The Mod Squad (1999)

Good story, Not enough for a whole film

Don't Believe the Hype

Better Late Then Never

Although I seem to have had higher expectations than I thought, the movie is super entertaining.

The Mod Squad (1999): Dir: Scott Silver / Cast: Giovanni Ribisi, Claire Danes, Omar Epps, Dennis Farina, Josh Brolin: Idiotic film based on a TV show and never displaying a thread of suspense. The three principal characters are introduced quickly and thrown right into the middle of an action chase sequence. The squad is played by Claire Danes, Giovanni Ribisi and Omar Epps with Dennis Farina as their boss who employs them as cops because they can blend in better. They will need to blend into something after being associated with this shame. Then Farina is murdered with drugs found on him and the squad is picked up for questioning. Director Scott Silver does his best with the deadpan script but is backed by high powered action scenes. The characters are seen as types as oppose to personalities. They are basically suppose to fly about the screen and make violent contact with faceless thugs. Ribisi, Danes and Epps are far too talented for this pointless charade, and Farina is capable of much better than playing the ever familiar boss who ends up dead. Josh Brolin is another case of wasted talent in this pathetic charade nonsense. The film exists for its T.V. inspiration and it is a failure in every aspect. The screenplay requires more energy and detail than presented here. As a result the filmmakers released a pitiful excuse for a film worthy of a mob stomping. Score: 2 / 10

The DVD sleeve explains the premise: "Three problem teens are headed for jail," and are "set to do time until Captain Greer offers them a deal to work for him - undercover." The film opens with definitions of the words "Mod" and "Squad", so you won't have to look them up in the dictionary. For a visual definition of "Cool", search for photographs of the original threesome: Michael Cole (as Pete Cochran), Clarence Williams III (as Linc Hayes), and Peggy Lipton (as Julie Barnes). One black. One white. One blonde. Once they defined cool.The three who make up Scott Silver's version of Aaron Spelling's "The Mod Squad" are twentysomethings: Claire Danes (as Julie Barnes), Giovanni Ribisi (as Pete Cochran), and Omar Epps (as Linc Hayes). They aren't able to do much with the material given. Mr. Ribisi's portrayal is the most "far out", meaning he digresses most from the original characterization. Ms. Danes romances Josh Brolin (as Billy Waites), who looks like he could be in a re-make of "Marcus Welby, MD". You won't believe hefty Michael Lerner dancing with Mr. Epps' "Linc". He explains, "I'm not a fairy, I just like to dance!" and requests, "Spin me!" *** The Mod Squad (1999) Scott Silver ~ Claire Danes, Giovanni Ribisi, Omar Epps

The Mod Squad is entertaining, fun and stylish film with a subtle tongue in cheek. From the outset it is made clear that this is going to be a stylised, music video esquire experience, focusing on style more than anything else. I have not seen the series on which the film is based, but it appears to me that the film has tried to appeal to a young audience, and as the original series was shown some 35 odd years ago, unless a nostalgia trip occurs, I would expect fans of the original series would miss the point. We get together three very cool young actors in Claire Danes, Giovanni Ribisi and Omar Epps. They look the part for sure and for me, they fit their characters fine. As far as plot details go, the three are young tear aways who work for the cops undercover, instead of doing jail time because as Dennis Farina's character says "They can get into a million places we can't". If you've prepared to accept this, what follows is a bit of a treat, as the three knowingly go through the motions of a clichéd plot, with plenty of close shaves, twists, humour and damage to Omar Epps character's car. I was quite surprised to see how badly it was reviewed on here as I did enjoy the film quite a bit. But I'd recommended it to anyone who likes a good fun undercover cop romp.

THE MOD SQUAD (2+ outta 5 stars)You know, I didn't expect to like this movie at all... so I have to give it some credit for keeping my attention. The cast (Giovanni Ribisi, Claire Danes and Omar Epps) is definitely what makes it work... because the script and direction are absolutely pedestrian. Actually, that was the style of most TV shows and movies from the 60s/70s... so maybe that flat style was intentional? There are a couple of interesting twists (one involving the squad's mentor, Captain Greer, that I won't give away). It was also interesting that the movie is structured like just another episode of the TV series... there is very little "back story"... we don't see how the "mod squad" was first formed... how they met Greer and what their life was like before they became teenage undercover operatives. (You see, they aren't really "cops"... they really aren't anything but glorified "stoolies". They go undercover to places that the older cops can't get into and "fink" on people.) I liked the cheesy, retro 70s generic cop show music that they use for background music. If not for the fact that the F word is thrown around with abandon you'd swear this was an actual episode of the series. Still, the actors give it their best shot and I can't really come down too hard on this movie. It sure beats the heck outta the "Charlie's Angels" movies!