• Network: Netflix
  • Series Premiere Date: Dec 23, 2018
Metascore
76

Generally favorable reviews - based on 5 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 3 out of 5
  2. Negative: 0 out of 5

Critic Reviews

  1. Reviewed by: Dave Trumbore
    Dec 21, 2018
    60
    Luckily, the story is so good that it shines above the shoddy animation, but the 1978 adaptation is still a better bet and the original story itself is still the best. Give this one a watch only if you can stomach the visuals and the visceral material.
  2. Reviewed by: James Poniewozik
    Dec 20, 2018
    60
    Emotional but blandified adaptation. ... If the Netflix Watership Down fails its potential, it benefits from strong voice performances (Boyega is expressive as the bluff but loyal Bigwig) and a solid central story. Even this easy-listening version, which lays on the romance, jokes and limp dialogue (“They may not have wanted a war, but by Frith, that’s what they’ll get”), has moments of grandeur and the sweep of a fantasy epic.
User Score
4.6

Mixed or average reviews- based on 29 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 10 out of 29
  2. Negative: 12 out of 29
  1. Dec 26, 2018
    5
    I remember being traumatized as a kid by the original animated film of Watership Down.
    So, now a big boy with big boy pants I thought I'd see
    I remember being traumatized as a kid by the original animated film of Watership Down.
    So, now a big boy with big boy pants I thought I'd see what the new version had to offer me by way of new emotional scars... is boredom a scar? If it is, mission accomplished.
    Full Review »
  2. Dec 23, 2018
    8
    Watership Down in overall is a great retelling of this classic.

    Although there are some flaws in the series like some changes between the
    Watership Down in overall is a great retelling of this classic.

    Although there are some flaws in the series like some changes between the novel itself, this remake tells so greatly without even being too horrific like the 1978 film.

    I praised the performances of James McAvoy, John Boyega, and Sir Ben Kingsley as Hazel, Bigwig, and General Woundwort respectively.

    The animation was done nicely, the music is just majestic. The music brings joy, tragedy, and suspense.

    I recommend this.
    Full Review »
  3. Mar 14, 2019
    0
    The book is an epic adventure full of suspense, terror, love, compassion, growth, and universal themes of humanity. This TV series isThe book is an epic adventure full of suspense, terror, love, compassion, growth, and universal themes of humanity. This TV series is abysmal. They cut out all that made the book magical (the mythos, the lupine linguistics, the shocking violence, the supernatural tension) and left a dull lifeless hack of a show. The animation looks like it was done by people that have read about rabbits and birds, but never actually seen any in real life. This remake is all the worse for the comparison with the original animated movie that was by far superior despite being made four decades ago. Full Review »