La Cité de Dieu : La lutte continue

The acting and dialogue is so real and authentic you forget they are actors and that someone is directing this TV series. The original movie was amazing and clearly there was a range of acting talent in that. 90% of the actors in this TV series are so authentic and blur the lines of acting and reality that you really get drawn into the favela and forget that it is a show.

I rarely give a new show a 9/10. But five episodes in and it gets better each episode. So much happens in a quick amount of time.

I don't want to sensationalize violence and death, or pain (of the show). I do want to give flowers to the actors and the director/s who invested in their characters. There are so many characters in the show that the audience will invest in and care for.

Honestly I hope that this series brings light to the actual problems of poverty, violence, corruption, and crime in Brazil. I hope that the government/s of Brazil look at this show and honestly analyze solutions to their problems.

Because somehow through all of the violence, poverty, and chaos, the beauty of the Brazilian people continues to shine and provide hope. HBO has a Midas touch with dramatic TV series- and City of God delivers and will continue too. I hope there are 5 more episodes in the first season. I hope that they get renewed for a second season?

I've just watched episode 1 and it really brings in the same feelings i've had while watching the movie. As a brazilian, i must say, even though this portraits the saddest side of our reality, we can proudly say it is as well our biggest gem. "City Of God" is a global phenomenon paired with the biggest movies of all times. This TV series seems to be heading towards the right path, respecting the original material. We get to see old characters returning. It gives you those fast paced camera angles from the main character (a photographer) point of view vibes we're already familiarized with, and also introduces some new ideas by putting amazing actors and actresses from our country to the table. Definitely worth watching, and i can tell that this is just gonna get better and better.

I really wanted to just make a review with a short comment to whit: omg the English dubbing is just horrendous! But I have to adhere to the character count requirement, so sorry if this has too many words.

I can tell that the protagonist's English speaking dubber is African American because there's a tiny bit of the sound of a Black man's timbre and accent. That said, his English voice just doesn't mesh at all with his character, his situation, or his background!

All of the dubbers have a very flat, suburban (I know!!! But really! There's no flava at all!!!!!!!) voice and that makes the dialogue just sound ridiculous when paired with the chaotic, colorful, richly cultural, emotional characters and visuals.

Somebody dropped the ball here and the resulting presentations is , to me , just unwatchable.

Aloha!

It falls flat on almost every front, especially when compared to City of God. While the original captured a raw, visceral portrayal of life in the favelas, blending violence and beauty in a way that resonated deeply, the series squanders that legacy. Instead of focusing on authentic storytelling, it feels like the showrunners are more interested in pushing an agenda, sacrificing depth in the process.

The acting is painfully unconvincing, making it difficult to connect with the characters. The writing lacks the sharpness that made the film so powerful. Where the movie found beauty in the gritty reality of the favelas, the series seems confused-painting the ugliness of violence and corruption with a strange sense of admiration, almost as if it finds beauty where none exists.

A disappointing follow-up that misses the soul of its predecessor, offering a shallow, poorly-executed narrative.

It's been 22 years since I watched City of God in a art theater in college. I was truly expecting something pretentious and boring like most foreign films at the time. What I saw was not only one of the best films I'd ever seen, it arguably will keep me from ever buying a ticket to visit Brazil, lol. Having immigrated from the Caribbean, it manages to capture the vibe of where I came from to a level that's unnerving.

The TV show picks up where the first film came off in tone. The writing is superb and realistic, capturing interpersonal relationships at a deep and complicated level. The writing of the personalities of characters is incredible. The show is a true joy to watch. I thought this time, the show would be a cash-in. It's not, it's a classic. I hope the entire season maintains its intensity but if it's like the last movie, we're in for a ride!