Search This Blog

Wednesday, September 14, 2011

Like. Like. Love. I'll Watch: 10 Reasons Why Alphas Is Better Than Heroes | GeekDad

Media_httpwwwwiredcom_bvmjq

Excerpt:

1. David Strathairn

He has been one of the finest character actors since he first received screen credits in 1979 with The Return of the Secaucus Seven and he’s played such roles such as Arthur Spiderwick in the Spiderwick Chronicles, the college president in We Are Marshall and as Noah Vosen in The Bourne Ultimatum.

To see Strathairn finally have a television show basically built around him is nice. His character, Dr. Lee Rosen, is roughly the Professor X of the show. It’s a role he fills well but there’s enough edge to his performance to wonder why a normal doctor is so interested in Alphas and if he’s really such a good guy after all.

2. Powers all make sense

The powers are all extrapolations of ordinary human abilities and they all have built-in weaknesses.

Nina, the resident telepath, has the ability to force people to do what she wants but can only hold it for a few minutes.

Bill Harken, an ex-FBI agent, has super-strength or speed because of increased adrenaline but only for a short time or it will stress his heart.

Hicks, who has an uncanny accuracy, finds his skill deserts him at critical moments.

Gary can sense electromagnetic waves but he’s autistic.

Rachel has enhanced senses but can only use one enhanced sense at a time and can easily get overwhelmed by sounds or smells that are too strong.

No one can fly. Or blow up the city with a thermonuclear blast. Or is effectively immortal.

3. Starts in the middle of the story
There’s no long build-up to getting the team together. Rosen already has everyone but Hicks on his team, ostensibly to help them deal with their abilities. Hicks joins in the pilot episode and he’s the window for the audience into Rosen’s operation. There’s no long drawn out sequence when you wonder if the heroes will ever find each other to work together..."

Posted via email from Siobhan O'Flynn's 1001 Tales

No comments: