Rating:  -
I love it. It's real - being human, showing weaknesses, bad and good side of people.
Rating:  -
Okay, let's just start by getting over ourselves, shall we? If you're even considering this, it's not because you're either a die hard television fan, or comic fan. It's because secretly, you always wanted to see Lois and Clark get it on. Well look no further, my friend! You have found it!
The production value isn't bad (it's not very good, either), the writing is at least above average, and the acting is almost tongue in cheek. On any other show, that'd be a description of garbage. For some reason, this works! Don't ask me why, I don't know. Maybe it's Teri Hatcher's delightfully neurotic, comedic A+ performance. Maybe it's Dean Cain's pecs. Whatever it is, I love it. This show was (and is) rollicking good fun. To say more would be to give it both more and less credit than it deserves. Check it out with a large bowl of popcorn, and check your cyncism at the door!
Rating: -
Lois & Clark is an interesting re-telling of the Superman mythos.
Unlike the films, the original black and white series or Smallville, Lois & Clark strives to be a light-hearted, romance comedy. Also, instead of being "about Superman," it's actually about the two title characters--this is a series about Lois & Clark, and their relationship; Superman usually just shows up near the end. I like this change in perspective. It's neat to really see the man behind the Man of Steel, for a change, and shows that "Clark Kent is who he is, Superman is what he does."
Concept aside, the execution is here and there. The acting runs the gamut. Cain and Hatcher are both great-looking people, and usually when people talk about this show, that's what they'll bring up. Their acting? Passable, but not brilliant, though I will say that Hatcher plays Lois Lane just about how I think she ought to be played. Cain's Clark Kent is a bit of a mold-breaker, because he's not the quiet, shy, nerdy Kent of Christopher Reeve--he plays Kent as a romantic, leading man. I still don't know quite what I think about that.
John Shea is a wonderful actor. That said, his Luthor doesn't quite stand out among a group of wonderful characterizations we've had over the last several years, including Gene Hackman, Kevin Spacey, and (the best thus far), Michael Rosenbaum. Shea's Luthor is okay, but it's wonderful how the series sets Luthor up as a romantic villain as much as anything else, as the third point in a triangle between our two heroes. Brilliant.
Disappointments in the casting include whatever the kid's name who plays Jimmy Olsen (though I've been told he gets replaced for the following seasons, and good riddance), and the horrible, horrible actress and character of Tracy Scoggins. She's neither a good actress nor attractive, her character adds nothing to the series, and I really have to wonder who she was, er, "dating" to land this gig.
Finally, it must be said that Lane Smith is just about perfect as Perry White. There's no better Perry White in any medium, and I can't imagine there would be; he owns this role, and the series is worth watching almost for him alone.
The episodes themselves are hit and miss, some being interesting and some being kind of boring. There is a slow plot progression in the background, as Clark learns about his Kryptonian background and Lex Luthor struggles harder and harder against his nemesis, Superman. It culminates in a wonderful two-part conclusion with a shocking finish.... I really wonder where they're going from there.
All in all, this isn't a perfect series, but it has enough strengths to be recommended (and particularly for fans of the Superman franchise). The primary fame of the series always seems to have been how hot Dean Cain is, or Teri Hatcher, or something like that. Fine, they're hot. But that's not why this show is fun to watch; it's fun, and interesting, for being a different sort of look at these iconic characters, featuring some standout characterizations and some nifty episodes. Four stars.
Rating: -
This DVD is a fine copy of an excellent first season to the Lois & Clark show which relates the Superman story in a warm, family-friendly and humorous manner not via the superhero primarily but the average interactions of the title characters. A great supporting cast rounds out the two excellent leads to make this a fine addition to any DVD collection.
Rating: -
I never enjoyed a television series as much as this. Teri Hatcher is my idea of the REAL comic book Lois Lane and Dean Cain is such a wonderful Clark Kent alias Superman. They have a great chemistry and most of the episodes are pure fun and often funny and so very, very well written and filmed. I also liked the way Dean Cain would look at the audience with a certain look and make you feel part of the action. This version has Clark's parents (Mom AND Dad)whom he actually consults with. I recommend this for anyone who loves Superman, liked the old Superman series with George Reeves, and enjoys a good romantic comedy which includes a really super, super hero and a remarkably wonderful Clark Kent, and a beautiful, savvy, take-charge Lois Lane!! And then, there's a really handsome but chilling Lex Luther who is able to mask his evil side from everyone except Clark/Superman AND the audience. Lex is even more formidable because he gets away with so much, and Lois actually almost falls for him!! Perry White is AOK as are Jimmy Olsen, Cat, and Inspector Henderson. I missed the series when it originally aired on television and have not seen the other seasons, but I have nothing but praise for Lois and Clark, Season I--the best Superman series ever!! Deborah Joy Levine has made this Superman adaptation even better than the original television series from the 50's starring George Reeves -- this should clue you in. Cain has the looks, the body and the style of Superman and Teri Hatcher is believable as star investigative reporter Lois without being annoying, and Cain as Clark gently puts her in her place....put this together and you have romantic comedy at it's best!!
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