Monday, April 11, 2016

Movie review: The Returned (2015)

The Returned focuses on a small town and a group of people who, after being dead for years, return with no signs of aging and no memory of how they died. As they try to reintegrate with friends and family they find the world has moved on and even more strange; they aren't alone, there are others who have returned.

Kevin Alejandro (Tommy), Agnes Bruckner (Nikki), India Ennenga (Camille), Sandrine Holt (Julie), Sophie Lowe (Lena), Mark Pellegrino (Jack), Jeremy Sisto (Peter), Mat Vairo (Simon), Mary Winstead (Rowan), Tandi Wright (Claire), Dylan Kingwell (Victor), Aaron Douglas (Tony), Keenan Tracey (Ben), Rhys Ward (Adam).

The first few episodes of The Returned were slow to get things moving and didn't hold interest well at all. After that things got mildly more interesting up to the last couple of first season episodes, which were quite good. Sadly, it sounds like the series was dropped so we will never have a conclusion.
The storyline is interesting not because people have returned from the dead, but because they don’t appear dead in any way, are not zombies, and for them it doesn't seem time has passed. Their reintegration drama is a big focus of the series but some nice parallel plot lines and hints at things such as serial killer's and special powers help hold interest. When the last couple of first season episodes begin tying up loose ends they do so nicely while adding more twists and turns that make us eager for the second season that will never come.

Acting was interesting if not always good. Ennenga did nicely with a genuine feel throughout. Holt played well against Kingwell, who was perfectly creepy in his role. Lowe was okay but a little dry. Pellegrino seemed an odd fit but did pretty well working with Wright, who delivered nicely. Sisto was okay but felt manipulative, or as if he was hiding something. Winstead, Vairo, and the remainder of the cast did nicely.

Camera work, sets, and backgrounds are enjoyable with a solid, realistic feel throughout. CGI and effects were a bit on the campy or beginner level but didn't seem to detract from the series. Action scenes were mildly better done. Dialogue was enjoyable and solid, as was sound and soundtrack.

Overall the only real disappointment with The Returned is that it won't be returning and we are left with a cliffhanger. Sci-fi fans should enjoy this one with drama fans being a close second.

With some mild nudity, sexuality, foul language, smoking and alcohol use, and adult situations this surprisingly should be fine for older teens and above.

Released: 2015
Reviewed: 3.29.16
Star rating: 3 out of 5
Genre: TV Sci-Fi, TV Mysteries, TV Horror, TV Drama

copyright ©2016 Dave Riedel
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