I really wanted to like this movie. I feel terribly cynical trashing it, and that's why I'm giving it a middling 5. Actually, I'm giving it a 5 because there were some superb performances.

I am only giving this movie a 1 for the great cast, though I can't imagine what any of them were thinking. This movie was horrible

After playing with our expectations, this turns out to be a very different sort of film.

The joyful confection is coated in a sparkly gloss, bright enough to gleam from the darkest, most cynical corners.

Putting into words how incredible Ben Matlock is will be very difficult but I will try!For starters, his skills as a lawyer are the best, bar none, and no matter how bleak the situation looks for his client or how incriminating the evidence is on the person he's defending, Matlock always manages to win the day. Whenever he's cross examining witnesses, he manages to tie them in knots and it's always just a matter of time before they crack under Matlock's relentless questioning pressure. As far as lawyers go, Matlock is a goliath, a titan, a truly unstoppable force. *SPOILER* Even when he is drugged by a bunch of criminals and is left, barely lucid, to stumble through the middle of an extremely busy highway, hundreds of cars swerve out of the way in fear of being damaged beyond repair by Matlock's power.However, Matlock's skills go far beyond his day job of a $100,000-per-case lawyer. His gun-toting prowess with a firearm is exceptional, as is his ability to wield a sword or kendo stick. If you squint, you could easily mistake Ben Matlock for Neo out of The Matrix films. Matlock is also a Michelin star chef and he makes no apologies for this fact by spending 40-50% of each episode stuffing his face with hotdogs, Monte Christo sandwiches and anything else into which he can stick a fork. In addition, Matlock is not only extremely handy around the house as he is able to carry out roof repairs, he is also an exceptional baseball pitcher in his spare time. To cut a long story short, if you are in need of the world's greatest lawyer but also require the services of a bodyguard, chef, sportsman and DIY person, Matlock is your man.When defending his clients and searching for the truth, Matlock is helped along the way by a medley of wonderful assistants. Firstly, whenever Matlock needs to take a break from fist fighting, the duty of dishing out 'knuckle sandwiches' fall upon Conrad McMasters. Conrad's day job is as Matlock's private investigator and his ability to carry out this function has earned him the name, 'The Chameleon' for the way he can effortlessly blend into any role. *SPOILER* One week he'd be a bartender with mixology skills worthy of the International Bartenders Association, the next he'd be performing in adult themed movies, all in the line of duty. Conrad was also ice cool, circa minus 273 degrees Celsius cool, that he is only matched on the coolness scale by Kojak. For all you petrol heads out there, throughout the show Conrad also drives 11 different Ford Mustangs (models range from 1965 to 1994) so try to spot them all if you can. As you can imagine, Conrad's sublime choice of vehicles makes him a 'one' (so to speak) with the ladies, which itself is a recurring theme throughout the entire show, often resulting in a number of comical escapades.Next up in Matlock's arsenal of crime fighting were his two gorgeous female assistants. First was Michelle Thomas, Matlock's partner for a few seasons, who was then followed by Leanne MacIntyre; a lawyer and Matlock's daughter. Just a flash of either's eyelashes or a smile from their pouty lips is usually enough to make any witness crack under the heat when they're being cross-examined. These small but significant facial actions by Matlock's sultry sirens are enough to get one's heart racing to such an extent that the show should really come with a health warning, aimed at the show's predominantly elderly and retired viewer demographic.How do I sum up Matlock? Well, he has the demeanour and dress sense of James Bond, the physical dexterity and mental determination of Jason Bourne and quick wit and phenomenal intellect of Richard Feynman. Matlock blows all other courtroom dramas into the middle of next week with a realism that you could only seek to replicate in a genuine courtroom. For any budding lawyers out there, I advise you watch Matlock to see how to get the job done inside the courtroom, and out! For everyone else, Matlock makes compelling viewing as it has a bit of something for everyone: Action, drama, thrills, spills, sex appeal, comedy and mystery. Often more like a psychological thriller than a courtroom drama, I regularly felt that Matlock was more comparable to a Christopher Nolan film than the Perry Mason show, to which Matlock is usually compared. Either way, I loved Matlock; one of the best TV shows ever created!

I watch matlock. I have watched it since the pilot. I enjoy watching Andy Griffith over Raymond burr. I find Andy Griffith a more three dimensional actor. If you watch the b and w masons and rear window the performances are the same. If you watch matlock, a face in the crowd, or savages each of the performances are different. There are some things that annoy me about the series. The characters of billy and Les are very annoying. They never knock or ring a bell. They show up at any time and stay forever. Billy never got over Ben not marrying his sister. Also Ben eating hot dogs. I wish he would eat some thing else for a change. Also he gets a retainer of around $100,000 and the rest of his fees. Then he turns around and complains about cost of things: $5 (?) for a lunch truck lunch. He tries to fix a pencil sharpener instead of buying a new one. It is a fun series to watch overall.

I used to watch this show with my Grandparents. I really enjoyed it. I liked Matlock and his assistants Charlene Matlock (who is his daughter) and Tyler Hudson(Kene Holliday). In later seasons Tyler Hudson gets replaced by Conrad McMasters (Clarence Gilyrd Jr. who also happens to be Theo in Die Hard) which I don't mind. The reason I give it an 8 is because around the middle of Season 8 they replace Conrad with an inexperienced lawyer named Cliff who is supposed to be funny but comes off as a complete moron. Plus another thing I don't like is how they replaced the actress for Charlene 3 times throughout the series. Other than that a great show. Stay away from the last few seasons though.

I Love this show I can watch reruns over & over again & never get tired of watching it. It is far most the best television series to ever air on t.v. I just wish It was still being Made. It is Wholesome & Entertaining.I hope to see all of the episodes & I hope It continues to be around for many years to come so that my children would be able to enjoy it. The Cast is awesome there are so many wonderful faces that gives you the sense that it is a real hometown portrait. I love the smart way Ben always seems to be able to solve every mystery. We really could use more shows like this today I really wish that it was still being produced, But I'm sure that the way things are left is the only way it should be Because no one could replace the cast members.