Around the World in 80 Days

The pace was glacially slow.

Look, it’s reasonably good fun. But – and I hate to say this – if Netflix and Amazon had made it, and thrown a shedload of money at it, they’d probably have done a better job. It’s a story that would benefit from a more lavish treatment.

Masterpiece’s adaptation of the Verne classic adds almost nothing significant to the story of Phileas Fogg and his companions. It remains firmly within the limits set by the novel in 1872, turning a journey around the world from an adventure into unknown lands to a stroll along a well-trodden footpath. It is an expansion that does not exceed the constraints of the original tale and perhaps even flounders under the weight of attempting to tell every aspect of Verne’s story and then some.

It’s ultimately a middling, entirely unnecessary new take on Verne’s classic adventure novel, and its main cast seems aware they’re starring in what amounts to an afterschool special.

It’s a story with a ticking clock literally in the title and yet this adaptation is largely devoid of adventure or fun and doesn’t work nearly well enough as serious drama to compensate. ... What kept me going primarily was Tennant’s interpretation of Fogg as a mournful man characterized by his abiding sadness.

Once the adventure got going, it just wasn’t quite as fun as it ought to be. ... For what should be a rollicking good time, this trip felt much longer than 80 days long.