This is not meant to insult the new narrator, but it's not the same without Peter Thomas. His voice was so smooth, and his style so recognizable. The new narrator simply lacks that "something", making watching this new version a bit strained and simply not as enjoyable. While the true crime stories are still interesting, what really made this show special was the voice of Peter Thomas. In my opinion, Mr. Thomas, along with Gene Galusha from "The New Detectives", and Bill Kurtis from "American Justice" and "Cold Case Files" are the absolute BEST true crime narrator's. They each possessed a unique voice that just brings the story they are telling alive. I just think that the producer's of FF2 should have tried to find a narrator with at least a similar vocal inflection and style as close as possible to Peter Thomas.
54 Reviews
I am glad that is back
constantinosisaias7 April 2020
Peter Thomas is Dead. So he can't narrating from the the grave people. I read a lot of the reviews and I saw that people are not aware about that. It was different in the beginning without him but it's getting better and I am used to the the new narrator. I like it and I am still learning a lot of forensic techniques that is very impressive! I am glad that the show is back and I can see new cases! Thank you HLM for bringing back with new cases. I always like the format of the show because it tells the story in 30 min and it's not dragging.
Welcome back, Forensic Files!
tracybass3728 February 2020
Forensic Files has been one of my favorite guilty pleasures for a long time. I've probably watched 80% of all the episodes and frequently watch re-runs. I'm pleased to say this is a worthy successor - or really, continuation - of the original. The new narrator is fine, but he's no Peter Thomas (but I'm also glad he isn't trying to replicate Thomas's distinct voice or narration style). It's interesting to see how far technology has come since the original series aired. For any fan of the original series, or any fan of true crime shows, this one is worth the watch.
Marred Just a Little by Bill Camps Narration
MTNmovieMan28 February 2020
EDIT: I was probably too hard on Bill Camps narration. After a few more shows I realized I was comparing him too much to Peter Thomas. Camp is alright and he'll get better. This is a THE forensic science show just as it always has been.
I loved Forensic Files when Peter Thomas narrated it and still do and I was really looking forward to Forensic Files II only to be massively disappointed by the campy voice of Bill Camp. You can just picture him holding one hand over his ear talking into a large diaphragm microphone wearing a scarf with a feature in his hat. It's as if he thinks he's got "THE" voice.
Camp does NOT have the voice and pales in comparison to Peter Thomas's quality and moving narration. Camp would be better suited reading children's books to preschoolers somewhere far from a microphone!
Other narrators also damaged the original FF once Peter Thomas passed but none were as bad as Bill Camp
Otherwise the show is great in terms of content, they just need to fix it by finding someone who can actually talk like an adult to adults interested in forensic science
I loved Forensic Files when Peter Thomas narrated it and still do and I was really looking forward to Forensic Files II only to be massively disappointed by the campy voice of Bill Camp. You can just picture him holding one hand over his ear talking into a large diaphragm microphone wearing a scarf with a feature in his hat. It's as if he thinks he's got "THE" voice.
Camp does NOT have the voice and pales in comparison to Peter Thomas's quality and moving narration. Camp would be better suited reading children's books to preschoolers somewhere far from a microphone!
Other narrators also damaged the original FF once Peter Thomas passed but none were as bad as Bill Camp
Otherwise the show is great in terms of content, they just need to fix it by finding someone who can actually talk like an adult to adults interested in forensic science
I'm deaf so the narration doesn't matter
phil-hayler8 April 2021
I just found this and I'm over the friggin MOON!!! My true crime obsession was kick started by this show and I have watched millions many others and some right corkers too but I'll always hold a special light to Forensic Files
The new season just ticked all the right boxes for me. I am deaf so the narration was never a thing for me - I understand how it will bother some of you but me? Man I'm just so happy this is back.
The new season just ticked all the right boxes for me. I am deaf so the narration was never a thing for me - I understand how it will bother some of you but me? Man I'm just so happy this is back.
Why are people so stupid?
ThunderKing625 September 2020
In the comment section, (on youtube) people are B&^%$ing about the narration and wanting the original back.
NEW FLASH!! HE DIED 4 YEARS AGO!!
Iunno how people can be rude, ignorant and stupid all at the same time. Iunno why or how people B&^%$ about things even when death is the reason for change.
The newer version is alright. It will take sometime for me to get use to it.
NEW FLASH!! HE DIED 4 YEARS AGO!!
Iunno how people can be rude, ignorant and stupid all at the same time. Iunno why or how people B&^%$ about things even when death is the reason for change.
The newer version is alright. It will take sometime for me to get use to it.
THE ORIGINAL WAS CLASSIC
violetsgift_emporium19 June 2021
R. I. P., Peter Thomas. Peter Thomas was a superior narrator. That being said, I HATE FF2. It is Horrific! I tolerated barely 20 minutes of an FF2 episode. What made the original so special was that it was pre- DNA, CODIS. The case were solved without current computer technology. The archival enhanced everything. FF2 is a Joke. The narrator sounds like he has a SPEECH IN PEDIMENT. There are so many factors about FF2 that I am disappointed with that it would take a lifetime to list them here. I am only watching the Original FF.!! That's it. That's all!!! Hail to the Original Show 👍
Please Change the Narrator
Pepper5792 May 2021
I am such a fan of the original show - I have watched the episodes over and over. Peter Thomas' narration was awesome and so soothing to listen to.
The new episodes do a surprisingly reasonable job of continuing the FF legacy in all areas except the narration. Bill Camp is not terrible but HLN really could have done a MUCH better job in finding someone better to replace Peter Thomas. Until they address this, the updated show will never become the classic/beloved show that the original one is. Sorry Bill but you and your cold, stilted narration needs to go!
The new episodes do a surprisingly reasonable job of continuing the FF legacy in all areas except the narration. Bill Camp is not terrible but HLN really could have done a MUCH better job in finding someone better to replace Peter Thomas. Until they address this, the updated show will never become the classic/beloved show that the original one is. Sorry Bill but you and your cold, stilted narration needs to go!
No as good as the classic
sammylovescarrots12 October 2020
Grew up watching and love Forensic Files. However, this new Forensic Files (2020), the narrator really falls short. He sounds rushed and his voice and emotions exaggerated. He did have big shoes to fill though.
The saving grace of this show is that I find it interesting to see all the new Forensic technology from when I grew up to now, so if you're like me then you'll still enjoy it.
Glad it's back!
sarahrhianmcewen28 October 2020
By far my favourite true crime show! I've always loved Forensic Files & have always hoped they'd do more (I've watched ALL of the other ones). I'm very happy with this re-boot. Different narrator, which is totally fine! And Im glad they haven't changed anything about how each story plays out either (don't fix what's not broken, right?).
Stifled by Emotionally Charged Narration
slowdive23-130 March 2020
The late, great Peter Thomas was unmatched with his voice-over prowess. Perhaps it's unfair to cast Bill Camp in Thomas' formidable vocal shadow, but Camp is too suggestive, and overly insinuating. It's difficult to immerse oneself into the serious tone of the show with Camp's untrained voice over. Please hire Dateline's Kieth Morrison to fill the narrating shoes ASAP!
No Just No
shrnstill28 December 2020
No to the narrator. No one can replace Peter Thomas of course but the man they have doing it... no. The narrator from Murder Comes to Town would be much much better. Another issue is the cases chosen all seem so overdone as in done by Dateline or 48 Hours or 20/20 already. The beauty of the original Forensic Files was the obscurness of most of the cases to probably most of the viewers. The original was so well done that many viewers can watch it repeatedly and never tire of it. This revival, if it were a Broadway show, would close within a week. It needs a new voice talent who rralizes he is not the star, forensics is the star, and a new research team to find new cases. Miss you Peter, Rest in Peace.
Interesting despite predictability AND Addicting!
lareesings13 April 2020
As soon as we found out Forensic Files II was coming out, we set a reminder! LOL ...it's how we go to sleep at night. Hearing the about the loved one and why they were so loved, but getting a "whodunnit" (ok, many times we know already...) mixed with "wow... that's crazy how they got caught!" is really interesting for character study and scientific application.
I love watching
bkayleenmia5 November 2020
Still as good
chaz2715 August 2020
Not sure I understand the previous reviews here, the show is just as good as its always been. Sure, you may have to get used to the new narrator, but he does a great job.
The show is perfect in length at 20 mins. I don't have to watch a 10 part Netflix documentary to get the same information.
The latest in forensic tech is covered, from genetic genealogy to phenotyping. A must watch for people who are interested in true crime documentaries.
The show is perfect in length at 20 mins. I don't have to watch a 10 part Netflix documentary to get the same information.
The latest in forensic tech is covered, from genetic genealogy to phenotyping. A must watch for people who are interested in true crime documentaries.
Enjoy the episodes except...
LaVidaMS28 April 2023
...Except for the VERY LOUD BACKGROUND TONES. This loudness overpowers the narrator's speaking voice. This was the same problem with the original series. It makes it very hard to understand some a lot of the dialog because of the loud tones! I constantly have to rewind in order to understand what the narrator is trying to say. I tried using the closed caption but this is usually not timed well at all. The narrator is a few sentences ahead of the closed caption. Another thing, the original narrator was much better.
I hope in future episodes this will be corrected along the way. That's if the show is renewed for 2023-2024.
I hope in future episodes this will be corrected along the way. That's if the show is renewed for 2023-2024.
I don't think Bill Camp's narration is terrible at all
oconnordaria13 March 2020
He has a different voice...that can't be helped. But it sounds like he tries to use the same inflections etc. as Peter Thomas. And there never will be another Peter Thomas. Honestly, I go to sleep with the Forensic Files on, and hearing the transition between Thomas and Camp isn't jarring.
My biggest peeve is that, after all of the hype, they kind of just fold the new episodes into the old. And they are exactly the same. I am waiting for newer cases and more "cutting edge" forensic advancements that have been made since the original series stopped production.
My biggest peeve is that, after all of the hype, they kind of just fold the new episodes into the old. And they are exactly the same. I am waiting for newer cases and more "cutting edge" forensic advancements that have been made since the original series stopped production.
Where to see 2nd and 3rd seasons?
mm1-917 April 2022
The narration isn't the problem
sarkara2 October 2023
Contrary to what some people are saying, the narration isn't a problem at all, just ignore the naysayers.
The problem is the content itself. While the original show, in the iconic voice of Peter Thomas, "made forensic history", the new one doesn't do much to surprise an informed crime buff who is not living under a rock. Most of the cases are solved by tenacious police work, and the advancement of science, specifically DNA. In other words, the time elapsed is the primary reason these cases have been solved.
One amusing fact, most of the cases involve gun violence and all of the victims would still be alive if not for the gun lobby.
The problem is the content itself. While the original show, in the iconic voice of Peter Thomas, "made forensic history", the new one doesn't do much to surprise an informed crime buff who is not living under a rock. Most of the cases are solved by tenacious police work, and the advancement of science, specifically DNA. In other words, the time elapsed is the primary reason these cases have been solved.
One amusing fact, most of the cases involve gun violence and all of the victims would still be alive if not for the gun lobby.
It's all about the narrator!
wclass-5575426 December 2021
As many other reviewers have said, watching this show without Peter Thomas just isn't the same. I know he passed away so a new narrator is a must but cmon! Bill Camp was the best they could find?? The show went from a narrator that only added to the show to one that totally takes away from it. No matter how hard I try I just can't get used to it and judging by the other reviews I'm not the only one as it's by far the biggest complaint people have with it. Keith Morrison from Dateline would have been an excellent replacement. Whenever he does Dateline the episodes are the best. More proof that ITS ALL ABOUT THE NARRATOR!
Horrible Narration
adiorio-9574116 March 2021
Good but influenced by todays true crime
cmatsoukis-5094118 September 2020
Forensic Files is a show I have been watching since I was too young to watch it. This show does great and keeping the actual forensics in scope. What the show needs to work on is the new narrator. It sounds like he trying to crack a joke almost every time. It seems his style is influenced by the "true crime" on "id" which leans towards satire. This show needs to remember that they are the original true crime show and they need to set examples and not be influenced by other networks that specialize in true crime. Besides that, I love the new episodes. Can't wait for more.
It's aight
aestheticartsco28 December 2020
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