scarhoax

Truly a shining example of what a beautiful thing a show can be when given the love and support it needs to thrive. From the first moment you watch it, you can see how much love when into creating something strange yet familiar, gorgeous yet gruesome, harsh yet kind. In essence, it is a story about stories and our interactions with them: how we are shaped by them and how we shape them in turn. While I'm a long-time fan of the original graphic novel, my memories are somewhat blurred by time. (One day I'll rescue my volumes from my parents' house but today is not that day). However the energy of the graphic novels, that dreamlike (ha) quality carries both the beautiful and the horrific with equal love, is on full display in this adaptation. With a brilliant use of both CGI and practical effects, the Sandman Netflix series beautifully captures both the style and the substance of the original. This is not to say that the adaptation brings nothing to the table on its own. The Sandman brings a more structured narrative without stifling its creativity or fluid qualities. It adds a sense of nuance to some characters (like John Dee), while not shying away from the true horrors of some of their actions, due in no small part to the incredible performances on display. Every casting is pitch perfect and a joy to watch.