Lack of good storyline.

Highly Overrated But Still Good

Close shines in drama with strong language, adult themes.

There is, somehow, an interesting story here, as well as some good acting. There are also some good scenes

At the first episode (Shanghai Express) I said to myself : "No way ! They're making a big mistake and they will cancel it soon for sure !" But unexpectedly I discovered how good it was. And despite some things (not a lot of things) this was always fresh and amusing show which had some potentials yet in low production and customary direction. But if you ask me what has brought this one to an end ? My answer will be innately Mr. Sammo Hung Kam-Bo ! At season one there was that drift to assure China's great culture : the deep method of fighting against the muddled violent American methods, the wisdom quotes from their legacy, the old traditional habits, the spiritual faith, and the nice main musical theme by national Chinese instruments. Actually the character of inspector (Sammo Law) as the finest policeman in Asia was so idealistic as a working man or as a human being, so his sapience was there all the time to guide his new American colleagues for the best, in the same time that all of them were trying hard to keep up with his unique way of fighting. He was a funny guy (who could play the rock out of a guitar), so his turning into a member of the American society was interesting with all the continual sarcasm about the western materialism (why everything must be big in America ?! / Well, America is a big country so we want everything as big as her !). All of that was really one of the biggest apologies in the history of the American TV for the way that had been used to show any Asian character during the past half century (evil, ignoble, craven, stupid.. you name it !) yet that's done by some Asian money, talents, crews. Because Hollywood knows one very important policy : The Green ! So the Asian production companies entered there to confirm lately its growing influence.But unfortunately at the second season this gentle benign patriotism almost died down and that kind of drift had been weakened (no more talking about China's culture, no more showing for traditional habits, and no more musical theme with national instruments !). They wanted this to be so American or less Chinese. Yes, that was little disappointing but what about the rest of the show ?The most beautiful thing in (Martial Law) was the writing. Truly I do believe that this show wouldn't make it through 2 years without those brilliant team of writers, not even with the greatest Kung Fu combats ever ! They persevered in finding new thrilling idea for every episode. Although at the end of season 2 when we followed the continuous battle between (Sammo) and the evil organization of (Scorpio) it was kind of naive sometimes but it wasn't bad at all, only less powerful. Putting in mind that it was also better than a lot of conflicts in other shows. And as for the choreography of the fights; it was very creative, never repeated, and too spirited with a new place, trick, and jest every time ! However you'll witness with that the real painful reasons which terminated this show !As one big reason: the bad acting ! Yes this show is not about acting, also the very writers tried so much not to put anyone of the characters in any hard moment but the final result was close to awful, especially (Gretchen Egolf)'s poor performance (with her right eyebrow always UP !), and above all of course the star of the show (Sammo Hung) himself ! This man nearly destroyed his own success by his insistence to be inanimate as an actor with his lifeless performance and the eternal mineral face of him which could make you feel sometimes that he is a fat robot with the most pathetic English in the world ! Although he endeavored to compensate that by bringing (Arsenio Hall) to do what (Chris Tucker) did for (Jackie Chan) in movies, nevertheless it was so hard to watch the same Sammo's out-of-fashion hair cut, the same frozen features (what would make you irritated is that this man can laugh indeed but only in the bloopers sequences !?) as well as the same constant way of diction whatever the feelings were (even Arnie can be wonderfully angry). He didn't try to get better even with the complexity of his role as a wounded father at the end of season 2 and to tell you the truth : THAT WAS BORRRRRRRING ! Not to mention the abundance of using a thin double of him during the fights (and he was that evident too !), so with that hits the only thing which he is good at…It became unbearable ! Over and above the presence of dozens of contemporary movies with martial arts which are more rich and attractive, plus many shows of cops (American cops !) too. Therefore, despite the good quality and the fact that this series was great as average, the American viewers simply became fed up quickly with this invariable middle-aged not-sexy obese hero; so they accustomed themselves to change the channel to anything else, like they've taken objection on the most important crime that this cute show didn't bring up at all : the crime of killing inspector (Sammo Law) by the hands of the actor (Sammo Hung) !

Martial Law first entered my television set in 1998, it completely surpassed my expectations.Being a huge Sammo Hung fan already I thought, this cannot be as good as some of his films, I was right, it was a hell of alot better than some of his films.I have now watched every single episode, and am now watching the re-runs (second time round), and still love it as much now as I did when it first came onto my television.For Sammo Hung fans, this is a series not to be missed. For Martial Arts fans, this is a fantastic array of stunts, humour, tricks, tips and kick-ass.This series truly is a wonderful masterpiece, by a wonderful, talented, brilliant and artistic person, Mr Sammo Hung.I am just now hoping there will be a new series and a video/DVD release of the old series, it would be a shame if there were not.

I used to stay home on Saturdays for this show. It had great action scenes and the story, while not always great, held the show together. I also loved the rotund hero Sammo Hung, whose acting was Jackie Chan-esque Bring this show back! If you want to cancel a show, cancel Walker.

This show is a new idea that definitely worked! However, I have read a review that says that this show is "better than that lame Texas Ranger show." I say this is a total copy of "Walker, Texas Ranger." It has the same plot and everything. Plus, I think it is a little more childish than "Walker." But even still, this is a really, really good show that all martial arts and/or crime fighting fans should definitely watch.