No Ordinary Family
ABC | Release Date: September 28, 2010
CRITIC SCORE DISTRIBUTION
65
METASCORE
Generally favorable reviews based on 28 Critic Reviews
Positive:
18
Mixed:
10
Negative:
0
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Critic Reviews

Critic scorePublicationBy date
60
VarietyBrian Lowry
Season 1 Review: So is it super? Not yet. But there's enough spinning around these extraordinary visitors to at least provoke a second visit. Read full review
60
Under The RadarKyle Lemmon
Season 1 Review: The Powells' snarky dialogue can be a bit annoying, but executive producer Greg Berlanti (Brothers & Sisters) cares for the family dynamics. Even the special effects are commendable. Some of the acting and line delivery can be a bit hokey, but that comes with the comic book-esque material. Read full review
60
Philadelphia Daily NewsEllen Gray
Season 1 Review: Maybe there are superheroes who specialize in improving organic-farming methods or eradicating bedbugs, but they probably won't be getting network shows any time soon. Shows that parents might be willing to watch with their kids--and kids with their parents--remain few and far between, so it's too bad that the so far ordinary but at least well-meaning No Ordinary Family is facing off this fall against the phenomenon that is Fox's "Glee." Read full review
60
HitfixAlan Sepinwall
Season 1 Review: As a show about average people who become superheroes, No Ordinary Family is very promising. It's the "Family" part of the title where the series has problems. Read full review
60
The New York TimesAlessandra Stanley
Season 1 Review: They each have a glorious, fearsome secret, and can truly confide only in one another. But it's not clear whether this series--a hybrid of family drama and graphic novel--can sustain interest once the premise is fully established. Read full review
50
NewsdayVerne Gay
Season 1 Review: Family is a trifle--part comic book, part kids' show--that is perfectly pleasant but without edge, bite or dramatic heft. With Chiklis aboard, it's like witnessing a concert pianist execute an elaborate version of "Chopsticks." Read full review
40
Pittsburgh Post-GazetteRob Owen
Season 1 Review: The show's premise has enormous potential--it's essentially a live-action version of "The Incredibles," about a family that gains superpowers--but Tuesday's premiere disappoints with its slow-moving plot and whiny characters. Read full review
40
SlateTroy Patterson
Season 1 Review: Though No Ordinary Family bears many hallmarks of an interesting failure, it falls slightly short of the distinction on account of its resistance to being consistently interesting. Read full review
40
New York Daily NewsDavid Hinckley
Season 1 Review: To put it bluntly, it's more fun to watch some guy pick up a car than to hear him contemplate its impact on his family. Read full review
40
The Huffington PostMaureen Ryan
Season 1 Review: Again and again, the show takes what should be subtext and turned it into stilted dialogue that grows repetitive very quickly. Read full review
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