Altered Carbon

Sometimes, Netflix really knows how to take risks, and Altered Carbon is one of those times it pays off. They greenlit a project that dives deep into cyberpunk, bringing back the kind of atmosphere we haven’t seen since the days of Blade Runner and Total Recall. Takeshi Kovacs is a fascinating character, and if you can roll with the concept that different actors (or actresses) can play him, you're in for a unique, neon-drenched detective story like no other. My only gripe is that the 10-episode season drags in parts. (2021-01-31)

The second season of Altered Carbon brings in Anthony Mackie as Takeshi Kovacs, but I have to admit, I’m just not feeling it. Mackie’s performance left me wanting more emotional range, and after seeing him in a couple of Netflix roles now, I’m still not convinced. This season also lacks the clear direction that the detective storyline brought to the first. The plot feels a bit all over the place, and even though they wisely trimmed the season by two episodes, it still got messy towards the end. Honestly, I’m curious if they’ll even bother with a third season. (2021-01-31)