La casa de papel review (Series, 2017)

La casa de papel starts his last lap

No need to take the time to present La casa de papel so much the Spanish series has reached a high level of popularity, even becoming encrusted in popular culture thanks to a few elements. But the phenomenon is not doomed to go on forever, and it is the end which is fast approaching with the new episodes which have just been put online. This part 5 will nevertheless make the pleasure last a bit, by breaking down in two parts. Each containing five episodes, they are scheduled a few months apart. The first, therefore, which has just arrived this September 3, will then be followed by the second, the December 3.

Before getting to the heart of the matter, a little reminder of the facts is in order. Part 4 ended on a bitter note, with the death of Nairobi. The latter was killed by this deranged Gandía. Outside, the situation was also tense with a fleeing Alicia discovering the Professor’s hideout. The last episode sparked a showdown between the two and the brains of the gang were at gunpoint. In summary, everything was going off the rails and the signs of hope began to fade. Part 5 picks up exactly where it all left off, confirming that this grand finale risks causing damage and casualties.

An explosive part 5!

In the space of four seasons, we had the time to understand and identify the recipe for La casa de papel. The series relies on its narrative pirouettes, pushing an ever more complicated plan to its limits, while trying to develop a gallery of colorful characters. Entertainment is often at the rendezvous, as long as we accept the big strings and the mistakes of the writers. Unsurprisingly, we stay in this vein with part 5. The series pulls out its usual big hooves, leaps from one twist to another and is keen not to bore its audience. This is to his credit because, in fact, the episodes pass quickly and there is always something happening thanks to the perpetual excesses of the scenario.

With this new burst of episodes, the faders are at their maximum. We take out the rocket launcher, the flamethrower and the cartridges rain endlessly. Show side, the first part of the finale assumes its end of the bargain with intense action scenes. Too bad if not many people touch each other and if the characters empty entire magazines into the walls. We note with amusement that all the noise does not lead to much, but we must also be fair with the series and note that it does not hesitate to abuse the characters physically and psychologically.

A scenario still unequal

Within the Bank, the series rather keeps its promises. The building becomes a battlefield on which we do not see the time pass. A finding less true as soon as you get out of it. On the Professor’s side, his bow in Alicia’s company is disappointing because of a too coarse rocker. But the most disturbing is surely at the level of the flashbacks. Especially when Berlin is back in the dance. His appearances bring nothing, apart from filling in the space for the episodes to reach the 50-minute mark. We do not understand what interest the writers find in the return of this member, if it is not come to titillate the nostalgia of the fans. An entire secondary fabric has been built around him, with no connection whatsoever to what is going on in the robbers.

The little appearance of Nairobi, for example, makes a lot more sense and does not weigh down the whole thing. The Berlin subplot disappears in the fifth episode, around the same time the series reaches an almost perfect balance between all the components she likes to wield. Past and present respond to each other, while action and emotion take turns brilliantly. One of the best episodes of the series, perhaps. A perfect conclusion to start the finale, certainly.

La casa de papel, created by Álex Pina, volume 1 of part 5 available on Netflix from September 3, 2021. Above the trailer. Find all our trailers here.