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New Captain Scarlet
Feb. 12th, 2005 07:08 pmI saw the series opener for the new CGI - based series of Captain Scarlet, which premiered on a TV show, Ministry of Mayhem, this morning on British terrestrial TV.
To summarise, the show is a palpable hit.
Technically, the degree of attention to detail in the show's production values was astonishing, from the detail in texturing, the effective use of lighting, shadows, water, reflections, skin textures, even imperfections and rust on metal surfaces.
The animation of the characters was superb, making use of the latest developments in technologies such as tracking suits: the characters get to do a lot more walking, jumping, moving about. Faces are far more expressive, to boot, with characters showing emotion to an extent impossible with puppets.
All that attention wasn't skimped in other areas, either. The plotline now rocks, giving a very plausible reason for the origins of both Captain Scarlet and Captain Black, as well as the means by which Captain Scarlet's controlling Mysteron is driven from his body, leaving Captain Scarlet as the heroic, Earth - loyal, yet "virtually indestructible" hero he becomes.
The characters' personas, history, relationships etc., are set to be developed: Captain Scarlet and Captain Black are seen at the beginning to be close friends, with a hint at romantic rivalry for the same woman: Destiny Angel.
If you haven't seen it yet, I heartily commend it, and recommend you invest in the DVDs when they are released. You will likely be enjoying this incarnation for many years to come, and not merely at the expense of the original: you will be able to enjoy both incarnations each on their own unique merits.
This is clearly what Gerry Anderson wanted all along, and I think things can be accomplished with this new incarnation of Captain Scarlet that frankly could not have been dreamed of back in the day.
This really is 21st Century Television. I dearly wish Gerry Anderson, and all who have the great fortune of working with him, the best of luck for this new series (and keep my fingers crossed for an all CGI Thunderbirds to grace our TV screens).
To summarise, the show is a palpable hit.
Technically, the degree of attention to detail in the show's production values was astonishing, from the detail in texturing, the effective use of lighting, shadows, water, reflections, skin textures, even imperfections and rust on metal surfaces.
The animation of the characters was superb, making use of the latest developments in technologies such as tracking suits: the characters get to do a lot more walking, jumping, moving about. Faces are far more expressive, to boot, with characters showing emotion to an extent impossible with puppets.
All that attention wasn't skimped in other areas, either. The plotline now rocks, giving a very plausible reason for the origins of both Captain Scarlet and Captain Black, as well as the means by which Captain Scarlet's controlling Mysteron is driven from his body, leaving Captain Scarlet as the heroic, Earth - loyal, yet "virtually indestructible" hero he becomes.
The characters' personas, history, relationships etc., are set to be developed: Captain Scarlet and Captain Black are seen at the beginning to be close friends, with a hint at romantic rivalry for the same woman: Destiny Angel.
If you haven't seen it yet, I heartily commend it, and recommend you invest in the DVDs when they are released. You will likely be enjoying this incarnation for many years to come, and not merely at the expense of the original: you will be able to enjoy both incarnations each on their own unique merits.
This is clearly what Gerry Anderson wanted all along, and I think things can be accomplished with this new incarnation of Captain Scarlet that frankly could not have been dreamed of back in the day.
This really is 21st Century Television. I dearly wish Gerry Anderson, and all who have the great fortune of working with him, the best of luck for this new series (and keep my fingers crossed for an all CGI Thunderbirds to grace our TV screens).
