Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin - The Complete First Season... Reviewed!

Before I jump into this review, I'd like to give a shout-out to the WB for supplying us with a copy. My opinions are my own.

Catty girls in a catty world of drama... where one thing leads to another, and revenge is back in the form of a villain inspired by their mommas. Is Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin - The Complete First Season... worth the watch? Well, let's jump in and find out!

Story: How do I start this? Oh yeah... this show is crazy as hell, starring girls who know a little something about... chaos. It's basically a horror-based soap opera described as a "secretive and suspenseful drama series" by the team over at the WB.

This story takes place in the Pretty Little Liars universe, but it's in a different location (which is Millwood, Pennsylvania). I'm new to the series... so I'm not familiar with the story of the prior P.L.L. installment. Regardless of the title, there are chicks in this story who need to be called... nasty little liars. I don't want to give the show away, but the reason why the stars of this show are looking over their shoulder... is because of the crap their moms (the nasty not-so-little liars nowadays) pulled when they were in high school.

They treated the new girl so horribly... she harmed herself. There is even info in the opening of the episodes because of things depicted in the show. This isn't the whole show, but... you clearly understand why the wheels of revenge are set in motion. Believe it or not... I didn't look at the villain like a bad guy (for the most part), I was more so watching the show like how is he going to make certain people pay. It wasn't just the moms, there were other not-so-savory characters (who acted like villains themselves to a degree).

Speaking of which, this show can be a bit agenda-driven (here and there). It covers some topics that I wouldn't knock being covered to a degree, but if one of the characters wasn't a survivor, it was another character. (Follow me) Parents were around... but not to the point where most asked where they were going and actually put their foot down to take preventative measures (especially after certain incidents took place, but... some select survivors said nothing to them). I'll give them credit for two situations off the top of my head, there was one at the movie theatres, and another with the moms of one of the characters when she was younger.

Nearly everyone in this show was jacked up (I have to be honest), except for Faran's dad and a handful of others... but he was basically under the boot of her mom (one of the nasty not-so-little liars). She was a career woman, he worked a 9 to 5 (I believe), and Faran lived with him. Her mom would pop her head in here and there for the sake of getting Faran to do things (her way) and would override the dad's objections with a smile (or would at least try unless Faran opposed it).

You might be wondering where the villain came into play in all this, but he was woven throughout (along with other villains who don't wear masks)... and despite the things the characters did to annoy me (think of horror movies and the way characters can behave), it kept things interesting. I did find myself almost shouting at the telly at times, but I kept watching as they brought it around (someone got their just deserts).

There is a twist in there that I wasn't expecting, but I'm not spilling the beans... so you'll have to check it out yourself.

There's a part I really want to touch on, but it would be saying too much. What I will say is that... I do find it weird that a particular character was able to function the way they were despite an L. You could tell that someone else was dealing with their L a little harder, but I don't know, I tried not to overthink it... I just thought it was weird. I guess she wouldn't have been able to function well through the season on that note. Once you watch, you'll likely know exactly what I'm talking about (it happens in episode one).

Overall, I think they did a good job keeping the pace of this season strong, and making sure things revolved around school life (along with the catty behavior being traded off between the P.L.L crew, Karen, and others). Season one was wrapped up in the end in a way that justifies a second season, so if this new entry into the franchise... floats your boat, stay tuned.

Visuals: Visuals for this show are solid. They were clean and crisp (for the most part), and when it was time to set a certain tone... they put the scenes together well.

Medium Close-up Shot

They delivered a horror movie in a show with the visuals to match. Even the school looked creepy in the daytime (almost looked like night school)... which I would've switched that up and given a bit more variety. Brighten up the lights or something. Take a look at various scenes minus a certain hotel and the homes they reside in (for the most part), and they look like they belong in a horror movie. I'm guessing they wanted to maintain that energy, but the other scenes helped break it up somewhat.

Two-Shot

You get a lot of mid shots in this show, not to mention full shots to show off the fashion... and of course the P.L.L. crew. They didn't stop there, they delivered some other nice angles as well like a POV shot from the villain's point of view (i.e. you even see through the eye holes of the mask at a Halloween party). You will also see other shots like one where one of the girls falls to the ground and the camera literally falls to the ground also (with the full shift of the angle)... which was pretty cool. You can see the effort, which is applauded. 

Low Angle Shot

There was also this one scene where the villain caught someone in the bathroom, and it gave me full-on Halloween vibes (minus the Michael Myers/William Shatner mask). On top of that, you may notice a few things that make you think of one or more horror movies. I got at least 4, which were Halloween (as mentioned), Nightmare on Elm Street, Texas Chainsaw Massacre, and Pumpkin Head. There were others, but... they were mentioned in the show.

They were able to pull off their own feel with the look of the character and the story, but... Halloween vibes were pouring from the screen for me. Oh, by the way, they also hit us a Dutch angle in episode one... when Faran got a text from someone in dance class.

Medium Shot

Over-the-shoulder Shot

High Angle Shot

Audio: The audio was fitting, they paired up the music well along with the sound effects. There are some movies that don't utilize effects at times that could really sell the scene, so I take my hat off to the audio in this show... which is clean and impactful. Speaking of impactful, at some point in the show... they even played, 'Mister Sandman' (just like in Halloween).

Price + Extras: As far as price goes, you can get Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin - The Complete First Season on DVD... February 28, 2023 for $24.98. Which isn't bad, but the sweet spot is $19.99 for me, but luckily we have the hook-up for ya. If you get the digital version, enjoy a watch party!

In addition to the 10 One Hour Episodes on DVD, you also get...

• Swagger, Romance and Fear: The Boys of Original Sin
• A New Generation of Terror: The Villains of Original Sin

Story 4

Visuals 5

Audio 5

Price + Extras 4

4.5 out of 5 Cool Points

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Super Mario Mask

Life Is Strange… reviewed!

This game just begs to be played again… due to the choices you make.

I am listing a very specific spoiler at the very bottom (because it is something I found... strange), but it won't be visible unless you drag and highlight it.

In this game you take on the role of a timid aspiring photographer who goes by the name of Max Caulfield. Almost without warning, you go from just another day on campus to crazy life or death scenarios.

While playing this game, you may think “Hey this feels like The Walking Dead video game”… and you’d be right, but it’s not by the same developer. What you will actually get here is complexity delivered from a different angle, time travel. Various scenarios arise after Max discovers these powers via one life changing encounter that easily has a several strings attached to it and those strings have strings attached to them (consider those… consequences).

One thing that stuck out in this game is something that has been getting more attention in recent years, that being… the effects of bullying (by way of situations also including drugs). Bullying has occurred for more than too long, whether it is in schools (which shouldn’t be, especially to prevent a student from taking their own lives and/or taking the lives of other students), the work place and so forth. So I think they did a really good job highlighting a very valid situation in this game, that hopefully sheds the light on clueless parents who contribute to turning a child into an entitled brat… who then grows up at times into an entitled adult doing things they feel they can get away with because their family has the type of money that unfortunately keeps too many mouths shut (to wrong doing) the way they’ve done in the past. This is also a great story for teens and other adults who should really take the results of bullying into consideration.

I won’t go too deeply into that, but on the other end… if I can increase the chance of more good being done in this world, I will say “Don’t accept… BS” and no level of excuses can greenlight harming someone when it isn’t valid self-defense. It may seem lame to even speak about this sort of stuff (especially in a game review), but the game has that sort of depth that brings up these sorts of topics (that the SDGT team disapproves of in reality anyway). The world isn’t full of only sane people… so be safe out there.

The game really came alive for me when Max started to stand up for herself and others... like her friend Chloe. There are some things I wish I could've had the option to do, like have her knock the stupidity out of someone, but it would've been out of her character.

I like the way they capitalize on the art theme with painting, drawings, scribbles and photography. Don’t expect mind blowing realistic graphics visually (that’s not what this game is about), but expect an impressive visual experience that works great with the story (that addresses some realistic... issues), and even if you aren’t the person behind the controller… it doesn’t hurt being a part of the audience. Add surround sound and your experience… should be enhanced.

Replay value is definitely present in this game, not only because of decisions (though you get to go back and change your decision for some if you don’t trust they’re for the best)… in addition to the alternate endings. So if you feel like you could’ve made better choices… umm (What are you waiting for?), go back and change them!

The price is on point… I can’t argue with it, because you are basically playing out 5 parts of an enjoyable extended movie… with 1 through 4 to be continued to a great ending that I refuse to spoil.

I didn’t notice anything that I’d list as a con for this game but there are certain glitches… that may stem from rewinding. Even if some of you may think that cons should include some of the scenarios and not knowing how to solve them, those are categorized under challenges (because it’s still a game). This includes solving problems with rewinding time in a way that may not resemble a traditional puzzle, but it feels like it and will require some thinking (in a few areas).

Something I did notice at times as far as glitches are concerned, is rewinding back and getting stuck in a weird area outside of the designated location (i.e. On the other side of a wall of a room I was just in, requiring me to reload from the last save point). It didn’t ruin the experience… but it happened, along with those times when I’d rewind back and no one would be moving their mouths in a conversation but they were still… talking. Since the characters didn’t go… Professor X all of a sudden, it’s definitely a technical hiccup. Other than that, this game avoided a con (for me) by way of not requiring players to read every journal entry, text message, etc. Optional was definitely the best move, but if the developers were to do something like this… it should be in the beginning of the episode as Max is lying in bed (not necessarily for the reader to read, but she could read segments for us to hear). Speaking of... "hearing", expect some strong language at various points.

Overall, this beautifully deep cinematic experience that takes you on a ride that hopefully helps you think also, not in the way that would necessarily make you want to be the character herself… but to be a better person if you ever have the urge to bully or take advantage of someone via abusing authority, slipping someone drugs (for any number of horrible things), etc.

Fun factor: 5
Visually: 5
Replay value: 5
Price: 5
Glitches: -0.5

"4.5 / 5 Cool Points"

By the way... if you have the Steam version, you now have access to the Director's commentary at no additional charge now that the limited edition boxed version is available. Enjoy!

If you like our review of this game, give it a +1, and feel free to share and subscribe.

Something I found strange when it came to the ending where you choose to save Chloe... is her emotional response. They drove through town and she knows her mom was killed in the storm, but it was like it was... nothing. Even with Max, when the entered the area... one would think that she would've at least looked at Chloe and apologized, but... there was nothing. Guess they were just sticking to the title of the game on that one.