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Watched No Ordinary Family which I'd read a positive review of on www.robwillreview.com, and since I tend to agree with Rob's reviews on most not all occassions, figured I'd check it out.
He was absolutely right on all counts.
Prior to doing my own review - a few confessions:
1. I have a huge weakness for superhero stories or stories about people who suddenly get special powers.
2. Non-dysfunctional, warm happy family shows comfort me. What can I say? It's a thing.(ie. Nice to have show where the characters don't have Daddy or Mommy issues or you wish you could back in time and neuter everyone.)
3. After watching Life Unexpected tonight - which Emma Caulfield currently has a supporting role in - I've come the conclusion that there are only three, possibly five actors from the Angel and Buffy series that were in lead roles (ie. mentioned in the opening credits every week (note this means I am not including Amber Benson, Adam Rush or Danny Strong in this bit so don't respond with what about Danny in Mad Men) that I find watchable in anything else. They are : 1) Anthony Stewart Head (Merlin, VR5, Manchild, on stage in Chess, and assorted supporting roles), 2)Amy Acker (Dollhouse), 3)Julie Benze (yes, I know she wasn't in the opening credits of Angel in S2 but she should have been - besides, my post, my rules!) (No Ordinary Family and Dexter), 4) Vincent KArthesier (Mad Men) and 5) Seth Green (The Italian Job amongst other comedies). James Marsters, and Sarah Michelle Gellar are watchable but it depends on the role...Marsters was sort of watchable in Torchwood, Smallville, and Caprica, Gellar in Scream 2, I Know What You Did Last Summer, and Cruel Intentions (which unfortunately were all before or during the first three years of Buffy), but most of the time? Ugh.
No Ordinary Family
The best thing about this show is the refreshing casting choices - they went against established trope or stereotype. Instead of the gorgeous GQ hunk or the slight nerdy type guy (who is usually who they cast in these shows and has been cast in all the other shows, think David Boreanze or Nathan Fillion (YAWN) ) - they cast an excellent and versatile character actor. Big, bald, heavy-set, Michael Chicklis of the Commish, The Sheild, and The Fantastic Four. A character actor with a wide range of acting experience. For the female role - instead of the nerdy scientist type or a beautiful model with no lines in her face, they cast soft-spoken Julie Benze, who may be amongst the few 40 something actresses out there that has not gotten a face-lift or botox treatment. She has actual laugh lines. And she exudes a weathered, strong, warmth that is needed here. Benze has a great deal of range - having watched her in both Angel and now Dexter - it is nice to see her take on yet another type of role. The kids? Look normal for once. They aren't beautiful and hot. And they are actually, kids. Which is sort of necessary considering that they've cast thirty and forty year-olds as the parents.
Most realistic casting that I've seen in a genre show in quite a while (excluding Caprica, Being Human, and BSG of course.).
The plot of the series is fairly basic: a family that is having trouble connecting with one another takes a vacation - spear-headed by the Dad who has taken on the bulk of the parenting duties for his too busy/career driven wife. Dad forces them to take a scenic tour of a rain forest in Belize. They run into a storm, the plane crashes into the water, and they barely make it out alive. Something was in the water - which we find out later has imbued each family member with an extraordinary power.
( cut for vague spoilers and length )
Overall rating? B+
It's not perfect, but definitely enjoyable and yes, I'm watching all of it this year - it is getting a record series on the old DVR.
He was absolutely right on all counts.
Prior to doing my own review - a few confessions:
1. I have a huge weakness for superhero stories or stories about people who suddenly get special powers.
2. Non-dysfunctional, warm happy family shows comfort me. What can I say? It's a thing.(ie. Nice to have show where the characters don't have Daddy or Mommy issues or you wish you could back in time and neuter everyone.)
3. After watching Life Unexpected tonight - which Emma Caulfield currently has a supporting role in - I've come the conclusion that there are only three, possibly five actors from the Angel and Buffy series that were in lead roles (ie. mentioned in the opening credits every week (note this means I am not including Amber Benson, Adam Rush or Danny Strong in this bit so don't respond with what about Danny in Mad Men) that I find watchable in anything else. They are : 1) Anthony Stewart Head (Merlin, VR5, Manchild, on stage in Chess, and assorted supporting roles), 2)Amy Acker (Dollhouse), 3)Julie Benze (yes, I know she wasn't in the opening credits of Angel in S2 but she should have been - besides, my post, my rules!) (No Ordinary Family and Dexter), 4) Vincent KArthesier (Mad Men) and 5) Seth Green (The Italian Job amongst other comedies). James Marsters, and Sarah Michelle Gellar are watchable but it depends on the role...Marsters was sort of watchable in Torchwood, Smallville, and Caprica, Gellar in Scream 2, I Know What You Did Last Summer, and Cruel Intentions (which unfortunately were all before or during the first three years of Buffy), but most of the time? Ugh.
No Ordinary Family
The best thing about this show is the refreshing casting choices - they went against established trope or stereotype. Instead of the gorgeous GQ hunk or the slight nerdy type guy (who is usually who they cast in these shows and has been cast in all the other shows, think David Boreanze or Nathan Fillion (YAWN) ) - they cast an excellent and versatile character actor. Big, bald, heavy-set, Michael Chicklis of the Commish, The Sheild, and The Fantastic Four. A character actor with a wide range of acting experience. For the female role - instead of the nerdy scientist type or a beautiful model with no lines in her face, they cast soft-spoken Julie Benze, who may be amongst the few 40 something actresses out there that has not gotten a face-lift or botox treatment. She has actual laugh lines. And she exudes a weathered, strong, warmth that is needed here. Benze has a great deal of range - having watched her in both Angel and now Dexter - it is nice to see her take on yet another type of role. The kids? Look normal for once. They aren't beautiful and hot. And they are actually, kids. Which is sort of necessary considering that they've cast thirty and forty year-olds as the parents.
Most realistic casting that I've seen in a genre show in quite a while (excluding Caprica, Being Human, and BSG of course.).
The plot of the series is fairly basic: a family that is having trouble connecting with one another takes a vacation - spear-headed by the Dad who has taken on the bulk of the parenting duties for his too busy/career driven wife. Dad forces them to take a scenic tour of a rain forest in Belize. They run into a storm, the plane crashes into the water, and they barely make it out alive. Something was in the water - which we find out later has imbued each family member with an extraordinary power.
( cut for vague spoilers and length )
Overall rating? B+
It's not perfect, but definitely enjoyable and yes, I'm watching all of it this year - it is getting a record series on the old DVR.