Heroes Reborn
Created by:
Tim Kring
Miniseries
2015-
Fantasy, Sci-Fi
NBC
TV-14
“It’s coming!” That’s the tagline of NBC’s “Heroes Reborn,” a 13-episode miniseries reboot of the one-time hit show, “Heroes.” What “it” is isn’t exactly clear, just like the significance of saving cheerleaders wasn’t clear before. The questions is: Will this miniseries be able to capture the former buzz of its predecessor? Or will it simply be an extension of that predecessor’s lackluster ending?
Once again, we’re introduced to characters from various parts of the globe, but most of this show’s focus is on characters located in the United States. The first volume of this miniseries is called “Awakening,” after all. At its beginning, a peace rally between humans and Evos (the “evolved” humans) is taking place. There’s hope for the two groups to live together in harmony. How wonderful! But there’s no way that could happen. They have a television show to produce. I mean, come on! So, what happens next isn’t pleasant, and the ramifications of that event pit humans against Evos and vice versa.
As in “Heroes,” “Heroes Reborn” has heroes (both human and mutant) and villains (again, both human and mutant). And, as always, things may not be exactly as they seem.
Carlos Gutierrez (Ryan Guzman) is a war hero who has feelings of inadequacy. He’s rudderless. During his speech at a junior high school, he secretly pulls out a flask to take a swig. But a kid in the audience is enraptured. (Of course, that kid will play a larger role later on.) What that kid doesn’t know is that his teacher just finished having sex with Carlos in a broom closet. Predictably, Carlos will have the chance to redeem himself and become the kind of hero he always wanted to be.
Tommy Clark (Robbie Kay), a kid who gets bullied at school by the boyfriend of the girl he loves, goes to a support group for Evos in hiding. To remain unnoticed, Tommy holds back on using his powers to protect himself. That certainly won’t last. His high school’s coach is at the meeting, but the coach isn’t pleased to see him. Tommy’s overprotective mother summons him home before the end of the meeting. Lucky him, because one of the attendees, Luke Collins (Zachary Levi), has ulterior motives. Luke and his sidekick, Joanne (Judith Shekoni), make sure that no one else makes it out alive.
In Japan, Miko (Kiki Sukezane) desperately wants to save her father. But she has to do so by fighting in a video game … literally. I have to say that this storyline is that biggest stretch of them all. In addition, there’s Caspar Abraham (Pruitt Taylor Vince), a man who goes around erasing people’s memories. (“A penny for your thoughts?”) For what reason? You’ll find out if you can watch this show long enough. There are other characters, as well.
Furthermore, characters from “Heroes” show up from time to time. Jack Coleman (Noah Bennet), the “Man in Horn-Rimmed Glasses” (“HRG”), returns as a main character. He has lost his memory, but you know that won’t last for long. We’ll also be treated to appearances by Hiro (Masi Oka), The Haitian (Jimmy Jean-Louis), and others. Mohinder Suresh (Sendhil Ramamurthy) is now some sort of Evo supremacist terrorist. “Heroes Reborn” treats him and his related subject matter rather clumsily. Its substitution of Suresh’s actions for real-world terrorist actions is a bit too facile.
With all of that said (Are you exhausted yet?), now it’s time for the nitty gritty. Is this worth watching? … Not especially, unless you’re a die-hard fan who refuses to miss one episode of the entire series, regardless of the iteration. While the acting and dialogue certainly are bland, the major problem with “Heroes Reborn” is that the ideas on which it is built are familiar and uninspired. Where’s the life? Where’s the energy? Instead of being awe-inspiring, the events on display here are stunted, clumsy, and tame. At least in “Sense8,” another globetrotting series with its own problems, they go all the way crazy. They hold nothing back, even when they should. This show doesn’t even make the attempt. That’s what’s unforgivable.
If so-so special effects and milquetoast storytelling appeal to you, then have it. I’m too bored to care. “Heroes Reborn” doesn’t need to be perfect. Heck, it doesn’t even need to be that good. Who expects it to be? But it surely needs to be engaging. It needs to be exciting. At this point, it’s the one in need of saving.
Verdict: Whatever
About: (Source: heroes reborn)
From Creator/Executive Producer Tim Kring, who imagined NBC’s original critically acclaimed 2006 “Heroes” series, comes “Heroes Reborn,” an epic 13-episode event series that chronicles the lives of ordinary people who discover they possess extraordinary abilities.
A year ago, a terrorist attack in Odessa, Texas left the city decimated. Blamed for the tragic event, those with extraordinary abilities are in hiding or on the run from those with nefarious motives.
Two such vigilantes include Luke (Zachary Levi, “Chuck”) and Joanne (Judith Shekoni, “The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 2”), who are seeking to avenge a tragic loss.
Noah Bennet, aka HRG (Jack Coleman, “Heroes”), has gone off the grid, but conspiracy theorist Quentin Frady (Henry Zebrowski, “A to Z”) finds him and opens his eyes to the truth behind the Odessa tragedy.
While in hiding, some are discovering their newfound skills. Awkward teen Tommy (Robbie Kay, “Once Upon a Time”) just wants to be normal and win the girl of his dreams, Emily (Gatlin Green, “Criminal Minds”), but normalcy is virtually impossible after learning of a new ability that terrifies him. Coming from a very sheltered upbringing, a bold and ethereal teenager, Malina (Danika Yarosh, “Shameless”), has been told she is destined for greatness. In Tokyo, a quiet and unique young woman, Miko (Kiki Sukezane, “Death Yankee 3”), is trying to track down her missing father while hiding an extraordinary secret that will make her a force to be reckoned with. Elsewhere, a different type of hero is emerging through former soldier Carlos (Ryan Guzman, “The Boy Next Door”).
Meanwhile, Erica (Rya Kihlstedt, “Masters of Sex”), the head of the highly successful tech conglomerate Renautas has an agenda of her own.
For better or for worse, some are fated to cross paths with assorted heroes of the past, including Hiro Nakamura (Masi Oka), Matt Parkman (Greg Grunberg), Mohinder Suresh (Sendhil Ramamurthy) and the Haitian (Jimmy Jean-Louis), among others. Yet, together, their ultimate destiny is nothing less than saving the world and mankind.
