The Man in the High Castle

I stumbled upon this series by chance while reading the latest reviews here; otherwise, I wouldn't have had a clue that such a thing exists. Writer Philip K. Dick was one of the most talented authors in the sci-fi genre, and he would rightfully be proud that most of his books have been adapted to the big screen with a certain brilliance. Alternative reality has always fascinated me; it allows one to fully unleash their imagination and create something unusual. The idea of the Allies losing World War II sends shivers down your spine; after all, it's something we wouldn't want to experience. Especially when you add the near-total occupation of the USA. The division of the USA into three zones was interesting, each characterized by a different system (East - under Nazi control, Center - neutral, West - under Japanese control). The 1960s ambiance was palpable in every shot, with the sets giving the impression that it looked too real to have not actually happened. The story was not clichéd; each character was utilized, and the secondary storylines made sense and did not play the role of unnecessary inserts. There isn’t much action here, but believe me, a few scenes will leave an emotional impact (Heydrich's arrival, relatives' death caused by gas, meeting Hitler). I am fully excited for the continuation, which, according to many, is a notch higher. There is still room for improvement. For me, the first season receives 87%. (02.11.2017)

It’s true that the early episodes started off with a slower pace and sometimes duller situations, but for the atmosphere and especially the second half of the series, I have to give it five stars. I took a longer break between seasons, but maybe it was for the best, as it allowed everything to settle properly in my mind. The second season boasts the exact same cast, which drives the series toward guaranteed success. I was once again intrigued by the storyline involving John Smith, and I hope that in the third season we’ll finally learn how he went from the American army to such a high position within Nazi Germany. The plot involving the Japanese, led by Inspector Kid, also holds up well. Action is scarce, but when it does come, it often spares no brutality and surprises the viewer, as it can come out of nowhere and significantly shift the dynamics. The final episodes, especially the last two, were worth it. I honestly thought a third world war was about to break out, so now I just have to wait to see what the creators come up with for the next season. It’s about time to clarify the films about alternative realities (if that’s even the right term). I give it 91%. (02.04.2018)