And the verdict is... ? (Instrument of Destruction review)

[James. C]

*pokes Chris* You're not far behind them, Chris!

Damn, I really hope us Aussiesget to see it!

[shaqui]

Doc Denim will admit to being 48 years young.....

OK - not the oldest then!

[Clya Brown]

And I'll admit to being 49 - a first-generation fan of Fireball XL5, Stingray, Thunderbirds, Captain Scarlet and UFO, which I felt matured at pretty much the same rate as I did over those years. Then I watched one episode of Space 1999, decided that I'd outgrown the genre and moved on. (Good heavens - I forgot to mention Joe 90! I can't imagine why....). I've just within the last few weeks seen a few episodes of Supercar on video for the very first time, and belatedly concluded that I didn't really miss all that much at the time, though it's fascinating to be able to look back on the origins of the technology that would develop over the next few years into the shows that I remember now with such affection. But we're off-track.

I've now had a day in which to watch the new first episode again over a long cup of coffee with Captain Cerise yesterday afternoon and reflect on it. There's a subtle change of emphasis on the role that the Mysterons play in this conflict, isn't there. We've spent many a happy hour on this Forum debating the circumstances leading up to the War of Nerves as they unfolded in the original series - which were sufficiently ambiguous as to blur the distinctions between right and wrong. In 2068 it was our fault - no question about it - even though it's rationalisable as an error that anybody could have made. The detail that the Mysterons were subsequently unwilling - or perhaps unable - to forgive that error does nothing to erase the guilt associated with the original sin, so to speak - and that point was sufficient to set the original series apart from the far more simplistic "goodies (us) vs baddies (them)" adventure shows that are the mainstay of children's entertainment.

This time round it's rather less ambiguous: these new Mysterons emerge as a race who are spoiling for a fight at the outset, seemingly going out of their way to present a set of circumstances to Scarlet and Black almost guaranteed to kick a war into first gear - and I think that's a shame. There's no suggestion this time round that they didn't understand how a pair of startled humans would react to having a dangerous-looking object thrown at them - indeed, their claim to have been watching us for centuries suggests that they could be expected to understand very well... so why reveal themselves to us at all?

But hey, at least it's worth talking about such things. We could have been sitting at our keyboards wondering what, if anything, to say about it - and we're not. I'd say that's a pretty good start. Pity about the Ministry of Mayhem timeslot, mind - and whoever decided to insert that twenty-minute break in the middle to show a custard pie fight or whatever it was ought to be put against a wall, shot and Mysteronised. Oh well - at least all I had to do was turn my brain off for the duration: not a difficult task under the circumstances.

[FlicCity]

...whoever decided to insert that twenty-minute break in the middle to show a custard pie fight or whatever it was ought to be put against a wall, shot and Mysteronised.

Maybe they were, and it's a Mysteron plot to destroy interest in the new series. For explanations of why they would want to, read 'Back to Basics' by Hazel Kohler.

I am reserving judgement of the new series until -- oh -- the end of the first series? That should give enough time to show which mistakes are going to be kept as part of the show, and which are going to vanish.

But was anyone else disappointed by the lack of the Angels in the episode? Destiny made more appearances than Colonel White (at least, she did if you count the monkey-pictures), but none of the others even got a look in!

[captain wil]

Sniff sniff....I smell a Rare employee....

Yep it's true, I admit, but my appreciation of the Captain and a lot of other GA shows comes from growing up with them from the late 60's onwards. I'm 40 now so the new show was never going to be aimed at me (and nor should it be) but what are forums for if not to air your views?

There's a lot to like in the new show (even after only 1 episode) but I was still a little dissapointed in the lack of imagination in stuff like the opening credits and a few of the redesigns.
I hate harping on about old days being better but just how stylish was the opening to the original CS compared to a just a montage of shots and a forgettable piece of orchestral music?

There's no doubting the level of 3D work and animation, though; it's top notch. I'm not a 3D modeller but I know the process and can see the skill involved.

I still stand by my comparison to other CGI series' like Max Steel, the recent Dan Dare and even Roughnecks, though. Sure, CS is a lot better in terms of detail, animation and overall production value but I suspect to Mr.Mainstream they'll still seem similar on first glance. TV CG still seems incapable of any style other than CG.

Still, like everyone else, it's just my opinion. I'm not making it and I'm not its target audience so what do I know? I hope the kids lap it up and it's a big success.

Wil

[Aegis]

FlicCity: When we made the pilot, Symphony, Harmony, Rhapsody and Melody weren't actually ready - as the show progresses you'll see a good deal more of the Angels

[shaqui]

FlicCity: When we made the pilot, Symphony, Harmony, Rhapsody and Melody weren't actually ready - as the show progresses you'll see a good deal more of the Angels

Didn't the original format of the new show mention something like twelve Angels? Or did I get that wrong?

[Marion]

I wrote:
Maybe next week is the real crunch ? That is when the story can branch out from the original series and direct comparisons will be that much harder to make."

Churchill wrote:
What, after only another 20mins of footage?. Patience my dear.
What's the hurry?.

I suspect that it'll take more than one more episode to "branch out"

If you still have such strong (and I sense pre-conceived) opinions in 8 or so weeks time, i'll be surprised.

It is a given that you get one chance to impress - that is why first impressions are so important. I take note of the various comments that the new series gets even better - its reassuring. However, the decision to break transmission of the CS episodes into 2 parts, means that they will have to impress quickly to keep the level of interest up - CITV has done their new series no favours.
Branching out: they have explained how and why Scarlet has become indestructible and they have already - even in the 20 minutes we've seen - made changes from the original opening episode. So, yes - they can branch out from the original in part 2 of the opening story.
I hope I did not have 'pre-conceived' ideas - in the way that seemed to be implied. I was keen to welcome a new Scarlet series - delighted it would be CGI - with all the additional benefits of movement and plotting that would allow.
I was dismayed when I heard that there had been changes made for - apparantly - no reason, but I have always accepted their right to re-invent their creations.
It was always going to be difficult for the makers of the new series to satisfy everyone - whatever you do, it always is - but this forum is where everyone can express their opinions - good, bad, positive or negative.
I have given my opinions, my impressions of what I have seen so far, and I am with Doc Denim on this - the juror is still out.

Marion - aged 48 (and 7/12ths)

[Aegis]

Shaqui: At this point in time there are 5 Angels and as far as I'm aware there's no plans to change that.

[shaqui]

Shaqui: At this point in time there are 5 Angels and as far as I'm aware there's no plans to change that.

Thanks for that. Must have been an early change to the format, along with (I think) male Angels.

[chrisbishop]

*pokes Chris* You're not far behind them, Chris!

Ouch! *rubs shoulder* Someone has pointy elbows...

Didn't you know you shouldn't mention a lady's age? and beside, I'll not reach the big 4-0 before a month!

I am not what you can call a first generation viewer - not by England's termes, anyway. I first saw Captain Scarlet (and Thunderbirds, Stingray, and Joe 90...) when I was about 6 or 7 years old, in Canada, and in their French-dubbed version. At this point, I was watching it, but it didn't make an impression other than 'hey, a TV show, with pretty colours and plenty of action to keep me interested'.

It's only during reruns a few years after that - I must have been 11 to 13 years old, that I REALLY noticed them. Oh my! What is that?! I did remember the shows then, but just NOW they caught my imagination. I think I was old enough to appreciate the quality of the shows.

Especially - obviously! - the gritty, somber, more serious Captain Scarlet.

[Doc Denim]

Some very interesting commentary here this morning....

There's a subtle change of emphasis on the role that the Mysterons play in this conflict, isn't there?

Taking the following observations into account, I'd call 'subtle' an understatement, Doc B!

This time round it's rather less ambiguous: these new Mysterons emerge as a race who are spoiling for a fight at the outset, seemingly going out of their way to present a set of circumstances to Scarlet and Black almost guaranteed to kick a war into first gear - and I think that's a shame. There's no suggestion this time round that they didn't understand how a pair of startled humans would react to having a dangerous-looking object thrown at them - indeed, their claim to have been watching us for centuries suggests that they could be expected to understand very well... so why reveal themselves to us at all?

This IS a shame - I was (well, I still AM) rather a big fan of the Classic Mysterons and always had trouble viewing them as True Baddies. Not pleased therefore, to hear that they're apparently not the peace-loving types I'd come to know and appreciate. These ones (so far) seem to be much more shallow and vindictive - because if they were so smart and well-studied, they'd have known that we have an unfortunate tendency to shoot first and ask questions later. So the above comment that they were spoiling for a fight doesn't sound at all unreasonable to me. I guess this will make them easier for the general audience to dislike. (It's working for me already!)

We've spent many a happy hour on this Forum debating the circumstances leading up to the War of Nerves as they unfolded in the original series - which were sufficiently ambiguous as to blur the distinctions between right and wrong. In 2068 it was our fault - no question about it - even though it's rationalisable as an error that anybody could have made. The detail that the Mysterons were subsequently unwilling - or perhaps unable - to forgive that error does nothing to erase the guilt associated with the original sin, so to speak - and that point was sufficient to set the original series apart from the far more simplistic "goodies (us) vs baddies (them)" adventure shows that are the mainstay of children's entertainment.

This is SO very succinct it leaves me in awe of Doc Brown's powers of observation. This says it all in a nutshell. I have always believed and will continue to maintain that the original Captian Scarlet series was far too sophisticated to have ever been a mere children's show - but from what I've heard about it so far, this new series, whatever it's good points, appears to have deliberately opted for the more simplistic route - Us against Them and they don't seem to have very many redeeming qualities at this point.

It is a given that you get one chance to impress - that is why first impressions are so important

Certainly can't argue with that, Marion! Well said! This Unqualified Juror will remain out until such first impressions will be rendered.

Doc Denim

PS - Is it still a War of Nerves with weekly threats? Or is it too soon to tell? (Of course, that was another something I loved about the Classic series, so it's probably gone too.)

[hazel]

Hi! Back from my weekend away (which will explain why I haven't put my two-penn'orth into the discussion so far)

I had positive and negative thoughts about it – so let’s get the bad stuff out of the way first.
The script was middling-to-poor. The Mysteronisation of Captain Scarlet, surely the pivotal event of the series, was glossed over in a couple of minutes – I had to watch a couple of times before I realised what had happened.
Captain Scarlet sounds far too American, even though he’s being played by an English actor.
The music is instantly forgettable. Such a shame – I liked Crispin Merrill’s music for Space Precinct and Lavender Castle, both pieces having definite, hummable tunes. This music is simply an assortment of notes. On the plus side, however, the timps are still in, albeit somewhat amended and underused.


Now for the good stuff:
While I agree that the animation and character representations are not tip-top, I’ve heard several times now, and from a variety of sources, that they improve during the series. However, I think the animation is perfectly acceptable – I refer especially to the fight between Scarlet and Blue, when Scarlet flips him into the brig. Very good!
Black’s first victim dies a suitably nasty death, and I loved the representation of creating a new agent!
I was very pleasantly surprised at the overall tone and action-content. Having heard some time ago that it was being aimed at very young boys, I am delighted to find that it also has something to please this middle-aged woman (another one older than you, Shaqui!)

The scheduling is, on first glance, a disaster. Sandwiched into an appallingly bad children’s programme and split into two parts by a contest to identify some pop-star’s mum seems like a dreadful idea. However (and I will check this asap) I believe that MOM gets pretty reasonable viewing figures. If the later-Saturday repeat is ever confirmed, I can see it getting a two or three million viewers on a regular basis, as the 1993 BBC repeats of the original series did.

All in all, I think this was a very encouraging start, and I will certainly continue to watch it.

(BTW, Denim - just one threat so far - "We shall crush your world". So, business as usual...)

[yorkie]

I thought it was excellent. The CGI rain in the cemetry, the car/bike chase - brilliant stuff. Little things like the Anderson Orchards sign was a nice touch. Very fast paced, like watching a CGI version of the TV21 Scarlet comic strip. A new Century 21 for the Playstation generation perhaps? I think it deserves to be a great success. Well done to all concerned - a great job. Good to see Gerry back doing what he does best.

Minor point. The character animation let it down a little in places. In the funeral scene the Spectrum Captains who shot in the air looked a little odd, but scenes such as Blue searching for Scarlet in the hanger deck and Black leaving the cemetry were very well done. It's still early days. I understand it gets better in episode 3. The vehicle animation was superb. The Cheetah racing round the corner was almost real. Love the new look White Falcons/Angels.

Anyone think Dr Gold looks rather like Peter Cushing? And I too wondered where all the Angel pilots disappeared to, not even seen in a background shot. Still it's only episode 1.

The only real down side to me was the opening theme music is dull dull dull, and the modified drumbeat should be MUCH LOUDER.

[Churchill]

Wil wrote:

"There's a lot to like in the new show (even after only 1 episode) but I was still a little disappointed in the lack of imagination in stuff like the opening credits and a few of the redesigns"

I agree with the opening credits comment, but observing now that the credits seem to be made almost entirely from shots from episode 1, I suspect it was put together before the series progressed too far. Probably put together for promotional/fundraising purposes after episode 1 + 2. Therefore i'm not going to make any negative judgements on the series based on this.

I also agree that the new tune is inferior to the old one, but it's certainly not as bad as people here are making out.

Wil also wrote:

"There's no doubting the level of 3D work and animation, though; it's top notch. I'm not a 3D modeller but I know the process and can see the skill involved. "

If it is true that you work for Rare, and are qualifying your opinions based on this, then (genuinely no offence but) maybe you should let your colleagues in on the secret of successful IP creation,as they haven't produced anything progressive or even slightly decent in at least 7 years. Unfortunately judging by their upcoming games, this isn't likely to change either