Netflix’s original series “Marco Polo” premiered in December 2014 and brought to life the Venetian explorer’s adventures in the court of Kublai Khan during the 13th century. Despite its grand ambitions and lavish production, the series received a spectrum of reactions from critics and audiences alike.
Critical Reception
The first season of “Marco Polo” holds a 33% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, based on 45 reviews, with an average rating of 4.79/10. The consensus on the site describes it as “an all-around disappointment” and “less entertaining than a round of the game that shares its name.” Metacritic mirrors this sentiment, reporting a score of 48 out of 100, indicating “mixed or average reviews.”
Critics pointed to several factors contributing to the show’s lukewarm reception. Jeff Jensen of Entertainment Weekly gave it a “B−” rating, noting that while the premise felt “stale,” the series became “surprisingly watchable” midway through the second episode, showcasing bolder filmmaking. In contrast, Robert Bianco of USA Today was less forgiving, awarding the series 1.5 out of 4 stars and likening it to “cheesy international syndicated adventures” rather than a high-caliber drama.
Marco Polo – Audience Feedback
Audience reactions largely echoed the critics, with many viewers disappointed by the series’ pacing and character development. However, some reviews highlighted the show’s impressive visuals and production design, even as they criticized the narrative for lacking depth and engagement. User reviews on IMDb reflect a broad range of opinions, with some praising the show’s aesthetic appeal while others lament its storytelling shortcomings.
Production and Budget
“Marco Polo” was notable for its substantial production budget, reportedly around $90 million for the first season, positioning it among the most expensive television series of its time. This significant investment is evident in the elaborate set designs, costumes, and on-location shoots spanning various countries, including Italy, Kazakhstan, and Malaysia. Despite the financial commitment, the series struggled to achieve the critical acclaim and audience engagement that Netflix had anticipated.
Cancellation
After two seasons and a standalone special titled “Marco Polo: One Hundred Eyes,” Netflix canceled the series in December 2016. The decision was largely attributed to the show’s inability to justify its high production costs due to insufficient viewership. This marked one of the earlier instances where Netflix publicly acknowledged the cancellation of an original series, signaling a shift in the streaming platform’s content strategy.
Cultural Representation and Casting
The series featured a diverse cast, with Italian actor Lorenzo Richelmy portraying Marco Polo and British actor Benedict Wong as Kublai Khan. While the casting aimed to bring authenticity to the portrayal of historical figures, some critics and viewers raised concerns about the depiction of Asian cultures and the balance between historical accuracy and creative license. “Marco Polo” attempted to emulate the success of other historical dramas like “Game of Thrones,” but faced challenges in delivering comparable narrative complexity and character development.
Legacy and Impact
Despite its shortcomings, “Marco Polo” contributed to the evolving landscape of streaming content, exemplifying Netflix’s willingness to invest in diverse genres and international stories. The series’ ambitious production set a precedent for future high-budget original content on the platform. However, it also served as a learning experience regarding the importance of balancing production scale with compelling storytelling and audience engagement.
Conclusion
“Marco Polo” remains a noteworthy entry in Netflix’s catalog of original series, reflecting both the potential and pitfalls of large-scale historical dramas in the streaming era. While it succeeded in creating a visually stunning portrayal of a fascinating historical period, it ultimately fell short in delivering the narrative depth and character development necessary to captivate a broad audience.