CNN –
“Obliterated” is such an amusing concept, executed with completely reckless abandon, that it largely overwhelms its numerous excesses and the challenge of stretching it out over eight episodes. Proudly raunchy in a way reminiscent of Amazon’s The Boys, this series from the creative team behind Cobra Kai deserves a toast, or, to use the spirit of the show, five or six of them.
The basic idea is another one of those “Mission: Impossible”-type elite squads who, in the early moments of the first episode, thwart the threat of a nuclear explosion in Las Vegas with their eccentric bomb technician Hagerty (C. Thomas Howell), which completes the operation .
Realizing that the members will soon be dispersed to other tasks, the group throws a celebratory party full of drugs, debauchery and even a wayward camel – just before they discover that the bomb was just a decoy, a Russian arms dealer (Costa Ronin) are several steps ahead of them, and the threat of annihilation still exists.
This really kicks the series into high comedic gear as the group struggles to engage in their usual James Bond-style activities while still dealing with their chemical-induced impairments, which include everything from brutal honesty to wild hallucinations a near-coma, it adds an enormous level of difficulty to their already dangerous dive.
Circumstances force her to tell her superiors (the big boss is played by Carl Lumbly, who also appears in the Netflix series “The Fall of the House of Usher”) that “someone” gave Hagerty drugs. When asked what kind of drugs they are, the team’s strong Chad (Nick Zano) and Trunk (Terrence Terrell) sheepishly answer: “All of them.”
The night also brings with it some internal problems and complications, with team leader Ava (Shelley Hennig) still getting over a lost love while clearly attracted to Chad; Maya (Kimi Rutledge), the clever computer genius who hacks everything and secretly longs for Chad; and Trunk is hiding a secret from Chad, his best buddy. In addition, top pilot Paul (Eugene Kim), who accidentally took part in the celebrations, learns that his daughter is going to – where else – for the weekend with her boyfriend? –Vegas.
“Obliterated” gets too silly in places and has to keep throwing red herrings and near misses to drag out the clock ticking scenario. Consider making The Hangover as a limited series rather than a movie, only with much more gruesome violence and an extra helping of gratuitous nudity.
Overall, though, the show is just plain fun, juggling comedy and spy conventions with plenty of winks and a clear appreciation for the genre. It also helps that there’s currently nothing like it, with the Arnold Schwarzenegger vehicle “Fubar” probably being the closest.
Frankly, this isn’t the kind of series that would lend itself to a second season even if successful – yes, what happens in Vegas should stay there, etc. – but the first has enough going for it to justify the trip, while also providing something A useful reminder to everyone: If you’re thinking about getting completely exhausted after work, really make sure the work is done.
“Obliterated” premieres on Netflix on November 30th.