Netflix has had mixed results adaptingbeloved science-fictionstories into live-action series. Shows likeAlice in Borderland,The Umbrella Academy, andAltered Carbon(Season 1) have been massive hits for the streaming service, whileiBoyandAltered Carbon’s second season were lambasted by critics and audiences. However, critics can’t make up their minds on Netflix’s newest sci-fi series,3 Body Problem, making it one of the streamer’s most divisive shows to date.
Based on the acclaimed book trilogy by Chinese author Liu Cixin,3 Body Problemis a multi-faceted story where humans must face the consequences of making contact with extra-terrestrial beings. The storyjumps across time, starting in 1966 Beijing, and residing heavily in the modern day as the prestigious ‘Oxford 5’ – a handpicked group of elite scientists – reunite to help two detectives solve a string of strange suicides within the scientific community.
Reviews Either Love or Hate 3 Body Problem
3 Body Problem
3 Body Problemheld its premiere at the South by South-West festival in Austin, Texas, on Mar. 8, and reviews quickly flooded the internet.
Many outlets quickly praised the series as one of thebest science-fiction showsin recent history. IMDb rated3 Body Problem’s premiere episode 8.2/10, with IGN and SlashFilm giving the series a solid 8/10. The tidal wave of positive reviews gave fans of the book tremendous hope.The Three Body Problemis a series many readers consider unadaptable. However, it appeared that Netflix had pulled it off. Then, more reviews came in from the show’s premiere at SXSW and lambasted the (seemingly) hit series. Critics from The Hollywood Reporter and GamesRadar+ heavily disagreed with the former reviews, giving the show mediocre ratings of 2.5/5 and below.
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The positive reviews praised almost every aspect of Netflix’s adaptation.TIME’s Judy Bermandeclared the series a hit, stating, “Benioff, Weiss, and Woo have been remarkably successful at transforming Liu’s work into a gripping sci-fi thriller.” These reviews also praise every performance and declare the show an illuminating and exhilarating foray into complex science fiction. While many acknowledge that it isn’t without flaws, it lays the tremendous groundwork for Netflix to adapt the rest of Lie Cixin’s HUGO award-winning book trilogy.
“Benioff, Weiss, and Woo have been remarkably successful at transforming Liu’s work into a gripping sci-fi thriller.”
However, the negative reviews can’t seem to shake these issues. One problem that crops up regularly is the show’s bizarre decision to globalize an otherwise Chinese story. The ‘Oxford 5’, as you might guess by the name, are English-based, and some characters have undergone anglicized name changes. For example, Shi Quiang, a fan favorite from the book (played on-screen by MCU star Benedict Wong), has had their name unceremoniously changed to ‘Clarence.’
Many of the poor reviews are targeted towards the show’s script, with some critics arguing the show is in such a desperate rush to explore everything that it ultimately explores very little. Meanwhile, other critics simply believe that the show is style over substance, as Netflix’s attempts to explain the Three Body Problem (a real issue in physics and mechanics) come off asnothing more than sci-fi jargon.
3 Body Problem Has the Creative Talent to Be Amazing
At the helm of Netflix’s bisecting new sci-fi show isGame of Thronescreators David Benioffand D.B. Weiss, along withTrue Blood’s Alexander Woo as co-showrunners. While manyGame of Thronesfans will never be able to forgive the show’s final season, they are also quick to forget that the pair can produce brilliant TV when working from a quality text. Behind them is a HUGO Award-winning, multi-million-copy-selling sci-fi saga that is immensely popular across the globe and beloved within the sci-fi book community.
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Add to that an incredible cast that includes Benedict Wong (Dr. Strange), Mario Kelly (Dare Me), John Bradley (Game of Thrones), Liam Cunningham (Game of Thrones), Jonathan Pryce (The Crown(oh, andGame of Thrones)), Jovan Adepo (Overlord), Sea Shimooka (Arrow), and Rosalind Chao (Mulan). It’s hard to argue that Netflix’s new series has every indicator pointing towards a new breakaway hit, potentially on thelevel ofStranger Things.
As many of the positive reviews mention the show’s shortcomings, it can be argued that3 Body Problem’s incredibly divisive critical reception is partly a matter of perspective. The reviews in favor of the show argue that the flaws are less important because the series lays the groundwork for an incredibly rich and spectacular story to come in future seasons. Meanwhile, the negative reviews take the perspective of analyzing the first season as a singular entity, and these negative reviews present large cracks within the foundations.Stream all eight episodes of Netflix’s3 Body Problemon Mar. 21.
