Money Heist has a huge hype in the corona lockdown. It was initially intended to be a television series originally named ‘La Casa De Papel’. The creator of this Spanish heist crime drama television series is Álex Pina. The English translation of ‘La Casa De Papel’ is ‘The House of Paper’. The term may particularly refer to places where ‘paper works’ are carried out. The television series was almost deemed as a flop until Netflix bought it in 2017. It was included in its international catalog under the name ‘Money Heist’. That’s when it blew up and became a phenomenon overnight. The masks and red jumpsuits frequently appeared in protests around the globe. The show became a symbol of resistance. Resistance against capitalism.
The series showcase, two well-planned heists, the first one takes place in The Royal Mint of Spain and the second one in The Bank of Spain. It all starts with Professor ( Álvaro Morte ), the mastermind of the plan, recruiting Tokyo ( Úrsula Corberó ) to the team of infiltrators. The story is narrated through her perspective. The seven other infiltrators were also codenamed after cities: Moscow (Paco Tous), Berlin (Pedro Alonso), Nairobi (Alba Flores), Rio (Miguel Herran), Denver (Jaime Lorente), Helsinki (Darko Peric) and Oslo (Roberto Garcia Ruiz). The infiltrators were constrained to share their personal information or to form bonds. The story unfolds as they prepare for and execute, an ambitious and highly dangerous heist.
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Money Heist lacks solemnity
It starts well with the thrill and action. It gives you a burst of adrenaline rushes with hundreds of unnecessary cliff-hangers. Despite having 100 unpredictable variables, things always turn out exactly as their leader plans, with hypocritical anti-capitalism propaganda and wannabe deep messages.
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Money Heist had several plot holes here and there and sometimes subplots are just left to rot. Regardless of some significant instances, the story never picks it up from there. Sometimes the plot holds no logic.
From hostages to become one of the infiltrators and the chief policewoman inspector joining them too, it all went downhill. It becomes unrealistic and lousy. The writing does not treat the heist with the seriousness it deserved. For a story that revolves around a perfect execution of a bank heist, the robbers have their own huge personal egos. Also, Too much screen time is given to romantic angles and emotional scenes.
Weak Characterisation
The character development in Money Heist sucks big time. The plan is everything for them, yet time-to-time they keep deviating from it. The infiltrators have been trained for five months for the heist but they go around pointing guns at each other, fighting and panicking like kids. The cops and military were depicted as dumb people. Sparing Berlin and Nairobi, all other infiltrators were seemingly dumb.
One of the most strong characters of the series was Berlin, played by Pedro Alonso. He’s a highly intelligent psychopath and a narcissist with homicidal tendencies. The way he plays his character, with calmness and almost elegance in his every move, will make you fall in love with him.
Tokyo, played by Úrsula Corberó, was the most volatile character in the show. She is the most spontaneous one amongst the group. She seems like she will ruin the whole plan at any given moment with her impulsiveness. She keeps you glued to the edge of your seat or perhaps a bed.
The professor, played by Álvaro Morte, was shown to be a genius sort-of guy, but he never seems to be imposing, as his character should be. There is always an aura of mystery and confusion surrounding his personality. Also, at times, he gets himself into picky situations to add some fire and evenness to the hostage drama.
Raquel Murillo, played by Itziar Ituño, was a frustrated policewoman with a lot of personal problems. She finds little clues but does absolutely nothing about it. With an unsettled mind, she goes on and trusts a random stranger more than her friend and colleague.
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Music Plays A Significant Role In Money Heist
‘Bella Ciao’ is one of the theme songs of Money Heist. It grew up to tremendous popularity following the show’s success. It translates to ‘Goodbye, beautiful’. The infiltrators use the song “Bella Ciao” as a rallying cry. The group reaches a high level of unity by singing the song together.
The song had its history as an anti-fascist resistance anthem. It was sung by poor and truly oppressed people having their homes to fight occupiers, risking their lives to liberate their country.
Money Heist is simply amazing but slightly overrated
With the hype going around everywhere on social media and the cherry on the cake, lockdown, the series is getting unwanted publicity.
If you lock your brain and think actually how the show wants you to think, you will find it very captivating. You may eventually become one of the hardcore fans. Whereas, if you like to use your brain and do a little logical thinking, you will soon be bored with sluggish writing and unbelievable stupidity on both sides, i.e. infiltrators and police. You will end up rooting for neither. Anyway, if you’re bored and have nothing good to watch, go for this.
Bella Ciao!
