User reviews

I can't believe that "Kingpin" is getting thumped in the ratings by the usual sludge that nets like Fox dumb us down with every night. I think "Kingpin" is simply too hip and too ethnic for the masses. Well, it's their loss. I think the show is riveting, intriguing and I'm really looking forward to the next episode, but I am disappointed that "Kingpin" is just a six episode miniseries as opposed to twelve or more. BTW, Marlene is somewhat of a babe, but I wish she'd quit giving Miguel advice because he is obviously the most cerebral and wise of all those competing for domination of the cartel. Since NBC owns Bravo now, maybe they'll continue new eps. of "Kingpin" on Bravo next season if the ratings merit it. That would definitely bring some life to a network that most certainly needs it.

Mark

this show has been type-casted as the Sopranos on daytime TV. But i think this show is as good or if not better than the Sopranos. Kingpin is much more stylish with the camera and music then the Sopranos is and Kingpin hardly eases up there is constant action going on on screen. This show was made to be aired on Cable for the drug and violent content and i do believe this show could of beat out the Sopranos if it was made into a regular T.V. series and if it wasn't so restricted on content, overall if you like the Sopranos then you are more than likely love kingpin and even if you don't like the Sopranos you should give it a try for the massive amount of raw energy put in this TV Show.

As a fan of "The Sopranos," I was perhaps a little reluctant to watch "Kingpin," since I felt that nothing could really surpass "The Sopranos" in my affections. Nonetheless, a friend had bought me the miniseries DVD for my birthday, so with no other excuse at hand, I watched it.

And I loved it. There are only six episodes, each an hour long, but it took me only 'til about the second before I was hooked. The acting is excellent, and I'm left wondering why I haven't heard of or seen these actors before. Each character was sympathetic and interesting; even the ones you're probably "supposed" to hate, and it was difficult deciding who exactly to root for. I especially liked the relationship between Miguel and his brother, Chato -- one of trust and closeness instead of the deceit and backstabbing that's all too common in shows along the same lines.

Agent Flores and Miguel's wife, Marlene, were also both very appealing, as strong, independent female characters who have their own complexities and motivations, rather than being overshadowed by the male characters. And I can't forget the particularly comic relationship between the doctor played by Benben, and his "thug" friend, Junie. The show provided a number of unexpected and unique twists on an old theme.

Unfortunately, for whatever reason, the show never took off. Maybe it was too expensive to produce, maybe it didn't get enough support from NBC, or maybe (and I hope this isn't the case), it slipped because it was not a predominantly white cast; most of the characters were Hispanic/Latino. That seems a particular shame, if it is the reason "Kingpin" never succeeded, since its cast was truly talented and I would have liked to see some of those actors get a definite career boost.

Still, at least it's available to rent, and I highly recommend giving it a shot. Even if you're a hardcore "Sopranos" lover, like I am, don't let the comparison deter you! They're similar in that they're about criminal families, but they each have a very different feel and flavor, and you'll only be robbing yourself of something new to enjoy.

I just wish there were /more/ of it to enjoy!

This show was the best show on tv. Too bad NBC didn't have the guts to keep it on tv. The show was great. The actors did an excellent job. The writers for the show came up with someone to keep you wanting to watch tv. This show is better than Sopranos. Yes it is a little edgy for network tv, but with the time slot that it was on made it ok. For the network tv they cut a lot out of the show that is shown on the DVD set. The DVD set shows how the producers wanted the show to be. Hopefully HBO will pick this show up and air it. Then it will have a network that won't be afraid to show it. For anyone that likes the Sopranos or Godfather will love this show and I highly recommend it. Miguel is cool and smart while Chato takes care of the dirty work.

I was surprised to read on Wikipedia that the show was cancelled just after 6 episodes. I wasn't too excited about watching it but from the first episode I managed to continue all 6 within the entire night.

I'm unhappy about the fact that it was underrated, but I got a good taste and sense of how Mexican cartels think and act just by seeing this show.

Viewers also see how the various operations across the continent is affected by the decisions of one organization; it was very unexpected to see in this show.

However, I hope in the near future they would continue filming this show for a continual and I'm sure it would succeed no matter what.

This is a hoot -- a Mexican drug family with few redeeming qualities, corrupt politicians, and fumbling DEA officers. If there's one problem it's that there's almost too much going on -- were it a series, the action would take longer to play out. Picture it as a drug cartel family soap opera. The first episode alone was hilarious --a wacko cousin of the Kingpin doesn't like it when Kingpin's wife shoots her mouth off, so he plans to tear off her blouse and whip her! And this is when he isn't feeding the body parts of his victims to his pet tiger! Needless to say, he gets it in the end because he's a threat to the family business. But there are lots of other nutso people running around, causing trouble. The only weak spot is Brian Benben as a plastic surgeon/drug dealer who's too goofy to take seriously. Overall, though, the whole thing is murder, mayhem and kitsch with a unique latin flair.

After years of only finding good dramas on HBO and Showtime, I'm finally watching network TV and enjoying it thanks to this show. The show is both well written and acted. Sheryl Lee is a pleasant surprise - I think I've only seen her before as Laura Palmer on Twin Peaks and had no idea she was so talented. Brian Benben's morally conflicted plastic surgeon is equally intriguing. This is one miniseries that definitely needs to return for a full season!

I originally watched this on NBC when it aired. The more 'R' rated is slightly better.

It's sort of a Mexican version of The Sopranos. If you like that sort of thing you'll probably like this as well.

I have to say that for network TV it's as good as it gets. I think it's problem was that it was too far ahead of it's time. It was certainly ahead of anything else at the time on 'network' in terms of complexity and realism. The proof is that the DVD holds up very well and in fact, with the state of things in Mexico, seems even more relevant now.

I cannot for the -life- of me understand why this didn't have a good long run... except that, again, I think the US wasn't ready for it. I think if it had been made today, on HBO, it would do great.

I took it down 1 because you may sense some 'Network TV' flavor, but that's only if you're expecting something as truly gritty as Breaking Bad... which is almost 20 years after.

To this day, the portrayals of Mexicans in various roles hasn't been approached. These are some of the most memorable characters I have ever seen on TV.

I also want to praise the music editor. The music selections were -miles- ahead of the competition. For a lot of people, Kingpin was their introduction to some a wide variety of great artists such as Leila Downes.

I watched nearly all of Kingpin and found it OK. Not great, not terrible, just OK. Comparing anything on TV to The Sopranos is like comparing my daughter's 7th grade themes to John Steinbeck or E.B. White. Migi and Marelene could be interesting character ala Tony and Carmela. There is built in tension with their Mexican and American ethnicity, their lust for power but desire to be "respectable," etc. But these character lack the depth and humanity that the bad guys (and girls) have on The Sopranos. Paulie Walnuts on The Sopranos is a thug but an interesting and funny sort of thug who has mother issues. Chato Cadena is just a thug. That, in my opinion, is the biggest difference in the shows.

I watched ever episode and loved it. I love "Mafia" theme shows and movies. It was more realistic than most people would realize. I loved the cast choices. I think it had lots of potential for a series on TV. We need a primetime "Mafia" series again that is broadcasted on NBC, CBS, FOX or ABC (not HBO).

As you may know, HBO is replaying "The Sopranos" in its entirety (years one through four)at the rate of one episode per week each Sunday evening. Sunday, February 9th, marked the second episode of year one and in the most timely fashion, Yancey Arias (Miguel of "Kingpin" fame) makes a brief appearance as a gay car thief (Arnaz). He almost took a bullet, but was spared the indignation so he could star another day, apparently.

After having enjoyed the first two episodes of "Kingpin," I was a bit disappointed in the third installment of the series, although it had its moments, the canine shootings not being among them. Unbelievably, at least to me, "Kingpin" finished third in its timeslot, as it appears that the networks can continue to feed the masses predictably lame, tired and predictable programming and the herd will flock to it as if it were Aunt Bea's homemade apple pie. I'm expecting a very compelling fourth edition on Feb 11, which will serve as set up for the home stretch next week. If the last three episode are real strong, I think viewers will have found memories of "Kingpin," although daring to be different is not a guarantee of everlasting popularity.

well i live in the the area that parts of this show was filmed and i have seen how the drug world works....For some reason people think that this is bad.... wel the styriotypeing is not ,wel to me, styriotyping.... if seen people deal drugs and i have seen how thing go when something goes wrong..... and if some people that are hispanic and take offence with it then don't watch it. i don't see any itallien people getting upset because they are being steriotyped by the sopranos... i thought that this show was very accurate, but a little to graphic. but you know life is a little to graphic. you will see things in life that you wish you could have never scene.... but hey thats life.... but i hope that this shows comes back for another sesion...if thier are any mistakes then sorry but im only 17 and suck at spelling.

I really liked this show, I even bought the whole set on dvd I liked it so much. I think it was just as good, if not better than the sopranos,and it had a lot of twists and it was not predictable at all. Overall, I think this is one of the best shows I've ever watched.

I don't normally watch regular TV. Most of it, to me is boring and mundane. Besides, between digital cable, VHS and DVD rental possibilities and regular movies in theaters, why waste time with stuff full of advertisements and, for the most part, dumbed down? But as a fan of the Sopranos,I thought I would look at a ripoff of that show, for at least one episode. I wasn't sure then if I liked it, but watched the next couple of episodes, and by then I was hooked. It may be like the Sopranos in that it is about a modern crime family, but except for that is quite different.

Kingpin is well written, well acted, and unlike most movies or series, actually causes you to think about it after you've watched it. I certainly hope NBC picks it up as a regular series.

Trash ! NBC has fallen to new lows....what garbage can did they find this in ?? No plot, no story, you can't understand the words spoken, no character development, just another day on TV...............

Have a nice day...................

I gotta to say I'm very impressed with this mini-series. I never knew there was a mini-series but I borrowed a DVD series from a friend of mine. When my girlfriend and I watched it, it was very packed with tension moments and action! My girlfriend happens to be a Mexican and it's another insight for me to see what kind of a life in Mexico could be like. She and I always talked about each series before beginning another one, about what it would happen next. Half the time we'd get it right but each time we were right, two things would go into a completely different direction. This is a very good series! I've got to say, THIS IS A MINI-SERIES TO SEE!!! A must have DVD mini-series!!!! I want to see this on a network program! The last DVD at the end left me hanging and wanting more!!

David Mills has given us a fascinating look into a world that's completely unknown to most of us. He's filled this world with interesting, multi-layered characters. Yancey Arias' portrayal of Miguel Cadena is compelling and I truly believe that the character of Miguel has the potential to be one of the most memorable television characters ever created. I, particularly, like the strong female characters portrayed by Angela Alvarado Rosa and Sheryl Lee. Alvarado-Rosa's 'Delia Flores' is smart, dedicated and tough; a worthy adversary for Miguel. Marlene is equally smart, tough and determined to retain her current lifestyle. She's no Carmella Soprano. Not only is she fully aware of every aspect of the business; but as the family lawyer, she is an integral part of it. I sincerely hope this show becomes a regular series. Long may "Kingpin" reign!

I didn't want to watch it, but my husband insisted. I hate "The Sopranos" and all violent films/television. Why did I like this then, you ask? Because this was an exceptional production, and I hope they will do a series. The acting was incredible, big-screen quality. The child who played Cadenas' son was the best child actor I've seen.

Kingpin is an excellent series, it is one of the best ones that I have seen in a long time. This is reality, this is what is happening in the drug world. The actors bring reality to their characters, every single actor plays his/her part very well. I was hoping it would become a regular on TV. Why is it that when there is a great series on TV, possibly a big movie screen version, someone decides to end it. I am 100% positive that a lot of viewers are going to be disappointed when this series ends on Tuesday.

It's been a long time since I've seen such a well enacted and so realistic TV Series.

It seems that the "narcotraficantes", some of whom I would call "NACOtraficantes" are just as real as the ones who vandalize and terrify Mexican life in the border as of today.

It is somehow awkward the mix of English and Spanish and I just wonder if this is the kind of language spoken in the US-Mexican border. I've been to Laredo/Nuevo Laredo once and indeed it seems to be like this.

It is also true that today the blood bath seems to be many times worse than when the movie was filmed.

It's a shame that the series has been shut down.

A friend of mine lent me the three DVDs and I couldn't stop until I saw all the episodes.

This series deserves to become a regular next season or at least a regular mini-series. The great plot points for the family and extended relatives have all been laid out. There was a surprising amount of depth to the episodes, ranging from the thoughtful to the hilarious. One thoughful point was the class snobbery, prevalant in Mexico, played out between the Senator and Miguel Cadenas. There were some laugh out loud moments, from Jacob Vargas' entire character of Ernesto (killed too early) to Dr. Klein's (Brian Benben) realization that he had been mispronouncing Romolo's name all along. "It's not Romuulo, it's Rrrromolo!" The only negative can be that we're asked to root for a drug kingpin. I thought perhaps America was not ready for that, but after seeing the "admirable" qualities of the beloved Sopranos I now ask-Why not?

Network TV trying to compete with HBO or even basic cable like FX. Miguel is the new family 'kingpin' after the previous one dies and the next in line, his son, is killed. He must run the illegal business while trying to keep his 8 year-old son out of it. The FBI are looking to shut his operations down. Meanwhile Brian Benben as a plastic surgeon entangled with the 'family' acts to much like Martin Tupper. Dranny Trejo in a bit part is one of the highlights. Anyone expecting this series that lasted 6 episodes to be a mini-series will be sadly disappointed by the lack of a real ending. And after 6 hours (with commercials, less if you are watching the DVD set) one can't help but feel somewhat ripped off. Especially when it takes a few episodes to really get going. It's not that Kingpin is necessarily bad, just that it's not really all the memorable. The Producer's cut on DVD is peppered with some nudity and cussing.

My Grade: C-