The rather wonderful thing about BLACK MIRRORÂ as an anthology series is that everyone has their favourites. Scrolling through the internet in the days since it’s release I haven’t really found a consensus on which of the six new episodes is the best.
Some love the vibrant colours and beautiful romance of San Junipero, others love the mind-bending theatrics of ‘Playtest’. But if there’s a favourite then there’s always the least favourite. Unfortunately for me, Men Against Arms is my least favourite episode. Not just of series three but of all 13 episodes of the Sci-Fi anthology show.
This isn’t simply because all the other episodes just happen to be better but because I just didn’t enjoy this episode at all.
I can’t really put my finger on why. Perhaps its to do with the all too American machismo of the military unit who resemble the Mobile Infantry of perennial Sci-Fi classic Starship Troopers. Or the uncharacteristically stock stereotype characters who don’t really get a chance to feel real.
Perhaps I was just tired enough to not really consider it properly. After all, it’s got the feel of one of 2016’s best films (The Girl with All the Gifts) and poses a number of interesting moral and political questions.Â
Yet, I just didn’t connect on an emotional level. It was too brazen, too traditional. It felt like the episode could’ve been done in ten minutes and none of the buildup or fallout ever kept me gripped.
That’s not to say that it’s completely without flaws. The cast, led by Malachi Kirby as Stripe, is good at what they do. There’s a toughness and resilience to their performances which suits the material.
There’s also a nice edge to the story, where the military protects the frightened public from genetic mutants who roam the countryside. The twist is good, one that I didn’t predict and the final resolution is a tough one.
Still, I couldn’t connect with it. The music and visuals were nothing compared to the beautiful aesthetic of San Junipero and the story didn’t grab me like I had hoped.
Verdict
