| Product: |
The Sopranos |
| Date: |
23/07/08 (71 review reads) |
| Rating: |
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Sopranos was one of those shows where I knew it was around but didn't really think about watching it until it had ended and there was a lot of hype surrounding it. This was a good thing in my eyes though as I had the entire six series that I could sit there and work through. I will review the series separately but this is a general review on why I think the TV programme is so great.
What is the Show About?
The actual show is about the Sopranos family. Now by family here I mean it in two ways. The first is about Tony (the Dad), Carmela (the Mom), Meadow (the daughter) and A.J (the son). The show follows each of them around as you get to know a lot about each character and the troubles and highs and lows that every single family do have. This also includes a crazy Nan and a completely mad Sister.
The second family is the Soprano mob family as Tony is actually a big mob boss. This family consists of Tony, Paulie, Silvio, Christopher, Pussy and a load of other interesting characters as we follow them around on their daily activities and find out what it is like to be ahead in the mafia.
The show is about these two families and they way that they interact with each other and what happens. Each member of each is developed well and the stories do always intermingle so it is great seeing the main guy Tony's life from these two very different perspectives.
If I were to put a type on this TV series I would say it is a violent drama. What it actually is though is a lot of comedy and a lot of fun and a lot of romance and action but all done in a very mafia sort of way. Some scenes will have you laughing out loud and wanting more but some will have you turning away because you can't bear to see what happens next and the link between the two is fantastic.
The types of stories that the characters face on the show are all to do with money and family so it does tend to flick between the two in each episode. For instance one episode can see Tony having to sort out his family and being bossed about by Carmela and then the next can see him having to make massive decisions on if somebody lives or dies. It is fantastic that the show handles each of these with ease and you can really identify with how people do act in the show.
One of the things that do remain constant within the shows story lines is that Tony does see his psychiatrist Dr Melfi and it is great as it gives you a clear indication of how Tony changes.
Cast and Characters
The cast and characters are all amazing and I cannot fault any one of them as they all seem perfectly chosen for the roles they play so let's start with the main man.
James Gandolfini - Tony Soprano
Tony is such a fantastic character and after watching James play him I do not think anybody could have done a better job as he is perfect. Tony is one of those people that can be so soft one minute and you love him and then the next he can turn into the nastiest piece of work. This is what makes his character seem so interesting as he is unpredictable and has to do what he thinks best. James plays him with ease and looks like a mob boss so is great.
Edie Falco - Carmela Soprano
Carmela is a nice character who knows exactly what Tony does for a living and puts up with him a lot for the sake of her family. She is a dedicated mother who always looks out for the kids. Edie is fabulous as she is immediately somebody you can take a liking to and plays the role of caring wife and mother but also shrewd business woman at times very well. Absolutely fantastic.
Jamie-Lynn Sigler - Meadow Soprano
Meadow is a fun character who sort of knows what is going on with her Dads job and has fun playing both of her parents up. She is also smart and switched on. Sigler is great as her and is immediately likeable.
Robert Iller - A.J Soprano
Out of Meadow and A.J I like A.J the best as I think he is funny and a little pain. Such a good character and Iller plays him so well as you like A.J but you could also kill him sometimes.
Michael Imperiioli - Christopher Moltisanti
Chris is a good character as he is perhaps one of the nastiest in the show in my opinion. He is funny but also so scary and out of the mob people he is the one to look out for. Imperioli plays him so well it is unreal and he is perfect for this role and suits him so well.
Lorraine Braco - Dr Melfi
A nice character who has a lot of depth to her and we see her change over the course of the show. Braco is perfect in this role.
Steve Van Zandt - Silvio
Tony's second in command and just as unpredictable as Tony. One to watch as in many cases what Sil says goes and he also owns the greatly named strip club bada bing which is where they all meet. Steve is fantastic and a true mob person in this show. Wonderful1!!!
Ok to be honest I am going to stop listing the characters now as there are so many great ones I would be here for ages. I think all characters in this show are so memorable and the show will have you talking about them for ages after you have watched it. I think it is amazing that in six series I have not seen one badly cast character which shows how much the makers adored this show.
About the Show:
The show is an 18 certificate and that is because with all of the violent content it does really need to be. I have had to look away from the screen on more than one occasion which is unlike me but sometimes it does get too much. What I think this show has that I didn't think it would though is lots of comedy which is just wonderful. I think I have laughed out loud with every episode and it is mainly when Paulie laughs as his is just a great laugh.
Each episode goes on from 40 - 50 minutes and some a little over that and the episodes go by very quickly indeed. You can start watching one and then two seconds later it will be over.
The Sopranos started in 1999 and made six series which you can buy every single one on DVD now for about £18 for most of them which is good. There are around 12 episodes in each series so I think it is well worth the money for them. I think you will like this show if you like things like prison break as although there is no action it has a similar feel I think.
Verdict:
I have loved every episode bar 1 and the characters and stories are so amazingly good that I was upset when I came to the end of my Soprano viewing. I cant believe I brought it on a whim to give it a go and got that addicted I had to have the rest straight away. It is a fantastic show and I would love them to make more but the main thing was that it was satisfying to start with and satisfying to end and never lost the pace in the middle.
A great show!!!!!
Thanks for reading.
xxx
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