One of the wrost movies I have ever seen

Nice effects though.

Excellent, a Must See

The film's masterful storytelling did its job. The message was clear. No need to overdo.

I can't believe the many positive reviews this series has received, particularly those that praise the lead character Fitz (Coltrane). Fake reviews? First, Fitz is totally unbelievable as a psychologist with a doctorate and a very attractive wife from whom he is separated. I think Coltrane is miscast as Fitz. My wife thought he was repulsive yet he is constantly engaging in sexual banter with a much younger police woman. He comes across as a low-level street con artist. His long monologues in which he has these amazing insights into peoples' behavior, including criminals and others, become boring and, in some cases, are wrong. Fitz never admits that his gambling addition is a problem (he claims that it provides excitement) yet his wife seems willing to forgive him. Everything about this show is wrong: Fitz's continuous analysis of everyone's motives, the constant screaming among the police detectives, the angry crowds that are always present outside the police office, the fact that Fitz seems to be leading every investigation. My wife and I couldn't take it anymore and called it quits after season 1.

Equally as great as the best British Mysteries: Prime suspect, Wire in the Blood, Touch of Frost and Trial & Retribution.I'm surprised this TV series isn't better know. Cracker is immensely "UNDERRATED".As you may have read in the other reviews it is the storyline that's highly praised. EXACTLY MY OPINION! The main writer, Jimmy McGovern is just simply an intelligent storyteller. Now this series wouldn't be as great as it is if Robbie Coltrane's portrayals of a hard drinking, chain smoking, overweight gambling addict wasn't as talented. However even with such a dramatic acting performance it is Jimmy McGovern with his fantastically ingenious way of sucking you into his story lines, where you can't go on living the rest of your life not knowing how the story ends, that steals the show. Why this series isn't praised to the same degree as Prime Suspect or Trial & Retribution are, nor as well known is just beyond me. As I said "IMMENSELY UNDERRATED". The only thing I can think of is that those other TV series ran for longer or expanded for a longer period. Because in my opinion Jimmy McGovern is up there with Lynda Laplante, R.D. Wingfield & Arthur Conan Doyle.Yeah....The Brits learned a long time ago that it is good story lines "first" that make a show great and good acting, good directing, good editing second. Not pretty young faces and expensive special effects. God! "Hollywood really needs to learn allot still from the UK's Television Industry". They produce a far better product for UK TV than what we get here in the USA in movie theaters. "And with only 10% of the budget" .By Dedoshucos

Jimmy McGovern is a genius. This - and "The Lakes" - proves it. Combine his layered and authentic writing with a perfectly chosen cast and it's impossible to stumble. His dialogue has a rhythm that acts as the pulse of the story, driving it relentlessly forward until you're on the edge of your seat in anticipation, waiting for the resolution.Perfectly matching this level of intensity is the lead actor of the series, Robbie Coltrane. Fitz is the man who together the duo help bring so vividly to life, and he's a mass of contradictions. The morbid curiosity of whether he'll manage to sort out his personal problems is as involving as the intricately detailed cases he studies during working hours.I'm pleased that some of the notable cast have continued their streak of excellence beyond this program, my only wish is that Mr. Coltrane be given more opportunity to flaunt his astonishing dramatic credentials.I promise you, you won't find a tauter and more finely tuned procedural series on TV.

After watching the every single series at the time of broadcast and recently purchasing the DVD sets, I can not emphasise enough how much this is a beautiful example of English crime drama. Robbie is surely one of our finest actors of the last 10 years, and his cams in Hollywood blockbusters never do him any justice. Put him in this type of production and you really see what he is capable of. As the anit-hero lead, a womaniser, drinker and heavy smoker, you can't but fall in love with the character. If anyone else out there has a love relationship with Hannable Lector, you'll know what I mean here. If you want to see the best episode of all time, go for the one where Fleur Bennet takes the female lead as Nina. This episode will grip you buy the hair, and not let go until you are crumpled up in a heap on the floor at the end. Fleur Bennet is nothing short of superb. Asside from being unwantingly sexy and enticing (which the plot requires) she plays so well that you can only end up feeling exceptionally sorry for her character by the end. She is so fragile in her final scene, whilst so strong throughout. Watch this, you shall enjoy it.