Distributor:
Universal Home Entertainment Certificate: PG | 95
minutes
Available to buy Director: Jonathan
Frakes
Extras: Yes
ANYONE
IN IT WE KNOW?
Bill
Paxton, Ben Kingsley, Sophia Myles, Anthony Edwards
WHAT’S
IT ABOUT THEN?
Armed
with the latest high-tech
vehicles and gadgets, the
Tracy
family tackles global rescue
operations on a daily basis. But
when their archenemy, "The
Hood" (Ben Kingsley),
sabotages the Thunderbirds as
part of his master plan to rob
the world's richest banks, it's
up to Alan, the youngest
Tracy
(who up until now has been
excluded from any adventures and
has been at school with the son
of Brains), to spring into
action before disaster strikes.
SO
IS IT ANY GOOD?
Enjoying
one of the largest followings in cult tv ever, the original TV version
of the Thunderbirds was a supermarionation puppet series from the mid
1960's created by Gerry Anderson, countless generations have since
thrilled to the adventures of the Tracy brothers and for years they kept
promising a live action version but it took Star Trek actor turned
director Jonathan Frakes to do it.
This
movie is definitely aimed at the Spy Kids generation, the Tracy brothers
are pretty much sidelined (literally stranded in space for the second
half of the movie) in favour of the youngest Tracy (Alan) along with
Vermat (son of Brains) and the gardener's daughter Tin-Tin
tangling
with the evil Hood (a gloriously over the top Ben Kingsley) who is
hellbent on world domination, helped by the sexily posh Lady Penelope
(Sophia Myles who along with Parker pretty much steal the film). Even
though the Tracy's themselves (and Bill Paxton in particular) are wasted
there are still enough nods to the original series to keep ardent fans
happy and enough action and special effects to keep everyone else happy
and of course the Thunderbird vehicles themselves and Tracy Island are
just as awesome as they were in the TV series. A special mention must be
made to the fantastic menu that this disc has, allowing you inside the
cockpit of each of the five different Thunderbird vehicles.
ANY
SPECIAL FEATURES?
The
Ultimate Action Sequence: Go behind-the-scenes and get in on the
action; Secrets of Tracy Island: Access top secret rehearsal and
design footage; Fab1: More Than Just A Car: Get and in-depth look
at the development of this amazing car; Lady Penelope’s Pink World:
Explore accessories and gadgets; Lady P. and Parker: Fun and
stunts; Music Video Performed by Busted and a feature Commentary with
Director Jonathan Frakes
