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Amazon.ca
This American adaptation of the popular British supernatural series Being Human does a fine job of transposing its core idea--twentysomethings who struggle with their own inhuman identities as well as the day-to-day tribulations of their demographic--to a stateside setting while retaining its balance of character detail and horror-tinged thrills. As in the UK version, Being Human centers on a pair of friends (Sam Witwer and Sam Huntington) who come together over their hidden identities--vampire and werewolf, respectively--in an attempt to aid each other in pursuing "normal" lives. A wrinkle is soon added by the presence of Sally (Meaghan Rath), a ghost who haunts their new apartment and adds a touch of levity to the boys' brooding personas while also dealing with the loss of her own life and separation from her fiancé (Gianpaolo Venuta), who owns their building. The three leads are personable and acquit themselves well to the dual nature of their roles, which are complicated immeasurably by their interaction with humans like Huntington's sister (Alison Louder), who can't understand why her brother has abandoned their family, as well as more diabolical agents like Bishop (Mark Pellegrino), an envoy from the vampire underworld who wants Witwer to embrace his undead side. The three leads' desire to "fit in" with the rest of the world is a broad but effective parallel for the trials set in the path of "normal" young adults; said age group will probably find their endeavors a bit more compelling than older viewers, but the quality of writing and performances should provide the show's greatest appeal. Those who saw the original British version will note that storylines from multiple seasons have been employed in this first go-round (due in part to the shorter season length for UK TV product), while some scenes have been reproduced almost to the letter, which may be a positive or a detraction, depending on one's affinity for the original production. The four-disc Blu-ray set includes a wealth of extras, with the extensive Making of Being Human offering the most insight into the show's conception and execution through interviews with cast and creators. Additional interviews with the cast at press events and a panel at the 2011 Comic-Con convention are more lighthearted and should find favor largely with fans already committed to the series. --Paul Gaita
Customer Reviews
Most helpful customer reviews
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
By Wenzowsa
Format:Blu-ray|Amazon Verified Purchase
I must admit that I approached this series after having watched the BBC version, and loving the BBC version dearly. I appreciate the U.K. "Being Human" because it's gritty, awkward, and quirky, and I guess I can identify it. The major plot and the sub-plots seem less sensationalized than one might find on American television, and the characters seem...ordinary - as if you could possibly be friends with them. It was with these biases that I began watching the American series.
Now, I did enjoy the first season of the American series, and, as evidence of my interest, I admit that I watched all the episodes over the span of two days (gotta love having a winter break). I found Josh, the werewolf, to be funny and witty, and awkward as any self-proclaimed "nerd" would be. Aidan, the vampire, was brooding and dark, and somehow a little less interesting or complex than Mitchell (BBC version). Sally, the ghost, I found to be completely boring, and she, I honestly felt, added very little to the first season - her moping grew old after one episode. I did admire this adaptation for taking the show in its own direction, and for having it's own authentic vision. Yet, perhaps it was the major plot, which felt a little rushed, the was "zany" sub-plots, or Sally (the really boring ghost) that kept me from fully loving the first season. I suppose it seemed a little lacking somehow.
All of this aside, I do recommend this series for those who like sci-fi, and who bemoan the absence of any decent sci-fi/supernatural show being on television. "Being Human" is fun and keep you entertained, even if it is slightly vapid.
Now, I did enjoy the first season of the American series, and, as evidence of my interest, I admit that I watched all the episodes over the span of two days (gotta love having a winter break). I found Josh, the werewolf, to be funny and witty, and awkward as any self-proclaimed "nerd" would be. Aidan, the vampire, was brooding and dark, and somehow a little less interesting or complex than Mitchell (BBC version). Sally, the ghost, I found to be completely boring, and she, I honestly felt, added very little to the first season - her moping grew old after one episode. I did admire this adaptation for taking the show in its own direction, and for having it's own authentic vision. Yet, perhaps it was the major plot, which felt a little rushed, the was "zany" sub-plots, or Sally (the really boring ghost) that kept me from fully loving the first season. I suppose it seemed a little lacking somehow.
All of this aside, I do recommend this series for those who like sci-fi, and who bemoan the absence of any decent sci-fi/supernatural show being on television. "Being Human" is fun and keep you entertained, even if it is slightly vapid.
By Cheryljean
Format:DVD
Wow! I loved this show. I watched some the BBC shows, & I found that I enjoyed the American version more. The humor on this show is great. The 3 main actors are really fantastic and they play their characters well. I can't wait for season 2 to come out. Glad I took a chance on buying this season.
Format:DVD
What do you get when you put a ghost, a vampire and a werewolf in the same apartment?
No, there isn't a punchline, because it's not actually a joke (unless you really, really hate urban fantasy). It's the description of "Being Human," a bittersweet little drama about a little supernatural gang trying to live their lives in an mundane world. It starts off similar to the original BBC series, but soon branches off in its own dark direction.
Vampire Aidan (Sam Witwer) and his werewolf buddy Josh (Sam Huntington) move into a nice rented house in Boston. But they find themselves with a third roommate -- a ghost named Sally (Meaghan Rath) who was engaged to their landlord until she died. George and Mitchell work a pair of low-level hospital jobs, and attempt to do normal things like date, join the neighborhood watch, and pal around with kids.
However, the trio still have supernatural problems. Josh struggles to reunite with his family despite his lycanthropy, and has a relationship go very awry. As Sally struggles to deal with being dead, she discovers that her fiancee did something unspeakable to her. And Aidan's life is disrupted by the city's overlord, Bishop (Mark Pellegrino), who is planning something major for the vampire population -- and will allow no one to stand in his way.
The obvious question about "Being Human" is: how does it stack up beside the original BBC version? Well, it sticks pretty closely to the BBC series' storylines for the first few episodes, but with more episodes to flesh things out in, it branches out in some new directions, with some new characters and events introduced to the story (such as a little boy whose friendship with Aidan ends in tragedy).
And this series maintains much of the flavor of the original series: clever comedy based on the idea of three supernaturals living "normal" lives (Aidan vamps out during a family dinner) and personal drama, while also delving into the painful issues of temptation, loss, and what it means to be human. The entire season is cloaked in bittersweet reflection, especially since the characters' attempts to be "normal" keep tripping up.
As for the actors, they're all pretty solid. Witwer is all gothic dimply charm, and he wrenches your heart during some of Aidan's sadder moments; Huntington's Josh is an endearingly earnest nerd, but he does get a bit whiny sometimes; and Rath's Sally is pretty, flaky and has some issues with her relationships. And Pellegrino is wonderfully, silkily Machievellian as the leader of the island, Jacob... I mean, the leader of the vampires, Bishop.
"Being Human Season 1" is a pretty solid adaptation of the original BBC series -- dark, tangled and sometimes very sad.
No, there isn't a punchline, because it's not actually a joke (unless you really, really hate urban fantasy). It's the description of "Being Human," a bittersweet little drama about a little supernatural gang trying to live their lives in an mundane world. It starts off similar to the original BBC series, but soon branches off in its own dark direction.
Vampire Aidan (Sam Witwer) and his werewolf buddy Josh (Sam Huntington) move into a nice rented house in Boston. But they find themselves with a third roommate -- a ghost named Sally (Meaghan Rath) who was engaged to their landlord until she died. George and Mitchell work a pair of low-level hospital jobs, and attempt to do normal things like date, join the neighborhood watch, and pal around with kids.
However, the trio still have supernatural problems. Josh struggles to reunite with his family despite his lycanthropy, and has a relationship go very awry. As Sally struggles to deal with being dead, she discovers that her fiancee did something unspeakable to her. And Aidan's life is disrupted by the city's overlord, Bishop (Mark Pellegrino), who is planning something major for the vampire population -- and will allow no one to stand in his way.
The obvious question about "Being Human" is: how does it stack up beside the original BBC version? Well, it sticks pretty closely to the BBC series' storylines for the first few episodes, but with more episodes to flesh things out in, it branches out in some new directions, with some new characters and events introduced to the story (such as a little boy whose friendship with Aidan ends in tragedy).
And this series maintains much of the flavor of the original series: clever comedy based on the idea of three supernaturals living "normal" lives (Aidan vamps out during a family dinner) and personal drama, while also delving into the painful issues of temptation, loss, and what it means to be human. The entire season is cloaked in bittersweet reflection, especially since the characters' attempts to be "normal" keep tripping up.
As for the actors, they're all pretty solid. Witwer is all gothic dimply charm, and he wrenches your heart during some of Aidan's sadder moments; Huntington's Josh is an endearingly earnest nerd, but he does get a bit whiny sometimes; and Rath's Sally is pretty, flaky and has some issues with her relationships. And Pellegrino is wonderfully, silkily Machievellian as the leader of the island, Jacob... I mean, the leader of the vampires, Bishop.
"Being Human Season 1" is a pretty solid adaptation of the original BBC series -- dark, tangled and sometimes very sad.
Most recent customer reviews
3.0 out of 5 stars
British version is better
I like the British version better, I watched all 3 seasons, and I like the British werewolf better, Didn't look like a computer generated rat like the American version, Looked more... Read more
Published 16 months ago by mfmayes49
5.0 out of 5 stars
Better than the British version. :-O
Yes, it's true. The American remake of Being Human, Season One, is better than the British original. Read more
Published 17 months ago by FictionLover
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