User reviews

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.

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.

Shows these days just tend to feature the same old hard core action. I didn't realise Glover had written when I watched it, but this brand of subtle, beautiful nuance is just perfect.

Nothing rammed down your throat. Just some raw feelings to vibe with. Some real feelings, not just another dopamine hit.

The late stage captialism we're living in now means everything needs to be so genre. I damn hope their bravery in this writing is rewarded. Otherwise, I'm gonna have to just give up on TV, because lord knows I'm not interested in the same all recycled junk.

It's only the first episode but I can't wait to be swooned hard by these two.

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.

This was probably the most boring first episode of any spy show i've seen.

The first episode should make you feel excited about the series but this one was a borefest.

So pointless dialogues, it felt like an awkward date which you just wish to end fast...

I know they want to introduce the characters but i think this episode was a fail to spark any interest.

Hopefully the series will pick up the pace otherwise i won't make it to the end cause there was no humor, no jokes, no interesting stories, other than the pretty much 5-7 minute action this entire episode was just talk and talk and more talk..

Take the concept of a "married" spy team and remove all the excitement and adventure (with the exception of about 4 minutes) and you have the first episode of this series. The main character even calls attention to it at one point: "I expected more.. lasers.. and (gun noises)". Cat's names, sleeping arrangements, deciding who will take out the garbage.. that's what you get from incredibly talented actors in this first episode. If you really like the actors it may grab your interest, but listing this show as an action/comedy is setting a disappointing expectation. Hopefully it picks up as the series continues, but so far this is like watching a Fast and Furious movie where the characters sit around talking about cleaning up the garage..

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.

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.

Enticed by a review that this was better than Amazon's other action series The Citadel.

It starts of with some gun toting action. A couple called Mr and Mrs Smith are shot dead by some baddies. They are meant to remind you of the couple played Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie in the 2005 movie.

This episode has Jane Smith (Maya Erskine) and later John Smith (Donald Glover) going through a selection process.

They are then 'married' and live together but they are strangers. They also have an assignment, to intercept a package and deliver it to a house.

Outside of the opening scenes which itself was pretty derivative. The first episode was a disaster. Not much action or comedy. Tedium and boredom more like.

Boring take on a classic story, boring and very predictable story, boring and slow pacing, boring and chatGPT dialogue, boring and generic characters, boring pacing, boring direction!

It's so boring. Even the explosive action is boring. Sigh. I'm so bored despite loving the actors cast as the leads. I genuinely was expecting to love this series, but what a boring opening episode. The opening scene was interesting with charisma and characters that I might care about ... but that isn't the show.

I'll watch the season because I love Danny Glover, but otherwise this should only be attempted if you want to be bored.

I felt sorry for Donald Glover. He gives it his all, but Maya is simply not an actress that can handle this role. She cannot believably be a person in the role. Donald legit tries but Maya Erskine is a dead fish who is walking through a role she can't handle.

For the show itself? The intro was AMAZING!!! Except for shot mechanics. How did the guy get shot in the cheeks?

Then how did the same sniper shoot the girl outside the cabin? From the same spot? The literal shooter couldn't have made both shots.

God bless Maya, but she ain't Angelina Jolie. And even the director/ producer said as much. Saying they want a female approach from the original film. Guessing what. You have a female point of view from the original, and you can't top it with this series.