Maleantes

Crooks is a complicated though we'll scripted action packed thriller series, as long as one overlooks the many small unrealistic plot events. (It's easy to look beyond them as the suspense captures the viewer!)

The eight episode season (one) - not sure if there will be additional seasons - also utilizes the different settings of Vienna, Berlin and Marseille well. The change in scenery and cuts to alternate locations adds to the show.

The characters are well crafted - even adding some near comic relief with the Algerian gang chief in Marseille. Joseph, the lovable teddy bear, is endearing.

Charly, the main man, is kind of a renaissance man among gangsters. He can fight, pick locks, use a gun and pretty much do anything else required to keep him and his family alive!

Crooks is a good crime, action show which lulls you into binge watching all eight episodes without much thought. Thoroughly enjoyable!

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..

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.

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.

One advice, keep away from it, at all costs. AT ALL COSTS. This is a pure cheesy, lousy, clumsy, garbage junk destined to homewives.... I expêcted a violent, rough, gritty, poignant series, but I must admit that after seeing GOMORRA, I was really handicaped, because NO SERIES, can give you the same terrific feelings as this Italian masterpiece, and certainly not this piece of sh.... Unbearable characters, - especially this man that should be under diet instead of acting - lousy acting, and those unnbearable romance lines, ROMANCE !!!! In such a story which the ONLY good point is that it is not boring. Yes, not boring, that's the only reason why I could make it till the end. But...Oh my God!!! CROOKS, yes, all the makers of this crap are definitely CROOKS.