NCIS: Los Angeles on Sky1 – Review

Chris O’Donnell and LL Cool J Star in Slick US Cop Show

Oct 24, 2009

High-gloss new crime spin-off from the NCIS franchise hits Sky1 screens.

When it opened in the US, NCIS: Los Angeles must have had a lot of goodwill from the original NCIS show because 18.3 million viewers tuned in, the biggest audience for a scripted series’ opening night since 2004.

The launch episode is slick and easy viewing that bears little relation to reality but offers plenty of action and sexy technology, a bit like a modern Man from U.N.C.L.E (an odd twist, as David McCallum stars in the original series).

Chris O'Donnell and LL Cool J

Chris O’Donnell (Circle of Friends, Grey’s Anatomy) is special agent G Callen, who reports back to work after being shot in the line of duty. A pumped-up LL Cool J (House, 30 Rock) is Sam Hanna, welcoming his pal to their new HQ, which resembles a Hacienda-style hotel lobby downstairs and a high-tech, low-lighting command centre upstairs.

Despite the fact that Callen, Hanna and the Naval Criminal Investigative Service team (played by Daniela Ruah, Adam Jamal Craig and Peter Cambor) are engaged in counter-intelligence, they all find their work an easy-going lark, judging by the lamely scripted gags they attempt to crack throughout.

Linda Hunt

The diminutive Linda Hunt is operations manager Hetty Lange, the fount of crime-busting wisdom who mothers the team, particularly lost-boy Callen.

In a bid to make him interesting (because O’Donnell’s acting rarely does) he is over-egged as a character with baggage. Not only has he been shot but he’s an orphan who – it’s hard to write this without shedding a tear – has never received a single birthday card in his life. And what’s more, instead of a first name he only has an initial – G – because nobody spared the time to tell him what it stood for.

Drugs Cartel

Anyway, he and Hanna are investigating a navy officer killed in an LAPD shootout who might have been selling operational secrets to a drugs cartel.

On closer inspection, it turns out he was being blackmailed, the drugs gang having kidnapped his niece. Hanna and Callen end up going after Mad Manny Cortez, so named because he cut off his drug lord father’s toes with a bolt cutter.

Sumptuous Locations, Cool Technology

The story has a neat twist toward the end, but the show’s calling card is its look. Sumptuous locations (a lot livelier than the more studio-based CSI), a love of technology – from swanky Mercs and customised Impalas, to smart phones and wall-sized computer screens – and its verité hand-held action sequences make NCIS:LA easy on the eyes.

But emotionally compelling and believable it ain’t. Having shot a couple of baddies, Callen then fills out his expenses form, and it’s not long before the wisecracking starts up again. Still, for viewers who like their cop shows lite, this might just do.

NCIS: Los Angeles: UK Sky1 Wednesdays 9pm; US CBS Tuesdays ET 9pm PT9.30pm

The copyright of the article NCIS: Los Angeles on Sky1 – Review in Prime Time TV is owned by Robin Jarossi. Permission to republish NCIS: Los Angeles on Sky1 – Review in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.