Utopia (2020)

Prime Video | Release Date: September 25, 2020

5.7	USER SCORE Mixed or average reviews based on 47 Ratings

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BubberOct 6, 2020

On it's own it would not be too bad, however it's just another remake that fails to improve on the original. Go watch the original instead.

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

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Falling_ManSep 27, 2020

Even if this didn't have the original UK Channel 4 series to compare to, it would still come across as a middle of the road series aiming to be dark and edgy, but failing to actually pack a punch. While the timing is unfortunate, I don't holdEven if this didn't have the original UK Channel 4 series to compare to, it would still come across as a middle of the road series aiming to be dark and edgy, but failing to actually pack a punch. While the timing is unfortunate, I don't hold it against it, this iteration of the show was in gestation since 2014 long before the pandemic. But along side the state of the world we're in, a lot can change. It was originally supposed to be directed by David Fincher. And it probably needed somebody of his calibre who could really deliver a sense of style, originality, and tight craftsmanship.

While this hits many of the beats of the original UK series, it doesn't at all capture its essence. The original had a stark sense of style. The cinematography could only be described as a cross between David Fincher and Wes Anderson. It had sickly vibrant colour grading, and its eerie score by Cristobal Tapia Vermeer was almost a defining feature. This version looks like any standard show, sounds like any standard show, and only so often tries to be creative.

While the actors in this are likable enough, they all just seem like watered down versions of their originals, especially Jessica Hyde and Arby. I honestly had high hopes for it, and spent six years anticipating this series all the way through its bumpy ride full of twists and turns. In the end, just kind of landed with an unremarkable thud.… Expand

3 of 4 users found this helpful31

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klokwokSep 30, 2020

It is so mediocre and not even close to uk series. Visual design is meh.
Soundtrack is almost nonexistent.
And there are fillers.

2 of 3 users found this helpful21

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Akira_Sep 26, 2020

This show is in itself barely tolerable and compared to the masterpiece original a disaster engineered by inept clueless clowns. The beautiful and original cinematography of the original? Replaced by bland random generic images. TheThis show is in itself barely tolerable and compared to the masterpiece original a disaster engineered by inept clueless clowns. The beautiful and original cinematography of the original? Replaced by bland random generic images. The intriguing score of the original? Gone. The show is dull and generic and crawls along in a boring way. It has clumsy exposition, wooden dialogue and a mythology that doesn't make any sense anymore. But most importantly, none of the characters make any sense. I'm okay with them being changed and "americanized". But they are boring and one-dimensional. They lack the depth and uniqueness of the original and are just unimaginative fillers to convey plot. The relationship between Jessica and the group is absurd. Arby is a joke. Did no one with minimal writing experience check this script before it went into production? The production value is great in this show, but it is all wasted. It would have worked if the Fincher deal had worked out, but the showrunner has no talent for this kind of show. She has no idea what she wants to say or how to say it. The show features a very interesting and unique mythology but it doesn't deliver. What a wasted opportunity.… Expand

2 of 4 users found this helpful22

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UncleWillardSep 26, 2020

I dig it. Not a comic book person, but I get fandom. Love the cast and the first two episodes hooked me. I like that there are stakes and the show is unafraid to throw them out there early. The criticism I've hear is that the characters don'tI dig it. Not a comic book person, but I get fandom. Love the cast and the first two episodes hooked me. I like that there are stakes and the show is unafraid to throw them out there early. The criticism I've hear is that the characters don't get the appropriate death to make those stakes resonate. If that is the worst critics offer, I'm still willing to stick with the show to the end. Amazon has upped its original show game.

Final thoughts; lowered to a six. It was a fun ride for a fairly generic conspiracy plot. I liked everyone except Jessica. The actress generated no sympathy for the character. She came off amateurish at best. Loved Arby. John Cusack made an excellent villain.… Expand

1 of 3 users found this helpful12

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nevillejohnOct 7, 2020

almost unwatchable if you've seen the UK original. feels like a watered down, more comedic version with worse casting, writing, and music

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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pur__0_0__Mar 31, 2021

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. When this show first arrived on Prime I thought this will be about as great as The Boys. After all, it has the Explore tab in which all the description and image gallery is given. How could it possibly be bad? But it seems the director has worked really hard to make us hate it. And this is coming from a guy who didn't even know there was a British version before coming on this website and reading other people's reviews.

None of the characters are likeable. The way the show began it seemed as though they will all be given more character depth as the story progresses, but no, no such thing happens. Rather that's all to them - they are nerds who just like a graphic novel and think it has something to do with real life, and so they are waiting for the next issue of Utopia to learn what will happen next. Now I won't say that this was a stupid idea, but who behaves like that in real life? It's like a couple of Simpson fans waiting for the next episode to come so that they can understand what happens in the future.

There are other characters too like Jessica Hyde and Grant, who are more annoying than the nerds. Apparently we are supposed to root for them, even though anyone will like the bad guy, Kevin Christie any day (I'll talk about why I like him later). His logic was absolutely correct - humans are like cancer to earth and that's why they need to be eradicated. It's not like he was giving humans a painful death; he was only making them impotent for the next 3 generations. And instead of giving a valid counter argument over why he's wrong they just choose to tie him up, go to his lab and destroy all his medicines.

Then there was Arby. I really liked him because of the way he spoke. His eye scooping torture and the way he killed Wilson's dad was very intriguing. But later on he also became a generic "boo-hoo" character (if that makes sense). I really wanted to like him, but he wasn't interesting anymore.

Though I'd give this show one redeeming quality about which I said I will talk about - Dr Kevin Christie. One of his dialogues has now become my favourite quote from any TV show - "What have you done today to earn your place in this crowded world?". His motivations are clearly driven by his love towards animals and nature, which is being rampaged over by overpopulation. Since we cannot kill people or wait for the population to start going down through education, the only way left is to make them impotent. It won't finish the human population, it would just reduce the dependency for a certain time period.

But they showed this legendary character to be the bad guy, which instantly ruined the entire show for me. I would have probably given this show a 7 if they didn't offend me like this. I'm really happy that this show has been cancelled, so I don't have to see such the actual hero get looked down upon anymore.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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SayreTXAug 27, 2023

I had no idea going into the show that it was canceled after the first season with no resolution to the plot. I would still recommend the series if you want something creative based on comics, like The Umbrella Academy, but with more seriousI had no idea going into the show that it was canceled after the first season with no resolution to the plot. I would still recommend the series if you want something creative based on comics, like The Umbrella Academy, but with more serious overtones and graphic violence.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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