The Umbrella Academy

I haven’t read the source material, so my review won’t be bogged down by comparisons to the book—just an objective review in all its aspects. To be honest, I was reluctant to dive into the series for a long time; the trailers didn’t grab me, and I thought it looked like a huge misstep. I was wrong. The Umbrella Academy can be considered among the best on Netflix when it comes to lighter series that you can’t take too seriously. The diversity of the main cast helps a lot, as everyone can find a character to connect with, given the varied traits of the seven heroes. Personally, I enjoyed Klaus the most; his bromance with Ben acts as a central driving force, and their dialogues are finely tuned to the last detail. I savored every line from this duo. Additionally, the older Number Five in a teenager's body delivered some great lines with his biting remarks. I hope to connect more with the other members of the Umbrella Academy in the second season. The story is fairly linear, but the subplot with Hazel and Cha-Cha was entertaining. Don’t expect a meticulously crafted plot; this series aims for a more fun approach, and it succeeds brilliantly in that regard. I give it 75%. (11/09/2020)

The jump to 1963 was a perfect screenwriting move, and the change of era definitely benefited the series. Additionally, I was pleased to see that, as a viewer, I gradually warmed up to the other characters in the main seven during the second season. Sure, Klaus shines as brightly as ever and Number Five continues to talk nonstop, but I found myself more interested in the fates of the other heroes than in the first season (thumbs up for that). The story itself may not be particularly innovative, but I enjoyed the details and the excellent subplot involving the Swedes; that mini-arc was truly enjoyable. The show once again demonstrated an incredibly elegant sense of timing with the soundtrack, whether it was during a shootout, a fight, or just a funny moment; the music injected fresh energy into every scene. It must have been an incredible effort to curate from a wide range of musical hits, but the result was definitely worth it. There were also moments that truly tugged at my emotions. And the ending? That put the cherry on top. I’m looking forward to the conclusion of the trilogy. I give it 80%. (12/09/2020)

The upward trend has slightly stalled; the third installment of this saga isn't better than its predecessor, but it’s still decent entertainment. Over the years, I’ve come to love the casting; these characters really grow on you, there’s no doubt about it. In this third season, Klaus and Number 5 particularly shine, but the other members of the Umbrella family aren’t far behind. I enjoyed the whole subplot with the alternative Sparrow Academy, though it’s a pity that all members of this family clan didn’t get enough screen time. As usual, the series delivers with great lines, which it sells excellently! It’s a bit disappointing that the creators chose to focus on an apocalypse (here, of the entire universe), as I missed a touch of innovation (we’ve seen the end-of-the-world theme twice already). The final episode raised so many questions, making the next season have a lot of work ahead of it. Answering everything in a rational manner won’t be easy. But as a viewer, I’m definitely on board. I give it 7/10. (01/07/2022)

Or how to ruin everything... That's how I would describe the final 4th season of Umbrella Academy. Yes, it disappointed me. Completely. After three seasons, you grow attached to all the characters, and then as a viewer, you're handed this ending? I don’t get it... Even the villains were weak compared to their predecessors (and that so-called new character? Laughable). But let’s talk about a few positives. A few storylines were well-executed (Number Five was by far the best this time around). Klaus was tragically underutilized again (it’s a shame they mishandled him so much in the last two seasons)... And Diego? They turned him into a thoroughly unlikable guy in every way. It really frustrates me. The creators botched the ending... A bit like GoT... Sigh. I’m giving it a 4/10. (31/08/2024)