Reaper

TarfHead

Started this week in US. Was enouraged to watch it by good newspaper review.

“Reaper” is a hybrid of the movie “Clerks” and NBC’s hit series “Heroes,” and, like “Chuck” on NBC, it defies all the cautionary rules against crossbreeding. Comedy is hard to sustain in an hourlong episode, but “Reaper” mixes supernatural derring-do with deadpan slacker humor.

Watched it last night. So far so good. Will watch some more next week. You should too.

Basq

Hybrid of the movie "Clerks" and "Heroes"? Funny they should say that.. since Kevin Smith directed the 'Reaper' pilot, and also "Clerks" and is directing an episode of "Heroes: Origins".

Yeah, i watched the pilot for 'Reaper' a couple of months back. I know they changed the lead's love interest but that's all they've changed.

I'll just re-iterate what i wrote about the pilot then:

An extremely fresh and witty show with a very likeable and funny cast, especially the very under-rated Bret Harrison who, like his starring role in 'The Loop', proves he can more than handle carrying a show.

Also Tyler Labine is also very funny as Sock - an actor who i saw a year or two back in 'Invasion' and could not place where i'd seen him before. Turns out it was that woeful kiddy drama 'Breaker High' from my youth!

Not to mention Ray Wise who is just "cool" defined as The Devil.

Was quite odd as it's started off very comedic - and then descended into quite a dark supernatural drama (not too far off 'Supernatural') but retained that fresh comic feel.

I really enjoyed it!

PS - the soundtrack was absolutely fantastic too. Beck, Blue Oyster Cult, Iron & Wine, The Fratellis, Silversun Pickups. Really great mix of music!

It was, without a doubt, the best of all the new pilots!

Much recommended... not just because i'm a Kevin Smith fan but because it was extremely fresh and funny with a likeable cast, great music.. and well... it has all good things going for it!

ixoy

basquille wrote:

It was, without a doubt, the best of all the new pilots!

Alongside "Pushing Daisies", I'd agree. However, I believe "Reaper" has much greater potential to last long term and still believe that it will get a second season (I said the same of "Californication" and I was right there).
The most fun of all the shows, I'm looking forward to new episodes of this more than I'm looking forward to the other pilots that have kicked off (namely "Chuck" and "The Bionic Woman").

Basq

ixoy wrote:

Alongside "Pushing Daisies", I'd agree.

Of course...how could i forget 'Pushing Daisies'.. shame on me!

ixoy wrote:

However, I believe "Reaper" has much greater potential to last long term and still believe that it will get a second season (I said the same of "Californication" and I was right there).
The most fun of all the shows, I'm looking forward to new episodes of this more than I'm looking forward to the other pilots that have kicked off (namely "Chuck" and "The Bionic Woman").

Yep, i do agree with was definitely the most fun of the shows.. and think it has the most longevity, despite what other people are saying is a tired formula - "are they just gonna hunt down a new demon each week? That could prove repetitive!"

I think they could get the mix of drama and comedy just right in this. The pilot had a lovely dramatic moment where Sam's mother was willing to give up herself to save him, and he told her it was over and there was no need. It was kinda a sweet moment mixed in among a hilarious script. One of my favourite moments from the pilot:

Ted: "As you can see, most of us are doing great in the sales contest except for a select few who think their time is better spent constructing beer bongs!"
Sock: "Oh.. if you're referring to me, Ted The Head. I'm biding my time... like a snake in the grass.. ready to pounce!"
Ted: "That doesn't make any sense, what you just said. And don't forget that the winner recieves a free 20 pound spiral cut ham.. "
Voice from the back: "I'm Jewish, you jerk!"
Ted: ".. or a gift certificate for our Semetic and / or Muslim friends"

Brillant!

TarfHead

basquille wrote:

Hybrid of the movie "Clerks" and "Heroes"? Funny they should say that.. since Kevin Smith directed the 'Reaper' pilot, and also "Clerks" and is directing an episode of "Heroes: Origins".

Yeah, i watched the pilot for 'Reaper' a couple of months back. I know they changed the lead's love interest

The pool they're fishing from is quite shallow. The actress playing the love interest was also in Heroes - I didn't recognise her - it was the actress's name that was familiar.