Space Force (2020)

Much Trump-era political comedy seems drawn from the very specific genre of “you gotta laugh or you’ll cry,” a flavor of humor you can only ever tolerate for so long. By shedding that sensibility and refocusing on its own unique humor, Space Force did the most valuable thing it could: Make us want more.

Space Force doesn’t have quite enough story for its first 10 episodes—though these days, that’s par for the course for the first season of a streaming show. What the series does have, in spades, is a much more ineffable quality: tone.

While none of the jokes land with the same precision as "Veep's", they do play in the same pool. If Kudrow had been given more screen time, she just might have made this zing as well as "The Comeback."

The show proves much quicker with its droll dialogue than the dramatic force involving America trying to take over space. And yet after seeing all of season one I am still recommending this show, in part because adjusting expectations does make it more enjoyable, and it simply is funny enough to warrant a look.

Among the enchanting aspects of “Space Force”, and they’re countless, is its capacity to seem what it decidedly is not. ... Wit-drenched series. ... The series is rich in skilled performances, among them Jimmy O. Yang as the unshakably poised Dr. Chan Kaifang, who steals more than a few scenes, and Noah Emmerich as Gen. Kick Grabaston, Gen. Naird’s enemy. The highest accolades belong, of course, to the writers of this comedy of sparkling sophistication, chimpanzees included, and wit that runs deep.

While “Space Force” benefits from Carell’s impeccable comedic timing and his uncanny ability to play yet another character who’s often an insufferable buffoon with not a speck of self-awareness, the humor is hit-and-miss, the big-budget slapstick set pieces are mildly funny when they should be Mel Brooks funny. ... Don’t get me wrong; I enjoyed “Space Force.” The roughly half-hour episodes zip by and elicit a steady stream of smiles and chuckles. It’s just with all the credentials of the main contributors, we hoped for greatness and got … pretty good.

There’s tremendous silliness in Space Force, but it doesn’t slip out often enough.

Space Force is a diversionary delight at best. Missed opportunities abound (whether it’s under-developed characters or first-draft jokes), and anyone expecting a “Veep”-level satire or “Office”-like innovation may be disappointed. Season 2, which seems inevitable given the talent involved, could easily go haywire or refine itself into something better. As it stands, “Space Force” is clearly made with joy. Maybe it won’t fill the “Office”-sized hole in Netflix subscribers’ hearts when the series leaves the service later this year, and perhaps it could serve a greater purpose than silly fun.

There are characters that work better than others, and it takes a few episodes for the series to find the right tone (satire ain’t easy), but by the end of the 10-episode first-season run I found myself endeared to this disparate ensemble and deeply invested in what happens next. So, you know, a Greg Daniels show.

I think it is good. Not the greatest tv show but it has funny moments and isn't boring to me.

"Space Force" (S02, 7 eps, 1/2hr, Netflix) in its sophomore season comes in with 30% fewer episodes after an 18-month wait, not really confidence inspiring is that? This season is watchable but it has a bunch of complaint points. First, instead of concluding the somewhat exciting season 1 finale, it skips ahead 3-mons to a related inquiry, yawn. Steve Carell keeps the artificially gruff voice of his General character, ugh. We still don't know why wife "Maggie" is in prison for 40-60 yrs (!) but that kind of time means murder-one. A chief complaint I had in season one was that as a comedy it didn't have any jaunty music ala "Curb..." but in the second half of episode 4 they added some! But that was all. Thankfully they did not add a laugh track. I think "facetious" best describes this series in one word, so it's fine to watch when doing other stuff, but if you're focused on it solely and think too much about its implausibilities then you'll be disappointed. So watch it like an episode of "I Dream of Jeannie" because it's really on that same level of silliness.

So incredibly unfunny and so cringeworthy it's unwatchable. In the network days of TV it would have been cancelled after two weeks, but now, incredibly, there's a Season 2.

One of the most underrated shows I’ve ever seen. It takes a couple of episodes to get into but it’s genuinely comical and some great character and is surprisingly touching in places. The dynamic between Steve Carell's and John Malkovich’s characters is particularly good.

I really liked the first season. It broke down many Hollywood stereotypes with real science and some over-the-top humor. But the short moments of heart really shined. Season two falls into the shallow comedy trap where the status quo must be maintained and nothing really changes across 7 episodes. The opening completely skips over the season 1 cliff hanger and never tells us how they recovered. The pandemic clearly hurt this show's production, because all the extravagant sets, subtle plotlines and, 3D side characters from season 1 are just gone. I wish the momentum from Season 1 had continued.

There’s something about this show that I really like. There’s issues I have with it but overall I enjoy it. It’s has a lot of heart to it and there’s some moments that are just brilliant but near the end of the first season it jumps the shark. I would give this a seven but those sharks.

John Malkovich as Dr Mallory was the best casting decision ever made. It's a good, well-made and very entertaining show - the relationship between Mallory and Naird is the bedrock ofthe show, and it really works.

funny, absurd, great acting and very casual relaxing series. I recommend that series at every one that want to taste something good. I think It's a refreshing scenario realistic among the absurd and that the cast choice is very well done

This show was a lot of fun. It had a great cast, I don't get why critics were so hard on it as it had a great story and great characters, and had nice comedic moments. Great show, I highly recommend it. I would watch it again and I probably will, can't wait for season 2!

Space Force is a comedy series, that isn't funny. It's written by an old person who imagined the behaviour of young people in a very non-subtle way. Neither does every episode stand on its own nor does it have a clear overarching story. Don't get me wrong, it wasn't boring, but John Malkovich and Steve Carell really carry the whole series. If you want to see Steve Carell in a better role, watch "The Office US" and for John Malkovich I recommend "Being John Malkovich", one of my personal favourite movies. There's better stuff out there.

I enjoyed this TV show. The acting and cast were phenomenal. The Story was emotional and funny. Really hope there's a second season.

Despite it's being mediocre lot of times, something hooked me about it. Maybe it's the characters idiotic but cute actions? Im waiting for at least a second season to clear up the cliffhanger ending for the first.

How the hell did they manage to make Steve Carrell so unfunny? Every attempt they make at comedy is just a forced, cringey jab at moderates.

The writing and timing in this show tends to be excellent. It's one of a few shows that gets me to audibly laugh out loud. Steve Carell is fantastic as always and the dryness of he and other characters mixed with more realistic characters offers a great contrast of personalities in a ridiculous setting to begin with. The show has room to grow but it's plenty entertaining as-is.

I was really looking forward to a good comedy for nerds and someone who's pro-military, but the show is clearly meant for the opposite. Much of the humor was blatantly partisan, making fun of the POTUS (Trump) and the military while having all the foreigners and minorities make up for the Americans' idiocy. It had maybe one good joke per episode with the rest being very lowbrow. If you unironically like Stephen Colbert and like sciencey stuff but haven't really studied it, you may like it. For everyone else, don't bother.

It's utter garbage. If you enjoy overacted hysterical "comedy" you might find it passable though.

I was hoping the would be a new brilliant comedy with Steve Carell leading the team but NOPE. It isn't completely unfunny but I won't remember or think about this show after a week of watching it. Overall I'm disappointed but I hope they improve with a season 2 (if they get the chance).

This should be a lot better given the talent involved. Looks great but the humour misses the mark and it often descends into outright cringe.

Great actors and a talented cast. A relief to watch an actual for real funny comedy

Binged it over the weekend, and was surprised. Yes, i too wish that the series would find it's tone, i could do with a little less "slapstick" humor, i don't think it's needed. But ... i wasn't aware of Steve Carells drama chops. I knew him only from comedy, and that's the interesting part of this series ... yes, he's funny, yes it's comedy, but he plays that kinda in over his head, fragile husband and father very well. Didn't expect that at all. Fell in love with the show (despite its obvious shortcommings), can't want for a 2nd season. If you can look past one or two strange moments and pace, you're in for a treat!