Catch-22

I'm usually apprehensive about movies and series based on my favorite books, but this one was a nice surprise. Although the creators obviously didn’t follow the original to the letter, I didn't mind because I got a very well-filmed anti-war series with decent acting performances and a great combination of humor and drama. So, instead of the expected disappointment, I had a great time. (08/25/2019)

I haven't read the book, unfortunately, but after seeing this successful adaptation, I'm convinced I would like it. From the first episode, I felt a certain resemblance to the highly successful series M*A*S*H, which never really grew on me. However, Catch-22 won me over more and more with each episode, until at the end I found myself thinking that I wouldn't be angry at all if I could continue to follow the fate of Captain Yossarian, played by the excellent Christopher Abbott, trying his best to avoid the bombing. I had a great time most of the time, but at the same time, I kept wondering what terrible things would happen again. I haven't seen a better series telling about the absurdity and tragedy of war. (90%) (02/16/2021)

Repetition to the new, or a direct route to always the same thing? A clear example, obviously escaping the authors: the original book logo MaM changes to MM in the miniseries, and in this difference everything is contained - the illusory conjunction & created internal differentiation and the appearance that two M's are something different than the single person Milo Minderbinder, who stands behind all the business: we thus had sameness that differentiates itself from itself and creates something new, a constantly expanding world within a world, a circular economy from M to M with the symbol &, full of twists and circularity of time. In contrast, MM connected by a common vertical line where one M ends where the other begins refers to unidirectional verticality of time, also known as linearity of time and storytelling, which in the case of American TV series, Netflix series, Apple TV products, HBO miniseries, and Hollywood films is always the same, an eternal return of the same narrative pattern, visual and narrative clichés, and with it, the smoothed contents that are so contrary to the very basic building block of the book source that this cannot be reflected, as it is not a legitimate change (because any adaptation from a book to a film is always perceived by the original readers as simplification/distortion, etc., which is not the case with this rape of the basic narrative structure itself), but it is political, ideological, and Artistic with a capital A, against which one must fight always and everywhere and by all means! (05/10/2022)

I'd like to say that the film adaptation of Heller's famous novel is much closer in spirit and appearance to the original, with clear absurdity, biting humor, and a much more concentrated storyline, as well as fragmented plotlines and hallucinogenic states similar to the novel's treatment of different temporal planes and the obstacles it presents to the reader. The series is for those who want it spoon-fed, as it is linearly narrated, with an obvious attempt to make the content accessible to a wide audience. Satire is present, but it persistently refrains from attacking, only growling and baring its teeth here and there. The film emphasizes more confusion and Captain Yossarian's crisis of values. In the series, the novel's social criticism seems to fade in favor of comfort and relaxation. I feel an underlying effort to dull the sharpest edges of conflict. Nevertheless, it is an above-average series that is definitely worth seeing. Overall impression: 75%. (02/05/2021)

I admit that the original film from 1970 didn’t impress me as much as this mini-series. I must say that the boys starting with Clooney did a really good job here. The absurdity of war is portrayed in a rather sarcastic fashion, there is something hilarious going on every other moment, and just when you get used to the light-hearted atmosphere, you get punched right in the gut and all laughter will leave you. It hasn’t happened to me in a long while to laugh so much at something only to be gaping at the screen a moment later, trying to accept the events that happened in the story. I bow down before the creators. That’s how you induce films with emotions, and this series really got to me in this respect. Moreover, Christopher Abbott is absolutely wonderful, and he’s perfectly complemented by the rest of the cast, including the locals, who will make you laugh despite the language barrier. One of my best cinematic experiences of 2019. (07/30/2019)