By: Raizza Dauz
Netflix released the first season of Gerard Way’s The Umbrella Academy and if you haven’t watched it yet, here are 10 reasons why I think you should! (P.S. This contains a tiny bit of spoilers ahead!)
If you are looking for an action-packed superhero series, this is not for you. However, if you are looking for a story that gives you superhero moments, mixed with real emotion and grit, then this series is just for you.
Based on the Dark Horse Comic written by My Chemical Romance’s Vocalist, Gerard Way, The Umbrella Academy is so much more than just the story of a group of superheroes trying to save the world. At its heart, this is a story about a family. And while they may not be related by blood, they are more than that. Their connection runs deeper because of the way they grew up, the lives they have lived, and of course the father who raised them all.
- This is different than Marvel or DC!
This is not your typical Marvel or DC type of cinematography! From the music, way down to its plot and character development. You won’t regret getting into the series. Dark Horse Comics is a contender in their own way that this is not the first time we have met their characters. In fact, this is the same company that brought us Hellboy, and for that alone, we know the stories are going to be quirky, but also quality.The music and the dance sequence!
- The music and the dance sequence!
A solid soundtrack is always (ALWAYS) a bonus when it comes to good movies and TV shows, but in The Umbrella Academy, the music feels almost like it’s a character itself. In fact, if you are anything like me, you will instantly notice tunes as they begin playing. (Or you will look for the playlist on Spotify just to listen to the songs over and over again) With how well the ones who chose the selected songs for each episode and how each of them works for the scene it’s used in, it’s easy to tell why music is a critical component to the storyline. (Maybe you’ll dance to it too like how Ellen Page dances in the series!)
- Interesting storylines and the romances!
From learning about the 43 infants all born on the same day to mothers who weren’t pregnant when the day started (Oof. spoiler!), to the individual stories of the seven children adopted by Hargreaves, every episode will give you multiple plots to engage with. The romances in this series tend to go hand-in-hand with the storylines that engaged us. But they are also strong enough to stand on their own!
- Representation!
There is something beautiful about this adopted family of superheroes all being unique and even the people they deal with outside of the family. From an epic female villain to a female black assassin to a gay superhero — it feels like as if the entire purpose of this story and the cast is to represent the real world.
- Its powerful cast!
Steve Blackman was approached by Netflix to adapt the Umbrella Academy comics; he gathered a handful of interesting actors, that couldn’t be more different from each other, to bring the unique family to life in the 10 episodes of the first season. Notably, this is Ellen Page’s comeback as Vanya Hargreeves!
- The high-speed rhythm!
In the comics, Umbrella Academy takes this idea of cutting out ultra-fast, as we read the different bubbles of a comic book. However, time is precious in this new Netflix series (ehem the apocalypse!)
- A hymn to the anti-conformist superheroes!
The main five characters in the first sequence of the series end up leading not such exciting lives as expected; an unhappy Hollywood star, a marginal who has fallen into a downward spiral of drugs, a young girl, abandoned for revealing well-kept secrets, and a tough guy with a soft heart. This series, “superpowers” do not rhyme with “glory”, they are united by the same tragic destiny. They are nevertheless plagued by ordinary torments: separation, sorrow, addiction, and depression. The life of a superhero doesn’t ultimately look so rosy, isn’t it? The strongest among us are not the ones we believed them to be.
- It follows the comic book!
Any Marvel or DC fan will tell you the significance of this. Following the source material is an important factor to not alienate older fans. The Umbrella Academy follows the comic book almost to the letter. Isn’t that cool?
- The reviews are extremely positive!
We all know that reviews from critics are also a factor when you watch a movie or a TV show. For some, reviews aren’t anything and do not matter at all. A good review usually means there’s at least some merit to a show.
- Klaus
Of the seven protagonists, there’s no doubt the highlight is Klaus, a drug addict, and prancing, skipping, twirling tornado of the camp who steals pretty much every scene he’s in (another spoiler!) and whose wonderful nonchalance contrasts beautifully with the grim determination of some other members of The Umbrella Academy. To tell you his power would be to give away too much, but it’s a very special one that introduced all sorts of exciting dramatic possibilities. He’s played with effortless charm by the Irish actor, Robert Sheehan, who’s got form when it comes to super-powered drama – he made his name playing the rather special Nathan in E4’s Misfits.
With all of this information, you now have to watch The Umbrella Academy! Enjoy!
Young ECHO 
Leave a comment