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- Paramount+
- Mar 14, 2022
- Paramount+
- Mar 14, 2022
- Paramount+
- Mar 14, 2022
- Paramount+
- Mar 14, 2022
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Top Cast
Metascore
Generally Favorable
Based on 20 Critic Reviews
61
35% Positive
7 Reviews
7 Reviews
60% Mixed
12 Reviews
12 Reviews
5% Negative
1 Review
1 Review
Metascore
Generally Favorable
Based on 20 Critic Reviews
61
35% Positive
7 Reviews
7 Reviews
60% Mixed
12 Reviews
12 Reviews
5% Negative
1 Review
1 Review
Halo’s adaptation accuracy is mildly undercut by the moderately creaky narrative wheels it’s set in motion. ... [However] with top-notch CGI and a lead performance from Schreiber that lends new depths to his famously one-dimensional hero, Halo appears to have the firepower to become its own uniquely formidable sci-fi titan.
Where this all goes and whether the balance tips more toward character and story or more toward video game-like battle scenes is unclear, but if the first two episodes are any indication, character stories will win out. As long as that remains the case, I’ll gladly go along for this sci-fi ride.
User Score
Mixed or Average
Based on 322 User Ratings
5.7
55% Positive
177 Ratings
177 Ratings
6% Mixed
20 Ratings
20 Ratings
39% Negative
125 Ratings
125 Ratings
User Score
Mixed or Average
Based on 322 User Ratings
5.7
55% Positive
177 Ratings
177 Ratings
6% Mixed
20 Ratings
20 Ratings
39% Negative
125 Ratings
125 Ratings
It mostly succeeds in this regard, with the relationship between Quan and John proving to be the show’s saving grace. They offer a hopeful glimpse at a future where they both help each face off against a universe that is dead set on using them for their own means. Even when everything else around them struggles to come together, they remain the glue that holds it all together.
The first couple of episodes represent a decent start that, despite its best efforts, failed to stun me. But it didn't drive me away, either. Without question, one detail the producers got right is casting Pablo Schreiber ("American Gods," "Orange Is the New Black") as Master Chief. The man has range, and that makes the possibility of what he could bring to "Halo" exciting.
While “Halo” features a few minor pivots in these early hours, there’s very little to spoil and even less to spark curiosity that’s not already present. Perhaps most surprising is how smoothly the initial narrative plays out, given how many creatives came and went during development.
Maybe Halo does play as more exciting and specific if you have an internal checklist of game elements — weapon types, helpful acquisitions, character or planetary allusions — you’re looking to have acknowledged. For those of us who don’t necessarily crave or appreciate those things, Halo has a generic story, limitedly engaging characters and a clearly high special-effects budget that yields respectable but unremarkable results.
They’ve avoided the trap of filling precious screen time with impenetrable jargon and shorthand, but the result is an extensive mythology rife with political machinations that, at least in the first couple of episodes, feels alternately opaque or convoluted.
Action was well shot and well edited, but pacing's a bit slow and performances are kinda stale.
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SEASON 1
I thought this would be terrible, but was humbly surprised with how much I enjoyed it.
CGI Ranges from amazing to janky, so it is disjointed in that regard, however tension betweens marines, rebels and Spartans creates a much more interesting dynamic than I anticipated.
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SEASON 1
This is not the Halo you know from the games and they made this clear. Is it still good would be the reply and I say no even more if you are a Halo fan. Maybe unfamiliar viewers can get out more of the show. The show is something different than the games and the changes and new characters cant win me over. I think the games were already a blueprint for a movie adaption with not many changes needed. Even a Halo creator came out and roasted the show (Not the Halo I made). Lets start with the elephant in the room: The ending of season 1 is so horrible that I expected many angry rants. I don't know how they want people to come back for a second season. Lets continue with the problems: You barely see in the show that humanity is loosing a war against the superior alien Covenant forces with billions of casualties. Master Chief is hollow compared to the games and also other characters feel inferior like Cortana, Miranda Keyes or Elizabeth Halsey. Also Cortanas and Master Chiefs incredible relationship is ruined or non existing here. I know they want something different than the games but everything will be judged against the source material no matter what franchise is used and you have to deliver. This is something that will be come up again and again. While I see the potential of Kwans story and character it should be done better. Also does the struggle of 1 world matter when planet after planet is purged / glassed by the Covenant? The character Makee is an interesting choice that I would defend. Unluckily she is wasted by the script. Also there is not much action in the show. I hate bashing here but the choices were questionable if they would win the Halo fans over. The actors are fine for me after some thinking. I cant blame them for doing / delivering the script when their roles are different form the sources. Pablo Schreiber does a great job but does not feel like Master Chief. I praise him for the performance. Yerin Ha as Kwan and Charlie Murphy are wasted by the script but do a good performance. I cant blame them. I shorten this by saying all actors are decent to fine. I praise the action scenes but those are sparingly used. Some sets and effects are not that good but it is not that bad. I repeat this is not the Halo of the source material or what it need to be. Overall I think it is a missed opportunity and overconfidence that they can improve Halo harmed the show. The source was a blue print that should be used with some adaptations like Lord of the Rings. It would have millions of Halo fans watching and praising it instead. I give a 3/10.
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SEASON 1
I made a metacritic account just so I could make sure to put my review in for this garbage show. It doesn't feel like Halo and is boring as hell. Additionally, CBS is trying to silence any and all negative criticism towards the show and Paramount+, which is also not worth the money.
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SEASON 1
