'Kung-Fu' (CW)

[Deck Rickard]

I keep seeing commercials for this and it looks sooo bad. I don’t really care; I’m not interested to watch it, but it does bother me a little that this show will probably run for 5+ seasons since it’s a CW thing while the “real” Kung-Fu series, Warrior, might not even make it to season 3.

 

[Frodo]

I preference this by saying I've never watched the original series , though I know the premise. So I didn't come into the show with expectations or comparisons with the old series.

I came in cold for the most part, and I liked what I saw from the pilot.

The cast is good, and I like that the lead is unassuming in terms of her demeanor and seems like the girl next door. All the while, she can kick your butt.

There were alot of characters introduced but all the characters seem pretty distinct and defined which tends to be rare in a pilot .

The only nitpick I had about the pilot, is that they may have shoved a bit too much information in the pilot, and maybe should have left some of it as a mystery to develop in further episodes.

But all in all, I liked it.

 

[Web-Head]

Yeah I enjoyed the pilot. They really tackled a lot which could have easily been stretched out over 3 episodes.

Likeable cast, especially Nicky and Henry. I don't think the choreography is that bad. It's pretty good for CW standards.

I'll continue to give this show a shot

 

[Sithborg]

Well, I liked it. The cast is pretty enjoyable. The action is good. Its no Into the Badlands, sure. But its filmed in a way to be close enough to scratch my wuxia itch.

Somewhat hesitant about the mystical aspects. A supernatural element can easily ruin the show.

 

[moped]

IMO choreography for this show, Into the Badlands >> this show >= Iron Fist >>>>>>>>>>>original series

 

[Dark Raven]

The start of this wasn't bad but then it quickly turned into a cross between a CW show and a Chinese drama series/ soap once Nicky came back to the US.

I prefer if it were all set in the Shaolin temple.

At least the fighting was better than the original series and there are real Asians instead of fake made up ones in yellow face. They should also dump this Evan character. They don't need a token white guy to sell this series or have a white love interest. That just further reinforces the message that even Asian women aren't interested in Asian men.

This is really a completely different series to the original and only trading on the original's name. But it didn't really need the name and they could've called it something else.

Also this looks more like Canada than San Francisco. Could easily be somewhere in Toronto.

 

[Teelie]

I have not seen the original Kung-fu although I have seen the sequel series, The Legend Continues so I have some familarity with that.

I thought Evan was used a little heavy handed too. They obviously want to set up a potential love triangle with Nicky, Evan and Henry despite Evan having a girlfriend already and Nicky up and leaving for 3 years on a whim. And Henry? Something seems suspicious about him. Feels like they are setting him up to have a big secret.

The way they put her in the temple was clunky as all get out too. Her mother setting her up to find a husband in China only for her to run and hide felt like a lazy cliche and almost like the setup to an entirely different series. I was borderline bored and rolling my eyes through the first part of it. Once they progressed the story some though, especially closer to the end, it got more interesting.

The one thing (ha) I found a stretch besides the mystical subplot is how she became a kung-fu master in only 3 years. I don't think she needed a lifetime of training by any means but in 3 years she is now good enough to take on all these presumably better trained fighters and hold her own? I guess she practiced a lot.

I'll still come back for episode 2. I am not going to write it off just because of some minor issues. They have room to grow.

 

[Sithborg]

The start of this wasn't bad but then it quickly turned into a cross between a CW show and a Chinese drama series/ soap once Nicky came back to the US.

I prefer if it were all set in the Shaolin temple.

At least the fighting was better than the original series and there are real Asians instead of fake made up ones in yellow face. They should also dump this Evan character. They don't need a token white guy to sell this series or have a white love interest. That just further reinforces the message that even Asian women aren't interested in Asian men.

This is really a completely different series to the original and only trading on the original's name. But it didn't really need the name and they could've called it something else.

Also this looks more like Canada than San Francisco. Could easily be somewhere in Toronto.

One can make the argument that they are fixing a previous wrong with the old series with this series.

And given Althea's fiancee and the Tai Chi guy, I really don't think they are going to make asian men unsexy.

I have not seen the original Kung-fu although I have seen the sequel series, The Legend Continues so I have some familarity with that.

I thought Evan was used a little heavy handed too. They obviously want to set up a potential love triangle with Nicky, Evan and Henry despite Evan having a girlfriend already and Nicky up and leaving for 3 years on a whim. And Henry? Something seems suspicious about him. Feels like they are setting him up to have a big secret.

The way they put her in the temple was clunky as all get out too. Her mother setting her up to find a husband in China only for her to run and hide felt like a lazy cliche and almost like the setup to an entirely different series. I was borderline bored and rolling my eyes through the first part of it. Once they progressed the story some though, especially closer to the end, it got more interesting.

The one thing (ha) I found a stretch besides the mystical subplot is how she became a kung-fu master in only 3 years. I don't think she needed a lifetime of training by any means but in 3 years she is now good enough to take on all these presumably better trained fighters and hold her own? I guess she practiced a lot.

I'll still come back for episode 2. I am not going to write it off just because of some minor issues. They have room to grow.

I imagine they are going with Nicky was a star athlete, given the stuff that she rattled off that her mom made her do.

 

[DarthSkywalker]

I didn't hate the first episode, and I want to like this. But there are definitely kinks to work out.

 

[Fincher]

I watched the first episode, and it was all right. I'll keep watching if I have time, but I'm not too concerned either way. The fighting was good, though.

 

[Primal Slayer]

I enjoyed the premiere. It was like a glorified superhero show just w/no costumes.

 

[Fincher]

She could probably use a costume, honestly. I'm sure last week's villain knew exactly who she was, and with her operating in a specific community where her family lives and she grew up it won't be long before everyone knows she's going around beating people up.

 

[Mysteryman]

I am really enjoying this so far.
Likable lead.
Good supporting cast, too.
Bring on Episode 3!

 

[Dark Raven]

The fighting wasn't very good this week, especially in the casino in the end. It was about on par with the original 70s series. They should have more action and better fight choreography. Even Arrow had better fighting and that's not even a martial arts show.

Also is this what it's going to be each week? Nicky helping a different person out like the original series? That's going to become rather formulaic like the Fugitive, the Incredible Hulk, Quantum Leap or Highway to Heaven.

These small slivers of action here and there and sometimes barely doing anything won't cut it today. That's like 70s or 80s style action from someone who isn't a genuine martial artist.

 

[Sithborg]

I do love Althea.

 

[Primal Slayer]

The show is a huge win in the ratings. 3rd behind Walker & S&L. Very impressive.

 

[Web-Head]

This week was much better than last. Does seem to be the theme of the season (show?) with Nicky helping someone each episode. I don't mind it but almost feels like filler with how little the main plot has moved along.

 

[Mysteryman]

Still watching.
Still digging it.

 

[Dark Raven]

I'd prefer there was more fighting per episode. After Nicky defeated that hit man, I was asking myself "Is that it for this week?" And apparently it was. On something like Arrow that would've been a minor skirmish leading to something bigger and more climactic. There only seems to be as much action as the original 70s show, and that's not something they should've sought to copy.

 

[Primal Slayer]

Ratings for 1x03 Kung Fu (1.1 mil/0.2)

3rd highest rated show in viewers.

 

[Dark Raven]

I think this should've had as much fighting as Martial Law did back in the late 90s/ early 2000s. Every week there was sufficient action but also character development. If you're going to call your series "Kung Fu" then it creates the expectation that this will be the main focus instead of family or romantic drama.

 

[Primal Slayer]

I think this should've had as much fighting as Martial Law did back in the late 90s/ early 2000s. Every week there was sufficient action but also character development. If you're going to call your series "Kung Fu" then it creates the expectation that this will be the main focus instead of family or romantic drama.

If we can have a show named Buffy The Vampire Slayer and she doesnt slay vampires every week, I think Kung Fu and not 30mins of fighting is acceptable. Just have to ensure that the story is strong enough.

 

[Dark Raven]

If we can have a show named Buffy The Vampire Slayer and she doesnt slay vampires every week, I think Kung Fu and not 30mins of fighting is acceptable. Just have to ensure that the story is strong enough.

I'm not asking for 30 minutes of fighting but on the other hand I don't want only 2 minutes of fighting at the end of an episode either as our quota. Even Buffy had more action than this though.

 

[Dr.]

If we can have a show named Buffy The Vampire Slayer and she doesn't slay vampires every week...

Well, she slayed something in virtually every episode. Actually, I’m not sure there is a single episode in which she didn’t kill one type of baddie or another.


(That would make for a good Buffy trivia question. )

 

[Sithborg]

I think the elaborate fight scenes are just too difficult to do with covid restrictions. I think it is going to be tough to be able to do more at the current time.

I enjoyed the episode. Dreading the love triangle, however. So thankful Althea's secret isn't another love triangle. Good to see Ryan having a love life too.