Alasdair_Wilkins Reviews

Four Feather Falls (1960)

A forgotten kiddie classic

[4 September 2002]

"Four Feather Falls" has slipped into relative obscurity over the years for a number of reasons - its age (42 as of this minute), its length (only 15 minutes per episode), it's in black and white, and the fact that it pales in comparison with its successor, "Supercar". However, "Four Feather Falls", or for the sake of abbreviation FFF, was a wonderful little program.

It may seem a little dated now, but then, so do other Gerry Anderson classics such as "Thunderbirds" or "Stingray". The program is not something that perhaps a whole bunch of teens or adults will enjoy, but if you have kids (or are kids at heart, as I am), they/you will love this show. It presents a lot of great qualities that would continue to show up and are the reason for "Thunderbirds"'s unimaginable success.

Now for a quick synopsis: the show takes place "way back when" (ie the 1870's or thereabouts) in a town in Kansas called Four Feather Falls. The town is named after the four magical feathers owned by the sheriff, Tex Tucker, who embodies everything a hero should be. Gerry Anderson heros became progressively more realistic but as he was the first, his qualities were the most stereotypically heroic. However, that does not detract from the show overall - it fits the format admirably. Two of the feathers allowed his dog and horse to speak and the other two allowed his guns to fire without him even touching them. Then there were the usual band of townsfolk, Indians, and Mexican bandits. Maybe a little stereotypical, but good-natured and hardly racist.

Enjoy this show for the classic that it is, if you can find it. It's difficult to find but if you are prepared to really search you may find it somewhere. I found it and believe me, I'm over the moon that I did.

Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace (1999)

Nothing could live up to the Hype, but this does deliver...

[8 August 2002]

First off, the Phantom Menace is the worst Star Wars film. There, I've said it. However, that doesn't necessarily make it bad. In comparison to the original trilogy, all classics, and a movie that should prove to be a classic, Episode II, most movies do pale. However, that doesn't mean the movie doesn't have redeeming features. It just means that the movie is at a level where we have to point out its redeeming features, if you follow. When I first saw this movie, I was bowled away by the special effects, ideas, locations, and yes, the acting. Liam Neeson's and Ewan McGregor's performances were exceptional, and there were other fantastic bits of acting from Natalie Portman, Terence Stamp, and Ian McDiarmid. Indeed, there were only two real slackers in the cast, but here is where the real problem is. Jake Lloyd does not do a good job portraying Anakin. Although he does somewhat capture the precocity of a gifted nine-year-old (having lived with one, I know), it mainly comes off as bad acting. Plus, the "romance" they are trying to create is misplaced. With Portman and Hayden Christensen in Episode II it works because it is believable. Here it comes off as stupid. A nine year old and a fourteen year old? Please. It isn't helped by the fact Portman looks far older than fourteen. Jar Jar is also a problem. I don't find him as annoying as others, but I can see where people would hate him. In Episode II he works well as a bit player, but as a costar in Episode I he can get aggravating very quickly. In the end Episode I is a must for Star Wars fans, if not "crazed" ones. It works best for casual fans as an introduction to the series, not as the first entry into one of the most popular series of all time after almost 20 years. Keep an open mind and you'll love it. Expect a movie of the caliber of The Empire Strikes Back and you will be doomed from the start.

Prince Caspian and the Voyage of the Dawn Treader (1989)

Too short to be truly excellent

[8 August 2002]

What is the problem with this movie?? Not the acting, which is fantastic. Not the special effects, which are quite good. Not the general feel, which manages to truly capture the spirit of Lewis's books. No, the one problem with this fairly (if not entirely, but I am a nitpicker when it comes to faithfulness) close adaptation of Lewis's classic is its length. Prince Caspian is give hardly anytime at all to unfold, and seems more of a prologue to Dawn Treader than anything else. Dawn Treader is perhaps the best adapted of the four books, as it was easily the hardest and yet done exceedingly well. However, this is unbalanced by the shortness of Prince Caspian, which is nothing if not unmemorable. For anyone who has read the books, I think most would agree that the book Prince Caspian IS a weaker entry, but still, it needed more time than this. The whole thing is rushed with so little development that people who aren't familiar with the books won't know what is going on. So, here are my ratings: Prince Caspian: 2 out of 4 stars Dawn Treader: 4 out of 4 stars Combined: 2.5 out of 4 stars

Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home (1986)

Anti-Trek Film

[8 August 2002]

Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home is my favorite Trek movie but one that I say is off-limits when my friends and I discuss which Trek is the best. Quite simply, this movie is not really a Star Trek movie; Star Trek II and III are far better examples of the genre. Of course, that is what makes Star Trek IV such a fantastic movie; it's crazy and hilarious. This movie is also probably the best one for a family to see other than Insurrection, which is a weaker film anyway. The movie does have more profanity than usual, but it is dealt in such a comedic fashion that it is excusable (the whole colorful metaphors thing always makes me laugh). This is a movie that you could put a very mixed crowd in front of and enjoy; you don't have to love Star Trek to love this movie. This movie is also great because the acting has improved immeasurably since the hammy days of Star Trek: The Original Series and Star Trek - The Motion Picture but everyone has not gone decidedly gray yet. This movie might be looked upon best as a spoof of the genre, but it is not Spaceballs. What this is is a wonderful movie with some great comedy but still some great science fiction ideas (particularly the probe, which is one of the more chilling things I have ever seen in a movie). This was the first Star Trek movie I saw as a child, and it was only until years later that I watched the others. If you have children and want them to introduce them to Star Trek, this is the perfect way. It was for me.

3.5/4 stars