The Continental: Unveiling the Untold Triumphs Behind Its Deceptive 50% Rotten Tomatoes Rating
The Continental captivates viewers with its intricate storyline, compelling villain, and breathtaking action sequences Set in the immersive 1970s, it continues the iconic John Wick franchise's world-building while adding a sense of mystery A must-watch series that surpasses its Rotten Tomatoes score
Summary
The Continental's mixed reviews reveal an unfair comparison to the blockbuster John Wick movies, which have larger budgets and different production constraints.
The show delves into intricate character dynamics, particularly the connection between Winston and his distant brother Frankie, contributing depth to the John Wick universe.
Despite financial constraints, The Continental effectively recreates the high-octane gun-fu action sequences on a more intimate level and immerses viewers in a meticulously crafted 1970s environment, paying careful attention to set and costume design.
The new John Wick spin-off, The Continental, has received criticism from critics, but the show surpasses the negative reviews. The Continental takes place in the 1970s and follows Winston as he assumes control of the iconic hotel. It fully embraces the '70s era, introduces fresh characters into the world of assassins, and expands upon the John Wick universe. Regrettably, the series has faced harsh criticism, currently holding a "rotten" 50% score on Rotten Tomatoes. However, the 83% audience score speaks volumes despite its poor critical reception.
While The Continental may not have pleased critics as much as it did audiences, the reviews have set an unjustifiably high standard for the show. As part of a blockbuster franchise with the highly anticipated John Wick: Chapter 4 set to conclude the film series in 2023, it is unfair to compare a TV show to a $100 million movie. Considering it is a TV series, The Continental still manages to deliver a cinematic, thrilling, and well-crafted experience. There is plenty for both fans and non-fans of the John Wick franchise to appreciate.
9 Winston & Frankie Have The John Wick Franchise's Most Complex Relationship
While Winston's close friendship with Charon may have been one of the most intriguing connections in the movie franchise (and The Continental offers insight into their initial meeting), the series delves into a more captivating relationship. We discover that Winston has a estranged brother, Frankie, who led a distinctly contrasting life to Winston's. The Continental portrays how their divergent upbringings shaped their individual identities. Additionally, the show explores the complexities of Winston and Frankie's familial ties, leading to intricate friendships that surpass any character dynamics presented in the John Wick movies.
8 Cormac Is A Great Villain In The Continental
While the John Wick franchise features intriguing antagonists, many of them fall into common villain archetypes. Viggo, for instance, portrays a typical Russian mobster, and Santino is a spoiled rich kid who inherited his wealth. However, unlike most villains who follow orders or act out of self-preservation, Cormac derives his power as The Continental manager. Disregarding the hotel's rules, he exhibits a manipulative and sadistic nature, even coaxing an employee to leap from The Continental building. As The Continental episode 1 concludes, anticipation builds for an epic clash between Cormac and Winston, potentially delivering one of the most thrilling showdowns in the entire franchise.
7 The Continental Action Sequences Are Better Than Most TV Action
Many critics have pointed to The Continental's action and accused it of lacking the same level of excitement as the John Wick movies. However, it is important to acknowledge that television and film are two distinct mediums. Television shows often have limited budgets, fewer resources, and shorter development time compared to movies. Consequently, it is unrealistic to expect The Continental to match the action-packed intensity of John Wick, especially considering that Keanu Reeves undergoes extensive training for months and the movies have massive budgets. Nonetheless, The Continental succeeds in delivering thrilling gun-fu sequences on a smaller scale. Notably, Frankie's fight scenes captivate the audience, particularly the gripping four-minute sequence that unfolds at the beginning of The Continental.
6 The Continental's 1970s Setting Is Totally Immersive
In The Continental: From the World of John Wick, Colin Woodell portrays Winston, a 30-year-old character who spends much of the first episode scouring New York in search of his brother. During these scenes, the show truly shines in terms of its remarkable set and costume designs. Every character exudes a '70s aesthetic, and the sets are reminiscent of something straight out of a 1970s furniture catalog. The era of disco is prominently on display in every shot, showcasing the meticulous attention to detail that has been given to the production. While the CGI in The Continental may not be top-notch, the digital enhancements applied to the city, making it align more closely with the appearance of 1970s New York, are truly captivating.
5 The Continental Continues John Wick's Incredible Needle Drops
Alongside the intense gunplay and fierce combat canines, the John Wick franchise has gained a reputation for its captivating selection of songs. Whether it is a pulsating Justice dance track accompanying the 222 steps or the powerful "Nowhere to Run" preceding the gripping manhunt in John Wick: Chapter 4, the series' music supervisors have consistently made impeccable choices. This fact holds true with the exceptional Continental soundtrack, where the very first track featured in The Continental episode 1 is the iconic "I Feel Love" by Donna Summer, setting a captivating disco-infused atmosphere for the entire series. Additionally, the show includes other timeless '70s hits like Boney M's "Daddy Cool," "Yes Sir, I Can Boogie" by Baccara, and many others.
4 The Continental Episode's 90-Minute Format Works Wonderfully
Most TV show episodes in the action and crime genre typically last around 40-50 minutes. However, The Continental takes a different approach with its feature-length episodes lasting 90 minutes. This format has been successfully utilized by a few other shows, such as BBC's Sherlock, especially for narratives that require more time to tell intricate and elaborate stories. In its debut episode, The Continental effectively utilizes its 90-minute runtime to introduce new characters, establish the setting of 1970s New York City, and seamlessly delve into the world-building process. The extended duration also enhances the experience of a John Wick series by allowing for the inclusion of extended and intense fight sequences.
3 The Continental Continues The Masterful John Wick World-Building
The world-building in the John Wick movies progressively expands with each new release, a trend that is mirrored in The Continental. This includes the introduction of new characters like Hansel and Gretel, who are hired by Cormac to assassinate Frankie. The show also continues to provide insights into The High Table hierarchy through the presence of the new Adjudictor in The Continental. Additionally, the series explores the involvement of detectives in uncovering the mysteries within The Continental, a concept previously absent in the John Wick movies except for the one police officer who visited John following a noise complaint.
2 Colin Woodell Is A Great Young Winston In The Continental
Colin Woodell brilliantly portrays the younger version of Winston in The Continental cast, flawlessly capturing the mannerisms of Ian McShane. McShane impeccably portrayed the sophisticated yet cunning owner of the Continental in his 70s, and Woodell reflects the same sophistication and cunningness in the scams he orchestrates in London and New York. However, Winston's vulnerable side is rarely seen by audiences, except for the final scene in John Wick: Chapter 4. Woodell astounds viewers by depicting Winston as someone who can let his guard down and act on emotions instead of treating life as a chessboard, as shown in the concluding moments of The Continental episode 1.
1 The Continental Adds Mystery To The John Wick Franchise
The enigmatic nature of the John Wick universe is what adds to the series' allure. However, while the mysteries in John Wick serve as embellishments to a straightforward revenge narrative, The Continental combines elements of both mystery and action. The show kicks off with a perplexing situation, as Winston finds himself detained as a young boy, before fast-forwarding two decades. Additionally, there are intriguing inquiries surrounding Frankie's theft of the coin press at The Continental, including the motivations behind the heist and why he was willing to sacrifice himself for it. With its multitude of enigmas, The Continental transcends being a mere gun-fu spectacle, engaging audiences on a deeper level.
