TV Review: Starz' 'Torchwood: Miracle Day'
Starz premieres its sci-fi series Torchwood: Miracle Day on Friday at 10 p.m. The following are reviews from TV critics around the Web, compiled by B&C.
“If this were a season of Doctor Who, the direction and performances would signal us to relax and stop expecting internal logic and consistency. But the overlay of American earnestness in Torchwood: Miracle Day, while failing to intensify the drama, deadens what could have been goofy fun.” — Tom Conroy, Media Life
“The Miracle Day mystery itself feels, at least at first, hopelessly tangled. Viewers may be willing to give it some time, though, because the action provides an entertaining ride.” –David Hinckley, New York Daily News
“As the best science fiction always does, Torchwood: Miracle Day poses an endless succession of what-if questions about religion, morality and politics. What does it mean for Hindu reincarnation theology if no one ever dies? What happens when nations realize that wars can be fought without fatalities? And who could have imagined Malthusian economics could be so much damn fun?” –Glenn Garvin, Kansas City Star
“Newbies won’t notice it, but veteran Torchies may feel there’s something missing in the new Torchwood, especially as a follow to Children of Earth. To some extent, maybe it’s that American bureaucrats aren’t as much fun to hang out to dry as their British counterparts. ” –David Wiegand, San Francisco Chronicle
“Despite some starchy dialogue, a few eye-rolling moments and a nauseating autopsy scene with the charred corpse (or is it?) of a suicide bomber, Torchwood delivers plenty of pulpy thrills while raising pulse rates in the process. ” –Chuck Barney, Contra Costa Times
Septy commented:
I rellay rellay want to like this series and there is a lot to like but it has two things that are making this something I just queue up on the DVR and blow through on a rainy weekend rather than anticipate every episode: 1) CONSTANT theme-less music; 2) Waaay too much moving cuts.1) I have this same problem with Generation Rex, despite loving Ben 10. Generation Rex has a non-stop metal / rock soundtrack that only fades but never ever shuts up and it lacks any emotional impact, any grand themes, or the confidence to be silent. The constant noise makes me literally tune out. Two people can't just have a conversation, there needs to be electric guitars accompanying it!2) This is the visual equivalent of the auditory diarrhea above. I like that there's lots of genuine animation and not just cheap-anime only-the-mouths-move shortcuts but there's also way too many tacky speedlines, motion blur fx, motion cuts, shakey cam, zooming shots, excessive panning, etc. They have trouble just sitting still, using an establishing shot, etc. I get that kids all supposedly have ADHD now, but I don't think catering to that makes a better cartoon. And it's not like I don't like frenetic action or fast cuts when the scene suits it but, again, even dialogue is crazy jump-cutty.TL;DR I'd love this show if it didn't give me epilepsy.