3%

What do we know about Brazil? Beautiful country. Gisele Bündchen. TV shows with less than 2,500 episodes are considered mini-series. Oh, and Embraer. And it's actually spelled Brasil.

This show delivers on all fronts. From the first minute you are thrown into an endless kaleidoscope of hotties of both genders who look GORGEOUS in their slum-rugs, obviously designed by someone with only a first name. (Did you know that Kenzo's last name is Takada?) I bet even the dirt smeared on them was imported from some exotic place. A cross between steam punk and Victoria's Secret. The looking-good box ticked BIGLY. The production design team has done an amazing job. Total success - the show looks A-mazing! The set decorations, the costumes, make-up, accessories - CHEF'S KISS!!!! Well done!

The plot is interesting enough to keep the intrigue going. Something very social and very progressive. And, eventually, very Embraer-esgue-ly high-tech. As in all Brazilian telenovellas, it is both incredibly naive, borderline primitive, and even more incredibly twisted. Artificial selection process, some rebels group, power struggle on both sides, hatred, betrayal, and love polygons of all shapes.

The plot develops nicely and gradually. Secrets are revealed in their own time, but you are not left scratching your head for too long on any mystery. Every once in a while the writers drop back to their roots, and you get a strong dose of telenovella in the form of an out-of-character tantrum or a sudden burst of guilt/shame/fear/joy/all-of-the-above. But they quickly course-correct and off we go again.

All-in-all, it looks both very familiar and surprisingly fresh. If you liked City of God and Sandpit Generals, you will like the long form Brazilian cinematography.

3% is one of those rare shows that only gets better and better as it goes. Season 3, so far, is shaping up to be the most enthralling season yet, which, let me tell you, is absolutely saying something! The world continues to be fleshed out, and the already quite complex characters are only getting more interesting.

Do yourself a favor, watch at least to episode three before you pass judgement. You won't regret it!

First of all, watch it subbed, not dubbed! The acting is great! But it's tougher to look convincing when the words don't quite match up. In the original language, tone, pacing and inflection help complete the communication package.

The main characters all have distinct personalities, but while some are more likable than others, they all have a strong drive to do what it takes to progress.

The story has just enough mystery and plenty of twists. Don't expect a ton of special effects though. This isn't the sort of Sci-fi that's all lasers and robots, but it has just enough to remind you it's the future. I'm looking forward to finishing the series but dreading the end of season 1 before I get to watch season 2.

I was really surprised by the fact that this show is really unknown. It is a great tv series that definitely deserves more recognition. Some of the reviews say that they couldn't get past the first episode. The show does get better. It is not perfect. It takes a while to get you hooked and it has a lower budget than other Netflix series. But overall, it is a clever and great series, with good themes, complex and grey characters, and an intriguing plot. It is a dystopian YA thriller with a lot of depth. At least, that is the case for seasons 1 and 2. Season 3 was a disappointment, which is the reason why I did not rate this show higher. Season 4 was intense and complex, and a great conclusion to this great tv show that will always be on my Netflix list

Definitely Recommend It

There's plenty to recommend this low-budget, futuristic Portuguese- Brazilian 8-episode SciFi teleseries. It has a gripping plot, the characters have plenty of magnetism and the situation of poverty versus privilege will ring true with many.

It's about a futuristic, real-life competition designed to choose the optimum 3% of new adults, who deem their skills sufficient to "pass" a truly grueling selection process. Successful candidates are rewarded with a life in a man-made paradise "Offshore", whereas the rest are doomed to continue living "Inland" - a huge poverty-stricken, environmentally degraded favela. There's plenty of sub-plot, social current and Machiavellian wickedness to keep viewers on the edge of their seats till the last episode. Despite the DIY feel of the close sets there are fortunately enough locations to relieve viewers of claustrophobia, that hampers many other cheap SciFi productions. I think this one (thanks to a good English dubbed version) will catch on with a wider TV audience than the normal Portuguese, homespun audience.