Reviews by:
@the_owlseyes
RATE THIS SERIES
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Is it weird that the best invention of our species(so far) is being used to its basic purpose. The Internet is an almost endless store of knowledge and possibilities. Consider that most of us use only what represents the tip of the iceberg. Sometimes we undervalue the extension of the grid and all its shapes. Sure, limiting ourself to using Social Media and doing simple researchs like places to eat, movies to watch, places to go and stuff like that could work because it's safe. Why don't we try to do something bigger out of it? Building something personal which could be remunerative and fun. Today a kid with a smartphone or a PC can do more damage or good than a boomer with the most powerful PC in the world. Or Generation could change things, could make things. We can create a revolution or change the market, only by using an hashtag. We're extremely powerful but weakened by the illusions created by the previous generations. We can change the world together. By using the little thing you have in your hands now. We can make wonders.
WE CAN
PLOT
"To win back the love of his life, a high school student and his best friend launch Europe's largest online drug business from their teenage bedroom" or "Teenage Heisenberg of the Generation Z".
SCRIPT
This is like Breaking Bad with teens. The protagonist and his friend are the two sides of Walter White at first but after a while they become their own thing. Moritz, the protagonist, starts as a insecure, emotional and vulnerable kid and becomes a almost fearless, arrogant, greedy and selfish gangster. An evolution which affects everyone around him and sets in motion different character archs. I like, a lot, the fact that Moritz is used as the narrator, sometimes unreliable, who explains us how everything works in real life and concepts about programming, drugs, internet and more interesting stuff. It's almost a documentary sometimes but it isn't boring because it's helped by a good editing and animation. Lenny represents, as Lisa and Daniel, the conscience and good side of Moritz. They're who stick with him until the end and help him grow as a character. They have good archs too, especially Lenny, who is vulnerable and ill.
The show doesn't try to glamourize drugs but it's like a character study of what powers and society can make to a teen with a mobile phone in its hand. But I think that the best of the series is the fact that our generation, Gen Z, has in its hand a lot of knowledge and it wastes it in social media and such, without trying to become something more, to use Internet to its peak potential. The series also deal with themes like love, friendship, obsession, sexuality and more. I think that this is a pretty impressive script which has been written by a sharp mind. It's noticeable because facts and concepts aren't shoved down our throats but they're handled with care, passion and attention to details.
Overall I'm pretty impressed. Very impressed.
Script: 9/10
ACTING
Almost all the actors do a good job. I can say that the ones who play the protagonist and co-protagonists, are particularly good at representing their characters.The best one is, without a doubt, Maximilian Mundt, who delivers a good representation of an insecure and geeky kid with a great mind which has an astonishing evolution, which trnasforms him into something else. There're times when acting is bad, really bad and I don't know how some of them made the final cut. Overall is sligthly above the average and slightly below a good level.
Acting: 7/10
PHOTOGRAPHY
This show grows on you from the first to the last season and I think that photography has a role in it. The first season is pretty stale because it offers just a few good moments but the last one, the last one is a gem. Lights and shadows dance together, crafting a visual experience which is good, even though it isn't on the level of other movies or series. There're no particulare shots which I consider majestic but the use of colours and lighting is remarkable. Not amazing, but impressive, considering that it's a teen drama.
Photography: 7/10
EDITING
As the VFX, this is one of the series strengths. There're just a few of boring shots. The editing is of different kind and I like how things like Slow Motion, Tilted Camera, Zoom Ins, Tracking Cameras,.....are used, because it makes the series pretty varied and original. Overall I'm pretty satisfied.
Editing: 8/10
SPECIAL EFFECTS
Even though they are used sparely, they shine when they're front and center. There's a lot of animation and pop ups which make this series more appetible for young people . I would say that the animations and vfx are what grant this series a certain level of quality of entertainment. I like how flashy it is when the protagonist describes a concept or a situation. This series works because of them, in my opinion. Overall I've been impressed by it.
Special Effects: 7/10
SOUNDTRACK
Pop and instrumental music are blended together to create a dynamic and pleasant score. Sure, it isn't the best or the most memorable but it stucks with you for a while. I think that it sets the tone and style of the series clearly and I think that it works perfectly.
Soundtrack: 6/10
COSTUMES
Usual teen clothes. They works but nothing more than that. Sometimes costumes become relevant to the plot but just one time, maybe two.
Costumes: 6/10
CONCLUSION
Script: 9/10
Acting: 7/10
Photography: 7/10
Editing: 8/10
Special Effects: 7/10
Soundtrack: 6/10
Costumes: 6/10
AVERAGE: 7,14
A pretty impressive series which seems like Breaking Bad for Teens but it evolves into it's own thing. I'm astonished because I didn't expected to be entertained like that. A truly remarkable German work. I advise you to see it because it's just awesome and compelling.
Director: Arne Feldhusen, Lars Montag
Screenplay: Sebastian Colley, Philipp Käßbohrer
Cast: Maximilian Mundt, Anna Lena Klenke, Danilo Kamperidis, Damian Hardung, Luna Baptiste Schaller, Leonie Wesselow, Bjarne Mädel
Soundtrack: Konstantin Gropper, Markus Winter
Cinematography: Armin Franzen, Borris Kehl
Running Time: 27 minutes
Budget: $ million
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