Read the book, please read the books and you will be drawn into the most exciting, magical, bright story imaginable, and then watch this series.
Lifeless, it pains me to say it, because I am a massive fan of David Tennant, but having watched the first few episodes, that's the first word that sprang to mind. In the book you can feel the tension, the excitement, this had the thrills of people sat in a Dentist's waiting room.
I may well get captivated later on, it may move out of first gear, and I hope it does. Pacing initially though is the real stumbling block.
The positives, first on the list, the visuals, it is beautifully made and produced, production values are sublime, the clothes and location work are pretty jaw dropping. I thought the acting was terrific, Tennant never disappoints.
Some good elements in the mix, it looks good (even if I did have to look for the brightness setting on the TV for the first ever time,) but it just lacked any real thrills.
6/10 this should have been better.