Customer Reviews

Thunderbirds Set 2

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Though I as born fully one decade after the series was originally shown, my brother and I still have fond memories of watching this show as children. And though many of the details of the show were for so long shrouded in the faint rememberings of this true classic, I still did not hesitate to purchase set two the instant I saw it. And I was not disappointed.

First of all, the effects are truelly breathtaking in their cheesiness. But that is absolutely the charm of the show. Never mind that you can see the damn strings sticking out of them. Additionally the remastering is first rate. Sound and picture quality are tip top. Possibly better than back in '65, when you consider that they had to watch it sans digital home theater systems! Every episode brings a new, thrilling, and death defying challenge to the indomitable crew that are the Thunderbirds. They're rolling XXX large in their incredible machines that defy the laws of physics, and the limits of the human imagination.

Whats more is that they smoke! Cigars, cigarettes, and who knows what else? You will also notice that they not only sweat, constantly; but that mysteriously, they always manage to some how get filthy. It is obvious that the budget was of little issue in the making of this truelly original sci-fi masterpiece, as every special effect will get your heart racing with uncontrolable laughter. I especially liked that from time to time, real human hands and other limbs are used to give some continuity to the story line. Bravo! If you loved this show as a kid, which most of us, of a certain age did... you should also not hesitate a moment in purchasing either, or both sets. It's approx. 312 minutes for both discs, so you will be getting your moneys worth.

In the mid-1960's, Gerry Anderson, who was well-known for creating several TV series that used puppets, created what would ultimately go on to be his master work - Thunderbirds. For those of you not familiar with the series, here's a brief summary. In the 2060's, a man has assembled a rescue organization. His five sons use high-tech equipment to rescue people who would surely die otherwise. Unfortunately, the 2060's aren't too peaceful, as there are many villains and disasters waiting to happen. Read on for a list of the major characters, and why each is important.

-Jeff Tracy: The main man. An ex-Air Force pilot and astronaut, he put together the International Rescue organization, in which his five sons operate high-tech equipment to rescue people from dangerous situations.

-Scott Tracy: Jeff's oldest son, you could call this guy the "leader" amongst the brothers. He's one of the two with dark hair. Like his father, he served in the Air Force. He pilots Thunderbird 1, a rocket-powered aircraft that can reach virtually any point in the world in just hours.

-Virgil Tracy: Jeff's other son with dark hair. He pilots Thunderbird 2, a large craft generally used to transport rescue equipment, or at times, transport Thunderbird 4. His voice actor didn't return for season 2, so he sounds different in the last few episodes.

-Alan Tracy: One of Jeff's blond sons. He is the pilot of Thunderbird 3, a rocket that is used in space rescues and in reaching the space station, Thunderbird 5. In the first episode, he speaks in a voice not his own because his voice actor hadn't yet been hired.

-Gordon Tracy: Jeff's son with curly hair. He pilots the only aquatic Thunderbird, number 4.

-John Tracy: Jeff's other blond son. He is in charge of the space station, Thunderbird 5, which can monitor pretty much any point on earth.

-Brains: This guy is an engineer that helped Jeff put together the International Rescue organization.

-Kyrano: A caretaker on Tracy Island. He doesn't know that Jeff's sons are a part of International Rescue. His half brother is The Hood, IR's arch enemy.

-Tin Tin: Kyrano's daughter. She doesn't see much action, but goes on a rescue every now and again.

-Grandma Tracy: Jeff's mother. She isn't too important, but in one episode she is placed in a near-death situation.

-Lady Penelope: Internation Rescue is strictly a rescue organization; they don't pursue criminals. That's why they hired Lady Penelope. She was a rich girl who found life boring, so she took up espionage.

-Parker: Lady Penelope's butler. Unquestionably the ugliest puppet in the series. His primary role is driving Lady Penelope around in her pink Rolls Royce, FAB 1.

-The Hood: Most bad guys in the series are in a few episodes only, but The Hood is the most reoccuring nemesis. He is Kyrano's half brother, and seeks to take pictures of the Thunderbirds, although this is highly illegal. Unfortunately for him, Thunderbird 1, the one he usually tries to photograph, has an automatic camera detector. He is never actually named in the series, but was given this name years later, due to being a master of disguise.

No question, Thunderbirds is a dated series, but it has stood the test of time. Other reviewers are disappointed that the puppet strings weren't digitally removed. What's the big deal? It's obvious these guys are puppets, so why bother removing the strings? It's good to have the series on DVD, but if you REALLY want to learn about the series and its creator, Gerry Anderson, watch the episodes on Tech TV. Each episode gives you some interesting facts, and sadly many of these can't be found on the DVDs. But if you want your episodes commercial-free, DVD is the only way to go. Take my advice - If you're going to get episodes on DVD, get the box set. It may be a tad pricey, but if you get it, you'll be saving money ... Regardless of who you are, I suggest checking out this series...

My husband loved this show and now my 4 year old is hooked. Great for space loving kids.

A fun blast from the past. as a kid, I always found Thunderbirds fascinating but also a little creepy. Here they are in gorgeous DVD with excellent remastered sound. As an adult, you realize that many of the episodes drag a bit through their 50-minute length, but that doesnÕt affect the sheer fun-factor of watching these classic episodes! Thunderbirds Are Go!

For any one who grew up watching the Thunderbirds (A.K.A. "International Rescue") this is sure to be a treat. Once again you can visit some of the magic of childhood while watching some pretty good innovative techniques & explosions - considering this was done in the 60s.

Join Scott, Virgil, John, Gordon, Alan & Brains as they fight evil and rescue hapless victims from the clutches of Hood!

This series was intellegentlly written and the effects were awesome. You must keep in mind that this written in the mind 1960's, but well ahead of it's time.

Not just this set of episodes, but the Thunderbirds saga as a whole. Now there's tremendous news that Volumes 3 and 4 will be coming out for Thanksgiving. No details yet on the episodes or whatever extras may be included, but figure 6 more episodes in each set. So that's 24 of the 32 episodes which will be seen. It still holds up well, even 35 years later. I'm glad A&E has seen fit to release two excellent Gerry Anderson series, two of his best.

The second half-dozen episodes of Thunderbirds are available on DVD and they encompass several of the series' best moments.

Vault of Death - A more comedic-oriented episode than usual, it details Lady Penelope and Parker's break-in at the Bank of England - designed to prove to the bank's officials the need for more modern vaults - but the ensuing change may kill an absent-minded employee, who becomes trapped in a high-tech vault programmed to purge out all the air inside.

The strongest aspect of this episode is that it delves into Parker's past and gives the viewer a look at the man and helps explain how he became who he presently is.

Operation Crashdive - A sequel to the series pilot, to which there is a reference in a newscast about the crash of a Fireflash airliner. Additional such craft are mysteriously crashing, and IR must deduce the reason why - to the point that Scott must fly a Fireflash craft with Captain Hanson, the pilot of the first Fireflash. This episode also features one of the best "intro" shots of the series as Fireflash taxis out of its form-fitting hangar in Act IV underscored by one of Barry Gray's most powerful cues.

Move And You're Dead - This episode is told almost entirely in flashback, and the use of the technique by writer-director Alan Patillo is strikingly effective. Alan and Grandma are kidnapped by a jealous racecar driver and left on a bridge with a bomb and motion detector - the motion detector will detonate the bomb if the two prisoners try to escape. Jeff and tinTin must talk Alan through retelling his story while Scott and Virgil fly to the area.

Martian Invasion - The Hood uses his hypnotic power over the Tracys' manservant Kyrano to shut off camera detectors about Thunderbird One, and then uses a sci-fi movie as cover to lure IR to the Nevada desert, where he films them in action for a mysterious international general. The premise is good and well presented, especially the chase in the third and fourth acts, but there are some plot holes and the denoument of the chase is too comedic, an uncharacteristic failing of the show's best writer, Alan Fennell.

Brink of Disaster - Basically two unrelated plots in this Fennell script are tied together by the central premise of Warren Grafton, a monorail executive in need of a big infusion of quick cash to finance his US-based monorail system, a system overly dependent on automated train systems and a fleet of patrolling hoverjets, one of which crashes and severs an overhanging section of track. The episode's subplot involves thieves with Grafton's company who break into Penelope's home to steal her valuable collection of jewels to finance Grafton's business. This aspect appears more an effort to kill time than a believeable subplot, as the train-crash angle does not contain enough screentime to fill out an hour-long format.

The Perils Of Penelope - Penny gets involved with the kidnapping of a famed scientist, and it is up to IR to find them amid the blackness of a monorail tunnel in Switzerland. The episode used two directors, Alan Patillo and Desmond Saunders, perhaps because of the extensive use of footage from the Saunders-directed episode Sunprobe at the beginning - which suggests Sunprobe and Perils were filmed simultaneously.

Everything in my review of Set 1 applies here too. Two things I forgot to mention there were Barry Gray's brilliant incidental music, and the Frank Lloyd Wright-esque architecture on Tracy Island.

Can't wait for when (if?) Carlton will release the other 20 episodes and 2 feature films on DVD! And how about UFO, too!

When I first watched the series on black-and-white TV screen, I was wrongly informed that it was stop-motion animation. And much later when I got news that it came on DVD, I learned that it was marionation that called the puppets to life. Anyway I've been longing to watch it again for really a long time. And I want the rest of the series on DVD....

About the series itself, the essence is that the IR has wonderful equipments which powers the drama and feeds the excitement to the viewers in each episode of the series. And there's the not-superhuman-strong but courageous characters, somewhat unrealistic, self-sacrificing for their mission -- from their unknown motives(What do they get from their work? Suspicious. But it's okay for enjoying the show.). And this show is pollitically more right than "Superman" series. It's the equipments that makes them hero, not their muscular body. Men and women show the same validity in their work. It's not polluted by macho chauvinism while it's a story of heroes.

Sorry for my gibberish :-p