Comments on: DVD Review: Swedish Crime Series ‘Annika Bengtzon, Crime Reporter’

By: arrowman

arrowman — Fri, 13 May 2016 09:15:52 +0000

Whoa….. what a series Annika is superb. A crime mystery. drama, human interest story.. Just like Wallwndaer, and Girl With a Dragon Tatoo series, this is riveting story telling at its best. Beautiful actress and supporting cast in real life type story with beautiful locations. I read this in subtitles alas i'm not Swedish (pity?) and I never realize i'm reading subtitles because the performances and story are so engrossing. Whew… hope ther are more seasons to come. PBS Walander series is set to continue (thank you), this needs to do the same. Come to think of it how did PBS miss this??? Just want to see more or else I'm doomed to watching episodes 1-6 over and over.

By: Christopher Schobert

Christopher Schobert — Fri, 13 May 2016 09:15:52 +0000

Glad you guys reviewed this — I noticed it while poking around on Netflix, and considered starting. I think I'll skip …

By: Manina

Manina — Fri, 13 May 2016 09:15:52 +0000

I don't agree with your review, I just watched the six episodes in Netflix and liked them. The cases Annika investigates are very different from what we see in the US, the photography and scenery are fantastic. I don't remember any other show that features a newspaper crime reporter that solves the crimes she investigates and who is adventurous and brave and, also takes care of her children and her handsome and useless husband.

Something else I like about European movies is that the protagonists don't have perfect make-up, hair, clothes, homes, etc., they look like real people, they live in real houses, or in this case, an apartment, not perfectly organized, and kind of small; it always bothers me and distracts me from the story when they live in places that look too expensive for their salaries and seem to be way above their means, when the make-up and the outfits are perfect and so on. In this series the story lines are very entertaining, some are maybe a little far-fetched, but well done. Maybe you did not appreciate them because the main character is a woman and does not show most men in a very good light?

By: babs

babs — Fri, 13 May 2016 09:15:52 +0000

I also disagree with the review ~ love the show, fresh, great scenery in a beautiful part of the world ~ it's a refreshing break from the CSI's or Law and Order's that seem to run the same route. I gave Netflix a 5 star for the series.

By: Stephan A. Schwartz

Stephan A. Schwartz — Fri, 13 May 2016 09:15:52 +0000

Completely disregard the "official" review which is wrong in so many ways it would take too long to list them. This is an exciting show, well produced, that has interesting characters and good stories. It also gives Americans an insight into a culture that is both familiar and yet very different. Well worth your time.

By: Jim

Jim — Fri, 13 May 2016 09:15:52 +0000

What a bullshit review from"this side of the pond"!! Having watched "The Girl . . ." trilogy three years ago, I became a fan of Swedish films. Annika Bengtzon is a great character and the storylines are much richer than American fare. I sincerely hope these are not the only six episodes that they produce. I'll follow the series as long as they make it. Malin CrÃ©pin looks a lot like Nicole Kidman but has a much more interesting face and talent to match.

By: Robert Tobys

Robert Tobys — Fri, 13 May 2016 09:15:52 +0000

This review is completely off base. Annika Bengtzon is an excellent series. We just finished the final episode of series one and are looking forward to more. For us, it goes without saying that anything NOT American is going to be good and this series is no exception. If you like real acting and are tired of the same glam American shows with big boobs, glamour shots and bad acting, then check this show out!

By: RAJ

RAJ — Fri, 13 May 2016 09:15:52 +0000

Great show, intense acting and decent story lines. Gotta say, a lot better than 95% of the shows currently on Network TV or Cable. I hope there are more seasons to come!

By: S.O

S.O — Fri, 13 May 2016 09:15:52 +0000

Annika Bengtzon -The series is very well written and nicely filmed â enjoyed it very much- It always amazes me that all good stuff (books, movies, music), come from overseas, and not from our continent? Do we lack imagination, or are we simply brained washed by all the low quality shows/movies/books that filter from States?

By: CD

CD — Fri, 13 May 2016 09:15:52 +0000

This series is captivating and entertaining. You would do well to ignore this review. If you enjoy shows such as Inspector Lewis, Prime Suspect and other Masterpiece Mysteries, the intense storylines and acting will surely draw you in. I, too, look forward to more. Here's to more Nordic noir and another season of Annika!

By: margaret

margaret — Fri, 13 May 2016 09:15:52 +0000

Wow, this reviewer was so off base. I loved this series~ watched it on Netflix and never would have read this review except I was searching to see if there is a season 2 out. The scenery is fabulous, there is tension in each episode with characters that feel real. I loved that Annika is not perfect, that she and her husband (ex husband by episode 4) are dealing with real issues, that she is beautiful yet not always made up. I like the fact that we meet characters that we can relate to that work in factories or live in apartments. Annika takes chances and is driven but I felt as if from the very first few minutes of the very first episode I could connect to her. That this reviewer claims all this was done in law and Order years ago is way off base. I highly recommend this series and hope that there is a season 2. I felt this reviewer was condescending when he stated that the lead,Malin CrÃ©pin, could have Hollywood potential. Please, as if that is the only venue worth pursuing. She's great in this as are most of the others. Enjoy this series.

By: Martin

Martin — Fri, 13 May 2016 09:15:52 +0000

Wow. Can't believe I'm reading about the same movies. Clearly, no accounting for taste. The acting, writing, and presentation were all well above US standards. "Might be Hollywood ready?" Please.

By: Thomas

Thomas — Fri, 13 May 2016 09:15:52 +0000

Yes, I agree, this reviewer doesn't even come close to my opinion of this series. Loved it! Loved it, Loved it! But, then, I"m not trying to make a name for myselfâ¦, does that make me less reliable?

By: Grageo

Grageo — Fri, 13 May 2016 09:15:52 +0000

I'm so glad to see that I'm not alone in my disagreement with this review. I thoroughly enjoyed virtually every aspect of this series. In fact, I think I'll sit down and watch it again!

By: Michele

Michele — Fri, 13 May 2016 09:15:52 +0000

I was truly surprise by the official review, I like this series, mainly because she is a woman juggling her life of work and family. Also because Malin Crepin is able to convey the emotions of the struggles her character faces…breaking a confides or asssiting a young woman trying to find her way in.. Obiviously I feel this series in worth your while.

By: Laura Roehrick

Laura Roehrick — Fri, 13 May 2016 09:15:52 +0000

I have to agree.. I think this was a great series and was just checking to see if there was a second season. I consider myself to be a fairly good judge of good entertainment. Now.. it was no BORGEN, but I was thoroughly entertained by this series and was surprised to see this poor review!

By: Laura Roehrick

Laura Roehrick — Fri, 13 May 2016 09:15:52 +0000

KEVIN JAGERNAUTH… how did you land your job. I just now read all the other comments, who agree with me. You seem to be our numbered!!

By: Kim Bro

Kim Bro — Fri, 13 May 2016 09:15:52 +0000

Kevin Jagernauth? I think Jagernot. Your negative review is preposterous.

By: FMB

FMB — Fri, 13 May 2016 09:15:52 +0000

I just finished the complete first series and truly hoping there will be a second series. I am shocked by this reviewer's comments. As most comments said "totally off-base"…"where did he come from?" etc. The most off-base review of any series I have ever read. The series is amazing…so well written, totally captivating and very much "on the edge of your seat" story lines. Much as I like Law & Order, there is NO comparison at all…not to any US production. This is one of a handful of great Swedish productions I have seen including Wallander. Greatly admire these productions Highly recommend this series.

By: Chris P

Chris P — Fri, 13 May 2016 09:15:52 +0000

Oh yes it's so much worse than NCSI with a potty break every 5 minutes and Hawaii 5-0 with the same old helicopter shots and car chases.

Sooo much better.

By: JD

JD — Fri, 13 May 2016 09:15:52 +0000

So agree with all the comments here. This series is very realistic especially about her personal life–the father of her children whining and wanting attention while he's with other women and his b i t… of a mother who keeps shoving her son's first wife before Annika by trying to get them back together. This review stinks in so many ways and is inaccurate–she isn't married because the father of her children even though he is a devoted is always unfaithful and so needy. She is very good at what she does and her investigations skills don't involve a whole lot of gadgets and bloody shock scenes like American whodunits–as mentioned here, it is very well written and enacted. Recommend and hope it continues–just saw the last of the second series. A 10+ for the series and a -5 for this review.

By: GS

GS — Fri, 13 May 2016 09:15:52 +0000

I'm stoked others disagreed with this review/reviewer. The Annika Bengtzon series (6 episodes) rocks – it's well-written, has superb cinematography and employs realistic (imperfect) characters – unlike so much of the standard American TV and film fare these days. Let's hope there are more Annika episodes to come!

A couple more Nordic series I'd recommend (both Danish): (1) Unit One (Rejseholdet); and (2) The Eagle: A Crime Odyssey (Ãrnen: En krimi-odyssÃ©)

By: Lourdes Crohare

Lourdes Crohare — Fri, 13 May 2016 09:15:52 +0000

My husband and myself absolutely loved this series, and are hoping and waiting that there is a second season in the wings, so we can watch it on Netflix. Grest show!

By: carl adomaitis

carl adomaitis — Fri, 13 May 2016 09:15:52 +0000

My wife and I just finished the six episodes and we found it very entertaining.PERHAPS THE REVIWER DOES NOT LIKE SUB TITLES OR CANNOT READ.

By: Lavinia frank

Lavinia frank — Fri, 13 May 2016 09:15:52 +0000

This is a great series. Much better writing, acting, character development than most long running crime dramas on now. I only found this page because i was seeking info on a season 2 for Annika Bengtzon!