Narcos

I've been putting off the series for maybe half a year, but thanks to the current film shortage I've gone full steam ahead and I don't regret a second of the time I spent on it. Pablo Escobar is a someone who has earned my respect and it's definitely good to know how things worked in Colombia at the time. Highlights: the detailed instructions on how to make cocaine, the presidential election, and his own prison. Very good, interesting, engaging and decently gritty. 95% (09/07/2017)

A Spanish-language series, a South American production with no stars... not long ago, you would have laughed at the idea. Fortunately, miracles have been happening on TV in recent years, and Narcos is another one of them, and the boundary between film and series has been crossed even south of Hollywood. Just think of the best crime-drama series of recent years and enhance it with the fact that this time it’s not fiction but the ruthless Colombian history, and very objectively depicted at that. You won't see the glorification of the Americans or the Colombians who went for the narco-baron's throat. In short, José Padilha and co. have portrayed Escobar's life journey in a way that would make an expert on the ups and downs of great men – Martin Scorsese – proud. (09/27/2015)

Could this be the most meticulously crafted series I’ve ever seen? Quite possibly. The first season of Narcos grips you like few things have before. I’ve never paid much attention to television productions, as they often don’t have the highest budgets, but Narcos defies those preconceived notions with every minute. It approaches the level of a blockbuster, and that’s an undeniable fact. The casting was spot-on. For the role of Escobar, a Latin American actor was a must, and with Wagner Moura on hand, who has the talent and a striking resemblance to the criminal, hesitation was not an option. Moura gave his all, and it showed. Even his gaze was deadly, reflecting the intense preparation he undertook for the role. The supporting roles were also excellently cast; you won’t find anyone who feels out of place. As a probe into the operations of drug lords and the underworld, it functions superbly. The atmosphere is palpable, everything is depicted with no restraints and boundaries, and it is simply authentic. At times, it felt like I was watching a documentary (though there was real, albeit quite dramatic, footage, it helped understand daily life in Colombia). The action scenes were also perfectly handled. I have nothing to criticize. I’m looking forward to the next season; a series about such a notorious criminal hasn’t been seen in a long time, and likely won’t be again soon. It’s definitely worth savoring. I’m giving it 96%. (08/03/2019)

An amazingly gripping introduction. Pablo’s rise is compelling and Miami in the 80s always brings back memories of Scarface and the days I used to cruise around Vice City. The semi-documentary style and the narrator’s idiosyncratic style perfectly illustrate the atmosphere of success and horrific destruction that the white snow brought to Florida with it, but the money... Season 2: the first half is unbelievably high-speed. Carillo’s return and farewell are some of the high points of the series. Moura is excellent the whole time. Even though the second half (of the second half) is slower overall, it’s that much more methodical... conspiratorial. Introspective. Hard to say if it was a good idea to prolong the series with two more seasons. Of course, it has potential, but I hope that it won’t be a mere dilution and that the creators will continue to keep their feet firmly on the ground. Coma Mierda. (10/05/2015)

The first episode has immediately sucked me in with how informative and documentary-like Pablo Escobar’s story felt. The documentary style of editing gets slower and slower with following episodes, but I didn’t even mind. You’ll be watching every minute and wait for the writers to hit you with another fun fact that will once again assure you that you aren’t watching fiction. Quite the contrary, you’re watching an incredibly cruel reality of Columbia at the time. At times, it’s even hard to believe that all of this could happen. However, exactly this incredulity is the core of the premise that is so strong that not even 5 stars feel enough. It was an absolute blast. Netflix really outdid themselves. (05/15/2018)