Marco Polo (2014)

:

Season 1
  • Network: Netflix
  • Series Premiere Date: Dec 12, 2014
Season #: 2, 1
Metascore
48

Mixed or average reviews - based on 21 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5 out of 21
  2. Mixed: 9 out of 21
  3. Negative: 7 out of 21
Watch Now

Where To Watch

Stream On
Stream On

Critic Reviews

  1. TV Guide Magazine
    Reviewed by: Matt Roush
    Dec 12, 2014
    60
    The lavishly produced, and reportedly mega-expensive, Marco Polo can be a feast for the eyes, even when the overripe dialogue ("Treachery grows well in the fertile soil of contempt I tilled") and uneven performances feel dramatically undernourished.
  2. Philadelphia Inquirer
    Reviewed by: David Hiltbrand
    Dec 11, 2014
    60
    Shot primarily in Kazakhstan and Malaysia, the series is richly atmospheric, lavishly produced, and artfully rendered. But you may find that the whole is less than the sum of its parts. It doesn't work nearly as well as drama as it does as sheer spectacle.
  3. Newsday
    Reviewed by: Verne Gay
    Dec 11, 2014
    58
    Good-looking--also lethargic, languid, listless and a little bit lifeless--at least in the early going.
  5. The A.V. Club
    Reviewed by: Joshua Alston
    Dec 11, 2014
    58
    Marco Polo doesn’t stack up to the political maneuverings and bloody battles within the Seven Kingdoms, and so often resembles George R.R. Martin fan-fiction, it seems wiser to revisit the superior show.
  6. Los Angeles Times
    Reviewed by: Robert Lloyd
    Dec 11, 2014
    50
    Every so often the production does wake up, with a sudden brawl or assassination attempt--these scenes at least have energy and sometimes emotion--before settling back into a state of mildly agitated, interwoven intrigue.
  7. The Hollywood Reporter
    Reviewed by: Tim Goodman
    Dec 10, 2014
    50
    Creatively, it’s just a middling mess--something so average that a basic cable channel could have duplicated it without all the foreign travel for about $84 million less.
  8. San Francisco Chronicle
    Reviewed by: David Wiegand
    Dec 9, 2014
    50
    There is a lot of violence in it, and a whole lot of nudity, and there are superb performances, all of which are undermined by ponderously self-important writing and direction.
  9. Variety
    Reviewed by: Brian Lowry
    Nov 25, 2014
    50
    While Marco Polo possesses scope, scale and an inordinate amount of exposed skin, the series exhibits only a sporadic pulse. That leaves a property that can be fun taken strictly on its own terms, but deficient in the binge-worthy qualities upon which Netflix’s distribution system has relied.
  10. RogerEbert.com
    Reviewed by: Brian Tallerico
    Dec 11, 2014
    40
    A dull period drama without characters to care about or a narrative in which to invest.

Awards & Rankings

2
#2 Most Discussed TV Season of 2014
32
#32 Most Shared TV Season of 2014

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
8.0

Generally favorable reviews- based on 499 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 411 out of 499
  2. Mixed: 31 out of 499
  3. Negative: 57 out of 499
  1. Wrz77
    Dec 12, 2014
    10
    Truly a superb show. The expensive production really shines in both CGI of structures, sets, costumes, sound, cinematography, and all otherTruly a superb show. The expensive production really shines in both CGI of structures, sets, costumes, sound, cinematography, and all other aspects that I could discern. There is a perfect balance of complex geopolitical scenes that highlight the culture and politics of the Mongols in the 13th century and also a tasteful amount of action.

    This is another diamond in the rough drama series that rewards paying attention and where one will pickup more detail on future re-watches. But also one can watch it casually and still understand the plot.
    Absolutely no characters seemed one dimensional and they all had colorful and dynamic backgrounds and interesting traits.
    Sex scenes are also tastefully done unlike many TV-MA shows where they seem like filler and run on for way too long.

    Cinematography: 5/5 - The colorful sets and outdoor scenes alike are breathtaking and really pull you in. I was fully absorbed within the first 10 minutes of watching.

    Acting: 4/5 - I found the acting on the level of Game of Thrones and other hit drama series.
    Plot: 5/5 - The most important aspect of any drama movie or TV series is the plot, in my opinion, and this does not disappoint. It goes into the complex geopolitics of the Mongols and explores it without dragging on, seeming like filler, or becoming boring.

    Picture Quality: 4/5 - I watched in Super HD on a 40" display and did not notice any macroblocking or other common artifacts associated with bitrate starvation.
    The only nitpick I have is the aspect ratio not being 16:9 as all other modern TV series are. However, the black bars are extremely minimal and nowhere near as big as movies often have so it was not distracting.

    Audio: 5/5 - I only have a 2.0 sound system so I listened to the Stereo mix which sounds very different than the Dolby DD+ 5.1 mix - on my 2.0 system the Stereo mix sounded like it was optimized specifically for 2.0 systems rather than a cheap downmix from 5.1.
    The musical score really adds to the tone and feel of the show and I find the quality of the compositions to rival John Williams or other big names in film.    … Full Review »
  2. jaykota123
    Dec 12, 2014
    8
    The first episode is surprisingly good and far better than the reviews let out. It may not match Game of Thrones but then they don'tThe first episode is surprisingly good and far better than the reviews let out. It may not match Game of Thrones but then they don't explicitly say they are aiming for that level- only the media seems to make that comparison.

    Frankly I found it interesting and something I am willing to watch through the 10 episodes- unless the quality tanks.

    That said- it may also be due to a lack of anything good out there right now besides homeland and walking dead.    … Full Review »
  3. Polofan
    Dec 14, 2014
    10
    I registered to write this review for Marco Polo after having my expectations for Marco Polo unfairly lowered by what I now see as ignorantI registered to write this review for Marco Polo after having my expectations for Marco Polo unfairly lowered by what I now see as ignorant critics.

    Usually, I think critics get it right. If some show has a low score on metacritic it is usually not worth watching. I had been waiting for the release of Marco Polo with anticipation, but as the early reviews began coming in I started to think the show was almost unwatchable and easily forgettable.

    I now know that this was a totally wrong mindset. The critics have got it wrong on this one and why they derided this show as a bunch of crying hyneas is a good question. I see no justification for the low ratings it has had.

    A lot of the early critique seems centered on the acting and dialogue. I agree that the dialogue for the early episodes may have been a bit off but I am now on the 9th episode and I think the dialogue is now extremely good and on a par with Game of Thrones. The acting fo the main character has also been criticised as boring and without passion. I actually think the producers made the right choice in making Marco Polo be subdued as a character. The central role of Marco Polo is not to be the centre of attention but more an observer of the Khan's court. The really colourful characters are the Chinese and Mongols and I think this is why some Western critics have lambasted the show so much. A lot of Western critics are simply full of ethnocentrism so when they see a show like Marco Polo they invariably compare it to Game of Thrones whose Pseudo-European Medieval universe is known to most TV and Film viewers. They totally fail to appreciate how Marco Polo is set in a culture that is far removed from what Game of Thrones would have us believe the Medieval world of Power politics looked like. This is Asia which is a continent with as many varied cultures as Europe. Marco Polo shows that really well by having the court of the Khan stocked with foreigners who at one point or another seem to have been enslaved by the Mongols - this makes their loyalty interesting to question. The differences between Mongol culture and Chinese is also well depicted - Chinese culture being more adept at diplomacy and cunning and the Mongols being influenced by Chinese culture while still relying on brute force as the foundation of their power.

    There are so many good reasons to love this show and I very much hope fans will support it and prove the critics wrong. If this show is a one season wonder then it is a travesty when other crappy shows like Walking Dead get rave reviews and run season after season. With Marco Polo Netflix has once gain raised the bar and made a show that normal TV channels should produce but don't produce because they are old-fashioned and ethnocentric.    … Full Review »
See all user reviews »