"Chilling Adventures of Sabrina" - first boring, then terrible

First sitcom, and then horror

Comics about a young witch Sabrina published since the 1960's, and repeatedly transferred to the screen in animation. Still, most of the audience heroine known only by sweet Sitka late 1990s - early 2000s "Sabrina - Teenage Witch."

This is a simple and funny story where the heroine lives with his aunt and talking cat Salem. Every time Sabrina tries to use magic for selfish ends, it ends up in an uncomfortable situation, and her aunt rescued by sarcastic comments Salem.

Industry series is experiencing a new wave of all kinds remakes and sequels. In recent years, we restarted everything: from "DuckTales" to "Charmed." In the popular sitcom could be a good chance to come back in the form of exactly the same remake without innovation, where instead of a cat doll would have done with computer effects and jokes added social subtext.

But it took over a talented writer Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa, launched several years ago, a popular series "Riverdale" (in the comics and characters Sabrina "Riverdale" live in neighboring cities and regularly occur). He decided not to try again covered, and to create a completely new project in a different genre. In a basis the recent lineup of comics "Chilling Adventures of Sabrina," where family comedy was changed to horror.

So, the new version of Sabrina all just live with his aunt after his parents died. She knows that he belongs to a clan of witches, even though her mother was death. On the day of the 16th anniversary of Sabrina must undergo a rite of passage, and signed the book of darkness, devoting himself to the service of evil forces. But she is too tied to the world of men: meets Harvey mortal boys Kinklom and friends with girls from school.

And at the last moment the heroine decides to abandon the rite than displeases the powers of darkness that have at it their secret plans. Further action is an attempt to Sabrina to decide what kind of world for it is more important, while the various villains trying to influence her choice.

The atmosphere of the show is really quite unlike the comedy. However, and in the spirit of horror "exorcist"And"Rosemary's baby"Promised by the creators, is also too small. The new "Sabrina", rather, the story of growing up in a grim surroundings. And it becomes like the main advantage of the series and its main disadvantage.

First, the beauty, and then logic

The first thing that attracts - the elegance of the shooting. Perfectly conveys the atmosphere of horror, but not quite this, and a little picture, as if the forces of darkness to break into the real world just on Halloween. Red cape Sabrina often a bright accent on a dark background, and the rituals and witchcraft performed very subtly, at least do it with a screenshot of each frame and put on your desktop as wallpaper.

In this case, the characters live in unusual reality: like the action is happening today (laptops and smartphones to prove it), but there are also old cars, and rotary telephones, which adds retrostilya. The only negative: on the edges of the frame if the picture is often blurred. Most likely, the authors would like to catch up so more mysticism, but a feeling that they tried to hide defects in the shooting.

Most of the important characters from the world of textured darkness. Featured actress Kiernan Shipka is very reminiscent of a young Emma Watson times "Order of the Phoenix"Only there is Sabrina and devilry in his eyes and a smile, which is logical for the future witch.

Do not lag behind and many secondary characters. Aunts Hilda and Zelda seem complete opposites to each other in everything from behavior to a manner of speaking. Mary Wardell by Michelle Gomez is constantly posing and replays, but becomes an ornament literally any scene with her participation.

Inseparable Trinity Academy students invisible art looks the epitome of either erotic fantasies of many men, whether their fears lurking. List can be long, but it's easier to say that everything is really beautiful, and even seasoned excellent classic songs, where the texts entirely demons yes spells.

But for beauty, alas, lie wildest lapses of logic. The authors forget to explain the motivation of most of the characters and the story of their relationship. Hilda and Zelda somehow live together for years and bring Sabrina, but behave as if they were no longer next couple of months: too they nepritortoe communication.

High Priest of the Church of darkness Faustus seems the embodiment of all the negative qualities of the manager and all the men. And she Sabrina forever struggling against injustice, even in those moments when she is not at all to this any preconditions. Just for the sake of the plot was the need for social.

First serious topics, and then action

Sociality can spoil the impression of the show (but no need to rush his throw). Topics raised really serious: discussed in detail in the school bullying, bullying in schools, ossified principles of patriarchy and more. But sometimes it seems that at some point the authors worked out the core topics. Otherwise it is difficult to explain why they are written in the story is so rude.

Out of nowhere taken storylines school friends Sabrina, the father of her boyfriend Harvey. And indeed all the "human" part of the picture - a set of stamps on harassment. And if in terms of phones and the discrepancy time car looks nice decoration, the order in school seem pointless copy problems 50 years ago: and look to the children begin to beat pointer. In view of the fictional city of magic and it is quite possible, but all served too seriously and pathetic.

The world situation is not better things magic: here for centuries dominated by patriarchy. And only the first time Sabrina decides to rebel against unthinking obedience. What for? Well, just because it has to. And in a strange way it war continues, even when the personal questions of the heroine seems to have been resolved. Needless to say that such a global only harms history.

The authors decided to concentrate all the seriousness in the first four episodes, which will certainly scare the audience. But then sociality will gradually fade into the background, giving way to a place of magic, adventure and a good Horror.

The series opens with the fifth episode, almost entirely built on the logic of a dream. A series of acts like boundary between serious and gloomy world of people, but spanning the history of the dark forces. And here it becomes really interesting.

First, begin to shoot, "Chekhov's gun" of the first series: all the facts that have been shown not clear why, in fact, play a role and explain what is happening. Secondly, the dynamics will increase, and every next theme will be more ambiguous. There are already numerous pop and intrigue, which is easy to get lost, which is logical, we are also talking about the Satan - the patron saint of lies and deceit.

At first, people, and then the cat

Closer to the finale finally unfold almost all the characters. And here is enough space for the rebels from the dead, death, spirits, the ritual sacrifices and the others expected. And so the "Chilling Adventures of Sabrina's" left still a pleasant aftertaste: the ending gives a great foundation for the future (the second season has already started in the job), and suggests that the main character, and then the action itself change.

But still remains the feeling that 10 time series for such a project - is too much. The pilot episode like artificially stretched to 5 hours, and only then began to tell something important. But patience is rewarded, and those who made it to the end, be sure to wait for the new season.

Finally - something for which many and began to read the review of this show: the cat Salem is not talking, but it seems to speak in the second season. It is necessary something entice the viewer.

see also

• 36 series for those who do not have enough of mysticism and miracles →
• 14 series, that will make you really scared →
• 10 exciting series about vampires →