Common Sense Media Review
By Melissa Camacho
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Prequel has likable thieves, less thrill; cursing, violence.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 15+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Money Heist: Berlin
What's the Story?
BERLIN, a prequel of the popular Spanish series Money Heist, stars Pedro Alonso as Berlin, an eccentric but brilliant thief who's in Paris to steal jewels worth 44 million euros from 34 countries in a single evening. Berlin has assembled a brilliant team, including shy electronic engineer Kelia (Michelle Jenner), Damián (Tristán Ulloa), an absent-minded professor with a penchant for robbery, jack-of-all-trades Bruce (Joel Sánchez), and Roi (Julio Peña), a young and talented lock picker with whom Berlin has a somewhat paternal relationship. Joining them is rookie Cameron (Begoña Vargas), an adrenaline junkie with a troubled past. They're committed to putting this heist together and successfully seeing it through, but Berlin is a bit distracted by his recent divorce from his third wife and his surprising attraction to an unsuspecting target.
Is It Any Good?
The amusing series takes us back to the years before the infamous Spanish heists, when the criminal mastermind was healthier and in charge of his own gang of thieves. You can't help but root for the charming Berlin and the other quirky characters, whose antics are entertaining. From their point of view we see how each stage of the master plan comes together, what challenges they face along the way, and, of course, the success or failure of the entire enterprise. It's fun, but there's some obvious sexist behavior, and Berlin lacks the thrill of its parent series because it feels more focused on the likable cast than it does the heist that's being planned. Some franchise fans will be disappointed by this, but it's still entertaining, and even those unfamiliar with Money Heist can enjoy it.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the differences between Berlin at the height of his career, and what he's like by the time the heists in Spain took place years later. What led to the transformation?
How does Berlin encourage viewers to hope for the criminals' success? Is this an ethical thing to do?
TV Details
- Premiere date : December 29, 2023
- Cast : Pedro Alonso , Michelle Jenner , Begona Vargas
- Network : Netflix
- Genre : Drama
- Character Strengths : Perseverance , Teamwork
- TV rating :
- Last updated : January 17, 2024
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