Story: DCI John Luther was fired from the department and then imprisoned after serial killer David Robey discovered damaging information on Luther. While Luther is looking into the kidnapping of Callum Aldrich, these things happen. Luther is compelled to break out of jail in order to solve the case.
Review: DCI 'Luther: The Fallen Sun' marks John Luther's big-screen debut, and it's disappointing to find that the character falls short of its potential, making the experience of the movie unimpressive. Although the film shows promise in its opening scenes, audiences are eventually unhappy. Perhaps the structure of the show or the inclusion of some absurd features that leave viewers perplexed are to blame. The movie appears to be more
With this feature episode, the creators have deftly twisted the needle by pleasing ardent followers while offering a simple entry point for newbies. With substantially higher production standards and a darker tone that borders on horror-film territory, the movie plays like a television episode on steroids.
A strong antagonist is essential to a successful hero story, and screenwriter Cross has delivered one of the best since Ruth Wilson's Alice. David Robey is a wealthy software genius who has descended into madness after his wife almost perished in a fire. He is a truly memorable character, played by Andy Serkis in a supremely creepy way, who gleefully enjoys playing evil games, such as luring the relatives of people he has killed to a remote mansion where, instead of finding their loved ones alive, they find their corpses hanging from hooks just before the entire room erupts in flames.
Performance to Watch: Erivo and Elba receive one very brief sequence in which the unstoppable tank-division plot pauses for a beat or two and permits them to divulge minute fragments of vulnerable character information. And after all of this, these two incredibly gifted actors deserve to portray a cosy married couple who just sit in a sitting room with a cup of tea and talk about their favourite books in a My Dinner With Andre-style drama.
The end effect may be more cinematically rich, but it is also far cruder, with characters whose potential demise is only met with a shrug. Dermot Crowley's brief appearances, who reprises his role as Luther's depressed superintendent, and Cynthia Erivo's portrayal of Luther's irate boss both have a calming impact. A nostalgic rush is instead triggered by Elba himself, who is huddled pitifully beneath that overcoat on a soggy Piccadilly Circus. Call me a softy for tortured heroes and evocative clothing.
The Fallen Sun, Luther
Rated R for forced suicides, blazing bodies, and spooky hair. 2 hours, 9 minutes total running time. Observe on Netflix.
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