Producer Steven Spielberg says that he was initially drawn to this summer’s hit series Falling Skies by its focus on the American spirit.
“I’ve always been interested in how we survive and how resourceful we are as Americans,” he tells TV Guide. “The idea that an esteemed professor of literature and American history becomes one of the leaders of these pods of defenders would be a very compelling way for the audience to see themselves, I thought.”
The director added that series star Wyle had “come into his own brilliantly” in the lead role of Mason.
“I know Noah because my company produced ER,” he explained. “I tried to get him for Private Ryan, but his schedule didn’t permit that. I’ve been determined to work with Noah and when the idea of this came into my brain, [he] was my first choice.”
Spielberg also admitted that he enjoys working in television, noting how the medium allows him to “explore character”.
“There’s a distinct advantage of a television series over a motion picture in that the network gives you many hours to explore character, to get into these people and have them become a part of your weekly lives,” he suggested.
I’ve watched the 3 episodes so far and I’m NOT liking it.
It’s a kind of V vibe to it where the characters do dumb things, the story focuses on the wrong things and I just don’t like any of the characters.
Do they have to:
(a) Steal plot ideas from Battlestar (e.g. a wall with photos on it)
(b) Have the same plot in each episode (the group needs something, they go out, something goes wrong and someone is captured, a rescue mission is put into place)
(c) Focus on the family stuff – this is the main problem for me. It would of worked in a 70’s scifi show, but when high quality stuff is coming out of other shows do we really need to fall back on the “children being taught” or the “teenager going through angst” or the “child getting a skateboard for his birthday and having only 10 mins to use it before moving out” scenes???
David. Its called emotional bonding. And Spielberg is the master of it.
A. BSG stole the idea of a wall with photographs from all human tragedy. People have done this since photography was invented. Did you see the wall of faces at ground zero after the towers fell? I was there and it was gut wrenching.
B. Yeah. A very common plot device used in every single war story tv show and movie that ever existed. Lets stop using them because that makes sense. Hey. I have an idea. Lets stop making love stories involving “boy meets girl. boy falls in love with girl. boy cheats on girl and breaks her heart. boy does everything possible to make it up to girl. girls an idiot and takes boy back”. I just listed the plot of 1/2 of the dvd’s in everyone’s collection.
C. Yeah. Because all that humanity and fluffy emotional stuff makes you feel bad. How else are you supposed to develop feelings for the characters?
Emotional bonding doesn’t work with characters you don’t like.
I agree. Very weak acting, poor special affects and story lines that have nothing new or unique at all. The story lines and themes have been taken from every other post apocalyptic movie and tv series that has come before. While watching the initial double episode, I could physically feel my life being drained away. It is actually upsetting me that I will never get those 2 hours of my life back.
That bit about the kid on the skateboard made be physically ill. I get it that they are trying to show the human capacity to live and find small glimpses of happiness in amongst such grim times, but really, it was cringe worthy. As the other comment said, viewers are looking for gritty, fast paced action. Dont try to mix family drama into a show also filled with death and destruction. Parents wont allow young kids watch it for the family drama and adults tuning in for action (BSG or Game of thrones quality) will be put off. It is a case of trying to have it both ways and ending up failing at both
So far I’ve found it to be middle of the road…perhaps with time and some tweaking it can be improved…for me the problem is that I don’t desire to find out the answers to all the questions…I just don’t seem to care about why they are taking the children…why the machines are two legged and not like the skitters…why they are collecting scrap metal…what’s their ultimate goal…etc…not like Teen Wolf…which I have become obsessed with. With that show I’m dying to know the answers.
I do think that the acting by Wylie and a few others is top notch though…just wish the story was more engaging.