Review: Thunderbirds

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Christopher on August 29th, 2004
God almighty! What crap - awful in every respect. 0/10

Caroline Neal on August 28th, 2004
Can't really comment on how it compares to the original because I haven't seen it! I took my 4 year old son to see this film and really enjoyed it, (not as much as him though!). I watched it for what it was, a film for kids! It wasn't a particularly gripping film but I enjoyed the special effects and sound and the story line was easy to follow. Would recommend it as something to pass the time on school holidays!!

GWR on August 25th, 2004
I went to see Thunderbirds fully expecting a George Lucas-style rape of my childhood - and it really wasn't anything like as bad as I'd been expecting (despite the "Carry On Rescuing" title sequence). In fact, I'm not ashamed to say that I actually enjoyed myself. No, it's not the Thunderbirds we remember, but as a reinvention for a less naive age, I thought they got a lot right. I still don't like the redesign of T2, T4 and T5, but all the craft have a real sense of size and power and they can finally fly in the very cool way that they never could as bits of wood hanging on wires. There's evidence of real thought about the anorak-pleasing details (they address a fair few anal technical issues that the original series ignored), and I actually want to shag Lady Penelope now. The Sophia Myles version, anyway. On the debit side, some of the attempts at comic relief grated painfully, a fair bit of the dialogue is pure corn and I really didn't like the Hanna-Barbera sound effects added to the fight scenes. But that aside, I've seen *far* worse kids' movies, and I think they could learn from their mistakes to make a really good sequel... but since it's bombed in America, that might be a moot point now.

Cliff on August 19th, 2004
Saw this last week in UCI Edinburgh ...what an embarrassment.This'll be on DVD in a month. Doesn't do justice to the original series despite modern technology...the puppets were streets ahead of these "B" grade wooden actors. verdict :absolutely crap

Lucy on August 14th, 2004
I absolutely loved it. I really enjoyed the special effects and think that is was a great movie. Well worth the £2:50 i payed to see it. I give it 10 out of 10

H on August 12th, 2004
I took the kids to see it and my I have bought my son almost every thunderbird toy out there at the moment as he loved it. Its all about the kids and what they want and from the reaction of the kids in the cinema with us they wanted this not the old puppet series, remember guys were getting old and times change. Some things should not be messed with but then somethings need to not be forgotten and for me this is one of them. I felt butterflys watching TB2 hovering over the oil platform and when I left the cinema I yearned for a return to my past youth. 10/10 for me and I can assure you I was NOT looking forward to going and seeing the film as I too thought I would end up dissapointed. TRUE Tbird fans would see it as passing down something from thier youth to thier kids. If you have kids then let them decide, go let em watch it.

Mark R on August 11th, 2004
Brill / Great / Fantastic in fact FAB! Saw it last night - loved it. Just to put this comment into perspective I'm 41 - loved the ORIGINAL series and thought this was Great entertainment. I really can not see what problems people had, although each to their own. There were some great touches as well, a lot film felt like the puppet series, big buttons, the sets, and especially when Thunderbird Two launches and the trees fall down! The bit where Brains is made to act like a puppet was a great joke. Take it for what it is - entertainment and nothing more and you won't go wrong. Right where do I queue for the next installment?

Tony Currie on August 6th, 2004
Jonathan Frakes took Star Trek far too seriously, so it's no great surprise that he simply didn't "get" Thunderbirds, instead turning it into a cross between Scooby-Doo and TNG. How you can do a Thunderbirds movie and then maroon the adult members of the Tracy family on Thunderbird 5 while the kids save the planet? (Actually, the planet wasn't even at risk. Only Jeff's reputation.) Forget Ben Kingsley (not nearly menacing enough, I fear) - the stars were Sophia Miles and Ron Cook as Lady P and Parker. Perfect, and brilliantly played. But they are English and clearly knew what they were at. The movie passed a pleasant 90 minutes for me (with a little help from a visit to the Odeon bar beforehand!) and I was releived that they left the theme tune more or less alone, but it was a bit of a wasted opportunity.

vampi on August 5th, 2004
This film was way good. I would say that if u have not yet seen it you should as it is a one to watch. I would give it 10 out of 10.

Rich on August 3rd, 2004
Just seen it 2nd time it's better on 2nd viewing and it's quite good to start with! Fun, action, most of the stuff we remember, and the least annoying kids I've seen acting in a movie - even Fermat (though he is on the edge!). Just enjoy it - 9/10

Paul M on August 3rd, 2004
I saw it with my 12 year old, we both enjoyed it for what it was, neither of us noticed the product placement because we were so engrossed in the film - the story was almost a prequel to the puppet series about Alan's struggle for credibility and leaves the plotline open for a full on Thunderbirds to the rescue film - a difficult market to aim at too trying to pander to those who grew up with puppets, together with Americans and kids who've never seen it before tongue in cheek too... well done for effort at least! 9/10

Paul W on August 1st, 2004
I actually thought on the second showing that this wasn't half bad, given that had in fact seen the original series and the movies. The original series was good but does now actually look a little dated even if it has been digitally remastered. I do agree on one note that we don't see enough of the thunderbirds as I would have liked but, it's still pretty good. It was about time it needed a revamp and I thought they did a good job, don't judge it harshly, it's fun and it's for kids, don't forget we were them once !

R.C. on August 1st, 2004
Totally great movie. I honestly don't think I've seen another like this before, recent years have brought much of the same, main star dude or dudette, an obstacle of some sort and at the end the said dude or dudette winds up with their partner happily. This movie is non stop action, and though it's aimed at kids, if you go in aware of that, you'll realise that your inner child actually does like this film. The new Thunderbirds are great, and the middle part that people complain of so much is mostly the bit without the TBirds --- and a jungle on Tracy Island. Now everything from the puppet series that's been revamped for the movie has received nothing but praise - would the jungle by supported if it had too featured in the puppet series, or do we just not like change? Hands down Parker & Sophia Myles as Penelope are the comic relief, and best two in the film, but Brady Corbet provides a convincing (and far less annoying that his puppet alter ego) Alan Tracy. I'm not going to focus on the negativity of the kids, yes, we probably all would have liked it to be more about Virgil, Scott and the other brothers, but just try be interested by this fresh twist of JR characters. Overall, a fine film that I'll definately purchase on DVD, and something I prefer to the average output of the puppet series.

Dennis Harvey on July 30th, 2004
With fond memories of the original series, I went with a strong sence of trepidation to see Thunderbirds the movie. I need not have worried. Frakes and team have done a wonderful job in reinterpreting International Rescue for the 21st century. The hardware is wonderfully executed, overcoming many of the inconsistancies of the original equipement. The only exception being FAB1, which was just too small and unimposing, compared to the much larger and aggressive looking original. All in all, a very good family film that will enthrall the kids and bring fond memories back to the parents.

Iain on July 29th, 2004
Fantastic! Although I do agree with the criticisms that we do not see enough of Scott, Virgil, Gordon & John (but at least the characters are there - In the Harry Potter series we haven’t seen Peeves the Poltergeist Once! - and they are on to the third instalment!), that the Rolls Royce wasn’t a Rolls Royce (but that wasn’t Working Title’s fault - Rolls Royce wouldn’t give them the permission to use the name etc.), that the Ford product placement is a bit too obvious (but it could have been worse) and that Gerry Anderson wasn’t involved (he was asked and he refused - his fault, not Working Title’s) but so what! People in general - not just Digital Spy readers - are forgetting that this is a British movie FOR KIDS and in my opinion Working Title +Co. have done a brilliant job of bringing Thunderbirds into the 21st Century. Bring on Thunderbirds 2. This 21-year-old kid is giving Thunderbirds a F.A.B. 10/10.

Luke on July 28th, 2004
Quite a high budget for a Ford commercial and quite a long running time for a Ford ad campaign. Geez even the News channel in the movie was sponsored by Ford.

Nick on July 28th, 2004
All this negativity going on here - all a load of rubbish! A great film with some stunning special effects and it has a nice side role with the old series. It's a great family film. Worth every penny. Nice to see some english involvement with the film industry!

Smurf on July 28th, 2004
This really should have been called Spy Kids: Thunderbirds Edition. We were all sadly disappointed with it. Oh, and you'd never think Ford had any involvement in it....

camilla creighton ward on July 27th, 2004
It's a good film for kids and doesn't deserve the bad reviews. I'm forced to watch the puppet series every single day in life and I found the film much more colourful and less corny. Ok, not enough of the Traceys and some over editing and the most blatant product placement ever. Actually I thought Ben Kingsley was rubbish, not menacing at all, they tried to give him motivation instead of just being a plain baddie. 6 or 7 out of ten

Mark on July 27th, 2004
My kids loved it (5 & 7). Being an old Thunderbird fan it was OK. Very good opening scene, but not enough of the TBird vehicles. Lady P and Parker were excellent, very good light comedy roles. 5/10 for me 8/10 vote by the kids.