Series Review - Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell: Deathwatch

Length: 8 episodes at 30 minutes

Starring: Liev Schreiber (Sam Fisher), Kirby Howell-Baptiste (Zinnia McKenna)

Animation Studio: Sun Creature and Fost

Genre: Adult Animation, Action, Thriller

Where to Watch: Netflix

It has been over a decade since we last saw Sam Fisher in a proper Splinter Cell video game. Since then, the stealth-action genre has been taken over by various titles from indie hits like Invisible Inc. to big titles like Hitman. Even Ubisoft's Assassin's Creed has taken over for Ubisoft's tentpole stealth franchise. However, the fans are out there, clamoring for another chance to see the three-scoped night vision goggles worn once more. Enter Netflix's Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell: Deathwatch.

With the help of Derek Kolstad from the John Wick franchise, Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell: Deathwatch is an exciting adaptation of the classic stealth-action franchise, with brutal, violent action, an intriguing plot, and solid acting. However, like the shadows of Fourth Echelon, this series is a little too quick and short.

Darkness is an ally

The present day. A lone agent of Fourth Echeleon finds herself on a top-secret mission. Hunted, isolated, and potentially missing, this operation awakens a lone retired operative who has been out of the game for quite some time. This particular agent is Sam Fisher (Liev Schreiber), a man who participated in missions that were deemed impossible, yet somehow, through his grit, he succeeded in preventing many wars.

Having left the service some time ago and wanting a peaceful life, Sam lives quietly with his dog until this agent stumbles upon Sam. This agent is McKenna, and she has with her a tooth from a fallen informant. What this tooth means is a mystery, and Sam reawakens his camaraderie to help her. Sam re-enters a world that challenges everything he knows, and together, they embark on a dangerous mission with global implications.

A secret world

Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell: Deathwatch isn't what I was expecting when it comes to adaptations, but what has been produced here works very well. This all begins with the animation for the show, which has a sharp animation aesthetic. I found myself trying to determine if it was a 2d or 3d aesthetic, but as it turns out, it's a hybrid of both styles. This works in creating a fluidity of style that doesn't feel too smooth or too stilted.

FOST, which has produced works such as Wolfwalkers, uses this hybrid element to great effect. A show with 3D animation can make a show appear too perfect or flawless, but thanks to the direction and the hybrid style, the show has a weight and heft to the look and feel. This is most especially true with the fight choreography and action sequences. The show uses light and shadow to a strong degree as well, and the quieter moments, such as a black & white chapter in Tokyo, make quite the impression.

Working in the shadows

Lending their talent to this endeavor is Sun Creature, which previously worked on Love, Death, & Robots, and while FOST did most of the work, their talents laid the groundwork for the show. Overall, Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell: Deathwatch is aesthetically pleasing, from small details to big action pieces.

Derek Kolstad certainly has a penchant for action, but also writes characters that the audience can gain a connection with. His work on the first John Wick movies, and even the two Nobody movies with Bob Odenkirk, exemplify a skill that Derek possesses in creating a character and story that is easy to understand, then allowing the action to do the rest. To that end, Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell: Deathwatch isn't something as outrageous as John Wick or Nobody, but instead finds its own ebb and flow.

Wise old Wisdom

Sam Fisher isn't Rambo. He isn't Harry from True Lies. He is a grizzled soldier who holds onto his own values. There is a dark side he orbits and is willing to cross, but he keeps his moral compass together. Derek and the team handle him well. Sam is treated with respect and has a few action set-piece moments that are simply a joy to watch.

When the action hits, it's brutal and grounded. Firefights, close-quarters combat, using the environment, the action feels like a Splinter Cell game. Even small details like weapons handling and brutal injuries feel right. Some of these moments take a while to get going, but when they get there, they hit the mark.

Flows like water

The acting and story are done very well. The story itself has the familiarity of certain tropes. An old man coming out of retirement. A young agent trying to take revenge. Family dynasties clash and a corporate conspiracy. It isn't anything revolutionary, but it does work. Fans of the games will be happy to know that the show is canon to the video games, though some liberties were taken to adapt the show.

While I miss Michael Ironside, Liev Schreiber does an admirable job playing a grizzled Sam Fisher. Kirby has good chemistry with Liev as she plays McKenna. One nice touch is that the story is equal parts Sam's and McKenna's. It doesn't feel one over the other, but a balanced tale. The two disagree, have different conflicts, and work together. It all culminates in a great climax to the show's first season, even if the ending could have been worked a bit better. Other standouts include Joel Oulette as Thunder and Janet Varney as Grimm.

Staying in Tempo

Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell: Deathwatch is a fantastic adaptation, but there are a few elements that could have been tweaked. The music does a serviceable job and is composed by Danny Bensi, Saunder Jurriaans, and Chase Deso. However, I feel that Amon Tobin should have been called to return, either as composer or producer. Amon Tobin did the music for a number of Splinter Cell games, namely the fan-favorite Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell: Chaos Theory. He had a focus on orchestra and industrial sounds, and that could have been used to great effect for the show. The music works, but I can only imagine what it could have been with Amon Tobin.

Additionally, this is a quick show. The episodes last a solid 20 to 30 minutes, making this an easily bingeable show that can be finished in a few hours. It's quick, and I feel a few more episodes could have been beneficial to the show. This leads to an ending that, while satisfying, feels a little too rushed. Had there been maybe one or two more episodes, it would have made for a more resounding conclusion. Fortunately, Season 2 is on the way, as of this review.

Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell: Deathwatch is good

Ubisoft Film and Television has been spearheading into the space with interesting results. I personally enjoyed the weirdness of Captain Lazerhawk on Netflix and really liked the Werewolves Within movie. Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell: Deathwatch can be added to that list of good adaptations. It is an extraordinarily strong adaptation with great acting, solid animation, and a good story. Where Season 2 goes is anyone's guess, but I look forward to revisiting this world again. Welcome bac,k Sam.

Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell: Deathwatch is now streaming on Netflix.

TOM CLANCY'S SPLINTER CELL: DEATHWATCH IS HIGHLY RECOMMENDED