Mocvara

Out of all the domestic TV series from last year, the one that left the biggest impression on me was Mocvara. It's not a series that deserves a 10 or a 9 raiting, like most of the domestic series. Each one has its flaws. But the spirit of Milena Markovic is felt throughout the entire season. That's why I give it an 8, and because of a few exceptional actors, including Goran Bogdan who needs to work on his language skills. But it's well-directed and well-conceived. I don't mind that it resembles numerous crime series. It has some authenticity and it held my attention, even in the weaker episodes.

Authentic and thrilling, first episode leaves you wanting to watch more episodes. Acting is great, good job for the casting crew.

Reviewers here seem to be potraying Mocvara as low fi True Detective, seems unfair. Obviously a show as successful as TD will influence subsequent works but this one can stand on its own two feet with a decent plot. Sure, the sound production is terrible but in the age of radical political correctness it's just refreshing to see a show where everyone smokes, where men are men and women are women and where cops still beat bad guys up to exact justice.

Here is a short list of pros and cons, based on the first two episodes:

Pros: 1) The show has good, dark atmosphere which manages to save even the biggest fillers (especially in the second episode). 2) Mikac's crocodile jacket.

Cons: 1) 2D cliche characters that speak and act alike; and the unbelievable attempts of characterizations like when the protagonist is talking (with extremely bad Serbian accent) that he was born and raised in the projects (Belgrade) and was fighting the '90s wars. 2) The ever-lasting Achilles' heel of Serbian cinema - sound: which is particularly bad when the main character is mumbling his lines. 3) The music is so inadequate throughout the episodes, it seems that the soundtrack is from another show. I am sure that the ending song will be the ringtone of many mobile phones, but it just sounds cheap and "ad hoc". 4) The whole show is trying so bad to look like "True Detective" but with so little money and skill that the viewer is constantly reminded that he didn't get the real Barbie doll for Christmas, but an ugly Chinese copy instead.

I am very impressed with this series. I didn't catch up with the first season, but the second season...wow. Man, what a great mystery. Everything was top notch for Serbian cinematography. Acting was fantastic. I would especially like to give a shout-out to Sanja Kolacaric who knocked it out of the park. Well done, what a wonderful performance! Also, addition in form of Milos Timotijevic and Marko Janketic was awesome. Milos Timotijevic is truly one of the best Serbian actors. That terror in his voice, man! Mystery was developed very well. Pacing could have been better but still they made me care for all of the characters so I didn't mind it.

Senta storyline was, for me, one of the best stuff I have seen from Serbian film. Belgrade storyline however, was kind of a mess, but I won't judge it because, like I said, I haven't paid attention to the first season very much. One thing that I have to add as a con is too much nude and explicit scenes. Like, TOO MUCH! They need to cut some of that for the next season, if there will be one.

All in all, well done.