A witless reworking of the 60s TV hit, Thunderbirds is a triumph of design over invention. The sets looks spectacular, the vehicles va-va-voom, and the effects suitably special. But the sheen can't compensate for dreary dialogue, a tedious story, and acting often as wooden as the original's puppets (a cheap shot, but still true). The makers opt to imprison Jeff Tracy (Bill Paxton) and the International Rescue team in space, while his uppity young son (Brady Corbet) outwits the eeevil Hood (Ben Kingsley) on Earth. Roughly, it's Spy Kids minus fun.
Aiming at a yoof audience with the patronising kid-coming-of-age theme, the
makers have reduced the Tracy team of daring, disaster-averting lifesavers to victims - the brothers all interchangeable, spikey-haired smiles who look like they're auditioning for Pop Idol. Taking liberties is one thing, but you'd better take them somewhere interesting. The changes here are mostly for the blander, not the better.
"LACKS ANY SOUL"
Star Trek: Insurrection director Jonathan Frakes pulls the strings, conjuring a tone which veers between camp and laughably over-earnest ("Saving lives is a dangerous business but it's what we do"). Kingsley takes the whole enterprise far too seriously, while Corbet is competent but
charisma-free. Only Sophia Myles makes a positive impression, acting amused and amusing as in-the-pink posh spy Lady Penelope ("Put me down, this outfit is couture").
The Thunderbirds vehicles are impressively realised (even the tarted up, purist-bothering motor of Lady P looks grand), but this live action adaptation of Gerry Anderson's iconic creations lacks any soul. Unless you're under six, Thunderbirds are no go.
Thunderbirds (2004)
