Altered Carbon

:

Season 1
  • Network: Netflix
  • Series Premiere Date: Feb 2, 2018
Season #: 2, 1
User Score
8.0

Generally favorable reviews- based on 696 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 555 out of 696
  2. Mixed: 83 out of 696
  3. Negative: 58 out of 696
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  1. chesaro
    Feb 20, 2018
    7
    I didn't read the original work, but i think it has a good story with some bad acting, i'm from mexico, but i think this was too much for martha higareda or i don't know, maybe the director has some fault too, there are a lot of ups and downs, some episodes are really good some are not, you have some decent acting on key moments, and then there is an unnecessary nude just because with badI didn't read the original work, but i think it has a good story with some bad acting, i'm from mexico, but i think this was too much for martha higareda or i don't know, maybe the director has some fault too, there are a lot of ups and downs, some episodes are really good some are not, you have some decent acting on key moments, and then there is an unnecessary nude just because with bad acting on hand, if you like sci fi, its worth the try, if not, you can just ignore it.… Expand
  2. djryang
    Mar 1, 2018
    5
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Like many people I was anticipating this show. I have read the first novel, and did not have any unrealistic expectations about being faithful to the source material. As long as the general concepts and ideas remain I would be open minded to the necessary changes that may be needed in order to film. So that is one of the things about the show that they did do OK with in term of keeping the real themes and concepts intact. With that being said The Expanse does a much better job at using the source material without too much compromise.

    The overall look of the show is very nice and almost feature film like. Special effects are great. Eye candy all the time. I did find however that the blade runner looking sets with rain a grime almost an annoying cliche at this point in time, and a blatant rip off. Also the lighting was overkill and some of the flashing lights and strobe to be just distracting.

    Casting I think is the biggest flaw. Ortega is way too short and looks absolutely silly on camera next to Takeshi. Her performances are cringe worthy terrible acting. Swearing in Spanish? Ortega’s mother character is completely unnecessary and stupid. While I didn’t mind Kinnaman as Kovach he wasn’t great either, and at times so wooden it’s almost comical. All in all too many minor characters that you could care less about, and not enough character building of the main players. The motivation for a lot of things isn’t clear and dialog sometimes muddy.

    Perhaps because we had a good adaptation of Ghost in the Shell and an absolute masterpiece in Blade Runner 2049 it really makes it difficult for me to like Altered Carbon. The Expanse and Black Mirror are still the best Sci Fi shows on TV at the moment.    … Expand
  3. Ronin94
    Feb 10, 2018
    7
    Es una buena serie pero hay algunos fallos en la trama en los que pierden tensión por X o por Y, también cojea un poco la historia interior del personaje principal porque no sabes de qué trata hasta bien entrada la serie. Un final MEH si lo dejan así y un final medio bueno si la serie continua. Recomendable si te gustan las series de acción con ese toque cyberpunk.
  4. kensylvain
    Feb 19, 2018
    9
    Glad Netflix paid the money to get this produced. The special effects and numerous subtle touches helped you to be more fully immersed oin the story. As others have said, the Blade Runner like future approach was very well done and unique enough to give its own feel. This was a welcome addition to the binge library.
  5. bombdracula
    Mar 6, 2018
    10
    This is far and away one of the best recent sci-fi television shows (and shows period). Interesting premise with solid acting. I would be exceedingly disappointed if it didn't get a season 2 , during which I expect we further explore Kovac's background.
  6. Loper
    Feb 20, 2018
    10
    A top notch experience. I don't know if the critics actually watched the whole show or not, but if they did they would know it is one of the best sci-fi shows to come out in recent memory.

    Cool world. Interesting premise. Fantastic cast and stakes. The main character in particular is captivating from scene one. This is a world where the rich never die and effectively become gods. This    A top notch experience. I don't know if the critics actually watched the whole show or not, but if they did they would know it is one of the best sci-fi shows to come out in recent memory.

    Cool world. Interesting premise. Fantastic cast and stakes. The main character in particular is captivating from scene one. This is a world where the rich never die and effectively become gods. This moral dilemma is where the show truly shines. I can't find much I disliked about it. Do yourself a favor and check it out.    … Expand
  7. Connman8db
    Feb 26, 2018
    10
    This show was just plain awesome. First off, I would have given it a 9/10 but I was moved to give 10/10 because of the injustice of people who didn't even watch it giving it low scores. Altered Carbon has it all. The action is well choreographed and well shot. The sets and cgi are breathtaking and really make you feel like this future is real. The premise is unique enough to intrigueThis show was just plain awesome. First off, I would have given it a 9/10 but I was moved to give 10/10 because of the injustice of people who didn't even watch it giving it low scores. Altered Carbon has it all. The action is well choreographed and well shot. The sets and cgi are breathtaking and really make you feel like this future is real. The premise is unique enough to intrigue you but familiar enough not to confuse you. The plot is multi-layered and philosophical underneath the simplicity of the neo noir whodunit facade. The acting is good overall, though I find it was some of the ancillary characters who really stole the show. Is the show perfect? No. Is it 100% worth your time if you give it an honest shot? Absolutely.… Expand
  8. ultrasro
    Mar 29, 2018
    10
    The series manages to make us worry about the future of mankind. Though abounding in violent actions nothing is excessive or forced. It may be the best SF screening of 2018.
  9. Gagz
    Apr 30, 2018
    10
    The show seriously doesn't deserve this kind of treatment, not one of the best shows but seriously, it is very good. Don't really get the negative reviews, splendid cast with quality and variety, real emphasis on certain morals and religion, yeaa i know too much Virtual Reality now-a-days but it's based on a book penned down in year 2002 so according to the writer, the idea's not thatThe show seriously doesn't deserve this kind of treatment, not one of the best shows but seriously, it is very good. Don't really get the negative reviews, splendid cast with quality and variety, real emphasis on certain morals and religion, yeaa i know too much Virtual Reality now-a-days but it's based on a book penned down in year 2002 so according to the writer, the idea's not that taken. Seriously enjoyed Sci-fi movie-level animations and details on a TV show, not that common. Come on people, you gonna be like this and no more high-budgeted shows from Netflix.… Expand
  10. Gogglebox
    Jul 11, 2018
    8
    Overall very good if you like sci fi. Plot may be too complicated for some but I liked its deepening backstory. First episode was intriguing but second or third a bit iffy, but story got more interesting. Glad I kept watching. It could stand alone as a story but a second season would be welcome in our household of adults and older teens.
  11. Choldemace
    Feb 11, 2018
    9
    My radar had tuned into this program only about 2 months prior to release. I avoid spoilers but saw a short on set video Netflix sent out in a promo that really set the bar high for my expectations. Going into the first episode i was pretty stoked to watch this adaptation from a brilliant author. Half way though and i have to say it hasnt disappointed a fan of this genre at all!

    Great    My radar had tuned into this program only about 2 months prior to release. I avoid spoilers but saw a short on set video Netflix sent out in a promo that really set the bar high for my expectations. Going into the first episode i was pretty stoked to watch this adaptation from a brilliant author. Half way though and i have to say it hasnt disappointed a fan of this genre at all!

    Great production, sweet special effects, and plot that keeps you invested in this dystopian cyber-punk universe. What i like about this show is that it doesnt try to do too much, but when they do have a lengthy backstory, it seems to add to the story well (The writing really makes you like or dislike the characters). The environments are rich and bustling with cyber noir fare, which is awesome.

    Half way in and i am hard pressed to think of another cyber punk television series (that wasnt anthology), that was so fun and captivating. Super good show that I would recommend to any fan of the genre. Oh yeah, and just a heads up.....lots of nudity, which doesnt seem to devalue or take away from the mythos, but rather seems to tastefully add a smattering of smut that goes hand in hand with good cyber-punk anyway. ;)

    Dont go into this being overcritical or expecting anything on scale with the perfection of the original Bladerunner.....and this will leave you with a whole season of fun. Lets just hope that Netflix can keep turning out good scifi series. Now they have set the bar pretty darn high. Enjoy

    Update: Finished up the season 1 and my rating stands. I cant wait for next season!    … Expand
  12. jcprovince
    Feb 5, 2018
    3
    I really was looking forward to a good show here, but was quite disappointed. Creaky dialogue, badly miscast female detective (who I really had a hard time understanding most of the time) = me cringing most of the time. I'm sorry, I'd rather watch Blade Runner 2049 again.
  13. Hooflugpoo
    Feb 10, 2018
    2
    Do the people who own the rights to the all time greatest science fiction film "Blade Runner" realize that this cheap ass flick is evidence of copyright infringement? The entire set looks as if it's been copied. There's numerous events in the film that mirror those that occurred in Blade Runner story. Numerous editing bloopers - did anyone catch the part where Kovacs hands were misplacedDo the people who own the rights to the all time greatest science fiction film "Blade Runner" realize that this cheap ass flick is evidence of copyright infringement? The entire set looks as if it's been copied. There's numerous events in the film that mirror those that occurred in Blade Runner story. Numerous editing bloopers - did anyone catch the part where Kovacs hands were misplaced just before the bloody shootout scene began in the Raven hotel lobby? The writing is also horrible, Ortega doesn't want to be bothered with "the paperwork"? Everything is digital, so what "paperwork" is she referring to? I doubt a character 250 years from now would even know what that is. Also, why would an attorney have to carry around a brief case 250 years from now? The whole thing stinks and is poorly made in my humble opinion. Thumbs DOWN!… Expand
  14. DamnedThing
    Feb 5, 2018
    3
    Sorry, can't take this beyond 2 episodes. Life's too short and TV is too peak.

    It looks awful, like an 80s pop video with ideas above its station. Every scene is lit by whatever light source can have a coloured gel duct taped to it, and when all the colours are used up they'll throw some fake bokeh overlay on top in post. Everywhere looks the same, apparently there's only one interior    Sorry, can't take this beyond 2 episodes. Life's too short and TV is too peak.

    It looks awful, like an 80s pop video with ideas above its station. Every scene is lit by whatever light source can have a coloured gel duct taped to it, and when all the colours are used up they'll throw some fake bokeh overlay on top in post. Everywhere looks the same, apparently there's only one interior designer on the whole planet and nothing looks lived in. The Expanse looks far better, feels more real and has far better plot and character development - cost per episode for either are hard to find but Expanse seems to be $3m-$5m while Altered Carbon is a good chunk more at $6m-$8m.

    The editing is just abysmal, whoever is in charge needs to calm the hell down and let scenes breathe. Any time there are two people just talking we end up with twenteen different snap cuts and none are from the same damned angle: left, right, near, far, mid, mid-long, high, low, passing left, random boob shot, passing right, etc.

    The camera work is all over the place, it feels like it's shot by someone who doesn't know what they want to achieve and they've ended up going for coverage so that the editor can choose the best bits. Except the editor is off their meds: see above.

    The dialogue is the kind you zone out of and check Facebook updates to because no one believes in what they're saying enough to distract you from the real people you barely know taking dumb online personality tests which none of the characters in Altered Carbon would pass.

    Two episodes in and I know there's been a murder and the lead has checked into a hotel. Kinnaman has lost any screen presence he once had in the likes of the Killing, he's just a skinsack of bulging walnuts walking around being terrible at being moody, a lot like he was in House of Cards where he was totally miscast as a political up and comer; I suspect they told him that his character in that show would be flexing his political muscle, and Kinnaman bulked up for the role thinking he was playing a henchman. There's also a female cop who doesn't like him much, but she's a walking dead zone of empathy.

    There's nothing much here to relate to in terms of anyone being remotely likeable, so continuing to watch what happens falls between 'is there anything else on' and 'must do last years accounts'.

    Awful tosh.    … Expand
  15. Brannagyn
    Feb 5, 2018
    10
    Another great production by Netflix thats getting weak critical buzz yet solid audience appeal. Half the negative reviews here seem to be from people who either didn't watch it or gave it zero by mistake. Hopefully Netflix will follow up on both this and Bright. Seems like there might be an old Shadowrun or Cyperpunk 2020 fan among the Netflix execs. More in that vein won't go wrong.
  16. x3style
    Feb 5, 2018
    10
    Absolutely amazing, it captured the great exploratory/detective feel of The Expanse, but it goes further adding great variety and plot twists. The concepts are great and the whole idea of the series is fantastic. The uncensored nature of the series adds that absolute edge that series like Spartacus brought. It's not forced it comes naturally. The only downside is that it ends.
  17. norse
    Feb 19, 2018
    9
    I have been a fan of Morgan for decades and was afraid a TV adaption would not go well.

    I've been able to lay my fear to rest, after bingewatching the entire first and hopefully not last season, I can only applaud Netflix and the Showrunners for a job very well done. Casting and acting are outstanding, as are score and visuals. It's amazing how well the actors adapt to really    I have been a fan of Morgan for decades and was afraid a TV adaption would not go well.

    I've been able to lay my fear to rest, after bingewatching the entire first and hopefully not last season, I can only applaud Netflix and the Showrunners for a job very well done.

    Casting and acting are outstanding, as are score and visuals. It's amazing how well the actors adapt to really challenging roles and there are really only two creative choices I disagree with in the entire series: I would have spread out the backstory more instead of delivering the whole climax in episode 7 (although I totally get the why from the narrative standpoint), and the ending was a bit too heavy handed and melodramatic, those last two episode, as fabulous as they were, could have done with a bit more subtility.

    As is, I can't wait to see more and similar efforts; I am not sure how Netflix will be able to capitalize on the success of this first season, as by necessity, all actors for the next one would have to be replaced based on the way the universe is constructed, and I just can't see lightning strike twice like that - the first set of characters cast was incredible, that's a hard bar to beat.    … Expand
  18. roman_emperor
    Feb 16, 2018
    9
    I would ignore the critic on this one. This show is great. It has great production values. I loved the character, story, and pacing. Watch it for yourself and decide.
  19. shoulderoforion
    Feb 4, 2018
    9
    Altered Carbon was superb, I was locked in from the first episode to the last. This is cyberpunk done right. Hope there's a second season.
  20. fishu
    Feb 6, 2018
    10
    pure CP + violence. I was waiting for something like this a long time. If you like it when bad things happen to bad people you will like AC.
  21. viroodiem
    Feb 4, 2018
    9
    While somewhat derivative of an amalgam of other works, It produces a show that is engaging enough to keep your attention with the sum of its parts working together. For all of its comparisons to Blade Runner, that is a feat Blade Runner is not really capable of.
  22. rolemodel77
    Feb 5, 2018
    10
    I loved it. Great visuals, lots of action! Seems everybody is upset over the fact that it doesn't mirror the books. I never read the books and i find it great. Do you really want to watch a movie that is the exact same as the books?

    If you liked blade runner you will love this. I just hope season 2 doesn't get some ambitious director who feels he needs to one up the previous season    I loved it. Great visuals, lots of action! Seems everybody is upset over the fact that it doesn't mirror the books. I never read the books and i find it great. Do you really want to watch a movie that is the exact same as the books?

    If you liked blade runner you will love this. I just hope season 2 doesn't get some ambitious director who feels he needs to one up the previous season by making it more violent more explosions more transformer (move) style where the physics is thrown out the window.    … Expand
  23. disobedientlib
    Feb 20, 2018
    9
    While not perfect, this series was an excellent adaptation of one of the greatest sci-fi/cyberpunk books of all time. It brought the world to life in ways I didn't think were possible for TV shows. I also thought it's reinterpretation of the source material to better highlight a variety of kick-ass women taking center stage in difficult situations was inspired. Hope they adapt Richard K.While not perfect, this series was an excellent adaptation of one of the greatest sci-fi/cyberpunk books of all time. It brought the world to life in ways I didn't think were possible for TV shows. I also thought it's reinterpretation of the source material to better highlight a variety of kick-ass women taking center stage in difficult situations was inspired. Hope they adapt Richard K. Morgan's other two great novels in the Takeshi Kovacs series as well.… Expand
  24. Jes1310
    Feb 28, 2018
    5
    wow I am amazed to see the user score, which I thought would be a lot lower, more like a 5 or 6. I had very high hopes for this, but it just doesnt live up to my expectations nor the hype.
    There are so plotlines, that they never follow up on. Acting is below average, same can be said for the effects. Compared to last years epic masterpiece, that was Bladerunner 2049, this just seems to be    wow I am amazed to see the user score, which I thought would be a lot lower, more like a 5 or 6. I had very high hopes for this, but it just doesnt live up to my expectations nor the hype.
    There are so plotlines, that they never follow up on. Acting is below average, same can be said for the effects. Compared to last years epic masterpiece, that was Bladerunner 2049, this just seems to be a mediocre copy. Also AC uses all cliches of every scifi story/movie ever made. And whats with all the nudity, seems like the writers have seen to much GoT, the naked bodies doesnt add anything to the setting or anything else.    … Expand
  25. JTV
    Feb 8, 2018
    8
    An interesting Sci-f show with a element cyberpunk and noir in a way that the visuals would surprise you.
  26. GunnerMcDagget
    Feb 19, 2018
    10
    Absolutely loved it from start to finish. They created a perfectly messed up world, much like the world of Blade Runner but this one driven primarily by sexual desire and fetish rather than Capitalism. The story was intriguing and the finale was epic.
  27. mmxxtj
    Feb 17, 2018
    0
    Altered Carbon - Where to begin... Story begins with promise as the general premise is interesting but is almost instantly drug down by flat characters. More over as the story develops it turns out the “mystery” is exactly what all the flat characters assumed it was in episode 1. Really disappointed - it’s hard to follow a show whose characters you care so little about the entire wayAltered Carbon - Where to begin... Story begins with promise as the general premise is interesting but is almost instantly drug down by flat characters. More over as the story develops it turns out the “mystery” is exactly what all the flat characters assumed it was in episode 1. Really disappointed - it’s hard to follow a show whose characters you care so little about the entire way through (characters who make illogical decisions at ever possible turn to the point of you almost wish they’d go ahead and be killed off... but they can’t because that’s the premise... so who really cares about any of this storyline?).… Expand
  28. Chrisgui
    Feb 4, 2018
    10
    Amazing visuals. Great action. Faithful adaptation (especially in spirit) of one the best cyberpunk novels of the last 20 years. What more could you want?
  29. Ther0
    Feb 4, 2018
    9
    Such an excellent piece of cyberpunk. Beautifully acted and wrote. Kudos for Netflix for being up to the task of portraying Cyberpunk as it should.
  30. JimmyBaginski
    Feb 25, 2018
    3
    I managed an episode and a half before being justifiably confused and disorientated by the convoluted plot elements and overwrought world building. Visually, this comes across as both very expensive yet equally uninspired, evoking a 90's attempt at a Blade Runner aesthetic, only with the added improvements of cutting edge CGI to maximise the gawky. Its the film every sci-fi directorI managed an episode and a half before being justifiably confused and disorientated by the convoluted plot elements and overwrought world building. Visually, this comes across as both very expensive yet equally uninspired, evoking a 90's attempt at a Blade Runner aesthetic, only with the added improvements of cutting edge CGI to maximise the gawky. Its the film every sci-fi director would've made in the 90's if they had unlimited cash - only it's 10 episodes long. It's influences are obvious too. I know nothing about the source material or when it was written but this is Demolition Man, with the disinterred release of a previous criminal to help solve a crime, the Hispanic female sidekick (with a scar on her eyelid) and the jabs at political correctness (no smoking etc). Only, this is too overblown and confused about its own identity to be as punchy and welcomingly ridiculous as Demolition Man, with its humour and tongue firmly in cheek. Okay, maybe it's a nod to fans of the genre, but that won't save this alone. The other obvious influence is Blade Runner, of course, with all its existential angst and blurring of the corporeal realm and the artificial. That's fine. But, this employs a direction overly fixated on body parts, breasts, asses, dicks, flesh, to really feel any pathos for the characters. It's jarring. As a result, its full of emptiness and a kind of seasick pushing of sex and edginess that leaves me unsettled and categorically not entertained. This is a criticism of many tv shows in the modern era. The tv format is long and can be arduous if the material/characters aren't easy enough to spend a long time in the company of. A film, for me, would have been much better, and this typically noiresque storytelling isn't the kind of story that needs 10 hours to tell. Instead we get lots of irrelevent world building (as I've said) and the endless introduction of subtle features and detours to pad out the time. Yeah, amazing, hyper real, detailed environs and visual flares are great but it can also just feel like being sprayed down with LSD from a firehose when too much is fed to you. Lastly, what makes some films so timeless and beautiful is that we get a glimpse of a world long enough to understand the characters on screen. We can fill in the rest by inference through their emotions and a few striking visuals to feed from and create the rest in our heads. That's enough. This just falls flat despite all it's energy. I didn't understand all the subplots, whole sentences went over my head and many decisions by the characters seemed implausible or convenient. Anyway, the actors are very good, and the visuals are expertly rendered. If that's enough for you then fill your boots.… Expand
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Awards & Rankings

2
#2 Most Discussed TV Season of 2018
30
#30 Most Shared TV Season of 2018

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
64

Generally favorable reviews - based on 25 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 13 out of 25
  2. Mixed: 12 out of 25
  3. Negative: 0 out of 25
  1. The Detroit News
    Reviewed by: Adam Graham
    Mar 1, 2018
    50
    Big issues of body, mind, identity and technology shuffle around the Altered Carbon universe, but the show often drags its feet in order to fill its individual episodes’ running times.
    Read full review
  2. Vox.com
    Reviewed by: Emily VanDerWerff
    Feb 5, 2018
    80
    For a series that makes a lot of basic storytelling stumbles and often seems to feature characters who can only speak in exposition, Altered Carbon’s first season is surprisingly gripping, especially in its superior back half. This is probably the best first season of a Netflix drama since The Crown’s first year dropped in late 2016.
    Read full review
  3. The Atlantic
    Reviewed by: Sophie Gilbert
    Feb 5, 2018
    50
    Altered Carbon is so busy trying to wow viewers by constantly one-upping the imagery and the intensity that it barely pauses to consider its story. The writing is also distinctly clunky: a hodgepodge of vacant platitudes and canned spirituality.
    Read full review
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