Perry Mason (2020)

The critic finds it a fine and absorbing season overall, despite some overloaded storylines that could have been trimmed. Standout performances, particularly Matthew Rhys as a messy and regretful Perry, and the gorgeous gritty noir atmosphere are highlighted.

The critic finds the origin story promising enough to stick with, praising Matthew Rhys's performance as the down-on-his-luck PI and the show's striking visuals, but notes it can be gruesome and does not yet feel fully comfortable in its tone.

The critic finds the seedy reinterpretation a terrific pleasure as a character study of the rumpled, despondent PI, carried by Matthew Rhys's watchable performance, though it diverges sharply from the classic courtroom hero.

Tremendous production values and cast make a solid case for the show, but it fails to justify reviving the Perry Mason name or brand with this gritty origin story. Highlights excellent work by Rhys and the ensemble along with period details while noting the premise feels unnecessary.

The critic praises the impeccable recreation of 1930s Los Angeles and strong cast but finds the script lacks sharpness and brio, with the noir tone weighed down by gruesome details and missing witty one-liners.

The critic warns fans of the original to steer clear of this grim, downbeat origin story reboot featuring a seedy, war-scarred gumshoe version of Mason, calling it a good-looking but bleak piece of television.

The series feels like yet another iteration of prestige-TV antihero stories, beautiful to look at but unoriginal and wheel-spinning with subplots. Praises strong performances by Rhys, Chalk, Maslany and others but gives little reason to engage deeply with the revival.

The critic finds the big-budget reimagining aimless and more interested in style than substance, likely to alienate original fans with its convoluted plot and lack of standout elements for newcomers. Praises Matthew Rhys's subtle performance conveying trauma but concludes it treads aimlessly in another's shoes.

Finds the reimagining immersive and entertaining, with strong production design, performances like Matthew Rhys's, and expansions on the original that add beneficial layers.

The critic sees the series as a gritty origin story that improves as it progresses into worthwhile and occasionally timely entertainment. The turnaround scene and Perry's first witness breakdown on the stand stand out for praise.

Praises the great acting, pulpy hard-boiled style, and stunning visuals from Tim Van Patten, but notes the messy story, graphic violence, and rushed later developments.

Critiques the violent, horny origin story as bleak and hard to recommend, despite the strong setting and cast, as it feels overwrought and disconnected from the classic character.

The series beautifully realizes 1920s LA but opts for style over substance, with a leisurely pace that fails to thrill despite strong production values and atmosphere from director Tim Van Patten.