Believe it or not when I was a kid I never heard of the Fairy Tale "Beauty and the Beast" until I ran into this show. There have been so many adaptations of this classic tale throughout the years which is part of why it's so timeless. Believe it or not this is probably my favorite version since it was the first for me and still the best. It's one of my favorite TV shows of all time and live action fantasy TV shows which there are unfortunately very few of. The show is sort of a Neil Gaiman like fantasy tale since like with the author it's a fantasy that's set in modern times, which is great because it gave it an accessible feel and I don't feel modern time in the fantasy genre is tackled very much, usually most fantasy is set in either the past, an alien planet or future.
The music is great most are orchastratic tunes, I really love that theme song which I think is just beautiful, it has a romantic, haunting, and somber tone to it.
I really love the underground world that is constructed, it's uncannily similar to the world in Neil Gaiman's "Neverwhere". I really love the vastness of that world, wondering what on the next turn or beyond that tunnel. It just strangely beautiful it looks like a place where anything is possible and has a great amount of mystery and depth. And from what it has and certain customs it's also one that looks kinda post medieval; it's one step in the past but also one step in our reality. I also like that there is a strong sense of community in that underground world that unfortunately the world above has yet to achieve. There is also a conflicting but indivisible dynamic between both the up and down worlds, it kinda reflects Catherine and Vincent's relationship how despite difference both worlds need each other to exist.
However what really made the show of course was the relationship between both Catherine and Vincent. The chemistry between them is just beautiful because even though it's platonic but it always gradually develops. Their interaction is just sweet, you really feel like their bonding and there are sparks flying. Whenever their in physical distance together it doesn't feel strange at all but right.
Linda Hamilton one of my favorite actresses, this is one of my favorite roles from her. The Catherine character is just beautiful inside and out. I love that she's a strong, independent, highly intellect woman. She can hold her own against danger so she's not some stereotypical damsel in distress.
Vincent played by one of my favorite actors Ron Peralman, this believe it or not is my favorite role from him. The make up work by one of my favorite make up artists Rick Baker is great. Vincent looks like he could be one of the humanoid cats in the cartoon show "Thundercats", or a mutant from the "X-Men" movies, he's practically a humanoid lion. I thought that was a great design choice because despite inhuman he's pleasant looking, I feel in a way it reflect his persona where he's a persona that isn't just strong physically but emotionally, as they says strong emotions are an untamed beast (no pun intended). You can say that the show is almost a bit of a superhero show also (I said a bit) since Vincent has became a protector of both the underground world and above ground. There is action, it's not exactly wall to wall but it's good all the same, whenever we see Vincent taking action I think it's cool, just seeing him beat the crap and go animalistic on scum that had it coming.
However what really makes his character you really like and feel pathos for. The feelings he has for Catherine are very human, which makes the show both touching and at times heart wrenching. At times you can sense he's in pain, longing and emotional acheing. Despite knowing and accepting he's an outsider you can tell he longs to be with Cathrine above ground, be like any other human being that walks the street just to be with her.
Catherine at times longs to be with him, as well as be part of the world underground despite her little understanding of it and at times still grounded in her own. In a way her going back and forth in the worlds is sort of reminiscent of the mythology of Persephone, whom grew to love Hades and his world but still loves her world.
And the show has a main villain Paracelcus played well by the late great Tony Jay, he's one of my favorite fictional villains. I remember when I was a kid this guy scared me, because he was so evil, sadistic, ruthless, had a whole scumbag army backing him up, wants to conquer both the underground and if possible above ground world. But also just wants to simply destroy everything that was innocent and beautiful just because he can. Heck that tone of his voice, I felt added to his menace, certain things he said and how he said them just gave me chills. To me Paracelcus and some of the scum from both above and below ground are the real beasts of the show. To me if you defile or take life for naught then your not truly human.
The show still retains the theme from the fairy tale, that what is inside a person is truly beautiful. But also I feel the other theme in both the show and fairy tale, is about the importance of connection and togetherness. To me part of what love is, is one always needing the other, their can never be true community if one is alone.
Just like the fairy tale, this show is timeless.
Rating: 4 stars
The music is great most are orchastratic tunes, I really love that theme song which I think is just beautiful, it has a romantic, haunting, and somber tone to it.
I really love the underground world that is constructed, it's uncannily similar to the world in Neil Gaiman's "Neverwhere". I really love the vastness of that world, wondering what on the next turn or beyond that tunnel. It just strangely beautiful it looks like a place where anything is possible and has a great amount of mystery and depth. And from what it has and certain customs it's also one that looks kinda post medieval; it's one step in the past but also one step in our reality. I also like that there is a strong sense of community in that underground world that unfortunately the world above has yet to achieve. There is also a conflicting but indivisible dynamic between both the up and down worlds, it kinda reflects Catherine and Vincent's relationship how despite difference both worlds need each other to exist.
However what really made the show of course was the relationship between both Catherine and Vincent. The chemistry between them is just beautiful because even though it's platonic but it always gradually develops. Their interaction is just sweet, you really feel like their bonding and there are sparks flying. Whenever their in physical distance together it doesn't feel strange at all but right.
Linda Hamilton one of my favorite actresses, this is one of my favorite roles from her. The Catherine character is just beautiful inside and out. I love that she's a strong, independent, highly intellect woman. She can hold her own against danger so she's not some stereotypical damsel in distress.
Vincent played by one of my favorite actors Ron Peralman, this believe it or not is my favorite role from him. The make up work by one of my favorite make up artists Rick Baker is great. Vincent looks like he could be one of the humanoid cats in the cartoon show "Thundercats", or a mutant from the "X-Men" movies, he's practically a humanoid lion. I thought that was a great design choice because despite inhuman he's pleasant looking, I feel in a way it reflect his persona where he's a persona that isn't just strong physically but emotionally, as they says strong emotions are an untamed beast (no pun intended). You can say that the show is almost a bit of a superhero show also (I said a bit) since Vincent has became a protector of both the underground world and above ground. There is action, it's not exactly wall to wall but it's good all the same, whenever we see Vincent taking action I think it's cool, just seeing him beat the crap and go animalistic on scum that had it coming.
However what really makes his character you really like and feel pathos for. The feelings he has for Catherine are very human, which makes the show both touching and at times heart wrenching. At times you can sense he's in pain, longing and emotional acheing. Despite knowing and accepting he's an outsider you can tell he longs to be with Cathrine above ground, be like any other human being that walks the street just to be with her.
Catherine at times longs to be with him, as well as be part of the world underground despite her little understanding of it and at times still grounded in her own. In a way her going back and forth in the worlds is sort of reminiscent of the mythology of Persephone, whom grew to love Hades and his world but still loves her world.
And the show has a main villain Paracelcus played well by the late great Tony Jay, he's one of my favorite fictional villains. I remember when I was a kid this guy scared me, because he was so evil, sadistic, ruthless, had a whole scumbag army backing him up, wants to conquer both the underground and if possible above ground world. But also just wants to simply destroy everything that was innocent and beautiful just because he can. Heck that tone of his voice, I felt added to his menace, certain things he said and how he said them just gave me chills. To me Paracelcus and some of the scum from both above and below ground are the real beasts of the show. To me if you defile or take life for naught then your not truly human.
The show still retains the theme from the fairy tale, that what is inside a person is truly beautiful. But also I feel the other theme in both the show and fairy tale, is about the importance of connection and togetherness. To me part of what love is, is one always needing the other, their can never be true community if one is alone.
Just like the fairy tale, this show is timeless.
Rating: 4 stars