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"The Shield" (2002) More at IMDbPro »

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312 comments in total

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557 out of 973 people found the following comment useful :-
An over the top Cartoon, 15 March 2002
Author: greatwar from South

*** This comment may contain spoilers ***

After a lot of hype I was disappointed in the premier episode of the Shield. I could not help but get the feeling that the show was "trying too hard" to be a hard hitting gritty cop show. What it is, is a show with over the top characters and a host of unrealistic dialog. For example ( and trying to avoid spoilers). One character spouts off with GROSS insubordination to the officer in charge, in front of the whole department. Hokey. Nobody in real life grandstands like that and stays employed for long. Also making such a scene doesn't make sense to do in real life, no matter how much you hate the boss' guts. This is especially true if your goal is to undermine him. I could go on with other examples of needless smart mouthing and overt stuff etc but bottomline: A better written show with good actors, can convey the fact that the one cop hates the other and build on that tension without resorting to such silliness. I was really hoping for a good show. One that was complex and realistically presented. Not this show. This is an over the top cartoon. Sadly, most viewers probably like and NEED this over the top stuff, just to get the point and understand what is going on. A more subtle show requires viewers to pay attention and even think once and a while.

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203 out of 387 people found the following comment useful :-
Why all the badmouthing..., 22 March 2006
Author: thehalfhead from United States

I just finished watching the Season 5 finale. Once again an excellent show and an overall great season. Forest Whitaker made you absolutely hate him, meaning that he had done his job well. I read through the comments on this board and I must say how surprised I am at how many people are "simply appalled". If you don't like it turn the channel. I am a Detective in a medium sized (400 sworn) agency. Aside from the dirty cop antics the show has some very real aspects to it. Someone mentioned that cops don't play pranks on each other, thats a bunch of BS. Get a group of guys working a 12 hour shift and when it gets slow they will think of something to lighten the mood. The show was outstanding once again and I look forward to adding it to Season 1-4 on my DVD shelf. I look forward to next season to see how it all unfolds. My only negative comment will be that i wish this show had more episodes per season and that they were quicker to start the next season. Love it love it love it.

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50 out of 87 people found the following comment useful :-
I thought i'd seen it all, 19 June 2009

Author: Chris from Austria

I never wrote a review on IMDb, but after reading that many bad reviews about The Shield i felt i had to do this. In fact all that reviews kept me from seeing The Shield for a long time.

But now that i am through with all Lost and 24 Seasons, seen The Wire twice, had a good time with Oz it was time for something new, so i finally gave The Shield a chance.

And i can tell you it's one hell of a ride, i was hooked after seeing the first episode. I would even compare the series to The Wire, it is different of course and doesn't focus so much on the social aspects, it goes more for the action.

It's got all you need, corrupt cops, drugs, violence, betrayal, good detective work (homicide team) and even some hot chicks occasionally ;) So my conclusion is that if you like quality series with a persistent plot and cliffhangers like The Wire, Lost, Sopranos or Oz go for this one you won't regret it! It will keep you on the edge of your seat for a long time.

And i really can't understand where all those bad reviews are coming from... go check The Shield out for yourself!

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29 out of 53 people found the following comment useful :-
helluva good show...., 16 July 2009

Author: (faithnomore70@hotmail.com) from Denmark

it's been a long time, since I've been posting on IMDb.. but this show is absolutely worth watching.

There were some slow yawn-full moments and episodes and a couple of overacting moments through-out the latest episodes, but some of the best parts are done in between moments, when CCH Pounder and Michael Chicklis are meeting on, face to face. It gives a real intense character-play and dispute amongst these two qualified actors and critical claims when it comes to corrupt environmental-issues. The guest-appearances were a big plus for this show also. Whitaker played his part with an emotional yet troubled authority-figure, craving to do whatever he could with his part of that show. I never expected Glenn Close to pull off a role, in the shield..that was really unexpected, but well done, after all.

This show portrays that, intensity doesn't always need gigantic action sequences or unrealistic special effects...it tries to deliver some sort of street value or real aspects of what it feels like, if the viewer were actually present, during busts and interrogations. The shaky cam, is shaky for that reason alone, makes you feel a part of the show. 10/10 nice song at the end credit suits the small memorable montage ;)

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59 out of 115 people found the following comment useful :-
The Shield is superb, 31 May 2006

Author: ronald-burford1 from United Kingdom

I think the Shield is excellent and has a huge fan base in the UK. In my opinion it's up there with the Sopranos as the best thing on TV certainly in the UK. Obviously I can't comment on US television. I love the documentary style of filming and can't get enough of the whole thing. It's just a shame that we have to wait so long to see the new series here as we are well behind you in the US. I usually buy them on DVD to save waiting. I really can't believe anyone being critical of this show. You should see some of the stuff that's broadcast in England if you want to see rubbish. The Shield really is top class and long may it continue.

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285 out of 570 people found the following comment useful :-
Hands down, the best show on television..., 5 January 2007

Author: William Smith from New Hampshire

If you read the first couple of pages of reviews for "The Shield," you'll think that it's a poorly-crafted ratings loser that shouldn't be on television.

Nothing could be further from the truth.

I'll admit, I was hesitant to start watching "The Shield," but that was only because of Michael Chiklis. I absolutely hated "The Commish" and I figured this show would be a total dog.

A co-worker challenged me to watch the pilot and, if I didn't like it, I could return the discs to him and he'd never hound me about it again. I took his challenge and watched the pilot---and I didn't stop until the season finale. Chiklis won me over. The writing won me over. The cinematography won me over.

Is the camera-work shaky? Sure. But it's *supposed* to be. It's shot almost documentary style and I think that adds to the grit of the show. Some people claim that "The Shield" failed Movie 101. Well, you know what? It's NOT a movie. It's an episodic television series and there are no other scripted dramas on television that compare.

Is it a ratings loser? Absolutely not. Folks, it's on cable. It's not going to be ranked in the Nielsen Top 10...ever! "The Shield" has helped FX firmly establish itself on Tuesday nights and was the first of a series of outstanding and cutting-edge dramas. "The Shield" is better described as a cable success story, proving that quality, original scripted television isn't the exclusive domain of the broadcast networks in the United States.

If you haven't ever watched "The Shield" and are considering it, I'll pose the same challenge my co-worker did. Watch one episode and only one episode: Pilot. If you don't like it, turn it off.

I'm willing to bet, however, that you'll wind up doing what I did.

"The Shield" is top-shelf. There's no doubt about it.

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12 out of 28 people found the following comment useful :-
CSI with a story arc and better acting, 6 August 2009

Author: (Thedanby) from United States

In skimming through the reviews for this series, I've noticed a lot of recurring complaints, their subject matter ranging from the shows lack of realism to the gratuitous amounts of profanity and mature subject matter presented. These complaints carry with them one flaw however, and I believe it stems from a certain narrow-mindedness and lack of appreciation for what television drama, and all other film for that matter, really is. From the analytical perspective, it is not the critics prerogative to pass judgement on whether or not a piece is good or bad, but rather to discern what was done, how it was done and why. This however is not the "vernacular" for writing about film, nor is it what the vast majority of people want to hear about movies. Unfortunately, public demands have resulted in an oversimplified system, the flaws of which can be readily visible in the disparity between different published reviews of newly released movies every week. This public culture of labeling films and any other type of drama has resulted in an ultimatum approach. Many of the reviews on this page preach this series is Awful, or it is ruining our children, or this series is the best thing since sliced bread. My perspective is this, I liked the shield. I really enjoyed following the lives of Vic Mackey and the strike team through seven seasons. The series is full of dynamic characters, plot cliffhangers, an involving storyline, multiple sub plots and faced paced action. All of this and at the same time it poses viewers with very intense and moralistic dilemmas that seem very real in the moment. The use of occasional steady cam and cuts to gritty footage shot on what i believe is 8mm film stock (not sure about that one) serve as very effective tension builders for the show and its use of violence and sex also contribute to its relentless and gripping beat. The 9 stars I gave this show should tell you that I liked it, that doesn't mean you will too but it is virtually undeniable that from a technical standpoint the show is a standout. One of my top 10 favorite television dramas, top 5 on basic cable.

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34 out of 73 people found the following comment useful :-
How does such a bad show last so long when great shows get axed, 19 June 2009

Author: smallrage1 from Canada

*** This comment may contain spoilers ***

How does such a bad show last so long when great shows get axed? That's the million dollar question.

I've suffered through 9 episodes of this garbage show, how it is rated 9 out 10 is beyond belief, either I have bad taste or many of your like trash shows. This series has got it all, bad filming, bad acting bad, script and bad music. The episodes are so far fetched that this should be listed under crime and fantasy and if boring was a genre then you would find it under that. No cops I mean no cops are that corrupted in the nine episodes of the first season I saw cops, watching live child porn shows stealing drugs, shooting innocent people, planting evidence, beating a hooker to a pulp to help cover a murder and copulating with prostitutes. Now if that isn't good enough reasons not to watch this show then you must really like perverted shows such as this, which is why its should be under the fantasy genre, no where but in a banana republic do police act this way.

Sure some of the things could happen but in that much in nine episodes I think not, this show is aired out of spite for police and fueled by viewers who see police in this way. Yes it's fiction, plain bad fiction at that to bad there is no 0 rating because that is what this gets maybe even -1

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14 out of 34 people found the following comment useful :-
A great show, perhaps not for everyone, 28 July 2009

Author: Bart from Belgium

Why do people complain about this series? Because it has a shaky cam??? The "shaky cam" gives us, in my opinion, some sort of observator point of view. Perhaps it's not worked out perfectly, but it's a nice change...

This show offers more than just a story about a police station; it gives drama, crime, action and even a little comedic relief...

It's also nice to see Vic doing his job on the street, having his connections and squeezing out all the information he can in 'his way".

This is really a great show, and I'd recommend to give it a try, if you can get your hands on the DVD or if a TV station would do reruns...

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63 out of 133 people found the following comment useful :-
Amazing, 14 March 2005

Author: Mattias Petersson from Stockholm, Sweden

I began watching "The Shield" mostly because of a coincidence. The Swedish movie channel "Canal+" usually rerun their shows 2-3 episodes at a time on Sundays. And it was one of those times, a Sunday with heavy snowfall and nothing to do, that i sat down and watched three episodes in a row. And instantly i was hooked.

The thing that surprised me most about "The Shield" is the way that it's hugely exaggerated while at the same time feeling very realistic. The documentary style in which the series is filmed, as well as the solid acting of course contributes to this feeling. And to me it feels like a series that manages to seem realistic, no matter how unrealistic the events in the plot, is truly great TV. That it doesn't shun away from harsh themes or sensitive and sometimes even grotesque subjects only increases my respect for the script-writers and makers of this show.

The characters are also mostly very interesting. I have already mentioned the actors, and i must stress again how well the casting is done here. This also adds to the characters that are portrayed admirably throughout.

And one thing i know for certain. Watching Vic Mackey and the other more or less corrupt cops in "The Barn" balancing on the border (and sometimes slipping across it) has made shows like NYPD Blue feeling forever redundant. This is THE cop show to watch.

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