Breaking Bad's Giancarlo Esposito stars as gang leader Leo Pap, while British actor Rufus Sewell plays his target, ruthless security mogul Roger Salas. Gradually we learn that these enemies have a personal enmity. For Leo, it's not just about money. He also hides a touching health condition. His ragtag team includes fencer Ava (Paz Vega), insider Hannah (Tati Gabrielle), demolition specialist Judy (Rosaline Elbay), safecracker Bob (Jai Courtney) and handyman Stan (Peter Mark Kendall). These last three are involved in a love triangle and are frequent scene stealers.
Created by novelist Eric Garcia and executive produced by Ridley Scott, the series wears its cinematic influences on its sleeve. There's a dash of Ocean's 11 here, some Tarantino's script flourishes there, plus a place of high-tech Mission Impossible gadgets for good measure. One prison episode is reminiscent of The Shawshank Redemption, and is based on the silver fox Esposito's vague resemblance to Morgan Freeman.
The adorable-rogues-robbers-rich-villains plot is pure Robin Hood. Slow-motion flashbacks and wacky graphics illustrate how the heist phases were executed. The script moves from literary references (both Dickens and Dumas appear) to sentimental family drama and bursts of violent action. As Ava says, "Success is 90% preparation, 10% ammo."
Elegant, suspenseful, and skillfully executed, Kaleidoscope gains binge-worthy momentum as it builds toward its climactic showdown. The ingenious format enhances its air of mystery and intrigue. A satisfyingly immersive puzzler to snuggle up and unravel on winter nights. Maybe that blow to the head did do some good after all.
