Amazon’s Raucous and Silly Take on Jules Verne Offers Family-Friendly Fun

In a battle between a sperm whale and a giant squid, who would emerge victorious? This intriguing scenario is brought to life in the Amazon Prime Video series "Nautilus," a modern retelling of Jules Verne’s classic tale "Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea." The show delves into the depths of marine biology and showcases a CGI giant squid of epic proportions that poses a formidable threat to the Nautilus, Captain Nemo’s iconic submarine.

The series follows the "origin story" of Captain Nemo, portrayed with nuance by Shazad Latif, as he embarks on a quest for revenge against the oppressive East India Mercantile Company. Drawing inspiration from Verne’s original works, Nemo’s character is driven by a deep-seated desire to avenge his family’s fate during the 1857 Indian rebellion, adding layers of complexity to the narrative.

Despite its ambitious storytelling, "Nautilus" struggles to maintain a cohesive and engaging plot throughout its runtime. The show’s extensive focus on character backstories and subplots often detracts from the central conflict between Nemo and the East India Company, resulting in a meandering narrative that may test viewers’ patience.

While aimed at a family audience, "Nautilus" falls short in capturing the attention of younger viewers due to its lengthy and convoluted storyline. The series’ insistence on exploring every crew member’s arc, including Nemo’s resourceful love interest Humility Lucas and her sardonic French maid Loti, contributes to a cluttered and unfocused narrative that could benefit from streamlined storytelling.

Comparisons to other family-friendly adventures like "Time Bandits" highlight the missed opportunities for "Nautilus" to infuse humor, wit, and depth into its narrative. Despite moments of excitement and action, the show’s dialogue often veers into clichéd territory, failing to resonate with audiences of all ages.

Ultimately, "Nautilus" struggles to strike a balance between spectacle and substance, with characters that feel more like caricatures than fully realized individuals. The lack of authenticity in character interactions hinders the viewer’s ability to fully immerse themselves in the fantastical world of the show, ultimately diminishing its impact as a compelling work of fiction.