Thunderbirds Are Go - Complete Series 1

I was born in 1962, so I grew up with the Thunderbirds. I loved the show so much that, when I had my daughter, it was one of the first kids shows I bought on DVD. But the show has aged - today it seems a bit sexist and it might be a bit too "white male focused" for the more sophisticated tastes of today's kids. It's also quite tame by today's standards - it's pacing was made for a 1960s audience, and TV and movies move at a much faster pace these days, so while the original Thunderbirds is still good for those of us who can appreciate that old style slow pace, and who can forgive the flaws of its 1960s mindset, modern kids may find it slow and difficult to watch. When I heard they were remaking the show, I was skeptical (I've seen to many remakes crash and burn), but when I heard WETA was involved, I decided to give it a closer look - I watched a couple of online clips and they looked decent, so I decided to buy the DVD disc. I'm glad that I did, because my 12 year-old daughter loved it from the moment she watched the opening credits. The action is fast paced, the plots actually make sense and unlike in the original, the women actually have something to do beyond being the damsel in distress. Also, the minorities are not agents of evil - the Hood is no longer a stereotypical Far-eastern bad guy - he seems very European. So they're making an effort to minimize the harmful stereotypes of the original, while retaining the characters who were always at the forefront of the show. It's a difficult balancing act, but it's an important one, and I think they've got it right. We've watched the first disc in one session so far - all excellent shows. We're now into the first episode on disc 2 (a wonderful homage to 2001: A Space Odyssey which I - sci-fi geek that I am - spotted as soon as they referenced the AE-35 unit). I took a break mid-show to write this review and to see if a second season is in the works (it is), because I'm kinda excited about this. The special effects are great, with realistic rocket thruster blast, fins that shake as TB-1 takes off and visible shockwaves when she goes supersonic! But where the production could have made the mistake of going "all soulless-CGI", they've actually done an amazing job mixing the digital effects with what look to be practical sets. The result is a very effective homage to the original show's format. The Thunderbird craft themselves are all nicely and subtly redesigned, with enough of the original look that fans of the original remember. My personal favourite, TB-2, is a bit more boxy than the original, as is the Fireflash (yes, Fireflash is back!), but it's not too bad. There are some nice humorous touches, including the fact that TB-1 always blows the deckchairs around when it takes off, much to the annoyance of Grandma Tracy, who has to straighten them each time. The running gag of her bad cooking is overdone (kinda like her cookies) and it soon gets stale, but hey, it's a kid's show, and my daughter doesn't care - in fact she's been chattering about it all through it - a sure sign that she likes it a lot. All-in-all, this show is a fine update to the original. I was glad to see they've even kept the original music (albeit in slightly altered form) and although they've altered the title sequence a bit, it retains the feel of the original series. My advice - definitely get it if you have kids up to and including early teens. As I said, my daughter is 12, so perhaps a little older than the target age group for the show (which is maybe 8-10), but she's loving it. If you loved the original and are willing to bend a little to accept an updated version to go alongside your original series DVDs, it might just be for you too.

Terrified of dodgy remakes of beloved classics? No fear here ... this is an exemplar of what can be achieved when talented people who truly adore their work and have profound respect and love for a favourite show come together. From the heroic, dynamic soundtrack reworked and enhanced by Nick and Ben Foster from Barry Gray's original theme, exceptional, famous actors providing voices, clever stories and smart scripting, to reimagined models for TB1 thru 5 using updated tech, and stunning visual beauty, this reboot is a production of remarkable quality. While the episodes are short at only 22 minutes, they pack a substantial punch. Essentially an exciting action show, there is tremendous emotional range and depth nonetheless, resonating on many levels, with grief & loss, love, tenderness, compassion, humour - above all, upholding the dignity of human life. It achieves this without patronising its audience, use of vulgar language or violence, while its inclusiveness reflects a changed world. On the fun side, there are many references harking back to the Andersons' beloved original - e.g. retro inclusions, plus many more both visual and spoken, but I won't spoil things for you, dear fanboy/girl. This is a show that is not afraid to make fun of itself and joke with fans, with playful use of the "knowing wink". Did I mention the new gadgets and pods? As expected, our friends at WETA have done a brilliant job on models. New uniforms are practical and body-hugging with integrated tech. It's also refreshing to view the world via TB5's perspective over the Antipodes/Oceania. The animated characters.more easily express emotion and empathy, are agile and dexterous, and while facially bearing some semblance to the original puppets, are more handsome (fangirls note). Previously-neglected characters, i.e. John and Gordon, now receive a much fairer share of the action and storylines, while Kayo (formerly Tin Tin) as TB's head of security is a fully-integrated character with a vital role. Rescues, as in real life, involve working as a team. Loving, tough as nails Grandma Tracy keeps it all together - while her burnt offerings provide a good deal of jokes at her expense. There is a lot of attention to fine details such as grained leather upholstery, polished wood trim and brushed steel finish on FAB1, to stitching on a collar, fabric textures, natural finishes etc. and some stunning 21st C. architecture. Character-wise, each of the Tracys show more dimension, familiarity and interaction with each other, Lady P. & Parker, Brains and MAX. On the whole, the tech and ship interiors look as if they could actually work, with the use of screenless technology and holographic projection, while the ships and their pilots are more team-oriented in the way rescues are conducted. If like me, you find the shortness of each episode leaves you craving more, binge-watch the DVDs. More double episodes would be particularly welcome, with 45 minutes of sheer enjoyment still running at a cracking pace. All in all, this is the most respectful reboot you could wish for, and while it contains much that is new, plenty of the 60s classic remains for older fans to recognise with joyous familiarity, If anything, new depth to the characters and a greater sense of playfulness via improved storylines and vibrant scripting adds significant value. Thunderbirds Are Go is tremendous entertainment for all ages and celebrates the best of human nature ... all involved in its production should pat themselves on the back. May it never cease production. These heroic tales for the 21st Century are part of our culture and like Dr Who, deserve to go on and on ... long may the Great Green Beastie fly. It certainly makes me smile ... I can't stop watching it. ;-)

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!

The Thunderbirds have been a massive part of my life – so when the new series arrived I was just as excited as the children, but why, oh why, did they have to broadcast it early on a Saturday morning. There are 13 episodes at around 20 minutes each – and that is a disappointment. When the original series was commissioned by Sir Lou Grade said that Thunderbirds should be like a mini movie and demanded that each episode be an hour in length and that movie feeling was missing even though each episode was complete. I actually like the look of the Tracy boys and I am more than happy with a strawberry blonde John, rather than the platinum blonde of his previous incarnation, but for some reason this seems to be a bone of contention for some. Most of the voice acting is good, they even managed to get the original Parker, the one let down is that of award winning Rosamund Pike who doesn’t seem to be taking it seriously – maybe she didn’t really didn’t want to do the vocal work after all those awards and nominations for “Gone Girl” – it doesn’t really matter that much because Lady Penelope doesn’t feature much. Neither does Kayo. Tanusha “Kayo” Kyrano is a version of Tintin from the original series and thankfully doesn’t appear too much, sorry but it will take me time to get used to her – to be honest I never really liked Tintin much either. Daddy Jeff Tracy has disappeared at some point before the start of the series due to some evil scheme of The Hoods. I have to admit that I have enjoyed the new series and I am looking forward to the second half.

FAB! This new updated version of Thunderbirds is great. My four year old son loves it, it has just the right amount of heroics, mild peril, excitement and no weapons or violence or chain cigar smoking!! My husband has shown him the old puppet show and he finds the puppets weird as they don't "look right" and "their mouths don't talk properly"! He has got hubby's old toys out and re-enacts the episodes and it has really struck his imagination. I have enjoyed watching them with him too. We were making sure we watched each new episode at 8am on itv but the adverts were very annoying (we try to not show our children adverts) so the DVD is perfect to watch without the extra sales pitch. And yes, it's different to the old series and there is going to be a generation grumbling about how the old series was better. Well that is their opinion and mine is that this new series surpasses the old! The CGI is what children expect these days but done in a way to emulate the puppets! 10 stars!!

The new rebirth of the Thunderbirds and it is incredible. The stories are so brilliant and so in tune with the times. Everything has had a makeover but not so much that you do not recognise the thunderbirds or the characters. In this version it is computer animation and after watching the behind the scenes on ITV1 I can see what they have tired to do. If you are a fan on the original do give this a go as they have been quite faithful to much that made Thunderbirds so good. The music, graphics, colours and story make it a must no matter who you are.

A lot of kids programme are awful now. Have you watched the rubbish on ITV in the mornings? Absolute trash. This however is the opposite. Well made, good stories, good morals, both my boy and I enjoy watching it. Of course your kid will want the accompanying toys which could cost you a small fortune, alternatively disappointment is a good life lesson. I'd fully reccommend this DVD.

I'm a huge fan of the original series and was quite skeptical when I heard they were making this one. I was hooked 5 minutes into the first episode. They've taken some liberties, but nothing that has ruined the overall premise. As I live in the usa, I had to get a mutiregion player, but it was totally worth it.

Ik dacht eerste serie..voor dat volume 1 begin maar deze complete serie 1 heb ik dus al.

Fan des Sentinelles de l'Air, je le reste avec cette nouvelle série! A quand la série en Bluray ou DVD avec piste Française??? A défaut je me contentais d'un import anglais en VO non sous-titrée! Dorénavant, j'ai rippé les épisodes du Dvd anglais en fichiers MKV qualité vidéo au taquet du logiciel DVDFab et les pistes son (en fichier AAC multi-canaux) repiquées sur des épisodes, sur internet, issus de gulli (avec logos sur image) et ensuite synchronisé les pistes son AAC en français sur les copies vidéo MKV du Dvd anglais avec mkvtoolnix. Une fois fait, gravures des épisodes synchronisés en VF sur Bluray avec menu (4 Bluray avec 7, 6, 7 et 6 épisodes chacun pour reconstituer les 2 saisons)... Fabrication d'une jaquette Bluray pour la saison 1 et la 2 en scannant et ré-imprimant les jaquettes DVD de mes DVD officiels justes redécoupées au format boitier Bluray - pour mon usage en privé uniquement!!!!! Les produits dérivés sont sympa aussi : l'ile, les vaisseaux et personnages!

I liked the show in the sense that the story (it has a main plot, which is looking for the Hood and what happened to Jeff, even though it still finds time to focus on side plots, which is great), the animation (cgi makes it so that real actors aren't used, and so that they aren't usually sitting), and the character development (John and Parker), are better than the original series. But at the same time I would prefer Jeff to be in the first season, and for Tin Tin not to have been completely written out of the show for Kayo. If they wanted an older, non-romantically involved character, and an active female member of International Rescue (like Lady Penelope), they should've just kept Tin Tin, and went that way with her instead. But they chose to replace her with Kayo, who I'm not really invested in, because everytime I see her, I think about Tin Tin. This same thing occured with El Chavo Animado, when they wrote our La Chilidrina. It doesn't work, and I'd wished they didn't go down that route. I almost forgot that I liked the show because it had no smoking in it, which is a plus for someone like me that doesn't smoke or drink alcohol. I wouldn't stop my kids from watching a show that had smoking in it, because a lot of the classics from my childhood, like Space Jam, had smoking in it. But since it is unhealthy, I don't think it should be in a modern children's movie or series.

als fan der originalserie, die ich auch besitze, habe ich mir diese neuauflage auf blauen dunst einfach mal bestellt. wider erwarten bin ich begeistert. es beginnt bei der originalen stimme für den countdown 5-4-3-2-1-Thunderbirds are go. die animation ist am alten stil der originalserie angelehnt. ich habe beim schauen das gefühl der alten puppentrickserie, nur viel besser in der animation. leider wurde die episodenlänge von 50 auf 25 min gekürzt. das macht eine episode unter umständen etwas linear. dafür besser für mal zwischendurch geeignet. insgesamt klasse. ich hatte gänsehaut :D:D:D PS: leider nur englische tonspur sowie untertitel. was solls.

This series takes me back to the original Thunderbird puppets of (Gerry and Sylvia Anderson ) fame way back in 1965 ! Even though its an Anime , it rocks ! I think it is better than the original ( I didn't just say that !) JC