Prison Break: The Complete First Season

Review By: Andrea Tuccillo
AndreaTuccillo@TheCinemaSource.com

Head shaved, flaming blue eyes intensely focused, neat suit concealing the fresh ink of a mysterious tattoo—structural engineer Michael Scofield slings a couple of guns and coolly robs a Chicago bank.

So begins the addictive and captivating drama that is Prison Break, filmed with cinematic splendor in the alternately gorgeous and gritty scenery. Why does the obviously successful and charismatic Scofield (the smoldering Wentworth Miller) attempt a bank heist and then willingly get caught? Turns out he’s got a master plan, and it’s a doozy.

He gets himself tossed into the same maximum security prison where his brother Lincoln (John Doe’s Dominic Purcell, given little to do for the first half of the season except look forlorn in his cell) is set to be executed for the murder of the Vice President’s brother, a crime for which he has been wrongly convicted. Michael’s mission: break Lincoln out before his impending electric chair death. Easier said than done. But Michael does have a few advantages. Conveniently, his engineering firm designed the Fox River State Penitentiary giving him access to the blueprints.

In one of the coolest reveals I’ve seen on television in a long time, we learn that the entire set of prison blueprints are hidden within an elaborate tattoo that covers Michael’s whole upper body. Pretty damn innovative! As the season goes, we find that Michael’s got many a trick up his tattoo-sleeves. Not only are the blueprints encoded, but various words, names and formulas are also inked onto Michael’s skin, which are all key components in making it over the prison walls.

As it turns out, though, a tattoo will only get you so far. Michael’s plan also involves bargaining with some pretty shady characters. Convicted mob boss John Abruzzi (Peter Stormare), a man who’s not afraid of cutting off limbs to get what he wants, and rumored millionaire Charles Westmoreland (Muse Watson), an old prison veteran who’d rather take care of his cat than make trouble, get invited along in exchange for something crucial they have to offer. Michael’s lovesick cellmate Sucre (Amaury Nolasco, perfectly charming in the sidekick role) is also onboard.

Sara Tancredi (Sarah Wayne Callies) is the pretty prison doc and daughter of the governor who also plays a role in Michael’s intricate plan. Dr. Sara’s initial curiosity for her handsome new patient turns into a little something more by season’s end.

Right away it becomes clear that things aren’t going to go as smoothly as Michael had planned. In fact, over the course of the season almost everything that can possibly go wrong, does. This makes for some great cliffhangers and exciting how-will-they-get-out-of-this moments. The glitches the inmates face are frustrating for them and fun for us, but the way Michael navigates around these setbacks with his deadpan coolness is even more delightful to watch. (Lock me up with him any day!)

The longer the escape is delayed, the more inmates invite themselves along ...