Halo
“There’s another difference between Spartans and marines…marines can be killed” – Professor
“What’s the point in saving humanity if we’re going to give up our own?” – Miranda Keyes
It’s interesting I started watching “Halo” still (I think) beginning of 2023 on “SkyShowtime,” and reached some seventh-eighth episode and then stopped watching.
A year later, I decided to correct the injustice, and nicely watched the entire first season (since I, of course, forgot what all happened 😅).
And good that I did.
Long long long ago I played “Halo: Combat Evolved” and it remained in my memory as an excellent sci-fi shooter, and it’s not that there’s no material here to make a quality series or film. Science fiction, super soldier Master Chief, Cortana, mysterious alien race (Covenant), famous Halo… there’s solid material here, you’ll agree. I mean, you’ll agree if you played “Halo,” and if you didn’t, agree with me anyway, at least for appearance’s sake…
As for the plot, there are quite a lot of differences between video games and series, but this time I wouldn’t draw a parallel, because even series authors said they decided to partly lean on the story as it really is in games (canon), and partly tell their own vision of “Halo,” and maybe thereby upgrade it. So I’ll focus only on the series.
Realistically, I watched the series without excessive expectations, so maybe it turned out better than I thought it would be.
Briefly: Welcome to the 26th century. Humanity has advanced quite a bit, planet colonization, spaceships and whatnot. However, since we’re not alone in the universe (and certainly not the smartest), our civilization is at war with mysterious alien race Covenant. However, wherever earthlings from outside attack (“earthlings from outside,” get it? Earthlings from outside? Aliens? Ok, I’ll stop being witty…), planets (as well as people) end up devastated, because they don’t look like little green men, but there are various kinds, and they’re quite fast and strong, and some of their squads look like armored bodybuilders, against whom our traditional (from 26th century) weapons don’t really work.
That’s why humanity created “Spartans,” unique supersoldiers indoctrinated to blindly follow orders and eliminate enemies, have no emotions, and moreover wear powerful (and very heavy) armor and weapons, and are actually the only ones who can deal with alien army. Though they can solve (almost every) problem, they’re not exactly popular among people either because of their cold approach to war.
At the story’s center is Spartan whose full name is Master Chief Petty Officer John-117 (for text purposes we’ll call him Master Chief, MC or simply John) and who’s leader of four-member Spartan team (Silver Team). Their latest task finds them on planet Madrigal, where Covenant attacked one rebel (primarily against authorities) base, and whose only survivor is teenager named Kwan Ha, daughter of rebel leader. Spartans beat up Covenant’s soldiers and set out in search of their ship (as well as reason why they even came to this planet). Master Chief discovers a cave near fortress, and in it an unusual artifact/relic (Keystone) which unexpectedly reacts to MC’s touch, whereby he gets some visions… or maybe memories from childhood. All this brings the powerful killing machine (MC) into a state of confusion. Because of that he packs the artifact (as well as Kwan Ha) on the ship (separately from other Spartans) and heads to base on planet Reach, where headquarters of UNSC (United Nations Space Command), military-research-scientific agency, is located.
Meanwhile in UNSC, there’s mild concern from military top about the relic MC discovered, as well as that it affected his behavior. The only person all this very much inspires is Dr. Catherine Halsey, who’s intrigued by MC’s behavior, as well as that the mysterious relic is key to some much “higher” answers. By the way, Halsey is top scientist and leader of Spartan program.
However, everything changes when unexpectedly Master Chief refuses to obey to kill Kwan Ha on military top’s order, as well as to bring the relic, and, to everyone’s shock, refuses to land at base, but seems to flee. MC believes he currently can’t trust anyone, because there’s probability the relic is weapon of mass destruction, and he should check some things before taking further steps, which leads him to perhaps his only friend/acquaintance, space pirate Soren.
Since he discovered there exists some reason why he’s connected to the relic, he decides to leave Kwan Ha with Soren, then return to UNSC and inform military top (but primarily Halsey) the relic is more dangerous than it seems.
And again, the situation becomes even more complicated, because MC through interaction with the relic, starts increasingly remembering some details from childhood, as well as that Halsey apparently kept silent about some things. And when he deliberately extracts from himself the chip that blocks his emotions (the point is Spartans have blocked emotions to remain cold-blooded on battlefield and better endure pain), then they implant artificial intelligence named Cortana (for which he’s still not sure if she’s his ally or not), madness can begin…
And here we’ll stop with the “Halo” series plot.
When everything’s considered, I think the series turned out very correctly done. You have a good blend of action and drama and science fiction (i.e., its subgenre known as military science fiction).
As for the action aspect, watching Spartans (led by John) beat up aliens is a pleasure to watch (and I especially liked the homage to video game in first and last episode of series, when camera positions in John’s helmet, so it really resembles like you’re in video game, i.e., first-person shooter).
There’s no lack of dramatic element either. John’s relationships with other people (especially with Kwan, Makee, Soren, Captain Keys, Dr. Catherine Halsey, other Spartans, as well as indispensable Cortana) truly vary and at one point he’s no longer sure whom he can trust and whom not. And within UNSC base itself cat and mouse games unfold between people in positions, and into all this is entangled one tense family story.
As for visual aspect, “Halo” turned out, so to speak, correct. Though, considering the budget supposedly was 10 million dollars per episode, I think some things could have been done better. But the very presentation of Spartans (as well as aliens) turned out very well.
Music is solid and relatively unobtrusive, yet has that cosmic-mysterious-sad element (like old “Blade Runner” film), and in the same manner is the opening number.
Let’s touch a bit on individual actors and their roles.
Pablo Schreiber (“Orange is the New Black,” “12 Hours,” “Den of Thieves”) as Master Chief, in my humble opinion, showed himself very well and somehow tied that character to himself, so now it’s a challenge to imagine some other actor in that role. Somehow that transition from soldier who doesn’t feel to one who starts feeling emotions and thinking with his own head went nicely (of course, not as dramatically powerful as Christian Bale in “Equilibrium”). All in all, well done job.
I must mention immediately Natascha McElhone (“Solaris,” “Ronin,” “The Truman Show”) as Dr. Catherine Halsey, leader and creator of Spartan project. Simply, the actress very well conveyed the character of scientist who primarily looks at all discoveries in the name of humanity, but who, however, lacks that emotional (empathetic) side of personality. But not like she’s cold, but… I don’t know, it’s hard to describe, it seems to you she’s ready at any moment to sacrifice everything (including family) without an ounce of regret and moreover completely rationalize it, just to achieve some revolutionary discovery, yet again, like in the name of humanity. Simply, her character creates some strange discomfort in the viewer, that at one point you’re not sure if she’s a good guy or bad guy.
Of course, there’s also inevitable Cortana. Jen Taylor, who lent voice and mo-cap for Cortana in “Halo” video game series also reprised her role here.
Worth mention to me is also Kate Kennedy as Spartan Kai-125, who’s quite hilarious with reactions and comments from the moment she also extracts the chip that suppresses her feelings.
Yerin Ha (Kwan Ha), Charlie Murphy (Makee), Olive Gray (Miranda Keyes), Bokeem Woodbine (Soren), as well as remaining Spartans didn’t exactly leave much impression.
And the very character Kwan Ha seemed unnecessary for the series itself.
Interesting fact is one of the series’ executive producers is legendary Steven Spielberg.
All in all, “Halo” poured out in the end a very interesting project. First season set a good foundation, we’ll see what the next (which starts February 8) will bring. But for one military action sci-fi, worth a look.
And finally, why not a couple interesting facts:
- Pablo Schreiber said Master Chief’s combat suit/armor weighed about 22.5 kg
- Series was filmed in Hungary
- (Almost) all weapons in series were made in scales presented in “Halo” video games and books
- To prepare for role, Pablo Schreiber watched every “cutscene” in “Halo” games, as well as live action and animated versions, and moreover read several books and graphic novels from “Halo” universe. Kate Kennedy, who plays Kai, played every “Halo” video game and read book “The Fall of Reach”
- All four actors representing Spartans went through week-long military training in Budapest, where they were trained on squad military formations, military etiquette, equipment, teamwork, physical preparations of soldiers, patrolling, as well as reacting to enemy attack
- In series there’s subtle hint about one other video game. It’s “Mass Effect,” when one communications officer tries to contact Commander Shepard
- Writers, directors, producers and many actors read first book from “Halo” series, “The Fall of Reach” before filming series. Considering literary adaptations (as well as works expanding universe) for some video game at best turn out average and only fans of video game enjoy them, everyone commented how book turned out much better than they expected
- Series transferred faithfully many elements from video game, like first-person shooting scenes, weapons and aliens’ appearance, and even detail of Spartan armor beeping when shield level is dangerously low
Dear reader, have you had the chance to encounter “Halo” world? 😊
Trailer | Imdb | Rotten Tomatoes | Metacritic
Release Date: 2022 | Number of seasons: 1 (10 episodes) | Average episode duration: 60 minutes
