Maleantes

Lets get this out of the way. This is a entertaining series. If you come into this expecting a lightweight by the numbers affair full of the usual cliches, you can't be blamed. It starts with the simple title of the series "Crooks". How can that be really entertaining? It surprises you with the fact that it is entertaining.

Its still a pretty much by the numbers affair but its done very well. I'm not dissappointed in the worn out cliches that are on display. The directors and producers actually took the usual cliches and made it entertaining and suspenseful. I'm disappointed because the series is held back by some very implausible plot decisions. It could have been better. That problem aside, the on location filming and musical scoring kept things moving along very well. The series is worth watching.

The question is can a story about a gold coin be that interesting to hold the viewer in rapt attention all throughout the series? Yes. This is one instance where the viewer gets into a roller-coaster ride from Berlin to Vienna to Marseilles. The ride has enough traction that the viewer is willing to invest his time as the main protagonists go from one mishap to another.

The actors are competent in performing their roles credibly and naturally without hysteria. One can ask another pertinent question: can the relationship of Charly (Frederick Lau) and Joseph (Christoph Krutzler) happen in real life? I guess so if we consider their respective personalities.

The length of the episodes are just right, which means the pacing is ok. And the actors, coming as they do from different ethnic backgrounds, are able to pull off the scenes.

The last episode suggests another season is possible.

This series deserves your time and attention.

The first few episodes had some good moments, but with each subsequent episode the plot became more and more predictable, full of clichés, the characters were mostly flat and boring. I know that all the dialects are there to better represent the characters and the different groups, to show the local distance and also to clarify the social differences, but often it ended in a minute-long mumble in which nothing could be understood. Why do you have to mumble like that?

Unfortunately, the acting performance of some of the actors was anything but credible. I keep asking myself what makes some German actors think that they have mastered their craft!

Sadly, it was a waste of time and it dragged on like chewing gum.

The only reason I could imagine why this series has so many negative reviews is maybe because one is used to the Hollywood style movies and watched this one in English.

You should really watch it in the original language with subtitles, makes a huge difference! I watched it in the original language and did not find the acting so bad at all.

Now coming to the plot, I found it very interesting and quite suspenseful and made me wanna watch the next one after each episode.

Overall I find the series worth the watch, with good acting, good enough cinematography and a balance of action and humor..

Brilliant show - elements of Dogs of Berlin with a Guy Ritchie edge. Very well done and hits the mark of a gangland action drama, but with an under thread of a real friendship story with a very human touch. Great scenery, fast paced, sure - not the most cerebral watching but really entertaining and captivating. Great characters, great casting, great locations which are represented realistically (Berlin, Vienna, Marseille - all pretty true to reality). I watched it in German with English subtitles (as I always do as find it more authentic) and it didn't disappoint. Not sure why some gave it low reviews - it doesn't promise to be anything it's not. Simply a very good action series.