Brendon Jones
It’s fine. It's literally the definition of a fine movie. You’ve seen it before, you know every beat and outcome before the characters even do. Only question is how much escapism you’re looking for.
Payno
I think this is a new genre that they're all sort of working their way through it and haven't got all the kinks worked out yet but it's a genre that works for me.
Cheryl
A clunky actioner with a handful of cool moments.
Luke Jon Gibson
Why does ABC seem to cancel only good shows? It seems shows where you have to show the slightest bit of patients while a story line unfolds seem to bore an American public. The only show ever to escape that seems to be Lost. But the last episode of that was a real let down. At least in the 8 episodes they had of Happy Town, they left you enough to make up your own conclusions of what happened. (now i just found out Leslie Nielsen is dead too!) Man this day sucks, I thought the overall acting in this was great, and the camera work was fantastic for the most part, really helped build the atmosphere, I guess one of the only mistakes this this series made is not getting into the really good stuff in the first 2 or 3 episodes. Maybe then it would of held peoples attention more. Overall I gave this a 9/10 I saw one review compare this to twin peaks and I agree the similarities are unmistakable and had even thought the same thing myself. Personally I believe this could of gotten one up on twin peaks had it been allowed to unfold, although it didn't have the cult classic feel of strangeness Twin Peaks did, it felt more immersive and i felt a lot more in touch with the characters then Twin Peaks. As stated before such a shame this was canceled. Why can't the cancel ugly Betty, Desperate Housewives or other similar shows for once?
jaiden
Every once in a while, a show comes along that promises to be a break from the norm - a show that makes you think and second guess your assumptions with each scene. Sometimes, these shows can be annoying because they tend to be plot less efforts at eye candy. But Happy Town wasn't one of them. It was one of the good ones - and ABC executives have decided in their infinite wisdom that shadows over the common man to pull the plug on this show.This is why I don't trust the broadcast network hierarchy, and why I stick to satellite television reception. And it really doesn't matter which one you watch, either. ABC, NBC, and CBS all have the same mantra - premier a great show on a bad night, show two episodes, wait a few weeks until everyone forgets what happened, show a few more episodes, then cancel the show due to "bad ratings." Hello? What did you think was going to happen? Happy Town never had a chance. And it's a shame that good writing is wasted on the netherworld of broadcast stuffed-shirt politics.
bababear
This is the most entertaining show I've seen in a long time. Now I can only hope that they can keep what the creators of HAPPY TOWN have done up and running.The similarity to TWIN PEAKS is obvious, with a huge commercial bakery standing in for the mill. The action starts out with a (surprisingly graphic) murder and then begins introducing the cast of very strange characters.Better yet, this is clearly an homage to the giallo genre, the Italian slasher films. Young woman on her own trying to solve a mystery? Check. Creepy settings? Check. A man lacking in self confidence trying to act as an authority figure and restore order? Check. Story element tied to the arts? Check. Long running disputes with hidden motives going way back? Check. Smart people doing stupid things that violate all the rules of common sense? Check. Elderly women, who sometimes act as a chorus in commenting on the action? Check.Better yet, the camera work is pure giallo. The lightning is atmospheric, creating a sense of lurking menace. And the color is as saturated as can be. Scenes are often bathed in blue or green light to heighten the mood.Since the network has given us this show and FLASHFORWARD this year, ABC can be officially forgiven for having created and unleashed DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES and GREY'S ANATOMY on an unsuspecting world.
candlemansa
Billed as the new 'Twin Peaks' but with more on par with 'Harpers Island' comes the eerie 'Happy Town'.The town of Haplin is named after the Haplin family who own the Bakery that employs most of the town inhabitants. Five years earlier the Haplins 8 year old daughter vanished, believed to be the last victim of a serial killer called the Magic Man. For five years in the aftermath of the last disappearance the town has managed to perfect its manners and idyllic setting creating a welcoming facade. Two things happen that begin to tear apart this weak illusion, a vicious murder which opens the show and the arrival of a young woman intent on opening up a candle shop in the town yet clearly has another agenda.As we become woven into the plot and introduced to some of the towns inhabitants many freaky characters begin to emerge mainly the owner of the boarding house in which reside a group of 'golden girls'. On the outskirts of town are a family of rednecks with a simpleton brother (definitely influenced by Twin Peaks) but the most creepy character is that of an English gentleman Merritt Grieves played by Sam Neill. With his character they could move away from serial killer land established in 'Harpers Island' and go more with the weird and wonderful that was Twin Peaks. The pilot raises interesting questions, is the blue door significant, what lies on the forbidden top floor of the boarding house, what is Chloe up to and is the magic man a supernatural killer as opposed to a human one.As well as the acting talents of Sam Neill we have the beautiful star of 'Angel and Dollhouse' Amy Acker with Steven Webber and 'Men in Trees' star Abraham Benrubi.Filmed in Canada this is definitely one to keep watching.
