Season 1 |
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Episode Guide
Episode 1 -| Review Score – 4/5
Episode 2 -| Review Score – 4/5
Episode 3 -| Review Score – 3/5
Episode 4 -| Review Score – 3/5
Episode 5 -| Review Score – 4/5
Episode 6 -| Review Score – 4/5
Episode 7 -| Review Score – 4/5
When you try to dance on two boats at once—you’re just asking to take a dive. That’s exactly what happened with Netflix’s Bandidos series. It tried to blend humour and comedy with the thrill of treasure hunting, but it ends up floundering in the middle, not quite nailing either. Unlike the smooth sailing of Ocean’s Eleven, Money Heist, or The Italian Job, Bandidos seems to lose its way.
At its heart, Bandidos is about a motley crew of characters—Miguel, Lily Wilson, Lucas, and Citlali—brought together by friendship, love, or just sheer necessity, all looking to escape their financial woes. They band together to hunt down what they believe is the most incredible Aztec treasure ever, hidden in a box that can only be unlocked by three keys. But that’s not all—rumor has it the box also contains an ancient relic that can grant eternal life. With Miguel stumbling upon a mysterious map, the group embarks on a week-long adventure to uncover this legendary treasure.
In the world of Bandidos, we meet a cast of characters where Miguel takes the lead, a daring archaeologist akin to Indiana Jones. He shares a history with Lily, his old flame, who, at the start, had her sights set on getting a wealthy spouse. Miguel, Wilson’s nephew, found a mentor in him when his father fell ill with Alzheimer’s. Then there’s Lucas, a rich teen with a talent for computers and too much time and money on his hands.
These characters, however, feel like they’ve stepped out of a standard treasure-hunting movie. Miguel, in particular, lacks the depth that made Indiana Jones such a beloved character. While Jones had layers, from a compassionate elder to a sharpshooter taking on Nazi forces, Miguel’s portrayal feels rushed and incomplete. The show hints at tension between Miguel and Lily but fails to provide a persuasive explanation for it.
Moving on, it’s not just Miguel who feels underdeveloped—all the characters seem to suffer from a lack of depth. Wilson, touted as the world’s greatest forger, rarely gets to showcase his skills. The same goes for Lily, Lucas, and Citlali. Despite their claims of discovering the world’s greatest treasure, the audience is left wanting when it comes to experiencing the thrill and danger of such a quest.
The heart of any goal lies in the journey, yet the show seems to skim over these crucial elements. It often feels like the treasure is just within their grasp, only to slip away at the last moment. Every story needs a hero, and while Bandidos falls short in this regard, there was hope that the villain would provide a cogent counterbalance.
Unfortunately, this hope is dashed as the villain, or should we say a scarred villain, remains superficial. While the series briefly connects him to Miguel, it fails to explore his motivations. Why does he seek the treasure? Is it for wealth or to etch his name in history? These questions remain unanswered, leaving the audience wanting more and disappointed.
There are moments where it feels like the creators have thrown in the towel, leaving the show to meander aimlessly without a clear narrative direction. It’s what we can call a pinnacle of lazy screenplay. Alfonso Dosal, known for his previous successful roles, steps into the shoes of Miguel in Bandidos. However, his performance seems to take off only to crash and burn.
Dosal’s portrayal of Miguel comes across as inconsistent, and you’re left wondering if he’s serious or just going through the motions. Despite his efforts to make Miguel a multi-layered and driven character, the lack of substance in the script makes it difficult for Dosal to truly shine in the role.
Juan Pablo Medina radiates in his role as Wilson, often providing much-needed comic relief, although it seems like this wasn’t his intended purpose. On the other hand, Juan Pablo Fuentes Acevedo’s portrayal of Lucas, a tech genius, can come off as grating and insufferable. While the show tries to make his romance with Citlali a significant subplot, it falls flat and ends up being more of a nuisance.
Mabel Cadena takes on the role of Ines, a character who often feels unnecessary and only serves to occupy valuable screen time. Despite Ines’ attempts to appear tough and determined, she fails to convince us in both regards. The one luminous aspect of the series is the chemistry between Alfonso Dosal and Esther Expósito. However, even this dynamic loses its spark after a few episodes, likely due to the show’s failure to delve into their pasts.
Bandidos falls short of expectations, especially for those seeking an exhilarating adventure. The show promises to uncover the greatest gold treasure, all neatly contained within a small box. This exposes the lazy writing, revealing a lack of redeeming qualities.
Take our word it’s not worth revisiting again. If you’re looking for a few light-hearted chuckles and nothing more, then it might suffice. However, if you’re anticipating a journey befitting the discovery of the world’s greatest treasure, you’ll be sorely disappointed.
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Verdict - 5/10
5/10