MovieChat Forums > Citadel (2023) Discussion > Weak script again

Weak script again

posted a year ago by fc31 (4669)
11 replies | jump to latest

Is there a writer's guild strike against streaming platforms I don't know about?

This is clearly a movie quality production with decent actors, but the writing is still a bit weak for a $300 million dollar show. Though its writing is not as bad as "The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power", and in term of spy TV shows this is definitely not the worst.

The premise of the show is very similar to "Archer", spy agencies without governments, of course without all the wackiness and comedy. But there are still a lot of wacky tech in it, like the usual unbreakable case, memory serum, chip in brain agents and remote memory wipe, etc.

In the opening scene why would Mason call the other guy from behind and paused until the other guy is ready before attacking him? In any serious spy show he would have attacked from behind without warning. And it wasn't even a quick and easy fight.

And the British ambassador can just threaten US secretary of state to plant explosives on his daughter's flight, or kidnap his wife and bury her in the garden? Then British operatives just walk in a CIA black site and take the heavily guard case without even anyone intervening?

Though it looks like the Great Britain is portrayed as the global power instead of US in this show, could be alternative reality stuff. In that reality however Jason Bourne movies still exist.

[–] M1sterDoct0r (3973) a year ago

That's the thing about these streaming shows/movies, they spend most if not all their budget on the stars/directors.

And make it a "global adventure" and shit. The writing isn't even a priority, apparently. It's the celebrities.

And it works. Look at how many mediocre offerings end up being in the top 10 or is the most watched thing on a particular streaming service.

[–] Corbell (8924) a year ago

I LIKE that it is the UK instead of standard evil CIA operatives. Been a while. Would have been even better if it was even more genetic Europeans, like the Swiss, or even SWITZERLAND.

Teh writing did have weak points. Kind of heavy handed in some regards, akward in others.

But, better in other spots.

The macgffin of "nuclear codes" is pretty... weak. I hope they have a good explanation for that. Best would be if they want it for something... completely NOT starting a nuclear war....

Like hiding the facts that the bombs had not been built for years, that hte money was just pocketed and hidden behind "TOP SECRET", or SOMETHING newish.

[–] fc31 (4669) a year ago

I think the "nuclear codes" part is really just one symptom of lazy writing. Why would an organisation to do good having them in the first place? To destroy humanity for good? And codes just don't change for 8 years? Also having them is just one piece of puzzle before nuclear weapons could be launched, it is not like you can just hack the launch site and enter those codes remotely because like you said most of nukes were built way before internet, they are very old tech.

[–] Corbell (8924) a year ago

PLEASE tell me the bad guy's plot is NOT nuclear blackmail!! I mean, that's EARLY Bond villian shit. I mean I love Bond, but, Bond gets a pass because it's really freaking old.

Writing something NEW, and using a plot device that was old in the 70s?! COME ON.

[–] fc31 (4669) a year ago

I think the show is a mesh of a number of spy shows, so far there is nothing really that original.

The memory lost agents are straight out of Jason Bourne. The body memory bit reminds me of The Long Kiss Goodnight. Hand-cuffed female agent action scene is somewhat similar to Black Window of Avengers. I wouldn't be surprised something similar to the plots of Bond franchise is mixed into it.

[–] Corbell (8924) a year ago

Being original is hard. I get that...

I watched the first two episodes, I open to watchign the next one.

[–] fc31 (4669) a year ago

Me too. It is nothing groundbreaking, but not terrible, Priyanka Chopra is pretty easy on the eyes.

[–] Rorikon (16542) a year ago

Ane de Arma and Priyanka need to do a lesbo scene together. :3

[–] Rorikon (16542) a year ago

https://www.cbc.ca/news/entertainment/hollywood-writers-strike-1.6829085

[–] fc31 (4669) a year ago

As good an explanation as any.

[–] TandyMan (10478) 10 months ago

I'm trying to enjoy the show but the dialog is especially atrocious. Watching all these grown adults talk like CW characters. Except they throw in a bunch of profanity to make it mature. It's a joke. Feels like a first draft script that never got handed off to be polished.