The Sandman (2022-2025)

My biggest criticism of the series is that it is way too woke. And that after 30 years the scripts are tearing down Neil Gaiman. Gay enough that's for sure, most people are still straight these days but I don't think there is one to be found here. Transgenders can also be seen there. LGBTQ all ok, but we shouldn't exaggerate. Would like a good balance. Here it seems that every man is gay. Also Lucifer and Constantine are normally men, now suddenly women. It's all a bit too loud and it shouldn't be.

Then to the story. It seems more like an anthology series although there is always a thread running through the different episodes. Kain and Abel, Lucifer, Death, David Thewlis who is well again actually gets 2 episodes that focus on him, then the man who gets eternal life and then it is about Rose Walker and her family. The series is therefore nowhere wow, rather average and so you have to know for yourself whether you watch it or not.

Translated from Dutch · View original

Despite a few lesser episodes, this mix of genres is mostly worth checking out. The main character is intriguing enough to carry the series and luckily it never gets too fantasy-like. The tone is well hit and visually it all looks very neat. It's a pity that the main plot line (about the Vortex) comes off a bit thin compared to the flashbacks and certain side jumps.

Translated from Dutch · View original

I've never seen a series so much concerned with woke culture. First 3 episodes were fun, but that quickly faded into a world of woke characters that have no additions whatsoever. This series had potential, but from episode 7 it really stopped. Where is the world going.

Translated from Dutch · View original

Kitch without major tensions. Lots of special effects, but it all looks exaggerated, kitschy and sometimes it doesn't even convince.

I also notice that this series doesn't really have a tension that extends over the entire season. In each episode the main character faces a problem or challenge and instead of that problem deepening per episode, the problem is actually solved every episode after which the next problem is presented for the next episode. This shouldn't be a problem if the episodes are episodic (and some of my favorite series are episodic), but this series isn't. In short, it's just not all. in terms of plot. Furthermore, a number of bland cultural references, such as Cain and Abel and Musen and what else. It's all part of our folklore, so it doesn't feel surprising and it's not worked out in depth anywhere.

The acting of the lead actor is also quite dramatic. Monotonous, without any emotion. He certainly has his character, but even if that were not the case, then the protagonist comes across as a robot rather than an ever-living character, who is above emotions because of his experience. The addition of Stephen Fry was nice, by the way.

In summary, this series is clearly not for me. 1*.

Translated from Dutch · View original