TVBee
  • Gossip
  • Binge
  • Galleries
  • Must See
Netflix's 'Space Force' Review: It's Just not Funny

Netflix's 'Space Force' Review: It's Just not Funny

TvBee
NEXT
Generally speaking, when a comedy fails it’s usually either because it tries too hard to be funny, or because it was badly developed – like 'we started with a funny idea but we didn’t know what to do with it'. Space Force, the new show Steve Steve Carell and Greg Daniels created for Netflix, is an exception to the rule: it is definitely not trying too hard, but in addition, it is also lacking any funny core (not even a grain). To be honest, somewhere around episode 5 I developed a conspiracy theory: maybe Daniels and Carell were so scared to come across as trying to hard, that they just decided to not be funny altogether?
Carell stars General Mark Naird, who is tasked with establishing Space Force - a new branch of the US Armed Forces. The branch’s mission is defined as getting "boots on the moon", and as part of it General Naird is paired with a scientist called Dr. Mallory (John Malkovich is his lamest role ever). The conflict between the military man and the civilian fuels some rocket fire, but no comic fire, which is still more than can be said about General Naird's other meaningful relationship – 
Aaron Epstein/Netflix
that of him and Maggie (Lisa Kudrow), his wife who's in prison – why, we don’t know (meaning, we don’t know what exactly she did to get jailed, and also it's unclear why anybody thought it had comedic value). The General is left to single-handedly take care of his daughter Erin (Diana Silver, Booksmart), who is at least an actress that one doesn't expect to be funny, so it’s half-ok that she’s certainly not.
A weird stylistic decision bothered me from the first episode: the show has a sleek, cold, produced look. It’s not just dramatically different from The Office’s mocumentary style, the show which American version was created by Daniels (and where Carell played an unforgettable role); the clean, static vibe of Space Force’s headquarters dilutes the little humor that the script does give. 
Aaron Epstein/Netflix
The Office was funny and cruel, but it had a heart. That heart was the relationship between Jim and Pam, characters we loved to love and that perfectly countered boss Micahel and office weirdo Dwight - two characters we hated and cringed from, respectively. Space Force made an interesting attempt to make General Mark all of these things together – he’s old-fashioned, he’s aggressive, he’s not the sharpest knife in the drawer, but hey, he’s a loyal spouse and he loves his daughter so much – but instead of a round character, the general remains a blurry stain.
We don’t understand him or know what is his deal is, and in the absence of defined comical structures, nothing else works. With Space Force being a very hero-centric show, this failure in itself is a death blow. 
Aaron Epstein/Netflix
To be clear, I've seen worst things. A show that doesn't work too hard to make you laugh is at least not annoying, which is already one accomplishment. But between the utterly wasted cast and the inaptitude to produce a smile, Space Force is just a huge disappointment.
NEXT
NEXT PAGE >
NEXT PAGE >
30+ Surprising Features On Common Things You Never Knew About
30+ Surprising Features On Common Things You Never Knew About
Surprising Green Screen Photos That Show How Hollywood Actually Works
Surprising Green Screen Photos That Show How Hollywood Actually Works
40+ Incredibly Unlucky People Who Broke Some Very Expensive Objects
40+ Incredibly Unlucky People Who Broke Some Very Expensive Objects

💖 If you liked it, you should share it

📣 Up Next

Next Gallery
Best Lighthearted Shows to Binge Right Now
TvBee
Best Lighthearted Shows to Binge Right Now

Planning a Chill Evening? These are The Feel-Good Shows You Should Add to Your List

Best Lighthearted Shows to Binge Right Now
TvBee

Best Lighthearted Shows to Binge Right Now

👍 You may also like

Netflix's 'Jeffrey Epstein: Filthy Rich' Review: Half the Story is Missing
TvBee
Netflix's 'Jeffrey Epstein: Filthy Rich' Review: Half the Story is Missing

New Netflix Documentary Examines the Way Jeffrey Epstein Used His Wealth and Power to Abuse Young Women

Netflix's 'Jeffrey Epstein: Filthy Rich' Review: Half the Story is Missing
TvBee

Netflix's 'Jeffrey Epstein: Filthy Rich' Review: Half the Story is Missing

Best Quibi Shows to Check Out Right Now
TvBee
Best Quibi Shows to Check Out Right Now

Only Got 10 Minutes? Well, Quibi Has a Show for You

Best Quibi Shows to Check Out Right Now
TvBee

Best Quibi Shows to Check Out Right Now

What Not to Miss on Netflix This Month
TvBee
What Not to Miss on Netflix This Month

Don't Miss Out: All the New Best shows Coming to Netflix This Month

What Not to Miss on Netflix This Month
TvBee

What Not to Miss on Netflix This Month

These Hollywood Actors Can Actually Sing
TvBee
These Hollywood Actors Can Actually Sing

An Actor or A Singer? Well, Why Not Both. These 10 Actors Have Really Won the Talent Lottery

These Hollywood Actors Can Actually Sing
TvBee

These Hollywood Actors Can Actually Sing

Trending

TV’s Tallest Women
TvBee

TV’s Tallest Women

10 Actors You Thought Were American but Actually Aren’t
TvBee

10 Actors You Thought Were American but Actually Aren’t

Best Movies on Netflix Right Now
TvBee

Best Movies on Netflix Right Now

Best True Crime Documentaries on Netflix
TvBee

Best True Crime Documentaries on Netflix

Join Our Newsletter
Start your day with TVBee
DMCA
Privacy policy
About
Terms of use
Contact us
Don't sell my personal information

Copyright © 2021 Kueez Entertainment & mako by Keshet Broadcasting