MovieChat Forums > The Grid (2004) Discussion > We're 2/3rds of the way through the pilo...

We're 2/3rds of the way through the pilot

posted 20 years ago by goofusgoofusgoofus
4 replies | jump to latest

so far, this is an pretty good show. what's kinda funky about it, is from what i've seen, cnn [which is also owned by turner], wouldnt be a big fan of this show. so far, it really feels like it's pushed towards michael moore fans - and dont get me wrong, i am enjoying it so far. but i would have to admit a feeling of being marketed to. i have enjoyed the 24 series quite a bit. 24 is used to market this show as well. tom skerritt being in it is a bonus, but then again it isnt jack bauer. one thing i really noticed was i felt one thing missing from this show that is in its counterpart - a wiggly camera with a lot of quick zooms. the commercials have been quite good though; lots of 'captain picard' talking about tires - i figure they MUST be the tires of kaless, represented by the arbitor of succession of the house of mo'g...

overall, i am quite happy about the use of subtitles, references, and [so far] decent plot line starting to build. this definately looks like a series that could build a good chemistry between the characters.

problems:

1. seems like there's a lot of characters due to the typinh appearing at the beginning of the speech as soon as the character appears. this made me feel like - ok, i gotta remember who each and every one of these people are - i felt a bit of 'what if i forget?' that's kinda lame - movies dont do it...

2. i think this series [now of course i've only seen the first episode] could be quite good, but i think a bit more of a test of risk couldve been done - maybe just a bit more money on a pivotal; as i feel i am target market, i dont want tom skerritt. i'm 29 going on 30, and this new guy is a bit young and more pf a pratt.

3. the lack of wiggly camera [ some other way of doing things'd be good too - the wiggly camera isnt copyrighted guys! ]

4. too much music - the 'emoticon' music is a little too much for me - it is also too much in '24'. sometimes mood music works, but in emotional scenes, get rid of it - its like a loud frame on a quiet picture. let the scene compliment the window.

Positives:

1. HOORAY FOR THE USE OF SUBTITLES! Yes! Your viewers can read! Guess what? They spend money too! I'll buy this series on DVD if more fun stuff like this is used - of course stay away from the stinky CGI stuff, but so far so good!

2. silhoutte usage was pretty good in the pilot - angling for a spot is tantamount - was fun and creative.

3. realistic computer usage - so many shows will use unrealistic use of computers - so far, most of what ive seen has a decent amount of realism to it - good show!

4.

[–] Mister_Anderson 20 years ago

Responses

Your problems:

1. Agreed that it was a bit hard to follow, but it's not going to be a big deal if you forget most of them. The main ones are Dylan McDermott, Julianna, the Razza, Tom Skeritt, Bernard Hill, and that M16 woman. It's good to have a big cast with a lot of supporting actors because it makes it a bit more realistic. The government would not be run by two or three people.

2. Not sure what you mean here. Are you saying the budget is too low? I didn't see any indicators of a low budget, and Tom Skeritt is a pretty good actor. The effects (i.e. explosions) appeared movie-level quality.

3. I'm very happy there is no wiggly camera. Really, why would you want that?

4. I'm not a big fan of too much music, but I didn't notice it in "The Grid." However, if it starts to become a problem, I certainly will vent about it.

Your positives:

1. Agreed. I get so annoyed when movies or TV shows take place in another country, and yet use English-speaking actors using the accent of that country. It's like...what??...they would not talk English! Here, there is a good mixture of English and Arabic (with subtitles), which is probably how conversations really are in the "modernized Arab world" (i.e. Egypt).

2. Didn't notice.

3. Agreed. This is another pet peeve of mine. The computers in this one actually behaved like computers. Hopefully, this stays the same throughout the rest of the series.

[–] asphyxion_ 20 years ago

I'm going to agree with Mister Anderson

The only time I've liked the wiggly camera (it isn't called wiggly..it's called a fast action camera) is in The Shield (works friggin great here, The Shield really defines TV Cinematic quality) and 24.

I didn't have the pleasure of watching the whole thing of the pilot episode of TG, but from what I saw it was excellent. hope they show a rerun!

Never do drugs, have unprotected sex, commit to violence, or steal. Leave that to me.

[–] wulff76 20 years ago

"1. HOORAY FOR THE USE OF SUBTITLES! Yes! Your viewers can read! Guess what? They spend money too! I'll buy this series on DVD if more fun stuff like this is used - of course stay away from the stinky CGI stuff, but so far so good! "

I agree about the subtitles. I like the use of them instead of the phoniness of not using them. My only complaints is they don't leave them up on the screen long enough to read them, and it does get irritating when a character talks in arabic and switches to english in the same conversation if not same sentence. Your listening to them in english and all of a sudden they switch and by the time you focus on the subtitle, it's gone. That's my only complaints of the show.

If I want your OPINION - I'll give it to YA!! LOL

[–] TheSausageKingOfChicago 20 years ago

i wish they also wouldn't switch between arabic and english. i doubt people in other countries just switch like that for no reason. yes the american public can read! so please take advantage of that fact and not make the character who is from a country that doesn't speak english just bust out speaking english in a conversation.