The Mod Squad

This movie was a gargantuan disappointment on nearly all levels. Based on the late-60s/early-70s TV show, the movie could have been a hip, funny update OR a straight, reverent recreation from the period which it came from. Alas, the filmmakers botched it with a dull, hackneyed "dirty cops on the inside" plot we've seen countless times before. The direction is stiff and Character development is sorely lacking, making it impossible for us to grow any attachment to them. And for what's supposed to be an action film, there's a definite lack of energy and visual pizzazz.

Claire Danes and Omar Epps are fine (if a bit too low-key) in their roles, but Giovanni Ribisi gives one of the most highly annoying performances in recent memory. He plays his character (Pete Cochran) like some doped-up, marble-mouthed clod. Even if everything else in the film were fine, his performance here would still be a serious detriment.

What could have been a classy, fun film is rendered an unfortunate misfire. OH, what Quentin Tarantino could have done with this material!!