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Thunderbirds Details

2004 DVD Certificate PG.gif
  • Rated:
  • 50
  • from 17,316 members

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 .. Read more

Starring Bill Paxton, Anthony Edwards, Sophia Myles, Ben Kingsley
Director Jonathan Frakes
Genres Action/Adventure, Children, Thriller

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Thunderbirds

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.

Starring Bill Paxton, Anthony Edwards, Sophia Myles, Ben Kingsley, Brady Corbet, Vanessa Anne Hudgens
Director Jonathan Frakes
Studio UNIVERSAL PICTURES UK VIDEO RENTAL
Run time DVD: 1 hr 31 mins
Certificate DVD Certificate PG.gif
Collections 100 Big Adventures
Genres Action/Adventure, Children, Thriller
Language English
Hearing-impaired English
Released DVD: 15 Nov 2004
Production year: 2004
Format DVD
  • Critics' reviews (3) of Thunderbirds

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  • 2 stars out of 5

    Fans of the original 1960s TV series may well feel short-changed by this pedestrian live action adventure from Star Trek: Insurrection director Jonathan Frakes. It's more an “inspired by” homage than a direct adaptation, with the Tracy family's core members disastrously sidelined to supporting roles. Instead the focus is on sulky adolescent Alan Tracy (Brady Corbet) who resents studying at boarding school while his dad (Bill Paxton) and brothers are saving the world. Cue a wannabe SPYkids plot in which Alan and his two cutesy pals are left to defeat The Hood (Ben Kingsley), after the villain lures the International Rescue team away on a fake mission and takes over Tracy Island. Except for the frothy kitsch of Sophia Myles's Lady Penelope and her multi-talented chauffeur, Parker (Ron Cook), there's just no substance or vitality to this obviously expensive production. The retro-futuristic design and scenery look great, as do the mighty Thunderbird machines, but style alone can't save a weak script or make flat dialogue sparkle.

    • Radio Times
  • A live action version of an old British TV puppet adventure series that keeps the wooden performances of the original but misses out on its creaky charm.

    • Halliwell's Film Guide
  • Most helpful member's review of Thunderbirds

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  • 26 out of 44 people found this review helpful

    Rated - 5 stars

    Thunderbirds was FAB

    what wasn't there to love about this film, okay so Anthony Edwards could have been replaced with a plank of wood and noone would have known the difference but I had looked forward to this film for forever and I wasn't disappointed. Brady Corbett was brilliant as Alan Tracey and the Thunderbird machines looked FAB. Jonathon Frakes did a superb job, I can't wait for the sequel.

      • Candygirl from N. Wales
  • Most recent members' review of Thunderbirds

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  • 1 out of 1 person found this review helpful

    Rated - 5 stars

    superb

    my kids loved this movie.

    when i was growing up, i was a big fan of the original thunderbird series, and was looking forward to this film coming out. i was not disappointed.

    it was brilliant!!!!!!!!!!!!

      • A customer from gwaenysgor, rhyl, flintshire
  • News and features

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    Thunderbirds

    Thunderbirds threatens industry

    • 25 Aug 2004

    While International Rescue saved lives and livelihoods across the globe, experts are saying that the film based on their exploits is having the opposite effect on the British film industry. Pessimists have said the industry is "in crisis" following the paltry box office takings that Thunderbirds, made by UK film company Working Title, netted. Gerry Anderson's famous TV puppet series has so far netted $6.5 million (£3.6 million) in the US and £4.4 million in the UK - it cost... Read more

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Rating breakdown

17,316 Member ratings
  • 100
619
  • 90
665
  • 80
1,162
  • 70
1,805
  • 60
2,888
  • 50
2,588
  • 40
2,656
  • 30
2,092
  • 20
1,924
  • 10
917

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    • 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 ...