Minder

I've never liked Shane Ritchie so I wasn't expecting to like this Minder re-make. But, actually, he's quite good in the role. It may not be as good as the original but they've done well by not making it too similar.

The plots aren't brilliant but this is light entertainment, and doesn't need to be too closely scrutinised. The main characters are likable and sufficiently different from 'Tel' and 'Arthur' that comparisons aren't a big problem. And the 'Minder' in this series isn't quite such a pushover for Archie Daley as Terry was for Arthur. The episodes also got stronger as the characters developed.

All in all, a reasonable hours entertainment that doesn't require too much concentration. You need to give it a chance and watch a few episodes.

As far as pilot episodes go, this wasn't bad and seeing as the pilot is usually the worst episode, i imagine that this can only get better. If you watch it as a standalone series and don't compare it to the original then its pretty good. Richie and Shrapnel don't try to copy Cole and Waterman and the characters aren't supposed to be Arthur and Terry which is a plus as no-one could do justice to those characters apart from George Cole and Dennis Waterman. The show is fast paced, mildly amusing and well filmed. Some of the supporting cast's acting leaves a lot to be desired (whoever played the Gold brothers were absolutely awful) but they're only in the pilot (i hope)but Richie and Shrapnel put in a decent enough performance. All in all, its pretty good, just don't compare it to the original.

I guess if this is seen as a sequel then one would be in for a surprise. On it's own it has some good points, but the chemistry that was Minder is gone. It has good locations, some sequences are fun, and the acting varies from quite good to dreadful. After just a few mins I'm ready to reach for the off button, unlike original series that keeps you hooked into the storyline. They cast the wrong actors, and handed them a weak script. If anything it's the stories that makes it drag. Minder original had action scenes, and nobody can deny the initial sequence with taxi was fabulously put together, yet when this duo meet it is a bit of a let down.

It is more like a tourist information video for landmarks of London, padded out with action sequences, and incongruous storylines.

I think it's a shame as Minder could have been so much better, even in a more modern context.

George Cole though basically made the show, without him as a likeable rogue, it's not the same.

Actors are different today, that alone would make it hard to find someone with such charisma as George.

Maybe someone will try again, and another Minder appear, unlikely, but it would be possible even now, but the format would have to be a bit retro really, with modern bits integrated.

This series is not drivel or awful as another poster has claimed (which are frankly lazy and rather predictable comments). Minder 2009 is a credible update of the original with some nice touches and some truly funny moments. Admittedly not all of the plots held my attention and some details didn't add up but it was better than most remakes of past classics (remember Ralph Fiennes in The Avengers, Reeves and Mortimer in Randall and Hopkirk, etc).

To be fair the second incarnation of Minder in the 1990s (with George Cole and Gary Webster) was not that good but it was liked because it had most of the elements of the original. Roll forward 15 years and it would be wrong to expect more of the same, especially without Cole and Waterman or indeed Webster. But Richie doing his Alfie Moon act and the likable Shrapnel have given life to new characters who are nod back to the past but with their feet planted firmly in the twenty-first century. With better plots and sharper dialog there is no reason why this shouldn't become a classic.

I loved the original minder. I was expecting an upset but was pleasantly surprised. Shane Richie is ace He's probably the best Arthur possible (sorry Archie) he's got all his mannerism down to A tea. really plays the lovable rogue well.

Lex shrapnel is a little on the small size for a minder but so was Terrence if I recall but like terry his character should grow as the Show runs.

Excellent!

The fight choreography was iffy but I'll allow it !. Just improve that and I'm sold.

Only thing that could make it any better is a few cameo appearances' from the original show to show some continuality.

Welcome back to my heart MINDER my long lost friend.