Kaleidoscope

This is a 2023 Netflix limited series of 8 episodes devoted to a heist & its aftermath which has quite the gimmick: 

This is the order I chose to watch the episodes in: 

Green
Blue
Orange
White
Yellow
Red
Violet
Pink

For those unaware, I mention that for a specific reason. I’ll explain at the end how I discovered the 8 episode show on Netflix from a full three years ago that I somehow never heard a thing about until a few months ago… what intrigued me was the show’s gimmick. This surrounds a heist done by Giancarlo Esposito, who recruits some wacky goofballs to steal non-negotiable bearer bonds (yes, Die Hard is specifically mentioned) being held by Rufus Sewell, who is a CEO of a corporate security firm but is a rat bastard who turned against Esposito many years ago.

The gimmick is that the episodes are titled after different colors, and the viewer is given free will to watch the episodes in any order they desire. Judging by older reviews, it appeared that Netflix originally didn’t give you as much free will and apparently forced you to view the heist episode last-I’m a little confused about that as there’s no restrictions regarding that now but regardless, I was glad to pick my own order. 

Perhaps I could have been more adventurous and started with White (the heist itself) first then gone in a random order, or even watch it in reverse chronological order as if it was Memento; instead, what I chose wasn’t that bold yet still wasn’t in chronological order so I shouldn’t second-guess myself. Of course I have nitpicks; the dialogue wasn’t always great and I’m not just talking about all the foul language although yes that was a problem also. Modern “humor” was sometimes present-naturally that didn’t make me laugh all that often.

Be that as it may, even with the nonsensical/baffling moments and a logic flaw or two, my opinion of the enterprise was still positive. While I’m not sure the gimmick was best for this heist story, I still enjoyed the gimmick and the option of choice. People don’t have to follow the order I selected—except that Pink (the last chronologically) is likely better seen last. I was still interested in the heist and its aftermath-it isn’t a spoiler to mention that things don’t go as planned.

At least some will appreciate the diversity in the cast; there’s an important character that’s bi and her wife is either bi or a lesbian, along with several different ethnicities on display. I was entertained by Kaleidoscope, the dark tone, and (in general) the twists throughout. It was preferable to many of the original movies released by Netflix. People may still look down on Jai Courtney due to how Hollywood used him. Between this and Dangerous Animals, he should have played similar villain parts while in America. 

Of most interest to me was the choice old soul songs that played throughout the series; other genres are also heard but it’s mainly old soul music, most of which I knew the artists but not the deep cuts that were chosen. Props to whoever was responsible for suggesting the usage of Melting Pot by Booker T & The MG’s along with tunes from Solomon Burke, OV Wright, Irma Thomas, Esther Phillips, etc. It certainly beat most of the lazy needle-drops we get in modern cinema. I get why Kaleidoscope did not work for everyone but I liked the show, and more than just for the gimmick or its soundtrack.

As for how I discovered this show just a few months ago: discussion on a messageboard surrounded the career of Robert Townsend after I saw I’m Gonna Get You Sucka. Him directing two episodes of this show was brought up; ever since, I’ve had the idea to give Kaleidoscope a shot… I’m glad that happened.