New sci-fi Halo debuts on Paramount+

Halo series lands!

Executive produced by Steven Spielberg, this long-in-development TV show is based on the best-selling video game series of the same name. With a reputed $200m budget, it boasts spectacular space visuals and promises plenty of galactic shoot-’em-up action. But does it have a compelling story to match? Matthew Turner enters the game.

It’s taken nearly ten years for this adaptation of the best-selling video game series to reach our screens, but the wait is finally over, with the show currently airing on the new Paramount+ streaming service in the US. Given that each episode cost an estimated $10m to make, Paramount are clearly hoping to get their money’s worth, but whether the show can pull off the tricky feat of appealing to both fans of the game and newcomers alike remains to be seen.

Directed by Otto Bathurst (Peaky Blinders), the pilot episode opens in the year 2552, where humans on the planet Madrigal have been fighting for independence from Earth. When a race of creatures belonging to the Alien Covenant attack Madrigal, the humans are surprised when Master Chief John 117 (Pablo Schreiber) and his super-soldier “Spartans” – previously their enemies – join the fight on their side.

After the battle, Master Chief heads to his home planet of Reach, accompanied by Kwan Ha (Yerin Ha), a lone survivor of Madrigal, and a mysterious artifact he found in a cave that responded to his touch. However, when Master Chief is given a controversial order by his superiors at UNSC (United Nations Space Command), he finds himself questioning his mission.

The producers of Halo clearly aren’t taking any chances, as you get a full fifteen minutes of alien blasting action even before the opening credits appear. That sequence alone is extremely promising; combining well choreographed shoot-outs with nicely judged gore effects (the aliens splatter in pleasing fashion) and bursts of colour that immediately make the weaponry more interesting than the usual laser guns.

The opening shoot-em-up sequence also allows the producers to reassure fans of the game that the visuals will be recreated as faithfully as possible. To that end, there are several POV shots from within the Spartan helmets, with the camerawork often replicating that of the gameplay.

Script-wise, the pilot episode does an efficient job of establishing the universe and setting up both the key characters and the main source of conflict. It also hints at broader thematic elements to be explored later on, as Master Chief’s connection with the artifact appears to give him some form of enlightenment.

Schreiber makes a solid lead for the opening episode, with the caveat that he’s playing a deliberately emotionless character for most of it – it seems likely that a key part of the rest of the series will revolve around his emerging personality. By contrast, Ha gets several powerfully emotional notes to play and she nails every one of them, making her a compelling co-lead.

The supporting performances are equally good. Natascha McElhone (the show’s biggest ‘name’ actor) stands out as UNSC scientist Dr Halsey and there’s already plenty of intrigue surrounding her character, not least because of the humanoid-looking “experiment” she’s been ordered to destroy. Similarly, Olive Gray has an appealing presence as rival scientist Miranda and Shabana Azmi gives good antagonist as Halsey’s no-nonsense boss, Admiral Margaret Parangosky.

IN SHORT: This is an engaging and enjoyable pilot episode that simultaneously reassures fans of the game that they’re in good hands, while delivering a compelling entry to the story for newcomers. More importantly, it leaves you wanting to know what happens next. Incidentally, the show has already been renewed for a second season, so you’re free to watch without fear of cancellation.

RATING: FOUR OUT OF FIVE

Creators / Showrunners: Kyle Killen, Steven Kane

Director: Otto Bathurst

Cast: Pablo Schreiber, Natascha McElhone, Shabana Azmi, Natasha Culzac, Olive Gray, Yerin Ha, Bentley Kalu, Kate Kennedy, Charlie Murphy, Danny Sapani, Jen Taylor, Bokeem Woodbine

Episodes reviewed: 1