Thunderbirds (Widescreen Edition)
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Movie Reviews of Thunderbirds (Widescreen Edition)
Movie Review: F.A.B!!...
Summary: 4 Stars
Well, I can still hear the howls of die hard Gerry Anderson fans ringing in my ears and am somewhat annoyed at Mr Anderson himself being somewhat precious about this film by not lending his name to it. However it was with some trepidation I went to see this movie at our local flea pit, as I had been a fan of the original series and can remember it's first foray on the ITV network back - *creak* - and had wondered how this was going to be butchered. Just goes to show that again, you should never judge a work by reviews and opinions before you've experienced it first.
From the opening credits I was rivited and enjoyed almost every minute. Ok, so I was annoyed that FAB1 was a Ford and looked so dreadful but now realise that was beyond the film maker's control as Rolls Royce or whoever owns that name now, would not allow the brand to be used or represented, which I think is pretty mean to say the least. Other points such as the lack of rescues and maybe a little too much being put on the children's shoulders, did not mar my enjoyment.
As others who have left reviews here have stated. It'll never win oscars, is corny, not thought provoking nor will ever end up in some arty farty film festival somewhere. But it is *very* enjoyable and brought back many fine memories of the original series. So it wasn't the serious action drama peice that die hard 'Fandersons' were hoping for but hell lads, it could have been a *LOT* worse.
My hat goes off to Jonathan Frakes and I applaud his courage in putting the thing together. Personally I would love to see a sequel by Mr.Frakes but a large dose of anal attitude from critics and some fans alike have put an end to that possibility for now at least. So I'll do my bit and go buy the DVD instead.
Movie Review: "Thunderbirds are ....CAMP"
Summary: 4 Stars
First off let me tell you, there is no bigger fan of the original 'Thunderbirds', than me. So it was with great trepidation that I finally sat down and watched this movie.
I was happy to hear the re-mixed original theme from Barry Gray, although he doesn't appear to have been given credit.
Also the cartoon opening was fun. I am glad they kept the '5-4-3-2-1 Thunderbirds are Go....' as part of the opening. Plus repeated references to the original puppet show with many "F.A.B.'s" and 'more 'Thunderbirds are Go' thrown in for good measure during the movie.
They also were true to the original by keeping the design close to that of the original craft, even the udated Fab1, which was switched from a Rolls to a Ford Thunderbird.
As for the actors, Parker was the closest to his 60's puppet incarnation. Lady Penelope was camp personified with her pink outfits and faux skin suitcases. Talking of fashion, all uniforms were given an update, not enough was seen of Scott and Virgil, Alan was the main focus as a pubescent teen, saving the day with Brain's son Fermat (proving someone actually slept with Brains) ??!!!! I felt both Alan and especially Tin-Tin were too young to have the crush on each other that they had in the 60's original. Bill Paxton as Jeff was more wooden than his puppet original...again we needed an older person cast. Ben Kinglsey was over the top as 'The Hood'...but again somewhat resembled the human version of the original.
So all in all...flaws and all...I loved it. Just a shame there won't be a sequel.
Now I am looking forward to the new Gerry Anderson approved CGI version of 'Captain Scarlet' !!
But with all it's flaws...I still loved it.
THUNDERBIRDS....ARE STILL......GO !!!!
Movie Review: A movie for the kids to enjoy
Summary: 4 Stars
Thunderbirds got badly panned by critics as a campy children's movie and a bad 'spy kids' rip off, but to be fair the original serries was a children's show and this is an upgraded version of that.
The idea is in the near future Jeff Tracy and his sons are "International Rescue" a secret emergency response team who's technology is far ahead of anything the rest of the world has so they keep their identity a secret.
In the movie, well directed by Jonathan Frakes who really can direct a good action movie, Alan, 3rd son in the original serries, is now the youngest and desperately wants to be free of school and join his brothers on the team. The film also makes Alan's love interest, Tintin, played by a pre-HSTM Vanessa Hudgens, younger and added a son for resident geek 'Brains.' When the rest of the family is lured off and trapped by the evil Ben Kingsley, it falls to these three younger members to save the day.
For all that as a kids' show, it works. Modern kids' stories do not involve kids watching the adults act as they did when Thunderbirds came out in 1964. They want to be in the action now. The opening scenes tells you that is just what Alan wants as he doodles spaceships on his school note books. People who panned Thunderbirds are, I suspect, people like me who loved the original as a child and hoped it had grown up as we had. These panners forgot it was a children's TV show and Frakes brings that same era to life in a way they will appeal to kids in the 21st century as the original ddi to children in the 20th.
Movie Review: Nostalgia Trip
Summary: 4 Stars
Okay, yeah, the THUNDERBIRDS movie wasn't perfect. They could have developed the characters of the established T-Bird brothers better, and the "Spy Kids" feel was a little annoying. Nevertheless, this old warrior found the movie to be a surprisingly emotional experience. You see, I grew up poor in a huge housing project in Los Angeles. There were many challenges in our neighborhood, including drugs, rowdy teens, violence, etc. Television and comic books were my only escape. In LA back in the late '60s the Thunderbirds TV show was shown on Sunday afternoons. My brothers and I thrilled to the exploits of the Tracy family. Who cared that they were puppets? The stories drew us in and the dedication of the Tracys inspired us and lifted us out of our challenging environment.
Bottom line: I surprised myself by crying several times during the movie. The scene where the youngest Tracy and his buddy (the Brain's son) were watching a T-Bird rescue on TV at their boarding school had me bawling. So did the scene where the brothers landed in London after a harrowing time in space, to watch their youngest brother successfully rescue the people in the sunken gondola.
Why was I so emotional with the T-Bird movie, in spite of its flaws? Because it brought me back to how the original show lifted me out of a difficult childhood. Yes, the movie wasn't perfect, but the inspiring vision of selfless service remained intact. I am very grateful to the producers for this chance to revisit my childhood idealism.
Movie Review: Thunderbirds are GO!!!
Summary: 4 Stars
Before I saw this film, I had only seen the original series a few times, and even though I enjoyed them, I had no expectations of the movie.
If you ARE a die hard TB fan, and are not willing to be open minded, and look at your precious Thunderbirds from a different perspective, then I suggest that you go and buy yourself the original series instead.
I thoroughly enjoyed this film; even though the plot was far from complex, and some of the acting was a bit weak, it was still good to watch.
The film is about the youngest Tracy, Alan, and the tantrums he throws when his dad says he's too young to be in the Thunderbirds. Basically, The TB's get tricked into leaving Tracy Island, and the resident bad guy, "The Hood", and his cronies take over the island. What the Hood doesn't know, is that Alan Tracy and his friend Vermat (The Brain's son) are home for the school holidays, and have been left behind on the island along with Tin-tin (the gardener's daughter). The tree kids must save Tracy Island and their families from the Hood's evil scheme, with the help of Lady Penelope and her driver, Parker.
Lady P and Parker steal the show I'm afraid, although at one stage she did go all Charlie's Angels on us, and I was a little bit worried.
So yeh, relatively good movie, just don't be expecting award-winning acting or a close resembalance to the television series.