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- The CW
- Apr 7, 2021
- The CW
- Apr 7, 2021
- The CW
- Apr 7, 2021
- The CW
- Apr 7, 2021
Where to Watch
Season Episodes
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Top Cast
Metascore
Generally Favorable
Based on 10 Critic Reviews
65
50% Positive
5 Reviews
5 Reviews
50% Mixed
5 Reviews
5 Reviews
0% Negative
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
Metascore
Generally Favorable
Based on 10 Critic Reviews
65
50% Positive
5 Reviews
5 Reviews
50% Mixed
5 Reviews
5 Reviews
0% Negative
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
In all, “Kung Fu” presents a compelling heroine, ably played by Liang, who feels obligations to community and family both generally relatable and specifically drawn. The mystical element of Nicky’s skills is treated matter-of-factly and with engaged interest — nothing here feels rote.
The cast is attractive and committed; the storyline has multiple avenues to pursue; Ms. Liang can carry the show. And the thrust of the pilot, at least (the only episode made available), is not Asians against the world, but good against evil. From what one can tell, the production itself makes a political statement, but the storyline won’t.
User Score
Generally Favorable
Based on 23 User Ratings
6.8
61% Positive
14 Ratings
14 Ratings
17% Mixed
4 Ratings
4 Ratings
22% Negative
5 Ratings
5 Ratings
User Score
Generally Favorable
Based on 23 User Ratings
6.8
61% Positive
14 Ratings
14 Ratings
17% Mixed
4 Ratings
4 Ratings
22% Negative
5 Ratings
5 Ratings
Kung Fu's first season was excellent, one of my new favorite shows can't wait for season 2. The fight choreography was outstanding, some of the best I've ever seen. Olivia Liang gave a superb performance with portraying a perfect balance between the character Nicky's strength and vulnerability. Kheng Hua Tan, Jon Prasida, Shannon Dang, Tzi Ma, Eddie Liu, Gavin Stenhouse, Tony Chung, Yvonne Chapman, Françoise Yip, Fiona Fu, and Vanessa Kai gave phenomenal performances as well. The costumes were spectacular especially ones wore by Olivia Liang, Shannon Dang, and Françoise Yip. An A+ first season.
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SEASON 1
The new “Kung Fu” isn’t as serious as its predecessor, and it doesn’t have the makings of a classic thus far. But its light and affectionate portrait of Asian American family life feels both heartening and right for this moment.
If a pilot is your opportunity to establish premise and put your best resources forward, Kung Fu is a mixed bag anyway. ... There are definitely characterizations that are trope-y here, with the difference being the variety of representations and the likelihood that, given more than an episode or two to play out, even the things that look like stock types in the pilot will evolve and add depth. That's where Kung Fu has me interested, if not hooked.
Representation matters, so the existence of an almost all-Asian cast on a broadcast network series is a welcome development even as the show’s format and themes feel overly familiar.
“Kung Fu” definitely has potential, but the premiere episode also boasts a few other warning signs. There’s an enormous amount of exposition throughout the premiere and characters discuss their backstories and talents with the subtlety of a bag of sledgehammers.
The pilot — the only episode available for review as of this writing — is a busy, busy thing that packs in a mess of cursory exposition, introductions, family business, romantic groundwork, an operation for a subdural hematoma and a game of ping-pong, at the expense of subtlety and character.
A funny and exciting dive into a fun world of drama and action. The struggles of the characters are relatable and expansive.
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SEASON 1
At least the fights were really well choreographed, grasshopper. And I will probably watch it again. The first episode had enough to keep me interested, but it was nothing like the original. This is more like a low level CW superhero show. The acting was quite bad at times, but I do like some of the characters. Give it a chance if you're into martial arts movies.
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SEASON 1
Completely ignored the source material. The lead was interesting, the fights KILLER, but KUNG FU is about a person of Peace in a savage world. If the CW didn't feel like making that show, fine, but you've already lost this viewer. Expect steeeep drop offs for episode 2.
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SEASON 1