13 reviews
I don't think anyone would ever accuse 'LA Heat' of being a dark, emotional cop drama on the calibre of 'Law and Order' but that doesn't make it any less enjoyable. The series centred on LA detectives August Brooks and Chase McDonald as they track down criminals resulting in many car chases and shoot outs.
The show relies very much on a 'Lethal Weapon' formula where Brooks is the older, black cop who is more mature and laid back while McDonald is the young, reckless white cop whose over-energetic ways often requiring reining in by his veteran partner. The two leads, Steven Williams as Brooks and Wolf Larson as McDonald, have a great rapport and portray their characters in a likable manner.
'LA Heat' often does pushes the boundaries of realism with the number of car chases, shootings and explosions shown every episodes but that's what makes it fun. It doesn't pretend to be deep and dark and instead revels in light-hearted action, excitement and humour. Definitely a must for fans of 'Lethal Weapon' and 'Bad Boys'.
The show relies very much on a 'Lethal Weapon' formula where Brooks is the older, black cop who is more mature and laid back while McDonald is the young, reckless white cop whose over-energetic ways often requiring reining in by his veteran partner. The two leads, Steven Williams as Brooks and Wolf Larson as McDonald, have a great rapport and portray their characters in a likable manner.
'LA Heat' often does pushes the boundaries of realism with the number of car chases, shootings and explosions shown every episodes but that's what makes it fun. It doesn't pretend to be deep and dark and instead revels in light-hearted action, excitement and humour. Definitely a must for fans of 'Lethal Weapon' and 'Bad Boys'.
- cosmic_quest
- Aug 25, 2006
- Permalink
I have been a mood to watch 90's shows. Recently Silk Stalking which I loved. This past month Tarzan from early 90's. That's where I discovered Wolf Larson as Tarzan running about saving the jungle from pesticides, poachers, gold diggers etc all in only a butt flap. So, I wanted to check him out in L. A Heat, he's obviously wearing the crazy baggy colorful clothes, blazers with shoulder pads etc 90's style. He and Steven Williams make amusing partners. Lots of chemistry. Ya it is like Lethal Weapon. There's so many car crashes and fires and people walk away without a scratch(which is good?)Once August had his harmonica in his pocket which saved his life when he was shot. Anyways, being a woman I would prefer a little more romance. Male partners are great, like White Collar but nothing beats a female and male together. This show is entertaining, Wolf Larson is really cute and fit, Steven Williams is a great actor. But the car crashes are getting old for me...I'll probably watch an episode here and there during the day when I have nothing to do because both actors are fun to watch.
- ilovefreddiem
- Apr 8, 2024
- Permalink
This show reminds me of all of the buddy cop, wild car chase, exploding building movies of the late 80 's and early 90's! Not a heavy story line but lots of action! Reminds me of why I liked the action movies from that era!!
This show combines ever action movie stereotype and compacts it into one hour segments every afternoon, and it's the funniest show on afternoon tv because of it. Every episode is guaranteed to have a car chase and shootout. Witty one liners abound. While it is undeniably low brow entertainment, what else do you want, really? The show will amuse you, unless you are utterly humorless.
"L.A. Heat" is one of my all-time favorite TV shows from the 90's. It has a very interesting and intriguing story line, many intense action scenes, good humor, impressive locations etc. Many people compare this series to the Lethal Weapon franchise. Well, I consider it as a TV version of Lethal Weapon.
The cast did a great job too. Wolf Larson was brilliant as Det. Chester 'Chase' McDonald. Yes, he reminded me of Mel Gibson's Martin Riggs. Believe me, Chase was as great as Riggs. Steven Williams, Renee Tenison, Dawn Eason and Kenneth Tigar were no less impressive.
The main theme is another achievement of this show. Even nowadays it sounds very fresh. BRAVO!! There is only one bad thing about this show - it was canceled! It deserved way more than 2 seasons.
Brilliant but so underrated series!!!
The cast did a great job too. Wolf Larson was brilliant as Det. Chester 'Chase' McDonald. Yes, he reminded me of Mel Gibson's Martin Riggs. Believe me, Chase was as great as Riggs. Steven Williams, Renee Tenison, Dawn Eason and Kenneth Tigar were no less impressive.
The main theme is another achievement of this show. Even nowadays it sounds very fresh. BRAVO!! There is only one bad thing about this show - it was canceled! It deserved way more than 2 seasons.
Brilliant but so underrated series!!!
This television series sizzles, rocks and rolls! I cannot believe the action they cram into an hour episode. Wolf Larsen is a little over the top, but the show is so well written and so funny I don't care what anybody says. It must cost a fortune with all those car chase scenes and major explosions and shoot out scenes. The only time I see stuff like that is in some 100 million dollar action movie. Having lived in L.A. most of my life, I got to say it's a perfect parody almost of L.A. lifestyle, but still has edge and grit and tragedy that makes good drama. I can't believe it didn't get more exposure than on TNT and the writers should have gotten an Emmy for their talents. Some episodes are just an all out hoot and fun to watch. This is the type of series that could air twenty years from now and still be great to watch. It's not all stuck on itself like most prime time dramas and needs more credit than it gets. You can buy the first season on DVD and it's worth every penny!
- jasonfiggs
- Feb 26, 2007
- Permalink
Love this series, but sooo unbelievable. All the car chases and crashes, burning cars, but never any mention of people being hurt. Also while all of this is going on no one walking around, no other cops out and about. Never getting hurt jumping from buildings. Why did wolf Larsen have top billing?? Never heard of him before this. Steven William is a much better actor. He probably wishes he never did this mess.
- valstone52
- Feb 4, 2021
- Permalink
Among all those who try to imitate the high-octane action and
humor of the "Lethal Weapon" films, by far the afternoon-TV cop
drama "L.A. Heat" is the most successful. This show is almost a
carbon copy of the hit movies that starred Mel Gibson and Danny
Glover, because "L.A. Heat" is practically using the same
characteristc format. You have two cops, black and white,
ridding the city of Los Angeles of crime. The white cop is wacky
and cool, while his African-American partner is more laid-back
and careful in their jobs.
Even though this show can be terribly cliched, "L.A. Heat"
stands out as a really good show thanks to the rapid-fire action
and the excellent chemistry between the two leads, played by
Wolf Larson and Steven Williams. This show has so much
explosions, car chases, and shoot-outs, it almost gives "Lethal
Weapon" a run for its money, almost as if the original has been
undone by the carbon copy. A discriminating viewer might
consider "L.A. Heat" to be a bit hokey because of the many
outrageous action sequences (cars flying up to 30ft in the air
after a collision, a whole building blowing up to smithereens).
Reality basically has no call in this show, compared to other
cop dramas like "NYPD Blue" or "Homicide," where outrageous
occurences barely happen in those shows! So, if you're in the
mood for good, mindless fun regarding a couple of cool cops,
"L.A. He
humor of the "Lethal Weapon" films, by far the afternoon-TV cop
drama "L.A. Heat" is the most successful. This show is almost a
carbon copy of the hit movies that starred Mel Gibson and Danny
Glover, because "L.A. Heat" is practically using the same
characteristc format. You have two cops, black and white,
ridding the city of Los Angeles of crime. The white cop is wacky
and cool, while his African-American partner is more laid-back
and careful in their jobs.
Even though this show can be terribly cliched, "L.A. Heat"
stands out as a really good show thanks to the rapid-fire action
and the excellent chemistry between the two leads, played by
Wolf Larson and Steven Williams. This show has so much
explosions, car chases, and shoot-outs, it almost gives "Lethal
Weapon" a run for its money, almost as if the original has been
undone by the carbon copy. A discriminating viewer might
consider "L.A. Heat" to be a bit hokey because of the many
outrageous action sequences (cars flying up to 30ft in the air
after a collision, a whole building blowing up to smithereens).
Reality basically has no call in this show, compared to other
cop dramas like "NYPD Blue" or "Homicide," where outrageous
occurences barely happen in those shows! So, if you're in the
mood for good, mindless fun regarding a couple of cool cops,
"L.A. He
"L.A. Heat" is the most action-packed television series, and the most enjoyable of all not-too-realistic series, I've ever seen. Each episode is full of feature film-quality stunts. I've never seen so many cars flipped, rolled, or blown up on one series! This puts all other cop/detective shows to shame (in terms of adrenaline). Wolf Larson and Steven Williams are dynamite together, and I'd love to see a feature film version. Enjoy!
TV cop dramas don't get cooler or wackier than this. "L.A. Heat" makes a great carbon copy for "Lethal Weapon" and "Miami Vice". They got all the trimmings for a typical cop show: two cops, black and white, a funny chemistry between them, great action sequences, a bossy, loudmouth captain (Kenneth Tigar) and the cops' hot lovers (Dawn Radenbaugh and Renee Tenison). Wolf Larson makes a cool cross between Sonny Crockett and Martin Riggs as Chase McDonald, being crazy and stylish at the same time, while Steven Williams is August Brooks, the calm, methodical partner; a more of a smooth Rodger Murtaugh!! Together, they clean up the usual trash that lurks in the fine streets of L.A., chasing down drug dealers, serial killers, mobsters, punks; you name it, Chase and August had busted them down!
Brilliant show. Excellent cast. The best show of it's kind on tv. The imaginative stories combined with the high standard of acting and production make this series stand out in a class of it's own. It helps of course that Wolf Larson and Stephen Williams are so talented in all ways.
Admittedly most cop shows are unoriginal, but this one seemed like a parody of a cop show - and not the good kind of parody a la "Police Squad!" but one with all the cliches present and correct and trotted out like new. Black cop/white cop, one by-the-book and one wild and crazy, obligatory cute girlfriends, police captain one step away from lunacy thanks to their antics... it's all here, and it's all mind-rotting.
Even the title - "L.A. Heat" - sounds like the kind of bad cop show people in TV shows or movies either watch or see being filmed. Steven Williams should have stuck with "The X-Files" or "21 Jump Street"; this is right down there with "T.J. Hooker" and "Dempsey and Makepeace" in the ranks of Cop Shows That Should Never Have Been Made.
Even the title - "L.A. Heat" - sounds like the kind of bad cop show people in TV shows or movies either watch or see being filmed. Steven Williams should have stuck with "The X-Files" or "21 Jump Street"; this is right down there with "T.J. Hooker" and "Dempsey and Makepeace" in the ranks of Cop Shows That Should Never Have Been Made.
- Victor Field
- Jul 2, 2001
- Permalink