--- title: "Brooklyn Nine-Nine: the reviews" canonical: "https://film.one/tv/brooklyn-nine-nine/reviews" title_page: "https://film.one/tv/brooklyn-nine-nine" critics_score: 75 critics_reviews: 7 licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL." --- # Brooklyn Nine-Nine (2013): what the critics said Critics' score 75 from 7 reviews: 6 positive, 1 mixed, 0 negative. Most critics like it, and the praise clusters in one place: Andre Braugher as Captain Holt. Nearly every review names his deadpan captain as the show’s most reliable source of laughs, and several argue that his pairing with Andy Samberg’s joking detective is the engine of the whole thing. Beyond that, the reviews agree on a strong, well-matched ensemble and an easy, low-stakes workplace tone that sits comfortably alongside heavier cop dramas. The reservations are about the writing rather than the cast. Paste finds the jokes run-of-the-mill and wants a clearer identity than a workplace comedy in a precinct; Collider sees the shape of The Office in it and hopes it grows the way Parks and Recreation did. The one mixed notice, from Variety, thinks the pilot falls between stools, neither wacky nor droll, and doubts a sketch sensibility can stretch to a series. The spread is otherwise narrow, and most treat the pilot as promise rather than proof. ## The Hollywood Reporter — Tim Goodman Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 17 September 2013. The critic calls it one of the funniest comedies in a long time and praises its polished ensemble and tone in breathing life into the cop-comedy genre. The central dynamic between Samberg’s joking detective and Braugher’s straight-laced captain is highlighted as a strength. [Read the review](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-reviews/dads-brooklyn-nine-nine-tv-630746/) ## The AV Club — Erik Adams Rating B+. 16 September 2013. The pilot is a tight, funny introduction to the ensemble at a Brooklyn precinct, with strong chemistry and Andre Braugher's Captain Holt as the standout counterbalance to Andy Samberg's antics. [Read the review](https://www.avclub.com/brooklyn-nine-nine-1798177945) ## The Guardian Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 28 March 2014. The critic finds the US sitcom an easy-to-like, low-stakes workplace comedy set in a Brooklyn police precinct that stands out amid heavier cop dramas. They single out Andre Braugher’s deadpan performance as Captain Holt as the show’s most reliable source of laughs. [Read the review](https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/tvandradioblog/2014/mar/28/have-you-been-watching-brooklyn-nine-nine-e4-review) ## Vulture — Matt Zoller Seitz Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 17 September 2013. The series is a lighthearted riff on cop shows and workplace comedies that succeeds thanks to its cast, especially Andre Braugher as the no-nonsense Captain Holt, and shows strong potential as an ensemble piece. [Read the review](https://www.vulture.com/2013/09/tv-review-brooklyn-nine-nine.html) ## Variety Fi1m's normalised score 50/100 (inferred from the text). 11 September 2013. The critic finds the pilot so-so and occupying a comedic no-man’s land, neither as wacky as Police Squad nor as droll as Barney Miller. It has some amusing moments and an appealing cast but demonstrates the limits of extending an SNL digital-short style to a full series. [Read the review](https://variety.com/2013/tv/reviews/brooklyn-nine-nine-tv-review-1200605009/) ## Collider — Allison Keene Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 17 September 2013. The critic notes that while comedy pilots are often weak, this one has enough funny moments and potential to warrant watching a few episodes, hoping it develops like Parks and Rec. Praises the cast and writers but notes it's similar to The Office. [Read the review](https://collider.com/brooklyn-nine-nine-premiere-review/) ## Paste — Aaron Channon Rating 7.0. 18 September 2013. The pilot succeeds due to its strong cast and characters' interactions, though the jokes are run-of-the-mill and the show needs to develop a clearer identity beyond workplace comedy in a police setting. Praises the charm of the characters. [Read the review](https://www.pastemagazine.com/tv/brooklyn-nine-nine/brooklyn-nine-nine-review-pilot-episode-101) --- © Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Our review: https://film.one/tv/brooklyn-nine-nine.md