Banditskiy Peterburg: Baron

The much-praised "Banditskij Peterburg" is yet another unoriginal suspense series produced in Russia. The plot is recognizable, and characters lack depth. There is an all-too-visible line separating the antagonists from the protagonists. The ending is also fairly predictable. And, unlike "Menty", an earlier series, "Banditskij Peterburg" completely lacks interesting dialogue or characters. The acting is much weaker, as well, especially the Corleone figure of the Antibiotic, who fails dismally to portray a cruel, deceitful, and, moreover, all-powerful mafia kingpin. Also ridiculous is Lavrov as a thief (a man who always played Communist party bosses in films!). The cameos by two of Russia's greatest actors, Basilashvili and Jigarkhanian, are tasteless and pathetic. Jigarkhanian looks totally rdiculous and unconvincing as a mafia kingpin, even more ridiculous than the antibiotic. Also, the authors clearly went beyond good taste with unnecessary nude scenes. Plot holes are abundant, as well. At any rate, if you are really after a good Russian crime TV series, see "Menty" or "Ubojnaya Sila". "Banditskij Peterburg" is a waste of time compared to these.

Well, folks, in my opinion, this is the ONLY good russian TV-series since "17 mgnovenij", and the best in post-soviet crime-series ever. Awesome director, best actors, realistic and very stylish script form a masterpiece. Plus, the crime related humor and ole-liners are perfect, making series both watchable and realistic. So, the conclusion is clear - watch it, and you won't waste your time.

I'd like to express my feelings about this movie in one word - MASTERPIECE. The casting was so precise, the director made his best film after the "Sobachie serdze" , the scenario, the narrator voice, the operator's work, the song written by so talented composer like Igor Korneluk and ,the best of all, very successful playing of the main characters played by Pevtzov and Drozdova. It is very pity that only people who understands russian language may have an opportunity to enjoy this movie. I am looking forward to watching the next parts of this film. A mustsee movie.

I started watching the series when it premiered on "HTB" in Brooklyn. At first, I dismissed it as a complete ripoff from similar American crime dramas but over time, I was intrigued by how well written it actually is. The drama is compelling and touching at times. It goes exactly by the book, virtually word for word. Interestingly, the two lead actors playing Sergey and Katya are married in real life.

I've found the initial mini-series "Banditskij Peterburg" and its numerous sequels strangely hypnotic as I've watched them on digital cable in the US. Native-speaker spouse and I agree that the acting is over the top for melodrama, but we are both equally powerless to turn away in the face of the superior plotting and sheer Russian Soul coolness of the characters. Every time a new seriya pops up my husband and mother-in-law are glued to their TVs for a week, and by week's end I'm usually right in there with them. If "17 Mngonoveniya Vesny" was the Soviet equivalent of "Roots" in terms of its impact on the miniseries genre, could this be Russia's first soap opera export to the far abroad?