Writers: Josh Schwartz & Chris Fedak
Director: McGCast: Zachary Levi (Chuck Bartowski), Adam Baldwin (Major John Casey), Yvonne Strzechowski (Sarah Kent), Sarah Lancaster (Ellie Bartowski), Natalie Martinez (Kayla Hart), Joshua Gomez (Morgan Pace), Ryan McPartlin (Captain), Julia Ling (Anna Wu), Vik Sahay (Lester), Mieko Hillman (Young Woman #2), Kristine Blackport (Young Woman #3), Don Abernathy (Traveler), Diana Gitelman (Young Woman #1), C.S. Lee (Harry Tang), Mel Fair (Newscaster), Scott Krinsky (Jeff), Bonita Friedericy (General Beckman), Matthew Bomer (Bryce Larkin), Bruno Amato (Security Agent), Mark Christopher Lawrence (Big Mike) & Nicolas Pajon (Ominous Customer)
An amiable computer geek unwittingly downloads all the US government's secrets into his brain..."I may have to aim my gun at you; so don't freak out."
-- Sarah (Yvonne Strzechowski)
Chuck is a light, high-concept comedy that plays to its target audience of geeks -- by way of fantasy wish-fulfillment, sexy female agents in their knickers and a Bourne-style car crash. Computer nerd Chuck (Zachary Levi) accidentally receives an e-mail from former university roommate Bryce (Matthew Bomer) that subliminally encodes all the US government's secrets into his mind.
It's not long before two factions of the government are in hot pursuit of hapless Chuck; from gorgeous CIA Agent Sarah Kent (Yvonne Strzechowski) to sinister NSA operative Major Casey (Adam Baldwin). Chuck becomes a fish-out-of-water, as his slacker lifestyle spent hanging out with best friend Morgan (Joshua Gomez) collides with the world of espionage.
Unfortunately, we've seen variations of the ordinary geek in extraordinary situations many times before, and it's become a cliche in recent years. I think Shaun Of The Dead started it. Chuck also has stark similarities to cancelled series Jake 2.0, meaning it feels like another weak remix on an old idea. For a comedy, there are very few laughs in the Pilot, although a moment of physical comedy with a ninja raises some smiles. The show has a fun temperament that never boils over into hearty laughs.
Courtesy of director McG (Charlie's Angels), the Pilot is certainly stylish and visually gleaming, with a number of memorable sequences to its credit: from an early freerunning stunt, to a humorous dance sequence and a spark car chase near the end. Everything has a rich, slick style that works well.
The lead actors are also engaging to watch. Zachary Levi is suitably baffled and amiable as the eponymous nerd; Adam Baldwin gives his patented intense performance as Major Casey; Yvonne Strzechowski is personable and attractive as ass-kicking Sarah, also sharing a believable chemistry with Chuck; Sarah Lancaster makes a good impression as Chuck's caring, yet implausibly sexy, older sister Ellie; while Joshua Gomez has a few nice scenes as Chuck's friend Morgan, although he's pushed into the background more than you'd expect.
The script, by Josh Schwartz and Chris Fedak, does a decent job of introducing the characters and selling the premise, although the actual meat of the story meanders in the middle and the actual "mission" is a little hazy at times. But you can forgive the underwritten plot, as it's more important we become accustomed to the characters and concept.
But, while Chuck gets its visuals and performances right, it falls down when it comes to the comedy. It's amusing at times, but it just didn't have enough spark and belly-laughs. I'm also not convinced the concept will be interesting to see unfold for numerous episodes...
Chuck's newfound "ability" basically involves him having vague ideas or hunches about people/places/vehicles that he sees -- displayed as a sequence of overlaid "data bursts" in his mind. This could become a lazy crutch for the writers, with Chuck becoming little more than a CIA information sniffer dog. Also, the quicker Chuck reveals his new dual-life to some people, the better -- as I'm fed up with heroes keeping their lifestyles a secret.
Overall, Chuck has its moments, but it's more successful with its action sequences than tickling the funnybone -- and not every episode will have McG at the helm. The actors all look perfectly cast, the target audience of geeks should enjoy watching this "fantasy", and there are welcome scenes of Yvonne Strzechowski in skimpy underwear.
I just have a suspicion Chuck's concept won't stretch for many episodes before fatigue sets in. Unlike similar shows, such as Jake 2.0, Reaper or Bionic Woman, Chuck's "powers" are all cerebral, making him quite an ineffectual hero. He could develop physical skills and prowess after some CIA training (which will be fun to see), but what makes him "special" just seems restrictive for an ongoing series.
The Pilot was enjoyable, but forgettable. The characters were likable and there were some well-choreographed action scenes, but for a comedy... Chuck didn't make me chuckle.
24 September 2007
NBC, 8/7c pm
