"Finishing the Game" Theatrical Poster
If you have not seen the first series of the superb True Detective, stop what you are doing and stream it now. Nic Pizzolatto’s masterpiece was everything that good television should be. Gripping from the get go, turns at every occasion, a realism not seen in TV since the days of The Wire – just don’t mention series five – and stellar acting from Woody Harrelson, Michelle Monaghan and a star turn from Matthew McConaughey.
That was series one, so why should you be excited and tuning in for series two?
1. Justin Lin
Taiwanese director Justin Lin is sitting in the director chair for the first two episodes. The director, who shot to universal fame with the hugely popular Fast and Furious movie franchise, has proven he has the chops to handle the medium of television. His handling of Community is evidence of this.
What makes Lin a reason to watch True Detective is his filmography background. He knows how to do action extremely well, but he is one of the rare few who can mix it with emotive sentiment. His Bruce Lee mockumentary, Finishing the Game, really showcased the director’s ability to do serious filming as well. – esharki
The only criticism that one could have from the first season of True Detective is that it was slightly devoid of action. Lin will be able to weave action into the fabric of a realistic story.
Lin, who will also be directing Star Trek 3, has all the makings of a great director and soon his efforts will be rewarded in the shape of awards and acclaim.
2. Cast
You would be hard-pressed to find a more star-studded cast than the second series of True Detective. It is staggering, but also testament to the quality of Pizzolatto’s work, that so many genuine Hollywood A-listers would sign on.
The first name was impeccable Irish actor Colin Farrell. Long gone are his wild-boy antics. Instead, the 39-year-old now devotes all of himself to his craft; unsurprisingly his stock has gone up significantly in recent years. Farrell, who started out as your generic action hero, has now proven that he can do serious acting. In Bruges, Saving Mr Banks, and Seven Psychopaths are just three of his best. In Farrell, much like Lin, you have an actor capable of action – realistic and comedic action. We know that Farrell will be playing the role of Ray Velcoro, the detective of the series. If Farrell can find the perfect melange of his acting skills then Velcoro has the potential to be better than McConaughey’s Rust Cohle.
Vince Vaughn was the second man to be announced. He will be playing the role of Frank Seymon, someone who is in with the mob. It is great to see that Vaughn is not typecast in a comedic role; this really is an opportunity to show Hollywood’s directors that he is capable of serious. Expect him to take the bull by the horns. It will be interesting to see if sport is incorporated into the character of Vaughn, who is an avid hockey fan and a season ticket holder to annual ice hockey betting favourites the Chicago Blackhawks – as well as following numerous other sports franchises – as it is a strength that he possesses. – david shankbone
Rachel McAdams of The Notebook, Sherlock Holmes and Midnight In Paris will play the female lead, while Taylor Kitsch, recognisable to many as Gambit from X-Men Origins, is also involved in some capacity.
Now, when you look at that cast it really does just scream talent. If all four of these stars were sharing the big screen together you would call it an A-List movie cast. We know how good these guys are in cinema, but can you imagine how good their acting and character development will be when they have a story arch that totals eight hours rather than the two hours they get in movies?
3. Location
The backwaters of Louisiana was the setting for the first series – drawing inspiration from the heinous crimes of the Hosanna Church, and it was brilliant. By bringing light to an undocumented part of the States all viewers were looking at a location that had no real comparison in regards to television.
This season will be no different. Pizzolatto has stated that the series will be based in California, but it will not be in one of the big cities of the state. Again he is showing the viewer a new part of America, a part where the “American Dream” simply does not exist.
4. Pizzolatto
Pizzolatto himself is a reason to get involved with the series. The 39-year-old is very much a wordsmith, and this is his magnum opus. He rightly takes great pride in his work and does not want to do anything that will tarnish the reputation of his legacy. So, if anything, expect him to outdo himself with his second attempt.
With a fantastic director in Justin Lin, combined with an awesome cast and a sublime writer, you just know that True Detective is going to be a barnstormer.
