{"id":47525,"date":"2024-03-09T07:00:42","date_gmt":"2024-03-09T06:00:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.radiotimes.com\/?p=2006080"},"modified":"2024-03-09T07:38:13","modified_gmt":"2024-03-09T06:38:13","slug":"3-body-problem-review-a-bold-swing-and-a-big-win-for-netflix","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/radiotimes\/rss_feed\/3-body-problem-review-a-bold-swing-and-a-big-win-for-netflix\/","title":{"rendered":"3 Body Problem review: A bold swing and a big win for Netflix"},"content":{"rendered":"

A flawlessly executed high production sci-fi, with all the heart, mystery and thrill you could ever want. <\/p>

By Louise Griffin\n \t\t<\/p>

Published: Saturday, 09 March 2024 at 06:00 AM<\/p>

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<\/div> 5.0 out of 5 star rating<\/span> <\/span> <\/div> <\/div>

Adapting Three Body Problem, the weird, dense, groundbreaking novel from Cixin Liu, was always going to be an unwieldy task. Adapting it well should have been impossible. Not for David Benioff, DB Weiss and Alexander Woo.<\/p>\n

All eyes are on the Game of Thrones creators after that notorious finale, which genuinely saw many lose faith in the writing duo. But this time, leave your preconceptions at the door as you enter the world of Netflix\u2019s 3 Body Problem<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The epic sci-fi follows a group of five scientists \u2013 Jin (Jess Hong), Auggie (Eiza Gonz\u00e1lez), Saul (Jovan Adepo), Will (Alex Sharp) and Jack (John Bradley), who are forced to team up with a no-nonsense detective (Benedict Wong) when the world around them swiftly stops making sense. They\u2019re faced with an unknowable threat and it\u2019s down to them to save humanity.<\/p>\n

By changing certain parts while keeping true to the essence of the novel, Benioff, Weiss and Woo have flawlessly executed a high-production value sci-fi with all the heart, danger, thrill, and mystery you could ever want. Nothing is played safe, and no one is indispensable in the captivating and brutal new series.<\/p>\n

\"Sea\n<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n<\/div>
Sea Shimooka as Sophon in 3 Body Problem.<\/span><\/figcaption> Netflix<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

The cast is pitch-perfect. As the glue that holds the ensemble together, Hong seamlessly straddles emotional high points and deadpan comedy. Wong, previously somewhat wasted in the MCU<\/a>, gives one of his best ever performances as Da Shi, the grouchy and intelligent detective determined to find out what exactly is going on.<\/p>\n

Bradley, so far best known as Samwell Tarly in Game of Thrones, shows off his gift for comedy, providing unexpectedly hilarious moments.<\/p>\n

In fact, there are too many brilliant performances to mention \u2013 Liam Cunningham gives a steadfast portrayal of Thomas Wade; Sir Jonathan Pryce is chilling as Mike Evans; Marlo Kelly is unhinged as Tatiana. It\u2019s a perfect ensemble, with each cast member getting their shining moment.<\/p>\n

\"Eiza\n<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n<\/div>
3 Body Problem.<\/span><\/figcaption> Netflix<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

The pacing is glorious, gradually building up the fear and mystery without falling into the trap of sagging in the middle, with Benioff, Weiss and Woo taking key elements from across the books and beautifully piecing them together to create a series that stands on its own. While reading the book will give you a greater sense of appreciation of exactly what the creators have done to achieve the series, it\u2019s by no means necessary to enjoy it \u2013 an essential skill of TV storytelling that is too often neglected.<\/p>\n

But, by far, the most impressive and enjoyable element of 3 Body Problem is its refusal to shy away from the weirdest and most abstract parts of its story. Benioff previously told GQ<\/a>: \u201cThere are certain things that Liu describes in the books, that I still don\u2019t know how we\u2019re going to shoot. I don\u2019t know what we\u2019d be looking at on screen.\u201d That\u2019s no exaggeration \u2013 the visuals Benioff, Weiss and Woo had to pull off are slightly unimaginable, but once again, they\u2019ve done it.<\/p>\n

\"Zine\n<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n<\/div>
Zine Tseng as Young Ye Wenjie in 3 Body Problem.<\/span><\/figcaption> Netflix<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

Then there\u2019s the actual 3 Body Problem game \u2013 one of the most iconic elements of the book. While we\u2019ve seen glimpses in the trailer<\/a>, there\u2019s not much that can prepare you for seeing it on screen.<\/p>\n

3 Body Problem soars in every aspect. Visually? It\u2019s beautiful. Story-wise? Completely gripping? Cast-wise? Pitch perfect. Pacing? Flawless. It\u2019s an absolute masterclass from Benioff, Weiss and Woo in the type of sci-fi we need right now \u2013 bold, unflinching, creative, imaginative and completely unique.<\/p>

As for Netflix, it\u2019s a surprising swing from them. 3 Body Problem is the type of risk we haven\u2019t come to know from the streaming giant in recent times but it\u2019s incredibly welcome. It\u2019ll take a few more wins like this for the streamer to rival its peers in terms of quality sci-fi (Apple TV+ is currently winning) but it\u2019s a very, very good start. Fingers crossed, if 3 Body Problem generates the kind of success it deserves, Netflix will take more big swings with its sci-fi \u2013 which can only be a good thing.<\/p>\n

Of course, Benioff and Weiss have previous. We\u2019re all a little scarred from a certain season finale. So, crucially, does 3 Body Problem nail the ending? Without spoiling anything, you have nothing to worry about.<\/p>\n

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3 Body Problem will be released on Netflix on Thursday 21st March.\u00a0Sign up for Netflix from \u00a34.99 a month<\/a>. Netflix is also available on\u00a0Sky Glass<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0Virgin Media Stream<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Check out more of our\u00a0Sci-Fi<\/a>\u00a0coverage or visit our\u00a0TV Guide<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0Streaming Guide<\/a>\u00a0to find out what\u2019s on.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Try Radio Times magazine today and get 12 issues for only \u00a31 with delivery to your home \u2013\u00a0<\/strong>subscribe now<\/strong><\/a>. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to\u00a0<\/strong>The Radio Times Podcast<\/strong><\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div> <\/body><\/html>\n

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