Blurring the Line between LIfe and Mortality || Altered Carbon Film Review

avatar
(Edited)

Death is inevitable. The acknowledgement and understanding of that fundamentally provide a perspective on life and a default approach to life. For many, there's the appreciation of life and the heightened consciousness of our wellbeing, existential contemplation, and a sense of urgency to achieve one's dreams. That, in general, makes our world run the way it does. If, however, death were still inevitable but not permanent, how differently would we perceive life, and how differently would the world be?

In the world of Altered Carbon, death isn't permanent, as consciousness is stored in high-tech storage devices called "cortical stacks" are plugged into bodies, blurring the line between life and mortality. Bodies are referred to as "sleeves," connoting the dispensability of the human body since consciousness can be stored and transferred between them. And with two seasons of cyberpunk drama and action and a total of 18 episodes, this is one enjoyable series I'll share about its good, bad, and things in-between.

1000146333.jpg

For a long time, I had seen this series around. I didn't quite hear much about it that was enough to convince me to check it out, so I just ignored it. After checking out its trailer and then finding that it had an interesting story and concept that I had never seen before, I gave it a chance. Fast forward to two seasons consumed, and I'll say I've been missing something all along.

Futuristic concepts like this fascinate me, and so I automatically liked the approach to reincarnation with high-tech devices that are capable of storing human consciousness and loading it up into bodies, then referring to the bodies as "sleeves." Pretty neat. And from that concept, too, whole new worlds were birthed.

1000146326.jpg

The film portrays the never-changing fact that human nature is naturally selfish and greedy, with the idea that people want to live forever by all means. Surely, affording sleeves doesn't come cheap; therefore, the divide between the haves and have-nots is further amplified, with some relegated to living multiple times in discarded sleeves while others bask in eternal youth and privilege.

MOVIES & TV SHOWS BY OLUJAY.gif

The first episode of this film had me hooked. The idea of a super soldier having foresight or anticipation and being able to predict certain actions by other individuals caught my attention and made me long for more of that in other use cases. And then, soon enough, there was the explanation of how "reincarnation" works that fascinated me. There are also exhibitions of interesting tech, such as advanced gadgets and weapons.

1000146328.jpg

I found it interesting to see the same person in different bodies, interacting with people, and going about their lives or missions simply by having digital human minds sent here and there. At the same time, however, I had to keep track of many faces and personalities all through the show.

The film starts out like a sort of normal murder mystery and detective stuff, fused with a lot of action, but then delves deeper with its story. I liked that it wasn't all guns and fights alone, although I very much enjoyed a lot of them. Little by little, the story expands, introducing more characters and history, as well as some more drama along the way.

It's heavily worth noting that this film, especially the first season, has many sexually inclined elements. For the most part of the first season, I kept seeing naked people. In fact, I think I saw every single person go naked in the film at some point. Okay, that's hyperbole, but you get the idea. The story, however, wasn't driven around sexual drama; it just felt dented by the incessant use of it. On the bright side, the second season was way less of that.

Speaking of the second season, I didn't quite enjoy it as much as the first. The major reason why this is so is because of this "reincarnation" idea. Because people kept changing faces, which was a normal thing, there was a completely new set of faces in the second season, although only the main character and a very small number of others showed up in the second season. It felt as though I was watching a completely different film, as I didn't find characters I was already used to. Also, the second season seemed a little bland and overstretched, especially at the end. At some point, I began to feel like the show should end already so I could move on to another.

1000146330.jpg

There were a lot of acronyms in this film, so much so that I finished the entire film without fully understanding some of them. They were too many to keep up with and used so frequently that they made me understand the story less in certain areas. They were usually vaguely explained. For example, I didn't know RD meant "real death" for about 4 episodes and that DHF literally meant Digital Human Freight throughout the film. I just managed to get through the film by following the context.

I mostly enjoyed the film, not just for the story alone but for the effort and time invested in the visual storytelling of the film. Cyberpunk films require quite a lot of work with graphics, camera applications, and motion-picture techniques. I found it appealing to see how brilliantly executed many of the scenes are.

There were many characters and even way more actors for each of them, but I'd like to commend them for staying true to their characters all through. Many of them were excellent, especially for season one, and I couldn't have enjoyed the show if they had been terrible, but they were great instead.

image.png

Altered Carbon is quite an enjoyable show, especially with the fancy tech stuff and really cool action in most parts. It may have been flawed by the ambiguity of many terms and incessant sexual inclination, but it appeals to me in many ways. I'd sure mention that if I were recommending it to anyone.

It seemed to me like a third season was intended from the way it ended, but I'll be candid with myself and say that I doubt I'd be excited about it when it does come out. Nonetheless, it's a pretty cool show.

I will give it a rating of 7/10.

Posted using CineTV


NB: All images, including thumbnail image, are screenshots of the film, Altered Carbon.



0
0
0.000
28 comments
avatar

I saw the series, it was the most fascinating thing I'd ever watched. The actors did more of the work. Seeing how different people had to play same character and how they had to morph themselves to be that character. One thing is, our imaginative skills as human is being questioning. This series proves how far one's imagination can go.

avatar

Yes to that, man! It's beautiful what our minds can create. This series is a good example of what brilliant minds do in films.

Unfortunately, the show was cancelled. I can see you'd have loved to see another season.

You watching any films these days?

avatar

It was cancelled yeah, I don't know if it's a Netflix series or not, because Netflix series are the ones usually cancelled that way.
I'm currently seeing "The NEVER" decent thriller by the way.

avatar

Netflix does not send anybody with their shows. They just do and undo whenever they please. It is one mind we watch their shows.

The Never, Hmm...I do like thriller. I'll check it out.

avatar

Congratulations @olujay! You have completed the following achievement on the Hive blockchain And have been rewarded with New badge(s)

You received more than 30000 upvotes.
Your next target is to reach 35000 upvotes.

You can view your badges on your board and compare yourself to others in the Ranking
If you no longer want to receive notifications, reply to this comment with the word STOP

Check out our last posts:

HiveBuzz Women's World Cup Contest - Collect Badges and Prizes - Thousands of HIVE, Tokens or NFTs to be won!
avatar

I am not so much of a fan of series but you have seduced me with this one already. I can't wait to jump into Netflix and do the needful.

#Dreemerforlife #dreemport

avatar

I am glad I was able to seduce you. 🫠
Enjoy yourself, man.

avatar

Ah. Not my kind of show to enjoy😂🤭
I prefer witty conversations and so I'm more into legal drama. SUIT is my fave.😍

I am amaze of the unique concept though, of reincarnation in techy way but still don't like it. Haha
Good thing I've read it, so more like watched it too, like you do, picked up some stuff like RD.🙈

💛Made my way here through #dreemport. #Dreemerforlife

avatar

Legal drama can be so thrilling, I'll admit. Suit, however, is a show that has an unexplainable reason why I haven't seen it yet.

The concept is brilliant, really. And I loved watching the show.

Maybe if you get the chance, you could branch into cyberpunk for this show.
Thank you for the lovely comment.

avatar

why does it have to be a series
ehnnnnnnn. it will take me 3 month to finish a season with the way one is busy
#dreemport

avatar

I totally get that feeling. I didn't like series before as I only wanted to just be entertained for an hour or two and move on with my life. I found out, eventually, that series are usually deeper and more satisfying.

avatar

Okay, so before now, I probably would have said something like "I totally do not like watching series" but I've caught myself watching interesting series to the end and this seems interesting.

Such movies wouldn't exactly be my first choice on a list of movies but from the trailer and from your review, it is a nice watch. So now, I just have to wait till a friend downloads it😅

Came in through #dreemport.

avatar

I would totally understand if you had said so instead. I used to simply prefer to indulge in a one or two hours film and move on with my life afterwards, but, these days, I see series that is just keep me glued till the very end.

I just have to wait till a friend downloads it😅

...or night plan to download. I know, right!

I'm curious, though, about the kind of films are your type.

avatar

...or night plan to download. I know, right

would it be too much of a shocker if I told you that I do not know how to download movies. Well I do not😅. I either stream them or actually wait for a friend. I should learn soon enough.

I'm curious, though, about the kind of films are your type.

Crime( with detectives), Mystery(that would keep me guessing) and Horror (from time to time).

avatar

Nah...I'm not shocked. Downloading from third party sites can be a rather tedious process for most people, so they just stream or wait for a friend. There are some easier ways to go about it, though.

Crime, you say, eh? Then you much have seen films like Enola, Sherlock, and Redington. I love the combination of all three, actually; crime, horror, and mystery. Seen Stranger things, too?

Good morning.

avatar

There are some easier ways to go about it, though.

Oh really? What ways could they be? I'd honestly like to know.

Enola, Sherlock, and Redington

Seen Enola and sherlock Holmes but not Redington

I love the combination of all three, actually;

I agree. A combination would be mind blowing. Any suggestion?

Seen Stranger things, too?

definitely seen this and I loved it.

Good morning.

Sunrise salutations to you too🤸‍♀️

avatar
(Edited)

Sure. It'll be over Discord or something. Don't want to do that here; sharing links to such sites and all.

Can't think of any at the moment. But there are series like, The OA and The Archive (more like mythical stuff), IT 1 & 2 (horror), Knives out and Glass Onion (detective stuff).

avatar

Sure. It'll be over Discord or something. Don't want to do that here; sharing links to such sites and all.

Alright. Id be anticipating. Thanks fir the suggestions too.

avatar

Jeez.... Where was this movie hidden all these while

From what you wrote, it is really an interesting movie to see indeed..
Everything just looks on point.. I'll gladly include it in my movie list immediately, hehehe

@dreemport #hhym #dreemerforlife #marathon

avatar

It has been on Netflix waiting for you. 🫠😄

Maybe you'll consider it someday and tell us what you think of it, man thanks for coming around.

avatar

This is the kinda movie I like to watch. Movies that portray life and death especially when it comes to immortality.

Nice review.
You got me added this to my list of to-watch

avatar

Then it seems to me like you would have been a big fan of God of War and the like. You should. Like this show, even though it's nothing like God of War

Thanks for coming around, man.

avatar

With a complete deets and narration of this movie, I will add it to my list of movies on Netflix. I too here has been ignoring it cause I perceived it like its not interesting at all. But guess I was wrong all along as they say don't judge a book by its cover. It's beautiful reading this though. #dreemerforlife #dreemport

avatar

Really, we shouldn't judge a book by its cover. This film was stellar, and I think people should give it a try if they can.

I'm glad you found my review useful, cesca. I've missed you around, so know I am pumped to have you grace me with your presence.