Prime's 'Citadel' builds a solid foundation early on | TV review

Apr. 27—"Citadel" begins with an inverted camera shot, suggesting to viewers they are in for a disorienting ride.

The expensive and reasonably entertaining new science-fiction-tinged spy series from Prime Video — debuting with its first two episodes this week, before releasing its four remaining first-season installments weekly — continues to suggest this after flipping to the standard orientation.

Executive produced by Mayfield Village natives and Hollywood heavyweights Joe and Anthony Russo, "Citadel" places us aboard a passenger train, on which we meet two agents of the series' namesake global spy agency, Richard Madden's Mason Kane and Priyanka Chopra Jonas' Nadia Sinh. They exchange some flirtatious banter, as well as a kiss to maintain their cover, before he excuses himself to fight another man in a restroom and she corners their target at a nearby table.

"What are you, CIA?" the man asks her. "MI6?"

"Do I look like a woman who plays for the minor leagues?" Nadia responds.

In fact, he knows full well that she's Citadel.

Thought to be carrying uranium, the man instead is part of an expansive plot by the nefarious organization Manticore to bring down Citadel. It is, unfortunately for the world, an effort that proves to be successful.

Nadia and Mason escape the train with their lives. But not, as it turns out, with their memories.

The main narrative of "Citadel" is set eight years later, with the separated super agents living civilian lives with new identities and with virtually no recollections about their dangerous former lives. Of course, they soon will be brought back together, with the help of former Citadel colleague Bernard Orlick (Stanley Tucci) to keep a highly sensitive briefcase from falling into Manticore's hands.

Running point for Manticore is Dahlia Archer (Lesley Manville), who has her seemingly clean hands in world affairs thanks to her job as the British ambassador to the United States. As one would expect of such a villain, she apparently will stop at nothing to acquire said case.

In September, The Hollywood Reporter reported that the budget of "Citadel" was ballooning to more than $200 million, making it one of the most expensive shows ever. There also was some personnel shifting, the outlet said, with some creative types exiting the project; David Weil, of Prime's "Hunters" series, being brought on as showrunner; and the Russos taking a more active role in shaping the series.

Based on the first three episodes, which Amazon Studios made available for review, the result is a show that's endlessly appetizing but a little short of addictive.

And BOY does it go for addictive, with potentially series-shifting moments waiting to spring around this and that corner.

Not that "Citadel" is going for realism, but it can be a little tough to take seriously, especially when you think about this all-important case, in which reside worldwide nuclear codes and MORE. As MacGuffins go, this one is big and meaty and ... just a bit too silly.

One thing "Citadel" does have going for it is strong casting.

Madden — best known for portraying Robb Stark on HBO's "Game of Thrones" before being the compelling center of the British drama series "Bodyguard," which was distributed in these parts by Netflix — brings his usual nobility and determination to Mason, whose primary motivation is to protect the family he's made since is espionage days.

Meanwhile, Indian superstar Chopra, a regular on the U.S. series "Quantico" who also appeared in 2021's "Matrix Resurrections," brings something to the "Citadel" table, as well. She helps to create a bit of mystery around Nadia and brings sparks to the scenes shared with Madden.

Through the roughly two hours that make up the first three episodes, Manville ("Phantom Thread," "The Crown") offers merely garden-variety villain fare, but we're optimistic the talented actress will get a chance to show something more.

And then there's Tucci, who is, well, entirely Tucci-esque, infusing Bernard with a devil-may-care vibe even while desperate to save the world. What can we say? Bernard is the light-hearted Q to the co-OO7s, and it works.

Without being too specific with the details, there's a nice twist as to what degree both agents return to their former selves. Also, those involved in crafting "Citadel" — including Newton Thomas Sigel, the cinematographer on the Russos' 2021 film, "Cherry," who directs at least the first three installments — succeed in building mystery around something not even Mason knows about himself.

Speaking of the Russos, best known for directing Marvel Cinematic Universe megahits "Avengers: Infinity War" (2018) and "Avengers: Endgame" (2019), it's hard to know exactly how much involvement they had with the day-to-day of "Citadel." That said, the series certainly shares an action-heavy vibe with "The Gray Man," the hit 2022 Netflix spy movie they helmed.

Netflix hopes to turn that into a franchise, with a sequel already having been announced, and Amazon hopes to do something similar with "Citadel." The Hollywood Reporter reported in March that a second season already has been green-lit.

We'll see how we feel about getting more of the show at the conclusion of this first season, which surely has more twists in store for us.

It may not feel like the big leagues yet, but it could get there.

'Citadel'

What: Six-episode first season of action spy series.

Where: Prime Video.

When: First two episodes debut April 28, with subsequent installments arriving the following four Fridays.

Info: Amazon.com.