Houdini

:

Season 1
Metascore
51

Mixed or average reviews - based on 16 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 4 out of 16
  2. Mixed: 10 out of 16
  3. Negative: 2 out of 16
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Critic Reviews

  1. Newsday
    Reviewed by: Diane Werts
    Sep 2, 2014
    33
    Narration clunkily tries to fill the narrative void. But it's blandly delivered.
  2. Variety
    Reviewed by: Brian Lowry
    Aug 28, 2014
    30
    This is dour, grim and labors to get through a second act that clocks in a half-hour shorter than part one.

User Reviews

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User Score
7.2

Generally favorable reviews- based on 31 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 19 out of 31
  2. Mixed: 11 out of 31
  3. Negative: 1 out of 31
  1. iheartmoviess
    Sep 1, 2014
    5
    Oscar winner Adrien Brody does his best with this dreary look at who and what motivated illusionist Harry Houdini, but that isn't enough toOscar winner Adrien Brody does his best with this dreary look at who and what motivated illusionist Harry Houdini, but that isn't enough to propel the mini serie's mediocre writing and overall structure. 'Houdini' feels like a History Channel special on magic tricks rather than a biopic with it's overused fast paced cuts and cheesy sound effects. Although the one thing used effectively to draw our attention throughout the series is the spectacle of Houdini's genius.… Full Review »
  2. BogKid
    Sep 2, 2014
    5
    Well this is a weird one. The writing is generally awful. Certainly some of the most stilted dialog heard on TV. The acting is strange.Well this is a weird one. The writing is generally awful. Certainly some of the most stilted dialog heard on TV. The acting is strange. Even Adrian Brody, whom we know is a more-than-capable actor, tends to act like he is appearing in a comic strip. I think that that is my overall reaction to the show. It's actually interesting. My wife and I will watch it to the end (first half oily seen so far). BUT, it is essentially a comic strip. Is it planned to be that way. I don't see why it should be so. Is it an accident.The writing is so bad that maybe the only thing missing is the close-captioning appearing in balloons over the characters' heads.… Full Review »
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