Knight Rider (TV Series) Knight Rider (2008) User Reviews

Barely watchable...

[TylerTrekker · 5/10 · 16 March 2008]

I was a huge fan of the original Knight Rider with David Hasselhoff. And now, a little over 20 years after that series ended, we get a new version of the show. Sadly, I was to say the least, disappointed by this attempt to revitalize the series.

The problem with this show was that the story line just seemed to be very boring. I was actually more entertained by the Ford ads featuring KITT and the new Michael during commercial breaks than I was the actual show. It tried too hard to retread the older show than make this one stand out on its own. The new Michael seems too immature to take on the lead role. He seemed as though he would prefer staying in bed, sleeping with multiple women at the same time than even bother taking on a criminal organization. The only thing this show does well are the special effects. The high point in the show is Hasselhoff's brief appearance. Although it was nice to see him in the Michael Knight role again, it seemed as if the only reason for being on the show was to give his approval of it.

There didn't seem to be much of a reason at all for Mike to be motivated to take on the responsibility as FLAG's new driver. There was no big catalyst, or great tragedy in his life to change him from his "frat boy" lifestyle to "crime-fighter". Michael Long had his face blown off. He became Michael Knight in order to pursue the people who nearly killed him. That gave him enough motivation to be KITT's driver. The new Mike simply seems to be there just because he has nothing else to do with his life.

After watching the 2-hour premier, I wasn't satisfied at all. Apparently, this pilot episode had enough viewers for NBC to consider making it into a series. But, that was probably due to the fact that die-hard Knight Rider fans (me being one of them) and other curious viewers were eager to see something new amid the dry season of the writer's strike. If they do bring the series back in the Fall, the writing needs to get a whole lot better, otherwise I don't believe that people will be interested enough to tune in regularly. I wouldn't.

What the heck is this rubbish?

[lunixdude · 5/10 · 22 February 2008]

I was asking the same question about the pond. When he arrives at the end he is at the pond when he leaves there is no path over there just a pond and yet he walks to the pond.

And what about this nice hi tech car using a keyboard from a mac? And a bluetooth keyboard at that. That keyboard without the numpad is only made in blue tooth for macs. Im sorry but that keyboard does not match the car at all. And why does kitt not have any memory of the old days? I personally think the attempt to resurrect this dead horse was done better in Knight Rider 2000.

And the shelby gt 500 is garbage as far as im concerned. My z06 has beat 2 that I've seen in my area.

Original Series Still Rules!!

[BogieandBacallfan · 5/10 · 18 February 2008]

I watched the "Pilot" movie last night. It was okay, not terrible by any means. BUT---I still feel that the original (Hoff's version) "Knight Rider" series still rules, and is the best! This new show will have new advanced special effects, obviously, but it's still a remake---NOT A NEW ORIGINAL IDEA! Remakes of older popular shows are always VERY hard to make and have them "take-off" like the originals did! This "Knight Rider" will need a lot of luck to get going like the first show did.

The 80's series was an all new idea, with awesome/mesmerizing special effects for the time! This new updated show is okay, but it's just that...an updated idea of an already awesome show. Also, I'm sorry but KITT WAS A GM AUTOMOBILE...NOT A FORD! The Mustang is a cool car, don't get me wrong, but KITT needs to be the new Camaro/Trans-Am that's supposed to be released towards the end of this year. Also, William Daniels will always be the voice of KITT...even though Val did an okay job for what he was given.

The acting was pretty "newbie" too. I know the original show was pretty corny as well, but David Hasselhoff was already a fairly accomplished TV actor by the time he did "K.R." This new dude (aka "Mike Tracer"--LOL!!!) seems pretty "green" and no where near the league of the Hoff! Last, but not least---WHEN IS THIS NEW SO-CALLED KITT GONNA' JUMP?? The whole "Pilot" did not have one jump (aka turbo boost) included. If this new show does not have KITT jump...sorry folks but it's gonna' suck! I hope the show gets better as it goes along--nice touch with the Hoff at the end, encouraging this new guy along. The original show's "Pilot" movie had style, class, and captivated you. This new one...well, sort of. But not like the original classic.

Didn't like it much. Weak.

[Nic_hse · 18 February 2008]

The biggest flaw I didn't like was the main hero Mike Traceur played by Justin Bruening. His character is too young and immature. I can't believe they would trust this kid with a car like KITT. I mean really with all his bad habits (gambling, womanizing, immaturity) they couldn't find anyone else more qualified? It seemed to me they gave him the car only because he's related to Michael Knight. The show just isn't believable.

The car is fine in IMO. OK I'm not a car fanatic so if the car looks cool it passes my test. The voice of KITT is good enough. The plot seemed too much like Dawson's Creek, Smallville or any other evening soap drama. It just didn't feel like Knight Rider should.

Mike Traceur's fighting skills are too good. The fight scenes are laughable. No one can touch this guy. I don't care if he's an Army Ranger; he can and should take more of a beating than he did. I don't like heroes that are too strong and cocky or I root against them and the viewer shouldn't do that. At least Michael Knight was more likable. Traceur is an A-hole.

I never really cared for any of the characters. Hasselhoff's cameo was OK but it didn't save the movie. I might watch the first episode to see if it improves but if it doesn't hook me in I'm gonna pass.

Bottomline: The movie was weak.

why all the complaints? it's not that bad!

[Taunts911 · 7/10 · 31 October 2008]

I really don't get all the people complaining about this show. It isn't meant to be perfect and 100% realistic (you need to feel like you're 10 years old while watching it, like you were, when the original series aired). Well, I like it (I can't say I totally love it, but I like it). So what, if KITT can't take infinite rounds from a 50 cal (or a tank or a helicopter gun ship) or break uncomputerized locks etc. The show has grown up a bit as have the fans of the original. It's become A BIT more realistic. And that's good. I love the characters, I love KI headquarters, the fact that the plane has taken the place of the truck and most of all I LOVE THE CAR.... when it's not in attack mode.

Which brings us to the faults in this show and the biggest one of them all - KITT in attack mode! Who the hell designed that!? A 9-year-old? It just looks cheesy! Why the plastic tubes on the hood or the tin wheels? You can do better than that (although it is quite difficult to make the Shelby GT500KR any cooler). If you can't, just make it lower, add a bigger rear wing and that is it! It doesn't need an attack mode, that car looks like it could bite your head off even when it's standing still. The show could reduce the product placement (well, the obvious promotion of Ford). The Cobra does the job just fine. And the transformation from a mustang to a truck or a van? Not a big fan of that really. At least they could make KITT transform into something really cool (the Ford F150 is as cool as a pick-up truck can be, but pick-ups in general are as cool as lawnmowers or tractors).

OK, enough. I just wanted to say, that the show is not as bad as you could imagine from all the comments, but ended up writing a book about it. OK, enjoy the show, I definitely will.

Very very very disappointing!!!

[diwid13 · 1/10 · 22 February 2008]

I grew up watching the original Knight Rider (hardcore fan or was) when i first saw the previews for the new Knight Rider I was very excited to see it air. Unfortunately, it stunk! The story made no sense to it's original. It seems like they just put everything together at the last minute to sell Fords. The plot sucks, I hope Glen Larson the creator of the original did not write the story for this crap... The technology was old; nothing new, I feel that the old K.I.T.T. was more advanced, it even had a shooting laser. The homo thing wasn't much of a bother its reality (Will & Grace, The L Word, Roseanne they all have homos) but the 2 girls with the star of the show was a weak attempt to sale the show on sex. I mean we always knew that Michael Knight was a playboy or lady's man but we never saw him in an orgy. The inventor story line or plot did not make sense it was a team of scientist that built K.I.T.T. which was funded by Wilton Knight who was a billionaire and what the hell happened to Devon the head of the F.L.A.G. foundation (you know the old man who had an accent and was always in a mansion, limo or airplane). For crying out loud the original had Michael Knight talking to his car from his wristwatch and now its done through a craping ear piece, my bluetooth ear piece for my cell phone looks more Hi tech. This show was sad! Who the hell wrote this CRAP? Who designed the new car (Were was Michael Sheffel the original designer for both K.I.T.T. and the Delorean for Back to the Future?) and its boring old antique tricks? I would have assembled a better story line free of charge. Did they even watch the original pilot or at least 5 episodes of the original show? It's sad to know that NBC would release this! Do they even have a creative department? Not to mention real actors. So Val Kilmer gained so much weight he is now the voice for K.I.T.T. WTF????? Once again they destroyed Knight RIder!!! Can they get the same people that put together Smallville to revive this show? Oh yea! And the Theme song was super lame... (where was Jan Hammer?) This won't air as a full complete season. AWFUL!!!

-thisGUSthing

Looks Really Cool, But Looks Aren't Everything

[robmeister · 6/10 · 8 December 2008]

Full disclosure: I was a teenager when the original "Knight Rider" aired back in the early 1980s. The whole "Solitary Samaritan" thing, a device for which this show was known, is something I like (See "The Incredible Hulk" or -- to a certain extent -- "The A-Team"), and as cheesy as the original looks today, it still holds on to much of its charm.

That said, I awaited the new "Knight Rider" with baited breath. With all that is possible with 21st-Century visual effects and technology, I wanted to see what they can do with one my favorite adolescent chestnuts. I watched the pilot. I saw viable technology with some "Gee-whiz" factor thrown in. I saw Michael and his comely comrade get into a scrape and, with KITT's help, they escaped unharmed. And KITT's transformation sequences were a real attention-getter, until I noticed a severe continuity problem. In one episode, Michael tells KITT to switch back to normal mode in a secluded area to avoid it ending up as video footage on YouTube, yet KITT frequently transforms in public areas (Vegas in broad daylight, for example). Still, I think they did well with KITT, and the fact that they landed Val Kilmer as its voice was a real "get".

Now to what is wrong with the show. Michael (Justin Bruening) is a lunkhead. Oh, he looks hunky to pass off as a young Hasselhoff, but at least Hasselhoff can act. Michael's on-again-off-again relationship with Sarah (Deanna Russo) is actually well done, but there's no chemistry! Russo does a fine job, but Bruening doesn't click for me.

You know who does click, though? Billy (Paul Campbell) and Zoe (Smith Cho). These two are actually good enough to keep this show afloat, especially since NBC's announcement that the cast is getting trimmed and the show's focus will be more like the original's "Solidary Samaritan" formula.

If you ask me, saying that the second bananas far exceed the leads speaks volumes. If this "new direction" doesn't work, then maybe NBC should resuscitate last year's cancelled "Bionic Woman". At least that show was interesting; it was just an unfortunate casualty of the Writer's Strike of 2007-08.

truly pondered to stop watching

[heelveelbierman · 3/10 · 25 February 2008]

well, it was a .......interesting experience. Though one mostly filled with irritations. While i didn't mind the lead guy nor the voice of kitt, the whole ford show did become a nuisance. And kitt was disappointing, it had a nice miles per gallon ratio, great for every environmental concerned viewer and it could tap into security systems...ooh and change color and then blatantly drive past the baddies who really do not seem to notice it is the same car with a different color. The plot irritated me most of all though...it is clearly not even remotely as bulletproof as the car is. we have a genius, who works together with the pentagon to create an uber control system that could start wars and bring down pretty much anything. I don't know what the pentagon's general attitude to 'working at home' is but i reckon such a project might end up being a bit better protected, on account of it causing global terror and such. so when the genius and his double are suspicious of bad guys, they split up....instead of just getting in their super bullet proof car.... which also has every code needed to use the project. and then the fbi steps in....oh it might just be a heart attack so we'll just send someone over....we're still talking about someone having a super high tech world y chaos creating development right? i reckon the place would be swarming with government personal to at least go and pick up all that sensitive software that should still be there. but no, let's just send out one agent, who still gets no full backup when the doomsday terror information is gone........ so therefor, when she gets to hear the location of the two people to decrypt the info and the car with the decryption, she puts the phone on speaker so that some locally picked up small town sheriff can listen along...yes very good Miss Fbi, must have slept trough the 'dealing with sensitive intel' class eh? this leads to 3 bad guys with guns entering the last possible location where the much needed genius could be. Our heroes must think they will also take a coffee break there cause they are having an emotional moment a few meters outside of the motel. Not smart, especially not if your Kitt car is running on windows xp, as it's defense against hacking is rather pathetic. so the genius is able to write an unbreakable encryption for his hard drives, but the car this encryption is on is protected by a 30 sec hackable system? of course the fact that they actually get in these problems is cause the girl refuses to go to the fbi after her father might be killed and she's driving around with a top secret machine. Throwing a little fit and he, of they go to face bad guys so she can stand around and be utterly useless. this very distressing 'my father might be dead and we have to get the bad guys' is quickly forgotten though as they make time for a 'why did you leave me' interlude. and there's some more holes i the plot...well OK, it's mostly holes with some plot really. the only thing that did amuse me was in the end when the baddies car crashed and the fbi agent checks to see if the small town sheriff is dead and smiles when she finds out he is. i immediately thought 'she's glad the one witness to her completely stupid information leaking is dead so she can't get her ass fired for it' so a disappointing movie, though i somewhat appreciated how they tied this knight rider to the old one and didn't just go for the easy road 'there was no kitt and Micheal Knight, they did not exist' way. but the awful writing just really took most of the fun away for me. but at least it made me slightly less annoyed about bad cg effects and lack of general character depth.

Good start to a new season

[crystal23tipps · 8/10 · 19 February 2008]

Just finished watching the new pilot for Knight Rider 2008. I thought it was great! Good action and plenty of the car (and looks like Val Kilmer has finally found a suited role as a robot).

The moans in previous posts are petty IMO. As for the Mustang not having good suspension for corners??? What are you on about? Does this look like it's a stockroom Ford to you? Grow some imagination people! Guess what? - stock Fords can't morph while you are driving either!

It is what it says on the tin - an updated version of KR and I like it. I grew up on Airwolf and KR and it's great to see one of em making a comeback.

Yes it may be far-fetched but so was the first version. How else can Michael get into so much trouble on a weekly basis? You gonna slag off the A-team next for being unrealistic? I hate to break it to ya but 4 bog roll tubes and a some gaffa tape does NOT translate into an armoured tank!

Watch it for what it is - and leave your pre-judgement at the door.

Two Sides of the Coin

[doublezero-1 · 7/10 · 18 February 2008]

There are two ways to look at this version of Knight Rider: as a stand-alone TV movie, and as a pilot for a TV series.

As a stand-alone movie, some might feel it falls a little bit short. It goes out of its way to establish that it's not the 80s incarnation that everybody remembers, with threesomes, lesbians, and commentary on private security firms working in Iraq. One could argue that by cramming so many characters into the story, any chance of decent character development for the leads (Mike Traceur, KITT) was lost.

As a pilot for a TV series, it stacks up much better. The jumbled feeling caused by the number of characters almost disappears when you remember they're trying to lay a foundation for future episodes of a series; but future installments will need to focus on the relationship between the the car and its driver to duplicate what made the original show a success. KITT needs an opportunity to evolve away from being so HAL-like, as was the case in the '82 pilot, and Traceur needs an opportunity to become less of a burn-out/deadbeat (we get it, nobody likes the war) and lean on that "one man can make a difference" theme from the old show.

All in all, there were some good effects, a little action, a few chuckles, and some nice nods to the past. Let's see where they take it if and when it goes to series.

new show needs to be improved or don't air

[onecharg · 2/10 · 24 February 2008]

Hi there, i just viewed the whole pilot.

This is what i think and perhaps you might be thinking the same.

Does the new Knight Rider 2008 have a few characteristics like the show "viper" with the transformations of different looks of the car?

Also some scenes you can tell that it is not real when the car is driving on the main road and zoomed out. It actually doesn't look like a car but like a bubble just floating. Also at the end of the show when kitt is driven by the new guy "Mike" out of the plane... Com'on! that is not the best cgi i have seen.

Watching the retro Knight Rider, every time kitt drove out of the Semi, it was filmed in real life, no background scene or prop for kitt.

Stunts back then were real and you can sit back in your seat thinking man this is good stuff knowing or feeling that you are playing that role if your were a kid. Now kids are play a lot of video games and you cant fool them as you used to. Don't get me wrong... some retro Knight rider stunts had models in a lot of awkward jumps but i think i find that more realistic then cgi in this show.

I've been watching Terminator The Sarah Connor Chronicles and that is more believable with computer generated scenes but watching Knight rider 2008.

Also i kind of liked the new show, but the fighting scenes are not a match of the retro Knight rider fight scenes, the new show looks that the actors are too prepared for what is about to happen and don't really show enthusiasm. Maybe they might want to use some terminators in the show as watching the Terminator series when the robots are fighting and and throwing each other through walls and stuff, now that is something to watch.

I don't mind Ford but not a very good idea. Isn't there a new Pontiac being made that is super hot? Even when the Trans AM was aired in the 80s there was no constant display of the Pontiac Logo. I agree... a ford commercial just too damn expensive i say.

And kitt got damaged when he was offline. What is that all bout. The retro kitt was designed to withstand any punishment when offline. What are the chances of the car being offline and that would mean it is made vulnerable as a thief can break the glass and hop in and try to steal it... I'm not sure if they succeed as there is probably high tech computer system to bypass.

But the car could then be picked up by a fork lift and sent to the compactor and crushed into a cube!

The pilot of the retro Knight Rider had the Car jumping through a truck and explosions. Could this mustang fly with the potential weight it has or are the scenes all made in cgi?? And what about Ski Mode... i would be laughing to see if this mustang can drive on its side on two wheels!!!

I thought it was just really poor story... I mean if this is the Knight Industries Three Thousand, how could it already have a hacker try to control kitt's system. That means every hacker would be having a field day knowing they can get kitt (mustang) and then selling the car on Ebay!!

great show

[doriangrey90 · 10/10 · 7 December 2008]

i don't agree with all these bad critics, which i suppose are result of a nostalgy for the old series and nothing more. i was a big fun of the original series which i was reviewing when the new KR show commenced. i was not able to go back to the original one because in the original one: the story is always the same: bad guys appear, David hasselhoff pretends to act, kitt is acting more human than all the actors and there is always a dumb person (or animal) appearing and kitt jokes with him.

in the new series you never know what will happen, the special effects are well done and kitt is certain less eloquent than before but seems to develop his AI episode by episode. the characters besides kitt and mike are interesting and bring a plus to the series, the music is good and there seems to be a development of the story that slightly connects the episodes (if they let them continue).

overall it is a entertaining series as it should be, much better than the original one.

as good as the original but still awesome

[bklearn · 6/10 · 1 July 2009]

The show is just as good as the original.

The car action is great.

Justin Bruening, "All My Children", as Mike Traceur is as good as David Hasselhoff was.

The girls are really good.

The way they have Zoe and Billy playing off each other is funny. He is a little impatient at times, wanting her to see him for the genius he is.

Sarah is a little mysterious. Not sure of her qualifications to run every thing, other than having the money her dad left her.

Stink A Rooooo, Thumbs Down

[windtar · 4/10 · 23 February 2008]

Oh My, this was a horrible movie Granted i'm not a night rider fan, and enjoy action flicks, but, this movie was just bad I don't think i seen more blatant bloopers in a movie in a long time.

The acting was awful on almost every character except the dad, he did a good job. OK, the girl did a good job, and she was pretty hot.

blooper spoilers now....

1. the show Kit the car in high speed chase through the mountains making the car seem a extraordinary car. But, notice the bad guys SUV catching up and chasing the Ford Kit? It makes the stock SUV vehicle as good as or even better a driver as Kit 2. bad guys fire guns on a college campus by library? calm, no cops? yea right 3. Kit drives what, 650 miles in 3 hours to vegas? no cops see a 200mph car? 4. Ys Kits a futuristic car, but a SUV slamming into it broadside and not moving a millimeter? Even if the cars material makeup don't let it be penetrated by bullets and smashes, its a total impossibility the cars traction to ground would allow it to be smashed by a vehicle going 60mph and not moving.

* that graphic smashup was the best part of the movie !! i'm sorry, i need some type of reality unless the movies written in future scifi I just found the movie boring, and only reason i watched the whole thing is cuz im paralyzed and cant switch the channel from bed.

Its worth a watch if there's nothing else on, but if there's another choice that sounds interesting, skip the 2008 nightrider OK, OK, i know i'm harsh, sorry, i'm just upset i missed a AMC movie to see this hyped movie Night Rider 2008 = Stink A Roo

The Hoff is the best bit

[stepwallace · 24 February 2008]

The original had cheesy over the top acting. Over the top plots, and turbo boost.

The car was iconic, it was the only car that looked like that. It looked like the future.

So the new version? It could be any generic car on the road, sure it can change into more than one generic car, but so what? People used to see kitt in the original and say "whoa". This one, is nothing special. In fact the show feels like a Ford commercial from start to finish. Sad thing is this commercial convinces me never to even consider buying one.

The acting is like stale cardboard, sex scenes (or implied) are scattered at the front to entice (?!?) the viewers. The don't add, and just stereotype the characters.

The Hoff, was the only good part of the show. At least he showed some acting skill - in his classic over the top way.

Don't bother.

A whole lot of "Meh..."

[ran-san · 6/10 · 18 February 2008]

Comparing this movie to the original series, it's obvious that what this movie lacked was action, both off and on the road.

First off: Michael Knight was a very physical character, and would get in fights quite often in the original show. Mike Traceur on the other hand, got into a grand total of three fights, and none of them more than few seconds. For a Military Trained professional, he seems to be a bit of a lightweight in that department.

Second off: How many scenes of the desert do we need? Yes, we know it's there. The flowers are lovely. Skip it and get on with things.

Third off: Where's the cool car gadgets? Turbo boost, for example? All the car did was heal itself and chameleon itself a few times. I thought this was supposed to be "Knight Rider", not "Viper".

Val Kilmer's KITT is a little to much HAL for my tastes. Any more, and the main character would have to be a "Dave". KITT has a personality, that was the purpose of the car. To be a companion.

Other than that, the plot was pretty much Knight Rider, right out of the 80s. This has both good and bad connotations. 80's KR plots weren't exactly the most subtle or well written...let's face it, it was about the car.

A watered-down KR

[autophile · 4/10 · 24 February 2008]

What made the original KR interesting was the car.

1. The 3rd-gen Firebird was new, and hot. I watched it when I was a kid, and as we began to see 3rd-gen Firebirds on the road, we'd point at them. Look! It's KITT! What do we have now? A Mustang that's been out for years, with a few style points on. Not very interesting.

2. The original KITT had a personality. The new one comes off like HAL. I have no emotions! I can't be happy! I just cannot see the new KITT asking to have the staple removed from his magazine centerfold -- remember that episode?

3. The watch was so much cooler. That headset was just way too big for advanced technology. This is a theme throughout the pilot: the technology shown was not as advanced, in comparison to the present, as the technology shown 25 years ago.

4. We all knew the original was a commercial for the Firebird. But damnit, it was a *great* commercial. This one is just crass.

Ford, you still suck. Hope you get bought out by Toyota.

New knight rider in the uk

[alan-barton1 · 7/10 · 13 May 2009]

The backdoor pilot of Knight Rider was shown in the UK last night (12th May 2009). I really enjoyed it mainly because it kept it's links back to the old KITT but also because it has kept the continuity. I saw on here that the car is said to be a a Ford. Is this correct as they kept showing the Viper logo. I did notice at the end the gratuity to Ford though. The Hoff is still as wooden as ever :>) but that's what made it good 20 years ago. The series continues next week. Also a bit strange in that the trailer for this shows the car with ram tubes on the bonnet but never saw then in the pilot. Perhaps this is a later update or another gadget we haven't seen yet. The death of his mother was a bit predictable. What were the keys she gave him. Didn't see anything after that about them?

Potential but VERY badly scripted

[andybsmith · 4/10 · 27 February 2008]

OK, the scripting really was pretty awful and some of the acting was, as previously mentioned, more wooden than a redwood, but my main gripe which, to be fair, is probably not going to be something many people have even thought about, is that the voice of KITT never actually sounds like it's coming from the car. It just sounds as though its been added on as a voice over in post production (which is obviously the case i realise). What i'm getting at is that the original actually had a 'boxey' sound as though it were coming out of the speakers in the car, or even a small speaker under the center console. This is still where the voice would come from even in todays car so i do hope they do some sound processing to make it at least SOUND as though the voice is coming from the car and not some magical disembodied voice....

It's also a shame that they are alienating a huge group of potential viewers by having the adult themes which really add nothing to the story or the characters. If they cut out the actual killings and the sexual references, the show would not be anything less than it already is, and there would be no problem with all ages watching it as was the case in the original. The only reason this would be successful is BECAUSE kids watched the original and have now grown up but still have fond memories of KR. If they now disregard that generation this time round, whilst they may get ratings from the older generation, the show will NOT have the longevity the original still has..... Though what do i know eh?..........

Love it!

[nyghtweaver · 8/10 · 21 January 2009]

I don't know what the big thing is about people not liking this show. I admit that the pre-pilot was slow, because they were using a low budget for an untried show. But the premise is great. The show itself started slow, but it has gotten better and better each new episode. The effects are amazing, and most of the actors are pretty good. Justin could do a bit better, but I think his character is supposed to be a little wooden. If people gave this show a try for a few episodes, they would see how good it is becoming. That seems to be the trend with the viewers who have posted on here. The rest bailed after one of two episodes, and keep complaining about it not being like the original. Its 25 years later, and technology has really come a long way. The science of the show isn't entirely possible yet, but it is in the realm of it. I've seen a lot of complaints about the nano-tech and KITTs transformations. Nanotechnology has the ability to restructure things on the cellular level. When it is perfected, many years from now to be sure, a lot of what is shown will be possible. I do think they were trying to capitalize on Transformers, but it sure looks cool. This is a great show, who is finding its legs. I will be sad when and if it gets canceled, but I am hoping the ratings boost that happened from the last few episodes, though small, will be enough to give it another go. I was SO UPSET when Dr. Graiman died. He was a great character, and Bruce Davison is a great actor. They handled it well. The KARR episode was amazing, but I think it should have been utilized longer. However, this marks three times KARR has been defeated, so I am sure he is gone but not forgotten. I really hope it isn't too little too late, because the show is finding its legs and really is getting better. If you checked out early, give it another try. If you're wondering whether to watch this, then I say you'll like it. It just keeps getting better. I want a KITT, and perhaps a Sarah Graiman or a Zoe too. Heh.

This rocked!

[senior_banana · 7/10 · 18 February 2008]

Seriously, I thought I might like this only for sentimental reasons: I'm of the age to have watched the original in its first run. But this was pretty damn good. Of course, being of that era, I have a fondness for the old-school Mustangs. And I think the Shelby is a pretty cool homage (I'm assuming that is what the car is).

The acting and characters were pretty good. The lesbian FBI agent was a nice nod to modernity. The Hasselhoff cameo wasn't bad, either. And who doesn't love the theme song intro! I'm hoping this gets made into a series.

The bad? What the hell were the bad guys driving around in?

Trash

[ghostdriver0908 · 1/10 · 25 February 2008]

This is pretty bad.

Weak storyline and poor acting.

Could they not get someone better for the new Michael? Kitt has the "cross-eyed" look with the red beam.

No movement when KITT is struck from the side. Must be glued to the highway.

Terrible.

Val Kilmer is NOT a good voice for KITT.

A Sunday night is a terrible thing to waste.

I would like to have seen a Camaro instead of a Ford Mustang.

I am surprised that "The Hoff" didn't have a drink in his hand at the end. (Mike, "I" am your father!!) The girl is a hottie, but needs to exit the car every once in a while and do something.

It is so bad, that I'm actually trying to forget everything I can from the premiere.

This series does not do justice to the original.

Fun Series!

[SonicStuart · 10/10 · 25 October 2008]

I was pretty amazed for what NBC did for bringing back Knight Rider in a new form. A lot of people keeping thinking that this series is a remake when it is a really a sequel to the original Knight Rider from the 80's. So basically the show revolves around Mike Traceur (Justin Bruening) who is the son of Michael Knight and is the new driver of the next KITT (Knight Industries Three Thousand) which was designed by Mike's former girlfriend, Sarah Graiman and her father, Charles Graiman. A lot of people have been bashing this series and I don't see why they should? I think the show is fun, the acting is pretty good and the show gets me coming back for more action and fun each week. Plus I also liked it that they made the new KITT (voiced by Val Kilmer) to be a Ford Mustang, which is making me want to get my own Ford Mustang. But I think overall that this series is fun as well as the 1980's series.

Mediocre FX and CAR

[gtc007 · 6/10 · 26 February 2008]

Since so many years have passed from the beginning of the original Series I was expecting amazing computer graphics , breath taking Special FX and of course one HELL OF A CAR. I don't really have any complaints about the actors because the leading star is the CAR. But to my disappointment the car is just TOO LITTLE to be the successor of the first KITT the amazing TRANS AM. Ford can make exceptional sports car such GT40 is but this Mustang is just OK from behind and from the side but the FRONT of the Car looks like a TRUCK. Even GENERAL LEE from the famous DUKES is much more BEAUTIFUL and MEAN looking CAR. The new KITT unfortunately doesn't impresses/convinces me that is the KING of The ROAD.

There are many beautiful/mean American CARS such as VIPER,CORVETTE, SHALEEN but the one the producers chose is obviously just a "CHEAP" advertisement of a MEDIOCRE CAR

IF the producers want this pilot to EVOLVE into another successful Series then they should change the CAR. Maybe just looking at the pages of a few CAR Magazines will lead them to the right direction

I hope the producers will LISTEN and LEARN

The word "abysmal" is thrown around a lot...

[JT-Kirk · 3/10 · 18 February 2008]

Here it is most deserved. Knight Rider is by no means sacred material, the original was cheesier and made on a far smaller budget, yet surpasses this waste of time.

Being a lifelong Knight Rider fan and critic, I could tell you all the ways this was unfaithful and disingenuous to the original. As a TV fan, I could spend a lot of time telling you that the production and direction are hopeless, the writing is awful and full of plot holes (how exactly are these villains beating the 200mph car everywhere?), or that the acting is unbelievably poor (you're in trouble when Hasselhoff's cameo is the best acting in the show). But all that I will spare to get down to brass tacks: what's really wrong with this Knight Rider are 3 fundamental problems, the 3 C's - conceptualization, casting, and the car.

The concept behind this doesn't work, there are too many players on the hero team, many of which feel completely extraneous, and too many interrelationships. It doesn't lay down a solid foundation and gives an incredibly overreaching threat. While trying to modernize Knight Rider, it's almost funny that they've unintentionally ripped off 2 other TV shows, "Viper" and the unpopular "Team Knight Rider", at the same time and done neither particularly well. Yes, there is more money poured into this, the visual effects are of a higher quality (though the fx is still surprisingly weak), but there's just nothing behind this, it's quite empty and doesn't really get to the point until its second ending, a final act that completely flops.

The casting's problem is likely with the conceptualization really, as Mike Traceur is unlikeable and fairly generic as a character. But they just cast the character too young and too flat. He doesn't stand for anything, he's just a tall, unimposing kid in a leather jacket, not remotely impressive.

Finally the car, which should be the star of the show, came off totally uninteresting - an intensely fatal flaw. The Mustang was a poor choice for KITT, it's aggressive instead of sleek, and lacks that slight futuristic quality the car should have had. I know Ford put money into this, but I wish they had used a different sporty car... oh wait, Ford doesn't MAKE another sporty car right now!

In the show, KITT is essentially a talking version of the supercar from "Viper" without the good looks or cool toys, it just changes color and morphs into super mode, but this Mustang supercar is somewhat boring to look at. The pimpin' wheels are not very Knight Rider, and the double-spoiler is downright embarrassing. So what else does it have then? Extra large intakes and a blocked grille, big deal. Oh, and it changes color twice, whoopee. They hyped that this KITT was designed by the creator of the movie Batmobile, what they don't focus on is the fact that the movie was "Batman & Robin" and it was easily the most forgettable Batmobile ever created, lacking all the heart and soul that makes a star car special - just as this new KITT suffers. Even the interior of KITT is bland, right down to the pathetic single computer touchscreen in the center console, way to suck the life out of Knight Rider, that crazy dash and all those buttons were so awesome back in the day, but it's all gone now. KITT's moving lightbars for when he talked? Replaced with a standard blobby line, the kind you could see in an old version of Windows Media Player and Sound Recorder. Glen Larson's legendary red sweeping scanner has been rendered boring here with a dull glow in the nose intakes which moves symmetrically.

The morphing into battle mode is done through CGI, but it's incredibly dull, not remotely as inspired as either version on "Viper", here the car simply has little tiny blocks appear and build out the extra bits in an unconvincing manner. We also get a few looks at how the car deals with invulnerability through slow-mo shots of bullets impacting and then fixing, throwing out the previous Knight Rider tech that was far less complex and didn't create such a gaping plot device when the car's computer goes offline. The concept has been seen before in other projects, quite often really and with far more effective means, and to be honest this nanotech concept still reeks no matter where it's used.

But the biggest issue with the car is it doesn't DO anything! Sure, it auto-drives in a few lackluster chase scenes, and KITT talks about all the satellite-tracking and computer mumbo jumbo he can do, but we really don't see it, and most of that cyber stuff is played out at this point. You know what KITT did really well back in the day? Turbo boost. KITT's aerial acrobatics that came 3/4ths into every episode were a huge source of entertainment. Ski mode on 2 wheels was good too. Showing the cool scanning going on, video conferencing with Bonnie in her sexy jumpsuit, grappling hooks & winches, voice projection, silent mode, oil jets, smoke screens, microwave jammer, auto-tinting windows, ejection seats, and more - nothing even remotely cool like that appears in this car, it does NOTHING. Hell, even the ridiculous final-season Super Pursuit Mode was better than this morphed Mustang of theirs. There's just nothing about this new KITT worth mention, it steals the "super" out of this supposed supercar.

Ultimately, this is a bad TV movie on its own, and worse, an utter insult to KITT.