What Is the Story About?
The series is based on the events that transpired during the Tham Luang cave rescue operation that occurred in Tham Luang-Khun Nam Nang Non National Park during June and July 2018. Twelve members of the Wild Boars youth football team and their assistant coach were rescued from the flooded cave system after around 17 days. The series follows the perspective of the boys and Thailand Navy’s rescue team in particular.
Performances?
Each one of the 12 soccer boys are effortless onscreen. They have believable chemistry with each other and their camaraderie even during the most difficult of times is such a sight to tensed eyes. Thaneth Warakulnukroh as the Governor gives one of the most moving performances in the series. One could see the realness in his act and often feel helpless for the helplessness he shows onscreen amidst all the hurdles during rescue operation. Late Papangkorn Rerkchalermpoj as Coach Eak is another scene stealer. His effortless charm and confidence oozes out in every scene and make believe the kind of leader and guardian that he was to the boys. Urassaya Sperbund as the Thai-American hydrology expert Kelly and Manatsanun Panlertwongskul as Park ranger Pim also give rooted performances. Besides, each one of the English and Australian actors playing the expert scuba divers were also fine in their parts.
Analysis
Thai Cave Rescue series on Netflix arguably could be the most well done interpretation of the Tham Luang cave rescue operation that caught the world by storm in the year 2018. One of the major reasons for the same is because the 6-part limited series is directed by Thai directors Kevin Tacharoen and Nattawut Ponpiriya. Unlike the movies and documentaries that came out on the same rescue operation, this series is more like a first person account. The show places the boys, their families and their point of views primarily. One could easily understand the perspective of the boys thereby strengthening the emotional core of the show.
The series spans across 6 episodes and every episode has a fine balance of drama, emotion and thrill stitched well with a genius mind. As soon as the emotional fore-arm of the narrative drags, its followed by an equally interesting and thrilling rescue scene within the cave to balance the interest out.
The pace of the narrative in the first two episodes is so much in full throttle that one can feel the complication the boys are going to face already. Not to forget how the writing here succeeds in making us know, empathise and root for each one of them, their familial bonds, relationships and back-stories throughout the run-time. Although the next two episodes tire out a bit because of dramatic scenes and consistent rescue operation hurdles following a pattern, the last two episodes pick up pace like no other. The finale episode is so beautifully done. The end credits are bound to tear you up.
The production design team has done an exceptional job at designing the cave cross-section. Every tracking shot in the series that cuts across the movement of divers or boys to and fro the cave is exceptionally done. The audience could feel the helplessness and restlessness.
The cinematography department deserves a pat on their back because the colour palette is equally bright and sometimes claustrophobic, contrasting the weather and nature’s wrath. The camera also feels at ease with Thai culture and faith, be it the myths, parables or stories they try to tell in between. This is another important reason why the show stands out from other media interpretations of the incident. The background score is also commendable. Even when the narrative pace slips in the third and fourth episodes, its the score that heavy lifts the show by driving our attention to the operation.
Overall, Thai Cave Rescue series on Netflix deserves your time. Even if you’ve watched documentaries or movies on the incident above, the show deserves a fair chance simply because its really well made. It is the only production that was granted direct access to the members of the Wild Boars, and features their perspectives of their ordeal. It also has some real fine Thai actors shining like absolute stars and also a strong emotional core.
Music and Other Departments?
Cinematography and background score department shines through and how. They do the heavy-lifting even during moments when the narrative slows down. However, had the editing been a lot more crisper, the show could have easily been trimmed to 5 episodes.
Highlights?
Emotional Core
Culturally Rooted
First person account of the incident
Acting inematography
Drawbacks?
Too long
Did I Enjoy It?
Yes. Definitely
Will You Recommend It?
Yes
Thai Cave Rescue Series Review by Binged Bureau
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