This review is made possible by advanced screeners of Episodes 1-8 of Mr. & Mrs. Smith, provided to Agents of Fandom by Prime Video for review purposes.
Sharing a namesake with a movie as popular as Mr. & Mrs. Smith isn’t easy. Considering Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie have such amazing chemistry in the first film they ended up getting married, it’s a tough act to follow. However, Donald Glover and Maya Erskine give it their all with fantastic performances that make the series worth the watch. Unfortunately, their great individual performances aren’t enough to bolster Mr. & Mrs. Smith to new heights.
Although Glover and Erskine are both great actors, the script doesn’t do them any favors. The action sequences are enjoyable, but few and far between. There is potential for greatness with the Mr. & Mrs. Smith series. Sadly, the remake doesn’t share the romantic chemistry or gripping pace of the original.
‘Mrs. & Mrs. Smith’ is Unable to Recover From A Slow Start
The series’ lackadaisical beginning is a major hindrance to the overall progression. While the action and subterfuge majorly pick up after the first few episodes, it’s too little, too late.
The opening episodes move at a snail’s pace while exploring Glover and Erskine’s characters, the Smiths. This would be far more palpable if the romantic aspect was there, but unfortunately, both of their characters have no interest in opening up.
There’s no way to know for sure how much losing Phoebe Waller-Bridge affected the series, but the absence of her passion is missed. While the individual acting from scene to scene is strong, it often feels like Donald Glover and Maya Erskine are part of two different projects.
‘Mr. & Mrs. Smith’ is Full of Unrealized Potential
Sometimes, even with the right ingredients, a meal doesn’t go the way it’s supposed to when it’s not cooked properly. The Mrs. & Mrs. Smith series suffers from similar struggles. The pieces are all there for a wonderful project, but the execution doesn’t match.
However, the proper ingredients don’t translate to a gripping, cohesive story. There are too many moving parts in the plot, with a pace that moves too slowly and unevenly to balance them all.
Mr. & Mrs. Smith is at its best when the series dives into a specific mission and pushes the plot forward. Unfortunately, these moments are few and far between, with the linear story frequently taking a major back seat.
Donald Glover and Maya Erskine Make the Series Worthwhile
Although the series isn’t as strong as it could be, Mr. & Mrs. Smith is still worth the watch. Both Donald Glover and Maya Erskine are strong enough actors to make the series enjoyable.
While there isn’t as much action and romance as you’d expect based on the original film with Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie, there’s just enough to compare. The series, fortunately, chose an all-at-once release model; a smart decision, as it otherwise would have a tough time keeping people engaged every week.
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'Mr. & Mrs. Smith' Review
'Mr. & Mrs. Smith' ReviewThe Good
- Maya Erskine and Donald Glover give fantastic individual performances.
- When the series finally picks up the pace, it's very exciting.
- Mystery aspect of the plot adds intrigue.
The Bad
- Series takes too long to get going.
- Lacking the romantic chemistry of the original film.
- Too many story points being juggled at once.
- Action sequences are few and far between.
