A 'Mod Squad' for the 1990s

Why did MGM bother doing a film version of The Mod Squad, the 1968-73 teen-fave TV series about three 'groovy' undercover crime fighters who don't carry guns? At last week's world premiere in Hollywood, the three young stars argued that the updated story is hip. Omar Epps, who plays surly Linc, says "the story has been changed to put it in sync with what kids today think and feel. But it also has that retro feel." Claire Danes, who plays Julie, the brooding blonde, puts it a little more succinctly: "The TV series translates well to the '90s. It's about young people trying to make their way in the world. They were doing that back then, and they're doing it now." Is the target audience teens or nostalgia-hungry boomers who miss flared jeans? "It's for everyone," insists Giovanni Ribisi, who plays tortured Pete. "Kids and older people can get something from it. It was cutting edge then, it's cutting edge now."

03/26/99- Updated 08:18 AM ET
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