Charlie Jade - Complete Season 1 Box Set (Exclusive to Amazon.co.uk) [DVD]

 

 

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When the series Charlie Jade started on the FX channel I had a quick Google about the series and the title of this review was one of the things I found. Best Sci-fi series you've never heard of. Now I've watch the series I've got to say I agree 100%

The camera techniques used throughout the series and particularly its use of colours (each of the three universes or verses has their own feel, alpha where everything has a sickly green tinge, beta, slightly washout and over exposed feel, and gamma with its vivid primary colours) are exceptional and at times the series has an almost art like feel to it.

Also the series is intelligent in how it approaches both the characters and the story in general. Whilst occasionally the story can jump (at one point it actually jumps back and slightly changes how the previous episode ends, or at least puts a massively different spin on it) it always keeps you thinking. Have no doubts, if you like stories being spoon-fed Charlie Jade is not the series for you! You'll find yourself think about what has happened between episodes, and in my case discussing the social/political differences between the worlds with my wife (she's an understanding sole, but she loves the series too).

The series develops the viewer's relationships with the characters brilliantly, with your understanding of characters growing as you watch, and in one case completely turning on their head every few episodes (with 01 Boxer).

That being said this series isn't perfect! There are a couple of really duff episodes, and really I'm referring to the first episode here! Watching it was like having my teeth pulled without anaesthetic! It just picks up slightly towards the end but if I hadn't the second waiting for me on the planner I might not have bothered again. That being said by the end of episode 2 I was enjoying and by the end of the third I was hooked!

And whilst there are decent extras on the first box set (this complete series is the two box sets... well boxed) the second doesn't, which is slightly disappointing!

Overall I'd have to say Charlie Jade is the most original series I've seen in a long time. Not perfect, but let's be honest what is. Now to paraphrase the tag line of the series and make it useful to the review (its "Three Worlds, one hope") 4 stars, one hope - that the studio makes a second series!

I have to agree with the positive reviews on this show. It is well worth persevering past the first - difficult to watch/see/understand/tolerate - episode. This is an adult, intelligent, atmospheric, gripping and - provided you can stomach the dismal fight scenes - well-acted show. Reminiscent of Blade Runner in parts - I really came to like and care about some of the characters, and was pleasantly surprised that 01 was one such. Won't spoil it for others who watch this but be prepared to be surprised and perhaps even disappointed but never bored. A good show and, like others, I really hope that there are more in the pipeline!

The first thing I'd have to comment on about `Charlie Jade' in a review, something that greatly contributes to it's alien/futuristic/otherworldly atmosphere (to me as a British viewer at least) is the fact that the series is filmed largely in South Africa, Cape Town with the majority of the cast coming from that country. There are a few notable exceptions including the title character himself, played by Jeffrey Pierce, who's American. I really like the accent, occasionally it's a little distracting in the beginning, but you quickly get used to it. So as the first South African-based TV series I've ever watched, it's really quite impressive and as other reviewers have mentioned- the cinematography is particularly effective, with the use of different hues to distinguish between the three main parallel universes (known as the Alpha, Beta and Gamma `verses') in the story. The camera work is also inventively sharp and adds to the fast pace of the show, while showcasing the visceral action very well. And last but not least- the theme tune and music in general are just awesome!!!

But after what I felt to be a promising story in the pilot episode in `Big Bang' (7/10), I struggled to remain gripped by the following few episodes stretched across the first and second discs. It was only the charisma and conviction of the lead character that kept me playing each new episode. Before episode eight the writing is not of a particularly high standard- the main problem being the lack of explanation of the greater themes in the series, which is still the case in later episodes, but in the beginning it's irritating, while later it's balanced by simple good story-telling. This means in the beginning the viewer has to work a whole lot harder than with the average sci-fi show. `Charlie Jade' throws the viewer in at the deep end and forces you to take on faith that the lack of coherency in the on-going plot will eventually grow clearer. So initially I was very disappointed that I didn't find this to be the type of show where I could stick on an episode, sit down and enjoy it in it's own right. Instead I felt like I had to devote time to `Charlie Jade' in order to eventually get some kind of return from a show that rarely offers a satisfactory viewing experience in the beginning.

But then I reached a turning point with episode 8- `Devotion' (8/10), which was the first episode (to my mind) that started the trend of providing small, but satisfactory resolutions to each episode and characters such as Reena (whom I initially disliked, because she was so under-written) became more well-rounded and so, more sympathetic. And by the end of part one, I was hooked! Episodes 17 `Spin' (9/10) and 19 `Flesh' (9/10) were also major highlights for me, because there's such great character and plot development in the final ten minutes of both epi's.

I honestly liked this series and I don't want to deter anyone from purchasing it, but I have to believe that the other positive reviewers on this page are either hard-core sci-fi fans, or simply have a lot of patience and appreciation for the finer points of the genre. I count myself among them, but in either case I'm not so sure that the average viewer would manage to muster half as much patience to stick with it for more than a few episodes. But while occasionally confusing, it's a rewarding experience if you stick with it and the cinematic quality of its visuals alone makes it a show worthy of experiencing in its entirety.

Just to add one other thing- the packaging for this set is incredible; it has a really high quality of thick card with a holographic design on the front cover and inside are two further card cases containing parts one and two of the series, which I expect are as you would buy them separately. But that's not a short-cut in this case, because all the cases match and are extremely durable, which only makes the current price of this set that much more impressive. You also get chapter booklets for each part and look out for an extra episode on the final disc of part one, entitled `16A' (8/10). It gives the viewer a much better understading of the themes of the show, but since it contains scenes from episodes taken from both parts one and two, it has a lot of spoilers and probably shouldn't be viewed until after the final episode, which is lucky considering episode 20- `Ouroborus' (9/10) is a very inventive and well-constructed finale that provides just enough satisfactory conclusion to the series, but will undoubtedly leave you wanting more, so that extra epi will be just the ticket ;)

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1.0 out of 5 stars Woof woof...Avoid this one
Cinematography great, but shot using a bad digital camera or an appalling transfer to DVD. Story so complicated it could not easily be told. Read more

Published 8 months ago by A. G. Wells

4.0 out of 5 stars Slow build-up to great climax
Just finished watching this. I only caught this on DVD from Amazon so I'd never been influenced by any TV screening. Read more

Published 17 months ago by M. Bond

5.0 out of 5 stars A great intelligent series that deserves more recognition
I only discovered this by browsing through Amazon reviews, and what a find! In a world where there's far too much mindless fodder for the masses, here's a series that's... Read more

Published 21 months ago by Nick

4.0 out of 5 stars Charlie Jade grows on you - An interesting SciFi series
Three universes are about to destroy each other, but Charlie Jade doesn't look like he can stop them as he doesn't have clue what is going on - luckily he's an extra tough PI who... Read more

Published on 16 Jan 2010 by K. Maxwell

4.0 out of 5 stars Charlie Jade complete boxed set
Excellent value for all the series one episodes. But what about Charlie Jade? Well, if you didn't watch the series on TV, I can't imagine that you'd be buying the DVDs, but, just... Read more

Published on 20 Mar 2009 by K. J. Evans

1.0 out of 5 stars A nice try but very dull
I bought this having read some of the rave reviews on Amazon only be disappointed. Charlie Jade falls into the trap that many recent US sci-fi series have done in that the plot is... Read more

Published on 29 Oct 2008 by Calliphygian

4.0 out of 5 stars Worth persevering with
This is an ambitious sci-fi show, original and intriguing. Charlie Jade is a great character, played well by Jeffrey Pierce. Read more

Published on 31 July 2008 by shpadoinkle

1.0 out of 5 stars Utter Rubbish
This Sci-Fi series is without doubt the worst I have ever attempted to watch.
I had read a caution in one (glowing) review that episode 1 wasn't the best so stuck with it... Read more

Published on 6 July 2008 by J-DAWG

3.0 out of 5 stars WARNING: NO SUBTITLES
The 3 star rating goes to the poor DVD production. The series is very good and it deserves a very solid 4 stars - please check out the great reviews made here. Read more

Published on 15 May 2008 by Pedro Veiga Grilo

5.0 out of 5 stars Gripping, intriging and mysterious show.
I first saw this show on AXN POLAND, because i'm from Poland :)
And after pilot (1+2 episode) i thought it's usual and ordinary show. Read more

Published on 28 Jan 2008 by DontLK

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