I was very excited for this show, and followed it through its very long development. When it looked as though it was going to happen, I was quite glad! Unfortunately for me (and millions of my fellow Halo fans), when the buzz surrounding the premiere was released, I was crushed. It got even worse when I saw the first episode. This show may consist of characters and situations based on the Halo game franchise, but it spectacularly fails to capture the essence of the games. What passes for the Master Chief in the show is not the Master Chief from the games, not at all. If you don't capture the basic essence of any given established character when planning an adaptation, then what you end up with will fail in it's attempt to entertain. The long established character of Master Chief doesn't joke, he doesn't speak much, he does not make small talk or waste time with inaction/indecisiveness. Also, he doesn't remove his helmet. Ever. These aspects of one of gaming's most beloved characters could have been easily conveyed by skillful writing to make it work. The game's play and cutscenes are very cinematic in nature, so much so that they practically transcend the medium in telling what is an epic tale of the rise and fall of intergalactic empires. This show was made by people who neither understand Halo, its characters nor its universe at the very least, and are most certainly using it as a vehicle to push their own political agenda at worst. Avoid at all costs!
Review of Halo
