Roar: Anthological Format and Pacing Issues Hinder Powerful Potential

Most critiques of “Roar” misfire by focusing on its female-centric narratives. The real issues lie in the show’s episodic structure and pacing. Each episode presents a fascinating concept but fails to develop it adequately. Lengthy, meandering scenes filled with confused character reactions detract from the narrative. Condensing these allegories into one or two films could have created a bizarre, Lynchian, yet potentially more impactful experience due to concentrated metaphorical density.

A non-allegorical narrative, like Alison Brie’s episode, showcases the show’s potential when freed from heavy-handed symbolism. This straightforward, engaging story was self-contained and the only one of the first five that didn’t require fast-forwarding. It could even stand alone as a successful short film, highlighting the show’s ability to craft compelling narratives without excessive allegory.

The anthology format itself presents a major obstacle. Constantly introducing and dismissing characters prevents emotional investment. The fleeting nature of each story hinders meaningful connections, diminishing the impact of individual journeys. Feature films offer the necessary space for character development and narrative arcs, making them better suited for “Roar’s” complex themes.

Furthermore, pacing issues plague most episodes. While Brie’s episode could have benefited from more time, the remaining four felt unnecessarily long. Many could have been condensed to 20-minute segments for a more engaging experience. A tighter edit would have heightened the impact and maintained viewer engagement.