I wasn’t expecting much from the remake of this childhood favorite, but can you say kick-ass? Alex O’Loughlin finally finds a vehicle that may stick after several failed series TV (Three rivers, Moonlight).
Here, O’Loughlin is cast as Steve McGarrett, with Scott Caan (Entourage) as Danno Williams, Daniel Dae Kim (Lost) as Chin Ho Kelly, and for some female flair, Grace Park as Kono Kalakaua (Chin Ho’s cousin). Unlike its 1970s predecessor, this rendition of the crime fighting squad skews young, and features some of the most exciting action sequences on TV.
It’s fun, if even a bit over the top. In the pilot episode alone, both Danno and McGarrett get shot, and take several falls that would break a normal person’s bones. As for ass kicking, Park’s Kono fits right in, cold-cocking a guy for bogarting her space while surfing. Yeah ….right. While Park has some impressive fight scenes—and it’s always fun and cool to watch a woman open her can of whoop ass—there’s something not so believable about the waif-like Park flexing her muscle. I know it’s not about the brawn, but honestly: I’m loving it but not buying it.
Also new to this rendition is the sharp repartee between McGarrett and Danno. Starting as adversaries, they arrive at a well-tempered, respectful working relationship as they seek to bring down the bad and save the world from injustice. After the day of crime fighting, they all lick their wounds and settle down for a beer or two. Just as it should be.
Hawaii Five-0 airs Mondays at 9pm on CBS.
To watch the pilot episode, click here:
This article appears in September 17 • 2010.