Obsessed with exploring new places and wandering China during the 13th century, Marco Polo, a young courageous and smart guy, who has struggled against being hijacked by Kublai Khan, a villain who seeks to put his control over the world and he uses Marco as a tool to help him in achieving his dream.
From just one hour, it seems clear that Marco Polo lacks the vitality and sparkle of both its written origins, and the blockbuster shows it was influenced by. There are some things money can't buy.
The lavishly produced and reportedly mega-expensive Marco Polo can be a feast for the eyes, even when the overripe dialogue ("Treachery grows well in the fertile soil of contempt I tilled") and uneven performances feel dramatically undernourished.
The series is a sloppy, clattering mess, intended to draw international attention, not plaudits. The yawning intricacies of international taxation and trade are the perfect subject matter for a spectacle this cynical.
While the sweeping period drama boasts stunning vistas, meticulous costuming, and some impressive action, what it lacks is a compelling story and three-dimensional characters who are actually worth caring about.
The 10-episode historical drama will appeal to viewers who miss miniseries of the past like Shogun and whose screens are big and bright enough to appreciate its rich scenery and costumes.
Viewers who are hoping for the story to develop will start to feel like kids in a swimming pool playing the namesake game who keep shouting "Marco!" without hearing anyone shout "Polo!"
Richelmy, in the title role, evolves from a meager, humbling, and somewhat lifeless beginning, into an interesting, captivating presence to watch on screen. Which is a sentiment I'd ascribe to Marco Polo as a whole, really.
