Rating summary

Movie		2.5
Video		4.0
Audio		3.5
Extras		2.0
Overall		3.5

The Almighty Johnsons: Season 1 Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf October 9, 2014

“The Almighty Johnsons” is a low-wattage take on Norse mythology from New Zealand, which does away with extraordinary powers and godly might to focus on the daily bouts of melodrama facing a band of four brothers and their grandfather as they learn to cope with their secret lives. The program is an acquired taste, with the first season (the show was recently canceled after its third year) devoted to convincing the viewer that names such as Odin, Thor, and Loki could embrace a different interpretation in the Marvel Comics world we live in. Instead of power and brawn, “The Almighty Johnsons” takes on the foibles of relationships as it pays vague attention to the magical forces that run the universe, submitting weak jokes and feeble conflicts as it works to define its creative mission in ten episodes.

On his 21st birthday, Axl (Emmett Skilton) is informed that he’s the reincarnation of the Norse god Odin. Facing brothers Mike/Ullr (Tim Balme), Anders/Bragi (Dean O’Gorman), and Ty/Hoor (Jared Turner), and grandfather Olaf /Baldr (Ben Barrington), Axl is overwhelmed by the news, unsure how to carry on in public now that he’s on the precipice of inheriting undefined powers. While navigating roommates Zeb (Hayden Frost) and love interest Gaia (Keisha Castle-Hughes), Axl is targeted for termination by a band of Goddesses, with leader Agnetha (Alison Bruce) sending warriors Michele/Sjofn (Michelle Langstone) and Stacy/Fulla (Eve Gordon) out to complete the job. Itching to take his place as the king of Asgard, Axl must first find Frigg, a special female who will complete his quest, with their marriage bringing true power to the Gods.

Show creators James Griffin and Rachel Lang have accepted quite a creative challenge with “The Almighty Johnsons.” Working with a tiny budget, the pair has mapped out a plan of Norse mythology exploration, brought down to a manageable dramatic size. A few fights break out and a sword or two is brandished, but the series is more interested in the daily lives of the special men and women, observing their subtle use of power and torturous romantic lives, following personal chaos and a bigger picture of ascendancy about to take place with Axl. The performances are passable, working with a dry New Zealand wit, but the actors take a back seat to the limited scope of “The Almighty Johnsons,” which struggles to make something monumental out of three sets and few trips to the woods. Also bizarre is the show’s refusal of a global or countrywide scope, instead imagining this convention of reincarnated gods and goddesses taking place over a few square miles of New Zealand real estate. It’s weird how these characters fail to constantly run into one another when it seems as though they’re all cozy neighbors.

To counteract the fenced-in feel of the program, “The Almighty Johnsons” is stuffed with cursing and borderline soft-core porn sex scenes, detailing how the Gods manage to score with any woman they come across. I just realized the title might be a double entendre. The series aims for a casual vibe of banter and mythical escalation, leaving the nudity and grinding puzzling, as the show seems ideal for a family audience, with its soap opera inclinations involving destroyed marriages and puppy love aimed at adults, while the Norse-inspired quest takes on acts of wonder and “X-Men”-style humility, leaving it ideal for older children. Griffin and Lang have no interest in a wide demographic, creating a program that’s surprisingly raunchy when it’s not utterly routine.

Episodes

“It’s Kind of a Birthday Present” (46:29)

On the day of his 21st birthday, Axl is informed that his family is actually comprised of Norse gods, with brothers Mike, Anders, and Ty, along with grandfather Olaf ready to share mythical power with the overwhelmed young man. However, dark forces are eager to prevent such an event from taking place, while Axl, barely escaping an assassination attempt, is presented with a challenge to help clear up his clouded identity.

“The Is Where Duty Starts” (46:23)

Dealing with painful fertility issues, Mike begins to question his godly status, while an old friend in a coma revives feelings of guilt, complicating the mission at hand. Axl begins his hunt for a match, entering the dating pool with the help of Anders, who has inside information on the type of woman his little brother should be looking for to complete his quest to become the reincarnation of Odin.

“God’s Gift to Zebras” (44:54)

Ty finds love with a nightclub owner named Helen, warming his icy existence in ways he never imagined. Axl continues his search for Frigg, finding a unique candidate in a local librarian who loves Norse mythology. And the Goddesses, the shadow force watching Axl’s development carefully, finally reveal themselves to the confused young man, declaring their intent to find Frigg first.

“You Gotta Love Life” (46:24)

As Olaf leads a leisurely existence, he’s hit with his 21st shot at fatherhood when a fellow surfer arrives with news of her pregnancy. Anders decides to intentionally torch the career of a client when a sex tape surfaces, disgusting underling Dawn (Fern Sutherland), who turns to Ty for comfort. And as Mike struggles with his wife to have a baby, monetary woes arrive to complicate the situation, worrying Axl.

“That’s Not Washing Powder, My Friend” (45:58)

To disrupt Axl’s quest for glory, the Goddesses conspire to plant a bag of cocaine on the aspiring god, with Andres particularly interested in cleaning up the mess. And Gaia’s father comes into town, soon arrested for a marijuana stash when the cops barge in to bust Axl. Feeling guilty and appreciating Gaia in a new light, Axl shares his feelings for the woman, hoping to restore balance to their relationship.

“Goddesses, Axl, Come in All Forms” (46:19)

Following a meteorite mishap, the Gods travel to meet a potential Frigg, only to find the Goddesses are on the same trail, with Andres sparking up a flirtatious relationship with warrior Michele. Ty, frustrated with his inability to be honest about his feelings for Dawn, tries to shed his BFF reputation and land a lover. And Axl encounters Thor, who attempts to set the god up with his daughter.

“Bad Things Happen” (46:02)

With difficulties mounting at home, Mike tries to smooth things over with his wife, using his skills with games to secure easy money and pay off his debts. However, his con at a casino is detected by management, forcing Mike and a lonely dealer to head out into the night, sharing flirtations and drinks. And Axl teams with his friend to party the night away at Anders’s apartment, only to run into trouble when three women arrive to make sure Andres learns a lesson about cheating.

“I Can Give You Frigg” (46:26)

Mike watches helplessly as his wife decides to right a few wrongs from her past, volunteering to help her first boyfriend as he makes his way out of a coma and back into everyday life. And the Goddesses discover Frigg in the form of nightclub singer Eva (Brooke Williams), with Michele hoping to secure a deal with Anders to spread power around once the union with Odin is complete.

“Hunting Reindeer on Slippery Rocks” (45:37)

Before a marriage between Axl and Eva can take place, a Norse contract from god Loki (Shane Cortese) must be decoded, forcing the Gods to trust the Goddess leader, Agnetha. Ty experiences a nightmare when he accidentally freezes Dawn, destroyed by guilt as medical professionals attempt to revive her. And Axl, who’s trusted his best friend with his secret life, pays the price for such a dangerous confession.

“Every Good Quest Has a Sacrifice” (46:01)

With a blood oath secured for Axl and Eva’s wedding, the future groom is having second thoughts, reevaluating his relationship with Gaia, who’s been waiting for this opportunity for a long time. Mike watches as his marriage is torched by his lovesick wife, while his very life is tied to the dissolution of the marital contract. And Ty finds renewed vigor when he finds his purpose, taking the lead as the Gods confront Loki over the Frigg debacle.

The Almighty Johnsons: Season 1 Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

An obviously HD-shot production, "The Almighty Johnsons" makes for a crisp viewing experience in this AVC encoded image (1.78:1 aspect ratio) presentation. Skin textures and tones are especially inviting, with a pleasing read of facial nuances and make-up limitations, while limited production achievements and locations are detailed in full. Colors are natural, with bold primaries and exaggerations of red, emphasizing bloodshed. Being a broadly lit series, blacks aren't challenged in full, but solidification is present. Some moiré and banding is detected as well.

The Almighty Johnsons: Season 1 Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 2.0 DTS-HD MA sound mix is as basic as can be, highlighting dialogue exchanges with satisfactory crispness, making banter and accents easily understood. Soundtrack selections and scoring are consistent and unobtrusive, with distinct instrumentation. Atmospherics are generally supportive, while violence brings up a heavier intensity without distortion.

The Almighty Johnsons: Season 1 Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Commentary on "It's Kind of a Birthday Present" features actors Tim Balme and Emmet Skilton, and director Mark Beesley.

• Interviews (4:49, HD) is a basic EPK effort, offering salesmanship from select cast members, who run through the highlights of their characters.

The Almighty Johnsons: Season 1 Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

As the season progresses, "The Almighty Johnsons" warms up, grows more confident, but remains limited in its sense of drama, laboring to create a universe-shattering conflict that could propel the program into a second season. Moments are passable, most concentrating on Mike's crisis of conscience as his marriage is tested and his powers are abused, but the overall arc of "The Almighty Johnsons" is limp, without striking moments of comedy and suspense to buttress what could be a charmingly idiosyncratic romp around myths and mistakes.