Note: Since I have been exposed to a traumatic binge-watching experience, you might find traces of idiotic writing in my review. But that’s not me. That’s the trauma speaking.
Five people making a secret society and Mike Myers presenting such a prospect on screen; there has to be an element of ridicule to it. I hope you are not offended when I call The Pentaverate an absurd show because Netflix itself describes it as ‘absurd and offbeat.’
My problem with The Pentaverate is not that the show explores a meaningless idea but how badly it executes it. To be honest, writing about the series is going to be tough, but I think I have the ‘balls’ (the trauma speaking) to do that.
The Pentaverate Review Summary
Even if I try to be constructive, there’s no chance of not venting my frustration on such a poorly crafted miniseries. There’s not even one thing to like about The Pentaverate. Be it the concept, or the execution, nothing really works.
I don’t believe in criticizing a piece of art with inappropriate barbs and exchanges, but this Netflix series is probably amongst the worst American shows ever made. Keep reading The Pentaverate review to know why I feel so.
The Pentaverate Synopsis
The show’s plot revolves around The Pentaverate, a benevolent secret society of five ‘nice’ men who try to influence world events. Directed by Mike Myers, it stars Debi Mazar, Lydia West, Jennifer Saunders, Jeremy Irons, and Mike Myers himself, among others.
Mind me writing a bit more here? Leave it; even the synopsis is unbearable.
What Works for The Pentaverate?
For the first time since I started writing reviews, I have liked NOTHING about a show. ZILCH!
What Doesn’t Work for The Pentaverate?
Concept
The first and foremost thing that you notice about an offbeat show is the conceptual base it sets upon. I was no different, and the sole reason I decided to watch The Pentaverate was its alluring concept.
However, the show fails miserably in setting the tone for a swashbuckling ride. You have a society of five people with a cringy name, and then you have these high-fi technological arrangements. But what’s the ultimate goal of it all? To drop shit in the face of the audience?
For a moment, The Pentaverate starts well, arousing your curiosity, but soon it bangs its head on an iron rod of illogical sequences. And the biggest tragedy is the makers think it’s funny.
Performances
I would have definitely praised the work of all actors, but the heavy prosthetics some of them are unnecessarily wearing are beyond my understanding. Moreover, when acting is about overacting, there’s not much scope for showering applauses.
A Satire, really?
In one way, The Pentaverate is a satirical take on misinformation and technology. The show has numerous moments where it depicts the society (of nice men) as the savior in times like these when Privacy is a myth and youngsters are obsessed with social media.
When it is a satire, you have to keep in mind three basic aspects: social message, performance, and contrasting themes. However, The Pentaverate mixes contrast with contradiction by opposing many things which it itself approves at one point.
And there is no wholesome social message either. It begins as a liberator or a rescuer, but with time, the story falters by mingling themes like internal politics and pure soul. If the makers had focused on a single goal, we might have had a good show at hand.
Not Funny at All
In times when we are regularly exposed to some brilliant stand-ups, funny movies, and tickling short stories, I wonder which book the makers of The Pentaverate followed while writing one-liners for the show.
There’s a scene where a Russian character pronounces ‘focus’ as ‘fuck us.’ Dude, do you really think that would work? I mean, like, for a second, didn’t you get the thought of how cliché accent-based jokes have become?
Fluffy jokes, poor comic-timing, and over-the-top expressions are some of the factors that pull this Netflix show down. Everybody is trying to be funny, but there wasn’t one moment where I felt like laughing my heart out.
The Mentality of ‘Everything Works’
In the age of the internet, some people think they have to just create content, and it would work, and The Pentaverate is probably a result of such mindset. It doesn’t give any value to how smart the audiences have become.
You cannot just puke out shit and expect people to laugh at it. Why on earth would Netflix accept the show in the first place? What was their content team doing?
Background Music
The purpose of a background score is to complement and elevate the overall prowess of visual work. Viewers use the tones to predict what’s coming. From thrill to amusing situations, makers use music to set the pace. However, The Pentaverate fools you with faulty sounds.
They will play ominous music when something not even with half intensity is coming up. Yes, it is supposed to be a satirical, offbeat, and absurd show but at least play the right beats, man!
Final Words
Though it is your individual choice to watch or skip watching anything. I would suggest you invest your time in something more fruitful.
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