https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KeDTIkkJffg
After a deadly virus wipes out most of the world’s population, the two surviving groups end up choosing pages – with 108-year-old prophet Mother Abigail (Hopi Goldberg) or the demon Randall Flag (Alexander Scorskard) – the leader of humanity in a supernatural war. In short, this is a summary of Stephen King Stand.
The author’s iconic novel is considered one of his best – it was updated several times by King and turned into an Emmy Award – winning mini – series by Mick Carris in 1994. Now, the new version of the story will hit CBS All Access in the form of a nine-episode mini-series on Thursday, December 17th.
The highly anticipated series, animated by Josh Boone, Benjamin Cavell and Taylor Elmore, features Goldberg, Scorskard, James Marston, Odessa Young, Joan Adebo, Amber Heard, Owen Deek, Henry Jack, Brad William Henke, Greg Kinnear, Not Wolf.
It’s been two and a half decades since I saw Mom Abigail face to face against the Dark Man – that certified new with a 71% score on the mini-series Tomatometer. Is this new adaptation of Stephen King’s novel better than its predecessors? Or will it end when it dies? Here’s what critics say about CBS All Access Stand.
How loyal is this to the book?
(Photo © CBS All Access)
“This adaptation – created by Josh Boone and Benjamin Cavell – takes a unique approach to storytelling in a straightforward way, introducing the audience less to the contagion, more to the story, the stories, the hearts and souls. It’s an action that should not sit well with some hard King fans, but It gives a new lease of life to the story, not from the plague, but from the people, which immediately sets the series on its best footsteps and immediately captivates the audience. ”- Nicole Drum, comicbook.com
“If you are familiar with the first mini-series, there are a lot of scenes that are very similar to the new remake, but there are many more. Readers of the novel will find this adaptation to do great justice to the massive characters. But you may not want all the changes.” – Alex Midi, Joe Blow’s Movie Network
“This new format appeals to its audience, especially those who do not have a consistent readership. It’s all about jumping around and attracting so much characteristic of the intrinsic knowledge of the raw material. Relationships are formed without much connective tissue, narrative pulses go well with a small dot, and notes are dropped at a brisk pace. , All of which will be a distracting experience for newcomers to the King’s Dominion. ”- Michael Roffman, The Effect of Sound
How are the actors?
(Photo by Robert Faulkner / CBS © 2020 CBS Interactive, Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
“Scorskard does for Randall the flag what his brother Bill Pennywise did. This Randall flag is the power of evil that Matthew McConaughe failed to provoke. The dark tower. This flag is more than a monster, but the real power of evil. Goldberg was born to play in Abigail Fremond, which brought me to tears during this series. ”- Alex Midi, Joe Blow’s Movie Network
“This version of the story enriches some of the main characters of the novel and even the previous live-action adaptation. For example, Frankie Goldsmith (played by Odessa Young) is cast in a very basic and realistic way, while Tom Cullen (Brad William Henke) is more humane than we have ever seen. Both Young and Henke help to provide solid performances that are less like the old characters and more easily identifiable than our own lives. ”- Nicole Drum, comicbook.com
“Actors often do not rise above the level of skill – or, to be more precise, descend below it. Notable exceptions are Brad William Henke (Orange fresh black) Can’t fall in love with his mentally ill character Tom Cullen; Alexander Scorskard (Real blood) Expressing evil feeling as the bad randal flag of the wicked; And Henry Jaga, pulling an almost impossible job in portraying Nick Andros, who he cannot hear or speak, cannot see. “- Glenn Corwin, Reason Online
“If there’s a unique place here, it’s Deek, who plays Harold as an insolent sociologist who can pass on as a normal, happy citizen. Phipps, TV Guide
Is the epic that built the world enough?
(Photo by James Minchin / CBS)
“Because things are moving so fast in the clip, it’s hard to understand that there is danger, and that feeling extends to much of the world building. Sometimes, it’s more of a claustrophobic experience than showing what’s going on in this world. Although some of these expressions are cleverly left to our own imagination, most of these comments Feeling we have ‘Run out of gas’ emotionally. ”- Michael Roffman, Sound Effect
The first two hours of the series, the premiere of “The End” and the second episode of “Pocket Redeemer” create an elegant tension: the transitions capture the penetration of the explosion; Every cough and sneeze signifies impending doom; The cosmetics department of the series should be commended for creating the most gross physical effect of “Captain Trips”. But after the chapters that make up that early world, Stand The physical and emotional impact of this disease, loss and death was not taken into account in its presentation or in the fascination with Flock’s dictatorial-hedonistic regime in his new Vegas Pachanalia. ”- Roxana Hadati, Variety
“The series’ generous budget convinces its post – apocalyptic America and its tense moments are frightening. Stabilizes or reshapes). ”- Keith Phipps, TV Guide
Now is the right time for another apocalyptic TV series?
(Photo Photo Cr: Robert Falconer / CBS © 2020 CBS Interactive, Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
“Whether the world needs another TV adaptation Stand (There was a 1994 edition with Gary Sinis and Molly Ringwald) A reasonable question, especially when the COVID-19 epidemic continues to rage around us. If this reminds us of the world around us, the answer is no. But when approached as an intriguing diversion, it works. “- Bill Gudigonds, Republic of Arizona
“The apocalypse is not the point – it is simply the background to an epic modern fantasy.” – Joshua Sergeant, San Francisco Chronicle
“In a year devastated by a very different virus, The Stand has a different significance because it closes the screen in a terrifying way similar to the story on the screen. This new edition is told over nine episodes, including all the new results written by Stephen King and his son Owen. Stand It’s a very embarrassing story to watch when the world is immersed in a real epidemic, but it still manages to be a true adaptation of King’s masterpiece with timely updates that work more or less. ”- Alex Midi, Joe Blow’s Movie Network
Any final thoughts?
(Photo by Robert Faulkner / CBS © 2020 CBS Interactive, Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
“This adaptation of one of Stephen King’s dense, extensive works never achieved the epic purpose clearly defined in the 1978 novel.” – Roxana Hadati, Variety
“It’s an exaggerated, sometimes very simple book, but the vision of a wonderful America, its energy for its majesty and moral clarity is always at war with its self – destructive impulses. Although many at the time missed it, there is a way to reveal the basic truth about where King is calling home. This adaptation is the best part of the channel. ”- Keith Phipps, TV Guide
“The shows are strong, the set pieces are cinematic, and, most importantly, King’s commitment to prose is more stony than a man’s heart.” – Michael Roffman, The Effect of Sound
Stand First look at CBS All Access on Thursday, December 17th.
On an Apple device? Follow the rotten tomatoes in the apple news.