At the first episode (Shanghai Express), I said to myself: "No way! They're making a big mistake and they will cancel it soon for sure!" But unexpectedly I discovered how good it was. And despite some things, not a lot of things, this was always fresh and amusing show which had some potentials yet in low production, and customary direction. But if you ask me what has brought this one to an end? My answer will be innately Mr. Sammo Hung Kam-Bo!
At season one, there was that drift to assure China's great culture: the deep method of fighting against the muddled violent American methods, the wisdom quotes from their legacy, the old traditional habits, the spiritual faith, and the nice main musical theme by national Chinese instruments. Actually the character of inspector (Sammo Law), as the finest policeman in Asia, was so idealistic as a working man, or as a human being, so his sapience was there all the time to guide his new American colleagues for the best, in the same time that all of them were trying hard to keep up with his unique way of fighting. He was a funny guy who could play the rock out of a guitar, hence his turning into a member of the American society was interesting with all the continual sarcasm about the western materialism (Why everything must be big in America?! / Well, America is a big country, so we want everything as big as her!). All of that was really one of the biggest apologies in the history of the American TV for the way that was used to show any Asian character during the past half century (evil, ignoble, craven, stupid.. you name it!) yet that was done by some Asian money, and talents. Because Hollywood knows one very important policy: The Green! So the Asian production companies entered there to confirm lately its growing influence.
But unfortunately, at the second season, this gentle benign patriotism almost died down, and that kind of drift had been weakened, with no more talking about China's culture, no more showing for traditional habits, and no more musical theme with national instruments. They wanted this to be so American or less Chinese. Yes, that was little disappointing, but what about the rest of the show?
The most beautiful thing in (Martial Law) was the writing. Truly I do believe that this show wouldn't make it through 2 years without those brilliant team of writers, not even with the greatest Kung Fu combats ever. They persevered in finding new thrilling idea for every episode. Although at the end of season 2, when we followed the continuous battle between (Sammo) and the evil organization of (Scorpio), it was kind of naive sometimes, however it wasn't bad at all, only less powerful. Putting in mind that it was also better than a lot of conflicts at other shows. And as for the choreography of the fights, it was very creative, never repeated, and too spirited with a new place, trick, and jest every time. Though you'll witness with that the real painful reasons which terminated this show!
As one big reason: the bad acting. Yes, this show is not about acting, also the very writers tried so much not to put anyone of the characters in any hard moment, but the final result was close to awful, especially (Gretchen Egolf)'s poor performance, with her right eyebrow always UP! and above all, of course, the star of the show (Sammo Hung) himself! This man nearly destroyed his own success by his insistence to be inanimate as an actor, with his lifeless performance, and the eternal mineral face of him which can make you feel sometimes that he is a fat robot with the most pathetic English in the world. Although he endeavored to compensate that by bringing (Arsenio Hall) to do what (Chris Tucker) did for (Jackie Chan) in movies, nevertheless it was so hard to watch the same (Sammo)'s out-of-fashion hair cut, the same frozen features (while he can laugh indeed, but only in the bloopers sequences!) as well as the same constant way of diction whatever the feelings were (even Arnie can be wonderfully angry). (Sammo) didn't try to get better even with the complexity of his role as a wounded father at the end of season 2, and to tell you the truth: THAT WAS BORRRRRRRING! Not to mention the abundance of using a thin double of him during the fights, and he was that evident too, so with that hits the only thing which he is good at.. it became unbearable!
Over and above, the presence of dozens of contemporary movies with martial arts which are more rich and attractive, plus many shows of cops, American cops, too. Therefore, despite the good quality, and the fact that this series was great as average, the American viewers simply became fed up quickly with this invariable middle-aged not-handsome obese hero; so they accustomed themselves to change the channel to anything else, like they've taken objection on the most important crime that this cute show didn't bring up at all: the crime of killing inspector (Sammo Law) by the hands of the actor (Sammo Hung)!
1 out of 7 found this helpful.
Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink
