Arrested Development

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Season 5.5
Season #: 5.5, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1
Metascore
60

Mixed or average reviews - based on 6 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 3 out of 6
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 6
  3. Negative: 1 out of 6
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Critic Reviews

  1. Boston Herald
    Reviewed by: Mark A. Perigard
    Mar 14, 2019
    83
    In true Bluth fashion, what you think you know about the Bluths you don’t know at all.
  2. The Daily Beast
    Reviewed by: Nick Schager
    Mar 15, 2019
    80
    Arrested Development’s one-liners and inward-looking allusions fly by at the speed of light, and at this point, the show has long since given up trying to accommodate new viewers. It’s a comedy whose main frame of reference is itself, and while that likely limits its appeal outside its cadre of hardcore fans, its latest go-round reconfirms that, though many sturdy imitators have followed in its wake, it still sits upon the absurdist throne.
  3. IndieWire
    Reviewed by: Ben Travers
    Mar 13, 2019
    67
    Where they end up is solid enough — and there are bursts of fun to be had along the way — but the momentum isn’t there. For long stretches, the plot is abandoned in favor of random excursions and functional gags.
  5. CNN
    Reviewed by: Brian Lowry
    Mar 13, 2019
    60
    Offer[s] fleeting warmth in seeing the gang back together before simply wishing it would be allowed to meet a natural end.
  6. Vanity Fair
    Reviewed by: Sonia Saraiya
    Apr 3, 2019
    40
    Even though Season 5 may not officially be the final season of the sitcom, by the end of the tepid journey, it feels as if the whole production has given up.
  7. Entertainment Weekly
    Reviewed by: Darren Franich
    Mar 15, 2019
    25
    This release marks a low point for the once-great series, recycling gags, reheating limp characters, swirling complicated narrative strands without the old snappy grace.

User Reviews

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User Score
6.1

Generally favorable reviews- based on 25 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 10 out of 25
  2. Mixed: 13 out of 25
  3. Negative: 2 out of 25
  1. bulger_paul
    Mar 21, 2019
    4
    Ever since season four dropped almost seven years ago, I've been one of its few proponents. It's pretty much universally agreed upon that theEver since season four dropped almost seven years ago, I've been one of its few proponents. It's pretty much universally agreed upon that the first three seasons were genius, they equally smart as they were hilarious, densely packed with jokes, and I don't think even the best of circumstances could ever recapture the magic of those first three seasons. Still though, while season 4 wasn't anywhere near as hilarious as the original three seasons (there were some absolutely golden moments, but it wasn't as consistent), I still found it to be just as smart and dense as it was before. Season 5, on the other hand, I don't exactly know what's going on, nor how to review it.

    I know it's too much to ask season five to be anywhere near as good as the first three seasons. That's just too much to ask of anything. But at the very least, I wanted it to be as smart as season 4, even if it would never be as funny as it used to be. Part of the problem is how slickly produced everything is, now. The original, messier, docu-style format made for the perfect opportunity to slip tons and tons of visual puns and running jokes into the backgrounds of every frame, which is what made repeated viewings of the first three seasons, and even the fourth season so rewarding, to go back through and see everything going on in the background, whereas the slick production value behind season five just gives everything in each frame a lot more "presence," making it easier to notice when there isn't much going on, and the majority of the time it just seems like there isn't much going on.

    Additionally, the scripts are just not dense enough. And again, I know it's impossible to ask any sitcom to contain the comic density of the first three seasons, but it's just impossible not to be disappointed by the sheer lack of jokes. The puns, the play on words, the running jokes, the elaborate setups for future jokes, are curiously absent. I mean, sure, sometimes we'll hear a little jingle or sound effect that was used for a joke in a previous season, or there will be allusions to other old jokes (for example, there's a pretty funny bit in this season calling back to the "there's always money in the banana stand" joke from season one), but I never got the sense that anything new was being set up or that any previous setups were being sufficiently paid off.

    All in all, none of this season feels particularly "inspired." The cast and the writers had already moved on over a decade ago, and I'm not convinced anything is going to recapture the inspiration that started this series. I get the sense that the only reason season five exists, is to tie up the loose plot ends, but that's not something I needed. I'm okay with leaving untied plot ends if I'm forced to sacrifice the series' comic integrity to get closure on the things that are completely unrelated to what made the show great in the first place.

    Right now, it seems like the series is in the exact spot that George-Michael is currently in, like it's just ambling about, pretending it knows what it's doing, thinking it's simply just going to figure out what it's doing along the way.    … Full Review »
  2. marcmyworks
    Mar 18, 2019
    4
    Season 5 part 1 started stronger than season 4 however in part 2 all the ground work fails as it returns to terrible pacing, horrible jokesSeason 5 part 1 started stronger than season 4 however in part 2 all the ground work fails as it returns to terrible pacing, horrible jokes and obviously badly dubbed lines. Please let the series end.… Full Review »
  3. coreyslat97
    Mar 17, 2019
    4
    If u like season 4 and 5. Then there's a good chance you will like this. That said, I re-watch season 1 to 3 all the time. Great show. This isIf u like season 4 and 5. Then there's a good chance you will like this. That said, I re-watch season 1 to 3 all the time. Great show. This is cringe-worthy. It just doesn't work on so many levels. It feels like something is missing There's no magic or spark. The story-line are just farces at this point. And we've seen it all before. Did I laugh out lot here and there? I'd say maybe once per episode. Watch it if u just need to be a completionist. Otherwise, it's sadly not worth it.… Full Review »
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