Missing

I'm late to the reviewers here, but if you can catch it streaming or reruns, do so. This was intelligently done, with the excitement of some of the better elements of Homeland. Driven mother determined to fix a wrong. Beautifully produced. Sadly, only 10 episodes when it easily should have been a series. Judd was compelling, convincing, and surrounded by a strong supporting cast. Well acted, well written, well produced.

EDIT: Currently the rating of the show is 6.5/10. At the time when I wrote the review it was 3.4/10.

I am sorry. IMDb must change their rating system. Fact. It is just impossible for me to believe that this is the actual rating of such a well acted and well filmed action TV-show.

At the time when I am writing this review the show's rating here is 3.4/10.

This review is based on the pilot. Naturally, I am not going rate the entire show. That is why you don't see the eight stars I would give the first episode above my review. However...

The pilot itself is actually very good. Yes, you probably know it is way too similar to one very famous and extremely great action movie with Liam Neeson as the main character.

But...

So WHAT? First, there was going to be a TV-show based on 'Taken'. Sadly, it didn't happen. Instead we will see a sequel directed by one of the worst directors in the history of the action movie genre - the guy who did 'The Transporter 3'.

I wouldn't be surprised if the script written for that TV-show was what "Missing" was based on.

However this time we have Ashley Judd in the leading role. Well, she is not Liam Neeson :) However she is very convincing when it comes to acting and especially when it comes to action sequences. She is actually the most convincing female fighter I have ever seen in a TV-show, and, frankly, I am glad the creators of the show chose more realistic approach to the fights. We jave had enough of "Xena: The Warrior Princess" types of women fighting.

The writing is actually very good. I was surprised how well was the relationship between the mother and her son described, especially considering the fact that they didn't have much time to spend on it, and it is not only that, there is a lot more.

The direction is good too.

Overall a promising pilot. Its' only real flaw is the lack of originality.

But - let's be honest - a show doesn't need originality to be good.

Really, I can't believe the ratings on IMDb anymore. People must watch one episode of a TV show and then come right over and rate it a 3.

After watching the pilot, I couldn't wait to see what would happen. There is a certain dynamic between the characters that makes the show realistic but also gives you some laughs (or maybe just smiles). And yes, I think the casting is pretty good. Cliff Curtis just has the face of a government agent (let me tell you, I know a few) and the Interpol agent is especially believable (he IS Italian).

As for Ashley Judd, I don't get why people say she is not believable as a mom that kicks butt. Before this show we had Gina Carano taking down men in Haywire so just because Ashley Judd hasn't trained her whole life or been in a similar role doesn't mean she can't do it. The premise of the show is that she was ONE OF THE BEST agents.

After watching 7 episodes, the plot is totally not like Taken. It has expanded a lot more and unlike what other reviewers have said, you can't tell where it's going. I have watched (and am watching) plenty of shows and this one is not stuck in a rut.

So give it a chance! :-)

I've seen a lot of reviews here on IMDb regarding this show, and all of them seem to be taking this much too seriously. I did so at first too, but then I stopped and wondered: what am I missing? I was missing the point! Have you ever seen "The Long Kiss Goodnight"? The first 1/2 hour I hated it because I thought it tried to be serious, but then I saw that it was just having fun and making fun of the genre by overdoing everything. It's the same with "Missing" :-) Ashley gets beaten and you see her back is all bruised, but the next day all is forgotten. And she is shot one day, next day? Everything OK! So: Look at it as fun action NOT to be taken seriously, THEN you'll be able to enjoy it.

I am a TV Series fan and I have watched more than enough to be able to say that Missing is very well made in every aspect.

First of all the rating of the show on IMDb is not fair. The show had a great plot with good and not-so-expected twists. The writers kept the perfect balance between simple and straight-forward, and, twisted to keep the viewers' interest for a next episode. The actors are really getting in the essence of their parts and the shooting spots by themselves show how much effort was put in making Missing a good show. That's why i would rate it at about 9.0.

The only problem with Missing is the fact that the story sometimes branches to sub stories that are not that essential to the main plot and there are some flashbacks to support them. But this only makes the story a bit spicier and I'm OK with it.

I am not easily excited when it comes to choosing a new TV series to watch. Out there one can find hundreds of them. I have watched (and still watching) over 50 series and I can tell you that Missing is on my top 10 list. It is worth watching and the viewer can really grow roots on the couch for it.