Prison Break - TV Series Review

In ‘Prison Break’, Michael Scofield, a structural engineer with the objective of getting imprisonment in order to help his brother Lincoln Burrows, a death row inmate who was framed for a murder he did not commit. Michael’s plot is the record in his body ink where he has inscribed even the smallest details to the escape plan. Let the countdown to Lincoln’s execution begin and the series will brilliantly do its dance through drama, friendship, and politics. The plots get smarter with twists that make the target audiences stay on toes while joining the protagonists in thinking about justice and revenge. It deals with themes of morality and the internal conflict of characters enmeshed with suspense and tension. Areality helps boost the general ambiance of oppressive and nerve-wringing feeling that each episode reveals political conspiracy as well as increasing layers of emotions from people involved. The notes of hope and depressive elements make the battle necessary as a genuine fight for survival in the face of impossible odds.

Dominic Purcell and Wentworth Miller turn in tremendous emotional and physical performances as the Burrows brothers. Miller’s performance can be admired as realistic in his sophisticated yet warm-hearted character of Michael Scofield and Purcell’s intense vibration as Lincoln. Adding another twist of creative interjection to the diversified cast, Robert Knepper is enacting the notorious Theodore ‘T-Bag’ Bagwell. Every character transforms and develops strongly, from contributing to the plot to making the audience care about what happens to them.

Directing trio Bobby Roth, Kevin Hooks and Dwight H Little handle rather convoluted plot well and keep the necessary tension level high. Through the characterization of direction, real life and drama makes the narrative signal never to falter offering thrilling sequences that hold the audience tightly and desiring for more. They create a world that is as detailed as the viewer wants to focus on it and the intricate art of an episode unfolds with purpose, despite having thirty minutes, each is well planned and executed.

And the orchestral score that escalates with every turn and twist to keep the audience at the edge of their seat. It acts as an emotional companion on the series, providing focus to dramatic and emotionally raw scenes, as well as reminding the viewers of the fast pace of the show. The music enhances the theme of drama in the series and engages an overall anticipation to the series’ environment.

Dante spinotti gives a realistic picture of prison life and the metamorphosing of the main actor. This is evident by the tight framing, shadowy visuals which give the community a gloomy feeling while the characters have no option but to survive against all odds thus giving the audience an excellent view. The use of camera work can be seen throughout the show, from each perfectly staged shot to heightening the tension of the narrative sequences of escaping confinement of Fox River State Penitentiary that forms the theme in ‘Prison Break’. Iron bars and elaborate set work very effectively to establish the rigor and inhumanity of life in prison and given the series a realistic bent. The use of makeup and sound is an important aspect because it adds realistic feel of the show and its plot.

While not all that frequent, ‘Prison Break’ makes good use of special effects for the betterment of the series. The effects are applied organically most of the time, paying close attention to realism while amplifying the thrilling element of the escape plan as the primary concern of the story. This plays out in a very subtle way which aims more at the human aspect of the drama of the series.

Quite a lot of editing is done in ‘Prison Break,’ which is very tight, helping to sustain the very fast pace and suspense of the series. There are no breaks in tension and suspense allowing each shot to build on the other and be significant. Such tight-knit editing guarantees an audience is fully immersed in the story and perched on the edge of their seat.

Closely knitted pacing is another feature of the series, thanks to the show’s full of tension and anticipation every episode. This speed is quite helpful in maintaining audience engagement, as every twist and every cliffhanger attracts the viewers to follow the Burrows brothers’ story. It is equipped with a really good tempo that brings equal doses of action, intrigue, and character’s inner evolution.

The show benefits from well-written and smart dialogue which is crucial to solving all the mysteries of the given plot. The writing provides layers of personality to each character and the story unfolds with every dialogue. The dramatic lines embody the premise of the series and deliver, to the extent, the psychological and emotional struggles of the characters.

In my opinion, ‘Prison Break’ is all about adrenaline and, despite being extremely engaging, the show is not without its issues ; it is for instance fairly awkward when the series attempt to add layers to their characters in the later seasons. The untidy twists at times border on convolutions which for a moment negates the clear cut and concise start of the series. Still, the acting and concept successfully appeal to viewers, although the plot begins to lose its concentration toward the end parts of the show. It has immense interesting plot and wonderful actors that make it amazing series even though it could be rather too narrative sometimes. The acting, cinematography, direction are good but the best part about the movie are the simple yet engaging narrative the authors of the film created, the characters they’ve developed, the themes they have presented are mind-boggling; the suspense can be felt right till the last scene of the movie and that’s what people will love to watch and I bet on it.