roel21 Since I loved the film, I thought I would absolutely love this series. I've never been so wrong in my life.The plot was dull. I just forced myself to watch the next episode in the idle hope it would improve. Then it didn't. The characters were boring and one-dimensional with an acting talent that can barely rival with that of a sea sponge.However, I do love the actual plot and I think that the story has the potential to become an awesome series in the hands of a great director So please, have another go at it with a decent budget/actors without distancing it too far from the actual story.Kind regards

willcalcutt To preface this review, I should note that I've never read the book, nor seen the 2010 film adaptation. Nor, I should add, am I part of the demographic the show was aimed at.In a time when young adult, dystopian novels and their respective adaptations fill our cinemas, 'Tomorrow, When the War Began' draws on a tried and tested approach to the genre.The writing might not be particularly strong in places, and indeed causes patches of almost-stagnated dialogue. However, the cast of young actors carry the story well and you find yourself rooting for them to escape and survive the unnamed occupying army. Thankfully, as the first season develops, these issues slowly work themselves out.It is the cast of young actors, some of whom have never appeared on television or in film before, that really draw you into their world. Molly Daniels does well to lead the group of rebels as Ellie, whilst newcomer Madeleine Clunies-Ross and the more established Madeleine Madden and Narek Arman are particularly likable, adding humour, drama and the youthful naivety you'd expect from teens drawn into such a situation.There has been criticism about this adaption not meeting the same standards as the film and the novel series, but, as the series progresses, this becomes increasingly unwarranted. A longer adaptation might have allowed the production team to help convey how the lives of the young 'rebels' have changed, but a six-episode run does not detract from the high production value of the series.Further seasons, drawing on the source material, would allow the series to grow and really explore the world after the war began.

billmalibu-1 After the books and the quite not so bad movie, it sadly has gotten quiet for the franchise. And now suddenly there is a TV series! I was very excited and the first episode was not totally bad. (Except for the continuing slow mo stuff.)********* spoiler warning *************sadly someone had the not so great idea to stress the part of the story that was almost entirely left out in the books: what's happening in the camps and around the families of the protagonists! And they came up with the same dung they always throw in. Not knowing what is happening on the other side of the fences is a great feature of the story and adds to the suspense of the situation of the kids (in the books and the movie). Not anymore I guess. It's a sad thing that every TV story/series seems to be in need of the same key elements.There is no need for a specific enemy figure, especially so early into the story, because the situation, the whole occupation army and the unknown are enough enemies as is. The same goes for the moral and betrayal nonsense they put in at the parents side. No need to show parents awkwardly deleting pictures of their kids before the interrogation one pic at a time. But maybe that's just me.This has always been a story of a group of kids in a hostile country takeover. And that's been more than enough to fill a whole stack of books and to entertain many people for a long time.******** end spoiler warning *********** With this words in mind I start into the third episode, hoping to find the story going back to the books and the movie and focusing on what makes the original story great, and not trying to put something in for everyone. One can hope I guess.

Matt Goodson I have read the books and seen the movie and absolutely loved them. When I heard that the series was coming out I was quite excited, I thought the void left by the lack of a sequel to the movie could finally be filled. Now after watching the first episode I'm beginning to think that that void will never be filled. I have found it quite utterly disappointing. Just seemed like the scenes of jubilation/slow motion happy happy joy joy were well overdone. Well i guess after hyping it up in my head it was always possible that it might not live up to my exceptions but i didn't think it was possible it would be this bad.Anyway I will hang in there for the next few episodes *fingers crossed* Please get better.