Customer Reviews

V: The Complete First Season

5 star:		(41)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(7)

 

 

In about 99% of science fiction, aliens come to earth in two ways: charging in to invade, or they come in peace... so they can invade quietly. The second kind are the main problem in "V: The Complete First Season," a remake of the 1980s series/miniseries about mysterious alien Visitors who come to Earth with some nasty ulterior motives. While this remake suffers from some "Lost syndrome," it's a sleek, complex story with an intriguing cast of characters.

City-sized alien ships have appeared over twenty-nine cities worldwide, and the aliens' leader "Anna" (Morena Baccarin) declares that, "We are of peace." The Visitors offer their advanced technology to better the world, and cause massive changes -- social, religious, medical, and so on.

While hunting a terrorist cell FBI agent Erica Evans (Elizabeth Mitchell) stumbles across an anti-Visitor resistance -- and the shocking discovery that not only are the visitors reptilian creatures in humanoid skins, but some Visitors are hiding among us. She and the skeptical priest Father Jack (Joel Gretsch) begin forming their own little resistance cell, along with the V-in-hiding Ryan Nicholas (Morris Chestnut) who is trying to reactivate an alien rebellion known as the Fifth Column. At the same time, news anchor Chad Decker (Scott Wolf) finds himself the media ambassador of the V's, caught between ambition and his growing doubts.

But the resistance has more than Anna's cruel, duplicitous nature to deal with -- Erica's gullible son Tyler (Logan Huffman) has become a "peace ambassador" for the V's and is falling in love with Anna's daughter Lisa (Laura Vandervoort). Ryan's girlfriend is pregnant with a hybrid baby. One of their number is captured by the V's and brutally tortured, even as Anna hatches terrifying new plots to wipe the Fifth Column from existence...

"V: The Complete First Season" is very different from the 1980s version -- there are sweeping changes to the story, characters, the political commentary and the aliens' manipulation ("Gratitude can morph into worship. Or worse... devotion!"). The only problem with this season is that it suffers from "Lost syndrome" at times, where it feels like the plot is moving WAAAAAAYYYY too slowly.

But the writing is good -- it's full of suspense and some amazing plot twists (just see what Anna's unleashing on the Fifth Column). The characters are painstakingly sketched out and developed, along with strong dialogue ("Human decency's a privilege, father. He's lost his. And, when we prove to you that he's lying, you're gonna lose yours, too") and some very powerful emotional moments (a Fifth Column doctor is forced to murder his own friend).

And yeah, there's some creepy stuff too, such as when Erica gets her shocking first glimpse of a V face. Not so much rodent-eating, though.

And the story revolves around two strong actresses -- Mitchell has a powerful, wiry presence with plenty of hidden sorrow/strength, and Baccarin is wonderfully creepy as the ruthless, cunning Anna. Chestnut is simply brilliant as a good-hearted V who cherishes freedom and his human lover, and Gretsch is also excellent as a priest torn between his priestly duty and the need to stop the V's. The problem: Huffman doesn't have the chops to make Tyler anything but a whiny little pain, and Vandervoort feels like a token love interest for Tyler.

It has some freshman flaws, but "V: The Complete First Season" is a promising start for one of the few sci-fi shows on network TV -- powerful acting, solid scripts, and some nicely creepy aliens.

I didn't know what to expect when I watched the first episode of V, but I ended liking it so much. Now it has become my second favorite show to Lost. The show has talented actors, interesting story, and great special effects. The show was on for four episodes until it took a long break, then came back even better than before. The show is fast paced with so many twists and turns, you don't know what to expect. Definitely buy V: The Complete First Season, you will not be disappointed. I hope it gets picked up for a second season.

V is one of the best new shows on television - the best in my opinion. It pays homage to the original 1980 miniseries, but it uses modern themes to appeal to today's audience. The characters (well, some of them) are very likable, especially the V's cold (and yet ooh so hot) leader Anna, played by Morena Baccarin, and the resistance group with a mix of FBI Agent Erica, played by the ever-watchable Elizabeth Mitchell, a Priest, a V-turned-human, and a Machiavellian take-no-prisoners mercenary. A lot of people watch for the sci-fi premise, which seems very well done (although I don't have too much experience). The main reasons I watch are actually the characters and the suspense. We know that the V's are here to exploit us, and they're being nice to us so we know they need us for something... but we don't know what yet.

Like every other show out there, V does have some inconsistencies in the plot, and you have to suspend disbelief a little more than you'd like. But overall, it's an awesome entertaining show that hooked me from the start. I hope ABC has the foresight to renew it for a second season, but either way, I can't wait to get my DVDs!

Shady aliens once more among us. When comparing this remake to the original, it's not the old ongoing television series in 1984 that comes to mind but its predecessors, the two mini-series that aired in 1983 and 1984 (V and V: THE FINAL BATTLE). Both those mini-series were thrilling and epic, fraught with suspense and so thought provoking. Part of the success was due to the constraints of the limited series format; the story had to move fast, make its points quick, no effing around. With this 2009 adaptation - and an ongoing series, at that - the pace tends to be leisurely; it plods, frankly. I do like this show but I admit to, at times, having gotten impatient.

The pilot episode opens by asking questions such as "Where were you when JFK was assassinated?" and "Where were you on 9/11?" The intent is to hint at the momentousness of the event which transpires minutes into the pilot. But, also, these questions may lead you to pondering conspiracies. And now factor in the current crippling economic condition? The benevolent Visitors picked the best time to announce their presence, their twenty-nine gargantuan alien mother ships hovering over major cities across the globe. These Visitors from another planet claim that they "are of peace, always." That theirs is merely a sojourn, a temporary stay. And that they possess technological advances they wish to share with humanity, along with their friendship.

As the Visitors seek to cement diplomatic ties with key governments across the world, Earthlings are invited to tour the mother ships, to take in the marvels exhibited within. For humans seeking respite from troubled times, the Visitors are viewed as saviors and miracle workers. It's not too long before humans are recruited as Peace Ambassadors and Visitor churches are contemplated. But, down among the dirt, deep in the shadows, there are those who harbor nagging doubts. They are the human resistance. For humanity, that's a good thing. Because there are aliens posing as humans, and sinister schemes lurking behind the Visitors' many gestures of kindness. There is a cook book.

(You did see that Twilight Zone episode, right?)

Think what you will of Marc Singer, he was on point as the original V's dashing hero. This modern incarnation doesn't feature an Indiana Jones type like Singer, and that's to its detriment. I don't see anyone here as sympathetic or likable as Robert Englund's vulnerable alien Willie. Charles Mesure doesn't have Michael Ironside's presence. But Morena Baccarin is this show's great get. She improves on Jane Badler (who, given, was a hottie in the original V). To cover all bases, though, Jane Badler comes on the new V in Season 2 (as Anna's mother, Diana).

As Anna, the charismatic, press-savvy Visitor High Commander, Morena Baccarin is mesmerizing, and I couldn't resist her wiles. But, then again, I've loved Baccarin since her stint in FIREFLY. Anna is one of the show's focal points, and her Machiavellian character is the most crucial element in the show. The other main lead is Elizabeth Mitchell (from LOST) whose FBI agent/anxious mom character heads up the human resistance. Scott Wolf as the news anchor who becomes Anna's media voice rounds out what's interesting in this cast. The rest of the supporting cast are blah.

The special effects are flawless. The predominant themes of media manipulation, closet fascism, and the gradual erosion of values that result from compromise are old hat. We all knew going in that some humans will choose to collaborate with the Visitors. Some will defy them. I realize that the show is in the midst of world-building, trying to establish its own mythology. But it really could've done with more action sequences and maybe more timely reveals. And more inventiveness. Even worse, the episodes frequently dragged. So it comes down to this: Is the sci-fi alien-among-us premise enough of a hook? Despite the sluggishness, were you entertained anyway? Were you intrigued enough that even that long hiatus in between new episodes kept your patronage? It did, me. Barely. But I wonder how much of that is because I loved the original so much. Season 2 had better pick up tremendously.

V - THE COMPLETE FIRST SEASON, with its 12 episodes, comes in three discs, with the following bonus material: "The Actor's Journey from Human to V" lets you go behind the scenes with cast & crew interviews (00:16:54 minutes); "Breaking Story: The World of V" is an overview of Season 1 (00:16:36 minutes); "An Alien in Human Skin: The Makeup FX of V" is self-explanatory (00:11:52); as is "VFX: The Visual FX of V" (00:15:07); 6 Deleted Scenes; and audio commentary on the episode "Fruition" by Executive Producers Steve Pearlman & Scott Rosenbaum.

In an instant, Earth is surrounded by ships from another world. The aliens, called "Visitors", claim to be a peaceful race. But FBI Agent Erica Evans soon discovers that their human appearance is just a façade. The Visitors are lizard-like species, with far more advanced technology and healing abilities. And Erica learns that they are lying about their purpose as well. Erica, along with a group of other Visitor-skeptics and even a Visitor traitor, band together to discover what the Visitors want and stop them at any cost.

This remake of the popular 1983 miniseries of the same name borrow liberally from the predecessors plot and initial feel. But this new series delves more into the characters and human emotions. And the V-traitor aspect, as Visitors begin experiencing human emotions, is truly inspired.

The each episode is fast-paced, full of hear-pounding suspense and shocking surprises. And this would hook me alone. But the colorful characters and fantastic acting, along with such intense plotting, quickly made this my favorite show on television. Shows like this make me proud to be a scifi fan. V is smart, shocking, dramatic, creative, and action-packed, with never a dull moment. I'm ecstatic to have this show now on DVD.

From what I've seen, the series is utterly spell-binding and smashing - Anna is a good baddie! Let us hope that series 2 is just as gripping. I should also think that Kenneth Johnson is a proud man, knowing that ABC have turned his original masterpiece into a masterpiece.

The totally negative views regarding the series are to be considered mute. Perhaps they should stick to their own and preferred shows, rather than attack pioneers who are doing their very best to please people with a fresh perspective; knowing that the fans of the original do not wish to be disappointed or view a carbon copy of it.

Keep up the good work, ABC and good luck with Season 2.

I myself have never watched the original (simple due to myself not being born until 10 years after it was over,) but I can say I am a big fan of Abc's "V". What really draws you in is the amount of depth the characters have, (my favorite being Lisa, simply because she's not what you would expect her to be.) You really feel for the characters in a sense that I have rarely experienced with other shows.

Another thing I love about the show is the twists and turns. It isn't "scary," more suspenseful. There are many plot twists that really make you applaud the writers.

Other reviewers have complained that ABC "V" is to different from the old "V". Really? I don't really believe that ABC was intending it to be the same, after all what would be the point of watching something that was exactly the same as something else? It's a re-imagining, not a complete remake with better effects.

Another complaint about "V" is about the gap between the episodes for several months due to the Olympics. My response to that is, what where they supposed to do?

In my opinion, V is a very entertaining show that will almost certainly draw you in. The depth of the characters, and the story twists and turns are all in my opinion top notch. 5 stars.

I watched the original V series with Marc Singer back in the 80's when I was a kid and really liked it, though having watched it again recently it is pretty hokey and badly done. The remake (in my opinon) has been a refreshing update/revival of the original. Admittedly, there are a couple of people in the new series who have done a very poor acting job, but most of the cast have carried their own well.

One reviewer recently stated how poor the series is compared to many of HBO's original programming. He is correct! However, comparing the budget and access to good actors that regular network television has to that of a well funded, highly acclaimed cable network is akin to comparing apples to oranges. Network television rarely has quality programming anymore. When put into that context its a bit easier to cut the show some slack - lol!

While it is extremely rare to catch me watching network tv, if one is a Sci-Fi fan and has so little to choose from (the sy-fy *formally Sci-Fi* channel is horrible!) then the new V series is as good as it gets. ;)

I was a V fan from the first series as a child watching on Friday nights and they ABC was gracious enough to produce a current version. I was not sure how it was going to turn out because I don't like a lot of remakes but they did an excellent job. The characters and money they put into the production was awesome. I was so blown when the first season went off and they didn't follow it up with a second season. When my friend called me and told me the showed the previews for season 2, I was so excited. The characters they picked are perfect with Morris Chestnut as one of the leads and Elizabeth Mitchell as the detective is great and Morena Baccarin as the leader of the V's could not have been better. The second season will be crazy with the leader of the V's mom coming down and Morena showing human emotion at the end over her soldiers being destroyed is great. I can't waitt happens. GO V!!!!!

I am a movie buff and a film maker. I am known to be very critical. I enjoy good science fiction at times and I love this series. I like the story, the actors and can't wait for the next season.