(7 minute read)
It's certainly not your average superhero show. Netflix's The Umbrella Academy brings together an ethnically diverse, superpower-charged, dysfunctional family to tell a story that is a feast for the eyes while at the same time introduces new ways of telling the hero's story.
Based on a millennial comic book (published in 2007) written by a singer named Gerard Way and illustrated by a Brazilian artist named Gabriel Ba, Netflix subscribers are being treated to a fresh new creative take on superhero TV. If you're looking for action, this is not the place. If you're looking for a sci-fi thriller, this is unfortunately not the place either. If you're looking for a diluted hybrid of both that gives you an original story, good character development, and laudable cinematography, this is most likely well worth your time.
Every character lives separately in the modern world and rather than being united for a worthy cause, they are united due to familial ties. Many times each person feels obligated to help the other almost out of sheer familial goodwill. Although most don't prefer to show affection throughout the series, deep down it's evident that each brother or sister cares about the other in a meaningful way.
The premise is seven children allegedly born with varying special powers, who were bought and adopted by a wealthy English scientist by the name of Sir Reginald Hargreeves. The plot is centered around the impromptu death of Sir Hargreeves, which reunites the estranged family, and just in time to face a very complicated challenge.
DNA grade for Originality: Rock Solid
There is no linear path for this series and with the help of time travel, can make some of the episodes hard to follow. We've seen superhero plots when members of a team don't get along: Captain America Civil War (2016), X-Men Days of Future Past (2014), and Batman v Superman (2016), but I'm not sure we've seen superheroes refuse to get along in such a natural or genuine manner as The Umbrella Academy. From their father's death to Klaus struggling with addiction, to Diego and Luther dealing with their life's purpose, and to Allison finalizing her divorce and seeking to retain custody of her child, these are all very grounded truths in reality.
And despite multiple "family meetings", it is almost sadly relatable to see how dysfunctional a team can be based on a difficult family history. It only makes sense why each character would find solace somewhere whether it be through an instrument, a child, a difficult job, a mission, or a drink.
DNA grade for Character development: Wood Solid
From ramped slow-mo's to glasses of orange juice for breakfast, I thought the production and post-production team hit the nail on the head. There wasn't much else to crave for and despite some very boring-looking settings, we were fortunate to be entertained by some pretty beautiful content. The choreographed dance between #s 1 and 3 was pretty sweet and so was Klaus' nonstop memories and hallucinations.
DNA Grade for Cinematography: Iron Solid
It's certainly not your average superhero show. Netflix's The Umbrella Academy brings together an ethnically diverse, superpower-charged, dysfunctional family to tell a story that is a feast for the eyes while at the same time introduces new ways of telling the hero's story.
Based on a millennial comic book (published in 2007) written by a singer named Gerard Way and illustrated by a Brazilian artist named Gabriel Ba, Netflix subscribers are being treated to a fresh new creative take on superhero TV. If you're looking for action, this is not the place. If you're looking for a sci-fi thriller, this is unfortunately not the place either. If you're looking for a diluted hybrid of both that gives you an original story, good character development, and laudable cinematography, this is most likely well worth your time.
1. A Family of Virgin Birth'd children
It should be a sigh of relief that this show does not revolve around one hero but rather a family of adopted superheroes, who were all born through parthenogenesis aka "virgin birth". (I had to look that up.) Not a Justice League, an X-men team, nor even Watchmen, this is a family of supers.Every character lives separately in the modern world and rather than being united for a worthy cause, they are united due to familial ties. Many times each person feels obligated to help the other almost out of sheer familial goodwill. Although most don't prefer to show affection throughout the series, deep down it's evident that each brother or sister cares about the other in a meaningful way.
The premise is seven children allegedly born with varying special powers, who were bought and adopted by a wealthy English scientist by the name of Sir Reginald Hargreeves. The plot is centered around the impromptu death of Sir Hargreeves, which reunites the estranged family, and just in time to face a very complicated challenge.
DNA grade for Originality: Rock Solid
2. Abnormal Characters
Origin story? Definitely not. This story moves fast and uses flashbacks to fill in the gaps. At times I felt rushed to catch up with the plot while at other times I felt very informed.
There is no linear path for this series and with the help of time travel, can make some of the episodes hard to follow. We've seen superhero plots when members of a team don't get along: Captain America Civil War (2016), X-Men Days of Future Past (2014), and Batman v Superman (2016), but I'm not sure we've seen superheroes refuse to get along in such a natural or genuine manner as The Umbrella Academy. From their father's death to Klaus struggling with addiction, to Diego and Luther dealing with their life's purpose, and to Allison finalizing her divorce and seeking to retain custody of her child, these are all very grounded truths in reality.
And despite multiple "family meetings", it is almost sadly relatable to see how dysfunctional a team can be based on a difficult family history. It only makes sense why each character would find solace somewhere whether it be through an instrument, a child, a difficult job, a mission, or a drink.
With seven family members, it seems almost impossible to fit in character development for each person in the span of 10 episodes, but (spoiler alert) it happens for the most part when you think about it:
#1 Luther learns to embrace who he is and to be honest
#2 Diego learns to be a more people person and to not take things for granted
#3 Allison learns to be patient and to be a better sister
#4 Klaus learns more about his powers and overcomes his substance abuse behavior
#5 learns to be humble and trusting
#6 Ben learns he is still relevant post-mortum
#7 Vanya learns overconfidence and becomes resentful
DNA grade for Character development: Wood Solid
3. The Cinematography
I would be lying if I were to say I'm an expert at this subject. To be honest, I'm just an appreciator of movie art and I think it's fair to say that this series had a decent production crew. It's interesting that they chose to have the show set with an 80's vibe half the time as told by the abundance of colorful signs and lights. The doughnut shop with the waitress' pink outfit and the bowling alley scene in the last episode both appeared to be retro establishments.
From ramped slow-mo's to glasses of orange juice for breakfast, I thought the production and post-production team hit the nail on the head. There wasn't much else to crave for and despite some very boring-looking settings, we were fortunate to be entertained by some pretty beautiful content. The choreographed dance between #s 1 and 3 was pretty sweet and so was Klaus' nonstop memories and hallucinations.
DNA Grade for Cinematography: Iron Solid
