Surface – The Complete Series
Picture:
C+ Sound: B- Extras: C Episodes: C+
How many
times will producers (and NBC/Universal in particular) keep trying to revisit
Spielberg’s Jaws (1975) without
saying so? The latest attempt is Surface, a 2005 series that was
intended as the next hoped-for hit, but did not even last as long as SeaQuest DSV (reviewed elsewhere on
this site) did, which failed despite being backed by the actual Steven
Spielberg. This one also has new
lifeforms in a new race of creature that could be dangerous and that the
government is trying to keep the lid on.
The twist
here is that it is so oddball and the cast and makers think they are making a
seriously scary Sci-Fi/Horror show when they have made a campy, silly, bad
mess, it is one of those shows sooooo bad that it is a hoot to watch. In between ripping off every great film in
both genres shamelessly, twin brothers Jonas & Josh Pate have created a
mosaic of what they love about such productions and pieced together a pastiche
so unoriginal that it is jaw-dropping.
When it becomes digital of digital, particularly when the cast reacts
like they are scared (very obviously reacting to nothing), it is a throwback to
bad 1980s films and TV where the screams were at more entertaining latex!
So yes,
the show is bad and with so much better product on the market in both genres,
not worth going out of your way for.
However, if you need a good laugh, like old B-movies and want to see all
the mistakes you can make across 15 episodes before getting cancelled, then
check out Surface. I hope The Pate Brothers get to do another
project, because they are a riot and that is much better than most of their
talentless contemporaries.
The
anamorphically enhanced 1.78 X 1 image is surprisingly weak, with detail
issues, poor Video Black and a dull look too typical of bad, boring, flat genre
productions we see too often on TV. Add
the digital degradation for effects and “atmospheric” adjustments, then you have
seen this all before, even if you have never seen a frame of this show. The Dolby Digital 5.1 mix is unimaginative,
typically dull and not very involving.
The music is forgettable. Extras
include deleted scenes that make no difference and a making of featurette with
the startling revelation that at least some of this seems to have been shot on
film.
- Nicholas Sheffo
