It's been a while since we've done a trailer reaction. It's content that runs hot and cold. For a while, it seemed like I was doing a bunch and then it just stopped. But, with CBS releasing an adaptation of "The Stand" on All Access, I have an opportunity to dive back into the well and analyze the teaser we were given.
Not too shabby all things considered. It's got a pretty strong cast. Gary Sinise as Stu Redman is a high bar to jump, but James Marsden isn't a bad pick. Alexander Skarsgard looks pretty solid as Flagg. Having Matthew McConaughey play the role would've been an interesting way to go, but he looks like he's capturing the character's essence quite well.
The song choice worked well for the first part and brought the right atmosphere in terms of the aftermath of the Captain Trips outbreak, but as the trailer went on, it didn't seem like it really fit with what was being presented. It seemed like the trailer was trying to drop it, but felt the need to keep bringing it back, maybe for the sake of cohesiveness? I don't know.
Speaking of, the virus itself isn't really brought up. We see abandoned roads and headlines, but aside from a shot of Stu escaping the facility, there's no mention. It's odd, as you'd think that they would, if for no other reason than to use current circumstances to augment the tension in the story.
According to the comments in the video, this is partly due to the fact that the series is going to pick up in the free zone and then flash back to the virus outbreak. I'm hoping this isn't the case. I know some shows have done it ("Lost" and "Arrow" being the two most notable ones) but it can prove to be frustrating and in both circumstances, the format wore out its welcome after a while.
Given how the virus only really plays a role in the first act, it could only be a temporary thing; but at the same time, if that's the case, why not just tell the story in chronological order?
I'm not sure how many episodes they plan on running this, but I think that it will be a better fit as far as adaptation formats go. The original mini-series did what its could, but this would give the plot and characters time to grow and progress.
Some expressed concern about this, specifically citing the "Under the Dome" fiasco, but where that took too many liberties, this looks more like a straight adaptation. That could change, things may be changed for the element of surprise or to draw things out so that the series can keep going, but as of now, it seems like a different circumstance.
I'm probably going to have to wait until this hits DVD to check it out, but based on what I've seen here, I'd be interested to see how well it pans out.
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