The American Experiment review – Tom Hanks’ US history is packed with big names

The Netflix homepage sums the series up in four words: “Sincere. Informative. Documentary series.” The five, hour-plus episodes mark the 250th anniversary and trace the creation of the United States, delivering exactly that—sincere and informative, perhaps at times a touch too earnest.

This is not a show that indulges in flair. Executive produced by Tom Hanks, it aims for careful bipartisanship and a balanced gaze that acknowledges the country’s stains; it can feel like the televisual equivalent of a kale smoothie on a wellness retreat. Ken Burns fans looking for idiosyncrasy may find it subdued, but the series clearly wants to be a steady, respectable education.

Director Brian Knappenberger opens in 1753 and moves quickly through the origins of the war of independence, relying on hyperarticulate specialists, voiced letters and plentiful protest and battle re-enactments.

United States

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