First Date

An interesting take and quite different from the movie.

I have to be honest, I wasn't looking forward to this. The original movie was just a one trick pony. So what happens when you take the pony away? Instead of both Smiths not knowing that each are assassins, change it so that they know from the start. Quite ingenious.

So it would seem that the rest of the show is just them trying to learn how to become better at their job. Maybe find out who their employer is? Definitely find out more about each other. I am guessing with with the inevitable love interest. And possibly with one of them breaking the rules ie contacting members of their family.

We shall see.

What in the world did I just watch?! All I've seen so far are 2 vapid characters that I care nothing about. They love to babble on and on about the most uninteresting things. What little action that does occur is not even enough to hold my interest.

So i'm guessing the 2 characters at the very opening of this first episode are the writers attempt to show us the end result of the life John and Jane have signed up for? The writing is so awful it was hard to keep watching. Way too much pointless dialogue and the acting is absolutely terrible.

This first episode was so bad that I seriously doubt Mr. & Mrs. Smith will get better from here. After seeing the trailer for season 1, it seems to me that the rest of this season will be more of the same boring action sequences and wooden acting. I think i'll pass on this series.

The movie was fine, action packed with a plot that only served as a blockbuster. But from what I saw in this episode, it seems that this take is a little more of a satire while exploring realistic interactions between the main characters. Childish Gambino performance is always pleasant too watch, and I was not that surprise to see that this episode was directed by Hiro Murai, same director of many episodes from the show Atlanta.

Anyways, I will give this show a try. I think that since I started watching it expecting something very different from the movie I managed to appreciate it as something separate.

The film that this show is based on was a very big item back in the mid-2000s, but it always felt like something that would work much better as a television series. And this show was announced in 2021, and was slated to have starred Donald Glover and Phoebe Waller-Bridge, until she departed the show due to creative differences. That was a big blow for this series, but I still thought it had a lot of potential, and Maya Erskine was also a perfect addition. This first episode does set us up for something quite interesting, especially because of how intriguing its structure really is.

It doesn't take long to realize that this is actually a relationship drama disguised as a spy show. At its core, it feels like the show is more interesting in seeing how a relationship can form under these unique circumstances than the missions that they are being told to go on, and honestly, that is actually what is keeping the interest going. The action sequences in this first episode are not incredibly exciting, and the eventual reveal of what the core of this mission felt very expected. But it all serves as background noise for the blossoming relationship between Jane and John, and it's very apparent that the show's value lies there as well. The first half of this episode is simply these two characters getting to know each other and wanting to learn about each other's past so they can fit into the role of a married couple. The ending provided a very touching moment between them and gave us some expectations for what is to come. There is clearly chemistry between the characters, and the actors supplement that perfectly, with both Glover and Erskine giving very immersive performances and feeling like they want to get to the bottom of this question as well. The most interesting aspect of the spy storyline is the cold open, which is removed from the rest of the episode, but does shed some light on the nature of the job that Jane and John are fulfilling here, and that could lead to some interesting trouble down the line.

"First Date" serves as a nice introduction to the titular couple and shows us that this is clearly a relationship drama disguised as a spy show. And honestly, that is what makes this show interesting, because not enough light has been shed on the spy storyline to make it fascinating, but the performances and the chemistry between the characters really makes this a solid beginning.

Live review:

Ok, so right off the bat this is gritty and no holds barred action. So that's a plus, I thought this might be a Nickelodeon level delivery rather than an assassin spy type movie.

Clearly, even a few minutes in, this is a stolen movie title grab for name recognition to fool people into the seat to watch. The plot is literally nothing to do with the movie. The vibe is entirely different. The movie was exciting and playful. Flirty even. But this episode, 26 minutes in....super dry and boring. It's taking a long time to say "yes arranged marriages are awkward".

There does not appear to be any chemistry so far with the cast. Neither character seems to have qualifications to be a spy. Maybe that will unfold over time...maybe? So drawn out....nothing inviting you to invest in the story or characters. A lot of complexly useless scripting. Over acted and stalled out scenes. Seems forced.

Is this a student production?

I'm now reflecting on the stolen title. If it wasn't the famous title form a spectacular movie that was adventurous and charming....there is zero chance I would still be watching this tv version.

Not sure why the filming feels very 1970's. Is it because it is filmed in the east coast? Trying to be artsy? Or will the next episode be 10 years in the future where they are actually are good at their job and have chemistry?

So much empty talking. But getting nowhere fast. It's like watching a really old movie. So slow.

Ok, the smallest semblance of a mission is this lame cake delivery that feels under helming....

Nope, they basically were terrorists without knowing they were. This show is so weird. It's like a show being called Star Wars, but it plays out like an episode of 'Mr. Robot'.

It's the oddest thing...the whole season looked like it dropped all at once, but to be honest, it's far from bingeworthy. I think I need another week before I can give another episode a chance. And if the Amazon ads kick in...IM OUT. That would be a deal breaker. This show is not worth seeing ads.

Ok, it ends with a long season ad to try to convince you it will get batter. Some better actors showing up. Tons of credits with Donald glover and his family. Idk. Maybe I'll watch one more before closing the chapter on this.