Mit Herz und Handschellen - Die Spielfilmbox - DVD

Content: Mit Herz und Handschellen now finally finds the deserved conclusion on DVD. After the series with Henning Baum and Elena Uhlig with its first season could be celebrated as a success all along the line, the ratings of the second season were much more disappointing. Nevertheless, the series was to be continued in the form of a feature film series after the end of the second season. Three such episodes were produced, but after the first film was broadcast, the remaining episodes were put into the Sat1 archives for the time being. It wasn't until the success of Baum's new series Der letzte Bulle that the remaining episodes were aired and seasons 1 and 2 were released on DVD. Now fans of the wonderful investigator duo Leo Kraft and Nina Metzt can finally say goodbye to the two policemen in their home cinema. On three DVDs, the series comes to an end with entertaining and amusing episodes:

DVD 1: THE WRONG FRIEND

Leo really does not have it easy. Not only is living with his partner Bernd and his best friend/colleague Nina getting more and more complicated, but Bernd's sudden unemployment and the appearance of Leo's ex Thorsten also provide plenty of fuel for the fire. And as if that wasn't bad enough, his old childhood friend Kai also seems to be involved in a robbery-murder of a press photographer. While Leo is convinced that Kai is incapable of murder despite various previous convictions, Nina has no doubts about the petty criminal's guilt. But in the course of the investigation it turns out that this was not a simple robbery-murder and that this crime has much wider implications...

DVD 2: FIVE FRIENDS

Nina has finally had enough of men after her boyfriend breaks up with her. Now she wants to concentrate fully on her career. The offer to accept a promotion to head of department comes just in time for her. But that would mean Nina would have to spend more time at her desk and not be able to go on patrol with Leo. And that's not exactly easy in light of the current case. After a cyclist is pushed off a bridge by a jogger, the investigation leads to a group of friends who have been pursuing their passion for rafting together. But since the mysterious accidental death of a woman in this clique, there have been no more trips together. When another death occurs, it's clear to Leo and Nina that a killer is targeting the friends-and that they share a secret that could be the key to solving the murders...

DVD 3: TODFEINDE

After numerous arguments, the time has finally come: Nina decides to move out of Leo and Bernd's place. And the perfect apartment is also found quickly. Too bad that it is located in an apartment building that has just become the scene of a crime. The unloved caretaker Alfred Brunner fell to his death after trying to fix the rigged TV antenna. Nearly every tenant in the building had a motive to wish death on the constantly grumbling Brunner. Nevertheless, a prime suspect is quickly found. But can the case really be solved as easily as it first appears? And will Nina actually choose the apartment in the unlucky house?

With Heart and Handcuffs lives from the good chemistry between Henning Baum, who is just as convincing as a gay inspector as he was as the charming head macho in The Last Cop, and Elena Uhlig, who as the chaotic Nina with chronic man problems is the perfect counterweight to the orderly, calm Leo. While the stories tend to offer standard fare, it's the chemistry between the wonderfully drawn main characters that have given the series its special spice. With a mix of humor and drama and nice supporting characters, the series was a highly entertaining affair from the first episode to the last. And then exactly the same applies to the three concluding feature-length episodes.

Although the series is ultimately not much more than just very good entertainment, but doesn't quite have what it takes to become a true classic, the purchase of this second box set can also be thoroughly recommended. Because even if you already know the episodes and therefore the suspense regarding the resolution of the individual cases is gone, the fun of the word battles that Leo and Nina deliver to each other, or the not so sovereign behavior of their colleague Wacker, remains even after repeated viewings. And for this there is then also a deserved: recommendable!

Picture + sound: The technical realization of the three TV films is on a good TV level. There is no visible dirt, the overall sharpness is at a decent level and the colors are mixed coherently. The stereo sound doesn't quite deliver a great audio experience, but it does allow dialogue and music, as well as ambient noise and minor sound effects, to shine well. Good!

Extras: Bonus material there is unfortunately None.

Conclusion: With heart and handcuffs says goodbye with three very entertaining episodes in feature length. Henning Baum and Elena Uhlig harmonize wonderfully together and even if the scripts do not really revolutionize the crime genre, they offer enough entertainment value to show fans of the series once again how good Mit Herz und Handschellen actually was. Those who own the box set with the two series seasons should definitely grab this one as well. And who does not know the series so far, but appreciates entertaining crime series and wants to see The Last Cop times in a slightly different role, which can confidently reach for both boxes!

An article by Frankfurt-Tipp