Thunderbirds Are Go - Complete Series 1

Series Title: Thunderbirds Are GoSeason: 1 (DVD set is Vol. 1)Episodes: 13Discs: 2Network: ITVCast: Rasmus Hardiker, Thomas Brodie-Sangster, David Menkin, Kayvan Novak, Rosamund Pike, David Graham, Sandra Dickinson, Angel Coulby, Andres WilliamsDVD: Widescreen DVD (R2, PAL)ITV has created an updated children’s series based on the original Gerry Anderson Supermarionation TV series. This version includes half-hour (22-minute) CGI animated episodes. But there is plenty of action in those 22 minutes! The episodes seem so very short because they are jam-packed with action and story. Often either a rescue begins to go wrong, or the first planned rescue attempt doesn’t work then Tracy boys need to come up with a new plan on the fly. Fortunately, coming up with ways to rescue people in impossible situations is exactly what the Tracys do best. The series keeps the five boys, their five Thunderbird machines, and the extra characters of Grandma Tracy, London agent Lady Penelope and her chauffeur Parker (she is also now given a small dog, named Sherbet as well), and Kayo (and updating of Tin Tin – now IR’s “covert ops” agent, pilot of Thunderbird S (Shadow), and sometimes co-pilot of Thunderbird 3), and even the villainous Hood. Another regular is the GDF (Global Defense Force), basically global cops and military. Mention is also made of local rescue efforts handling smaller disasters. At the beginning of this new series we’re told Jeff (Tracy the boys’ father) is missing.ITV’s new Thunderbirds series is bright and colorful. It’s clearly aimed at kids. However, it doesn’t talk down to its audience, and I found the show to be fun, amusing, well-written, and action-packed. The stories are inventive, and well-realised. The use of CGI animation means they can do things in the plots the original series never could do. I loved seeing how Thunderbird 4 got back into the pod of Thunderbird 2, for example. I also liked seeing the industrial robots assembling needed rescue equipment on the fly with a single pod base (OK, yes, that does sound like “giant Japanese Robot assemble!” but trust me – it makes sense when you see it.) The direction is much better than you’d expect in a children’s series. There’s a pan-up and over Tracy Island that’s not only beautiful, but clearly shows the film-makers love for Thunderbirds – original and new. And in “Runaway”, the demolishing of a geranium’s flower will make you feel sorry for a plant. Fortunately she returns as Gladys, a “pet” plant belonging to a poor guy who needs rescuing not only in “Slingshot” but also in “Under Pressure”.The CGI at times is very good, as is the updated model work. But at other times, at least to me, characters look incredibly plastic – and clothing (and hair) looks like it’s made from thinly-rolled sheets or sculpted pieces of modeling clay (or even the fondant used to decorate cakes). As the series progressed, though, I became more accustomed to it. The light and coloring on the eyes was particularly good.OK, now to the changes and the – definitely not bad, but the, let’s call it, for some areas “needs improvement”. The Thunderbirds themselves have been slightly updated (especially Thunderbird 2 which is much more boxy in shape; and Thunderbird 3’s been given grappling arms which make sense given her space-bound duty.) The changes do end-up looking like improvements, and modernization (the entire show has a futuristic look). The Tracy sashes have been completely changed – now instead of matching the contrast or piping color of the corresponding Thunderbird – they match the main color of the Thunderbird (except John) and the sashes are really bright. The new color scheme is:Scott – Grey sash (silver)John – Gold SashVirgil – Green Sash (bright toxic green)Gordon – Yellow SashAlan – Bright red sashAnd the hats are gone! Though, in truth the Tracys only seemed to wear them on formal occasions and not during heavy rescues in the original series.Second, due to the shorter running time – there’s a lot less characterization. There is witty banter, and the banter is actually witty – not something that would set your teeth on edge, or make one squirm with it’s inappropriateness. We see some concern amongst the brothers for each other, but it tends to be downplayed. However, in “Tunnels of Time”, Scott loses his cool completely when a greedy archaeologist seems more concerned with treasure than the safety of Gordon, Lady Penelope, and Parker. Also, the entire family is concerned about Alan in “Slingshot”. However, there’s nothing, so far, like the family concern in some of my favorite episodes of the original Thunderbirds series.The speaking voices of the Tracys are far more natural and less clipped than the original series – this adds to the modern feel. I also liked the implication than 2060 is a pretty nice place to live. The show is relentlessly optimistic – like it’s original series inspiration. The Tracys are great characters.The rescues are fantastic – and I found myself concerned about the characters and the people they were rescuing more than once.Overall, highly recommended – I cannot wait to see more in the near future.Disappointingly, the DVD set has no special features whatsoever.Trivia: Thomas Brodie-Sangster also played Jojen Reed in Game of Thrones. Also, Richard Taylor (Lord of the Rings) is in charge of the model work for Thunderbirds Are Go, and the models and some special effects work are done by Weta Workshop.

One of the greatest things a child could watch on telly back in the day was undoubtedly Thunderbirds. Brought to us by the late, great Gerry Anderson – and filmed in Supermarionation! – Thunderbirds were a group of ultra-sophisticated vehicles, designed and engineered to embark on all kinds of rescue missions (from the most dangerous to the near-impossible). The exploits of International Rescue (headed by Jeff Tracy and adventured by his sons Scott, Virgil, Alan, Gordon & John) lasted 32 classic episodes from 1965 to 1966, and established a legacy that has appealed to adults & children alike throughout the generations.So now – to celebrate Fifty Years of this magnificent show – ITV Studios and Pukeko Pictures have united to produce a brand new Thunderbirds series for today’s audiences. Thunderbirds Are Go is currently nearing the end of its first series (spanning twenty-six episodes), and this DVD volume contains the first thirteen episodes of the new show’s run.So how exactly does this new Thunderbirds differ from its much-beloved predecessor? Well, it’s a complete reboot. This being 2015…there are no more puppets; this is a CGI affair. Episodes are now over twenty-minutes long (as opposed to fifty-minutes originally), all done to cater for the change in today’s audiences. Jeff Tracy is missing (status unknown following a mysterious plane crash), Thunderbird 5 is completely different than how it was before, and there have been numerous character tweaks/key changes for this reinvention – one of them being Tin-Tin; now called Kayo due to copyright issues with the Hergé character. And Brains also stutters less and speaks with an Indian accent.As one of the legion of fans who grew up watching Thunderbirds during its repeat on BBC2 in the nineties, I think this new Thunderbirds Are Go series is truly worthy of the original. Times change and so too must shows reinvent themselves, which Transformers and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (for example) have done brilliantly over the years. Thunderbirds Are Go follows the trend superbly. The premise is brought-up-to-date for today’s younger viewers, yet also stays true to the core of what the original show so appealing. The new renditions of beloved characters like the Tracy family, Brains, Kayo, Lady Penelope, Parker and arch-nemesis The Hood are treated favourably to appease old fans, yet are reinvented so creatively that it breathes new life into the classic Thunderbirds setting.In terms of production values, this series scores more high points. The animation is beautiful, boasting tremendous lifelike detail and humanity. The use of CGI characters gives this show an advantage over its predecessor, allowing for moments of expression and sequences that the puppets would never allow. And the use of model miniatures in addition to the CGI, certainly adds that ‘real factor’ that will please older and newer generations alike. There’s a wonderful orchestral soundtrack, superb voice-acting all-round (David Graham from the old show returns as Parker!) and a presentation that hearkens back to the old series. This does indeed possess the soul of Thunderbirds.But this new series is by no means perfect, and it’s due to the fast-pacing. In the Thunderbirds of old, episodes built-up slowly & subtly, before snowballing towards an exciting, rip-roaring climax. In the first batch of these newer episodes, it’s all danger right from the get-go. All action and doom at a breakneck speed, thus sacrificing real tension and on the edge-of-your-seat drama. Slowing things down, and being more conservative can tell much better stories, which is what the old series thrived on.However, that’s a lesson that this show’s creative team learns very quickly, when you come round to Disc 2. The episodes make much better use of their time, and benefit as such. The episode ‘EOS’ in particular is where the new series not only finds its groove but REALLY hits its stride. ‘EOS’ is the highlight of this set, for its tense, dramatic moments and sheer emotional investment. It’s a beautiful success for the development of John Tracy and prominent use of Thunderbird 5 (both of which were sadly never given that much to do in the original series).Following that, ‘Slingshot’, ‘Tunnels of Time’, ‘Under Pressure’ and the exhilarating ‘Skyhook’ (among other top-notch episodes) truly score big-time, what with superb development and interaction all-round, along with some good humour here-and-there. There’s also some promising sub-plots established for certain characters and the series overall (which hopefully will come to fruition), as well as nice call-backs to classic series episodes (like ‘Sun Probe’ and ‘Trapped in the Sky’).While Thunderbirds Are Go may not yet quite have the magnificence of its glorious namesake, it’s still early days. And so far, it’s very good indeed. This 2-Disc DVD has episode selection/subtitle options but no special features, sadly (a mini-documentary discussing the Thunderbirds revival would’ve been most welcome). Nonetheless, Volume One has much to appeal to older fans, and has already become a certified hit with today’s viewers. Roll on, Volume Two! And looking forward to the next series!