Any die-hard beer swigging, UFC watching, "300" special edition owner, that loves swords, blood, action, fighting, boobs, booty, etc.. will eventually come to love this show.
The pilot was just an introductory, and although it may not be worthy of a 10, I think it has only been reviewed by women who I can understand may not love this series, or people who generally don't like this type of movie. Really, I don't know what's the point of watching something if you can't stand that genre, but anyway, that's me.
An honest review I would give the pilot series a 6. It's basically introducing the main characters. The acting is okay, not as good as "Rome" which had really great acting, and 2 of my favorite up and coming actors. But Rome had some very slow moments as well, which some have complained about this first episode of "Spartacus". But from scenes I've saw of future episodes the fighting is going to be much more exciting (theatrical) than the fight scenes in "Rome", which actually were very realistic (no Hollywood fancy 2 people kill 500 enemies), and gritty. That is all well and good, the realistic fights, but really the scenes from "300" of the Spartans destroying piles of enemies all the while pulling off these fancy sword play moves makes for more visually exciting fights, and brings about a lot more drama in the fight. I find that reviewing a film, maybe it doesn't have a great dramatic story as in the plot, but if it's a full out action movie the drama is usually in the actual combat.
So, in conclusion I have high hopes for the future of this series. I may have gave it a much higher score than I felt the opening episode deserved, but I felt the need to counter the low reviews that have thus far been posted. It is well worth watching, as the action intensifies in the following weeks and the sex which is going to be a huge appeal for most men (it is very near softcore porn, but with a realistic feel to it). As a matter of fact the sex scenes that I have saw are much more believable and sexy than most XXX movies, so there ya go, your price of admission right there. I think the actors will improve, and the characters will have some development, more so than you'd get from this type of movie that is compressed into a 90 to 140 minute time frame. It will seem slow at first, and pick up in intensity. Be patient.
Small note and edit of my original review. "moselekm", another reviewer took my opening sentence out of context, then added some drivel about being children who watch WWE, etc.. This series IS NOT for children. No one under 16 really has any business watching this show especially for the sex and violence. Most 16 year olds etc.. can handle this or in this day and time have been subjected to much worse. As to the few jabs that moselekm took about us adults that did enjoy this, children are the ones that rush to insult, but it's definitely not indigenous to kid-world, adults can act like children in many unflattering ways, and can act like children in ways that are actually pretty complimentary. But I think that watching an approved television program and liking it is not a character flaw of it's own, but insulting other's for a different view point, especially on matters that are of no consequence, that is the person that wears the red ringed socks, etc..etc.. This show may be low-brow, senseless violence, sex, etc.., but how many movies programs really have meaning, other than to kill time in between a gap in work and family duty. This is not a show for a family, that's for sure, your children under 16 to 17 shouldn't be allowed to watch it, and your wife probably isn't going to love it. Well, maybe if she enjoys WWE of course. LMAO. Decent show, very overanalyzed thus far. You're gonna like it or loath it, adult or otherwise.
The pilot was just an introductory, and although it may not be worthy of a 10, I think it has only been reviewed by women who I can understand may not love this series, or people who generally don't like this type of movie. Really, I don't know what's the point of watching something if you can't stand that genre, but anyway, that's me.
An honest review I would give the pilot series a 6. It's basically introducing the main characters. The acting is okay, not as good as "Rome" which had really great acting, and 2 of my favorite up and coming actors. But Rome had some very slow moments as well, which some have complained about this first episode of "Spartacus". But from scenes I've saw of future episodes the fighting is going to be much more exciting (theatrical) than the fight scenes in "Rome", which actually were very realistic (no Hollywood fancy 2 people kill 500 enemies), and gritty. That is all well and good, the realistic fights, but really the scenes from "300" of the Spartans destroying piles of enemies all the while pulling off these fancy sword play moves makes for more visually exciting fights, and brings about a lot more drama in the fight. I find that reviewing a film, maybe it doesn't have a great dramatic story as in the plot, but if it's a full out action movie the drama is usually in the actual combat.
So, in conclusion I have high hopes for the future of this series. I may have gave it a much higher score than I felt the opening episode deserved, but I felt the need to counter the low reviews that have thus far been posted. It is well worth watching, as the action intensifies in the following weeks and the sex which is going to be a huge appeal for most men (it is very near softcore porn, but with a realistic feel to it). As a matter of fact the sex scenes that I have saw are much more believable and sexy than most XXX movies, so there ya go, your price of admission right there. I think the actors will improve, and the characters will have some development, more so than you'd get from this type of movie that is compressed into a 90 to 140 minute time frame. It will seem slow at first, and pick up in intensity. Be patient.
Small note and edit of my original review. "moselekm", another reviewer took my opening sentence out of context, then added some drivel about being children who watch WWE, etc.. This series IS NOT for children. No one under 16 really has any business watching this show especially for the sex and violence. Most 16 year olds etc.. can handle this or in this day and time have been subjected to much worse. As to the few jabs that moselekm took about us adults that did enjoy this, children are the ones that rush to insult, but it's definitely not indigenous to kid-world, adults can act like children in many unflattering ways, and can act like children in ways that are actually pretty complimentary. But I think that watching an approved television program and liking it is not a character flaw of it's own, but insulting other's for a different view point, especially on matters that are of no consequence, that is the person that wears the red ringed socks, etc..etc.. This show may be low-brow, senseless violence, sex, etc.., but how many movies programs really have meaning, other than to kill time in between a gap in work and family duty. This is not a show for a family, that's for sure, your children under 16 to 17 shouldn't be allowed to watch it, and your wife probably isn't going to love it. Well, maybe if she enjoys WWE of course. LMAO. Decent show, very overanalyzed thus far. You're gonna like it or loath it, adult or otherwise.