3%

There's plenty to recommend this low-budget, futuristic Portuguese- Brazilian 8-episode SciFi teleseries. It has a gripping plot, the characters have plenty of magnetism and the situation of poverty versus privilege will ring true with many.

It's about a futuristic, real-life competition designed to choose the optimum 3% of new adults, who deem their skills sufficient to "pass" a truly grueling selection process. Successful candidates are rewarded with a life in a man-made paradise "Offshore", whereas the rest are doomed to continue living "Inland" - a huge poverty-stricken, environmentally degraded favela. There's plenty of sub-plot, social current and Machiavellian wickedness to keep viewers on the edge of their seats till the last episode. Despite the DIY feel of the close sets there are fortunately enough locations to relieve viewers of claustrophobia, that hampers many other cheap SciFi productions. I think this one (thanks to a good English dubbed version) will catch on with a wider TV audience than the normal Portuguese, homespun audience.

What do we know about Brazil? Beautiful country. Gisele Bündchen. TV shows with less than 2,500 episodes are considered mini-series. Oh, and Embraer. And it's actually spelled Brasil.

This show delivers on all fronts. From the first minute you are thrown into an endless kaleidoscope of hotties of both genders who look GORGEOUS in their slum-rugs, obviously designed by someone with only a first name. (Did you know that Kenzo's last name is Takada?) I bet even the dirt smeared on them was imported from some exotic place. A cross between steam punk and Victoria's Secret. The looking-good box ticked BIGLY. The production design team has done an amazing job. Total success - the show looks A-mazing! The set decorations, the costumes, make-up, accessories - CHEF'S KISS!!!! Well done!

The plot is interesting enough to keep the intrigue going. Something very social and very progressive. And, eventually, very Embraer-esgue-ly high-tech. As in all Brazilian telenovellas, it is both incredibly naive, borderline primitive, and even more incredibly twisted. Artificial selection process, some rebels group, power struggle on both sides, hatred, betrayal, and love polygons of all shapes.

The plot develops nicely and gradually. Secrets are revealed in their own time, but you are not left scratching your head for too long on any mystery. Every once in a while the writers drop back to their roots, and you get a strong dose of telenovella in the form of an out-of-character tantrum or a sudden burst of guilt/shame/fear/joy/all-of-the-above. But they quickly course-correct and off we go again.

All-in-all, it looks both very familiar and surprisingly fresh. If you liked City of God and Sandpit Generals, you will like the long form Brazilian cinematography.

I don't think I ever watched another Brazilian show before so to me this was a first and I can't say I'm disappointed about the quality of 3%. It has a good interesting plot, with enough twists and turns to keep you interested. I watched the first two seasons in less than a week and never got bored. Once you're in the story you want to know what's going to happen, and that's a good sign. I wouldn't say the acting is Oscar winning performances but it's certainly not bad at all. Each character brings something to the story, and that if you like him/her or not. For a sci-fi it has interesting gadgets, but don't expect high budget special effects. It's simple, low cost but effective. I'm looking forward to the third season of this Portuguese spoken series.

Cinematically and visually stunning, a political, hunger games-esque storyline with believable acting and I thought very interesting, life-like characters. The script is intelligent, the characters are strong, and the interaction is elegant in it's simplicity and natural air.

Excellent directing and cinematography here, a lot of subtle commentary in say a picture or shot (a thousand words). I believe it is the same cinematographer of City of God and the resemblance is there.

This won't have you walking away with too much feel-good or inspirational qualities. This does not much inspire you with it's beauty to be a better person, or help you in your struggles at an honest life, but it is a beautiful work of art that is gripping, entertaining, and has much fodder in the subtleties, particularly the social dynamics and the display of humanity in each of the varied characters. It is an exploration of psychology, social experiment, morality, and what humans are made of. It might make us ask along the way what we are made of.. but that is the extent of its ability to inspire.

If you believe we are heading into a 1984 era, you might welcome the realism in this work. Otherwise, it is a nice futuristic escape and exploration into what that might be like, while at the same time appreciating the human capacity in us all.

First of all, watch it subbed, not dubbed! The acting is great! But it's tougher to look convincing when the words don't quite match up. In the original language, tone, pacing and inflection help complete the communication package.

The main characters all have distinct personalities, but while some are more likable than others, they all have a strong drive to do what it takes to progress.

The story has just enough mystery and plenty of twists. Don't expect a ton of special effects though. This isn't the sort of Sci-fi that's all lasers and robots, but it has just enough to remind you it's the future. I'm looking forward to finishing the series but dreading the end of season 1 before I get to watch season 2.