The Legend of Vox Machina boasts an interesting backstory. After a bunch of self-proclaimed nerds began livestreaming their D & D sessions, they gained a large following. In 2019, they began a Kickstarter for an animated show about their adventures. They raised $11 million and soon found a home on Prime Video. It is a neat story, but it also is cause for worry. How well will the source material be adapted? Even worse, what if the story behind the making of Vox Machina is more interesting than the show itself? Thankfully, these questions are answered very quickly. The first three episodes of the show are a fun watch.
Vox Machina wastes no time jumping into the violence. It can reach over the top levels, but for the most part, it pairs well with the show’s action. These scenes are also where the personalities of the characters are seen most. They are a fun bunch that are easy to watch. It is easy to imagine them being put together on a Friday night and just as entertaining to follow on a weekly basis.
Visually, the show looks great. Fantasy-adventure fare can be difficult to make stand out. Not because it is hard to render, but because it is hard to make it stand out. There are so many staples of the genre that falling into something generic is not only easy, it is forgivable. (Think of all the posters, book covers, and video game art that looks alike.) That is never the case with Vox Machina as it always manages to look good.
The one drawback to the show is the comedy. The humor of Vox Machina seems to come from the school of “throw everything against the wall and see what sticks”. This means there are some funny moments, but there are a lot more that do not work. This is the same of any movie or show, but the misses are very bad here. Still, The Legend of Vox Machina gets off to a strong start. The first three episodes show the action, fun, and creativity that has made Critical Role so popular. It will be interesting to see where the show goes from here.
New episodes of The Legend of Vox Machina premiere on Prime Video on Fridays
You must be logged in to post a comment Login