Want to hear more from the actors and creators of your favorite shows and films? Subscribe to The Cinema Spot on YouTube for all of our upcoming interviews!
Sarah here, teaching English around the world. Living life and seeing things.
Our Flag Means Death has arrived, and the series premiere — which comprises of Episodes 1-3 — introduces the swashbuckling crew that will take us through this pirate parody. The series was created by David Jenkins. It stars Rhys Darby, Rory Kinnear, Joel Fry and Con O’Neill.
Take To The High Seas
Stede Bonnet (Rhys Darby) has left his mundane, pampered home for a life of adventure and danger- but all is not as it seems. “Episode 1: Pilot” (Directed by Taika Waititi and Written by David Jenkins) is a perfect introduction to an inadequate captain and his band of brutish buccaneers. Each member of the cast portrays a different, perfect character that feels like they are misplaced on The Revenge, but are perfectly brought together, and led by a person who has no business being there.
The comedy is simple, subtle, and fantastically delivered. While we expect this delivery from actors like Rhys Darby and Joel Fry, the whole cast are great, and no joke falls flat. In the beginning, it feels like a story we know very well- an outcast trying to prove himself- but it’s the progression of the story that makes it different. The crew are reluctantly forced into accepting Stede’s differences to survive, although it takes some time to get there. This takes the story in a different direction, and creates something new, refreshing and all around hilarious.
The Pilot episode is a safe but fun introduction to the characters and their quirks. The jokes come in steady and perfectly build up each character, giving us something familiar and then throwing in the new entirely. It’s typical Taika, and paired with the story by David Jenkins, it feels natural and perfect.
A Dead Man’s Chest
The incompetent captain Bonnet returns with a difficult situation in ’Episode 2: A Damned Man’ (directed by Nacho Vigalondo and written by David Jenkins). After his ship runs aground he’s faced not only with an unhappy crew, but hostile hosts and a dangerous warning of things to come. Literally haunted by the ghost of his rival and victim, Captain Nigel Badminton (Rory Kinnear), his situation seems to go from bad to worse.
One thing that is thoroughly enjoyable is the different levels of humour and how nothing is expected. There’s no pregnant pause that feels uncomfortable and the jokes are never forced or feel like they’re expecting anything. Some of the jokes are hard hitting and reflect a deeper meaning, but they feel so natural and happen in a way that it doesn’t draw from the moment; they are perfectly timed, expertly delivered, and hit you in a way that lasts longer than anything more forced.
In this episode, we’re introduced to the formidable Izzy (Con O’Neill) and his loyal henchmen Fang (David Fane) and Ivan (Guy Khan). The initial reaction is that they will be more, but throughout the episode they feel like they could just be part of this one episode. They play their parts so well that we don’t expect anything more from them than this episode until the very end when episode 3 is set up.
A True Gentleman
‘Episode 3: A Gentleman Pirate” (Directed by Nacho Vigalondo and written by Adam Stein) see’s Stede (Darby) getting a little too big for his boots when he arrives in the Republic of Pirates.
The outstanding performances in this episode come from Leslie Jones as Jackie and Vico Ortiz as Jim/Bonifacia. Ortiz plays a character who is building throughout the series so far. They are fierce, perfectly timed, and they portray a fantastic character on screen. Even though the progression should be predictable, it works so well and it still comes across as a surprise. Leslie Jones is a scene stealer, and has such an amazing presence when she’s on screen. She’s fun, hilarious and terrifying.
Episode 3 progresses our story further, and takes the action to a different level. Stede (Darby) is finally getting a taste of the pirate life, and his crew are in over their heads, worrying about the situation they find themselves in. It is fun, tense, and really makes you want to follow these characters. A simple but entertaining story that has you hooked from start to finish.
Hoist the Colours
The first 3 episodes of Our Flag Means Death is entertaining, simple, but completely enthralling. It’s an easy show that’s fun to watch but really keeps you hooked with the characters and story. A new type of comedy that feels like a more modern Monty Python mixed with slapstick comedy and a story that appeals to all. I feel like this story will keep us pleasantly hooked throughout the entire series.
Our Flag Means Death Season 1 Episode 1-3 premiers on 03rd March on HBO Max!
Sarah here, teaching English around the world. Living life and seeing things.
11 Comments on “‘Our Flag Means Death’ Series Premiere Non-Spoiler Review – “Pilot”, “A Damned Man”, & “A Gentleman Pirate””