Mr. and Mrs. Smith

I have never seen the 2005 film "Mr. and Mrs. Smith", though I know about the movie. So, it's easy to recognize the similarities between this film and the 2007 television pilot that was inspired by the film....but isn't a remake nor sequel. Instead of both spouses being assassins who are trying to kill each other (the film), they both are squabbling assassins who have no intention of killing the other.

This isn't a spoiler, as the summary on IMDB says both spouses are assassins in the witness protection program. If it didn't say that and you didn't read it, you might initially assume that she is the assassin and he's a clueless husband. However, later in the pilot he follows her to Prague because he assumes she's cheating on him. She's actually on an assignment...and then you start to see all of his ninja-like skills come into play.

It's not surprising that the network didn't hire Anjelina Jolie and Brad Pitt to reprise their roles...it would have cost a fortune. And, with a slightly retooled plot, having the original actors wasn't as necessary.

So is this show any good and should they have given the series the go-ahead? Well, the show looked pretty good and the actors were pretty good as well. While I wasn't thrilled with the show, it did show promise and it might have proven to be an interesting weekly series. Seeing them roam the world having assassiny adventures might have worked...but I guess we'll never know.

It was entertaining, not amazing but good. Except they totally failed at portraying Bogotá, Colombia. Starting because is a cold city and they basically just tried to portray Cuba or something. God, did they failed, nothing like the actual City. Rather than that, is a movie to watch with your friends, not good enough, so you won't be afraid of skipping some bits (specially the whole "Colombia" fiasco) and you'll pass the time. I really wish the director would've taken the time to actually get to know the places he added to the movie and not just stick to the general image. It totally ruined the movie for a second there.

At the end of the episode, a production company entitled "Dutch Oven" was credited. I'd rather receive one than watch this, because at least it's shorter.

How did this fail SO hard is the more pressing matter at hand. Doug Liman AND Simon Kinberg returned for this pilot, which correct me if I'm wrong, was based on their successful 2005 movie. Which was based off the 1996 series? Which was based off...another previous iteration, right?

Doug Liman is an outstanding director. He had three masterpieces in a row from 1996-2002. Simon Kinberg isn't a good writer, but he is a successful person in the industry. None of that matters, because their collaboration for the 2005 remake worked. Why was their return here, not good?

Network interference on a landscape that's already got more restrictions than a movie. I can't possibly believe this is what Doug & Simon wanted to make, but they took the TV offer for the cash and prospect of even more should it go to series. I know this isn't what they wanted to release, because it doesn't even feel like their work.

This pilot felt way too light-hearted and goofy, and unless I'm wrong, this concept probably has never worked for television. If I'm wrong, it's probably only on the timing, because I think at least since the 90's this hasn't worked on TV. (Of course 2024 fixed the issue.)

This review is a bit all over the place. Overall, nothing works here. I gave it a 3/10 because one point goes to any cast I like, one point goes to the director I like, and one point goes to the fact that this at least was put together. (Assembled seems too high class of a word to use.)

As far as obscure and unnecessary-remake pilot TV Movies go.. this is quite decent!

It is well casted (I find Jordana Brewster quite appealing), leads have (surprisingly) good chemistry, it's very energetic in its dynamics and actions and has good cinematography. It also imitates the Brad Pitt and Angelina's 2005 release very well! Which would be amazing if not for the fact that the Director and Writer are the same.. Still, it is smart enough to keep things simple and moving.

Not a lot more to say about a project that was conceived only to die out the door. Specially for a franchise that has been remade too many times.

I think it's on YouTube if you are interested.