Ignore the bad reviews here. . .go watch this for yourself and come up with your own opinion. Some of the reviewers here obviously got triggered by the content of the show. . . yeah it's not for everyone but if you're a fan of the genre, it's terrific. Kind of feels like it has a Quentin Tarantino feel to it mixed with the bravado of characters from Evil Dead / Army of Darkness . . .Rogan's own feel to it. I love all the characters, even the antagonists - Satan, the All-Father, Killer of Saints, Jody, Hilter, Herr Starr, and the rest of the gang are all really well done. Non stop laughs and has kept on getting better in season 3. Has been a fun romp and looking forward to more episodes.
277 Reviews
Reverend And The Maker
southdavid24 July 2020
Not yet read Preacher, but I was a little aware of the concept before starting this adaptation. It was mostly the stars that encouraged me to watch, as I'm a big fan of all three leads, particularly Joseph Gilgun and I'm overall I'm happy I did, as I liked (but perhaps didn't love) this series.
Jesse Custer (Dominic Cooper) is a former criminal who has returned to his hometown to become their Preacher - as his father once was. Attendances are dwindling and Jesse is unsure of his place in the world, then he receives what he believes is a divine gift. When he speaks, those who hear are forced to act on it, regardless of what it is. With his church on the up, he reconnects with Tulip (Ruth Negga) a childhood friend who has a mission of revenge for them both to begin and meets Cassidy (Joseph Gilgun) an Irish Vampire just looking for a good time.
The first season is a funny, daring adult fantasy with wonderful central performances from its three leads and able support from the likes of Jackie Earle Haley, W Earl Brown, Lucy Griffiths and Derek Wilson. It ends at a point that I was really excited to see where it would go, but from there the show repeatedly splits up its three central characters and the second season is a step or two down in quality from the first. The third is better, but repeats the trick of splitting up the leads and introduces an element of repetition into the story line, as does the fourth. The later seasons rely on this bond between the three but the bonds between them is really something that we're more told about, than seeing exist.
One other slight issue, now it feels like it's another aspect of the very busy "adult fantasy" market. "The Boys", "American Gods", "Legion", "Good Omens" have all come subsequently and all (to some extent) cover similar ground.
I don't want to give the impression that it's bad, at any point, but aside from the first season it's just a bit too peripatetic and repetitive for its own good.
Jesse Custer (Dominic Cooper) is a former criminal who has returned to his hometown to become their Preacher - as his father once was. Attendances are dwindling and Jesse is unsure of his place in the world, then he receives what he believes is a divine gift. When he speaks, those who hear are forced to act on it, regardless of what it is. With his church on the up, he reconnects with Tulip (Ruth Negga) a childhood friend who has a mission of revenge for them both to begin and meets Cassidy (Joseph Gilgun) an Irish Vampire just looking for a good time.
The first season is a funny, daring adult fantasy with wonderful central performances from its three leads and able support from the likes of Jackie Earle Haley, W Earl Brown, Lucy Griffiths and Derek Wilson. It ends at a point that I was really excited to see where it would go, but from there the show repeatedly splits up its three central characters and the second season is a step or two down in quality from the first. The third is better, but repeats the trick of splitting up the leads and introduces an element of repetition into the story line, as does the fourth. The later seasons rely on this bond between the three but the bonds between them is really something that we're more told about, than seeing exist.
One other slight issue, now it feels like it's another aspect of the very busy "adult fantasy" market. "The Boys", "American Gods", "Legion", "Good Omens" have all come subsequently and all (to some extent) cover similar ground.
I don't want to give the impression that it's bad, at any point, but aside from the first season it's just a bit too peripatetic and repetitive for its own good.
Good Start,right Pilgrim?
vasilistats29 May 2016
First of all, i love the Preacher comic book. When i heard a TV show is coming, i thought that they will not be able to pull off the madness, the pacing, the characters etc, so, they will change many things. I was angry at first, then slowly i started to get used to the idea that i will not see a page by page adaptation, but a more loose one. Then, the pilot came. Boom. I can write a million things about the changes they made, which ones i think work and which don't, but it doesn't matter that much. I can write about how good Cassidy, Jesse and Tulip were on the TV show (they were great), but it doesn't matter to me that much either. The pilot was a pretty good episode on its own, fun, crazy, fast, intriguing, with good characters and a great cast, cool music, nice photography and direction, good writing etc. However, what truly matters to me, is that the love of the creators for the source material(the comic book, duh), was apparent everywhere and all the time. The pilot was made of love. They seem to know the comic book, to understand and love it, and to really want to make this adaptation work. Judging from the pilot, they did.
A unique blend of pulp elements and dark fantasy for genre fans - peppered with a healthy dose of black humor.
gogoschka-123 May 2016
Let me start this review by stating that I've never read the comic books, so I can't testify as to whether or not this crazy, grotesque, violent and hilarious new AMC fantasy series is a faithful adaptation of the source material. But what I can tell you as an avid fantasy and horror fan is that the pilot left me with an immediate urge to watch the next episode.
Just so you know, this review won't contain anything story related, so if you want to learn what the show is about, read the IMDb synopsis or go to Wikipedia. I believe most films and TV-shows are enjoyed best without knowing anything other than maybe the genre, cast or filmmaker (plus, personally, I like to know about as many aspects as I can about the actual quality of the filmmaking itself). Oh, but maybe this: don't get frustrated if you don't immediately understand just what the heck is going on. The pilot introduces several key characters and important story elements by jumping around quite a bit and throwing you directly into the action, but we're clearly not meant to know and understand everything right from the start. So relax, be patient and have a little faith in showrunner Sam Catlin; the dude co-produced (or co-executive produced) 55 episodes of 'Breaking Bad', 10 of which he wrote, so he should know a little something about storytelling.
What becomes immediately evident in 'Preacher' is that the casting of the title role was a stroke of genius: Dominic Cooper ('The Devil's Double', 'Captain America: The First Avenger') makes for a fantastic lead. His charismatic but nuanced performance as conflicted preacher Jesse Custer was enough to convince me after only one episode that he will be able to carry this series. It's always a balancing act to portray this kind of character with just enough vulnerability to make him appear relatable and human but still have him come across as larger than life, and judging by what I've seen so far, Cooper manages to pull it off perfectly.
I'd say the cast in general is very solid, but the two actors that need to be mentioned most apart from Cooper's preacher are Ruth Negga in the role of Tulip and Joseph Gilgun who plays Cassidy. Both are wicked fun to watch (and obviously they're relishing their parts) and both have completely bonkers introduction scenes for their respective characters that will give audiences a taste of just what kind of crazy, ultra-violent mayhem we're in for with this new show.
Now just to get this straight: there are darkly comic moments abound in 'Preacher' but it is not a black comedy - nor is it as over the top as, say, 'Ash vs the Evil Dead' (despite being pretty over the top at times). Fans of the show's creators, Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg, would be well-advised not to expect a similar tone in 'Preacher' as in some of the duo's previous works like 'This Is the End' or 'The Interview'. What we have here is probably best described as "dark fantasy" and while it IS peppered with a large dose of dark comedy, I'm pretty sure there will also be some rather unfunny shît down the road for this preacher to deal with.
As for the production values, the visuals (and the visual effects) in general look very nice and the sets convincing; the southern locations have a "lived-in" and appropriately run-down look and the whole small-town, Texan atmosphere is tangible. The cinematography was expertly done (the pilot's DoP was none other than The Matrix' Bill Pope) and the soundtrack is even downright fantastic (if you can appreciate southern songs from the likes of Johnny Cash, that is). The one thing that didn't always work for me was the pacing/editing and the way certain scenes were established, but a slightly uneven rhythm is not uncommon for pilot episodes, so I'm not worried yet.
My overall verdict: 'Preacher' is a show that doesn't try for a second to cater to a mainstream audience; it offers a unique blend of pulp elements and dark fantasy for genre fans who most likely won't have the slightest problem digesting the hefty mix of drama, horror, gory violence and humor. Needless to say, I'm totally on board (and I can't wait for the next sermon). My provisional rating: 8 stars out of 10.
Favorite films: http://www.IMDb.com/list/mkjOKvqlSBs/
Lesser-known Masterpieces: http://www.imdb.com/list/ls070242495/
Favorite Low-Budget and B-movies: http://www.imdb.com/list/ls054808375/
Favorite TV-Shows reviewed: http://www.imdb.com/list/ls075552387/
Just so you know, this review won't contain anything story related, so if you want to learn what the show is about, read the IMDb synopsis or go to Wikipedia. I believe most films and TV-shows are enjoyed best without knowing anything other than maybe the genre, cast or filmmaker (plus, personally, I like to know about as many aspects as I can about the actual quality of the filmmaking itself). Oh, but maybe this: don't get frustrated if you don't immediately understand just what the heck is going on. The pilot introduces several key characters and important story elements by jumping around quite a bit and throwing you directly into the action, but we're clearly not meant to know and understand everything right from the start. So relax, be patient and have a little faith in showrunner Sam Catlin; the dude co-produced (or co-executive produced) 55 episodes of 'Breaking Bad', 10 of which he wrote, so he should know a little something about storytelling.
What becomes immediately evident in 'Preacher' is that the casting of the title role was a stroke of genius: Dominic Cooper ('The Devil's Double', 'Captain America: The First Avenger') makes for a fantastic lead. His charismatic but nuanced performance as conflicted preacher Jesse Custer was enough to convince me after only one episode that he will be able to carry this series. It's always a balancing act to portray this kind of character with just enough vulnerability to make him appear relatable and human but still have him come across as larger than life, and judging by what I've seen so far, Cooper manages to pull it off perfectly.
I'd say the cast in general is very solid, but the two actors that need to be mentioned most apart from Cooper's preacher are Ruth Negga in the role of Tulip and Joseph Gilgun who plays Cassidy. Both are wicked fun to watch (and obviously they're relishing their parts) and both have completely bonkers introduction scenes for their respective characters that will give audiences a taste of just what kind of crazy, ultra-violent mayhem we're in for with this new show.
Now just to get this straight: there are darkly comic moments abound in 'Preacher' but it is not a black comedy - nor is it as over the top as, say, 'Ash vs the Evil Dead' (despite being pretty over the top at times). Fans of the show's creators, Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg, would be well-advised not to expect a similar tone in 'Preacher' as in some of the duo's previous works like 'This Is the End' or 'The Interview'. What we have here is probably best described as "dark fantasy" and while it IS peppered with a large dose of dark comedy, I'm pretty sure there will also be some rather unfunny shît down the road for this preacher to deal with.
As for the production values, the visuals (and the visual effects) in general look very nice and the sets convincing; the southern locations have a "lived-in" and appropriately run-down look and the whole small-town, Texan atmosphere is tangible. The cinematography was expertly done (the pilot's DoP was none other than The Matrix' Bill Pope) and the soundtrack is even downright fantastic (if you can appreciate southern songs from the likes of Johnny Cash, that is). The one thing that didn't always work for me was the pacing/editing and the way certain scenes were established, but a slightly uneven rhythm is not uncommon for pilot episodes, so I'm not worried yet.
My overall verdict: 'Preacher' is a show that doesn't try for a second to cater to a mainstream audience; it offers a unique blend of pulp elements and dark fantasy for genre fans who most likely won't have the slightest problem digesting the hefty mix of drama, horror, gory violence and humor. Needless to say, I'm totally on board (and I can't wait for the next sermon). My provisional rating: 8 stars out of 10.
Favorite films: http://www.IMDb.com/list/mkjOKvqlSBs/
Lesser-known Masterpieces: http://www.imdb.com/list/ls070242495/
Favorite Low-Budget and B-movies: http://www.imdb.com/list/ls054808375/
Favorite TV-Shows reviewed: http://www.imdb.com/list/ls075552387/
No Show Like This
kipmcmillan22 October 2018
I can't believe how unique, fun, smart, dramatic and insane this show is. The twists are as unique as the characters...
This show is definitely binge worthy...
Thank you creators, actors, writers, and everyone else involved in this show.
Out the gate brilliant!
daggersineyes27 May 2016
Very rarely does a TV show - especially a pilot - surprise me as much as this one did, several times. This action-packed debut has some wonderful twists and turns and unexpected events and I strongly recommend you don't watch trailers or teasers or read spoilers before watching it. I also recommend you pay attention to things that are going on in the background like TV newscasts and sign boards. There are some gems there!!! Its so refreshing to encounter a pilot to a TV show that packs such a punch. No slow, drawn out introduction here.
I also rarely laugh out loud watching TV shows, most "sit coms" & comedies leave me cold. But this show drew several delighted full throttle laughs from me. It's nasty, it's dark,it's suspenseful, it's bizarre, at times it's shocking and it's hilarious. Yes it has some blood & guts in it, but always in context and with a purpose. It's not gratuitous or only there for shock value like, for example, American Horror Story. It's part of the plot. Also, this is the pilot, it's telling a story of how something began & gathering some threads together. Of course it won't be coherent yet. Don't go in expecting it to be like everything else on TV, it just isn't. It's not like the other DC/Marvel shows either. It's a thing unto itself and I absolutely adored it.
It has fascinating characters, wonderful setting, great snappy dialogue (particularly from a character called Tulip) and some truly strange moments like the cow noises in the background of a certain scene and the character, Eugene. I also really liked the cinematography & editing - there are some clear nods to some of the greats of horror and thriller directors that all you movie buffs out there will recognise. Not a frame of this pilot was wasted or dead air. The kind of tight, focused editing and directing I love. I was so impressed with this I watched it again immediately after the first viewing. I can honestly say I've never done that before with any TV show.
And all this in less than an hour.
There are some very odd negative reviews here but I think they're from people who just don't understand what they were watching and/or it all went right over their heads. It does jump around a little , but unlike a certain other show, this one guides you through it's jumps with deliberately obvious & slightly amusing titles like 'Back in Africa" or "not that long ago". I saw someone upset because it's not like Supernatural. LOL It's not supposed to be! Why be angry at the show for not being like some arbitrarily show you chose to think it would be like? It's not their fault! This show is more like The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy than Supernatural - although don't be misled by that description either! As I said, it's a breed apart.
I can't remember who said this but it's always stuck in my head: you can tell what a book or movie etc will be like within the first 5 minutes - because that sets the tone. And if that's true then we are in for one hell of a good time with this series.
I can't recommend this enough.
I also rarely laugh out loud watching TV shows, most "sit coms" & comedies leave me cold. But this show drew several delighted full throttle laughs from me. It's nasty, it's dark,it's suspenseful, it's bizarre, at times it's shocking and it's hilarious. Yes it has some blood & guts in it, but always in context and with a purpose. It's not gratuitous or only there for shock value like, for example, American Horror Story. It's part of the plot. Also, this is the pilot, it's telling a story of how something began & gathering some threads together. Of course it won't be coherent yet. Don't go in expecting it to be like everything else on TV, it just isn't. It's not like the other DC/Marvel shows either. It's a thing unto itself and I absolutely adored it.
It has fascinating characters, wonderful setting, great snappy dialogue (particularly from a character called Tulip) and some truly strange moments like the cow noises in the background of a certain scene and the character, Eugene. I also really liked the cinematography & editing - there are some clear nods to some of the greats of horror and thriller directors that all you movie buffs out there will recognise. Not a frame of this pilot was wasted or dead air. The kind of tight, focused editing and directing I love. I was so impressed with this I watched it again immediately after the first viewing. I can honestly say I've never done that before with any TV show.
And all this in less than an hour.
There are some very odd negative reviews here but I think they're from people who just don't understand what they were watching and/or it all went right over their heads. It does jump around a little , but unlike a certain other show, this one guides you through it's jumps with deliberately obvious & slightly amusing titles like 'Back in Africa" or "not that long ago". I saw someone upset because it's not like Supernatural. LOL It's not supposed to be! Why be angry at the show for not being like some arbitrarily show you chose to think it would be like? It's not their fault! This show is more like The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy than Supernatural - although don't be misled by that description either! As I said, it's a breed apart.
I can't remember who said this but it's always stuck in my head: you can tell what a book or movie etc will be like within the first 5 minutes - because that sets the tone. And if that's true then we are in for one hell of a good time with this series.
I can't recommend this enough.
Season 3
lenny-229599 August 2018
I have very much liked all the whole thing but started slow and wasn't weird enough for me. However season three is brilliant the best season by far.
Vampires, witches, gods, suits, all thrown in s**t for a healthy mix of trouble
Preacher. Is that what you want?
Nixon_Carmichael23 May 2016
Yes it is.
Preacher is the Seth Rogen/Evan Goldberg TV adaptation of the same, developed by AMC. When I heard about the project, I wondered if AMC would be able to handle the balls to wall, r-rated nature of the comic, and it appears they can.
Preacher takes place in Annville, Texas and follows Jesse Custer, the quintessential "man with a past". Presumably on the road for years, Jesse has returned to Annville to follow in his fathers footsteps as the small town Preacher.
The showed is steeped in brooding, Americana darkness, but also contains a funny side, just like the source material.
The pilot episode blew me away.
Quite simply, this appears to be one of the best new shows on television and will hopefully have a long life on AMC.
Preacher is the Seth Rogen/Evan Goldberg TV adaptation of the same, developed by AMC. When I heard about the project, I wondered if AMC would be able to handle the balls to wall, r-rated nature of the comic, and it appears they can.
Preacher takes place in Annville, Texas and follows Jesse Custer, the quintessential "man with a past". Presumably on the road for years, Jesse has returned to Annville to follow in his fathers footsteps as the small town Preacher.
The showed is steeped in brooding, Americana darkness, but also contains a funny side, just like the source material.
The pilot episode blew me away.
Quite simply, this appears to be one of the best new shows on television and will hopefully have a long life on AMC.
I's a amazing show!!
marckangelo29 September 2019
Precher is a show for people who have dark humor and strong witt, It's full of plot twists and funny moments.
It's one of my favorite shows of all time and I'm sad that this is the last season.
You should give it a try!!!
Inside Seth Rogan -- the TV series
A_Different_Drummer24 May 2016
In 1980 a very odd and one-of-a-kind film was released from Africa (of all places) entitled The Gods Must Be Crazy. It violated almost every narrative standard for semi-serious. semi-comic, stories of the day.
The action was non-linear, captions came and went, locales jumped around, characters appeared and disappeared, some actors seemed to be camping the whole thing up and others seemed to be taking their roles much too seriously -- and generally the film was an international hit and a great time was had by all.
My first thought on watching the opener for Preacher is that Rogan must have seen The Gods Must Be Crazy too many times, but then I remembered he was born two years after it was made, so that theory went nowhere.
In any case, whatever work may have "influenced" Seth to pick this up and run with it (Hitchikers Guide to the Galaxy would be my second guess) he did indeed pick it up and he did indeed run with it.
It is quirky, clever, fast-moving, confusing, and massively over-written.
In short, not for everyone. (Which may possibly explain the highly polarized reviews.)
At the end of the day, I suspect history will record that this was Rogan's way of breaking out of the "actor" role that Hollywood has pinned him to, and showing that he indeed has other talents.
I predict we will be seeing other unique projects from Rogan down the road. In this context, whether Preacher survives its first season, or not, is really entirely beside the point.
The action was non-linear, captions came and went, locales jumped around, characters appeared and disappeared, some actors seemed to be camping the whole thing up and others seemed to be taking their roles much too seriously -- and generally the film was an international hit and a great time was had by all.
My first thought on watching the opener for Preacher is that Rogan must have seen The Gods Must Be Crazy too many times, but then I remembered he was born two years after it was made, so that theory went nowhere.
In any case, whatever work may have "influenced" Seth to pick this up and run with it (Hitchikers Guide to the Galaxy would be my second guess) he did indeed pick it up and he did indeed run with it.
It is quirky, clever, fast-moving, confusing, and massively over-written.
In short, not for everyone. (Which may possibly explain the highly polarized reviews.)
At the end of the day, I suspect history will record that this was Rogan's way of breaking out of the "actor" role that Hollywood has pinned him to, and showing that he indeed has other talents.
I predict we will be seeing other unique projects from Rogan down the road. In this context, whether Preacher survives its first season, or not, is really entirely beside the point.
Mint but gratuitous
timothyjohnfreeman6 August 2016
And what a finale.
Sterling performances, great production and adherence to genre. Brilliant, quirky and python-like moments of gleeful stupidity in the face of narrative and type. The season wallowed in self, genre and production tropes at times, but the pure style and indulgence in character won out by a country mile. Casting is great. Laughs keep coming at the most inopportune moments and the sense of humour overrides all. There is inspiration in the finest detail when the show is at its best. This is TV with rocks in- country rocks. Yes, it's adult in content, but stylised and sassy and brassy. The visuals and framing create beautiful emptiness at times and the edits transition with impact and punch. The soundtrack is evocative and classy. The acting is often inspired- particularly by the triumvirate of destruction who hold the frame so well and carry the narrative so amusingly.
Great show- well done people.
Sterling performances, great production and adherence to genre. Brilliant, quirky and python-like moments of gleeful stupidity in the face of narrative and type. The season wallowed in self, genre and production tropes at times, but the pure style and indulgence in character won out by a country mile. Casting is great. Laughs keep coming at the most inopportune moments and the sense of humour overrides all. There is inspiration in the finest detail when the show is at its best. This is TV with rocks in- country rocks. Yes, it's adult in content, but stylised and sassy and brassy. The visuals and framing create beautiful emptiness at times and the edits transition with impact and punch. The soundtrack is evocative and classy. The acting is often inspired- particularly by the triumvirate of destruction who hold the frame so well and carry the narrative so amusingly.
Great show- well done people.
Has potential but plays it safe
hamish-2585118 April 2017
At last, it's happening. Preacher. They're finally going live action with one of the weirdest, strangest, most imaginative works of fiction - in any genre or format - I've ever encountered.
The good, in order: Dominic Cooper, as Jesse Custer, titular Preacher. He's managing to wear the role, something that very few actors could pull off. Ruth Negga, doing a better Tulip than the one in the comics (and that is saying something). Joseph Gilgun, whose turn as Cassidy is spot-on, truly the comics brought to life.
The sets, the costumes, the effects, the support acting are all first class too. The direction is nicely understated; they keep shots simple, with lots of use of nicely framed setups.
The humour is occasionally outright hilarious. Unfortunately there isn't nearly enough of it, and that's where the bad times start.
They've made some big mistakes with this series. Now, this is not just a fan of the comics talking... they've been putting minor characters and minor plot lines through the blender. Yes, initially I found this profoundly offensive, and it took some work to get past it. Someone who hadn't read the comics wouldn't notice the changes. The trouble is, they don't improve things.
Presumably this chop and change was done in an attempt to create workable TV. I think it was a strategic mistake, a case of missing the wood for the trees. The best thing about Preacher, hands down, was Garth Ennis' hyperactive imagination. Anything went, and frequently did. The original story was absolutely mental. Catlin, Goldberg and Rogen do the best they can (and they're no lightweights) but the goings-on in the TV series are a pale shadow of the fun and games in the comics.
The second major mistake was to make it sexually safe. The comics had every kind of oddball, weirdo, creep, and flat-out pervert imaginable. It was messed up. Sometimes it was shocking, and not in a good way either. Mostly, though, it was cry-while-reading hilarious, not least because the characters came across as real people. Not so the TV series. This is Preacher as overseen by studio execs and marketing teams, watered down to appeal to middle America, or at least to not incite too much hate mail. It is, frankly, tame.
There are the usual TV series problems - bogging down in one location (they spend way too long in Annville), throwing hooks in simply for the sake of luring the audience further along, undeveloped characters and plot lines - but that's just me picking threads at this point.
It's OK. Honest. It was diverting enough that I finished the whole first series, despite everything. It's just that it could have been great and it isn't.
The good, in order: Dominic Cooper, as Jesse Custer, titular Preacher. He's managing to wear the role, something that very few actors could pull off. Ruth Negga, doing a better Tulip than the one in the comics (and that is saying something). Joseph Gilgun, whose turn as Cassidy is spot-on, truly the comics brought to life.
The sets, the costumes, the effects, the support acting are all first class too. The direction is nicely understated; they keep shots simple, with lots of use of nicely framed setups.
The humour is occasionally outright hilarious. Unfortunately there isn't nearly enough of it, and that's where the bad times start.
They've made some big mistakes with this series. Now, this is not just a fan of the comics talking... they've been putting minor characters and minor plot lines through the blender. Yes, initially I found this profoundly offensive, and it took some work to get past it. Someone who hadn't read the comics wouldn't notice the changes. The trouble is, they don't improve things.
Presumably this chop and change was done in an attempt to create workable TV. I think it was a strategic mistake, a case of missing the wood for the trees. The best thing about Preacher, hands down, was Garth Ennis' hyperactive imagination. Anything went, and frequently did. The original story was absolutely mental. Catlin, Goldberg and Rogen do the best they can (and they're no lightweights) but the goings-on in the TV series are a pale shadow of the fun and games in the comics.
The second major mistake was to make it sexually safe. The comics had every kind of oddball, weirdo, creep, and flat-out pervert imaginable. It was messed up. Sometimes it was shocking, and not in a good way either. Mostly, though, it was cry-while-reading hilarious, not least because the characters came across as real people. Not so the TV series. This is Preacher as overseen by studio execs and marketing teams, watered down to appeal to middle America, or at least to not incite too much hate mail. It is, frankly, tame.
There are the usual TV series problems - bogging down in one location (they spend way too long in Annville), throwing hooks in simply for the sake of luring the audience further along, undeveloped characters and plot lines - but that's just me picking threads at this point.
It's OK. Honest. It was diverting enough that I finished the whole first series, despite everything. It's just that it could have been great and it isn't.
this stinks
schozernaut8 February 2018
How these guys messed up such a great story, handed to them on a plate, is beyond me. Everything that was great about the Preacher graphic novel series has for some inexplicable reason been warped, given a pointless spin and adjusted to a point that it no longer bears any resemblance whatsoever to all that made the original so interesting, intelligent and relevant .
This show is rendered just another crappy, weak-plotted, predictable show that appeals only to the general vampire/guns/gore/magic teen audience (think Constantine the series). What happened to the vast and sophisticated backdrop? What happened to complex and believable characters (a flawed hero Starr whose fall could be understood, Custer/the last cowboy, everyone's best mate/hedonistic nightmare Cassidy, AND BUGGERY BOB?).
The greatest tragedy is that such a great story will never be given its due. These time-wasters have killed a giant, who probably wondered why its demise went down the way it did, given the ease with which anyone with half a brain could have cut and pasted an original masterpiece into a tv show. Thanks for nothing. This didn't need to happen.
This show is rendered just another crappy, weak-plotted, predictable show that appeals only to the general vampire/guns/gore/magic teen audience (think Constantine the series). What happened to the vast and sophisticated backdrop? What happened to complex and believable characters (a flawed hero Starr whose fall could be understood, Custer/the last cowboy, everyone's best mate/hedonistic nightmare Cassidy, AND BUGGERY BOB?).
The greatest tragedy is that such a great story will never be given its due. These time-wasters have killed a giant, who probably wondered why its demise went down the way it did, given the ease with which anyone with half a brain could have cut and pasted an original masterpiece into a tv show. Thanks for nothing. This didn't need to happen.
Best unique show 11stars
stefanemartinus20 August 2018
This show is cool
randomStuff10123 July 2018
Gets better the further in you go.
Casting is excellent, each character owns their role.
goes places you wouldn't expect, surreal and funny endings.
The visuals are nicely done. sharp photography.
The actors who play the lead roles, and supporting cast, fit well into their characters. Enjoyable and entertaining to watch.
This show won't be for everyone. Some may be put off by the fresh edge of Preacher. It's darker and different.
Casting is excellent, each character owns their role.
goes places you wouldn't expect, surreal and funny endings.
The visuals are nicely done. sharp photography.
The actors who play the lead roles, and supporting cast, fit well into their characters. Enjoyable and entertaining to watch.
This show won't be for everyone. Some may be put off by the fresh edge of Preacher. It's darker and different.
Downhill after the first episode, but climbed back on top at the end
Gretel10063 July 2016
The first episode blew my socks off! I even watched it a second time. It kept my eyes glued to the screen the whole time. A 10 out of 10. The introduction of Tulip and the vampire (can't recall his name) were ingenious. Crazy action that was darkly comedic.
I just finished watching the 6th episode and feel so disappointed. It seems like the show is really dragging and it's hard to keep interested in it. There are definitely great scenes in each episode, they always involved over-the-top action. The action seems to be where the gold is and Tulip and the Vampire make for some good fun. I keep hoping it will take off. I think the town is dull. It is hard to transition from some crazy exciting lethal action to the dust blowing over barren land.
I do have faith that it will at some point turn around and take off. The first episode shows that it is possible. Hopefully the writers and directors will hear what people are saying about the show dragging and produce a brilliant second season. I'll keep watching and waiting.
Edit: finished the first season and the last two episodes, especially the last episode, was perfect! Yes! I knew they could do it. Those were the kind of episodes I was expecting to come from the mind of Seth Rogan.
P.s. Those two angels are great. It is hard not to find them endearing with their sweet murderous charm. Having hired a hit-man of sorts will certainly add some flavor to season two. I am eager to see the mayhem that the Preacher, his Tulip, and the Vamp will unleash.
I just finished watching the 6th episode and feel so disappointed. It seems like the show is really dragging and it's hard to keep interested in it. There are definitely great scenes in each episode, they always involved over-the-top action. The action seems to be where the gold is and Tulip and the Vampire make for some good fun. I keep hoping it will take off. I think the town is dull. It is hard to transition from some crazy exciting lethal action to the dust blowing over barren land.
I do have faith that it will at some point turn around and take off. The first episode shows that it is possible. Hopefully the writers and directors will hear what people are saying about the show dragging and produce a brilliant second season. I'll keep watching and waiting.
Edit: finished the first season and the last two episodes, especially the last episode, was perfect! Yes! I knew they could do it. Those were the kind of episodes I was expecting to come from the mind of Seth Rogan.
P.s. Those two angels are great. It is hard not to find them endearing with their sweet murderous charm. Having hired a hit-man of sorts will certainly add some flavor to season two. I am eager to see the mayhem that the Preacher, his Tulip, and the Vamp will unleash.
Excellent and different in a good way
klungsama19 April 2019
promising start deteriorates
SnoopyStyle28 September 2019
Jesse Custer (Dominic Cooper) is the weary preacher at the All Saints Congregational in the small town of Annville, Texas. He is possessed by a presence and gains special powers. Tulip O'Hare (Ruth Negga) is his lifelong ex. Single mom Emily Woodrow (Lucy Griffiths) is his loyal supporter. He is befriended by new arrival Irish vampire Cassidy (Joseph Gilgun). Eugene Root (Ian Colletti), the sheriff's son, is known as Arseface after a gun shot incident. The town blows up. They go on a road trip. There is a supernatural killer, a sleazy supervillain, secret society, Hitler, God, and even a defective Jesus.
Seth Rogen and his friend Evan Goldberg help created this show based on the comic book. There was a bit of hype and the show has a promising start. It has three great leads with very engaging actors. It has some weird sh14. It's fun. The premise is a bit rambling and quite frankly, it borders on being a mess. The second season has the trio going on the road after blowing up the town. It's almost a metaphor for blowing up the show to start anew. Sadly, the act of blowing up only made the mess messier. The story's rambling rambles even more. The search for God is rather nebulous without God being a regular character. Also what's up with Lucy Griffiths? She seems to get roles but she never seems to stick. This project is flawed from the start. Despite the compelling characters, the show struggles to have a specific structure or goal. It starts with some promise but it degenerates into a road trip to nowhere.
Seth Rogen and his friend Evan Goldberg help created this show based on the comic book. There was a bit of hype and the show has a promising start. It has three great leads with very engaging actors. It has some weird sh14. It's fun. The premise is a bit rambling and quite frankly, it borders on being a mess. The second season has the trio going on the road after blowing up the town. It's almost a metaphor for blowing up the show to start anew. Sadly, the act of blowing up only made the mess messier. The story's rambling rambles even more. The search for God is rather nebulous without God being a regular character. Also what's up with Lucy Griffiths? She seems to get roles but she never seems to stick. This project is flawed from the start. Despite the compelling characters, the show struggles to have a specific structure or goal. It starts with some promise but it degenerates into a road trip to nowhere.
Amazing!!
khensley-4336520 June 2019
Wasn't sure I'd like it, My wife has been watching it since the beginning and she loves it. So I gave it a shot and now I'm hooked!! Absolutely amazing and I've had a lot of sleepless nights because I can't stop watching the next episode..lol
Should be rated season by season
dgeorge_c5 August 2020
First off, I had no idea this is based on a comic book or a book series so I am not tainted by that. I watched 2 1/2 seasons. It was fine for a while but it just got a little too carried away for me. Not sure what genre I would call it: fantasy, comedy, drama with a health dose of grossness? Can't compare it to anything that comes to mind. Maybe it got better later, but I'm out.
Pretty solid show, considering the source material.
digdog-785-71753824 May 2016
A few years back a couple of my friends introduced me to the world of "alternative" comics, Sandman, Transmetropolitan, Preacher, Constantine .. pretty good stuff, i gotta say. So i was very happy when i heard that Constantine was due to be made into a TV series; but, we all know that story. Mediocre show, and quickly cancelled.
Now, Preacher seems better, the first episode (only episode aired by the time of this review) seemed pretty good and managed to capture the feeling of the comic books; i understand that to some it might seem bland, but i know things which they don't know.
Which, incidentally, is my main concern; Preacher gets to be pretty mental, will AMC be able to keep up, or will they dilute the effort? It wouldn't be the first series to have a great start and then to cheese it up later on.
For now, i liked it. I would really only recommend it to Preacher fans, and say to the others "wait until the series develops a bit".
My vote: 8/10, due to go either up or down.
Now, Preacher seems better, the first episode (only episode aired by the time of this review) seemed pretty good and managed to capture the feeling of the comic books; i understand that to some it might seem bland, but i know things which they don't know.
Which, incidentally, is my main concern; Preacher gets to be pretty mental, will AMC be able to keep up, or will they dilute the effort? It wouldn't be the first series to have a great start and then to cheese it up later on.
For now, i liked it. I would really only recommend it to Preacher fans, and say to the others "wait until the series develops a bit".
My vote: 8/10, due to go either up or down.
Starts out amazing...
drammed15 May 2020
The first season is absolutely fantastic. Though it has slowly lost me from there. Actually stopped watching through the third season, just confusing and ridiculous. This whole ridiculous coronavirus this had me revisiting old series. I can only hope for redemption. Look, I smoke, but Seth...sometimes laying off the weed for a bit is a good thing.
The graphic novel and the TV show are completely different animals
slowpulse3 August 2016
Question: how did they manage to enlist Garth Ennis and Steve Dillon as producers and still deviate so much from the source material that it's become a completely different story altogether? The characters' names are the same and some of their traits as well, but their overall personalities are hopelessly divergent. Not that it would matter too much if the TV show had managed to be entertaining in its own right, but that's the rub here, isn't it? The writing is simply a hot mess, with characters and story lines thrown in randomly and huge pacing problems. For instance, how are people who haven't read the comics supposed to make any sense of the Wild West flashbacks sprinkled in every now and then? Their inclusion makes zero sense. But generally all the characters behave unnaturally, they contradict themselves and the fact that som eof them are angels, or vampires, or any other odd creature is poorly explained and poorly used.
The graphic novel shows Jesse, Tulip and Cassidy on a number of wild adventures, all with one central plot line: Jesse's "mission". Here, for reasons that can only be budgetary, the adventure is instead sadly confined to one somnolent old town. But if they couldn't afford the grandiosity of the graphic novel, why do a TV based on it in the first place? And altering every single character so emphatically in the process no less.
The graphic novel shows Jesse, Tulip and Cassidy on a number of wild adventures, all with one central plot line: Jesse's "mission". Here, for reasons that can only be budgetary, the adventure is instead sadly confined to one somnolent old town. But if they couldn't afford the grandiosity of the graphic novel, why do a TV based on it in the first place? And altering every single character so emphatically in the process no less.
Sarcastically Zany
westsideschl28 November 2018
You probably already know the plot/script outline. God seems to be on vacation so angels, Satan & demons tussle for control of Earth. Our preacher has some answers but he's tussling w/his demonic angelic background. A zany, yet at times thoughtful, look at humanity (oh, can't forget those vampires). The series, using different writers for episodes, keeps it freshly off balanced & twisty surprising. The episodes w/the Messiah & Pope type character was outrageously funny. Can't forget Satan - never seen him so waggish wackily droll. Cautionary note - a bit of blood (just close your eyes).
Some may compare to the written version, but like all filmed interpretations of written works it stands on it's own as it's own beast.
He's a very naughty boy
crispo143923 September 2019
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