Just after he is released from prison after 25 years, New York mafia capo Dwight “The General” Manfredi is unceremoniously exiled by his boss to set up shop in Tulsa, Okla. Realizing that his mob family may not have his best interests in mind, Dwight slowly builds a “crew” from a group of unlikely characters, to help him establish a new criminal empire in a place that to him might as well be another planet.
I have to confess I stumbled across this, quite by chance. I don't watch a lot of US entertainment these days. I did however, grow up watching my share of Stallone action films, so a dash of nostalgia and curiosity, drew me in.
There's nothing terribly original by now about the plot of Tulsa King. Its Mafia style antics are noting new. I think it was a smart move, playing this as a dark comedy. It fits the well worn character, Stallone, inhabits.
That said, I guess the key question is, is it entertaining? I'd say "sort of". I like seeing Stallone back on the small screen. Regrettably, thus far and I appreciate its early days, the story is a little basic. Even for a comedy, it stretches credulity at times and lacks an intelligent wit and charm, that would have rendered it, more appealing.
In summary, Stallone's star power will probably draw people in but will viewers keep watching? Unless it ups the stakes, by crafting a more witty, clever tale of a long in tooth mobster, I for one, have my reservations.