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. Boston Herald
    Reviewed by: Mark A. Perigard
    Aug 29, 2014
    75
    Many of his tricks here are explained, and the means of execution may only increase your appreciation for his genius. Less convincing is the miniseries’ speculation that the British intelligence agency MI-5 recruited him to act as a spy in the run-up to World War I.
  2. Entertainment Weekly
    Reviewed by: Darren Franich
    Aug 27, 2014
    75
    History? Possibly. Trash? Definitely. Fun? Pretty.
  3. The Hollywood Reporter
    Reviewed by: Allison Keene
    Aug 26, 2014
    70
    Houdini takes a big bite, and its journey is often fun and fantastical, but its goofy sensibilities would have benefited from a sturdier structure, and what it wants its audience to take away from its subject’s life story is unclear. That said, the miniseries nails the most important thing: spectacle.
  5. The A.V. Club
    Reviewed by: Genevieve Valentine
    Sep 2, 2014
    67
    In itself, Houdini’s script is solid.... However, whether Meyer-penned or network-mandated, the miniseries’ voice-over drains a critical amount of energy from the miniseries.

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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