Blockbuster is not nearly as funny or charming as it should have been. It certainly tries, and has a great cast, but overall this series falls flat.
Everyone remembers Blockbuster. A place where you could go to rent movies or video games instead of buying them. They had everything you could think of. This was before Netflix of course. Because of streaming, Blockbuster became the way of the buffalo and there is now just one store left in existence. Ironically, Netflix has a new series all about Blockbuster. With a great comedic cast and a big dose of nostalgia, this is sure to be a hit, right? Wrong.
That isn’t to say that Blockbuster isn’t funny, it lands a good joke every now and then but not nearly enough to be considered a comedy show. This series takes place in 2022, which wasn’t the best choice, and tells the story of the last Blockbuster. Except it isn’t the last Blockbuster because it is a fake store in a different location than the actual last store (which is in Bend, Oregon).
This feels weird as it is more of a fake story about a fake Blockbuster. Had this been set in Bend, Oregon, it would have had the chance to play out much better. And because this series is set in present day, it takes away the nostalgia factor which also could have upped the anti a bit. Now we are left with a mediocre show that gives us a few laughs, but they are few and far between.
What a bummer too because the cast is exceptional. Perhaps looking at the list of people such as J.B. Smoove, Randall Park, and Melissa Fumero causes too high of expectations to be had. While you are waiting for the laugh out loud laughter, that you quickly discover is not coming, the hope that this series will continue to dwindle.
Certain episodes are much better than others, which makes the comedy very hit or miss. The characters themselves aren’t that relatable either. They all have their quirks, but it almost feels too much like The Office, but not in a good way. That series was something magical that can never be recreated again, and Blockbuster tries too hard to give us that.
A group of individuals who are completely different, but get along, for the most part is a great idea, but an overused one. Almost always only seeing them while at work is what makes it feel too much like that show that will never be topped.
Overall Thoughts
The show isn’t necessarily bad, but it isn’t good either. The humor very rarely lands, making this more of a drama than anything else. Sure, the will they / won’t they of it all is fun to an extent, but it feels like it never really goes anywhere. Even a stellar cast cannot save the vanilla writing that seems to be too afraid to take any chances.
Overall Blockbuster works as a show you can put on to fill the quiet while you are doing things around the house. You don’t need to pay close attention and you won’t miss much of anything if you walk away for a minute here or there. It is a let down and disappointment for those that were expecting Superstore level comedy. For those who just want a mediocre show to pass their time with, this is for you.
Rating: 2.5 out of 5
NEXT: Star Wars: Tales of the Jedi Review
About Blockbuster
Timmy Yoon (Randall Park) is an analog dreamer in a 5G world. He’s spent his entire adult life dedicated to his first love, movies — a passion that’s kept him at his first and only job, managing his hometown Blockbuster Video.
Then Timmy is alarmed to learn that his store is officially the last Blockbuster in America. He now has no choice but to take action to stay open and keep his friends employed. Timmy and his staff quickly come to realize that being home to the last Blockbuster might actually be exactly what their community needs to rekindle the human connections they lost to the digital age. It also unexpectedly reunites him with his long-time crush Eliza (Melissa Fumero), who’s recently come back to work for him. Will this battle to preserve the past be the push Timmy needs to step into the present? His employees can only hope so.
Blockbuster is streaming on Netflix now.
You Might Also Enjoy...
Tessa Smith is a Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer-approved Film and TV Critic. She is also a Freelance Writer. Tessa has been in the Entertainment writing business for ten years and is a member of several Critics Associations including the Critics Choice Association and the Greater Western New York Film Critics Association.