Columbo and the Murder of a Rock Star is nowhere near among the best of the series(Try and Catch Me, Forgotten Lady, By Dawn's Early Light, Any Old Port in A Storm, Death Lends a Hand) or even one of the best of the newer episodes(Ashes to Ashes, A Bird in the Hand, Agenda for Murder, Death Hits the Jackpot), but I have seen far worse too(No Time to Die, Murder in Malibu, Last Salute to the Commodore, Grand Deceptions, Dead Weight).
I will admit I was disappointed in Columbo and the Murder of a Rock Star. The script and story certainly do have their moments, but they are also problematic. The script has moments of cleverness and wit, especially in the priceless restaurant scene, but there are also moments where the tension seemed to be lacking and where the humour tried a little too hard and coming across as overdone instead. The story is a good idea and there are parts where it is diverting, but while there are scenes that are paced perfectly there are others that are sluggishly so. And as outlined in previous reviews(though I did like the episode more than they did) the overall story is not always very plausible, although I understand it much more now since the previous viewing where I was completely perplexed, I also don't buy the whole thing with the mask.
However, it is beautifully filmed and directed with some striking locations, and the music is both atmospheric and driven and not too twee. The acting from the leads is great, Peter Falk continues to embody the role, and Dabney Coleman while not among my favourite guest stars of the series is very enjoyable and interacts with Falk very well. Their scenes together are the best of the entire episode and both make the most of them. Shera Danese is solid in her role and Little Richard is a hoot even with his screen time, but the rest of the support cast while not bad at all also don't stand out in the same way.
Overall, not bad but something was lacking for me. 7/10 Bethany Cox.
I will admit I was disappointed in Columbo and the Murder of a Rock Star. The script and story certainly do have their moments, but they are also problematic. The script has moments of cleverness and wit, especially in the priceless restaurant scene, but there are also moments where the tension seemed to be lacking and where the humour tried a little too hard and coming across as overdone instead. The story is a good idea and there are parts where it is diverting, but while there are scenes that are paced perfectly there are others that are sluggishly so. And as outlined in previous reviews(though I did like the episode more than they did) the overall story is not always very plausible, although I understand it much more now since the previous viewing where I was completely perplexed, I also don't buy the whole thing with the mask.
However, it is beautifully filmed and directed with some striking locations, and the music is both atmospheric and driven and not too twee. The acting from the leads is great, Peter Falk continues to embody the role, and Dabney Coleman while not among my favourite guest stars of the series is very enjoyable and interacts with Falk very well. Their scenes together are the best of the entire episode and both make the most of them. Shera Danese is solid in her role and Little Richard is a hoot even with his screen time, but the rest of the support cast while not bad at all also don't stand out in the same way.
Overall, not bad but something was lacking for me. 7/10 Bethany Cox.