27/12
The episode takes place after the events of the game
Narrative
This animated anthology series features original stories set in the worlds of iconic video games. Video games have taken over the screen, and we’re celebrating the genre by taking a closer look at over 50 adaptations of video games into films and TV shows. Clive Standen reprises his role as Demetrius Titus, the protagonist of the video game Space Marine 2.
Quoted on the Film Junk podcast: Episode 973: Carry-On (2024)
Aside from a few interesting episodes, Secret Level feels like a monument to mediocrity. The writing is painfully average, dragging the entire series down despite its undeniably impressive visuals, and even those feel like rehashed leftovers from a decade of excellent video game movies. Honestly, what is this show trying to do or say that video game marketing hasn’t done (and done better) in the last 10 years?
The lineup is surprising
Where are the big names? The lack of big shots says it all: Either the creators didn’t want to be involved in this disaster or they were waiting to see if Season 1 would succeed. Spoiler alert: it didn’t happen.
The short form of storytelling seems to have completely eluded the creators
What should have been concise, effective, and memorable feels disjointed and uninspired. Variety called it a “banal snooze,” and for once, Variety wasn’t sharp enough. Secret Level is proof that flashy visuals can’t hide a lack of vision, heart, and originality!