Prison Break

:

Season 4
  • Network: FOX
  • Series Premiere Date: Aug 29, 2005
Season #: 5, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1
User Score
5.5

Mixed or average reviews- based on 235 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 121 out of 235
  2. Mixed: 39 out of 235
  3. Negative: 75 out of 235
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User Reviews

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  1. ck
    Sep 18, 2008
    10
    One of the best shows on tv.
  2. Marc
    Aug 31, 2009
    9
    Excellent show, fantastic cast and what a finale. The fina feature lengthl show was brilliant especially how they explained how Micheals character made his final break.
  3. ColbyS.
    Sep 3, 2008
    7
    Sure, it's not the most intellectual show on TV, but it's fun. I was entertained the entire time despite the suspension of disbelief required. Far easier to watch than last season, I'll tune in next week.
  4. emelinel
    Oct 8, 2008
    9
    After 3 seasons.. this season is still keeping up the suspense and wit. i find the new season and the out of prison setting actually fresh. enjoying this show alot. two thumbs up.
  5. amitidis
    May 31, 2015
    10
    Best show ever made (after LOST)! Absolutely amazing, best acting, storyline, or plot ever. I don't know one thing wrong with the show because it is the best ever (after LOST) !
  6. aadityamudhar
    Apr 6, 2016
    6
    The goal of the main characters is, by definition, extremely improbable. A million little things have to fall in place every time for the plot to go on. At least previously they had been able to keep appearances, well enough for the average non-critic not to be upset. But this season has gone insane. The writers no longer care about justifying any of the events or even build up to them.The goal of the main characters is, by definition, extremely improbable. A million little things have to fall in place every time for the plot to go on. At least previously they had been able to keep appearances, well enough for the average non-critic not to be upset. But this season has gone insane. The writers no longer care about justifying any of the events or even build up to them. They just throw as much as they can at you. The amount of twists and backstabs in here makes my head spin. What used to be a band of criminals is now the best covert ops group in the world, pulling multiple Mission Impossible's (c) per episode and randomly navigating through a web of confusing conspiracies.… Expand
  7. avirocks
    Jun 25, 2012
    0
    one of the finest shows all time ever....mike should not 've died there should be sequel to PB5 i'm waiting for it...is there any other show which can beat PRISON BREAK?????? other than SHERLOCK
  8. razaa.
    Sep 4, 2008
    0
    I cannot say how stupid the story line is, and how they dont even pretend to try to have to make the remotest possible sense. i am forced to watch because i have to finish what i start but this is possibly the worst storyline I have seen in a decade. the hammy romantic scenes... the same music that always accompanies any scene where sarah tancredi's face happens to appear by chance.. I cannot say how stupid the story line is, and how they dont even pretend to try to have to make the remotest possible sense. i am forced to watch because i have to finish what i start but this is possibly the worst storyline I have seen in a decade. the hammy romantic scenes... the same music that always accompanies any scene where sarah tancredi's face happens to appear by chance.. somebody shoot me.… Expand
  9. DavidA.
    Sep 22, 2008
    8
    I agree with Colby, you have to suspend your beliefs to enjoy this season lol I really miss first season where it was so fast paced and i enjoyed it alot.
  10. WK.
    Sep 23, 2008
    0
    Uncomparable to seasons 1,2,3.. Cuts in budget, random storyline.. Goodbye prison break!!!
  11. idia
    Feb 16, 2009
    3
    That story is going nowhere. they're runnin out of tricks to make it coherent.
  12. Sebas236
    Jun 8, 2014
    10
    Ammmmaaaaazzzzinngggg!!!!!!!!!!!! I was expecting great things from this show because i really liked the concept and it lived up to my expectations...
  13. Canem
    Mar 3, 2014
    7
    The fourth season of Prison Break was tense, exciting and thought provoking. It grew a bit tiresome as it started to run out of ideas and introduce new characters which, for the first time in the series, seemed a bit forced. Still a great season and in no way a bad addition to the series. A great end to an amazing series.
  14. PeterG.
    May 21, 2009
    8
    F you all who gave it red score! how many shows have you seen?! how much of your brain do you use durin watching?! Don't be silly!
  15. LiamG.
    Sep 3, 2008
    8
    After last years poor performance, prison break is back with an awesome opener. While you have to put aside the lame parts, like bring sarah back, the tattoo removal scene so the make up guys didn't have to keep working on miller, and the fact Michael Rapaport seems out of place in anything other than a comedy, just treat it as a new show with the same great characters who have a After last years poor performance, prison break is back with an awesome opener. While you have to put aside the lame parts, like bring sarah back, the tattoo removal scene so the make up guys didn't have to keep working on miller, and the fact Michael Rapaport seems out of place in anything other than a comedy, just treat it as a new show with the same great characters who have a whole new plot.… Expand
  16. JohnH
    Aug 1, 2009
    9
    The first two seasons of this show are every bit as good, if not better, than the first five seasons of the TV show 24. The third season only has thirteen episodes. I think because of the writer strike they had to cut back. I would say it was almost as good as the first two. The fourth and final season of the show is probably on par to slighty better than the third volume. The Gretchen The first two seasons of this show are every bit as good, if not better, than the first five seasons of the TV show 24. The third season only has thirteen episodes. I think because of the writer strike they had to cut back. I would say it was almost as good as the first two. The fourth and final season of the show is probably on par to slighty better than the third volume. The Gretchen Morgan character added something special to the show and made the third season. Prison Break is a very under rated show. The acting, plot, and action are incredible. Teabag, and Alex Mahougn are probably the best actors on the show. Veronica Donavan was a very good character in the show, as well as Sarah Tancredi. To get you interested, this show starts off where Lincoln Burrows, the main character's brother, is on death row for a crime he really didn't commit. Later he finds out that he was set up by the Vice President, Caroline Reynolds. Lincoln's brother tries to get him out of prison before he is exacuted. This show has a spectactular plot going for it. You must see this!… Expand
  17. TheQuietGamer
    Nov 8, 2015
    9
    In it's final season Prison Break keeps the action going at an almost non-stop pace. The characters must face impossible odds as new complications arise around every corner. Alliances are constantly shifting as characters continuously flip-flop between decisions and loyalties. This breakneck pace ensures that there is always something exciting happening onscreen and some new element toIn it's final season Prison Break keeps the action going at an almost non-stop pace. The characters must face impossible odds as new complications arise around every corner. Alliances are constantly shifting as characters continuously flip-flop between decisions and loyalties. This breakneck pace ensures that there is always something exciting happening onscreen and some new element to care about.

    It's definitely exciting, but the writers do have a lot of things to wrap up and/or explain before they conclude the story. The results aren't always satisfying in that department. To be honest the amount of things going on this season could just be attributed to the writers not having enough time to do everything, so they cram as many things in as they can. As a result there is a rushed feel to the storytelling at times, and explanations behind previous events can be shaky or poorly explained. The amount of shocking twists and new developments that almost constantly occur can sometimes seem just like ways to get viewers to not ponder too much on certain events. There are quite a few nonsensical things taking place this season.

    The biggest example I can give you without diving into spoilers would be the return of several characters from the dead. One lacks logic, one needed to be fleshed out more (as it plays a huge role in how everything concludes), and one doesn't get any explanation at all. We might not have actually seen these characters die onscreen, but we certainly saw events that strongly lead us to believe that they were really dead. The resurrections often feel cheap, even if I'm happy to see one or two of them back onscreen. However the final, big resurrection is directly related to the conclusion of the tale, and doesn't feel satisfactory at all. It just feels like the writers brought that character back just because they couldn't think of any other way to conclude the story.

    These flaws in storytelling can be irritating and quite noticeable. However it's the investment we've made in these characters up to this point that keep things incredibly enjoyable. Watching them struggle and have to constantly overcome the seemingly endless waves of obstacles is just as intense and entertaining as ever. The writers still know how to keep us wondering if our heroes will make it or not.

    It's an action packed season. A lot of blood is split and there is more gunplay compared to other seasons. Character's still make plans with both intelligence and cool ideas that make the show feel like it still has a brain no matter how illogical things get. Almost every episode will keep you on the edge of your seat, and watching these characters come so close to victory only to have it torn from their hands for the umpteenth time is still devastating to behold.

    The series conclusion is equal parts exciting, intense, illogical, emotional, and occasionally frustrating. Yet, despite all of it's flaws I continued to remain invested in the events even if only for the characters partaking in them. It's immensely entertaining and downright incredible at times. The writers crammed a lot into this season, and while not everything comes together in ways that are totally satisfying or smooth, they still manage to conclude the show on a strong note while still leaving us with some questions. Including a huge one that occurs at the very end of the series and can only be answered in "Prison Break: The Final Break."

    A glorious and flawed final season. One that's sure to please fans even if it's got some (occasionally big) issues.    … Expand
  18. drlowdon
    May 25, 2013
    4
    Once again free from prison this season, like much of season two, loses its edge. Prison Break was always at its best with the tension of trying to plan and execute a dangerous escape. Without this we are forced to focus on the overcomplicated and quite frankly dull plot regarding 'Scylla'.

    It's not all bad, the majority of the main characters are as good as ever and some scenes do    Once again free from prison this season, like much of season two, loses its edge. Prison Break was always at its best with the tension of trying to plan and execute a dangerous escape. Without this we are forced to focus on the overcomplicated and quite frankly dull plot regarding 'Scylla'.

    It's not all bad, the majority of the main characters are as good as ever and some scenes do recapture the original brilliance of the show but they are rare and far between. It is a shame that what was once one of the most original shows on TV had to bow out like this.    … Expand
  19. DarKMaTTeR
    Sep 21, 2014
    6
    Prison Break has always had a very fragile premise. The goal of the main characters is, by definition, extremely improbable. A million little things have to fall in place every time for the plot to go on. At least previously they had been able to keep appearances, well enough for the average non-critic not to be upset. But this season has gone insane. The writers no longer care aboutPrison Break has always had a very fragile premise. The goal of the main characters is, by definition, extremely improbable. A million little things have to fall in place every time for the plot to go on. At least previously they had been able to keep appearances, well enough for the average non-critic not to be upset. But this season has gone insane. The writers no longer care about justifying any of the events or even build up to them. They just throw as much as they can at you. The amount of twists and backstabs in here makes my head spin. What used to be a band of criminals is now the best covert ops group in the world, pulling multiple Mission Impossible's (c) per episode and randomly navigating through a web of confusing conspiracies.

    The execution is still good though, if you can get past the fact that the writers are on cocaine.    … Expand
  20. Official
    Nov 16, 2013
    7
    I thought that "Prison Break: Season 4" was better than Season 3. You really cannot trust any of the characters here. You think they're on the good side, but it turns out you're wrong. And Sarah's back! Don't worry, that's not a spoiler, she gets introduced in the first episode.
  21. theahsanhaseeb
    Jun 27, 2012
    8
    The final season was almost up to my expectations. People who are talking about the storyline or the tricks are ignoring the fact that final season was all about SYCLLA, and the relationship of the storyline to Syclla was just more than satisfactory. The creators did what was needed to be done.
  22. ForReals13
    May 9, 2023
    8
    Scylla B. Breaking And Entering B-.
    Shut Down B. Eagles And Angels B.
    Safe And Sound B. Blow Out B. Five The Hard Way B. The Price B. Greatness Achieved A-. The Legend B. Quiet Riot B+. Selfless A. Deal Or No Deal B. Just Business B. Going Under B-. The Sunshine State B-. The Mother Lode C+. VS C+. S.O.B. C+. Cowboys And Indians B. Rate Of Exchange B+. Killing Your Number A. The Old Ball    Scylla B. Breaking And Entering B-.
    Shut Down B. Eagles And Angels B.
    Safe And Sound B. Blow Out B.
    Five The Hard Way B. The Price B.
    Greatness Achieved A-. The Legend B.
    Quiet Riot B+. Selfless A. Deal Or No Deal B.
    Just Business B. Going Under B-.
    The Sunshine State B-. The Mother Lode C+.
    VS C+. S.O.B. C+. Cowboys And Indians B.
    Rate Of Exchange B+. Killing Your Number A.
    The Old Ball And Chain B-. Free B+.    … Expand
  23. 2morovian
    Oct 10, 2016
    0
    If there is a God that presides over people who benefit from generating the very lowest form of gratuitous 'entertainment' and that, unbelievably, are responsible for further dumbing down humanity, then Paul Scheuring, the creator and director of 'Prison Break', is going straight to hell.
  24. jnbayridge2288
    Apr 2, 2019
    0
    Much better than season 3. It has more action and new actors like michael rappaport.
  25. Onlyclassicvg1
    Sep 17, 2022
    6
    This film noir portrait of corruption and morally-compromised obsessions stars Welles as Hank Quinlan, a crooked police chief who frames a Mexican youth as part of an intricate criminal plot. Charlton Heston plays an honorable Mexican narcotics investigator who clashes with the bigoted Quinlan after probing into his dark past. A memorable

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
61

Generally favorable reviews - based on 5 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 2 out of 5
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 5
  3. Negative: 1 out of 5
  1. Entertainment Weekly
    Reviewed by: Aubry D’Arminio
    83
    Three major characters are killed tonight within the first hour of a pretty stellar premiere.
    Read full review
  2. New York Daily News
    Reviewed by: David Hinckley
    80
    Now it must find a way to become more than a routine action drama pitting plucky good guys against amoral, robotic bad guys. It's got the characters who can do that, though, and it's also streamlined its story enough so even a new viewer can figure out what's going on from tonight's back-to-back premiere episodes.
    Read full review
  3. PopMatters
    Reviewed by: Cynthia Fuchs
    60
    It’s especially good when the mission is as preposterous as this one. True to Prison Break form, the new season is laid out as a series of tasks, the retrieval of The Company’s most vital information, stored on what is essentially a digital black book (as opposed to hole).
    Read full review
See all critic reviews »