In Utopia, you see a different direction entirely. In AHS, the trick of surprising the audience is constantly used to depress the viewer and debase the characters. AHS, which is an object of reverence in the US and has won many awards, is dark, dirty, unrelenting, and, some might say, just plain mean. And both are well cast, with the actors doing the best they can with what they have. Both eschew conventional morality for a strange kind of anything-goes scripting, in which the audience never knows what is coming around the corner. Both are serials, that is they start a story and continue it.
UTOPIA 2013 HOW TO
Now to learn how to appreciate so-called Hi Impact Programming we are going to compare and contrast this controversial series (which almost started a riot in England) with the American TV series named, appropriately, American Horror Story. OK, let's everyone agree that it is the 21st century and the standards by which TV used to be judged don't really apply any more. So, once and for all do yourself a favour, and watch this masterpiece! There's only one major problem with this show: It got cancelled! After just 2 seasons, Channel 4 unfortunately had to pull the plug on this gem of a series, which is such a shame, and while it might remain one of the most underrated TV shows in newer time, you will certainly never find a show quite like this again.
Really dark in fact, and the amount of WTF moments and plot twists are enough to keep you on the edge of your seat throughout the entire series. There's also plenty of humour, swearing and loads of "what the hell did I just watch?" moments, that just makes this even more enjoyable. You have a lovely mismatch of so many different and perhaps a little odd but great characters, that just fit perfectly together. The cast and their on screen dynamic is especially what makes this series so incredibly good. It's an artwork that is being unfolded in front of your very eyes. In fact it's a whole lot more than just a TV show.
Let me just say this right from the start Utopia is a masterpiece! Not only is this one of the most intense and twisted shows I've ever seen, it's also absolutely beautiful! The cinematography alone left me in awe and don't even get me started on the soundtrack! This is not your typical TV show. Not like some American series where they try to milk the story as much as possible, and so ruin a perfect little story sometimes. That's how it's supposed to be, you tell a good story and then you end it. What I also like about British series is that they are short, only a couple seasons. It's just brilliant, can't get enough of that scene. It's the opening scene in the last episode of the last season. It also contains my favorite scene ever shown on TV, that's how much I loved it. The actors are all really good, especially the killer in his flamboyant suit. It's more that you have to imagine about it. There is a reasonable amount of gory parts but it's never really graphic. I won't say anything about it because I don't like spoilers. It's futuristic but inevitable if you think about it. The story is one of the better stories I watched in a long time. It's actually one of my favorite British series. What to say about this show? I read some good reviews without spoilers and so I was looking forward to find it out for myself if it was that good. But nearly all the loose ends are tied up, and the two existing seasons of 'Utopia' make for a fantastic watch.
The only downside to this show is that the finale of the second season sets the stage for a third season, which, sadly never happened (for reasons I do not comprehend, the show got cancelled). The only thing I know that would be kind of comparable among the current shows is 'Orphan Black' - but 'Utopia' is even crazier (and a LOT more violent), has much weirder characters and makes for a more cinematic experience due to its stylish, Technicolor drenched photography. It all comes together to create one of the most unique and most original TV shows I've seen in a long time. The visual style of the show, the amazing, crazy soundtrack (which fits the crazy conspiracy story so well), the fantastic characters and the wonderful cast and the pitch-black humor - I could go on and on. While that apparently didn't come together, I actually doubt even a master like Fincher could have improved upon the original: it's absolutely perfect. I got interested in 'Utopia' when I read that David Fincher was going to direct an American version of this British show for HBO.
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