Drama for All: Criminal People 5G (2021)

"Criminal People 5G" is an edutainment programme: a short-length drama with a focus on teaching the audience about different kinds of scams (phone, ATM and online scams), how they work, and what to do to avoid a scam.

The first part is funny, fast-paced, and manages to integrate the message into an engaging plot. Unfortunately, half of the second part is a more elaborate repeat of the first part's last 15 minutes, so it felt a bit repetitive. However, the cast is more than enough to make up for it; even when they do nothing but sit around a table to plan their scam -- told in classic heist-movie fashion -- all five of the cast give their characters life and more depth than is provided by the script alone, so much so than I genuinely began to root for them and was most anxious for their plot to succeed. (A result I am not sure the writers intended.)

For me, I found the writing a bit *too* heavy-handed in their message and the ending a bit too simple; to the point that I asked myself who the intended audience might be -- the plot and the direct informative monologues about how scammers work felt appropriate for 10 to 13 year olds. On the other hand, this age-group is possibly not the target for ATM scams or fortune telling scams, which would be adults.
Given that the drama is part of a programme called "Drama for All", I suspect that they tried to make something that appeals to people of all age groups and all education levels, so it makes sense to do it that way.
And, well. It worked! I was entertained and got a refresher course in the subject.

Was it good?
It was a bit heavy-handed in the message, but overall both extremely entertaining, not in the least because of the cast, *and* it was educational.

Did I like it?
I did. Loved the interactions between the gang members. (And I still want to hear Gle's story.)

Who would I recommend it to?
To fans of the actors, and to people who want to spend two hours being entertainingly informed about scams.

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Educational comedy

As a short series, this is light, fun and engaging. The second episode repeats itself a bit much, though it does go quickly enough so it's more an observation than a real complaint. The end wasn't a surprise but I got it wrong on how they got there. Extra point for the oh right, of course misdirection.

As informal educational material, it's excellent. Its lessons about several kinds of scams and what to watch out for are mixed with comedy and an engaging low-stakes plot capably delivered by the actors. There are moments where a viewer can pick up something (and get a boost from that), and others where not knowing is shared by some of the characters - it never puts anyone down for not knowing these things. I learned from the series too and also appreciated seeing things I'd only read about. It's the kind of television the cool kids I used to work with would pretend to scoff at - while paying close attention and giving themselves away with their laughter. That's valuable.

And around that, a pleasant wee series with engaging actors. I enjoyed it.

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