Thunderbirds (DVD)

The Thunderbirds get a modern overhaul in this 2004 features film about the Tracy family and their rescue corporation 'International Rescue'. Directed by Jonathan Frakes of Star Trek the Next Generation fame, this film brought itself lots of criticism. The Plot Alan Tracy is the youngest of the Tracy brothers. Constantly left at home when his father, Jeff, and his other brothers go into action to save the world from disasters and to rescue those in trouble, Alan is fed up with school, and just wants to be a Thunderbird like his family. When villain The Hood traps the Thunderbirds in space with a limited supply of oxygen, it is left to Alan and his ...  Read the complete review

The Thunderbirds was a hit TV show in the 1960's and 1970's that through the use of puppets told the story of the Tracy family who with their weird and wonderful crafts fought to save the world. In 2004 a film was released to tell a further Thunderbird tale. This time however real-life actors where used instead in an attempt to bring the whole idea more up-to-date and make it appeal to more people. Now for me this was the best idea but for die-hard Thunderbirds fans the puppets will always be the real Tracy brothers. Now when watching the "Thunderbirds" film you have to be aware that it doesn't fit into the timeline of the old ...  Read the complete review

This is what happens when Americans get hold of something beloved and oh so quintessentially British. The Thunderbirds of the 1960's are without doubt one of the finest TV series that Britain has made and exported all over the globe. 50 minutes of disaster filled TV with puppets whose hands would magically transform into fully fleshed mitts able to operate all kinds of futuristic leavers. The audaciousness of the plots and settings were every little boys dream. Who didn't want to turn themeself into a wooden puppet, just so they could shoot Thunderbird 1 around the globe at 15,000mph? Ok, so im getting a bit nostalgic. But, when presented with such filth, you can't help ...  Read the complete review

I really expected not to like this, but it turns out I love it! It is totally for children and the young at heart, so people looking for a more grown-up film should certainly look elsewhere. Personally I've always been more of an inner adult kinda guy anyway, so this sorta thing is right up my street. It's completely ridiculous, but it never takes itself seriously and is just great fun. The good guys are all likeable and the villains are highly amusing - Ben Kingsley played the villain well. I have seen the old puppet series in the past and I do have to admit this isn't really anything like. I do think a better Thunderbirds film could be made, certainly one more ...  Read the complete review