sunflowershine
This review may contain spoilers
Slick and engaging action drama with a stronger second half
Avalanche is one of the autumn 2021 dramas that dominated most of the reviews and polls, and for good reason. It is a smoothly-directed political action series littered with engaging scenes and a tight pacing.
✦ STORY ✦
The plot isn't anything new - a group of outlaws set to expose the wrongdoings of political figures, but the series managed to level it up with tight pacing. The main aim of the group is exposed at the second half as they set to deal with the "big boss" of sorts, and this is the fun part as the series is running on adrenaline due to the chess play of the characters. The first half is the classic one-case-at-a-time, and I was almost set to believe that the procedural format will persist until the end, but episode 5 proved me wrong, to my relief. Avalanche picked up its pace at the second half, and it's even better than the first half in my opinion. The first four episodes dealt with cases that let us see into the lives of some members of Avalanche, giving insight on what made them join the group and how it affected them. As it is though, the action genre usually suffers from lacking character depth, and that's what happened here. While I'm satisfied with the storyline, I was out here wishing for more fleshing out for most of our characters, especially for Watabe Atsuro's Oyama. What I appreciate though, is how they showed the obstacles along the way, how Avalanche were beaten with these, and how they got around to pushing through despite it. The action choreography was also good for a TV drama, and the camerawork during these scenes is done well enough for the audience to follow it smoothly.
✦ ACTING/CAST ✦
The cast did good in their respective roles. Ayano Go definitely suits this genre, and the rest of the Avalanche members held off well on their own. Fukushi Souta surprised me because he actually did well as Saijo Eisuke, so props to Director Michihito Fuji for directing him well. Watabe Atsuro as the big guy opposite Avalanche did well, too, he carried the charisma and composure of Oyama with ease.
✦ MUSIC ✦
The music suit the series, in general. Nothing is too jarring, the tracks complement each scene they play in. Particular favorites are the drumming song (first heard in E01 when Yamamori called the team in) and the main theme, which is played in the opening title scene. And yeah I have to say, Avalanche has probably the most beautiful opening title scene in autumn 2021, I can't stop looping it lol.
✦ REWATCH VALUE ✦
With the revelations in the 2nd half, you're sure to keep a close eye on things upon watching the series a second time around. Nothing beats watching it the first time though, experiencing the thrills for the first time, especially when you get to the 2nd half of the story. Nevertheless, it will be fun to watch again as Avalanche tries to achieve their goal, even with all the odds against them.
✦ STORY ✦
The plot isn't anything new - a group of outlaws set to expose the wrongdoings of political figures, but the series managed to level it up with tight pacing. The main aim of the group is exposed at the second half as they set to deal with the "big boss" of sorts, and this is the fun part as the series is running on adrenaline due to the chess play of the characters. The first half is the classic one-case-at-a-time, and I was almost set to believe that the procedural format will persist until the end, but episode 5 proved me wrong, to my relief. Avalanche picked up its pace at the second half, and it's even better than the first half in my opinion. The first four episodes dealt with cases that let us see into the lives of some members of Avalanche, giving insight on what made them join the group and how it affected them. As it is though, the action genre usually suffers from lacking character depth, and that's what happened here. While I'm satisfied with the storyline, I was out here wishing for more fleshing out for most of our characters, especially for Watabe Atsuro's Oyama. What I appreciate though, is how they showed the obstacles along the way, how Avalanche were beaten with these, and how they got around to pushing through despite it. The action choreography was also good for a TV drama, and the camerawork during these scenes is done well enough for the audience to follow it smoothly.
✦ ACTING/CAST ✦
The cast did good in their respective roles. Ayano Go definitely suits this genre, and the rest of the Avalanche members held off well on their own. Fukushi Souta surprised me because he actually did well as Saijo Eisuke, so props to Director Michihito Fuji for directing him well. Watabe Atsuro as the big guy opposite Avalanche did well, too, he carried the charisma and composure of Oyama with ease.
✦ MUSIC ✦
The music suit the series, in general. Nothing is too jarring, the tracks complement each scene they play in. Particular favorites are the drumming song (first heard in E01 when Yamamori called the team in) and the main theme, which is played in the opening title scene. And yeah I have to say, Avalanche has probably the most beautiful opening title scene in autumn 2021, I can't stop looping it lol.
✦ REWATCH VALUE ✦
With the revelations in the 2nd half, you're sure to keep a close eye on things upon watching the series a second time around. Nothing beats watching it the first time though, experiencing the thrills for the first time, especially when you get to the 2nd half of the story. Nevertheless, it will be fun to watch again as Avalanche tries to achieve their goal, even with all the odds against them.
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