'No Ordinary Family' review: The not-quite Incredibles

I saw the sneak preview that abc put out a month ago, and although there seems to be potential (mainly from having Julie Benz, M. Chiklis, and their aforementioned "sidekicks" and the chemistry that they all have), I thought that the pilot was weak. I know that the show is trying to be different by also being a family "rediscovering each other" show, but it was the family part that was the weakest plot. The part that I saw didn't make me feel sympathetic with any of the characters in this environment. And as far as the superhero/powers part... well, I know that this genre requires some suspension of disbelief, but there were some common sense questions/details that seemed to be ignored and bothered me. Most notably (spoiler alert)
As mentioned before when JB's mom is in superfast mode, why her clothes don't rip and why her shoes don't catch on fire due to friction. Also it really bugged me when MC's dad is testing his abilities in broad daylight in the middle of downtown that no one notices him (or hears him) not even any cameras... No disguise of any kind? Also his clothes (his shoes in particular seem to be indestructible as well ... you'll know what I mean when you see the pilot). Again, there's potential here, but they need to tighten up the writing for it to be satisfying for me.

Forgive me for starting with this, but I am coming to the end of a long ordeal brought on by ****** cancer. I am fine, the cancer is gone, and the ordeal was mostly from chemo and the numerous reconstructive surgeries. Every time I have a surgery, the anesthesia and the pain pills send me into a deep depression that is TERRIBLE. I have recently had my sixth surgery in a little over a year. And along with the surgeries comes a certain amount of isolation since I live alone, and a great deal of sitting here wishing I could get up and do the things I need to do, and not being able to do them, which is depressing in itself. I do not mention this so that anyone will pity me, as I said, I am fine, and soon this will all be done and I will have my life back. I say it just to illustrate what kind of frame of mind I am in right now. I watched No Ordinary Family and I want the writers and the network and everyone involved to know that I felt good the whole time I watched. I LOVED it!!!! It was a wonderful relief! I don't care if I have to suspend disbelief. I like to suspend disbelief! I don't care if the mom's shoes should have caught on fire or if the dad's clothes should not have endured the things he put them through. I mean, the most unbelievable part of the whole thing is that these people have these superhuman powers in the first place. The point of watching movies and television is to provide an escape from reality for the viewer. No Ordinary Family provided that for me, no question! I enjoyed everything about it. I don't even want to analyze why I enjoyed it and why it made me feel good. I just want to like it. And I do! I will be watching it every week.

This show was completely horrible. I had high hopes but the writing was hokey and dialogue even worse.

You gotta love the fact that Michael Chiklis is still a tough guy fighting crime, getting shot, hanging around a police station, still a man totally devoted to his family. All the things we have loved to see in him. I still find it hard to see him and not wonder if he's gonna beat a guy with a chain or shoot his buddy in the face but I think this role fits him well. He is after all The Thing. Hey Jim SWEET BUTTER!!!

i like how original the casting is. The thing as Mr. Incredible, I mean Michael Chiklis, is a cop this time. He has a slender love interest unlike the other family sit coms. It's so original my tooth hurts. I mean, they got their powers in an accident... And somehow he got strength. Who would've thought it...

I mean you'd expect him to be the math wiz or really fast.

I like the show. It is entertaining and a nice suspension of disbelief! I will be watching, although on tape (sorry, I am addicted to my VCRs) because it conflicts with other things I watch/tape. Yes, I have 3 VCRs going at once and can also do 4 when necessary, and we don't even have cable or dish - just lots of conversion boxes.

I absolutely LOVE this show! It is incredible! Light and fun and well written and the acting is great! I LOVE that it is fun and interesting! Extremely fresh! I hope it is on for years!

I love this show. and the soundtrack? done even get me started on how amazing it is!

If you like superheroes or superpowers, i recommend this show!

There have been a lot of comments on other boards comparing Jim Powell with the Hulk.

No comparison. The Hulk wins.

Jim Powell can jump a quarter of a mile. The Hulk can leap into orbit.

The Hulk can survive a nuclear blast. High powered rifle bullets can pierce Jim Powell's skin.

How can anyone possibly think Jim Powell is better?

@ Robert Kent: Ahh lets see the Hulk is a mutant that only reacts to anger and only when Dr. Bruce Banner is extremly pissed off do we see Lou Ferrigno spring into action. He may be stronger he may be able to jump higher but no way is he better. Jim Powell is a super hero the Hulk is a mutant beast. Nuff said.