Berlin Series Review: Action-Packed Scenes That Will Keep the Viewer In Suspense Until The End
Cast: Pedro Alonso, Michelle Jenner, Tristán Ulloa, Begoña Vargas, Julio Peña Fernández, Joel Sánchez, Itziar Ituño, Najwa Nimri
Created By: Esther Martínez Lobato, Álex Pina
Streaming Platform: Netflix
Filmyhype.com Ratings: 4/5 (four stars)
The Berlin series today arrived for streaming on Netflix. Appearing on Netflix in 2017, the Spanish Money Heist series was one of the biggest successes, and not without a certain surprise. Also, for the ability of some of his characters to strike the public’s imagination, while the evolution of the coup against the Spanish State Mint and the events of the individual subjects involved accompanied us until December 2021. It is therefore a sort of special birthday, a reconnection of an interrupted discourse, the one offered by the prequel/spin-off series Berlin. On the N crimson platform from December 29th – in time to end the year in style, and perhaps with a binge-watching in the company – it’s once again the moment of the fascinating and (not so) cold criminal played by Pedro Alonso, probably the reason main to dive back into that action-noir flamenco that seemed to have said everything it had to say. Few television shows have been able to conquer international audiences like Money Heist, a Netflix series that made its debut in 2017 and, since then, has evolved into a global phenomenon, becoming one of the spearheads of the platform and giving to an endless succession of Spanish productions.
And precisely because the team that wins doesn’t change, fans of the Professor and his ragtag gang will be thrilled to be able to witness, from December 29th, the previous exploits of one of the most beloved and controversial characters of the series, the charming, charismatic and slightly psychotic Berlin (again played by Pedro Alonso). In this spin-off from the same creators of Money Heist – Esther Martínez Lobato, and Álex Pina – we will take a look at the glory years of Andrés de Fonollosa – before his illness and the coup at the Madrid State Mint – and one of the most ambitious robberies of his career: a theft of jewels worth 44 million euros. As we will see in our review of Berlin, this eight-episode show proves, from its first minutes, to be a captivating spin-off that boasts a talented cast and action-packed scenes that will keep the viewer in suspense until the end. Berlin confirms himself as the most interesting character in the entire serial universe, capable of giving life to a show that successfully recaptures the essence and spirit of his predecessor, even making some small improvements.
Berlin Series Review: The Story Plot
The Money Heist spin-off series focuses on the glory years of Andrés de Fonollosa/Berlin (Pedro Alonso), a period before his illness and the major coup at the State Mint of Madrid. We are in Paris and Andrés, considered one of the greatest thieves in Europe, is planning together with his gang (Keila, Damián, Cameron, Roi, and Bruce) one of the most extraordinary robberies of his entire career: the theft of 44 million euros in jewels at one of the most important auction houses in the French capital. To do so, he devised an illusionist’s trick: starting a fake archaeological excavation under the Cathedral of Santiago to arrive, through hidden access to the catacombs of Paris, directly under the vault containing the precious items. A perfect plan that has its weak points: the restlessness of the individual members of the gang and the relationship that Berlin has with the wife of Monsieur Polignac, director of the auction house. Not only that: but to try to stop the robbery, two policewomen will arrive from Spain that Money Heist fans will certainly have the pleasure of seeing again: Alicia Sierra (Najwa Nimri) and Raquel Murillo (Itziar Ituño).
The great criminal mind of Berlin will carry out one of the most extraordinary robberies of his career as a bandit, a robbery at the prestigious Chez Vienot auction house in Paris, in which the objective will be to make jewels worth 44 million euros disappear. To do this, they will enter the catacombs of Paris, there will be a strong dose of emotions typical of the world of Money Heist, and we will find love stories and difficult stories that will not only concern our protagonist. We will see the already well-known Alicia Sierra and Raquel Murillo intervene in the robbery to foil it and collaborate, we will once again feel at home, or rather in Money Heist, but this time, differently and originally without abandoning some of the faces that intrigued us most from the main TV series.
Berlin Series Review and Analysis
There is Álex Pina again behind the 8 episodes in which the first season develops (let’s get ready…) of this prequel/spin-off, emblematically in the annals with the full title of Money Heist – Berlin making incontrovertibly clear what it is the area in which we operate and what is best to expect. But above all to identify – and rally – a loyal audience who, after having attempted to fill the void left by The Professor & Co. with the Korean remake, will now be able to count on a new dose of that mix of drama, action and romance, moreover expertly entrusted to two of the same directors as the original, David Barrocal and Albert Pintó, with the addition of the almost debutant Geoffrey Cowper, and served by co-screenwriter Esther Martínez Lobato. Despite so much care – productive, first of all – it was inevitable that it was impossible to replicate the sensation of novelty and the seductive magnetism of those characters and of that intellectual rather than criminal battle.
It would be wrong to expect it, perhaps, even if it appears to be a clever and convenient project (as usual) to re-propose ingredients appreciated by subscribers without worrying about doses and recipes, with the result of having a potentially and certainly Instagrammable presentation, but without its originality and connotation. And so, although the new protagonists (the double couple Michelle Jenner, Begoña Vargas, Julio Peña Fernández, and Joel Sanchez) provide good moments and carry out the task required of them, it is the ‘old’ Tristán Ulloa who stands out more, also for his take charge of the dynamics that made the fortune of Pedro Alonso’s Berlin in the House of Paper that was… but only in part. Or up to a certain point. The skillful alternation of the description of the robbery – including models and reconstructions – with the other narrative lines proposed is a sort of trademark, but this time the choice to focus on love, passion and sentimental conquest as the true keystones of the characterization of the characters (each with its modalities) and drivers of the events ends up proving to be the main weakness of the detective story.
From the reference to the mint heist in the first episode to the vaguer reference to the professor in the third, the continuous reassurance of loyal viewers does not go beyond a wink, but above all the choice to focus on Berlin himself as narrator only further unbalances the series. He promises more than he can keep and at times seems content to fascinate his victims in an uninterrupted – even verbose – flirtation. From Madrid to Paris, between nights out that are more pop than punk in smoky clubs or on racing tracks, over-the-top policewomen and a live cover of “Felicità” by Al Bano and Romina, it is a flood of clichés (women and men, Spanish and French, etc), posturing and forcing what replaces intrigue and a true redde rationem. Which we risk not even finding in the next season, which seems to have already started filming in Rome with Berlin bathing in the Trevi fountain.
Although the focus of the narrative is the theft of jewels, the romantic element – just as it happened in Money Heist – remains preponderant and even represents the real protagonist of the first two episodes of the show. Having just been left by his third wife, Andrés de Fonollosa is desperately searching for a new love that can give meaning to his life; he finds it in Camille, a charming and sophisticated French woman, wife of the director of the auction house that Berlin and her gang have to rob. Irremediably attracted by the woman – but also by the idea of a forbidden passion – our charismatic thief allows himself to be completely overwhelmed by the relationship, forgetting for a moment the real reason for his stay in Paris, the theft of jewels. He thus launches himself into planning a new blow, the one to Camille’s heart which, let’s not give away any spoilers, will capitulate like a faulty safe. The backdrop to this love story could only be the most romantic city in the world, Paris, which in the series is brazenly celebrated (like, indeed, European culture in general), from walks along the Seine to Montmartre, from the buildings in pure Belle Epoque style to the 16th century Ormetton-sur-Marne castle, where the clandestine couple enjoys a romantic getaway.
Let’s say it straight away: Berlin is the perfect spin-off of a global phenomenon like Money Heist: it takes up the essence and dynamics that made its predecessor successful, but brings various improvements to the entire framework, such as more attentive, capable of following the characters and all phases of the heist as best as possible, and a greater variety of locations, an element that gives much more dynamism to the narrative. Even the almost total absence of flashbacks – which were so present in the original series – brings a breath of freshness and immediacy to the story, allowing the viewer to experience the events in the present without having to navigate between one leap and another. Furthermore, Berlin also winks at those nostalgic for Money Heist, with the return in the style of two of the show’s most beloved and energetic female characters: talking about the policewomen Alicia Sierra and Raquel Murillo, respectively played by the Spanish actresses Najwa Nimri and Itziar Ituno. It does so intelligently, not making them the protagonists of the narrative but only comforting presences that we are pleased to meet again, delving into some aspects of their past.
It may be difficult for fans of the Money Heist gang to get close to the new characters introduced in the spin-off. And let’s say it straight away, there is no trace of characters like Nairobi, Helsinki, Tokyo, Rio, and the others in Berlin. Not because Keila (Michelle Jenner), Damián (Tristán Ulloa), Cameron (Begoña Vargas), Roi (Julio Peña Fernández), and Bruce (Joel Sánchez) don’t have what it takes to pull off this new extraordinary heist, but because show chooses this time to give more space to the size of the group rather than the individual characterization of the protagonists. This does not mean, obviously, that the young actors are not talented (on the contrary!) or that the new thieves do not have their peculiarities and do not weave together relationships with interesting implications. But the gang of the State Mint of Madrid remains, by force of circumstances, unsurpassable. All this does not apply to Berlin, of which a deeper and more captivating portrait is offered than in Money Heist, allowing us to explore some aspects of the character only hinted at in the previous series. Pedro Alonso offers an exceptional and very successful performance as the leader of the company, confirming himself as the perfect face to take on the role of a controversial and seductive character about whom we would like to know more and more.
Berlin Series Review: The Last Words
Berlin reveals itself, from its first minutes, to be a captivating spin-off that can boast a talented cast and action-packed scenes that will keep the viewer in suspense until the end. Berlin confirms himself as the most interesting character in the entire serial universe, capable of giving life to a show that successfully recaptures the essence and spirit of his predecessor, even making some small improvements. A new TV series full of action and exploration of one of the most loved and hated characters of Money Heist, there will be moments in which we will be left in suspense, it will excite us and give us moments of joy. The spin-off follows in the footsteps of Money Heist, clearly, but by focusing on the human side of our protagonist, the result will be something different and original.
Berlin Series Review: Action-Packed Scenes That Will Keep the Viewer In Suspense Until The End - Filmyhype
Director: Esther Martínez Lobato, Álex Pina
Date Created: 2023-12-29 14:27
4
Pros
- Intriguing premise: The series delves into the backstory of the flamboyant and complex character of Berlin, exploring his origins and past heists. This is sure to be of interest to fans of Money Heist who were fascinated by the character.
- Stylish visuals: The trailers have been praised for their sleek and stylish visuals, which capture the grandeur and opulence of Berlin's world.
- Action-packed: Like Money Heist, Berlin promises plenty of high-octane action sequences, which are sure to keep viewers on the edge of their seats.
- Character-driven: The series appears to be more character-driven than Money Heist, with a focus on exploring Berlin's motivations and inner demons. This could add depth and complexity to the show.
Cons
- High expectations: Money Heist was a huge success, so there will be a lot of pressure on Berlin to live up to expectations. It's possible that some viewers will be disappointed if it doesn't reach the same level.
- Berlin's absence from Money Heist Part 5: Berlin was killed off in Part 2 of Money Heist, so his return in a prequel series could feel jarring to some viewers.
- Lack of originality: Some critics have expressed concerns that the series might feel too similar to Money Heist, with a similar heist premise and overall style.
