Thunderbirds (TV series)

Thunderbirds is a mid-1960s Sylvia and Gerry Anderson television show which used a form of puppetry called "Supermarionation".

2004 feature film version

A live action feature film version directed by Jonathan Frakes, and premièred on July 24, 2004. All of the Thunderbird craft seen in the live action film are based upon the original designs, but with refinements. The film garnered poor reviews with critics complaining that the plot was essentially a copy of Spy Kids that sidelined the main series characters in favour of children characters who have to rescue the adults, alienating longtime fans of the show, many of whom are adults. (In fairness, it should be pointed out that the plot of the film Thunderbirds Are Go also focused on the youngest Tracy brother, but not to the same extent). The film performed poorly at the box office with its opening weekend having the film finished out of the top ten grossing films of that period. A North American DVD release occurred in early 2005.

Related Topics:
Live action - Film - Jonathan Frakes - July 24 - 2004 - Spy Kids - Box office - North American - 2005

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The original series also inspired South Park creators Matt Stone and Trey Parker to create their own marionette-based movie, ' using much of the same techniques as that developed by Gerry Anderson. Ironically, Team America arrived in theaters only weeks after the failure of the new Thunderbirds film, and while it also was hardly a box office blockbuster, it nonetheless earned glowing reviews from many critics, as well as favorable comments from Anderson himself.

Related Topics:
South Park - Matt Stone - Trey Parker

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