264 reviews
After reading all the negative reviews on this I'm wondering what exactly does today's audience want in a cop series? More sex, language, unreal car chases? Less plot and enough action sequences in one episode to give your brain an epileptic seizure? After getting hooked on fun, entertaining shows like The Good Cop and Battle Creek only to have them cancelled after one season, I give up trying to figure out today's viewers. No, LA's Finest isn't perfect (or totally realistic, but hey, what show is?). Yet it's pretty engaging. The story lines keep me coming back for more episodes and I think the acting is pretty good. But what do I know?
- ladywriter56
- Jun 1, 2019
- Permalink
Two positives and two negatives:
Pros: 1) Jerry Bruckheimer produced - so the filming, action, close-up scenes have a movies feel. Not cheesy.
2) Alba and Union are strong. The roles are playful, confident, sexy.
Cons: 1) The writing / scripting has some gaps in plot development. That's probably why reviews are low.
2) most episodes are 45 mins. Creating enough depth in that timeframe seems tough.
Conclusion: It's not trying to be a super serious NY style cop show. For better or for worse remember it's modelled after the BadBoys movie franchise. And it's got the swearing and nudity of the movies, a fresh feel for a tv series (meaning most hospital and law enforcement series are on network tv which doesn't allow it).
Watch 1-2 episodes and decide if it's your style. I liked it.
Pros: 1) Jerry Bruckheimer produced - so the filming, action, close-up scenes have a movies feel. Not cheesy.
2) Alba and Union are strong. The roles are playful, confident, sexy.
Cons: 1) The writing / scripting has some gaps in plot development. That's probably why reviews are low.
2) most episodes are 45 mins. Creating enough depth in that timeframe seems tough.
Conclusion: It's not trying to be a super serious NY style cop show. For better or for worse remember it's modelled after the BadBoys movie franchise. And it's got the swearing and nudity of the movies, a fresh feel for a tv series (meaning most hospital and law enforcement series are on network tv which doesn't allow it).
Watch 1-2 episodes and decide if it's your style. I liked it.
.... because i watched the pilot... and it was bad... like a 1/10 bad..
but i carried on and by episode 3 i found it very interesting.. the plot twists and the dynamics between the two leads is good.. also alba and unions characters in a sense are more interesting than the male leads in bad boys... at the end of the day lawrence and smiths characters were decent guys and good cops.. union and alba are shifty to say the least and its very compelling to see what kind of dodgy shenanigans they will do next..
its not a great show.. but its a good watch.. just get past the first episode which is really trying too hard and is just a cheesefest and by episode 3 it really does change for the best and becomes a decent show.
its a strong 6/10 but im going to give it an extra point just because i love alba and unions chemistry.
my only real issue is sometimes the show feels like its trying too hard to remake some scenes from the bad boys film... theres homage and then theres literal scene for scene camera angles and rip offs.. and it doesnt need to do it... it lessens the show for me. Also the humour sometimes feels a little too juvenile for me.. but this is probably down to me getting older... i found the humour in bad boys funny when i watched it as a teen but 20 plus years later that kind of humour just annoys me.
but i carried on and by episode 3 i found it very interesting.. the plot twists and the dynamics between the two leads is good.. also alba and unions characters in a sense are more interesting than the male leads in bad boys... at the end of the day lawrence and smiths characters were decent guys and good cops.. union and alba are shifty to say the least and its very compelling to see what kind of dodgy shenanigans they will do next..
its not a great show.. but its a good watch.. just get past the first episode which is really trying too hard and is just a cheesefest and by episode 3 it really does change for the best and becomes a decent show.
its a strong 6/10 but im going to give it an extra point just because i love alba and unions chemistry.
my only real issue is sometimes the show feels like its trying too hard to remake some scenes from the bad boys film... theres homage and then theres literal scene for scene camera angles and rip offs.. and it doesnt need to do it... it lessens the show for me. Also the humour sometimes feels a little too juvenile for me.. but this is probably down to me getting older... i found the humour in bad boys funny when i watched it as a teen but 20 plus years later that kind of humour just annoys me.
- xDaisyJohnson
- Jun 14, 2019
- Permalink
This series definitely has a few questionable moments and poorly written storylines; however, it's more good than bad. Alba and Union have good chemistry and there characters are unique. Some of the plots are well developed and there's good action scenes throughout.
- Calicodreamin
- Jun 10, 2021
- Permalink
This is fun fast paced, with bit of 90s urban charm. Both Gabrielle Union and Jessica Abla have great chemistry, You'll definitely have a good time with this is, if you don't take life to serious and up for a few laughs , you will enjoy this .
I see a few people moaning because this is a spin off ,from bad boys with female characters. But it's not trying to be bad boys, it's just following Marcus sister Syd from bad boys 2 life as a cop and her partner . So treat it as it's own thing.
People today have this attitude because a show has female leads or LGBT character it's some agenda,but we have had females, POC and LGBT leads on TV for a decades now, that's because the world is a diverse place , and television reflects that, it's nothing special it's pretty average. People's identities aren't political, they're just people living their life's .
I see a few people moaning because this is a spin off ,from bad boys with female characters. But it's not trying to be bad boys, it's just following Marcus sister Syd from bad boys 2 life as a cop and her partner . So treat it as it's own thing.
People today have this attitude because a show has female leads or LGBT character it's some agenda,but we have had females, POC and LGBT leads on TV for a decades now, that's because the world is a diverse place , and television reflects that, it's nothing special it's pretty average. People's identities aren't political, they're just people living their life's .
- pearson252
- May 18, 2019
- Permalink
The advertising for this was kind of lame - featured some of the schmaltzier moments sandwiched in between those "spectrum originals" voice over bumpers that sound like, well, bad cable ads. I ended up trying one episode because I like the stars - and that led to two more and then over a couple weeks watched all season 1. High caliber actresses, fun supporting cast, interesting enough story, splashy action, some silly dialogue, overly fast resolutions and hacky flashbacks but overall a solid seven of an extended action flick. Shades of lethal weapon, a little too parallel to bad boys (rich cop / family cop) but I appreciated the longer arc of character development and connection between the two leads they could do with multiple episodes as compared to a 2 hour movie. Looked up renewal and see a second season coming. I will watch it!
- rhinestonelife
- Jul 23, 2019
- Permalink
Why would Jessica Alba sign on for this?
If your gonna have a bad boys spin off, put it in HBO or Netflix and make it for an adult audience. This is like a spoof of a bad 90's buddy cop show
- confidential-67897
- May 20, 2019
- Permalink
I'm shocked at so many bad reviews.
Bad boys was full of this same cheesiness. It's a great entertaining show to relax and unwind watching but still keeps you guessing
Bad boys was full of this same cheesiness. It's a great entertaining show to relax and unwind watching but still keeps you guessing
- jessicadawnmarie
- May 21, 2019
- Permalink
I so wanted to like this show but struggled to get through the first episode. to many cliché and trys way to hard to be edgy. canceled after 1 season to be sure. theres so many good cop shows out there at the minute, no point wasting your time with this one.
- stehartley
- May 14, 2019
- Permalink
This show is remarkably bad. The writers have given the central female characters the maturity and judgment of 17-year-old girls, and they bear no resemblance to any peace officer I've ever known, or even seen portrayed. Don't waste your time.
- pswanson00
- May 29, 2019
- Permalink
Not as bad as all these other reviews. Based loosely on the film's Bad Boys and Bad Boys 2.
Nice to see strong women in alpha roles. Hope Spectrum will let these strong characters grow organically and not pull the plug too soon.
Nice to see strong women in alpha roles. Hope Spectrum will let these strong characters grow organically and not pull the plug too soon.
Great casting, great spin off. Pays tribute to Bad boys well. I loved the rat exterminator throw back episode.
I may be biased as a huge Jess Alba fan, but is the show really that bad? Love the characters but I just know shows like this doesn't last more than 2 seasons.
Has so much potential but honestly not a bad watch. Typical LA, bad boys storyline but in some ways, loving the two female leads!
- faiza_khan
- Jul 20, 2019
- Permalink
Season 2 Is even better than Season 1 KEEP IT UP CAN'T WAIT FOR SEASON 3. You go ladies good show.
Not that bad, it's catchy, has the cop vibe from the 90's but obviously is not time based then. It can keep you guessin and rootin for some characters and it's entertainin so that sold me. And it can just get better I suppose.
- slevinrick-600-913240
- May 23, 2019
- Permalink
Watered down, derivative tripe. There are several cop shows out there that are worth watching, but this one isn't among them. Weak sauce, Spectrum. Stay in your lane.
Not sure if many of these bad reviews are based on watching episode 1 only, as it appears so. As you watch each episode, more twists and history is revealed, and the pace of the show is great as not dragging on and on. Also no idea why people say the writing is awful, when there is so much back stories that branch off and all come full circle to tie in together. Definitely do not judge on first episode, give it a chance, and will get you hooked. It is a Bad Boys brought to TV with female leads, and I love that. Gabrielle & Jessica are stunning and add some humour with some action, and don't go looking for Emmy Nominations and you will get a kick from this show.
- tonynogueira
- Dec 6, 2019
- Permalink
I think some people look into shows too much. There are plenty of laughs and great chemistry. If it was 2 guys I'm not sure there would be so much hate. As series has gone on it has got better as well.
- javierpose
- May 29, 2019
- Permalink
I was really looking forward to the show, as the trailers look funny. It was just really, really bad acting.
- ryanpbergthold
- May 22, 2019
- Permalink
I didn't realize that this was a spinoff of the "Bad Boys" movies as I have never seen them. I can review this series based on its own merit. The pilot was not great but I stuck with it and found the characters likeable; their interactions entertaining and, at times, compelling. The storylines are interesting but they sometimes tie up too neatly. All in all, I do find myself looking forward to a second season.
(Initial Impression) The draw may be a meld of Bad Boys fans and, of course, fans of Jessica Alba. Other than that, it doesn't have much going for it. The writing is lame. The action is surreal. Cops live in elaborate homes. Detectives disrespect the law and live as if they are immortal. Heavy on action. Silly rather than comedic. Complete escapism. I give this series a 5.5 (fair-ish) out of 10. {Action Nonsense}
- nancyldraper
- Oct 6, 2019
- Permalink
I wanted to like this show, but it's pretty bad. I cannot tell if they are trying too hard or if they are just bad actors. I have seen Gabrielle Union in other stuff and she was great, but not on this one. Maybe the writing is just so bad she cannot overcome it. This should have been good.
- johnscreek
- May 17, 2019
- Permalink
Its a really entertaining show... Jessica and Gabrielle have good chemistry... Jessica should be more bad-ass though... Her voice is too "soft"...
This ensemble is not over the top, by any means. After viewing three episodes, at least five different plot lines have been revealed. Do yourself a favor and don't pass on this show.
- info-75439
- May 15, 2019
- Permalink