Amazon's Good Omens Miniseries Review

By David Griffin

This is a (mostly) spoiler-free review of Amazon's Good Omens Miniseries. You can binge the whole series on Friday, May 31.

It probably goes without saying, but the end of the world is a pretty big deal … So when you need That Neil Gaiman (Sandman, American Gods) for guidance? Amazon's apocalyptic-sized bet on Gaiman's ability to successfully adapt the novel he and Terry Pratchett co-authored back in 1990 has paid off. Good Omens is a charming, witty, and beautifully managed journey through heaven and hell when it comes to devilishly-good binge when all six episodes drop on May 31.

Everything Good With Good Omens Begins With David Tennant And Michael Sheen's Incredible Portrayals Of The Demon Crowley and the Aziraphale Angel, respectively. If you'll forgive the hyperbole, it really does feel like each actor was born to play their respective roles. Tennant's Crowley is just as demonically satisfying as you want to be, while Sheen's Aziraphale is every bit as good as it should be. Together, the two make for a dynamic duo as they search for the young Antichrist.

Oh yeah, the sound of Satan has gone missing and it's up to Crowley and Aziraphale to find him. You see, the Antichrist is supposed to kickstart Armageddon, but Aziraphale and Crowley have grown up to live on Earth and do not want it to be destroyed with fire and brimstone.

And while that plotline does offer some fun moments throughout the series, it's the two supernatural beings and their friendship that makes Good Omens shine. Episode 3, titled "Hard Times," is the best of the bunch, for nearly half of the hour is spent exploring their relationship over the centuries – entertaining set pieces involving a bomb-riddled city during World War II, and a chat with William Shakespeare at his famous Globe Theater are just a few of the wonderful scenes you'll see. Tennant and Sheen are having.

Apart from Sheen and Tennant, Good Omens is enriched with a brilliant supporting cast. Jon Hamm, who plays the Archangel Gabriel, is pitch-perfect in the "everyone's bosses love to hate" role. Hamm is smarmy in all the right ways – he's basically playing a goofier version of Donald Draper from Mad Men. Other names include Better Call Saul's Michael McKean as Witchfinder Shadwell, and his promiscuous neighbor Mrs. Tracy, provocatively portrayed by Harry Potter alumna Miranda Richardson. There's also Brian Cox (X-Men 2), Nick Offerman (Parks & Rec), and yes, even Benedict Cumberbatch (Doctor Strange) as Satan. If we have not made it clear already, Good Omens is not lacking in the impressive-actor-resume department.

Good Omens also has an impressive visual style, thanks to director Douglas Mackinnon (Line of Duty), who is helms all six episodes. Mackinnon's work is done by the designer and is a key part of the world building. Hell does indeed seem like the worst place ever – it looks like everyone is stuck at the post office for all of eternity. Heaven sets an Apple store, minus the cool electronics. In a way, Heaven's minimalistic decor is almost as hell. Either way, many of the locations you'll visit in Good Omens are delightful places to spend your time.

Not everything in Good Omens works out for the better, however, mostly due to Tennant and Sheen's overshadowing everything else. Good Omens really needs a few more episodes to develop some of its outlying characters in order to make a narrative impact. There's a group of kids, for instance, who are An important part of the story, but it's not enough time to develop their characters. Oh, and let's not forget about the Four Horsemen / Horsewomen of the Apocalypse, who looks amazing from a visual standpoint, but who we barely get to know from a handful of scenes – Mireille Enos (Hanna, The Killing), decked out in Warrior with a bad-a ** motorcycle as War is particularly memorable. Gaiman and the company could have dedicated the whole episode to the apocalyptic quartet.

Finally, there's a chunk of the story dedicated to witches and prophecies that again pales in comparison to Aziraphale and Crowley's journey. Adria Arjona's Anathema Device could have been more interesting if given the proper attention, but if the recent conclusion of HBO's Game of Thrones has taught us anything, it's not our way to take your time and slow down the story. Good Omens is great, but it Could have been amazing with a few more hours or even a second season.