Blu-ray Review: ‘Being Human: The Complete First Season’ Defies Rules of TV Remakes

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CHICAGO – Remakes/reboots of popular television shows almost never work. Ask the few viewers of “Charlie’s Angels,” “Knight Rider,” or “Bionic Woman.” And it seemed like a particularly awful idea to remake a hit British show that most people with cable access to BBC America would have seen in the very recent past. How could a new version of “Being Human” on Syfy possibly justify its existence with the original version still producing new episodes?

HollywoodChicago.com Blu-Ray Rating: 3.5/5.0
Blu-Ray Rating: 3.5/5.0

I’ll admit that I avoided the remake like the plague; like someone would avoid a poppy cover of the best song by their favorite indie band. I wanted to scream, “Just watch the original!” And so I’m as surprised as anyone that I’m here to recommend the first season of the American version of “Being Human.” This is the TV remake that breaks the rule.

Being Human: The Complete First Season
Being Human: The Complete First Season
Photo credit: Disney

The start of season one of the Syfy version of “Being Human” actually sticks pretty closely to the Brit version. A pair of friends who also happen to be a vampire and a werewolf move in to an apartment haunted by a newly-deceased ghost. I know. It sounds like a horrendous set-up for a bad joke. And one has to wonder if the success of “Twilight” isn’t one of the reasons this program has been brought stateside. Find us the TV version of Jacob vs. Edward! Luckily, “Being Human” is about a lot more than its unique set-up. It uses the roles of bloodsucker, wolf, and spirit to provide drama that speaks to all of us about, well, being an average human.

Being Human: The Complete First Season was released on Blu-ray and DVD on November 15th, 2011
Being Human: The Complete First Season was released on Blu-ray and DVD on November 15th, 2011
Photo credit: Entertainment One

One of the reasons that the U.S. version of “Being Human” is effective is that it’s well-cast. Sam Witwer effectively plays the charismatic vampire Aidan. Sam Huntington is a bit more confident than his Brit counterpart but appropriately conflicted about his werewolf status as Josh. Finally, Meaghan Rath had some big shoes to fill as ghost Sally but she’s surprisingly resonant, providing a nice balance to the male leads. A lot of the joy of “Being Human” is in how its storytelling unfolds, so I won’t spoil anything, but fans of the original won’t be surprised to know that this one starts in essentially the same place as Aidan & Josh move in with Sally while Aidan deals with the aggressive leadership of the world of the vampires. Now, it’s not a carbon copy. The writers take some interesting turns right from the beginning, which allows the show to stay fresh without going too far from what works about the source.

Casting was essential to the success of this version but it helps that there’s clear respect for the source and its concept. “Being Human” has an admittedly goofy premise and it’s used for a bit of humor, but this is surprisingly emotionally resonant storytelling. It’s what good sci-fi/fantasy should be — taking an out-of-this-world concept and bringing it down to Earth. I still prefer the British version, but it’s a much closer competition than I ever expected.

Synopsis:
Being Human … nobody ever said it was easy. But for three 20-something roommates - vampire Aidan (Sam Witwer), ghost Sally (Meaghan Rath) and a werewolf Josh (Sam Huntington) - is it even possible? While these outsiders discover that there are fates even worse than death, they also realize that there’s more to life (and the afterlife) than most “normal” humans could ever imagine.

Special Features:
o The Making Of Being Human
o What Would You Choose? Featurette
o Additional Interviews with Sam Witwer, Meaghan Rath and Sam Huntington
o Being Human at San Diego Comic-Con

“Being Human: The Complete First Season” stars Sam Witwer, Meaghan Rath, and Sam Huntington. It was released on Blu-ray and DVD on November 15th, 2011.

HollywoodChicago.com content director Brian Tallerico

By BRIAN TALLERICO
Content Director
HollywoodChicago.com
brian@hollywoodchicago.com

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