Prison Break

Arguing with a cult is difficult and pointless. Prison Break had the reputation of being a top-notch series for all generations and it achieved worldwide success comparable only to the series Lost. To objectively review it is difficult because it is undeniably contradictory, and its quality declines over time - or rather, its weaknesses become increasingly evident. On one hand, it is a fresh idea and a great exercise in screenwriting with plenty of unexpected and audience-attracting twists, with a multitude of fully-fleshed interesting characters portrayed by very decent and often unconventional actors. The series has a generous budget, and the production studio gives it due priority. On the other hand, from the very beginning, it contains two storylines, of which only one is essential. If the screenwriter had stuck with the talented architect who tried to rescue his brother from prison, it would have been good. However, we are in America, and thus he added a storyline about a secret all-encompassing conspiracy in the spirit of classical conspiracy theories. This storyline from the beginning brings the first one down, is highly untrustworthy, and unfortunately gains significance as time goes by. According to the latest research on criminal offenses that ended in execution in the United States, it was incidentally discovered through DNA analysis that 5% of the executed did not commit their crime. It would have been enough to stick with a judicial error and not push too hard. That would not have diminished the attractiveness of the series and it would be much "purer." Additionally, all the miraculous last-second rescues and unexpected twists that are out of this world eventually become tiresome and boring. The series increasingly resembles a beautifully wrapped Christmas gift box, where the viewer unties the luxurious ribbon and it increasingly crumbles, and when the package is finally triumphantly unwrapped, there is another one just as carefully wrapped inside. The creators squeeze money and try the trick with the wallet on a string, constantly teasing and not allowing the viewers to catch it. I admire all those who have enough time to enthusiastically consume so many episodes. If I evaluate the series as a whole, I have to deduct one star from my original 4-star rating. Overall impression: 65%. (11.01.2008)

A series about a jail break. On the face of it, a well-worn topic, however in this case the first impression was quite wrong. The biggest asset is how it is so incredibly easy to identify with the main protagonist - you just can’t help rooting for him. Each episode comes along with several mostly unexpected and surprising situations that have you watching with bated breath. However, the above applies only to the parts in prison and unfortunately not to the “on the outside" side-story. This always takes up about a quarter of each episode and, despite also having some qualities, it becomes rather mundane and seen several times before. But still, it is well worth being part of Scofield’s gripping escape from Fox River State Penitentiary, because it sucks you in and won’t let go... Run Scofield, RUN! Season 1 (5/5) During the first two episodes the gains pace that grips you and doesn’t let you go. Impetuous, playful, intelligent and suspenseful like nothing else on earth. This applies up until episode 13, where the series was originally supposed to end. Originally it was “just" a filler to fill the gap until another season of 24. But it was hugely successful, which forced the creators to drag it out into a longer affair. Unfortunately. So as of episode 14 the quality starts to drop, or rather the breakneck pace relaxes. It is still perfect, but without the “condensed adrenaline". Instead of bated breath, here you get just a couple of priceless moments alternating with tolerable filler. But what keeps it from going over the brink perfection are the separate characters and the actors. Toward the end of the season, the quality starts to get back on the rails, leading to a climax in a perfect and absolutely flawless penultimate episode which is the premature climax of the entire series. But the overall impression of the season is wrecked by the last episode which, in terms of quality, fits better in... season 2 (3/5) ...this season of the series. The only good news is that Prison Break isn’t boring. But it is no longer suspenseful even for a second. Any suspense is diluted by dozens of various uninspiring storylines. It is sad just how unintentionally ridiculous it is, especially in terms of conspiracy theory (and the following seriously-intended monolog in episode 2x14 sums it up perfectly: "So,this is the conspiracy,huh? Bunch of little boys in suits running around, trying to kill each other. It's pathetic…"). And it really is. Most sitcoms would turn green with envy. The carefully built characters and their motivation is ruined. Coincidences, nonsense and screenwriter glitches rule. But as I say, it’s SO VERY BAD that you will laugh your head off. Toward the end, the quality level begins seemingly to return along with a feeling of déjà vu from past seasons. (27.11.2005)

It rarely happens, but Prison Break is one of the few series in which the obvious plot contrivances are easily overlooked due to their perfect execution. The abundance of heart-stopping moments in which the protagonists "break out" of prison, and where at every second we anticipate the unexpected appearance of a guard or another inmate, has almost unhealthy effects in this particular installment. The genius of the entire escape plan, along with its execution, would be nothing without the excellently written and acted characters. They form Prison Break into a genre delicacy that, while lacking the bleakness of Midnight Express, also struggles to find the positive moods of The Shawshank Redemption. Thus, the only fault lies in the endless waiting for the next episodes, but for that, Prison Break can't really be blamed. (17.03.2006)

Four seasons were quite long, but despite some minor hesitations, it was worth it in the end. An exceptional series with exceptional performances. If you take Michael Scofield's perfect mind with a grain of salt (he can come up with a plan to break into any prison without any problems in just a few days), then it is a dynamic and very watchable affair. (24.09.2010)