REVIEW: Those About to Die
With a big-time director and screenwriter like Roland Emmerich (Independence Day, Godzilla, Stargate) and mega-stars like Anthony Hopkins (Silence of the Lambs, Thor) and Iwan Rheon (Game of Thrones, Misfits) attached, Those About to Die was billed as Game of Thrones with togas and had an audience waiting to be thrilled. Set during a period of political intrigue in the Roman Empire, could the expensive TV series live up to its own hype?
The Romans have given writers ample inspiration to create thrilling stories and interesting characters over the years. We don’t have too long to wait before a sequel to one of the greatest movies ever made, Gladiator, hits the big screen but to fill the gap before then, we have Those About to Die. Rome in the first Century CE is like a viper’s den. Emperor Vespasian (an under-used Hopkins) has a choice to make as he decides which of his sons deserves to take over from him – his well-respected soldier son Titus, or the wily politician, Domitian. Hopkins in the Emperor role deciding between the two sons was a bit too similar to his role as Odin in the MCU, torn between his two very different sons, one who values guile and intelligence whilst the other favours brute strength but Hopkins does well enough in the role and the masterful actor can carry a scene without even pushing himself. Meanwhile, a group of young Andalucians arrive in the city as horsemen at the height of popularity of chariot racing and a determined Numidian mother fights to save her family from slavery and death. Finally, we have Tenax (Iwan Rheon), a bookmaker from the streets with dreams of rising to the upper echelons of the great city like Rome’s version of Thomas Shelby in Peaky Blinders. There’s a lot going on and the comparisons to Game of Thrones aren’t earned with some paper-thin storytelling and wooden acting in the early episodes which thankfully improves as the series goes on and the cast seem to get comfortable in their roles. It takes a few episodes to care about the plights of the main cast but patience is rewarded, even if it doesn’t hit the heights of recent TV greats and nowhere near Gladiator.
The political intrigue stands up quite well in Those About to Die, as it should in such a fertile setting. Grimdark fans will lap up the backstabbing and treachery in the show and the glimmers of light and hope stop the series from falling into all out despair at times with some gruesome deaths weighing heavy on the show at crucial moments. It certainly is a show that is not afraid to show the darkness of the Roman Empire. The chariot races and arena fights are exciting and interesting even if the CGI at times gives the show a bit of a cheap feel. The many storylines don’t feel fully developed for much of the season but there are moments where the beats hit hard and Tenax’s backstory and his care for children fleshes him out more than others whilst determined mother Cala has some of the best dialogue as she does whatever she can to rise up in Rome to defend her children and save them from the horrors of the city. The balance between street level Rome and the battle for the title of Emperor is woven together well but perhaps at the expense of either truly shining through as excellent storytelling. Still, Those About to Die does eventually grow into a fun and exciting series to fill that Roman void before Gladiator 2 is here.
A slow but eventually interesting series full of twists and turns in the city of Rome. Those About to Die may not get a solid thumbs up from the Emperor but it fights until the end and goes down in bloody glory. A fun, if nowhere near perfect romp during one of the greatest periods in history – worth a watch and perhaps season 2 will be when it hits its stride.
Watch the Trailer for Those About to DieThe post REVIEW: Those About to Die appeared first on Grimdark Magazine.
