Not The Full Versions - Censored/Edited
TNLurker | Utah | 05/25/2007
(2 out of 5 stars)
"I would have given this set 4 stars if it were shown as they were originally made. But these are not.
Be warned that this set does not contain the original episodes as aired in the UK. These are the BBC America versions of the episodes. This means they are cut down to 42 minutes (about 10 minutes removed from each episode!) and some content has been censored for language and nudity.
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Filled with potential.
trashcanman | Hanford, CA United States | 05/06/2007
(4 out of 5 stars)
"This series is not, as it has been billed, a British "Buffy" which was more comedic, comic-bookish, and all-around entertaining. However, "Hex" is a fine series in it's own right and it's about darn time we got it in the US. For those of us with region-free DVD players and/or BBC on their cable service, this series has been quite a treat. It is smart, funny, creepy, mysterious, and pushed the envelope quite a bit, farther then what's normally considered acceptable on basic cable. In that respect, it definitely helped that this show flew in way under the radar, but it shouldn't have because it's a great series. The characters are all nicely fleshed out and endearing in their own way and believe me, this show is not afraid of shaking things up. The second season is among the most earth-shattering and bold runs of television I've ever seen; unfortunately it also features one of the most disappointing endings imaginable. But let's focus on what's on the table right now, shall we? Season one is a fantastic, if slow-paced, introduction and set up for a show that is more than worth your time. If you're into shows like "Angel", "Supernatural", and (naturally) "Buffy" than this series will scratch your itch in a big way. Cassie is our tragic (not to mention impossibly beautiful) heroine whose future is forever in suspense after she catches the eye of a devilish man named Azazeal. Azazeal is your typical emissary of the ultimate evil kind of guy; supernaturally smooth, charming, and ruthless as hell. Cassie's lesbian friend Thelma is among the most loveable and funny characters on any television series and a great example of how a "sidekick" can take over a show with sheer charm. There are plenty of suprises, scares, revelations, and shockers over the course of this series that will keep you guessing from the edge of your seat and watitng for what comes next. Give it a try and then wonder to yourself why this kind of quality television took years to make it's way to our shores."
A Noble Attempt That Never Quite Finds It's Legs
Brian Markowski | Cedar Rapids, IA | 12/04/2007
(3 out of 5 stars)
"Cassie, a slightly withdrawn, teenage girl begins to have a series of nightmares after finding an odd shaped urn in the basement of her British prep school Medenham Hall. She also begins to develop odd powers allowing her to move things with her mind and to make matters worst she seems to have attracted a mysterious stranger who may have a serious connection to both the urn and her dreams. So begins the first two episodes of "Hex", a U.K. import that has recently run here in the states on BBC America. The show seems inspired by the American Buffy and Angel series, but Hex takes itself far more seriously than the fun and campy Joss Whedon shows, and that's a bad thing.
It's slightly unfair to compare the Buffy shows to Hex. Hex desperately tries to carve out it's own notch in the televised genre of the dark arts and in reality it feels more like "Dark Shadows" than "Vampire Slayer", but more humor and more reason wouldn't have hurt this show in the long run. For instance, as the death toll rises at Medenham Hall there seems to be little logic in how the characters respond. No one seems to think that it's a serious problem that students are found stabbed, attacked by giant creatures or simply go missing. When Cassie speaks to a ghost no one else can see or hear she does so in the classroom or while walking down a hallway filled with students, again no one seems to notice. The series tries to be smart but with giant holes of credibility that go unanswered it's hard to fall under it's spell. The show does have some very good twists and turns that prevents me from going into great detail about the plot beyond episode two without ruining what fun there is for the viewer that might be willing to give this series a chance; but be forwarned, the packaging of this show is confusing.
Series 1 of Hex was only six episoes, and it's a sloggish six episodes at best. With episode 7 the show began it's second season and it's obvious to see an infusion of creativity and enhanced production. Credible special effects are added, plots move along faster, and more attempts at humor are made. However the changes are also quite jarring, new characters arrive while others simply vanish with not a word of their whereabouts, also a certain characters's hair and clothes changes quite dramaticlly, which isn't impossible unless your this particular character (again I can't go into detail with spoiling the best parts of the show, sorry). This first set of Hex ends up containing 10 episodes from season 1 and 2. The second set should contain the remaining 9. It makes sense that Sony would package it this way, you get an even amount of shows per set and it helps to spice up a weaker first season. The irony here is that one of the best things about season one was strong character development, espically with Cassie (thought she does make some god awful choices). Season two seemingly gives up that development for the sake of an ampped up story line. Had the producers found a better way to merge the two, they might have made it to Season 3.
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