Written by: Kevin Berge
Meet your trio of heroes. Hope you didn't want anything more than that. (Image Courtesy of: netflix.com)
Video game adaptations have become more and more popular over the years, but none have succeeded. The best can be described as passably entertaining. My personal favorite is Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time which is both generic and problematically white-washed but easy watching for two hours.
When Netflix announced its own video game adaptation particularly as animation, it was an exciting proposition even with the lack of success in the format to date. Castlevania is a video game franchise that has defined games for decades, popularizing the Metroidvania genre, while telling compelling stories of vampires and hunters at war.
From the first episode, it is clear that this season captures the same flair that made the franchise so popular. It is dark and brutal yet also complex with a tinge of solid humor. However, it has a fundamental problem: it is only 4 episodes long.
When Netflix announced its own video game adaptation particularly as animation, it was an exciting proposition even with the lack of success in the format to date. Castlevania is a video game franchise that has defined games for decades, popularizing the Metroidvania genre, while telling compelling stories of vampires and hunters at war.
From the first episode, it is clear that this season captures the same flair that made the franchise so popular. It is dark and brutal yet also complex with a tinge of solid humor. However, it has a fundamental problem: it is only 4 episodes long.
Length is not always proof of quality. Some of the best stories can be told in short tales whether that means 10 minutes or 15 pages. However, Castlevania is an adaptation of Castlevania III: Dracula's Curse, a game that already clocked in at 3.5 hours without diving much into the details of its tale.
This whole season is a mere 1:40, shorter than most films these days, and it does not exactly tell a compelling story from start to finish. Instead, it comes as more of a prologue, introducing its world and central characters to the viewers then ending.
The season itself proves that the creators have a strong grasp of the source material and the tale they wish to tell. The animation combines with a well told opening act that makes for an engaging viewing experience. I already feel the itch to watch the season again just a few days later.
I just can't get over how sparse it is. TV seasons are defined by running plots and character arcs. Movies are defined by tighter stories and messages. This had neither. It felt like the creators handing over a demo disk to prepare the viewer for the series to be released.
According to reports, the second season is now official and will be eight episodes, enough to tell a far more complete tale as it continues to develop the overall plot of Trevor Belmont's fight against Dracula. For now, I cannot recommend what is a truly well made four episodes as it leaves too much up in the air with there not even enough there to give it a full review.
This whole season is a mere 1:40, shorter than most films these days, and it does not exactly tell a compelling story from start to finish. Instead, it comes as more of a prologue, introducing its world and central characters to the viewers then ending.
The season itself proves that the creators have a strong grasp of the source material and the tale they wish to tell. The animation combines with a well told opening act that makes for an engaging viewing experience. I already feel the itch to watch the season again just a few days later.
I just can't get over how sparse it is. TV seasons are defined by running plots and character arcs. Movies are defined by tighter stories and messages. This had neither. It felt like the creators handing over a demo disk to prepare the viewer for the series to be released.
According to reports, the second season is now official and will be eight episodes, enough to tell a far more complete tale as it continues to develop the overall plot of Trevor Belmont's fight against Dracula. For now, I cannot recommend what is a truly well made four episodes as it leaves too much up in the air with there not even enough there to give it a full review.
