3
Zogitt
Australia
Master Chefs Assemble!
This j-drama was release in 2019 but was only added to Netflix in September 2024. That’s my excuse for not review this show earlier, Your Honour!
To put it simply, this show has everything. A tight and engaging script. Interesting and memorable characters. Great acting from a strong cast and more food porn than we can safely consume. It was one of the best show I've seen this year.
Ok, I might have got a bit carried away but bear with me. The show is not perfect. It is tropey and some plots are a bit predictable. The ending is a little too saccharine for my taste but I’m nitpicking.
Let's start at the top. As I said before, this show is tropey but in a good way. You know roughly what is likely to happen, but you take it in your stride. You cheered on their every success and bemoan their setbacks. You know the show is being manipulative but you want to see what happens next.
It helps that the show is relatable. Yes, we are not all chefs but the struggle is real. Once you accept the initial world building, the plot develops steadily. While the antagonist is shady, he is not evil. There are times when events can feel overwhelming, but it is never soul destroying.
This is a well crafted script. It uses tropes wisely and is not dragged down by lazy writing. So many themes are present, friendship, revenge, redemption, healing, forgiveness, growth, fulfillment, greed and more. None of these are used egregiously, yet you can recognise them like little beacons. So much is happening that it can leave you breathless. There is a little bit of romance but it is not the main theme of this show.
To be honest, the show is old school. There are hints of The Seven Samurai and other tried and tested filmic motifs throughout the 11 episodes. They are timeless and universal. Ditto the parables and life lessons provided. It mirrors the skills of a master chef. It is the expert use of fine ingredients that elevates the mundane to the sublime. A high production value and top grade food videography completes the package.
I’m also glad that our leads are mature and seasoned actors rather than young idols. They really deliver the goods. There is no shortage of solid performances. I can tell that their presence helped to lift the younger cast members and anchor their scenes. It is a good ensemble cast.
This show is definitely greater than the sum of its parts. I can rewatch a highlight reel anytime. Please give this drama a try. You won't be disappointed. C’est magnifique!
To put it simply, this show has everything. A tight and engaging script. Interesting and memorable characters. Great acting from a strong cast and more food porn than we can safely consume. It was one of the best show I've seen this year.
Ok, I might have got a bit carried away but bear with me. The show is not perfect. It is tropey and some plots are a bit predictable. The ending is a little too saccharine for my taste but I’m nitpicking.
Let's start at the top. As I said before, this show is tropey but in a good way. You know roughly what is likely to happen, but you take it in your stride. You cheered on their every success and bemoan their setbacks. You know the show is being manipulative but you want to see what happens next.
It helps that the show is relatable. Yes, we are not all chefs but the struggle is real. Once you accept the initial world building, the plot develops steadily. While the antagonist is shady, he is not evil. There are times when events can feel overwhelming, but it is never soul destroying.
This is a well crafted script. It uses tropes wisely and is not dragged down by lazy writing. So many themes are present, friendship, revenge, redemption, healing, forgiveness, growth, fulfillment, greed and more. None of these are used egregiously, yet you can recognise them like little beacons. So much is happening that it can leave you breathless. There is a little bit of romance but it is not the main theme of this show.
To be honest, the show is old school. There are hints of The Seven Samurai and other tried and tested filmic motifs throughout the 11 episodes. They are timeless and universal. Ditto the parables and life lessons provided. It mirrors the skills of a master chef. It is the expert use of fine ingredients that elevates the mundane to the sublime. A high production value and top grade food videography completes the package.
I’m also glad that our leads are mature and seasoned actors rather than young idols. They really deliver the goods. There is no shortage of solid performances. I can tell that their presence helped to lift the younger cast members and anchor their scenes. It is a good ensemble cast.
This show is definitely greater than the sum of its parts. I can rewatch a highlight reel anytime. Please give this drama a try. You won't be disappointed. C’est magnifique!
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