Richard Coyle and Claire Foy play the leads quite well as Moist Von Lipwig and Adora Belle Dear heart, and they certainly look the part and have good chemistry. David Suchet wasn't quite what I had imagined for Teacher Gilt, but he did a most admirable job in the role. Andrew Sachs also did an excellent job as the most senior junior Postman, Tolliver Groat.
One stand out in mind is Charles Dance, his performance as Vetinari, the Patrician of Anhk-Morpork, is nearly a perfect match to how I envisioned the character while reading the books, exhibiting the right amount of menace and charm while equally being able to show the slight glimpses into the many depths of the character that are offered throughout the whole book series. And while changes have been made, the overall story retains the right plot beats and characters, while not book accurate in some cases, still at least resemble their characters. While that abomination only has some names and plot points shared, this adaptation at least retains the right spirit and feel, there's a joyfulness and humour to the characters and their motivations that is completely absent from the new Watch adaptation.
Additionally, I felt compelled to write this review after attempting to watch the newly premiered "The Watch" from BBC America. It's impossible to judge which books will be a particular reader/listener's favorites, and which will simply be enjoyable, but Going Postal is strong, witty, and highly entertaining.To be frank and honest, I have this on DVD and have watched multiple times as the Moist Von Lipwig focused stories are some of my favorites from the Discworld series, and the production from Sky gets enough right in adapting the story while still making changes to adapt the work for the small screen. There are other performers who can read Pratchett's writing well - Nigel Planer generally does a good job - but no one seems to get inside the story the way Briggs can. And, as always, Stephen Briggs reads Pratchett's work exactly the way it wants to be read, with energy and understanding and a straight face. No one else can write like Pratchett, and no one else should try. Part of Pratchett's genius is that he can be funny, even farcical, without being mean, and that comes through strongly in this story, with his trademark mix of whimsy, cheap shots, social commentary, and a truly engaging and hilarious plot and cast.
Set in Ankh Morpork, where the story can brush up against long-standing favorites like Vimes, the Patrician, and the wizards, Going Postal introduces a new cast of characters, and with them, a new energy. Like all prolific writers, however brilliant, Terry Pratchett has his ups and downs.
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