THE CONTINENTAL
Starring: Colin Woodell, Mel Gibson, Jeremy Bobb, Mishel Prada, Ben Robson, Hubert Point-Du Jour, Nhung Kate, Jessica Allain, Ayomide Adegun, and Peter Greene
Creator: Greg Coolidge, Kirk Ward, and Shawn Simmons
QUENTIN
To me, the most fascinating story aspect about the John Wick franchise is the lore behind The High Table and the underground network of assassins, and while The Continental certainly delivers more of that, it is severely hindered by its television budget. Aside from Mel Gibson, who still has a magnetic screen presence despite what you think of him as a person, the acting (and writing) is suspect, and the NYC sets look like they are recycled from old network sitcoms. Still, with only three (albeit lengthy) episodes, a killer soundtrack, and the John Wick meets 70s noir sensibilities, it’s worth checking in to The Continental.
PRESTON
I may be impatient with my criticisms, as many of my gripes revolve around the gaps in the characters’ stories, which could be filled in with several more seasons or by simply extending this inexplicably brief offering. But I also found that the hard-hitting realism was dampened by cheesy one-liners, cliché monologues, and B-movie-esque fight sequences. My own imagination for a different plot line probably let me down the most, though, and despite it starting off slowly, the show still won me over in the end. It is John Wick-land after all, with a compelling setting and a kick-ass soundtrack!
