I saw that no topic has yet arisen for this awesome looking new UK drama/thriller/dark comedy comic book style series, and i felt the need to create one..
Utopia is about a group of people who meet up in an internet chatroom dedicated to a graphic novel called Utopia. Without wanting to give too much away that you won't learn in episode 1, Utopia was written by a geneticist in a mental asylum. It is rumoured to contain information on the genetic roots of certain diseases, which, it is implied, are man made.
One of the chatroom guys claims to have Utopia vol.2 and asks a few people to meet up with him. However, things soon get ugly and the group finds themselves on the run from a mysterious organisation who also seem to have eyes for Utopia vol.2.
I was really impressed by the general style of this show. The visuals are very colourful, and have a hint of the graphic novel-esque style about them, the characters are fantastic (the flawed, but intelligent failed medical student, the bored office worker, the tinfoil hat guy and the vandal child who could have been a character in Shameless) and the storyline is intriguing to say the least. There is also some very brutal violence which contrasts nicely with the colourful visual themes.
I'm really looking forward to the next episode, and i would highly recommend that if you have the means to find it anywhere you should definitely do so.
Just watched the first two episodes of this series, and I'm hooked. The cinematography is stunning! In this series, the "crazy" conspiracies come true, and everything seems to be connected. The nonchalant violence empowers the theme from second one. Well written characters with depth is rare in modern television, some of the characters are absolutely mindblowing, in addition to superb acting. I'm really glad this show was picked up by Channel 4. Staying turned for the next episode .D
The first episode was intense. If you can stomach the violence, I'd highly recommend it. The composition of the scenes is really well done, and I agree with haavard29 that the characters are looking to have real potential.
There is something unique about British filmography that i can't quite put my finger on but I enjoy greatly, this show is perfect example of it. The imagery used in the scenes of this is beautiful as well, the Covadt office with its old wooden architecture is very pleasing to the eye for me.
The assassins from ep. 1 reminded me very much of Anton Chigurh, with how psychologically detached from the situation they are in.
Did anyone watch this all the way to the end? I thought the ending was great, if a little nonsensical (but i guess that kinda fits the theme of the whole show).
Overall this is one of the best thriller series that i have ever seen. The menacing atmosphere is only ever outdone by the sheer audacity of the horrific violence that takes place. Nicely produced, some good (if bizarre) acting, great characters and more than enough moments that will have you looking away from the screen. Awesome visuals and soundtrack too.
The series peaked IMO in episode 3, which may be a little too much for some people dwelling over the ocean from me in America.
a shadowy organization framing a child for a primary school massacre
is just awesome.
The one downside i would point out is that the story itself is lacking in detail, and could be completely torn to shreds by someone who didn't find themselves lost in the atmosphere and gut wrenching madness.
On January 31 2013 03:23 obesechicken13 wrote: What does the story have to do with a utopia? False advertising.
and starcraft has nothing to do with crafting stars. are you trying to make a point or do you not pay attention to the show?
It sounds like they stuck a name on it to make it sound cool. The story doesn't align with the definition.
Warcraft was called warcraft because it was about the craft of war. People who specialize in war fighting each other. Starcraft was a successor to warcraft 2. Therefore starcraft kept some of its name branding while specializing in a space fantasy game.
On January 31 2013 03:23 obesechicken13 wrote: What does the story have to do with a utopia? False advertising.
and starcraft has nothing to do with crafting stars. are you trying to make a point or do you not pay attention to the show?
It is called Utopia, because the main goal of the comic (and also main goal of Corvadt) is to create an ideal society without powerty, greed and exploitation of resources + Show Spoiler +
Just finished it. Wow. As others have said, the overall tone/atmosphere the music and cinematography give off is very edgy. Loved everything about it. Reminds me a bit of the film, Hanna.
On January 31 2013 03:23 obesechicken13 wrote: What does the story have to do with a utopia? False advertising.
and starcraft has nothing to do with crafting stars. are you trying to make a point or do you not pay attention to the show?
It is called Utopia, because the main goal of the comic (and also main goal of Corvadt) is to create an ideal society without powerty, greed and exploitation of resources + Show Spoiler +
aka without many people
.
Sort of agree with obesechicken here but it's only the first season, and we still haven't fully seen the Rabbit's masterplan. But given what we know, it sounded more like The Network was striving to prevent overpopulation and the problems that would lead to, rather than create a "perfect" society. There's no mention of whether the 10% who won't be sterile will be pre-selected based on certain desirable traits either.
So finished it now and wow. This has to be the best series i have watched in a long long time. The way everything feels, the atmosphere and the plot twists aren´t completely freaking obvious either. Loyalties shift back and forth and so does ones insecurity about who is who and which side they´re on. Love it, best show in ages.
On March 20 2013 06:24 malcram wrote: random encounter with this thread, and wtf man, instantly hooked after episode 1. thanks OP!
Exact same thing here, this show is fantastic. Thanks OP :D
No problem guys! Lets hope British film makers continue with the current trend of going for quality ahead of the accepted themes (this and black mirror are the best things to come from a TV screen this year). If you don't know Black Mirror, then watch season 2, episode 2 . There's no spoiler as each episode is set in a different world, and its the finest hour of TV i've seen in ages.
On March 20 2013 06:24 malcram wrote: random encounter with this thread, and wtf man, instantly hooked after episode 1. thanks OP!
Exact same thing here, this show is fantastic. Thanks OP :D
No problem guys! Lets hope British film makers continue with the current trend of going for quality ahead of the accepted themes (this and black mirror are the best things to come from a TV screen this year). If you don't know Black Mirror, then watch season 2, episode 2 . There's no spoiler as each episode is set in a different world, and its the finest hour of TV i've seen in ages.
On March 20 2013 06:24 malcram wrote: random encounter with this thread, and wtf man, instantly hooked after episode 1. thanks OP!
Exact same thing here, this show is fantastic. Thanks OP :D
No problem guys! Lets hope British film makers continue with the current trend of going for quality ahead of the accepted themes (this and black mirror are the best things to come from a TV screen this year). If you don't know Black Mirror, then watch season 2, episode 2 . There's no spoiler as each episode is set in a different world, and its the finest hour of TV i've seen in ages.
I doubt it is better then Sherlock.
Just watch the first episodes of Utopia and Black Mirror. Sherlock's enjoyable but nothing particularly special compared to how creative and morbidly captivating these others are. I'd also take Luther over Sherlock in terms of recent British detective shows.
On March 20 2013 06:24 malcram wrote: random encounter with this thread, and wtf man, instantly hooked after episode 1. thanks OP!
Exact same thing here, this show is fantastic. Thanks OP :D
No problem guys! Lets hope British film makers continue with the current trend of going for quality ahead of the accepted themes (this and black mirror are the best things to come from a TV screen this year). If you don't know Black Mirror, then watch season 2, episode 2 . There's no spoiler as each episode is set in a different world, and its the finest hour of TV i've seen in ages.
I doubt it is better then Sherlock.
Sherlock season 2 is the best season of doctor who I have ever seen.
On a serious note, as Scarecrow said, Black Mirror and Utopia are of a higher quality - I would argue in narrative, atmospheric and cinematographic dimensions - than Sherlock. I'm also eagerly awaiting the new season of Luther, set to premiere later this year. Season 2 of Luther is some of my favourite television ever.
So i saw this thread and decided to check out the pilot.... The camera angles are incredible but most of the camera work are static. The show bring a vibe that i got back when i was watching X-file as a kid but the story is not that friendly to normal audience. All of those medical terms in British-english make it quite hard to follow. Comparing this show to house of cards is quite unfair since they are both quite different and good in their own field. I, however, think that house of cards has superior acting and writing after the initial impression. Ima watch the 2nd eps and see where it goes from there, but as of right now, i cant recommend this to anyone i know yet.
On March 28 2013 11:02 NB wrote: So i saw this thread and decided to check out the pilot.... The camera angles are incredible but most of the camera work are static. The show bring a vibe that i got back when i was watching X-file as a kid but the story is not that friendly to normal audience. All of those medical terms in British-english make it quite hard to follow. Comparing this show to house of cards is quite unfair since they are both quite different and good in their own field. I, however, think that house of cards has superior acting and writing after the initial impression. Ima watch the 2nd eps and see where it goes from there, but as of right now, i cant recommend this to anyone i know yet.
I had mixed feeling. Production quality, top. Script, passable -> the point about plot twist is not that they are a cool thing by themselves. Character's, Half- super awesome, other half contrast strongly as they are just Ok.
I do not know many better show, but I feel this has the pattern build in for a fail in the longer run. I hope it's only 2 seasons long and it will be the most legendary thing.
I'm thinking about Heroes, Dark Angel, Dexter, Lost... Shows that had huge potential, or very good seasons but then in the end didn't live 100% to the potential. (Ok dark angel doesn't really belong in this lot but Jessica Alba is an awesome actress!)
The story was quite interesting and made me want to finish the season to know what all happens but I do have a problem with it. My only problem with the show is Jessica Hyde. I just don't like her character at all. She makes me cringe in nearly every scene that shes in.
I don't understand how this show isn't more popular. Most of the people who are alerted to it on TL absolutely love it. It really needs a worldwide audience.
I realized recently that alot of the reason i love this show so much is the soundtrack. Here it is in all of its glory:
Track listing is in the Youtube info My particular favorites are: All 'Utopia' tracks, of course Meditative Chaos (absolutely brilliant piece of soundtrack music, at once beautiful, haunting, weird and menacing) Samba De Wilson
So glad there is a thread of this, Sadly a lot of these UK tv shows go unnoticed to the rest of the world but damn this show is great, one of the few uniqe original series I have seen for a long time.
Neil maskell who plays Arby (R.B) is fast becoming one of my favourite actors, check out kill list if you haven't seen it, hes brilliant in that too.
The latest episode was a bit disappointing for me. It seems too much like trying to get back into the old routine, to make it Series 1 again. Still amazing though.
I don't think it was a twist for the audience. It was fairly obvious that was him from the 1st episode. This show is way too strange and complicated for random watchers, I don't see most people who watch this not figure it out at that moment.
Its a good thing mainly because the show is getting the attention it deserves now, however there has been multiple british shows remade in the past like Skins and Shameless that were never half as good but we will see.
edit: Added a (UK) since HBO is going to remake an american version of this show
I am not sure if that is a bad or a good thing lol. I know it will be different for sure, hopefully still interesting.
I'm really hoping its set in the same Universe, but its the American 'branch' of the operation. If its just a reboot i don't even know if i'll watch it,
Just when you think they've won theres a twist and they keep it going (again). Bring on season 3! Wilson is so perfect as mr rabbit. No trace of him exists in any database etc, also he has an eyepatch so hes got to be the badguy right?! Also liked what they did with Becky - her illness didnt make much sense before.
Im skeptical of an American remake, it will prob be good anyway if its HBO but it has a lot to live up to. I think a few characters itd be hard to do justice: Grant, Lee, RB in particular.