The first two episodes of this aired on UK TV last night.
I grew up on the show as a kid, and still like it, even collect memorabilia from the show to this day.
The new version is partly made by Weta, who did the effects for the LOTR and King Kong movie. The craft and characters are CGI, but backgrounds and sets are live miniatures.
First impression is better than expected.
But lets be honest, this show is not meant for me or people who grew up with the show. It's aimed at todays kids. Remember that we were kids when we watched it.
There is no point in the 'Oh my god they have changed this and that' comments. What, you didn't expect some changes? They were never going to make it faithful to the original, and its naive of anyone to think they would.
That said, I think its ok. The theme retains just enough of the original, there were some nice little nods to the original series - a quick clip of Stingray, the Space 1999 Eagle-like nose of the underwater drilling rig, and the TB1, 2 and 3 launch sequences are excellent, keeping the original 5..4..3..2..1 countdown from the original series voice...and even the 'orange squeezer' in the TB1 launch bay, and they do at least seem to be setting up storylines for possible future themes...such as the Hood/Kayo family connection, and the 'disappearance' of Jeff Tracy.
I like the design of the craft as well, different but not massively so, kind of pumped-up and with some interesting gadgets (loved TB3's foldable fins/grappling hooks, and TB4's detachable medical pods).
Plus the real sets and backgrounds are a nice touch - loved the big miniature of the Hoods retro-looking craft at the end.
Overall, considering the obvious updating for modern audiences and certain compromises, I enjoyed it...apart from Brains 'Indian' sounding accent...?
Trailer below -
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