Neil Gaiman’s Sandman may not be the most known DC figure among general audiences, but it had great anticipation buzzing all around it thanks to fans who have ardently read the comics. With good reason—the comics (with quotes as the one down below) are exquisitely written and not to be missed!
What power would Hell have if those here imprisoned were not able to dream of Heaven?
The Sandman
The whole Netflix series embarks on a journey that answers this very question, be it in Hell, Heaven, the Waking world or the Dreaming. But does it do a good job?
Netflix’s The Sandman is a near-faithful adaptation of Neil Gaiman’s comics and tells a unique, introspective story for those willing to be patient with the first few slow episodes and clunky CGI.
In short, if you have the time and no other show topping your binge-list, The Sandman is definitely one to watch. Read on for a full review, and don’t worry, I’ve kept it spoiler-free!
Plot
Welcome to a world where everything is important, including the dreams you live through in your subconscious state. Dreams can have a large influence on the Waking world, as Morpheus, the King of Dreams, explains to us. We’re told it is his job to keep everything in order.
Of course, right as he says that, we witness his imprisonment and the chaos that ensues. While the first episode deals with how he finally breaks free, the others will deal with him finding his tools (the ones that supplement his power) and the nightmares that escaped his realm while he was away.
Visuals, Direction & Screenplay
The show is ten episodes long, brimming with supernatural elements that range from being wonderful to absolutely horrifying. Bringing these things to life was never going to be an easy task.
I would say that for most of the important scenes, the CGI work is commendable. But there are times when I had to check if my settings were indeed on HD, because of how patchy the visuals appeared. This certainly stopped me from enjoying the series to its full potential.
For the CGI that did do good, there are some visuals that are going to knock your socks off!
I have no complaints for the direction, as each episode was well made and clearly understood its source material. Shout out to Jamie Childs for directing four episodes that needed to flow seamlessly and yet had a distinct flavor about them!
The screenplay, too, is as close to the comics as it can be without infringing on any existing legal issues. (Which is why we may see that some characters have gender-swapped.)
Detailed Review
Having read a few issues of the comics and Gaiman’s other works as well as being interested in the vastly unknown topic of dreams and the subconscious, I was thoroughly excited for The Sandman.
First off, the casting is immaculate! Now, I did have my doubts when Tom Sturridge was announced as Dream, but he put them away the instant he started narrating the series—in a voice he specially manifested for Dream.
In Ep 1 itself, you won’t see him talk much as the physical form of Dream, but his cold hard stares alone deliver depth that dialogue could never.
One of my favorite things about the show is Dream’s character growth—the quiet, lonely, and sometimes arrogant lord who learns what it’s like to be a ruler, a friend, a listener, and a creator. Much like Lucifer Morningstar, he too is learning to understand the purpose of his existence.
Leaning on bits that I enjoyed, each episode leaves you with something to reflect upon when it comes to the human state. Using the supernatural to understand the highs and lows of our own world is quite a neat trick!
Not all of the show is smooth sailing, though. Besides the CGI, a major issue I faced was how slow the first few episodes were. I must confess, both in the comics and the show, Dream’s escape isn’t dramatic enough to feel anything remarkable. This may actually be a reason for you wanting to stop watching.
My only advise is, don’t. The first few episodes are there to build this new universe you’re stepping into. So, while it may feel a little boring, it is all connected to the later episodes, and boy, is it all so rewarding when the pieces fall into place!
I have to caution you that there are episodes that are very creepy or plain horrific. Dream’s tales are not for the faint of heart, but it is certainly rewarding if you make it through till the end.
Like the title says, this show is a strong reminder about the power of dreams (and even nightmares), and why we must hold on to them.
About The Sandman
The Sandman is an American fantasy drama TV series based on the 1989–1996 comic book written by Neil Gaiman and published by DC Comics. The series was developed for Netflix and is being produced by DC Entertainment and Warner Bros. Television.
The first season adapted the first two comics in the series, Preludes & Nocturnes and The Doll’s House. In 1916, Dream, the king of Dreams and Nightmares and one of the seven Endless, is captured and imprisoned after an occult ritual. After being held captive for 106 years, he escapes and sets out to restore order to his kingdom of The Dreaming.
The Sandman stars Tom Sturridge as Dream, with Gwendoline Christie, Vivienne Acheampong, Boyd Holbrook, Charles Dance, Asim Chaudhry, and Sanjeev Bhaskar in supporting roles.
No Comments on The Sandman Review: A Strong Reminder of the Power of Dreams