Altered Carbon Review: A Dystopian Sci-Fi Adventure

I have to admit that when I saw the first trailers for Altered Carbon it looked interesting but likely mediocre. The concept of human consciousness transfer between bodies was interesting but I did not know if it was good enough to be the basis for a science-fiction world.

All that changed when I happened on my brother watching the first episode and looked over his shoulder for a few minutes. Very quickly we both sat down and together watched the first three episodes in one sitting and came back for the remaining seven over the next few days.

From one episode to the next the story got progressively darker and more complex, weaving the backgrounds and traits of each character together in astonishing and refreshing ways. The technology of the Settled Worlds set up a narrative that allows for characters that are truly different and unique in a genre that feels like it ran out of new ideas decades ago. In addition to the stacks, physical storage devices for the human consciousness implanted into the spines of every man, woman and child in this universe, the setting also includes a dizzying array of additional technologies including artificial intelligence, clones, virtual reality simulations, synthetic androids, cybernetic augmentation, augmented reality and much, much more. All of these various technologies flow together and create a deep and complex world where virtually nothing can be taken for granted, even life and death have become twisted.

These aspects of the story allow for the creation of characters and relationships the likes of which I have never seen before in science fiction. One character falls in love with another character who is a consciousness living inside the sleeve or body of their former romantic partner, another character reconciles with their spouse who is in a gender swapped or cross-sleeved body, while another is the consciousness of a character who was brutally murdered and driven insane who... well you'll just have to watch the show to find out how that character comes together.

Our cast of characters are then set against a backdrop of corrupt governments, uncaring mega-corporations, and the immortal god-like beings of the ultra-rich elite. To call this setting dystopian would be the understatement of the century. From Elysium to Blade Runner I have yet to see a nightmare vision of the future that compares to that created in Altered Carbon, a universe where every aspect of humanity is twisted and warped almost beyond recognition.

The themes, settings and technologies of Altered Carbon draw from the best elements of Cyberpunk, Judge Dredd, Blade Runner, Aliens and other science-fiction universes to craft universe that is as captivating as it is monstrous.

World building is not the only thing Altered Carbon did well. The acting from all the major characters is solid and each character is given enough screen time and attention to grow and develop individually. The special effects, costuming, lighting and sound-design are all also quite good. Netflix original material has not been particularly impressive in some of these departments but for Altered Carbon the effort certainly matches what could be expected from most prime-time TV shows today, maybe even better. Dialogue is not overly wordy or repetitive, characters convey what needs to be said without unnecessary padding and exposition is dripped in across multiple episodes, helping to explain the setting and the weird and wonky technologies without dumping them all in the lap of the audience in one fell swoop.

I could go on much longer but that would, I think, perhaps reveal too much so I will simply conclude with this, if you enjoyed the new Blade Runner, or the old, or if you are a fan of Cyberpunk... anything, watch this show, watch it now. You won't regret it.

Now all Netflix has to do to make me happy is give it a second season.