Dir.
Jonathan Frakes, 2004, USA/UK, 95 mins Cast:
Ben Kingsley, Bill Paxton, Sophia Myles
It seems as if there is no greater sin an American producer can commit than dare to remake an English classic. The reception the Coen Brothers' latest film, the remake of the Ealing classic The Ladykillers is a case in point. If you haven't seen, or for an hour and a half can forget, the original, it's actually a trademark Coen Bros film and really quite good, but has been almost universally panned in the UK with this "how dare they?" attitude.
Jonathan (Star Trek's Mr Riker) Frakes' latest offering is another case in point. Only in this case the American has dared to take a cult sixties puppet show and make it into a live action movie. Gerry Anderson fans will be disappointed - he was not involved with this movie and refuses to have anything to do with it. The story has been given a dose of American family values and focuses more on the kids than the rescues. The actual Thunderbirds' vehicles (though quite faithful to the original models) are not featured on screen for long. And those who want to be true to the original will be up in arms: Lady Penelope's pink Rolls Royce has been replaced by a Ford, and a flying Ford at that.
The film is a coming of age story - with Alan, the youngest Tracy, earning his right to be a member of International Rescue - as he has to rescue the rescuers, and foil The Hood's dastardly plan to put the Thunderbirds in the frame for a series of cunning robberies. (Ben Kingsley is rather wasted in the role of The Hood.) Whilst International Rescue are out of the picture, Alan, complete with assistance from a new character Fermat (Brains' son) and Tin Tin (who has a much more pivotal role than in the original series) has to come to the rescue and proves himself worthy of becoming a Thunderbird.
The other Tracy Brothers and their dad Jeff are very one dimensional, though the film makes an attempt to beef up the back story and explain Jeff and Alan's troubled relationship. Lady Penelope has also caught Tin Tin's dose of girl power, and is Emma Peel wearing pink.
This is a movie for kids now, children who do not have the fond memories about the TV series. Essentially this is a lot like Spy Kids - but with no added layer of innuendo for the parents.
Sam Hall
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