Russell Crowe raised our expectations when he took on the heavyweight role of Maximus in Ridley’s Scott’s imagining of Gladiator, and Kevin McKidd didn’t disappoint in the critically acclaimed yet short lived TV series Rome.
Starz believes it can take the franchise one step further with its visually glorified new series, Spartacus: Blood and Sand, starring Andy Whitfield as the leading man.
Spartacus is the story of an untamed gladiator, and the moments leading up to his time in jail, a period that is accompanied by very little background text or historical facts.
The series’ big draw is its graphic nature; the cinematography is reminiscent of Sin City or 300 and there is no shortage of nipples and blood.
“I don’t think you have to change to keep up with the times,” say producers. “This style has come before us. The chance to bring this to the small screen was due to Starz realizing people would buy into this universe.”
This critic has yet to screen her copy of the series, it was handed out on thumb-drives earlier this morning, but from the two male critics I’ve spoken to the pilot was boring and over-the-top graphic.
I’ll post my full review after I’ve seen the pilot, but I will say this: If something tries too hard to be cool, it usually isn’t. The same can be said for the glorifying of gore and sex. Over-the-top can be good, if it doesn’t try to be over-the-top about it. Catch my drift?
Spartacus: Blood and Sand debuts in Canada Monday, Jan. 25, 9 p.m. ET, The Movie Network, Movie Central.
Amber is currently reporting live from the TV Critics Press Tour in L.A. Check out her complete coverage, including a comprehensive calendar and full schedule of events here.
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