After months of hype the new Knight Rider finally premiered on NBC this weekend. I was expecting a disaster but was pleasantly surprised by a bad, but watchable two hr car commercial. There’s potential here for a good campy show if the cast can get a chance to gel. The acting in this is pretty awful, no chemistry amongst the cast and an audio mix that was muddled at best. The loud, techno soundtrack drowned out most of the dialog and Val Kilmer’s kit was devoid of any humor, wit, or style. To make matters worse, it sounded as though it was recorded in a jar. I couldn’t hear half of what he said. The new K.I.T.T. 3000 is devoid of personality or the “wow” factor that the original K.I.T.T. had. The chase sequences from Director Steve Shill are the definition of lame – a suped up Ford Mustang can’t outrun a Mini-Van? I did like K.I.T.T.’s morphing ability that was nicely done and not as goofy looking as I would have thought it would be. There were some weird inconsistencies in how the car looked during chase sequences where it was clear they used different cars. Part of the problem with the movie was it was hampered by an obviously small budget because there was no wow factor, the action scenes felt like they were straight out of the 70s. And it was a surprisingly talky, weepy, and whiney movie. Way too serious for the material.
Former Soap star Justin Bruening‘s Mike Traceur is every cheezy 70s action hero stereotype; bad gambler who has to help and become a hero to pay off his dept. Doesn’t care about anything. Bitter that his mother sent him away to military school because he was a discipline problem. Never met his dad. Gave up the love of his life Deanna Russo who needs his help to find her father. Etc. Yeah, I know this paragraph sucks, but I’m putting about as much effort into this review as writer David Andron did in his twelve days of writing this dreck. It contains such classic moments as K.I.T.T. asking Michael if he’s gay and a two minute potty break.
Even with all of it’s faults, I still somehow enjoyed the movie. It was bad and not campy bad. It had a rushed, low-budget feel to it. But I would like to see NBC give it a chance at a series. But only if they give it a full season to get it’s legs. If it’s a 6 and out deal then they shouldn’t bother.
Final Grade C-
EM Review by
Michelle Alexandria
Originally Posted 2/18/08
I enjoyed it even with too many commercials. Two biggest flaws:
1. With A.I. and national security at stake, there was no military or Defense Intelligence (DIA) protecting KITT , Prometheus or the humans….
2. KITT is supposedly the most advanced A.I. yet got almost hacked by a human. These writers do not know what A.I. is. It is like a monkey outwitting a human…..
I also enjoyed it. Growing up and watching David Hasseloff in the original…it was part of my life. A-Team, Knight Rider, and Airwolf. This one was up there. The ar is definitely cooler. I hope it’s a new series on NBC. Soemthing better than all those reality shows.
You liked it, but only give it a c-minus? I would hate to see the grade you give to one you didn’t like!!
I was dissapointed with it. I loved it when i was growing up and i guess I expected it to be like the show and for me it wasn’t hitt was the only good thing about the movie. William daniels will still always be kitt to me but Val kilmer was ok. I have heard rumors that there is a tv show in the works I wonder how that will be