“Unsolved Mysteries” Netflix Review by Brooke Daugherty
July 6, 2020 10:23 am |
Netflix has resurrected Unsolved Mysteries. Netflix tapped Stranger Things executive producer Shawn Levy along with Cosgrove-Meurer Productions for a 12 episode season. The first 6 episodes dropped on July, 1, 2020. If you are looking for an exact remake with a new host with the dulcet tones or awkward cadence of Robert Stack, you’re out of luck. If you want a well done mystery show, you’ve got it.
The season 15 refresh has several changes. Each episode now centers around only one mystery. It seems backwards considering the sound bite culture we live in, but nearly all the stories were interesting enough to hold the attention of this reviewer. Another new feature, there is no hor, or even a narrator. Considering the legacy Robert Stack had, it is a good thing. Stack’s episodes make people forget about any other hosts. Honestly, Morgan Freeman would be too “on the nose” of a pick to replace Stack, plus he’s done so many other documentaries, people might get confused.
The logo and music are familiar. Hearing the Unsolved Mysteries music is like hearing the Jurassic Park theme or the Imperial March. It puts you in a certain mood. One thing the original show was known for was reenactments with limited production value. Now, you get slick reenactments when no original footage is available. It may be disappointing not having cheesy reenactments, but they weren’t so in the 90s at the height of the show. It’s just been updated for the times.
The one story per episode really allowed the show to delve into stories not as well known as some of the originals. No DB Cooper episodes here. Most in this first half are murder mysteries with one other type mystery. One covers a heartbreaking story from France and has subtitles. With all the things I loved about this series, the thing that disappointed me was the lack of originality. I realize a reboot isn’t original, but if they wanted to change things about the other series, they could have at least not made it so similar to other true crime shows. This is why I can only High Taste the first half of the series.
PCL Rating: High Taste It
Rotten Tomatoes Rating: FRESH 🍅
Tags: netflix, pop culture leftovers, Television, TV Review, Unsolved Mysteries 2020 Netflix, Unsolved Mysteries Reboot
Categorised in: Television Reviews
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