User reviews

I wholeheartedly CONCUR with "julesrulesny" assessment of the network's pulling the plug on "Missing". Did you see the 2012 Emmy broadcast? You know...the awards show wherein NONE of the four original networks were NOMINATED for awards for TV Drama?!!

They HAD a good thing in Missing and they BLEW IT. It was severely underestimated and might have been a case of self-fulfilling prophecy. As in, "I think I heard a neighbor of my daughter's who said he didn't like it, so let's pull it off the air".

Whatever...Jimmy Kimmel mentioned the absence of the networks (ABC, NBC, CBS, PBS) nominations, tossing it off as the citizenry "wanting to see boobs" which was underestimating the loathing the people of the U.S. have for the original three. If you want good shows, tune in to AMC, Fox, TNT, USA! Screw the networks who are under the thumbs of censors! I worked in the film business for 30 years and have been watching TV Drama for twice that long and MY assessment? Missing...another show too good for TV.

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! :-)

There is no possible way that this show is only getting a 6.4 rating at this time. Something must be wrong. Usually I trust IMDb's rating system. Anything over 7.5 for movies is typically a good movie, above 8.0(Oscar potential) a really good movie.. Anything over 8 for TV shows also typically means its a good TV show and above 8.5 would suggest its really good(Emmy Potential). I was expecting an average of 9.0 for this show.

This show actually reminds me of another show "Traveler"(2007) with Matt Bomer as it had edge of your seat drama and action and was very entertaining .. its about a guy "Will Traveler", an agent who gets mixed up in a conspiracy. the show was on ABC and it was an amazing show but this show actually had good reviews.. unfortunately it didn't last either. But is definitely one of the better shows that got canceled in the past decade..

So, in saying that it could be that Missing just off to a slow start.. And, critics may have derailed the show from the start. I've read some of the harshest critiques by critics regarding this show that I have ever read in my life. I am stunned. I never have been so bewildered over such harsh ratings. I guess critics don't like it not being original - And starts off like the Movie "Taken" except genders are reversed. That doesn't matter one bit.. The acting is good. The story is good. It's exciting and entertaining. And, Ashley Judd kicks butt!! And kicks it well.

I am very familiar with the writings of shows, different story arcs, plots, sub plots, direction, etc.. And have become a rather good judge of character for a TV show knowing fairly soon even sometimes before the show airs if it will be canceled. I'm no pro, or no critic, but I do know the negative remarks on this show are dead wrong. The writing is superb and very tight, leaving nothing unchecked and nothing feeling forced. when writing is this good, shows will last. Many blast the Director but I think he's done a good job too.. so far, I have nothing negative to say about this show. For all the crap that's come out and been canceled already within a few episodes airing, this by far has been the best new show on PrimeTime Television since shows like 24, Lost, Desperate Housewives, Monk and Burn Notice first aired.. (that's how much I like it so far..) It just seems to be that the critics may have won and pushed off so many viewers from the start. One thing is certain, as one critic said .."its so unbelievable and hard to watch a woman killing off all these other men who are supposed to be well trained agents". well, I say "who cares"? Was Lord of the Rings believable? Was the TV show "Heroes" believable? I bring up these fantasy type plots b/c that's what TV and movies are all about.. Stories of the unbelievable that make it entertaining.. I for one like to see a hot chick kick some......

Then another critic when on to complain about it not being original and said .."the creators of Missing should have taken another look at CSI, Law & Order and 24"... Ummmmmm didn't he just say that it lacks originality? Then went onto say it should have been like those other shows? I do think this show is in part original - its all character and no technology at play. Just good old fashion fighting, action and drama and just a few main characters to keep it tight.

I highly recommend it and rarely have such great things to say about a show. One thing to point out.. I also am aware of reviews bad or good setting expectations for a show. For instance, I'll tell my friends a movie is very good that when they see it, I set the expectations so high they didn't like it. Same can be said for when you hear a show isn't good, then it turns out to be the opposite. However, sometimes when critics say such harsh things right off the bat, the show rarely gets a fair chance. I for one am so tired of these lame shows coming out on television..(thank god for USA and AMC for having the best shows on television..) I look forward with high anticipation about the outcome of this show..

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.

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.

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.

Ashley Judd did an incredible job as an agent/mother looking for her child. The show was well written, exciting and left you wanting more. ABC needs to rethink not renewing for next season;everyone I know who watched the show loved it..... Great Job Ashley Judd...... I can see how the show can spend off this first pilot show in many directions. One being the agency could began by using Ashley aka Rebecca on special assignments, and now that her son knows of his parents past with his obvious intelligent may even be of some assistance as someone working behind the scene to keep his mother safe. This was one of the most thrilling shows of the spring season and I think that it will be a injustice to the viewers to not have closure with a additional season.

there are really only two reasons i am watching this, I like Ashley Judd and I live in Prague and that is the home base for shooting this series, so while they do establishing shots of Paris and Rome, many of those scenes were actually shot in Prague, so it's fun to see if I can recognize where they are.

And one of my favorite Czech actors, Karel Roden, is the main bad guy, which is his usual role in American films.

it's a nice time waster with pretty locations but completely unbelievable, Ashley is good as is the guy who plays Dax and of course we have Sean Bean.... the actor who is her son isn't bad either....

I've seen 3 episodes now and while the show brings nothing new to the genre it's sort of enjoyable so far.

There are some issues however.

1) Casting - Ashley Judd, Nick Eversman and Italian Interpol guy perform well but I can't say much for the rest of the cast. Cliff Curtis is normally solid but seems to be acting in a soapie here. The actress playing Mary is not convincing and her character is woeful and annoying. The blonde baddie chick on the boat has 3 accent changes per minute, all of them bad. Must be someone's girlfriend to get this role.

2) Scenery - if you are the director shooting a scene in Rapallo, then stick to Rapallo. Don't go panning shots in San Margharita or Portofino unless of course you are getting a kickback from the local tourist bureau.

3) Plot - we are expected to suspend belief with this sort of genre but seriously, a housewife who is 10 years out of the CIA can take out 2 hulks on the boat with single karate chops.

She has 6 or more current passports.

The baddies take out the blonde colleague who is performing badly rather than Ashley Judd.

The boat auction - starting bid for the average size boat is 24 Million Euros which rises to 100 million, This was a large runabout worth about 200K. Plus, no one was allowed to look inside the boat.

It's all a bit silly but I am intrigued to find out why the husbands killer would want to kidnap the son 10 years later. Maybe the husband is not dead which would give rise to even more logic gymnastics. I hope they don't jump the shark or even worse, drag it on for "Lost" proportions before they arrive at some inadequate finale.

The benchmark in the last year for spy thrillers (in my opinion) is "Homeland" and this is not close.

I won't repeat what others have said, as that is a bit boring While I can't fault the action, just about everything in the pilot is incredible. -just a few examples - a student can afford a posh apartment in the most touristy part of Rome - the streets are empty at night and almost during daytime... Whaty? Have a look at Top Gear in Rome, that is far more realistic. - instead of going onto pagesjaunes or societe.com on her mobile (the official register of commerce in France with EVERY address in it, the 'agent' ,speaking mock French, calls a company who reply in horrible sortof intelligible French with an English accent, not finding anything suspicious in it ... excuse me any normal person would have pretended to be the driver, would have looked up the address within seconds etc. If the person to reply has a bad accent, it would be anything BUT English.

• Paris is never as clean as that. Or lonely, or quiet. The water of the Seine is very mucky, not transparent. No Graffity, no posters, no crowds? You must be kidding.

• No women in her right state of mind would run through an antique town with cobblestones wearing those shoes. They would have been torn within 100 steps :)

This is a great new series! Love Ashley Judd in this! I too am a mother of a son and I am all wrapped up in this because there are connections. You would go to any length to protect them and feel for others who have kids as well. It is suspenseful and interesting. I've read the other reviews and don't really agree! I can't wait for more. And YES, I have been to Paris and Europe and it is pretty realistic! Depends on what time of year you're there, etc. The water is not crystal clear but neither is it murky. There was no trash around or tons of people out at all times. I'm excited to see an intriguing series that holds my attention yet doesn't have sex or gore in it where my family can watch together!! Well done.

I like the cast and the idea for this show is OK. It's nothing we haven't already seen before, but has good potential. I love the different locations as well as the lights that doesn't put the show always dark. There are some things though that make me think it won't get renewed. It feels like a low budget TV show as per: 1. very little special effects 2. the plot is predictable, as a matter of fact I knew from the start who suspect 0 was. 3. The writing isn't fully satisfactory not intriguing enough, lacks of details and the dialogs are very elementary. 4. Judd-Giannini's old affair doesn't make me crave for more. 5. the action in general is slow (we are all used to the JJ Abrams ideas on spy shows for example) so this series looks a bit too basic in my opinion. There's so much that can be improved and I hope they will. I hope the team behind this show will turn things around as I'm enjoying seeing Ashley Judd and in particular Italian actor Adriano Giannini perform in this show. Good luck, I will keep watching!!!!

She has stated repeatedly and publicly that her moon/pig face (as it is often known) is NOT the result of plastic surgery, but the result of medication (specifically, prednisone).

However, while that medication DOES cause moon face, the effects typically go away within a few weeks to a few months of discontinuing the medication.

Her puffy face is very distracting, and I would have thought she COULD have taken an alternative medication, just during the duration of the few months it took to film just the 10 episodes.

I wince every time I see the puffiness in her face. Must have been very frustrating for her as well.

Ashley Judd has a winner here! She is an intense actress and has chosen an excellent series to produce! While it is true that this appears to have very similar story line to Liam Neesom's movie, this plot can go anywhere as the series progresses. ABC has a good one with lots of promise! It is certainly a breath of fresh air considering all of the brain-dead shows that are run as reality TV. In addition, most of the series that have long runs have the same story lines with different characters acting out the plots. ABC has chosen a good one that is pure adult entertainment and has plot twists and turns that will require something better than the concentration of a third grader. I am looking forward to the next episode...and the next, etc. Ashley Judd is a very good actress who does her own stunts (according to her recent interview) and always leaves me wanting to see her again!

I really love Ashley Judd in this role she does rock!! She is great playing a mother determined to get her son back. I like the story line and yes it does have a touch of "Taken" - which I loved and Liam Neeson was just phenomenal in this movie....I do have to say as far as women kicking a** on TV shows right now I give that award to Maggie Q on Nikita she does ALL of her own stunts and her mentor/teacher is Jackie Chan - what more could you ask for, right? Yeah he plays goofy roles at times but Maggie said they are very close friends and do cut up BUT when it comes to training he is VERY SERIOUS and means business. I applaud Ashley for taking such a demanding role like this, and she's very believable as well. So far..I love this show and Cliff Curtis is so easy on the eyes; I love him in everything he does, also the characters of Ashley and Cliff have A LOT of chemistry and could see them getting involved romantically somewhere down the road- that would be GREAT!!

Based on the trailer for the show, I thought that I would ultimately end up buying the entire season after watching the pilot episode. However, it was only mediocre at best. I will not be finishing the season, as it is not a good enough show to waste 20 dollars on.

It has cast , it has story , it has a good plot , but it lacks greatly in the direction , that's where I think it loses so dearly . Honestly I think the director is in the 90's thriller league and has lost complete track of time. the story has real depth ,but it truly lacks the edge of a marksman director. this is the advise I would like to give, please, please go and watch the complete series like '24' , 'CSI' , 'CSI-Miami' ,and I'm sure he could learn a great deal from them..

Talking about Ashley Judd, a charismatic actress, she found the right script ,but only if she could've handpicked the right director.

And I think , including Sean Bean in the pilot episode is just to attain face value to the show and nothing much. There is no killer edge in the series so far...