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Thunderbirds

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Thunderbirds (2004)

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19 %
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Reviews Counted:99

Fresh:19

Rotten:80

Average Rating:4.1/10

Consensus: Live-action cartoon for kids.

Rated: PG [See Full Rating] for intense action sequences and language

Runtime: 1 hr 35 mins

Genre: Action/Adventure

Theatrical Release:23-07-2004

Synopsis: Based on the cult British television show from the 1960s, THUNDERBIRDS explodes into the 21st Century with this thrilling live-action version of the franchise. Drawing on similar themes and... Based on the cult British television show from the 1960s, THUNDERBIRDS explodes into the 21st Century with this thrilling live-action version of the franchise. Drawing on similar themes and familiar characters, director Jonathan Frakes (STAR TREK: FIRST CONTACT) sticks closely to the spirit of the original show while making use of the new technology available to him 40 years after the program first aired to give the film a modern look. The International Rescue organization--a team of highly organized law enforcers--is the focal point for the movie. International Rescue is based on a remote desert island location, and is called into action whenever the world's sinister masterminds threaten to disturb the balance of society. Jeff Tracy (Bill Paxton) heads up the team, and employs his sons to help him out. Teenager Alan Tracy (Brady Corbet) is a little too young to join, and is constantly frustrated by his lack of opportunity to join the brothers on their missions. But when the evil villain known as The Hood (Ben Kingsley) traps the International Rescue team in outer space, it seems Alan's time has come. The Hood steals one of the many spacecrafts designed by International Rescue, and executes an outlandish scheme to rob the Bank of England. Alan and his pal Fermat (Soren Fulton) attempt the double-whammy of rescuing the trapped family and stopping The Hood, by drawing on help from the sultry detective Lady Penelope (Sophia Myles), her butler Parker (Ron Cook), and a few gadgets and vehicles courtesy of International Rescue. With comic references to the original show scattered liberally throughout the movie, and a sense of fun and adventure, this is a film that should appeal to both old and new fans of these popular crime-fighting characters. [More]

Starring: Ben Kingsley, Bill Paxton, Anthony Edwards, Sophia Myles

Starring: Ben Kingsley, Bill Paxton, Anthony Edwards, Sophia Myles, Brady Corbet, Soren Fulton

Director: Jonathan Frakes

Director: Jonathan Frakes
Screenwriter: William Osborne, Michael McCullers
Producer: Tim Bevan, Eric Fellner, Mark Huffman
Composer: Hans Zimmer
Studio: Universal Pictures

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Reviews for Thunderbirds

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1 - 20 (sorted by rotten rating; UK critics are listed first)
Text View | 1 2 3 4 5 6 >> >|
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What impenetrable, overwrought codswallop this one’s turned out to be.

Full Review Source: Time Out | comment Comment
02/09/06
Derek Adams
Derek Adams
Time Out
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Despite some incidental pleasures, thin writing, shabby direction and heavy-handed performances make this neither one for the purists nor thrill-seeking kids.

Full Review Source: Empire Magazine | comment Comment
07/23/04
Ian Freer
Ian Freer
Empire Magazine
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Largely a case of what could have been, rather than what was.

Full Review Source: FilmFocus | comment Comment
07/25/04
Joe Utichi
Joe Utichi
FilmFocus

It’s badly acted, poorly written and completely lacking in wit, tension, or excitement.

Full Review Source: ViewLondon | comment Comment
07/24/04
Matthew Turner
Matthew Turner
ViewLondon

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.

Full Review Source: BBC | comment Comment
07/20/04
Nev Pierce
Nev Pierce
BBC
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Filmed in a zany, colourful style reminiscent of the Spy Kids movies, this is enjoyable fun until earnest lines of dialog bring everything to a shrieking stop.

Full Review Source: Shadows on the Wall | comment Comment
05/27/04
Rich Cline
Rich Cline
Shadows on the Wall

The puppets still leave more of a lasting impression.

Full Review Source: Times [UK] | comment Comment
07/22/04
Wendy Ide
Wendy Ide
Times [UK]
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Fans of the original will likely be upset, but the kids will probably love it.

Full Review Source: Channel 4 Film | comment Comment
01/06/04
Daniel Etherington
Daniel Etherington
Channel 4 Film
Top Critic Icon Top Critic
N/R

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: Boston Phoenix | comment Comment
08/07/04
Boston Phoenix
N/R

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: St. Louis Post-Dispatch | comment Comment
07/30/04
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
N/R

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: Cinema Crazed | comment Comment
04/29/09
Felix Vasquez Jr.
Felix Vasquez Jr.
Cinema Crazed
N/R

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: Urban Cinefile | comment Comment
10/18/08
Urban Cinefile Critics
Urban Cinefile Critics
Urban Cinefile

The movie is clearly aimed at kids, who might like the cool crafts but will otherwise be bored.

Full Review Source: E! Online | comment Comment
07/30/04
E! Online

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: Sunday Times (Australia) | comment Comment
09/20/04
Sunday Times (Australia)

As Roberto Benigni's Pinocchio and this paper-thin adventure prove, trying to breathe life into beloved puppet figures can be deadly.

Full Review Source: FilmStew.com | comment Comment
08/02/04
Addie Morfoot
Addie Morfoot
FilmStew.com

Simply put, this is a bad, bad film, this summer's answer to last summer's The League of Extraordinary Gentleman.

Full Review Source: Globe and Mail | comment Comment
07/30/04
Alan Niester
Alan Niester
Globe and Mail

A new and rather breathtakingly misconceived attempt to revisit a vintage TV show that did not under any circumstances need to be revisited.

Full Review Source: Houston Chronicle | comment Comment
07/21/05
Amy Biancolli
Amy Biancolli
Houston Chronicle

The movie Thunderbirds plays out as if it were written by a half-hearted grade-schooler.

Full Review Source: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel | comment Comment
07/30/04
Andrew Green
Andrew Green
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

The script exploits what's probably the ultimate male child fantasy: proving to Daddy that son is worthy of hero-size respect.

Full Review Source: Las Vegas Mercury | comment Comment
11/02/04
Anthony Del Valle
Anthony Del Valle
Las Vegas Mercury

The script exploits what's probably the ultimate male child fantasy: proving to Daddy that son is worthy of hero-size respect.

Full Review Source: Las Vegas Mercury | comment Comment
11/02/04
Anthony Del Valle
Anthony Del Valle
Las Vegas Mercury
 
 
1 - 20 (sorted by rotten rating; UK critics are listed first)
Text View | 1 2 3 4 5 6 >> >|
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Latest News for Thunderbirds

August 27, 2007: Video Exclusive: Sophia Myles talks Hallam Foe with RT
We chat to the supremely lovely British actress about her latest role in David Mackenzie's new film. More...

June 19, 2006: Poster Parade: "Zoom," "Bug" & "Guardian"
It's not too often I find myself looking forward to a Tim Allen comedy, but this one's about superheroes and also stars Courteney Cox, Rip Torn, and ... Chevy Chase (!), so... More...

May 25, 2005: Trailer Bulletin: "Sky High"
Yahoo! Movies brings us our very first look at "Sky High," which is Disney's cross between family comedy and superhero adventure flick. Kurt Russell... More...

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