Prison Break: The Final Break (2009 Video) User Reviews (30)

"it is gratifying to see Prison Break go out as solidly as it came in."

[grayadd · 9/10 · 23 July 2009]

I thought it would be impossible for Prison Break to ever match the greatness of its first season, and I was unexpectedly proved wrong by the last two episodes of the series.

The Final Break is a self contained story that both Prison Break fans and first time viewers will enjoy. The story immediately dives into a scenario where all odds are against Sara and Michael.

Although, a lot of what happens in The Final Break is very ridiculous and mostly likely will never happen it's still the same ridiculousness the show is based on and that is why we love it.

Sara is charged with murder and ends up placed in a prison because the jail is full. The guards know what Sara did back in Fox River so of course they beat her up and make things more difficult for her. A bounty is set on Sara by the General to get back at Michael. And if that's not enough Sara has to deal with a gang of women in the prison as well as Gretchen who is after the bounty as well.

Knowing that Sara's chance of surviving decreases with every minute, Michael has to get her out of prison as fast as possible. Not only is the pressure on Michael to breakout Sara faster than any other breakout, but also the government is watching his every step.

This really could not get more intense! The end is very bittersweet. Michael makes the ultimate sacrifice and leaves a video for Lincoln and Sara. He ends up sacrificing himself to free the people he loves.

Now that's what I call a great freaking ending to a series! Although this really could have been a whole series in itself, I'm glad it was done in just two episodes. I don't remember the last time I was kept on the edge of my seat for an entire episode or even two! Bravo to the writers/creators/producer of Prison Break! And thank you for ending the show as solidly as it started!

What a way to go

[TBJCSKCNRRQTreviews · 7/10 · 21 November 2009]

For those who are unsure what exactly this is, this is the last two episodes, that I understand not all were fortunate enough to have air where they could catch them, and instead had to get this on DVD to get to see the finale. This is about the same level of quality as the rest of the fourth season... meaning that there is still excellent tension, well-thought out plans and plenty of back-stabbing, however, it remains undeniable that this is past its prime. I think it built up the overall conspiracy too much, and then kept going with a lot of the most interesting plot threads already resolved. At this point, they also resorted to a rather see-through, forced and awkward way of keeping the many characters, that we've grown to care about, together. The noteworthy thing to this is that it picks up after what sure looked like the ending, and actually does credibly at not only keeping the story going for an additional 80 minutes, but creating new conflicts(and re-igniting ones we already know and like). You don't *need* to watch this, and the way things are left off before it is a fine close to the franchise. This does use an unexpected turn, and gives us more of what was always the best in the series. Among the greatest new things of this is Lori Petty's performance, which nails the type with flawless precision. The pacing is spot-on, and this is rather exciting and engaging from start to finish. Production values leave nothing to be desired. I commented on the acting in my review of the show itself, and it is the same in this. I recommend this to fans of Prison Break. 7/10

A great, satisfying wrap up to Prison Break

[movieman82us · 8/10 · 25 May 2009]

Those who saw the show's series finale knows that Michael Scofield dies. Prison Break: The Final Break shows us the events that lead up to and including Michael's death. Although this 2 hour movie is actually surprisingly fairly light on action, it's high on tension and suspense and emotion. I loved every second of this movie and I think a lot of fans will be pleased that this very much has an old school Prison Break feel to it even though unlike season 1, where Michael was trying to break himself and his brother out, this time he's on the outside trying to break his beloved and pregnant Sara out. The result is a fast paced, exciting and emotion filled adventure full of twists and the movie's touching coda. Wentworth Miller, Dominic Purcell, William Fichtner, Sarah Wayne Callies and the rest of the gang all do their usual solid work although this mostly Miller and Callie's show. I was kind of surprised that Purcell doesn't have as much to do this time. Michael's sacrifice was done well and was moving. This to me was the REAL series finale of the show. So thanks to the Prison Break producers/writers, etc. for 4 amazing years. I will miss this show as it has definitely become one of my all time favorites. It's nice to see that the show is able to go out on a high note as I really loved this movie.

Breathtaking, excellent ending for Prison Break!

[futuretraveler · 10/10 · 25 May 2009]

If you were disappointed by the original series finale, then this is PERFECT FOR YOU! These two episodes are on such a high emotional level that it reminded me so much of the first two seasons. I think they should have skipped the flashforward at the end of season 4 and added it instead at the end of "The Final Break". The last scene brought tears in my eyes. Good writing and a great ending for Prison Break. Especially the acting and music were really amazing, the chemistry is as good as always!

I thought Season 4 started on a high note but ended very weak, but this MAKES UP FOR IT! BUY IT!

Greetings from Germany!

Brilliant

[mrnngg · 10/10 · 26 May 2009]

To be honest, I was thinking this was going to be a "ploy to get money" but ironically this wasn't the case. This is quite possibly the most beautifully written 90 minute made for TV ending for a show I've ever seen. In fact, it was so reminiscent of the first season that I think they really took the time to thoroughly review all their options and wrap up the show appropriately.

Not to say too much about the actual show but the way they integrated much of the original cast is ingenious and so mind blowing that I was simply astonished how some episodes "arguably" wasn't fantastic and then there is this finale that really stood out.

It's so much to capture in 2 hours that I was sad to see it end. In spite of being angry of watching the show's ending last week, I have to say in " The final Break" they did a remarkable job of gently walking us through the path and not giving us a sudden blow while proving to the audience that it was truly worth waiting for this.

10/10 RIP Prison Break

Excellent! Astonishing!

[lordalgammon · 10/10 · 25 May 2009]

I expected much more...but there are still 2 episodes left,i certainly hope that something will be revealed in the next episodes because in this one nothing was understood...The series were great i couldn't wait every Thursday to watch them for 4 long years i have been anticipating the end..and now when it finally came down..i could say it was worth watching and it was worth waiting for so long.The entire plot was just unique the actors some of them known some ...unkown acted like extreme professionals i think they deserve the biggest credit for keeping me and i assume all of us in suspension for so long time every episode..wanting for more and more

An episode

[kareemelsayed-67927 · 10/10 · 14 March 2021]

Sooo 3 episodes combined gives a prison break film and that is it bye

more prison break

[SnoopyStyle · 7/10 · 17 May 2016]

Michael Scofield (Wentworth Miller) marries Sara Tancredi (Sarah Wayne Callies) on the beach. Lincoln Burrows (Dominic Purcell) and Fernando Sucre (Amaury Nolasco) are witnesses. The police breaks up the celebration by arresting Sara for the murder of Christina Hampton. She had killed Hampton to save Michael. She is locked up in Miami prison instead of jail while waiting for trial. The guards are abusive for what happened in Fox River. Daddy (Lori Petty) is the head of the prison gang. T-Bag Bagwell (Robert Knepper) and General Jonathan Krantz (Leon Russom) are prisoners in the men's side. Krantz puts out $100k for a contract on Sara and Gretchen Morgan (Jodi Lyn O'Keefe) happens to be in the same prison. Cowler (Aisha Hinds) is a stand up guard. Alex Mahone (William Fichtner) is refused reinstatement back into the FBI but Agent Richard Sullins (Kim Coates) dangles the badge if Alex rats out Michael and his inevitable attempt to break out his wife.

The movie is forced to jerry-rig the situation to bring it back to step 1 with several old characters conveniently in the same prison. It's got the Orange is the new Black vibe. The women's prison is good. There is one good twist but the escape isn't quite as compelling as the first original season. The movie simply doesn't have enough time to set up the escape attempt for the audience. There is the same familiar gang back together again. That's great for fans of the show.

The ending of the legendary series, the bedrock of the 5th season.

[sakram · 9/10 · 19 October 2017]

This short movie, which is the final "necessary" addition to the 4 seasons, represents the aftermath of the big conspiracy. Roles are flipped, Sarah is the prisoner, and the brothers are the rescuers, except, this prison is no prison that Michael Scofield has architect-ed, so it's a new challenge, and the odds are low, the ending was heart-breaking, I literally cried. With the death of Michael Scofield, this has been the perfect ending for the most original and perfect series of all time.

However, this seems to be the principal bedrock for the 5th season.

But without considering the 5th season, it's a perfect ending, Prison Break will always the show that we'll always watch and never get tired of.

Breaking and Leaving

[kosmasp · 6/10 · 1 January 2014]

Since the discs, do have an extended ending to the original series (I'm guessing the ending was slapped on after the movie was made), you might at least know where this is going. You might start to wonder, what happens to some of the characters between when this movie ends and the end of the show, but that wouldn't really help. There's too many questions that you don't want to ask there.

Still it has some of the ingredients of the original show and it tries hard to do its best with it. Of course all of it is based on a premise that makes no sense whatsoever (whatever angle the camera had, there is still evidence that could help the defense case, a gun in particular), but I won't get into detail, so it won't be any spoiler.

There are a few misdirections and misleads, but in the end, we know where this is leading. It's nice for the crew and the cast to be able to meet once more, but that should be it. Then again, some people might still want this to continue on and on and on and on ...

Nice watch

[Harshithnagraj · 8/10 · 16 January 2021]

Not as good as series but you can enjoy throughout the movie some scenes are simply inserted. Overall a good movie.

my notes

[FeastMode · 7/10 · 23 July 2019]

A great additional conclusion to the series, with some extra closure (3 viewings)

Should Never have Been Made!

[almeida_213 · 2/10 · 21 June 2009]

I really wish I never watched this! Appently it was supposed to answer all the remaining questions, but what questions?? The only ones I can think of was how Michael died (which was better when you thought it was because of his illness), and how the hell Kellerman became a congressman after what he admitted to!

For me, it made a mockery of season one. The amount of work Michael put into his plan of breaking Lincoln out was brilliant and the way parts of his plan came together was what really made season one a great series. But this felt like it had been written up in 30 seconds! Oh yeah just set off a fire alarm, create a diversion outside and sneak in...genius, no one can fool that plan!

The characters of the womens prison were just completely pointless. The woman t-bag wannabe was so unconvincing. The main characters all had a chance to grow and develop over the course of the four seasons, but the writers made these new characters act as if we've known them the whole time. This isn't a show thats meant to be squashed into 80 minutes.

I thought the actual ending of PB was perfect and very emotional. But this ending just tried to mimic that with very bad results! The TV switch off thing at the end was ridiculous, and left you thinking "what the hell was that?!" I love every season of Prison Break, it was one of the best shows on TV and I'm sad to see it leave. But The Final Break will ruin everything loved about the show and destroy that perfect, yet sad, ending they gave it. Don't Watch!

Should have been the real Finale

[PyTom83 · 8/10 · 11 June 2009]

Plot Michael and Sara get married, but during the celebration, Sara gets arrested and put into a prison because there's no space in jail. The General and T-Bag are in prison together and General finds out Sara is in prison and puts a hit out on her. Meanwhile, there's lots of lame prison feuds similar to Michael in S1. Mahone is hired by FBI to find out what Michael has planned as Michael's first plan was sabatoged by Mahone. His next plan was to PARACHUTE into the prison and somehow break her out, but Mahone switches and helps Michael turn this plan better. Michael and Sara then meet in a chapel on the grounds and go to an underground route. Michael is then forced to unplug the power in the prison and short the electricity, killing himself in the process. Everyone gets away. Michael makes a video for Sara and Lincoln that ends the show in a nice way and T-Bag's ending up in solitary was pretty hilarious.

Thoughts Why would they air it in Israel first? Anyways, The Final Break was way better than the Series Finale as it felt like Season One again as they kept it simple with no mass conspiracies. Just the basic plot of getting Sara out. And for the first time Sara was not useless and boring, but actually the center of the plot and SWC was way better than usual. The special went from "WTF they can't be serious", to a good conclusion as the ending was far sadder than the Finale. I admit, there was a lump in my throat at the end.

The DVD was Great... may contain some spoilers

[Ryan_nice · 8/10 · 22 June 2009]

IT was not disappointing. It still had a good amount of twist and turns who would've thought Sara would get into a fight with the guards and try to hold her own, let alone Gretchen being in the same prison as she would be in. It was very fitting to the show and it just added to the Legend of Michael Scofield. It is worth the watch. If you are a true fan you will not be disappointed. Many people in my opinion may be disappointed about his tragic demise, but come on, something had to give. I for one was disappointed but also happy because it makes this show that much more memorable. I'd buy the entire DVD collection and pass it on to my children so they can experience the thrills that prison break has given us these past 4 years. No one ever expected what would happen in any season. The show keeps you on the edge of your seat for more. I feel much better after watching this because now I know Michael didn't just pass on due to his brain tumor...he would have but, he gave his life to save another. He's been doing it for 4 years America...How could you get mad?

Unbelievable...Cant compare prison break with any other serial...this is Ideal

[amolgawande · 10/10 · 20 November 2015]

I don't have words to explain how die hard fan i am for prison break cast, storyline, acting. Please don't stop making this serial ahead. michael scofield is really awesome in it. we want to cry when they cry. we want to laugh when they laugh. we want to celebrate when they celebrate. it is very touchy serial. i have watched this serial day and night. and believe me i am telling to my all friend that don't miss such a master serial.i feel like i am the part of this serial when i talk about it. i have stopped watching movies because of prison break. and i am not liking other serials after watching prison break. i have watched breaking bad but prison break is prison break. Hts of to u all guys for starting with 5th season.

GOOD MOVIE

[billcary · 5/10 · 4 December 2019]

AM a bit confused though. if everybody was exonerated and assumedly pardoned for all the first 4 seasons why was this murder charge not included. of course "conveniently" the evidence is a set up. which makes for a good movie plot, but why is the charge even brought up and for that matter in the movie it's never once argued why the charge was. if she and the tohers were cleared with all todo with the first 4 seasons that should have been included. other than the fact they say that nobody knows the woman was company they never really address this issue. the many plot holes is why I can only give this movie a 5. \

Could have been done better. A LOT BETTER.

[darthheimdall · 4/10 · 1 October 2009]

This movie suffers from the following flaws 1) The entire premise of it (Sarah only being 99% exonerated) does not make any sense in context with the ending of Season 4. 2) The challenge Michael faces in getting Sarah out of Miami-dade prison does not even compare to his previous escapes from Fox River and Sona. 3) The gang boss in the women's jail, "Daddy", comes across more as a high school dork than a dangerous felon. A definite downgrade from the phenomenally villainous T-Bag and Gretchen.

4) The chief flaw is that this is basically just a watered-down, sloppy version of the season one plot (Michael tries to break a loved one out of jail, only this time, it's his wife instead of his brother Lincoln).

There are redeeming qualities, such as Michael's romantic sacrifice when he gives up his life to help Sarah escape and Mahone's inner conflict between regaining his career and staying loyal to his ally and friend, Michael, which (combined with the acting-these people could even make a cereal commercial suspenseful and exciting) is why this gets a 4 out of 10 instead of a 1. However, it's honestly a bit of a letdown. I see no real need to watch it other than pure curiosity.

Ridiculous and unrealistic plot, plot holes without end, and unnecessary.

[joelcosta-jcx · 2/10 · 20 January 2017]

The whole premise is ridiculous. Sara shouldn't be in jail for countless reasons: exoneration, self-defense (affirmative defense is not to be proved beyond reasonable doubt, but only by preponderance of evidence), the fact that the mother is officially dead, which would induce a lengthy process, so Sara would have never been sent to prison after being detained, there'd be steps to follow, giving them enough time to once again prove her innocence.

After his record, the General should have landed in a more secure facility like Supermax. There's no way he could pull the strings from such a facility.

The family subplot in the women's jail added nothing important to the plot. It was a cheap T-Bag ripoff, and nothing more.

The way they escaped prison was trivial, nothing compared to the schemes of the third season, let alone the first one. Character development was, like in season 4, not present.

It's ridiculous that Michael has a plan to virtually any situation, but can't come up with something better that using his own body to save the day.

The ending was ridiculous. They're free? No, you're not, morons. After your stunt, you're at the same spot as in the beginning of season 2. Except you don't have the $5M, and Mike is dead, unless he magically resurrects like several other characters from the show.

This renders the previous "final episode" totally useless and unrealistic. How are they all able to live that way, if they're constantly on the run? How are they able to visit Michael's tombstone, that'd be exactly where they'd be looked for.

I gave the entire show a 7/10, which is a good rating on my scale. The first two seasons were an easy 9/10, the third season was fine, but the 4th destroyed it. However, the end was good enough. They were free at last, it's what we've waited for, and Mike's dead, but it gives us the impression that he died in peace, maybe even having met his son before. But this extra ending screwed everything up.

Besides many plot holes, no character development, bad repeated story, the acting wasn't extreme too. There was no chemistry during all four seasons between Mike and Sara, and I understand that they were on the run, but at their last moment, that was nothing, just cold, and emotionless. That's not convincing. Morgan was like in the previous seasons badly acted. Alex was okay. Linc and Sucre weren't special.

Horrible ending, let's just pretend it didn't exist. It's feels like the last nail on the coffin that the 4th season was for the show. A friend recommended me Prison Break as it got better during the last season and the ending was in his words "unprecedented". That's a big claim for someone who hasn't watched many show, if any at all. Most people who rated this ending with 7-10/10: don't trust them. They probably haven't seen what a good ending looks like, and haven't watched many quality TV shows, so in their eyes it's great. It's like an Ethiopian child eating the worst food you could find: he'll love it, because he doesn't know the good stuff. Sorry for the macabre comparison, but it's the only way to make people realise how shitty this ending was, and the only way to explain those 7-10/10 ratings.

Pointless follow up to a perfect ending of the series

[Seth_Rogue_One · 5/10 · 21 April 2015]

I'm not gonna go into details cause I don't want to spoil anything but the ending of season 4 of Prison Break is one of the best endings of a TV-series ever for me.

It wrapped everything up real nice and had a moving ending.

Then THIS comes along and take a big crap over that ending just to cash in on a big success of a series, released as a standalone DVD and blu ray.

Where as really this belongs solely as a bonusmaterial to the last season.

People who haven't seen the series will find no joy in watching it I'm sure, people who have it, I'm sure that SOME people will enjoy it but I think for most this will just feel like a leftover doubleepisode.

It also focuses on Sara's character more than the others, it's her turn now to break out of jail.

I guess it's nice to see the cast together again and it isn't terrible by any means but that's about it, I will pretend that this "movie" doesn't exist and that the series ended with the last episode of season 4 as it was meant to be.

Sadness

[dimitris_andritsos · 5/10 · 1 August 2019]

I think that this particular episode is just a bad production. In contrast to all seasons, in which the plot was very analytic and thoroughly explained, the final episode runs the scenes without presenting something noteworthy. The idea is in the same picture with the series from the beginning which makes the movie boring since we know the end. As far as how we got to the end, I can say that it was a meaningless failure. 5 stars and that's because I respect the background.

The shark has been jumped

[j656921 · 5/10 · 31 May 2009]

Sadly my view of these 2 episodes is closer to the previous one than to the glowing reviews some have given.

I've watched every episode of PB, but recently it's been as much out of habit as anything.

When it started I thought it was nonsense but extremely enjoyable. Yes, it was unlikely, to put it mildly, but it was one of those things that made you suspend your disbelief.

More recently there have been too many gaping holes and too much repetition. Not to mention the way Alex turned from a vicious killer to a near saint, and the other killer became a Congressman and a do-gooder.

I think they should have just ended the whole thing a bit sooner – before it wore out its welcome.

Awful

[pcarlssons · 1/10 · 23 July 2009]

What a waste of time! To end the Prison Break series in this way make you feel you invested all those hours for nothing. This was the most silly, constructed and cheap ending anyone could come up with. The whole plot were also simplified and it felt like it were put together during a coffee break. This is only a try to pump some more advertising on the series. I was long ago since i got so disappointed.

SPOILER AHEAD!

Let's put it this way - the audience were worth a happy ending after all this time, but instead we got an incredibly sappy and silly "I sacrifice myself" - ending that only make you sad. Don't see this - you are better off not to.

Mind-numbingly stupid

[fedehippo · 1/10 · 25 May 2009]

I keep hoping that this is just a bad dream and I will wake up at anytime.

The premise of this/these last episode(s) is just ridiculous! The whole team is exonerated, except T-Bag, but suddenly Sara is put in jail for killing Christina Scofield who was about to shoot Michael. That makes no sense.

Then we see Michael hatch an escape plan in 1 day! Figuring out exactly what T-bag will do when given misinformation. And of course pregnant beat-up Sara knows EXACTLY how to get to the Chapel and meet Michael. The last hurdle is the locked door ind the basement protected by a card-lock which Michael tries to short circuit. But he brought a battery that was too small. He now has at least 3 options: 1: Smash the old wooden door 2: find an electrical outlet and short-circuit the lock 3: find a wrench or piece of metal to short-out the circuit-breaker But no. The only logical solution is to yank out the fuse and short circuit the whole electrical system for the prison with your own body.

I thought the previous ending with Michael just being dead with no explanation was bad. but this ending just ruined the whole series for me. The other minor mistakes here and there were bearable. But this POS seems like it was made in a week.

soo disappointing!

[marionhamada · 1/10 · 31 May 2009]

I was really excited to see this Final Break movie because I wanted to see how they wrapped things up and how they deal with the "unanswered questions" to provide me closure for one of my favorite shows. I wish I hadn't watched it though. It ruined the whole finale for me, heck, it even ruined the whole series for me almost. I felt like I wasted 4 years of my life investing in the characters in the show and it's all for nothing. The movie was so over the top (and that's saying a lot considering this is Prison Break, the mother of all things over the top!) and so made-for-Hollywood-summer-blockbuster that it deviated from the real essence of the show. When I watched the series finale on TV, I was a little disappointed but still, I found that that was a fitting end, albeit a bittersweet one. But this one was just senseless. I loved only the first two minutes of it. The rest of it, I wish I could have erased from my mind. The phrase "jumped the shark" is very fitting for this movie. I understand now why they decided not to include it in the original series finale and why they decided not to show it on FOX because people will surely throw their TVs out if they did. So, so disappointed! I want that hour and 20 minutes of my life back!