Prison Break

I have been seeing so many advertisements for this show and I decided to check it out and it's surprisingly good! The acting is well done and everything else. The show is about a guy named Lincoln (Dominic Purcell) who gets arrested and framed for a crime that he didn't commit and now his brother, Michael (Wennworth Miller) installs himself in prison for one reason, to get his brother out of jail! FOX had better not cancel this one! Because I'm tired of the FOX network canceling all these other good shows that have potential and they put them on nights where they can't win and they have way too many reality shows! Plus all the good shows that FOX cancels last for 1 or 2 seasons like "Tru Calling", "Dark Angel", "Fastlane" just to name a few. But hopefully this show might last with all the good reviews from all the newspapers and magazines.

User Rating: 10/10

BOTTOM LINE: FOX SHOULD HOLD ON TO THIS ONE!

Season One: 10/10

Season Two: 9.5/10

Season Three: 7/10

Season Four: 4.5/10

Season Five: 8.5/10

Themes: Action, Crime, Prison Escape, Mystery, Suspense, Manhunt, Drama, Family, Relationships, Stealing, Government & Conspiracy Theories.

Top five characters: 1) Michael Scofield, 2) John Abruzzi, 3) David 'Whip' Martin, 4) Benjamin Miles 'C-Note' Franklin and 5) Fernando Sucre.

If I were to rate the seasons individually, the first two seasons would have gotten a much higher rating. I really liked those, the suspense was held high, there was something at stake there. It really loses its grip (on almost everything) with the end of season 2, to make way for the third season. While watching Season 3, I realized this was more or less a rehash of the first season (though not as good). Still compared to what they went and did in Season 4 ... Season 3 seems like Shakespeare compared to it.

Season 4 goes completely Telenovela on the viewer and while it could have been even more ridiculous, it was enough to almost make me rate the whole thing a 6 instead of a 7. But back to the good things. Season 1 and 2, with great characters and while still some peculiar coincidences, it was really suspenseful and did hold its own. You had some surprises but you also had some things to look forward too. The misdirections worked (the ones you spot and the ones you missed) and the acting was more than decent enough.

Talking about acting, one particular character (a bad/psychotic one) seems to be a favorite. Especially with the ladies and it's not purely for his looks (no offense). Which made me wonder, especially considering the crimes that character committed, why some people were rooting for him. But that's just me I guess, the actor playing him, does a great job and later in the show there is a female "counterpart" (sort of).

The show also got nominated for its score (and might have won a few awards) and rightfully so. The theme is really good and sets the tone. Even the advertising break interlude has a nice touch (of course watching it on Disc, you can avoid those). Everyone was making a big deal that this was a network show and not cable. So there is some violence and a bit of cursing, but not as much (and no nudity) as in other shows. But that was never a problem (at least not for my viewing pleasure).

If you can stop at/after Season 2, you might do yourself a big favor.

EDIT: Onto Season 5 then ... and as I predicted 6 years ago or so, became reality. Someone even has a season 6 locked in ... ah well. The latter might not happen, no matter how much quite a lot of fans want this to become reality. And I'm almost surprised no one has "rated" my review yet. Then again, there are over 700 - so there is that. But back to the "final" (?) season, which picks things up where we left them, but is way better than season 4 - ok that is not really difficult to achieve.

Some things get negated and others (prison sentences) get "explained". Also, who cares about "logic", yes? Not a real hardcore fan of the show - they will not. So switch your mind off and try to enjoy this romp as much as possible. Luck and everything included - it flows almost exactly like you expect it to. With all the necessary/expected story beats. Nothing much should surprise you here ...

Prison Break is one of the best new series. It's got personality, style, thrills and action. Michael Scofield robs a bank only to be caught and jailed. With him behind the bars he brings a plan to get himself and his brother, who is sentenced to death, out. What few people knows is that Michael is the architect of the prison and so he knows his way around.

The characters are really good. You really get to know them, but just so good that they're still unpredictable. You get to know some of their history and what kind of person they are. The actors does a great job in portraying these characters. I've only seen Dominic Purcell in John Doe, a performance I didn't find that good. However, in Prison Break his potential in shown. He portrays Lincoln Burrows very good. Wentworth Miller also does a great job as Lincoln's brother, Michael Scofield.

The story may seem a little incredible and some facts may be wrong, but never the less it's made quite believable. You believe the locations and the characters and how they behave and react. The story is well written and detailed and it all seems possible. They've managed to give this series kind of it's own style and personality. The basic idea of escaping a prison is old and so you might not wanna call this show original. On the other hand you don't know what else to call it. It is a new twist to an old idea (and a good one I might add) and it is not filled with clichés. It gives a realistic image of what could very well be. At the same time you got the old hero who's out to save the innocent. Yet, Michael is not treated like a hero. He leans more towards being a anti-hero.

The cinematography is great. This is one of those series with it's own unique look. The mood, style and action is well captured in really good looking shots followed by really nice music.

If you should start to watch one new series this year, it should be Prison Break.

Excellent acting and well written. One of those shows that you can't wait until the next episode and even more credible than "24" which, I have to say, this past year got a little out there. It's great and well worth your time.

Wentworth Miller brings a stoic dignity to the role, earnest and steadfast. Dominic Purcell is wonderful as his brother on the cusp of needing to believe his brother will help him. Peter Stormare is creepy as only he can be. And Stacy Keech is refreshing as an atypically concerned prison warden. Nick Santora and Paul Scheuring's writing is spot on and intriguing, leaving you wishing that this was a novel so that the pages could be turned faster. I would encourage any who have the fortitude to watch this show. Pure gold.