manchester
Watched the first three episodes last night. Pretty rubbish so far.

Can't get over supposed great minds finding technology clearly way more advanced than anything known and not even questioning it's origins or purpose. Just play with it like children.

Maybe thats forms part of some message they're trying to get across. Doubt it though.

I'll watch the rest but not expecting much. Hopefully gets better.
 

afrocentricity

Part of first caf team to complete Destiny raid
Joined
May 12, 2005
Messages
27,103
I don't find that strange, just stupid. A lot of people are compulsive idiots. I feel like my expectations have been set low enough for me to enjoy this... So far it's been interesting
 

PepG

Full Member
Joined
Jun 23, 2016
Messages
1,187
Supports
Ajax
Only watched the first episode, it was excellent. I love when in the mystery there is another mystery..like layers of it..it fascinates the mind..
 

Raven

Full Member
Joined
Dec 13, 2012
Messages
6,734
Location
Ireland
Watched the first three episodes last night. Pretty rubbish so far.

Can't get over supposed great minds finding technology clearly way more advanced than anything known and not even questioning it's origins or purpose. Just play with it like children.

Maybe thats forms part of some message they're trying to get across. Doubt it though.

I'll watch the rest but not expecting much. Hopefully gets better.
Why wouldn't the most curious minds on the planet do something like that?
 

Bert_

Full Member
Joined
Sep 7, 2022
Messages
1,550
Location
Manchester
Why wouldn't the most curious minds on the planet do something like that?
Surely check out what it actually is first before just sticking it on your head and just going with it. Were they not even slightly curious how it worked? Why some polished metal object contained more processing power than any supercomputer. Without any resemblance to any known technology that currently exists? Why their friend and colleague topped themselves after using it?

Maybe I'm expecting to much!
 

Big Andy

Bloke
Joined
Oct 23, 2003
Messages
34,662
2 episodes down so far and I'm intrigued. I've never read the books nor know what they are about, so I'm going in blind. It's giving me "Arrival" vibes so far, which isn't a bad thing. Have no idea what is going on mind.
 

GBBQ

Full Member
Joined
Jun 5, 2012
Messages
4,808
Location
Ireland
Two episodes in and I’m liking it. I’ll give the changes from the book a pass for the moment. It’s probably necessary to make the cold hard science of the book more engaging for a one hour episode format (still though some key concepts are really only brushed over). Giving it a more western setting might make sense for bringing in a big audience (but then again Shogun seems to be doing well).

I’ll see how it does with some of the later storylines
 

simonhch

Horrible boss
Joined
Aug 17, 2010
Messages
14,488
Location
Seventh Heaven
Supports
Urban Combat Preparedness
It’s both quite good and at the same time, really bad. It’s hard to describe. I suppose it’s a naturally intriguing subject, with a lot of interesting technology and ideas in play. The overall premise is obviously exceptional, owing to the books, but the adaptation has some serious issues.

Aside from their collective stupidity in playing the 24th century VR, one of my biggest problems is the casting. Eiza Gonzalez as an era defining genius just doesn’t fly, neither does the Jack’s snacks fella. In fact the entire crack team of brilliant minds, our five physicists, are pretty unconvincing in their roles except for the lead scientist, who is pretty good. I think that was some really weird casting for the roles, perhaps bowing to pressure to make the characters either appealing or accessible to a general audience. But that is really contradictory with their roles in the plot and their supposed capabilities.

Eiza González in particular is really Hollywood casting in a nutshell. Just go for someone “real” looking, who will convince in the role as a leading scientific mind of her generation; not this babe who has had more plastic surgery than half of Hollywood combined. Yeah she’s an okay actress, and she’s spectacular to look at, but good lord she is completely wrong for this role, and it ruins the show to a considerable extent.
 

WPMUFC

Full Member
Joined
Jul 9, 2013
Messages
9,655
Location
Australia
I've recently finished the first book, the "UK crime show" feel to it is.....strange. I feel the book is actually elevated by being set and steeped in Chinese history. The show is using Chinese history as a subplot.

But just as a TV show and not a completely faithful reproduction of the book, i'm finding it entertaining.
 

frostbite

Full Member
Joined
Jun 28, 2021
Messages
3,268
Is it worth watching the Chinese version before getting to this?
Yes, it is. I have watched the Chinese version and it is great. It is one season, 30 episodes of one hour, so it's a lot, do not expect to finish it quickly. It is not an action series, it is mostly about society and ideas. (I have not watched the Netflix version yet. )
 

Wing Attack Plan R

Full Member
Joined
Jul 12, 2019
Messages
10,647
Location
El Pueblo de la Reyna de los Angeles
I read book 1 and struggled to finish it, I hate giving up on a book. I was mostly interested in the Chinese history part. I watched the first episode of the Chinese version, but decided to hold off and wait for the English version. Giving it a go tonight. Even if they are faithful to the book it’s not going to be that amazing, but maybe I missed something. It hopeful with the Game of Thrones producers involved, and also Brad Pitt and Rian Johnson in as executive producers. Rian murdered the Star Wars sequels, GoT boys murdered GoT, what could go wrong.
 

Wing Attack Plan R

Full Member
Joined
Jul 12, 2019
Messages
10,647
Location
El Pueblo de la Reyna de los Angeles
Eiza González in particular is really Hollywood casting in a nutshell. Just go for someone “real” looking, who will convince in the role as a leading scientific mind of her generation; not this babe who has had more plastic surgery than half of Hollywood combined. Yeah she’s an okay actress, and she’s spectacular to look at, but good lord she is completely wrong for this role, and it ruins the show to a considerable extent.
She is bad. Agree with you.
 

rcoobc

Not as crap as eferyone thinks
Joined
Jul 28, 2010
Messages
41,701
Location
C-137
It’s both quite good and at the same time, really bad. It’s hard to describe. I suppose it’s a naturally intriguing subject, with a lot of interesting technology and ideas in play. The overall premise is obviously exceptional...
To be fair, everything you've written here could be my exact review of the (first) book
 

Zen86

Full Member
Joined
Jul 1, 2007
Messages
13,944
Location
Sunny Manc
Two episodes in, unsure at this point but will continue. The characters and casting just seem a bit stupid. Namely the glamorous model who’s supposed to be a genius scientist, and the other genius scientist who seems to be constantly womanising and getting high. The rest of the modern-day characters seem to have the vocabulary of a 14 year old.