Inadvands
Boring, over-political, tech fuzed mess
Glucedee
It's hard to see any effort in the film. There's no comedy to speak of, no real drama and, worst of all.
StyleSk8r
At first rather annoying in its heavy emphasis on reenactments, this movie ultimately proves fascinating, simply because the complicated, highly dramatic tale it tells still almost defies belief.
lathe-of-heaven
Since others here have gone into detail about the basic story, I thought I'd just leave a few brief comments comparing this original Danish version to the one that was remade here in the states as 'The Killing'The primary thing for me personally, and this may just be my own sensitivities or personal preference, but I REALLY liked the characters in this version a LOT better than in the U.S. one. I've not completed either of the series, but I have come away with a definite impression comparing the two.The U.S. one I tried to watch first (Netflix - a 'free trial' and I chose this show to watch first :) I got through several episodes, and the overall atmosphere and basic production was pretty good and similar to this one, even down to the nifty drums in the soundtrack when a particularly dramatic moment was coming up. BUT... in my lowly and wretched opinion, I just didn't care for the actual characters in the American version. The main detective was good, but I just got so bloody tired of her same bland, blank expression all the time. And, I know this probably is just me, but the frigg'n CONSTANT gum chewing in each and EVERY bloody scene! GEEZ... okay, cute little plot device, but did it need to completely dominate EVERY scene with her chomping away. I honestly found that quite annoying (as if you couldn't tell) And her partner in the U.S version just came across as such a COMPLETE @sshole, to me anyway it just went beyond, WAY beyond what was necessary to convey the contrast with her business like manner and methods. So, as you can see, the TWO MAIN characters of the show I wasn't very impressed with; so not a great beginning, that's for sure...In this Danish version, the characters come across as MUCH more real and believable instead of artificial constructs. I will say though, I did think that the politician in the American version was a pretty cool guy; I really liked him a lot (doesn't he kind of remind you of a young Anthony Perkins) Very slick and likable guy. The Danish guy is very good too, but the politician guy was about the ONLY character that I actually liked in the U.S. version.The U.S. version seems to throw a number of deliberately manufactured red herrings at you right at the first. It's not that I mind that approach at all; most of your very best Mysteries do that, but I guess I just don't really care for the rather superficial way they really build up the suspense in the very last few minutes of an episode REALLY making it look like someone is guilty, and then almost immediately in the next episode basically throw cold water all over it, making you go, 'Oh, okay...' To me, it comes across as sort of gimmicky and 'artificial' rather than a more naturally occurring development of the story.So, I will leave this brief comparison with you, basically just my lowly impressions of the differences between the two series. Hopefully that will give you at least a little something to go on if you are trying to decide which version to watch. FWIW, primarily the main difference to me is that I like the characters here in this original Danish version a LOT better, so I will be much more likely to enjoy and continue watching the rest of the 3 seasons...
loipoi99
I just finished season 1. I wasn't going to leave a review but after reading some of the comments here I had to. I must have WATCHED ANOTHER SHOW or something. Lets start with the good. The acting was very good and the choice of actors for each part. The plot had you wanting for more without being dull. I really enjoyed the political aspect of the show.I am not so much into cop series so the politics was a bright break. The atmosphere throughout the show is brilliant. Especially when dealing with the Brick-Larsen family, death and the teacher, and especially in the first episodes. I think I haven't seen a series capture death/mourning more convincingly. Bravo for that. I didn't mind the pace which was sometimes slowish. Great cliffhanger too for the 2nd season which by the way I almost didn't watch as I rarely watch the ending titles. Now the disappointing part.. The Ending. There was none. Why was Nana drugged, raped, violated and killed?? For no reason really. And that would have been fine if the show was 10 episodes not 20. You have a quick, we-run-out-of-ideas ending, basically dragging the show through pointless irrelevant hoops just to make it longer. Now if that's how season 2 and 3 are going to roll I would rather watch something else.
Steve B
This is an excellent crime series. I'm not sure it would work in the US because US crime series are often one or 2 crimes covered in a one hour show. This series is one big crime with subplots covered over a whole season of shows. This show has kept us on edge for each season and we can't wait for the next season. It is amazing how the Dane's can crank out so many great series of really high caliber.It keeps us on edge but we're able to watch shows as we want rather than when they're aired. The lead detective is always resistive in the beginning, but goes all in pretty quick. She is great. They do kill off major characters which is disappointing but keeps things exciting too, I guess. Being a policeman in Scandinavia appears to be very subjective employment with politics related to anything an officer does. Police here aren't in jeopardy of losing their jobs so easily unless they commit brutality, a crime, or fail to support a criminals basic rights. Even then I just don't thing they'd be demoted or removed from position as easily in this show. It seems the job is on the line, political collapse is looming, and everyone wants a solution so quick they're willing to allow false imprisonment or a criminal free. I think these jolting and shocking plot lines are what drives this show and others from this region.I recommend you watch this and if you can get past the blatant violence and pitiful sorrow of the victims portrayed in the first few episodes, then you'll be hooked. I have yet to check out the US version.
Haqqel Paalz
At first I wasn't going to write a review for this but having read some of the other reviews and topics on the forums here, I feel compelled to do so after all.This, as with Forbrydelsen I, is a highly intelligent series and you have to pay attention to what you're watching to get everything. As far as I can tell there were no real plot holes here. When everything isn't spelled out for you (like with CSI or similar shows) I can understand some people missing a few things here and there, but the series isn't to blame for that. I for one happen to like the fact that a lot of things are not conveyed through direct dialogue, if you however need an exposition dump every 10 minutes, this show may not be for you.Secondly, I keep running into complaints about the subtitles. Now, I don't speak a word of Danish and English isn't my first language. I however didn't encounter even ONE instance where I didn't get what was going on or had to reinterpret the subtitles to fit the storyline. I watched the BBC subbed version of both FI and FII and they're both fine.Thirdly, about the differences between FI and FII. Yes, FI had twice the amount of episodes, yes, FI followed the victims' family and FII simply doesn't. To me though this does not, in any way mean, that FI is better. I thought F1's biggest flaw was that those family scenes dragged on for way too long even though most of them didn't influence the plot (AT ALL). I also found the pacing of FII to be a lot better, at first some scenes did feel a bit rushed, but that's only when comparing it to FI. After an episode or 2 I got used to it and to me the experience was a lot better. If you however like series that sometimes seem to come to a grinding halt, don't watch FII because you'll be heavily disappointed by the continuing presence of tension.Last but not least, I've read people complaining about the unlikeliness and improbability of the entire story. Seriously guys? There were some plot points in F1 that weren't quite probable either (Rie covering that much up for example) but they didn't feel completely unrealistic, and we were willing to accept them because they fit so perfectly with the rest of the storyline. Pretty much the same thing is going on here, the most improbable plot points are still probable enough to keep your disbelief easily suspended. Nothing is really too stretched, and nothing is too "conspiracy"-y either. Plus, it's still a work of fiction, and as realistic as it may seem, some writer thought this story up to entertain us. If you can't handle that, go watch a documentary.All in all, I thought this was just as decent as FI. Hope this helps.
