Reviews

I was pleasantly surprised and enjoyed the entertaining movie. I was worried it was going to be yet another awful movie (like "Guns of Eden", but this was generally very well done with great dialogue and execution of the dialogue.

Yes, there were gaps regarding where all the bad guys were coming from and did they all have the same Ford Raptor black-colored trucks or were they always using the same one. It bothered me to see one of the AR15 rifles without any rear sight or carry-handle sight attached. The crime boss father looked a lot one of the Weather Channel meteorolists, without being that guy. The end between the crime boss and son seemed out of context or just a wasted ending and scene. I really liked the performances of characters Natasha, Jimmy, Ellis, and Ask along with, again, the dialogue.

Fighting scenes were generally very well executed other than that AR15 rifle sight issue I already noted. (Armorers/directors, please don't leave out details like that by shooting the scene anyway without a rifle's rear sight. Armorers, bring a spare sight or entire complete firearm.

Olivieri, I've a question for you, but it can wait for some other time or other platform (regarding the mole).

I rated this series at 5 instead of the sixes I gave the other two FBI shows. Five, is still good for me as I'm a tough rater.

I'm a bit concerned with the cast turnover/leaving the series over the years, as they were good characters and actors. I realize we're dealing with real people and actors who also need to sometimes move on, yet I can't help but suspect there's more to what's going on, whether personalty conflicts, pay, locations, writing, living conditions, hours, etc.

I also realize, even though this series is mostly filmed in NY, it's likely more out in the country, upstate, or non-city locations and could affect some equipment supply constraints.

It seems this show is also limiting the general FBI issued handguns to Glock, but without a weapon-light option, as is currently becoming a norm.

I've also noticed some older-school long-gun use including a pistol-grip-only shotgun and the HK MP5 submachine guns, which I don't believe are commonly issued anymore (but used to be available). Perhaps it's just too difficult to get a theatrical firearms supplier at the right price with the right equipment in NY state.

I forgot to add, FBI: Most Wanted also seems to be using concealable body armor, but externally with "FBI" patches attached, instead of the now-commonly-available/issued external body armor.

I also rated the other two FBI series shows about the same. A "6" is good for me as it's above average.

I realize this series is filmed in Hungary and probably presents some equipment constraints. I commended the FBI series as having more or less current Glock pistols with weaponlights attached. I'd expect these agents, assigned in Europe to also have weaponlights available on its handguns, yet none of the "Fly Team" seems to use them.

I can only guess it's too difficult to obtain and outfit the Glocks or Glock replicas with weaponlights in Hungary (possibility of export/import restrictions).

What's good is it appears FBI: International is getting to wear the more common external body armor when required to "tac up" unlike the regular FBI series; good to see.

I'm a tough rater so a 6 is good for me as it means "above average" to me.

I agree with a prior review of "Jubal" shouting out orders in the "JOC" to folks who already know what to do and are doing it.

Equipment. I'm glad to see the weaponlights mounted to the Glock handguns as this is generally what's currently used/available, unlike the other two FBI-related CBS shows.

Edited 4/26/23. It appears to me the external body armor carriers being used seems to be a thinner, likely not having actual bullet resistant plates installed, lower profile type, which aren't as substantial as heavier-duty external plate carriers. Perhaps a plainclothes Agent or cop might wear such body armor at a moment's notice. It seems the plate carriers might have "mic loops" which would indicate being an external plate carrier.

I'm ok with the actresses French accent, which worked ok for me. The actress, R. L., is at least from the Quebec, Canada, so maybe she has some French Canadian accent exposure.

I'm sorry for the cast & crew as the series was cancelled/not renewed. This last episode seems to have been quickly edited; thrown together; or scenes changed or added to conclude the series. I'll be looking forward to seeing what roles the cast end up getting in the future months/years.

I've almost zero Mortal Kombat experience. I saw the 1st/orginal movie and was a Sandra Hess fan back then. Otherwise, I've no idea who any of the characters are or who the good guys are vs. The bad guys.

In this movie, I recognized a few of the actors (maybe three). All the actors/characters appeared very fit and generally handsome/attractive. As I type, I'm ~half way through the film and I'm getting bored.

Overall, I suppose the movie is a great effort for what it is. It's probably just not for me. (I do like the hats, btw. The hats remind me a bit of "Big Trouble in Little China":)

I'm watching the movie right now (maybe an hour in so far) as it just hit HBO cable tv. Just love the Alita character and need to keep reminding myself she's really just a movie-CGI creation (...but my love is real:)

I was impressed with the production actually going to Tokyo for ~half the scenes. I was also impressed with the amount of Japanese actors SWAT's casting was able to round up. Checking some bios on these actors it appears many/all are English-speaking and already working/worked in the USA.

Story-wise, it was just ok. I also tried to ignore the plastic-looking "Mac-10" looking props and realize it'd be difficult/impossible to find real examples to use in Japan.

I saw this on the UPtv network, but made by Lifetime. I really like Asbille in Yellowstone and enjoyed seeing her acting in something different. I found her character, Allie, in this tv movie a bit too depressing, however. Her eventual love interest, Sam (the coffee shop owner) was just not interesting enough to be appealing. I found the two coffee shop employees the most interesting, with Allie's two coworkers being next interesting. Overall-movie-wise, I saw no reason to place the movie as being in San Francisco. Except for a few panoramic views, the remainder of the movie appeared to be on a generic movie-set. With the square-dancing scene, the movie would have been more believable if set somewhere in the mid-west or even Canada. The outdoor scenes in the park just didn't look like San Francisco. Nice try, but it's hard to get the feel Hallmark gets with its movies.

In light of the popularity of all the comic book TV series and movies, Birds of Prey was ahead of its time. Perhaps a redo of this series will someday come, adjusted for the various universe changes which have now taken place in the various series and movies, such as Gotham, Flash, Supergirl, Arrow, and any others.