Halo on CANAL +: Is a live-action series as addictive as a game?

In the 26th century, when humanity was involved in an intergalactic war against the threat of aliens known as the Alliance, Dr. Helsi, a brilliant scientist, created the Spartans, genetically and technologically improved super soldiers to enhance their physical and mental abilities. John-117, commander of one of the units, leads his army in battle …

The series airs on CANAL + for 2 episodes a week. The first five episodes are already available on myCANAL. Watched episodes: 5/9.

In the project since 2013, the serial adaptation of the Halo video game franchise is finally seeing the light of day today. Producer Steven Spielberg with Amblin Television, by the way, tells the story of the war in the 26th century between the UN space command and the alliance of several extraterrestrial species, through the history of the Spartan super-soldier John-117, nicknamed the Master. Home (Pablo Schreiber), a cult hero of video games.

If the series wants to stay true to the spirit of the video game franchise and download it against the backdrop of a battle between humans and aliens in this rich world, it will first and foremost weave deep and original personal intrigue into the universal human themes.

And this vision applies to both the different characters who cross Master Chip as the latter, in a revolt against existential crisis and authority, as evidenced by his face without an uncovered helmet, in contrast to the games that will inevitably become. People gnaw. A few teeth.

This bias makes it possible to attract both video game fans as well as science fiction neophytes. In this rather well-painted humanistic vision of a chaotic and visually impressive world that sometimes wants to be just as epic as Mandaloria or the Western world (even with its disturbing similar titles), Halo does not forget to be adventurous in his display of adventure. The opening scene of the great violence.

Between existential quest and intergalactic warfare

In these first minutes we expect the epic pilot from beginning to end. Unfortunately, the soup falls pretty fast after that, too (too?) Is the fault of the didactic scenario. We understand that the production wanted to appeal to both fans as well as those who know less about it, but this adaptation lacks a certain spark and definite tone in the first episodes.

We will still retain the play by Pablo Schreiber, who manages to breathe with emotion and humanity into his stoic and not-so-talking character, who sits next to Kwan Ha Boo (Irene Ha) on an alien attack on a surviving rebellious planet. Under his wing. The duo, already seen in this genre, works quite well thanks to the chemistry between the two translators.

Boke Woodbaine, who plays the independent Spartan Soren-006, brings a lot of novelty and humor to this sometimes-cleansed world. For her part, Natasha McElhany suppresses but reveals herself as her character grows and offers more nuances, especially when her artificial intelligence Cortana, played by no one, is voiced by voice actress Jen Taylor, who plays the role of a video game.

With so many tools, technical and financial means for live action for this adaptation, we want to create good teams that have changed many times over the years since Peter Jackson abandoned the film project in 2006, and that translates. In sets and visual effects that are quite impressive in some respects, a little more frustrating in others, especially aliens or shy first-person shots.

After all, we have to wait a few more episodes for the space-political chessboard to finally stand up and the action to really take off with an impressive fifth chapter. In short, the series takes time to establish its characters and really find its identity, but it seems it has all the cards in its hand to become an honorable SF entertainment. Either way, Paramount + trusts him as Halo has been updated for a second season.