Clearly a series that matures over time. From season to season the story is very exciting. We ended up joining the Hamady family.
57 Reviews
It matures over time.
a-pedro-c13 September 2021
German-Libanese Suburra
danielcereto24 April 2020
This series is a great adding to series like Gomorrah, Suburra or Narcos.
First, even it is made in Germany it's pretty well done. It does not look cheap. The settings and characters are credible, interesting and pretty realistic.
Second, the storyline is interesting. The more you watch the more interesting it gets.
Last, acting is pretty good. Main characters have personality and they are pretty well developed.
To sum up, if you want to try something different and you love series like Gomorrah, Suburra or Zero, Zero, Zero, this one is for you. Enjoy.
Excellent and believable crime family series
imranahmedsg4 February 2021
I watched the first two seasons on Amazon Prime. Superb!
A Lebanese crime family (Hamady's) running its business in Four Blocks in Berlin, Germany. Along with the cops other crime gangs - even other Lebanese crime families - are after them and their revenue.
Meanwhile, there are differences within family members about how to manage the business. Some are aggressive and prone to violence others more calm and calculating. As if this weren't enough, the wives and family members exert influence on their husbands too.
Despite what may sound like a messy plot it's anything but ... The story flows as smooth as a fine wine. The violence is measured. The characters real. The acting top class.
This is no ordinary crime series. It's more than a cut above the rest.
A Lebanese crime family (Hamady's) running its business in Four Blocks in Berlin, Germany. Along with the cops other crime gangs - even other Lebanese crime families - are after them and their revenue.
Meanwhile, there are differences within family members about how to manage the business. Some are aggressive and prone to violence others more calm and calculating. As if this weren't enough, the wives and family members exert influence on their husbands too.
Despite what may sound like a messy plot it's anything but ... The story flows as smooth as a fine wine. The violence is measured. The characters real. The acting top class.
This is no ordinary crime series. It's more than a cut above the rest.
Breathtaking
luscious1-919-918957 June 2017
This is absolutely breathtaking. The series is very well produced, the acting is superb and the snapshots of Berlins area - Kreuzkölln (Kreuzberg and Neukölln give a good insight of the area. The series is quite brutal. The acting is honest and quite realistic. Opposite most other German TV productions the actors do not overact and this gives the whole story a down to earth appearance. What I like about 4Blocks is that you are seduced to believe the actions of the characters are plausible. If you like stories about crime, drugs and thug life do yourself a favor and don't miss out on this one.
Unexpected gem
jacqui-43-82572817 October 2020
As I had to watch this in French because I don't speak German, I was, at first, a little frustrated. Turns out it didn't matter. Totally epic. Love, drug wars,, honor, betrayal, brotherhood, infidelity, brutal killings, and the list goes on. I loved every second!!
Excellent outstanding and superdope 110%
zangar-941166 June 2017
This Series is pure gold. If you liked Top Boy or the Wire or any other series which is about thugs , drugs and drama you will love it. The Acting and the cast is excellent and it has a great German hip hop and rap soundtrack. In my humble opinion this is the first well produced German TV Show in ages. I do not want to spoil so go on and watch it for yourself you gonna have a great time.
Lohnenswert!
stephanklarner29 September 2018
A Masterpiece not only by german standards!
red_eye_7627 December 2019
I have been trying to get into german tv shows for quite some time but to be honest, besides "Dark" and "Bad Banks" nothing else made me wanting more or write about it. "4 Blocks" is one of those rare german shows that stands out even in international standards. Highly addictive and bingeworthy, this show has everything, from thrilling twist and turns, emotional, at times even heart breaking moments, violent eruptions and intense action scenes. Stellar performances, especially by lead actor Kida Kodr Ramadan. If you like crime shows mixed with emotional family-themed elements, check this show out.
sehr realistisch
antoniotierno19 May 2020
Extrem realistische Geschickte, auch extrem, weil es Figuren sind alle glaubwürdig und überzeugend, ihre Leben plausibel und das ganze Szenario sieht echt aus. Man sieht die heutige Berlin, mit vielleicht ein bisschen zu Verbrechen aber die Mischung verschiedener Kulturen und Nationalitäten, die auch in der kriminellen Umgang passiert ist sehr gut beschrieben. Ähnlich der Italienischen Serie Gomorra nimmt diese Show davon viele Elemente und viele Ähnlichkeiten, z. B die Wachmänner/Wächter die beobachten und kontrollieren dass die Polizei nicht vobe nicht die vorbeikommt. Habe nicht die ganze Serie geschaut aber diese Produktion wirkt wirklich versprechend und originell.
Predictable Season 1 ending spoiled a good season
bloopville23 October 2023
We could see it coming. We knew it was going to happen. Don't characters in movies and TV shows ever watch movies and TV shows?
The first few episodes of Season created realistic, although tropish, characters. By great crime show standards, they were not particularly complex, but reasonably well written and acted.
However, at the end of Episode 5, and all through episode 6, formerly intelligent and savvy characters make a series of bad decisions, leading to predictably bad outcomes. Then there was a Hollywood shoot-out, requisite death scene and typical criminal bro-love.
We will watch Season 2, and hope we are less successful at guessing exactly what will happen, before it happens.
The first few episodes of Season created realistic, although tropish, characters. By great crime show standards, they were not particularly complex, but reasonably well written and acted.
However, at the end of Episode 5, and all through episode 6, formerly intelligent and savvy characters make a series of bad decisions, leading to predictably bad outcomes. Then there was a Hollywood shoot-out, requisite death scene and typical criminal bro-love.
We will watch Season 2, and hope we are less successful at guessing exactly what will happen, before it happens.
Excellent series not some Hollywood cr..
vukasboris14 April 2020
I enjoyed every 19 episodes of three season. Plot is very good, nice recording, good theme music also produced. Every character gave contribution, especially liked Tony and Kemal.
Learned something new about muslims and Islam religion, how their families stick together in thick and thin, about theis love for close ones. Honour is sacred - one of the key points of the series!!!
For me the best crime, gangsta drama series that I watched without any flaws!!
- If this was USA production for sure we would have minimum 3 more seasons but isnt and this was right scope and good tale of Hammady family!!
Solid show but overhyped
basti-hc17 December 2023
It is surprisingly good for a german production. Acting is good and there are lots of fresh faces, which is not common in german television as most productions use the same actors. The plot is okay but nothing you haven't seen before no real twists or surprises, everything is pretty predictable. Also there are not many episodes and it still drags on.
I think the main reason why this show got so much attention is because of relatively unused scenario of the Berlin underground and the really good atmosphere. It gives you the creeps thinking how much of it could be real.
My only real criticism here is the shaky camera it makes the show unnecessary hard to watch and almost gives you a headache. I will never understand why people think this would be a good idea.
All in all I would recommend it if (and only if) you want to see a good german show, because there aren't many good ones.
I think the main reason why this show got so much attention is because of relatively unused scenario of the Berlin underground and the really good atmosphere. It gives you the creeps thinking how much of it could be real.
My only real criticism here is the shaky camera it makes the show unnecessary hard to watch and almost gives you a headache. I will never understand why people think this would be a good idea.
All in all I would recommend it if (and only if) you want to see a good german show, because there aren't many good ones.
I never got all the raving about TV series...
m457416 November 2018
Warning: Spoilers
...and this show embodies exactly why.
The first season was great. Something fresh and new for German TV. Great acting, writing and an interesting setting, based in my very hometown of Berlin. What made this show so great though was that the dialogues and characters were very believeable.
It seems that all of this died along with Vince at the end of the fist season.
From the beginning of the second season I sensed something was off. None of the characters are likeable anymore. They are rendered to either one-dimensional overly macho aggressive sexists, cowards or wives that stick for whatever reasons to these idiots. The story is way over top at lost all of the believeabilty that made the first season so great.
This adds to my experience that eventually every TV series is loosing it's spirit at some point. (Breaking Bad is the rare exception). For some this happens in season 5 or 6, for others early on. Unfortunately 4Blocks falls in the the latter category. So do yourself a favour, just stop after the first season and remember it as one of Germany's finest TV moments.
The first season was great. Something fresh and new for German TV. Great acting, writing and an interesting setting, based in my very hometown of Berlin. What made this show so great though was that the dialogues and characters were very believeable.
It seems that all of this died along with Vince at the end of the fist season.
From the beginning of the second season I sensed something was off. None of the characters are likeable anymore. They are rendered to either one-dimensional overly macho aggressive sexists, cowards or wives that stick for whatever reasons to these idiots. The story is way over top at lost all of the believeabilty that made the first season so great.
This adds to my experience that eventually every TV series is loosing it's spirit at some point. (Breaking Bad is the rare exception). For some this happens in season 5 or 6, for others early on. Unfortunately 4Blocks falls in the the latter category. So do yourself a favour, just stop after the first season and remember it as one of Germany's finest TV moments.
Well Done, Well Written, Well Acted.
Bluewaterjack28 December 2017
There is European talent base that has been putting together quality true crime serial drama with like 6-10 episodes a season. THey come out sporadically and the US producer see them for the competiation they are, so the releases are hard to find, but worth it when you do. This reminds me of the Italian contemporary mob series Gomorrha and some less gritty cop based stuff like Witness and Marcela. The point is, like this show, they are well done, and well worth watching for US audiences who have been getting spoon fed crap on cable TV and a dare say the dinosaur that is "network tv'. If you like true crime, ganster family drama, give this a try.
pleasantly surprised
ingothehero11 September 2017
I was a little bit disappointed after I realized that it is a German series. But I was wrong. It's one of very few German productions, which is really well done. The characters are authentic, a lot of (but not to much) action and a well-conceived plot. I really enjoyed the show and can fully recommend it.
Awesome
dhillon-664-5585126 July 2021
Brilliant
imranyunis21 April 2021
So much to like about this show. The characters are flawed, but honest. I live in the states, so I don't know how realistic this show is, but it really takes you into these neighborhoods in Germany and gives you a feel of what life is like there. The gangster theme is pretty cool and as a Muslim it's also interesting to hear Asalamalaikum and Alhamdulillah so many times in a show about gangsters. Anyway, great show, super gritty and tough but very entertaining. I recommend watching in German with the English sub-titles, the language is so cool too and of course the music is some really cool German hip hop.
Worth the effort
dannyc2830 October 2018
Not the greatest thing I've ever seen, but I enjoyed it. Well produced. Got into the story after a few episodes and found the characters worth watching, especially Toni. The Actor who played the Mob Boss wanting a better life for his family put in a very good and likable performance
Masterfully written, breathtaking and very real
DocJD27 January 2018
It's not often you come across TV as good as this. I found I lost myself in every character throughout every episode and for me that's usually enough to make great drama for me. All the performances are impeccable. The story line was also a surprise because what I anticipated, was not important because there's no way to predict how any of this will pan out for anyone involved in this story. There's a good cross-section of sub-plots that works well and the Direction and editing makes this a very slick production indeed. There is nothing left to question at the end and I suppose all this together makes it feel very real and at times very heart breaking. While not all will rate the series as highly as myself, I think there will be very few who are not satisfied story and production. I note there's a second series in planning, but it will take some doing to better what has come before.
Just Perfect !!
minnu-forums25 March 2018
Finally a tv show in this day and age with out politically correct non-sense. True to its material, amazing casting and the authenticity in capturing the Berlin tones .. Just Wow !!
I don't want to compare but .. Has many shades and tones of HBOs THE SOPRANOS. I don't want to admit, it surpasses it in many ways.
It has that magnetic charm from the pilot episode and I don't think anyone who loves a good crime drama can't resist binge watching this.
I just hope SEASON 2 will be as good as SEAONS 1. Kudos to all the writers and cast for producing a great show.
I don't want to compare but .. Has many shades and tones of HBOs THE SOPRANOS. I don't want to admit, it surpasses it in many ways.
It has that magnetic charm from the pilot episode and I don't think anyone who loves a good crime drama can't resist binge watching this.
I just hope SEASON 2 will be as good as SEAONS 1. Kudos to all the writers and cast for producing a great show.
The ending of series 1
boldrinp19 November 2021
Very good if a little predictable but the last episode of series 1 was a car crash. The first series was written around the continuation of the story which unfortunately detracts from the good work done in the previous episodes, if you can live with that it's fine but I'm afraid I can't.
Incredible writing and acting, the breaking bad of Europe!
Travis-Cella17 January 2021
I stumbled onto this series after 3 seasons had already been released and produced.
Imagine my shame!
This is a stunning piece of work by cast and crew. I don't binge watch episode after episode it's just not a good use of my waking time and well I value sleep.
Thank you 4 Blocks for putting me into that category of addicted personality types.
This such a well done series. The intricate story lines woven between character to character all neatly braided whereupon if one knot fails the lattice comes undone.
I can't recommend enough that readers of this and the following reviews watch these series. Aside from the incredible pan-out shots highlighting Berlin architecture to the absolutely ingenious use of great acting talent this is all about great story telling at its best.
Best, good, and could be better
gothicreign23 March 2021
4 Blocks kicks off as one of the most engaging crime series I have ever seen. Interesting premise, convincing performances, gripping storyline. By the end of Season 1, I was sure this was gonna be one of my all-time favs. Regrettably, the creators failed to live up to the standards they set up in Season 1. Season 2 never delivered anything as exciting, but some of the twists were questionable, to say the least. Season 3 continued its journey downhill as it became as desperate attempt at re-making what we already saw. One of the toughest tasks for show runners, ending the series properly,was the lowest moment in all three seasons.
However, I am still giving it 7 out of 10, because acting was truly great, and the series did a great job showing me just one other side to Berlin. This is one is just a gem for fans of Gomorra or Subura or even The Sopranos. Just be ready for some serious hole in the story in later parts of the show.
Painfully bad
pierreroussel13 February 2018
While the expectations for this series are carried by the general interest in lurid topics, the series itself fails miserably at telling a gripping story while displaying an authentic portrayal of an urban demimonde. Instead of showing a harsh reality or to surprise with an unexpected twist, the whole story suffers from the constant attempt at staying politically correct. While convulsively avoiding any negative clichés, the series itself has become the cliché of the overly ambitious filmmaker who is rather interested in shaping the viewers opinion than creating an interesting plot. The dull acting doesn't help much, but the depiction of the antagonist "rocker-gang" - as one of many examples - is beyond ridiculous. The migrant thugs talk like primary school teachers, a quick research on youtube would have given the filmmakers a realistic insight into the habitus of streetwise criminals, i don't see any shortage in rapper-interviews to inquire. Even a daytrip to Berlins Neukölln district would make you question the authentic angle of the series pretty quickly.
While other productions like "Gomorrha" or "Top Boy" don't shy away from showing somewhat realistic scenarios (perhaps because "Gomorrha" is based on a book that covers actual events, and "4 Blocks" is basically fantasy), "4 Blocks" stays in the soft realm of the non-credible but socially accepted good/evil-narrative.
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