Looking for Alaska (2019) User Reviews

I go to seek a great Perhaps

[junejoabdulsalam · 9/10 · 19 October 2019]

Loved it. very much true to the book. I remember years back when I first read this book i loved it and this show is exactly how i imagined it to be. For me this show is great.

Pulls the right strings

[samuel_bns · 9/10 · 19 October 2019]

I read the novel when I was 15. I enjoyed it. Partly, because at that age, I found the concepts presented in the book very cool. Now, I find these declarations in the book a bit pretentious, and I had a similar feeling when watching the trailer for the series.

Out of curiosity, I watched it. It started out as I expected. Some lightly cringy lines and humour. But after a short time, I found myself enjoying it, despite not necessarily relating to these ideas. The first few episodes are harmless, even funny at times. I quickly began getting attached to the characters, just the same as I did when I first read the book. The series explores them quite in-depth (for a teenage-drama series), and they do it fairly well. I especially enjoyed the backstory of Dr. Hyde and his expanded involvement with the characters. Kristine Froseth is a good Alaska, and embodies the complicated and mysterious character very well. But in my opinion, Denny Love, who plays The Colonel totally steals the show. He has multiple scenes (in the later episodes) where his performance and intense emotional expressions really left an impression on me. I hope I will get to see his performances in more series.

The show sets up a wonderful atmosphere, and with great music, watching it was quite an experience. I wasn't planning on it, but I binge watched it all. Yes, not everything about it was perfect; the cinematography was nice, with few bright moments, but not exceptional. Acting of the supporting cast was similar. The reason I give it a 9, though, is because it did exactly what it was supposed to - that is, make you care for the characters and their story. It was quite an emotional roller-coaster, and for me, that makes it worth watching.

Can we talk about how good the soundtracks are?

[kamikazechaser · 9/10 · 9 June 2020]

Literally the best for any TV show yet and adds a lot to the emotions...Good novel portrayals are rare. This is one of those shows that get it right (Tones down the unnecessary intimate scenes from the book)

Being that I've read the book 12 times I'd say they nailed the vibe, atmosphere, and characters

[atjudkins · 10/10 · 19 October 2019]

I'm 3 episodes in and I'm actually stunned at how well they captured the tone of the book. I read it for the first time in 2010 and it's safe to say it's my favorite book being that I've read it 12 times and have most of the pages highlighted like a bible. I seem to have been waiting for a screen adaptation for nearly 10 years and somehow I never wanted it to get made, thinking that there was no way it could be at the caliber that I found the book. The show (as of the 3rd episode) has been damn near as moving and enthralling as the novel was for me. As hard and embarrassing as it is to admit I've been in love with Alaska since I was 13 and the actress (forgive me for forgetting her name) absolutely nailed her incredible, loving, profound, and as the Colonel puts it, moody personality. The whole cast, for that matter, is exactly how I imagined them way back in 2010. Pudge is just as awkwardly in enthralled with Alaska as he was in the book, and though most of feelings are internalized through thought in the story, I feel the actor who portrays him is right on the money. The Colonel, for me anyways, seems to have nailed (and in some ways surpassed) his character. Takumi's actor is also quite the stand out. Being funny and serious all when he needs to be. I'm glad that the creators of the show felt the same connection to the book as I did and so far it's pretty safe to say they knocked it out of the park.

A brilliant study in how to make a grown man cry.

[madspedersen_4 · 10/10 · 2 November 2019]

Started this series with no expectations, had never heard of the books or series, but I thought it sounded interesting. Man was I blown away. The first few episodes are at but slow, but then it gets you hooked, and in the end I sat in my couch with tears rolling down my face.

The actors fits their roles well, and the acting is top notch. The character development is great and not too forced. The cinematography and musical score fits well.

One of the greatest miniseries ever, as well as one of the best book adaptions ever

[valentineoliveira1999 · 10/10 · 23 March 2020]

I remember reading the book on a whim for an 8th grade project. I remember enjoying it for the most part, but since it was a project I didn't really get to fully comprehend just how impactful and lovable these characters were.

When I heard a show was being developed, I felt a lot of excitement, but had some concerns. I really wanted them to nail it this time- other adaptions of John Greens books haven't been great. But this book, this story... it was just too good to screw up. And thankfully, despite all odds, this show is near flawless.

The characters were all as lovable and intriguing as they were in the book. Even the school, which was basically a character in itself, was perfect. The humor and time period (2005) felt so well executed, it was very impressive. Another thing I really appreciated was the amount of character development that went into several side characters, most notably Dr. Hyde. I was not excepting him to have as much backstory and depth as he did.

However, the emotional aspects of the show (obviously the biggest being Alaska's death) were probably the most shocking part of all. The way they handled her death, and the aftermath of it with the funeral and all that, really took me off guard. I'd say this adaption actually handled it better. More in-depth, more...real. Extremely real. Needless to say, the tears flowed immensely. Probably more than any other movie or show I've watched.

All in all, this show was pretty much exactly what I wanted from an adaption of the book. In fact, I'd say I've rarely seen it done this well. It's unfortunate that it isn't as accessible to some people since it's Hulu exclusive, but if that's what they needed to make a quality show, then so be it. I wouldn't change anything about it

A very well executed show.

[keithsonatra · 10/10 · 19 October 2019]

I just gave this show a chance like what the heck and I have to say I am impressed. For a teen high school Dramedy this takes a very refreshing approach and the story, characters, and actors portraying the characters are great. I never read the book this story came from but going off this show I would guess the book is Amazing. I loved the movie paper towns, which I believe came from a book that was written by the same author who wrote this story. With that said, this is definitely worth a binge. Its better than the majority of shows they are trying to put out these days.

So I had to come back after finishing the series... And omg this is a MASTERPIECE. The only thing bad about it is that it ofcourse wont be a season 2. I appreciate the entire staff of this production... Well done... Bravo. To think I was going on hulu to find some anime to blaze to... And I found this GEM. A must watch... My first rating was a nine but Ill give this one of my first perfect scores. I gave it nine because I was only half way through and after what Game of thrones did to me Im always a lil skeptical... But this was a pure work of art.

I love it and hate it.

[kevinrod-28837 · 7/10 · 20 October 2019]

I first read the book in my senior year of high school back in 2017. I'm not much of a reader, I don't usually sit down and fully read a book. However, My girlfriend at the time had finished reading the book and was pushing me very much to get into the read. She had leant me copy with the expectation that I would open it up and actually read It. It had sat in the backseat of my car for a couple of months and I didn't pay to much mind to it. One day while I was driving around, my car broke down in the middle of no where central Florida. The tow truck I had called said they where not going to be there for at least an hour, and I had a little less then 17% on my phone so I didn't want to use it unless it was for a phone call. To pass the time, I ended up reading the first chapter of the book, and I was in complete awe. I enjoyed the book, every chapter and every page, I was completely hooked. I had finished it like a week later. After completing the book, I really wanted their to be a full adaptation, I looked all over the internet to see if by any chance that their would be a trailer or something. Sadly their was nothing, so I just hope and waiting for something to happen. Then recently, the 8 episode adaptation for the book, looking for Alaska came out and I was so excited to see the story that I loved so much be put into reality. I just finished the show and I don't truly know how I feel. I truly want to love the show, and would want to rewatch it over and over again. However, I do not feel that connection with the show as I did with the book. The character are presented much more different then the books show them to be. The events of the show follow the same time line as the boom, however divert at some points that make it difficult to watch at times. The show on its own, it a great film. Like all book to film adaptations, If you are looking at just the film in a whole, it does very well in telling the story. If you are expecting to see a complete copy of the book be put into film, you will be disappointed. But if you are looking for a great show, then this is the best that it can get.

the best romantic quote i ever hear

[loukamodricbetter · 10/10 · 23 April 2020]

If people were rain , i was drizzle and she was a hurricane . it 's so romantic and heartbreaking in the same time , i felt the love and the pain in this phrase .. if you ever have a doubt about this serie just let me tell you : go watch it and enjoy the time you will spend with alaska , miles ,the colonel , takumi and everyone else

marry me takumi!!

[siennacolucci · 6/10 · 28 March 2022]

Okay okay okay so i read the book before watching the mini-series and honestly the book was so much better and packed way more of an emotional punch. I didn't think 8 episodes was necessary, OR if they really wanted more episodes, maybe add one more where they're grappling with the death of alaska. I didn't really care for the ways the show changed small plotlines, like the fact that alaska told jake to go date that other girl like that was so weird?? BUT i must say, i did love the inclusion of hyde's gayness and the storyline of his past lover dying of AIDS like yes that was very much needed... the way these kids talked was so funny to me because of how unbelievably cringey they sounded sometimes but like its fine. The casting was done very well, i just wished i actually felt emotionally connected to the characters and the story like the book made me feel :///

Best novel adaptation ever

[pizzasteeeeve · 8/10 · 19 October 2019]

I've read so many novels and seen to many of them adapted that it's safe for me to say that this show is exactly how i pictured looking for alaska.

Even though I've read the book more times than i could count the show still jerked my tears and emotions.

The characters are not only as good as they were in the books, some of them are even better.

The additions to the story fit in so well that i actually wish they were in the book.

All and all looking for alaska is nothing less than a piece of art novel turned into a piece of art tv show

Pretentious, condescending characters spouting unlikely dialogue

[jacewhite-237-481498 · 6/10 · 16 May 2021]

I really wanted to like this, but the main characters are just too self-centered and unlikeable to make it enjoyable. I hoped that they'd learn from their mistakes and be better people by the end, but that's not how it worked out. A strong young cast is wasted on this mess.

Miles (Charlie Plummer) enrolls in prep school and soon meets Alaska (a mesmerizing Kristine Froseth) and "The Colonel" (Denny Love). The Colonel and Alaska are friends, and scholarship students at the school. The Colonel condescends to anyone who doesn't like him (and, trust me, there's a lot not to like), and Alaska goes along with him happily, the two playing increasingly consequential pranks on their enemies.

These two characters draw shy, introspective Miles into their web, and soon enough Miles becomes as big of a jerk as his two new friends. Proof? Miles has been dating a sweet Romanian girl who's had a crush on him. With Alaska's encouragement, Miles and the girl finally have sex, and then -- on the very same night, mind you - Miles dumps her for questioning his loyalty to his horrible friends, and then he proceeds to sleep with Alaska. The same night! Who are these jerks, and why would anyone feel anything but contempt for them? The only member of the clique with any decency or common sense is Takumi (Jay Lee), who attempts and fails to talk sense into them.

Early on, Alaska is caught breaking school rules and has to "rat" on another couple to keep from being expelled. Her so-called friends, not surprisingly, turn on her initially, but finally take her back into their circle. And then - wait for it -- she continues to behave in ways that could get her expelled, even though returning home would supposedly be a horrible fate! And yet, there she is, boo-hooing over her terrible situation.

The Colonel, likewise, just can 't practice self-control. He's got a chip on his shoulder and won't let it go. Late in the series, he and the others perpetrate a prank that could have potentially damaged their enemies' college futures, an act that was, in fact, illegal and could have criminal consequences.

A witness saw The Colonel taking part in the prank; if he takes the fall and is expelled, his friends will be spared. Everyone in the clique took part in this act - including the unfortunate Lara (Sofia Vassilieva), the same girl who slept with Miles and was dumped by him literally hours later. But who does The Colonel blame for his situation? Alaska. And why does The Colonel say he's being singled out? Not because he's the only one who was actually seen taking part in the prank, but - again, wait for it - because he's on scholarship and is African American. Not because he broke the rules and committed a crime. That wasn't his fault, right?

All that said, the acting is very good, although the dialogue doesn't sound like it came from any teenagers I've ever known. It's not at all natural, and sounds scripted.

And in the end, the only likable characters in this seven hour long wreck are Takumi, Lara and "The Eagle" (Timothy Simons), the principal who's actually looking out for the kids' best interests.

The clique perpetrates one more prank at the end of the movie - to honor Alaska, naturally. It's really quite funny, but it's equally as unlikely as the dialogue these teenagers are spouting.

High school is ugly, no doubt, and teenagers can certainly be self-involved creeps. But why anyone would feel anything for the main three characters is beyond me.

I really wanted to like this show...

[days_of_summer · 5/10 · 22 January 2020]

I was really excited when seeing the trailer of this show, because I loved the book and I kept waiting for it to be turned into a movie for years. But I felt really really disappointed.

I will start by saying what I liked about the show. I loved the melancholic atmosphere, I really enjoyed the soundtrack (50 Cent, Gorillaz and Jet for example) and I think the show makers did a great job selecting some actors, especially Denny Love as the Colonel and Jay Lee as Takumi. I also really liked Dr. Hyde, the Colonel's mother and the Eagle. The setting was beautiful, I really liked the landscapes and overall the visual side.

But... 1) I was a teenager in 2005, there is no way the setting, the clothes, the technology are even remotely close to the reality. Every teenager I knew had a cellphone (with colored display) and CDs were no longer a thing, many people were already using mp3players. And I'm from Romania, not really the richest country. Also in my opinion 2005 fashion was not well represented, I remember clearly the highlights of 2005 being boho-chic style, skinny jeans, cargo pants and those funny colorful silicone cause bracelets. The clothes and technology of the show looked like they were from the 90's. 2) Lara Buterskaya is not a Romanian name, it's a Slavic one. And so was the name of the character's dog, sounded Russian. Not many people know this, but we are not Slavs, we are Latins and Romanian is a Romance language (Like French, Italian, Spanish and Portugese). I know that Lara's character was also poorly researched in the book. But it's sad that Hollywood talks so much about "representation", meanwhile the show makers couldn't take 10 seconds of their time to research Romania. I obviously didn't mind that the actress who played Lara was Russian but I think it would've been better if she tried a Romanian accent. 3) Which leads me to the next problem: Hollywood hypocrisy. Didn't care about researching Romania but shoved the whole 3rd wave feminism concepts, "white privilege" and "the patriarchy" down our throats. "Wokeness" was not a thing in 2005. Also, it was completely unnecessary for the story. Why change Alaska so much? It didn't add anything valuable to the show. 4) In the book, Alaska was flawed but charismatic. In this show she is just a pretty face but she is so annoying, it's unbearable. I read that the show makers were trying not make her a "Manic Pixie Dream Girl" but in my opinion, they failed miserably. There was nothing to love about her, she just had an unhealthy obsession with sexism and misogyny. I just didn't like Alaska at all. If she was not such a pretty girl, nobody would have liked her, especially not her guy friends. There was nothing to like about her. Like another reviewer said, in "13 Reasons Why" Hannah Baker was a well-written character in the show. She made viewers feel sympathy for her because she was likeable. Alaska on the other hand... well no point repeating myself. 5) The dialogue between characters were completely unrealistic. No sane teenager talks like that. They tried to make them edgy, philosophical and "cool" but the end result was taking the viewers away from the immersion into the story. It was so clear we were watching written dialogues, it felt so unnatural. 6) They changed so much of the story. The main point of the book (in my view) was to ask questions about the meaning of life and existentialism but in this show, apart from the horrible dialogues we just got a lot of lame pranks.

I think the show could have been great with more research, less virtue signaling and just more soul put into it. Too bad it wasn't the case.

I wanna stay there... forever

[lisichichi · 10/10 · 5 January 2020]

As someone who read the book a really long time ago, i didn't remember much of the story, just the basic outline. When I started the first episode, I immidiately felt the vibe I got when reading the book. For me, this series feels like a perfect adaptation, whilst still functioning on its on. I'm not done with it yet, but by episode 3, the series accomplishes to find the balance between fun and more serious topics, which sets a unique atmosphere that really got me. I can't recommend this series enough. I'm totally in love!

A great adaptation of the novel by John Green

[mikescudder · 9/10 · 18 October 2019]

While some of the story obviously deviates from the original work, all in all it was quite as faithful to the source material as could be expected. Now I'm hoping there's an adaptation of one of his other novels "Turtles all the way down"

Wow... Just Wow

[bingbingbaobei · 10/10 · 31 October 2019]

This show was randomly suggested to me by a website, and wow. I have never heard of any book, so I thought I was getting in to a goofy teenage drama. I don't want to spoil anything, so I'll just say this. Every aspect of the show was perfect. The script was right on. I chuckled at their dorkiness and cried my eyes out. The acting was first rate. All of the actors and actresses really drew you in. The characters were so well developed, that when combined with the acting, it was just stunning. Perhaps it's a small detail, but I LOVED the soundtrack. It was like the soundtrack of my college years, but covers. All in all, a very deep and relatable series that did an outstanding job doing what it set out to do.

If most people are rain, then I am just a mist, but Alaska is a hurricane.

[TxMike · 1 July 2020]

This is probably the best "mini series" I have seen, originally broadcast on Hulu, I found it on a set of three DVDs at my public library. Not only is it presented very well, there are a couple of interesting extras on bringing the book to the screen.

It is set mostly in 2005, in a rural boarding school that more resembles a summer camp. The author based a lot of it on his own experiences as a teenage student. Most of it is filmed in the Hammond, Louisiana area.

Miles is the new student from Florida, one of the students he meets is a girl named Alaska Young, tall, attractive, smart, vivacious, but often troubled, partly because of how she lost her mother only a few years earlier. Miles has an instant attraction to Alaska, she is definitely one who changes his life.

Not really wanting to categorize it, in essence it is a "coming of age" of a variety of students with a variety of backgrounds. It explores relationships and death, is there an afterlife? Or do we just die and fade away from everyone's memory?

The eight episodes play almost eight hours but my wife and I never were bored with any of it. The characters are all interesting and richly drawn. We watched one or two episodes at a time, over approximately one week. It truly one of the best mini-series we have ever watched.

Amazing

[rusken11 · 10/10 · 3 November 2019]

I love the story and the acting. I cried and laughed with them, I only wish for a more happy ending. That poor girl Alaska shold have gotten help. I believe that she took her own life, because alcohol makes hard things 10 times worse. Anyways, one of many great series and I am amazed by the fantastic acting.

Looking for something more

[questl-18592 · 6/10 · 28 October 2019]

Looking for Alaska is the story of a group of adolescents at a prestigious boarding school and the struggles that they deal with. It's also not terribly original and, for the most part, only adequately delivered on.

I never find myself buying into the situations or the characters, save for the occasional moment here and there. Nobody talks like these characters talk, and while people like Aaron Sorkin are capable of hyper intelligent, unbelievable yet captivating dialogue, that just wasn't the case here for me. I constantly found myself pulled out of the immersion by some unnatural line of dialogue. Maybe it's the writing or maybe it's the performances. In either case it makes it very difficult to feel immersed and truly invested in the story.

It also feels like just another entry into an ever growing catalog of similarly themed content. From what I'm told, the book was published years ago, at a time when it likely would have been more distinct but times have changed and now we see content like this fairly often. That isn't always a bad thing but when it's a bleak and depressing note being hit, I really don't feel the need for tons of repetition on that.

It's not all bad though. Some of the characters are fun. The Colonel and the Eagle were both very entertaining to me. And while the whole thing didn't knock it out of the park for me, the ending definitely carried weight and a certain power to it that I do think is valuable.

I just wish it wasn't something I've been seeing so much lately.

Definitely Worth the Watch

[cindymarques-15603 · 10/10 · 20 October 2019]

If you are a John Green lover then this would be great for you, although I highly recommend you read the book first. When I read the book a couple of years back, it took me a while to get through. I didn't quite grasp the character development in the book quite as much as I did in this mini-series which I believe is better than the book itself (not saying that the book was awful by the way, I did like it). The story is well portrayed by each character and the emotions are definitely there, from the heart break, to the gaining and losses of friendships to the teenage cringe which almost seems too uncomfortable to watch although you can't help but laugh at the awkwardness and reality of it all. In terms of acting, I believe that the cast were chosen perfectly, I couldn't have picked better and after watching Sierra Burges is a Loser, I was skeptical to see Kristine Froseth play the character of a broken and complicated Alaska instead of the high school biatch but to her performance in this, I applaud her and say brava.

Good Until The End

[jlando-71679 · 6/10 · 31 October 2019]

Looking for Alaska is a good miniseries but that's it just good. The casting is perfect and the actors give good performances. Most of the dialogue is pretty bad though. The way the characters talk is just horrible especially the colonel and the Asian character (sorry I forgot his name) and this makes the whole story feel off and hard to immerse yourself into. It's a typical high school story with typical fake high school aspects. Now for the really bad. The weekday warriors are the worst side characters I've ever seen. They play them so cliche and they have the worst dialogue and no one on earth acts like them and that goes for every character. The "love" story is also bad. Pudge and Alaska hook up one time then she dies that's not much love. The worst and most disappointing part is the ending. What do the kids do after their friend dies in a horrible car accident? Well they pull a school prank of course. I don't understand how that two episodes before everyone in the school hates Alaska and now they're all crying about her then they all come together and pull a prank in her honor. All in all this show is just good nothing groundbreaking or award worthy just plain good. Don't expect any satisfaction from the ending though.

An absolutely fantastic adaptation of one of my favorite novels

[aidanratesmovies · 10/10 · 27 March 2020]

Nostalgic, poignant, and uniquely human- Looking for Alaska does its source material right, but not cramming its plot into a standard film entity, and creating something that is cleverly paced, and absolutely timeless. All the performances in the show certainly deserve some credit, but all together, the standouts include Charlie Plummer; Kristine Froseth; Denny Love; and Ron Cephas Jones. The show, besides being fantastically acted, is also easily entertaining and by all means heartwarming and yet heartbreaking. The balance between the two is expertly handled, and the result is harshly lifelike to the time where you will be laughing out loud one minute and crying in the next with no foreseeable problems to it. The issues it deals with are handled with care, and never seems to shy away from its often grim and real truths. Its atmosphere is nostalgic, and absolutely on point, and the feel of the show has a hard time leaving you, even after the credits roll. In the end, Looking For Alaska is a more than faithful adaptation of one of my favorite novels, and may just be one I will be willing to watch again sometime soon. My Rating: 9.75/10

Labyrinth of our Youth

[saadgkhan · 7/10 · 16 May 2020]

Looking for Alaska - B+ (Memorable)

Looking for Alaska is a perfect adaptation for book lovers as the story summoned up better in a series rather than a featured film. After finishing the series it reminded me about the complexities of the emotions portrayed in the book through honest performances by Charlie Plummer and Kristine Froseth. I believe Hulu did an incredible job of focusing on characters rather than making it glosser for current times. It stayed true to the story ahead of its time for YA readers by John Green 14 years ago.

The issue I had with the show is Stretched out Chip/Colonel character to the point of obnoxiousness. Especially last couple of episodes, you want story to move smoothly rather than dragged on but it does feel like it dragged a bit with unnecessary dramas of Chip. As far as I remembered the story was of Miles and Alaska, chip was an important character but not as much as showed in the show. The show could be even better if was trimmed down to 6-7 episodes rather than 8 episodes.

In the end, I do believe it should satisfy readers of the book who have been waiting for a very long time for this adaptation.

Meh

[macare1 · 4/10 · 15 March 2022]

The series started of kinda okay. After episode 3/4 it starts to drag. Constantly these dull pranks. Most of the characters are very unlikable. In episode 7 the main character's best friends STILL doubt his intent/friendship after he sacrificed himself for them and proofed himself to be a great friend already over and over again. Episode 8 is just dumb with this so called "best prank ever" where they let some guy they barely know dance half naked on stage and every male student start to dance in their underwear, all "in honor of Alaska".. Wow what an amazing prank and finale of the series.........

Great show

[brandonrhewitt · 10/10 · 11 June 2020]

I havent read the book in fact iv never read a book but anyway this show is so good and what i love is that because i havent read the book i dont have a clue whats gonna happen or who anyone is so i get to watch it from a fresh perspective and someone on YouTube in the comments of one of my comments told me to watch this and i dont regret it. 100% recommend oh and the acting is amazing the creators did good