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- CBS All Access
- Dec 16, 2020
- CBS All Access
- Dec 16, 2020
Summary A deadly superflu leaves the few survivors with dreams of either of a friendly older woman named Mother Abagail (Whoopi Goldberg) or a more darker figure: Randall Flagg (Alexander Skarsgård) in this new adaptation of Stephen King's novel (that includes a new coda).
- CBS All Access
- Dec 16, 2020
- CBS All Access
- Dec 16, 2020
Summary A deadly superflu leaves the few survivors with dreams of either of a friendly older woman named Mother Abagail (Whoopi Goldberg) or a more darker figure: Randall Flagg (Alexander Skarsgård) in this new adaptation of Stephen King's novel (that includes a new coda).
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Metascore
Mixed or Average
Based on 25 Critic Reviews
56
28% Positive
7 Reviews
7 Reviews
68% Mixed
17 Reviews
17 Reviews
4% Negative
1 Review
1 Review
Metascore
Mixed or Average
Based on 25 Critic Reviews
56
28% Positive
7 Reviews
7 Reviews
68% Mixed
17 Reviews
17 Reviews
4% Negative
1 Review
1 Review
It’s not perfect by any means, but the series does about as well as anyone might reasonably expect considering the source, and never suffers a boring minute.
It's effective TV horror, it's a recognizable dystopia story, but almost nothing hits as hard as it could.
User Score
Generally Unfavorable
Based on 36 User Ratings
3.6
22% Positive
8 Ratings
8 Ratings
22% Mixed
8 Ratings
8 Ratings
56% Negative
20 Ratings
20 Ratings
User Score
Generally Unfavorable
Based on 36 User Ratings
3.6
22% Positive
8 Ratings
8 Ratings
22% Mixed
8 Ratings
8 Ratings
56% Negative
20 Ratings
20 Ratings
The Stand was a novel written by Stephen King in 1978. There was a TV mini-series based on the novel in 1994. So, I have to clear those past experiences with the material out of my head so I can appreciate the latest 2020 version. I've only seen the first of 9 episodes. I may return and update my review.
The first episode does not have a linear time line. Just he opposite, the time line skips around a great deal. I would say that approach to the material is reasonably interesting and I think it works. Nevertheless, individuals, as a whole, do not deal well with change. Probably almost all who are familiar with the original novel will not like the new take on the non-linear time-line. Also, this type of story telling approach requires that you assimilate the entire plot and are required to wait to the end of the episode so that the different time-pieces fall into place. Most individuals are not able to do that.
Owen Teague as Harold Lauder is the best performance - partly because it is the most interesting role and otherwise because Teague does an excellent job of acting.
You only see Whoppi Goldberg briefly in her role as Mother Abagail. I do not consider Goldberg to be a good actor and she apparently does not have a good interpretation of her Mother Abagail role. She will probably be detrimental to the series. Goldberg should stick to talk-shows where her naturally engaging personality is interesting to watch.
Obviously I'll need to watch the entire 9 episodes before I can render a final judgement.
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SEASON 1
The Stand, produced by CBS All Access, never rises above a slightly dreary competence. It certainly lacks the Hollywood gleam of the very best American television. In fact, the series only truly comes alive when Heard is allowed cut loose.
As every episode started I felt like I had missed three more in between, or maybe three seasons. There are some decent moments buried in The Stand, but it’s so generally mishandled on the whole that it’s not worth slogging through the rest to get to them. If you are looking for your King fix, try Castle Rock on Hulu instead.
Serviceable, workmanlike, maybe just good enough to keep you on the couch for nine hours.
This plays out as a bunch of survivors played by a raft of talented people taking a long time to get to the point of it all and making unnecessarily dunderheaded mistakes as they flail about.
Even with a new ending penned by King himself coming up, the CBS All Access take feels like it’s stuck in time; half a cheesy made-for-broadcast event series, half a gritty, all-too-dark dive into the bottom barrels of prestige TV. Maybe it’s time to set this story down.
I"ve been anticipating this adaption for over a year and....well....pretty disappointed. I'll say it seems to be somewhat faithful to book...except when it matters. I found the non linear story telling to be confusing and also lessen the impact of the pandemics toll. Quite honestly, i felt like I was watching a "serious" Lifetime/hallmark aftefter-school special. Definitely a weak, cheesy kickoff. Im hoping it gets better and does the novel justice
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SEASON 1
It is amazing how many "professional" critics are giving this a 5/10 but then writing a review that makes it sound far better. I guess they think their credibility is so poor no one will ever notice the discrepency. This version of the Stand is a mess. It deviates from the source material too widely and at times, incoherently. As more epsiodes are aired, this reivew will be updated. So far though, it is a pale imitation of the previous mini-series, and far inferior to the unabriged book.
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SEASON 1
As a big Stephen King fan and reader, I have watched The Stand (of 90s) many times. This modern version... just couldn't convince me. Great production and actors and everything, but as someone mentioned before me, it lacks soul. Forget remakes, they rarely catch up with the original.
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SEASON 1
