Johan Falk: GSI - Gruppen för särskilda insatser

At first glance, you might think the Johan Falk series was some sort of libertarian fantasy--intrepid lone hero breaks all the petty rules of society to struggle against titanic forces of evil. But of course it's just the opposite--Johan Falk is slick propaganda for the police state.

Why does Johan have to be the lone hero in the first place? Because the powers of law and order are hobbled by all those silly rules of due process and civil liberties, and the only answer (as the stories repeatedly assert) must be a huge increase in the surveillance, regulatory, and policing power of the state. Take that, Ayn Rand! To be sure, the show is extremely well made, with lots of action, fancy houses, and hot actors. And also lots of hokum about the takeover of Europe by criminal forces to justify our only salvation, a total police state. And do NOT even whisper the word "Fascism," or Johan will ridicule you as politically correct eunuch.

I hear this is Dick Cheney's favorite show. He probably watches it on the local state-funded, "liberal" PBS station.

This is the first movie in the series with Joel Kinnaman as Frank Wagner and also one of the best!

I was first skeptic when I saw "The third wave" from Johan Falk film series which was the 3rd film of 20. I found out there were two films made before this film so I search for them right after finishing the third wave. I then purchased the rest of the 17 films. After finishing all 20 films, we felt like we were so integrated in the film's characters and story and was a bit depressed after seeing the last film.

Characters- the actors played well on each of their characters that you will end up either loving them, supporting their ideas and eventually rooting for them, and I'm talking about both the protagosnist(Johan Falk and his team) and anatagonists(Rydell). They were characters that you can relate into and at some point feel like they are people around you living a normal life but also doing heroic jobs. The characters are not over decorated with fighting skills like those in hollywood movies. They are characters that are good and dedicated at what they do.

Plot- there is a realistic approach where the stories of the characters involved can be much compared or related to the real world. The reason why you feel all the way that this is not a film but a reality, no exageration and even the gun fight scenes are more realistic compared to hollywood movies.

Approach- the films are made of scenes that you can agree on if you were in their situation. Direct and no corny cheesy moments but has some humor at some unexpected times. Very Swedish!

Me and my norwegian husband loved the films so much that (after seeing almost all the movies on netflix), we agreed with each other that Johan Falk films are one of the best films we've ever seen.

The Johan Falk movies are THE BEST movies I've ever watched! They're exciting all the time and very realistic. When you're watching you never want to take your eyes of for just a second. Start with this movie, it's the first one in the Frank Wagner-series, and then you're stuck I promise!

One important thing is that you NEED to see them in the RIGHT ORDER! It's so much things that you won't understand if you haven't watched the previous movies.

I have seen a LOT of movies and series, and these movies are on a whole different level. Joel Kinnaman and Jens Hultén are so good at acting in these movies. You can watch these movies with your friends, partners, parents, everyone will love them!!! Just try the first movie, you won't regret it!

In fact, for me, the film in question was the first one to familiarize myself with Johan Falk - although the first films with this character were shot a decade before. When the participation of Beck or Wallander in chases and shootings was rather limited, then Falk has well "settled" in the challenges related to modern depravities and felonies; Sweden is not a nice and calm place anymore - mostly due to the influx of immigrants and development of mobility - and more severe crimes need more severe measures to be taken. Falk and his colleagues are equal to the task, using all the help the modern technology can provide. Nevertheless, old approaches are still in place, enabling to exploit the Frank Wagner's character (giftedly performed by Joel Kinnaman), who sometimes overshadows Johan Falk himself (well, Jakob Eklund is pleasant, even as older). Anyway, all the characters spending more time on screen are elaborated and well played, and there is no contrasting of "good" and "bad" guys.

Thus, the film is virtually as good as any good British crime thriller, for example. I am eager to see all other Falk films as soon as possible.