Earth is the final frontier: On ALPHA PLANET
I was excited when Co-creator/writer/director, Mike Darling submitted his web series, ALPHA PLANET to Web to Watch and I must say, he had me at “post-apocalyptic sci-fi set on a future desolate Earth.” I’ve mostly been watching comedies lately, so I was energized to watch something completely different, a high concept series in the genre I grew up on.
ALPHA PLANET tells the story of 4 explorers sent to Earth 250 years after the apocalypse. The team has two main objectives; first, to see if the planet is habitable and second, to see if they can find the original mission crew, who mysteriously disappeared 20 years ago. Shortly after they land, things begin to go awry and the crew has a new set of problems to overcome.
For a show created on a “micro budget,” ALPHA PLANET is impressive. The post fire landscape used as the location for future Earth was a great choice. Combined with the sometimes blown out visual style with muted colors, it definitely screams post-apocalyptic. A nice original score from composer Ivan Ruiz Serrano rounds out the tone and gives the show an extra punch.
The acting is pretty good but is hurt by sound issues and occasionally mediocre dialogue. Unfortunately, there were quite a few times where the score overpowered the dialogue or where the sound was uneven. They could spice up the dialogue a bit with some interesting original vernacular. My guess is that in 250 years there would be at least some new slang.
The five released episodes of ALPHA PLANET feel like they are pieces of a larger single episode. It makes me wonder if the creators plan to package and pitch the series as an independent TV pilot or movie. Each episode cliffhanger could work as a gripping lead-in for a commercial break.
Speaking of the cliffhangers, they were my favorite part of the show. They are expertly done with skillful editing and spine-tingling score. I look forward to them. Though only one has had a really good payoff so far, the cliffhanger at the end of Episode 5 has me eager for things to come.
Another strength of the series is the way they combined Sound Effects and Video FX. It made the somewhat cheesy VFX work really well. They did an impressive job with them. Unfortunately they abandoned them after episode one and instead opted to use 21st century tools. I know it takes more time to create the effects but I hope to see them again in future episodes.
Verdict: Almost there. ALPHA PLANET is enjoyable but they can do more, which is evident from the pilot. Even though the episodes are short, I wish more happened in the last three. But most importantly, the cliffhangers are like crack and I need to tune in again to get my fix. Check out the series and see what I mean!
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Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/AlphaPlanet
Twitter: @RenRobot
Website: http://www.renrobot.com/alphaplanet/
ALPHA PLANET is hosted exclusively on Web Series Network, KoldCastTV
ALPHA PLANET is currently competing in the New Media Film Festival Audience Choice Competition. If you like the series, support them here: http://www.minglemediatv.com/NMFFAlphaPlanet.html
