[Review] The Sandman is a world of pure imagination
Based on Neil Gaiman’s DC graphic novel Sandman, Netflix’s new release The Sandman enters as the latest of Gaiman’s adaptations, including Good Omens and American Gods (both streaming on Amazon Prime). Developed and executive produced by Neil Gaiman alongside showrunner Allan Heinberg and David S. Goyer; The Sandman explores the world of dreams and where they come from⸺The Master of Dreams showing those in the waking all their deepest fears and fantasies.
Dream is unexpectedly captured and held captive for one hundred years, while he is imprisoned the dreaming and the waking are disrupted and changed forever. When Dream makes his return, he must traverse timelines and worlds to make up for the mistakes he has made over his time as The Master of Dreams. Dream takes the viewer on a journey of meeting old friends and enemies; meeting and conversing with some of the most interesting characters created by the wonderful mind of Neil Gaiman.
The Sandman is brought to life with fantastical creatures, demons, and nightmares; cycling between the open icy landscapes of hell, dreamlands, and the reality that is earth for the waking. The entire series is full of cinematic moments that capture beautiful imagery of The Dreaming, Hell, and even the seemingly mundane on Earth. There are moments where characters and creatures are introduced that will truly put a smile on the faces of those who absolutely love myths and legends. The writers of the series have intricately woven a wonderful web of storytelling that is unique, enchanting, and exciting.
Tom Sturridge exudes brooding, emo-boy charm as Dream; a character that on some occasions was frustrating and easy to roll eyes at. However, as the show develops and Dream comes to his own in a new age of the world, he becomes easy to empathise with⸺his soliloquies deep, dark, and often depressing. The characters were casted brilliantly with Patton Oswald lending his voice to Matthew the Raven, Jenna Coleman (Doctor Who, Me Before You) as Joanna Constantine, Gwendoline Christie (In Fabric, Game of Thrones), and Kirby Howell-Baptiste (The Good Place) as Dreams’ older sister Death. Each character is brilliant in their dark representation of these concepts and legends personified. The interactions, conversations, monologues, and voiceovers are all unique and interesting additions to each episode. There is a deep purpose assigned to every element of the characters, from their stories to their dialogue.
The Sandman is an exciting introduction to another of Gaiman’s works that explore religious elements, the supernatural, fantastical horror, and mythological⸺even if the viewer has no experience of the graphic novel. The way that the season develops allows the viewer to get lost in the world that Gaiman has proudly brought to the show, reportedly taking 30 years to bring to life in a way that he was ready to produce, “I'm most excited for fans to see this story that, until now, and for over 30 years, has only ever been in their heads, actually happening.” The Sandman is beautiful, whimsical, heart-breaking, and enlightening, highly recommend diving in and getting lost in the dreaming.
