435. Web-series Reviews – 239

More web-series reviews…

Kerala Crime Files 2 – Season 2 came in 2025.

A review from IMDB...

I really did enjoy the first season of Kerala Crime Files. It is a solid show with good attention to detail. This time around, it starts off with a really strong pilot episode. The plot is intriguing, filled with layers, connections, and complications that hint at a gripping investigation.

However, the most essential part of a thriller, which is the suspense, starts fading by the time we reach episode 3. What begins with promise turns into a slow-moving stretch. On one side, that might be how real investigations unfold, but on the other, it does not exactly keep you hooked.

There is never really a point where you are biting your nails trying to figure out who did it. There are no surprises, no sharp turns, and no real highs. Maybe if it had been cut down to five episodes and included a few unexpected twists, it could have worked better.

I felt the background score could have leaned into something darker and grittier. It felt too filmy in many places and did not quite match the tone.

The cast, though, is spot on. Everyone brings the right energy to their character and fits into their role effortlessly. But the pacing is what brings the show down. It moves very slowly through the middle episodes and then rushes to wrap things up.

One thing I did like is how it avoids spelling everything out. It lets you fill in the blanks and imagine how the crime actually happened.

Overall, it is definitely binge-worthy and has its moments. It is good, just not great.

My Take – An ok watch!

 

War and Peace – Came in 2016. As the Russian conflict with Napoleon reaches its peak, five aristocratic families face the possibility of their lives being changed forever.

A review from IMDB...

Anybody who even as much attempts to adapt Leo Tolstoy's magnum opus 'War and Peace' deserves at least a pat on the back for trying, regardless of how successful it is in doing so or not. The novel is one of the greatest there is, but because of the enormous length (one of the longest novels I've ever read, and it was admittedly not the easiest to immediately get gripped at first), very rich story and dialogues, and complex characterisations and themes it is also one of the most difficult to adapt.

Of the major versions, the best version is the 1972 mini-series with Anthony Hopkins, not only an ideal adaptation of the book and as faithful as one could get but also brilliant in its own right, one of the best the BBC ever produced. The 1966 Russian one directed by Sergei Bondarchuk, while not as accessible, is a close second, a towering achievement and contains the best battle and ballroom scenes of all the War and Peace adaptations. The 1956 King Vidor film has a number of good things, like the production values, the music score, Audrey Hepburn and some of the supporting cast but the sound quality and two male leads are very problematic and the story is not as riveting as it could have been. Faring least is the 2007 adaptation with Clemence Posey as Natasha, beautiful production values and some impressive supporting performances but sunk by the problematic performances of the three leading characters, awkward and underwritten script-writing and bland storytelling.

This latest offering from 2016 courtesy of BBC is not as good as the 1972 mini-series or the Sergei Bondarchuk, but is far more successful than the 1956 film and 2007 adaptation. It isn't one hundred percent flawless, agree with Andrew Davies himself that the mini-series could have been two episodes longer as the final episode did feel a little rushed and Helene's story too hastily and conveniently wrapped up. Although the production values are wonderful on the whole, some of the costumes don't fit as well with the period and are not as lavish as the rest and some of the make-up is 21st century-ish.

However, considering that adapting 'War and Peace' is a mammoth task and virtually impossible to be word for word, detail for detail this does very well as an adaptation. It is condensed and not one hundred percent faithful, but the heart and soul of the book is there and while focusing predominantly on the relationships between the characters and the characterisations it is very intelligently written and everything feels coherent and emotionally investible. Even if the Sergei Bondarchuk film has more beautiful ballroom scenes and more powerful war scenes, this adaptation hardly underwhelms in either.

'War and Peace' (2016) stands brilliantly on its own, and shouldn't be marked down solely for it not being a completely faithful adaptation, that is not fair on the adaptation as they are two different mediums and deserve to be treated as such. It is wonderfully made for starters. The photography is some of the most beautiful personally seen all year on television, almost poetic and heart-breaking in its beauty (episode 3 is particularly striking), the settings, interiors and period detail is sumptuous in every sense and it's always special when scenery is like a character all of its own and the Russian landscapes is one of the greatest examples of that, as well as looking exquisite, seen anywhere on film or television not just this year but possibly ever.

Another standout is the music score, words cannot describe how amazing it is. Not only is it so dynamic with every scene, with the haunting choirs, chilling ambiance, poetic nuance and rousing bombast even enhancing the impact, but it serves as an amazing score on its own and one of the best music scores for television this year as well as worthy of its very own soundtrack album. The script is very literate and intelligent, the characterisation meaty and the dialogue always flowing beautifully. The storytelling throughout is engrossing with a lot packed in but elaborated upon enough to make it fascinating and easy to follow.

Performances are top-notch, regardless of any reservations as to whether certain actors are right physically. Paul Dano's sensitive and multi-faceted portrayal Pierre is one of the most successful ones of all 'War and Peace' adaptations, and is one of his best overall performances. Wasn't sure about Lily James at first, but as the character grows James grows too and becomes enchanting. James Norton is a handsome, commanding and tragic Andrei. In support, standouts are an outstanding Jessie Buckley, Tuppence Middleton as a Helene that's somewhat both a villain and a victim and Jim Broadbent's incredibly powerful and affecting Bollonsky (especially his breakdown).

Overall, a very successful adaptation of 'War and Peace'. 9/10 Bethany Cox

My Take – Have never read the book. An excellent series!

 

Sherlock and Daughter – Came in 2025.  Sherlock Holmes faces a sinister case risking friends' lives. American Amelia joins, seeking her father after her mother's murder. Despite differences, they solve a conspiracy and her mother's case.

A review from IMDB...

Sherlock & Daughter (Season 1, 2025, 7.3/10) is an attempt to reinterpret the Sherlock Holmes universe through the lens of family drama - an idea that sounds intriguing on paper but ultimately leaves mixed feelings. Introducing a sudden "daughter" into Holmes's life is a risky move, and while the series tries to balance classic elements with new themes, the execution doesn't always withstand the tension between them.

The show's main strength lies in its acting. David Thewlis is perfectly cast as Holmes: his portrayal of the detective is more weathered by time, more human, yet still retains the familiar cold sharpness. Blu Hunt as Amelia brings a refreshing energy: her character is independent, determined, and provides a good contrast to Sherlock's detached nature. Their dynamic is one of the main reasons the series manages to hold the viewer's interest.

Visually, the production is solid: London is depicted with atmosphere - without excessive gloss, tinged with a slight grayness and an attentive eye for period details. In terms of staging, the series looks robust and at times even impressive.

However, the main weakness lies in the script. Storylines often feel simplified: the mysteries are not particularly complex, some plot twists can be guessed long before the reveal, and themes that could have added emotional weight (such as generational conflict, trust, redemption) remain superficial hints rather than fully developed arcs. The pacing is also uneven: there are lively moments, but also noticeable lulls, especially in the middle of the season.

Conclusion: Sherlock & Daughter is a project with a good concept, solid performances, and a pleasant atmosphere, but it lacks depth in storytelling. It's more of an interesting side note in the world of Sherlock rather than a new pinnacle of the genre. As an easy evening watch, it works well enough. But if you're looking for the wit and complexity of the original Holmes, they are noticeably scarcer here.

My Take – An ok watch!

Adios till next time😊!!