Entertainment Movie Reviews

Also available on VHS again. Finally.

Also on DVD. At last.

When Honor Blackman (Mrs. Cathy Gale) left the series after season 3 to take up the lead role in the Bond movie "Goldfinger," the producers had already made the decision to start filming the series, moving it out of the TV studio and giving it a much glossier and dynamic feel. John Steed (Patrick MacNee), the debonair British government agent stayed on and his new partner was devised by the production team to be another tough, all-action girl with "Man Appeal." M-Appeal (geddit?) Elizabeth Shepherd was cast as Mrs. Emma Peel and two episodes were filmed before it was mutually agreed that she didn't meet the expectations of the production team. A quick replacement was sought and in stepped Diana Rigg. A TV legend was born.

The relationship between Steed and Mrs. Gale had always been haughty to say the least. With the introduction of the widowed (or seemingly) Mrs. Peel, the relationship between the two leads became much closer. Mrs. Peel was as intelligent, quick thinking and emasculated as her predecessor, and initially at least shared her penchant for leather outfits, but she was also certainly softer and more readily prepared to act as Steed's partner in their adventures.

The stories were certainly becoming much more fantasy bound, and the use of diabolical masterminds and organizations with bizarre acronyms became the norm for the stories from this series on. The fantasy and sci-fi elements of the show were highlighted more than before and the fashions and design of the show took on a much more stylish and indeed 'stylized' look. The success of these elements was immediate, and huge ratings in the UK followed, plus overseas transmissions of the show followed for the first time. Such was their success indeed that another 26 episodes were soon commissioned, this time to be made in color.

The stories have supposedly been digitally re-mastered for these DVD releases, and indeed the picture quality is pretty impressive, but there is still sparkle and dirt on the prints that may detract from the quality for some viewers. The 26 episodes are presented in the same order of their original UK transmission.

This for me is the very best season of the show, with great style and wit accompanying the excellent scripts, direction and production values. I'd certainly recommend this release to anyone.

As Emma Peel, the tall, lithe Rigg made a strong female partner for Patrick Macnee's suave, polite agent John Steed, the lifeblood of the series.

Macnee provided brilliant support for all his leading ladies, and crisp, buxom Honor Blackman originated the role of leather-clad, judo-chopping woman warrior. But those show were not originally broadcast in the US, where viewers first tuned in and were turned on by Macnee's sparkling chemistry with the modelish Rigg.

A few caveats: this never more than a cult show in the U.S., and the shortcomings of its shoestring budgets are sometimes obvious. The writing varies in tone from intense action to silly comedy. The quality of the disks is generally quite good, but not always great. The A&E disks have few extras compared to the Contender series available in the UK. American fans: the checkerboard intro is missing, because these disks were made from UK masters, where the lead-in wasn't used.

That said, these episodes present several high points for the series in writing and direction, and also several of Rigg's more notorious costumes.

All that applies to the atmospheric historical thriller, `A Touch of Brimstone.' Diana Rigg is poured, padded and pushed up into black dominatrix gear, with boots, corset and snake. But the plot is ingenious, and Pat Macnee holds his end up, outwitting as well as outfighting particularly nasty villians.

Perhaps the best episode, though, has Peel trapped in a computerized house, trying to `reason her way out' of the predicament. Compared to the typical damsel-in-distress plots of other TV shows of the time, `The Avengers' women were decades ahead of their time.

`The Dangermakers' is another thriller, as the heroes infiltrate a group of thrill-seekers, military men who don't get enough buzz from civilian life.

`Honey for the Prince' presents nefarious goings-on with a lighter touch, and includes sterling performances by the best gallery of eccentric supporting characters ever assembled. Still, some fans fast-forward to Emma's dance of six veils. Her unpadded bustier does nothing for Diana Rigg's waifish bust _ think Kate Moss, not Pam Anderson. But her Emma Peel character does does think, and Rigg also shows endearing spunk in something as simple as tugging on her Turkish trousers. Scantily clad, she still takes out the bad guy.

In a fashion sense, the boyish Rigg does better dressed as Robin Hood in `A Sense of History.' Diana still saves the day in a costume that flatters her thin figure and shows off her legs. The plot is not quite as sharp as `Brimstone,' but there's another off-beat villain to provide a surprise.

`What the Butler Saw' is a bit fluffy, but gives Patrick Macnee a chance to have some fun in various undercover guises, including, of course, a true gentleman's gentleman.

The only real clunker in the lot is `How to Succeed.. at Murder,' a tiresome and condescending take on feminism that is even more dated now.

Six out of seven isn't bad, especially as part of a charming series that greatly influenced the `X-Files,' `Dark Angel,' `Alias,' `Charlie's Angels,' maybe even `Ed.' If you're curious about `The Avengers,' this is the place to start.

Also, the Indian is played sympathetically by a real native actor-- a double rarity from the time of this film's production.

Your kids will love it, and its just what they should be watching... buy it before it goes out of print again. AL

"Shall we walk"
"I'd rather be carried"

The paranoia over the Soviet Union seems sad, pathetic, and dated now, but captures the genuine flavor of the era.

If you are a TZ fan, this merits your attention. If you are exploring TZ, try a small, inexpensive sampler, then step up to this when you are ready. Seriously consider this, also, for those on your gift list who have everything and/or are difficult to buy for.

Technically, the digital remastering to DVD has brought new life to Rod Serling's brainchild. The video presentation is crisp and well defined, bringing out the subtle details so well, that you will find yourself completely absorbed in the nuances of Serling's vision, and the outstanding production values for this early 60's series (just keep in mind that this is pre-Computer Generation era). The audio was clear, and blissfully noise free, but a bit low on the volume when compared to the title and menu audio tracks (both on the geyeballh version of the earlier disks, and the intro sequences on the later disks). The shows are presented in their original format, so no widescreen version is necessary. And television always translates well to...well, television. Although the extras include a Rod Serling bio, a brief synopsis of each of the 5 seasons that the series ran, and a Twilight Zone history, these features are identical on each disc. The true gem of the extra features is the episode synopsis and review. Each disc is unique in this respect, with a plot summary and some background "inside info". Although mostly taken from the book "The Twilight Zone Companion," I found this feature to be the most interesting.

Each collection has its ghitsh and gmissesh, but the series is, overall, a rewarding experience. The only "disappointments" that I found were the collection's lack of a subtitles option (which I really would have appreciated), and the fact that the episodes are not in order (which slightly detracts from observing the actual progression of growth within the series). That makes this more of a 4 1/2 star rating (but you can't do that, can you?). If you have ever enjoyed even one episode of this legendary series, you will not regret buying these collections. And if you've never seen it, give it a try...you'll be hooked.

The biggest complaint I have for this DVD is the lighting and videography. Too often the camera catches the subjects in the shadows, or a glare coming from the lights reflecting off of the instruments, or a haze created by the lighting of the stage. Also, there are some puzzling shots of the landscape surrounding the outdoor theater. Still, the performances are well worth the price of the DVD as they capture a moment in time when "New Age" music came into its own.

Me being the Subaru/Seishiro whore that I am, I will eternally regard this as my favorite volume of X TV. Their representation of their battle, while in my opinion was not NEARLY long enough, was still intense enough to grab my attention and keep it riveted. *cripes, I've forgotten how to spell!*

The other episodes, after the travesty that was 'Slaughter,' failed to impress me though. Yuzu-chan's episode was cutsey and Fuuma's utterly kick-ass, but I was still a bit too demolished emotionally to appreciate them. Perhaps it's because I watched the last 2 minutes of 'Slaughter' so many times over that I was afraid my drive would start eating at my DVD in protest.

I clap merrily for the director for keeping the beauty of Subaru and Seishiro's scenes intact. However, I'm still of the opinion that anime Sei-chan's fugly compared to his manga self, and definately a dog compared to his Tokyo Babylon representation. And Subaru had his bad camera angle moments, too - just destroy the bish goodness, why don't'cha.

Wish they hadn't cut out the kiss in Sei-chan's side story, but guess you can't keep everything - especially with Clamp works and censors involved.

Just someone tell me - did anyone else get the distinct impression that the animators had stared at Tokyo Babylon Part One forever to be inspired for that heart-breaking photograph at the end?

I'm going to go watch 'Slaughter' again and cry now. Gaw, I love it!

'Slaughter' is the first real battle clash between the dragons. This has been a while in coming while the writers have developed the characters in fine detail. Subaru fights first with Fuma and then with Seishoro, who once killed the woman he loved. First blood is spilled in a grim story that reveals much about the forces of destiny driving the story line.

I expected the battles to continue from that point on, so my first surprise was to discover that the next episode, 'Wish,' was a deep dive into Kamui's doubt's and motivations. A great reminder that he is not a simple player in a divine destiny but a human torn with anguish over the tragedies he has had to witness. Now it is time to accept his role.

But the real surprise of this set is 'Newborn,' which is a pure tour-de-force. This time it is Yuzuriha and Inuku who are the protagonists opposed first by the cold, questioning Satsuki and then by Fuma. This is a sure formula for a tragedy yet, somehow, this episode zags just when you expect it to zig in a fashion almost impossible to explain. The result is a triumphs is a triumph for both the actors, the writers, and the artists.

With three-fourths of this series over I've been musing at how much more compelling this version is than either the feature film or the manga. In both of those cases the story frequently feels disjointed, particularly the film. In this telling, even though the story line still jumps around, there is a sense of balance and flow that draws the viewer in deeper and deeper. Perhaps this is because of the acting, or the director's knack for fleshing out the original's sketchiness, but it has complete changed my attitude toward the tale.

This isn't a beginner's anime series - it isn't light sci-fi or romance, but it touches some of anime's deepest themes. It is bound to become the kind of classic that should be on everyone's must see list.

Long Live X TV !!!!!!