Citadel

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Citadel

Action & Adventure Crime Drama

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What if you lost your memory? What if a spy didn’t know they were a spy? Years ago, the top agents of Citadel, Mason Kane and Nadia Sinh, had their minds wiped. But, they’re called back to action as sinister forces emerge from the past. With the help of spymaster Bernard Orlick, these former lovers must remember the past to save the future.

Release Date:
27th April, 2023

Producers:
Andrés Anglade, Geoffrey Haley

Actress:
Ashleigh Cummings, Lesley Manville, Priyanka Chopra Jonas

Actors:
Richard Madden, Roland Møller, Stanley Tucci

Music Directors:
Jeff Russo

Season 1

Season 1

2023 6 Episodes

Season 1 premiered on April 27, 2023.

Episodes

E1: The Human Enigma

Mason Kane and Nadia Sinh – top agents of the independent spy organization Citadel – collide with a nefarious, new syndicate – Manticore – leading to catastrophe. Eight years later, Mason Kane is living a quiet life as "Kyle Conroy," with no memory of his past. Until one day an old colleague enlists his help to stop a now powerful Manticore from creating a new world order.

April 27, 2023 42 min
E2: Spies Appear in Night Time

Kyle and Bernard journey to New York City to steal the Citadel X Case from Manticore Headquarters before it's too late. Later, Kyle learns that a figure from his past is still alive and he risks everything to find them.

April 27, 2023 41 min
E3: Infinite Shadows

As Kyle and Nadia land at an old safehouse, small clues about their past life together bubble to the surface. Soon, they discover a former ally who may be key to stopping Manticore is imprisoned in a facility in Morocco. In order to rescue him they first have to enlist the help of a local crime boss. But their mission is compromised as secrets of the past are unearthed.

May 4, 2023 43 min
E4: Tell Her Everything

After the shocking revelation of Abby's former identity, we learn of the past entanglements between Mason, Nadia and Celeste, and a horrific decision that reverberates still today. Meanwhile, Nadia and Kyle land at the Manticore compound in Morocco and risk their lives to free their fellow spy. But their hero's welcome is short-lived as they are forced to grapple with a dangerous accusation.

May 11, 2023 40 min
E5: Time Renders Us Enemies

Nadia, Kyle and Carter are forced to work together to escape from Manticore and protect the X Case, but suspicion of one of our heroes reaches a boiling point, leading to an explosive reckoning.

May 18, 2023 39 min
E6: Secrets in Night Need Early Rains

With one of their own being held hostage by Manticore, Kyle, Nadia and Carter risk everything to save them and thwart Manticore's plans to acquire nuclear weapons. As our heroes grapple with the nuclear threat, the identity of the mole within Citadel will be revealed, as will the awful truth that everything they know is a lie.

May 25, 2023 50 min

Citadel Season 2 Review — Citadel Season 2 Review: Slick Action Can’t Save This Messy Spy Drama (Photo Credit –Instagram)

Citadel Season 2 Review: Star Rating:

Cast: Richard Madden, Stanley Tucci, Priyanka Chopra Jonas, Ashleigh Cummings, Leo Woodall, and others.

Creator: Josh Appelbaum, Bryan Oh, and David Weil.

Director: Anthony Russo, Joe Russo

Streaming On: Amazon Prime Video

Language: English

Runtime: 7 episodes of 30 minutes each

Amazon Prime Video is back with the unbeatable action thriller, Citadel. The show that had everyone startled within just one season brought in another outing of perfection. Yet it would be a tough job to call it a smooth entry. The show left the audience on a cliffhanger, which was picked up in Citadel Season 2. We see Stanley Tucci’s Bernard Orlick being trapped by the antagonist, Gabriel Leone’s Paulo Braga. However, this time the stakes are high, as Paulo shows no signs of slowing down.

Now, while we are three years down the line from where the first season of Citadel left us wondering about the fate of Nadia and Mason, the show tries to answer many questions. However, all of that could have been put in a more pleasant way and not in a struggling manner. What I am trying to say here is that Citadel Season 2 felt rushed. A few corners of the storyline were left unsharpened, even when the creators had a broad chance to create a fine-edged plot.

As we move towards the in-depth review, just brace yourself as this action-packed outing still has a lot to tell.

Citadel Season 2 Review — Citadel Season 2 Review: Priyanka Chopra Jonas & Richard Madden Deserve A Better Plot (Photo Credit –Instagram)

Citadel Season 2 Review: What’s It About:

The Russo Brothers have got the crew back together, along with the cast that impressed audiences in the first season. But with the old leads, meaning Priyanka Chopra Jonas’s Nadia Sinh, Richard Madden’s Mason, and Stanley Tucci’s Bernard, they have also brought in big shots this time. While previous threats were left unresolved, new kingpins have taken over the series in Citadel Season 2.

This time, we see Mason and Nadia struggle with what happened in their past. It was revealed that Mason was already struggling with his memory loss while also having a tough time dealing with what was coming at him as he tried to remember his old life; the loss of his mother had developed a new trauma in his life. But the worst part is facing Nadia. She is still living in guilt, and her approach towards life has even made it riskier for her daughter, Asha.

Meanwhile, Bernard is stuck in another dark region. Trapped within the commands of the antagonist, he tries to sneak out of it and tries to bring Mason and Nadia back together.

As you read the plot, it might have filled you with excitement; however, the whole season felt repetitive. Moreover, at the beginning of the new season, we are introduced to a technology and mind game that has been an art in many classic thrillers. All in all, Citadel Season 2 made me feel that it was picked from different spy movies and merged into one long-running season. As I said earlier, the creators had a lot to explore with fair chances given. However, it felt like a deliberate zero-effort job that is filled with action.

Citadel Season 2 Review: What Works:

The reason why I gave two and a half stars to this outing of Citadel is mostly because of the delivery by Stanley Tucci. While he recently dove into his old character in the Meryl Streep-starring film The Devil Wears Prada 2, becoming the most lovable character, he also played a totally different role in Citadel with precision.

He is angry and frustrated, yet he has not lost hope of flying again. Meanwhile, Priyanka Chopra Jonas’s acting was, as usual, mediocre, but that actually helped Richard Madden shine a lot. His action sequences were more thrilling, and the entrance was not so unique but true to its character. Do remember: he was paranoid toward the end of Citadel Season 1, and now he has been carrying that stress for a long time. His expressions in the show felt real.

Coming to the storyline, as suggested earlier, it had a lot to explore. Still, the direction was prolific. The dark atmosphere, merging with the grand views, was captured perfectly. On the other hand, since it is an action-packed thriller, the Russo Brothers delivered both action and tragedy on point. The fighting choreography is again something that should be admired in Citadel Season 2.

Citadel Season 2 Review — Citadel Season 2 Review: Priyanka Chopra Jonas’ Spy Saga Feels Repetitive This Time (Photo Credit –Instagram)

Citadel Season 2 Review: Star Performance:

Citadel is a cold outing. It talks about killings, memory loss, and global threats. However, from the moment Priyanka Chopra Jonas enters the screen, everything feels forced. The walk and even the dialogues. She tries to showcase that her character is stressed and is also trying to take hold of her normal life, where she is a mother.

Her dialogue delivery feels like she is dictating a script rather than her character meaning those words. However, in her first action sequence, Chopra Jonas did a fabulous job. With flying kicks and punches, it was not a catfight but proper moves that could kill if you are not trained enough.

On the other hand, natural acting is what you call the delivery by Madden and Tucci. Madden’s dialogue delivery was a perfect fit for his character.

Citadel Season 2 Review: What Doesn’t Work:

Citadel occasionally revisits the old tales. While the action is on par with other highly praised spy outings, the long gaps between shootouts and blasts are filled with an unjustified storyline about the characters.

While we enjoy the beautiful, grand set designs, the delivery of most actors, right from the beginning, feels dull.

In fact, the first time we see a fight on a boat is carried out perfectly. But the build-up, when the man introduces himself and the villain gets up from his seat to learn more about the other character, seems filled only with abuse and strong language to make the audience feel the two characters are strong.

It was as if they were trying and pushing too hard to make a stand, yet failed to deliver it.

Citadel Season 2 Review — Citadel Season 2 Review: Great Action, Weak Storyline & Forced Drama Hurt The Series (Photo Credit –Instagram)

Citadel Season 2 Review: Last Words:

Overall, Citadel Season 2 felt like a franchise that is being pushed for no reason. In case the creators decide to come forth with a third outing, they should note to deliver an intriguing storyline. While the action sequences did not fail to impress, the plot and the technology that is being chased around the whole season could have been child’s play.

Citadel Season 2 could have been a great way to gain momentum for the story of its three leads. The assassination and the war are a daily job for spies; it would have been easier on the ears with better dialogue and delivery. And it could have been easier on the brain with a great story than it was on the eyes with perfect action.

2.5 stars!

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Citadel Review: Priyanka Chopra Jonas With Russo Brothers Opens Gates For A Well-Edged Franchise That Looks At The World As One — Citadel Review Out!(Photo Credit –Poster From Citadel)

Citadel Review: Star Rating:

Cast: Priyanka Chopra Jonas, Richard Madden, Stanley Tucci, Lesley Manville, and ensemble.

Creator: Russo Brothers and Bryan Oh.

Director: Russo Brothers, Newton Thomas Sigel, and Jessica Yu.

Streaming On: Amazon Prime Video.

Language: English (with subtitles).

Runtime: 2 Episodes Around 30 Minutes Each (6 Episodes In Total).

Citadel Review: Priyanka Chopra Jonas With Russo Brothers Opens Gates For A Well-Edged Franchise That Looks At The World As One — Citadel Review Out!(Photo Credit –Still From Citadel)

Citadel Review: What’s It About:

A global spy agency Citadel is on the verge of existence as the Manticore (the bad people) are destroying their roots brutally. Nadia Sinh (Priyanka) and Mason Kane (Richard) are two agents who need to be called back to save the little bit of Citadel left. But the battle is more extensive than one could think.

Citadel Review: What Works:

A John Wick-ish underground culture, some top-notch action, Priyanka Chopra Jonas being the boss, Richard Madden serving our eyes, and the Russos bringing us to the edge of our seats every 5 minutes, are we prepared to witness a global franchise being born? The IP culture blending into the long-form storytelling has helped creators to experiment and widen their canvas much longer than one could have thought of a decade ago. Citadel stands right in the centre of the transition, where it takes cues from the past and shapes a future.

Created by Bryan Oh, Russo Brothers (Joe Russo & Anthony Russo) with their skilled team of writers, Citadel is much more than what we have already heard. It is surprisingly a show that has not even revealed its tip in the trailer, the iceberg is submerged deeper than we thought. One has to celebrate the sheer idea behind a show that doesn’t just look at ‘a’ industry but the world as one. The canvas is massive; every part of the globe can be a participant. The show, at the core, is a culture, one that of the spies who are trained to be ruthless assassins and go undercover like a chameleon. Imagine this world as full of people trained in Black Widow’s Red Room but not for selfish gains but for world security.

The best part about this show, which has some amazing action, and brilliant cinematography, is that it doesn’t assume that the audience can understand the backstory by looking at the present. It takes efforts and entertaining efforts to tell you how deeper this world runs around us. The year the show unfolds is 2030, Citadel is over a century old, and its opposition, Manticore, is somewhere the same age. They have both evolved, and their cultures have adapted both the root techniques and the technology.

The first two episodes screened for the critics hint at a lot. An abruptly broken love story, some incomplete jobs, and a very massive action sequences that we are prepping ourselves for. The only fear is that all these threads meet somewhere and don’t go unattended.

Citadel Review: Priyanka Chopra Jonas With Russo Brothers Opens Gates For A Well-Edged Franchise That Looks At The World As One — Citadel Review Out(Photo Credit –Still From Citadel)

Citadel Review: Star Performance:

The respect for Priyanka Chopra Jonas and her professional achievements only grows with each feather she adds to her hat. The fact that she is the opening face of a show that is a gigantic global IP created by the directors of Avengers: Endgame should make all Asians super proud. The actor doesn’t take the moment lightly. She gives Nadia her all from her charm, to her acting skills, her physicality, and the punches with sharp kicks. She does amazing action in a pretty red dress, a prim and proper suit, and prepares us for the best.

Richard Madden, as Mason, is a charmer. For the one who has forgotten everything and is a clean slate, he is technically us in this setup. Thrown into situations that he is clueless about but has to come out alive somehow. His comic timing is surprisingly very good, and the gaze works amazing. One has to notice his chemistry with Chopra because it does vouch for a very interesting trajectory between the two on the show.

Stanley Tucci is well, Stanley Tucci, and you expect a certain level of ease from him with which he approaches his characters. The actor doesn’t disappoint. Lesley Manville is a promising addition to this cast as the broker to Manticore, and I am excited to see how evil she can get.

Citadel Review: What Doesn’t Work:

We have waited a couple of years for this and expected a full-length show out of it. At least I did. While just 6 episodes is still a digestible fact, each episode being only of 30 minutes acts like a bothering point. It is technically a 3-hour movie in that case. Endgame was longer than the show maybe.

Also, that very thing makes you feel like the show is leaving too much for the future episodes because it doesn’t feel enough. Besides, someone has to explain me how Mason got that family and whose kids are those.

Citadel Review: Last Words:

Citadel is a world class franchise and invites a global audience. If not bulletproof, this is still a huge step towards inclusion and diversity; we must applaud that.

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