Haus des Geldes (Netflix version)

A great bunch in a mix of Prison Break, Ocean’s Eleven and The Fast and The Furious (and not really because of the vehicles). The first two seasons have an original idea, a well-tuned atmosphere and not too much action, a lot of thinking. It was clear that the following seasons could hardly top that so they had to push the envelope with more action, more twists, more emotion, more money. The result is mediocre to say the least, and it's saved by the main characters of the entire series, who, even with well-hit flashbacks in time, usually grow on the viewer. A respectable achievement by European standards, with a few things working well and none outright wrong. Perhaps only the action, the Spaniards could learn from their Hollywood colleagues. (04.07.2024)

And then they say only Hollywood can make stories like this. Money Heist is quite deservedly Netflix's prime work. It's got a fresh cast, well-written characters and a gripping plot. It can be faulted for some questionable lapses in logic and weaker technical aspects; after all, the action looks at its American friends from afar with its charge and overall set-up, but surprisingly this Spanish parade doesn't really need action as a driving force, it easily makes do with such well-acted and spontaneous characters, wit and tension. The only concern is towards possible future over-complication of the story, but for now Money Heist will maintain its high standard and fresh European feel. A top addition to the heist genre. (14.06.2024)

Although the second season still maintains a very promising pace and rhythm primarily in the first half, the ending doesn't quite manage to build-up properly. And instead of a heavyweight conclusion to a promising European heist series, the finale feels slowed down, with an overdose of emotion and a lack of momentum and realism. It’s nothing new that Money Heist is purely an entertaining screenwriting game of cat and mouse rather than a raw crime drama. Unfortunately, however, as time went on, it got to the point where I was just waiting for the protagonists to have a siesta at five with a sangria tasting and passionately dance flamenco together, after which they would properly dissect their relationships from A to Z from the heart. It's got a mostly fine vibe, a hugely likeable mix of (anti)heroes, but over time the series morphs from action crime drama into a gritty romance to the sound of a browning machine gun, and unfortunately that doesn't suit it very well. Still four stars, but just barely. (18.06.2024)

The excellent character psychology continues in the third season, which seems to be the core building block of the entire series, as there's no way the creators can pull off the heist effect of a cop vs. robber game again. All the surprises and great moments of the cat and mouse game have long since been used up and it's quite apparent that they intend to keep the viewer enthralled with the personal connections of the main characters, and the new ones on the scene, especially Sierra, who is a proper badass. The last episode is then a level above the others. It no longer has the charm and hype of the first two seasons, but it keeps at a decent level, and as an enjoyable military/heist relationship drama with a great bunch of people you'd like to get to know better, the third season of Money Heist still works well. (23.06.2024)

As expected, it's by far the most action-packed and wildest ending to this legendary European series that has a tendency to look visually spectacular, enhanced by thunderous and high-budget-looking action, but unfortunately, the sometimes slightly un-artistic setting makes it look like the Avengers are fighting aliens in a parallel universe. One could even argue that the whole screenwriting flourish is already extremely far-fetched by the end, and that it often doesn't even remotely correspond to anything that could be called even remotely realistic. However, the gang that operates in the story and goes headlong forward is truly mesmerizing. (04.07.2024)