Live Action Cowboy Bebop Flash Review: Guest Post - GMM

It has been a while since the live-action Cowboy Bebop series premiered on Netflix, and with the news of there being no more episodes over the horizon, talking about it now seems like a moot point. But as a longtime fan of the original show, I think it faired better than many other adaptations. Liberties were taken with the source material, to create a wider appeal to audiences unfamiliar with the anime; which sent the narrative in a direction that altered various elements of the original plot. The deviation in themes, characters, and motivations from the animated series turned the Jazz fueled aesthetics, masterfully captured by the live-action version, into something that felt like a grindhouse rendition of a soap opera at times. Putting some of the grievances I had with the show aside, I still found myself enjoying the ride provided by the adaption. Does my opinion stem from a natural inclination to find the good in a project the cast and crew obviously poured their hearts and souls into? It could very well be. But despite the mix of negative reviews surrounding the anime’s live-action counterpart, there were those who still found merit in its attempt to bring the beloved series to life.

Thanks goes to GMM for sharing his thoughts below, an anime enthusiast whose love for the genre rivals even mine:

So, I find myself watching the live action Cowboy Bebop....I'm on episode 1. It's SUPER hard to not judge it from the anime. If you have NEVER heard of it, you will be just fine.

The timing of the humor is okay and John Cho as Spike is pretty good(he is a damn fine round actor squished into a very square hole.). This Spike has more of a Jason Bourne feel. Not Bruce Lee, which is the fighting style(and character flow, i.e. "be like water my friends")Spike uses in the anime. Mustafa Shakir is actually a super good fit for Jet Black. There are times where he SOUNDS like Jet black, and it's not offensive! It fits! But wait...Jet has a daughter?! First I've heard of her.

Daniella Pineda does an excellent job...for the new Faye Valentine. I mean, Faye is supposed to be a man eater, but this Faye is, well....strong(nothing wrong with this, just the only defining feature). The snarky comedy is fine. Alas, the noir fem fatale isn't there. Yes, she has more clothes...but less charm, less depth. Just, silly comic relief. I FELT for the old Faye Valentine. I guess that's the point though. BTW, I am NOT shirking the actress, just the character. Daniella did a terrific job.

On balance, the Swordfish and Bebop look dope af.(i.e. the CG is on point.) Also, they got the guns that each character wields correct. I've always wanted Spikes gun.