ImageAustralian audiences seem to have a taste for blood. Or at least for crime, as the recent spate of television cop shows would suggest. City Homicide joins the ranks of local TV crime dramas like Underbelly and Rush, as a character driven, blood soaked procedural.
The enthusiastic cast of familiar TV talent includes Daniel MacPherson (Neighbours), Shane Bourne (Thank God You're Here), Nadine Garner (The Henderson Kids) and Noni Hazelhurst (Playschool). Vince Colossimo (Underbelly) also chews up the screen in his cameos.
Adding grist to the mill are the show’s writers, who seem entirely unafraid of putting their cast in strife, nor making them get their hands dirty. Storylines in Season 1 see more than one protagonist take a personal hit, while serial killers, infanticide, arsonists and social climbers keep the rest on their toes.
Stylistically, the NYPD Blue wannabe jump cuts and flashy editing are a tad overdone at times, and the same can often be said for the punchy soundtrack. That aside, interesting characters, intriguing cases and some humorous reflexivity (“You watch television, Colin? All that forensic crap?”) make for an entertaining few hours in front of the box.
Published in November issue of Filmink. City Homicide is available to purchase or rent on DVD.
2 comments:
Wow! I am about to watch the last two episodes of the Wire Season 5 (having had to take a break due to nightmares) so I am primed for this.
Will suss out when I get back, though you may have to advise me on which Aussie series to concentrate my energies.
ps. I loved Nadine on the Henderson kids - she hasn't aged. Oil of Olay?
I'm not sure you want to go from The Wire to City Homicide! That said, happy to dispel fatuous DVD advice if it means you visit soon xx
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