Spartacus: Blood and Sand
Posted by Yutani on February 14 2010 15:00:59
'Rome' meets '300' in a new stunning series: 'Spartacus: Blood and Sand'. The subtitle, blood and sand, confused me a bit at first. Why not just call it 'Spartacus'? However, a few episodes into the series proved it to be a ideally suitable and descriptive suffix for this ominously gritty and epically violent tour of the Roman gladiator scene. I give it 8 out of 10 possible stars, with a definite potential to change that score, both up and down, as each new episode airs.
Extended News
'Spartacus: Blood and Sand' is a new series from Starz Media, a production company I admittedly have never heard of. 'Unheard of' will surely, however, not be used of the series in any other idiomatic sense than 'unprecedented'.
The series first two episodes held a rather inconclusive promise. Don't get me wrong, they were good: great acting, a very decent story and visually spectacular. Yet, somehow I wasn't sold. Remembering the start of 'Heroes', I failed to see if Spartacus would follow suit into a series, of albeit good craftsmanship, still struggling to define itself and the direction it wanted to take.
The next two episodes dispelled that doubt and I really start to see potential in this visual extravaganza aiming to become epic.
Andy Whitfield is a new name to me, but he is great as Spartacus, only outshined, perhaps, by John Hannah playing Batiatus, the owner of the select group of gladiators Spartacus finds himself in. Peter Mensah, whom you may remember as the Persian messenger in '300', does a terrific job as the gladiator trainer, maintaining control with the end of a quick, sharp whip, that stands in stark contrast to his sparsely rationed out sagacity.
The trailer promises magnificent violence, fast paced action with 300 style slow-motion sequences for effect, lots of blood and sand and sex.
I described it as 'Rome' meets '300' in the introduction. Visually it reminds me of '300', but the protagonist is not an ubiquitously screaming fighting machine as King Leonidas. I think he has more debt - subtle flaws, a spirit that flickers at times. There is still an endless display of ribbed torsos on display, even taking it a step further to full frontal male nudity. Although, it does so with an even mix of female nudity as well. Steering away from the horrid and endless distraction I found in 'Watchmen' - perhaps that's just me - of a limp blue phallus making every other scene, where an otherwise awesome character appeared, a confusing blend of cold blue alien impotence and detached blasé.
The comparison to 'Rome' is more of a wish than the more banal fact that the series is set in a certain place and period. The hope I have is that the series will introduce a touch of political intrigue to the story. The setting seems ideally suited for it: power struggle, deception, character development. If the coming episodes will not prove my hopes idle, I am sure this series might make a higher grade.
As it stands I'll give it a 8 out of 10, with warm recommendations for anyone who is looking for a new series to follow.