Friday, March 5, 2010
Buck Rogers Sneak Peak
Thanks to Christopher Mills at Space: 1970 -- an amazing blog you really ought to be reading --I was made aware of this sneak peak video for the upcoming Buck Rogers in the 25th Century web series. What's really awesome about this clip, aside from the nostalgia value of seeing Gil Gerard and Erin Gray, is that, in contrast to certain other films inspired by pulp stories I could mention, it's returning to the source material and hewing more closely to the source material in order to re-imagine an iconic character.
Placing Buck in the context of the Great War is something I heartily applaud -- would that Hollywood were similarly inclined. Fortunately, technology is now getting to the point where dedicated amateurs can share their artistic visions with others directly without the need to dilute them in the name of mass market viability. I have no illusions that this web series will set the world on fire or make Buck Rogers the latest fad in SF, but it's still glorious to see that it's not only possible but indeed more possible than ever for creators to realize their dreams.
Godspeed, Captain Rogers.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
I just watched it as well, and was really impressed. :)
ReplyDelete> Placing Buck in the context of the Great War is something I heartily applaud
ReplyDeleteThat's a fundamental part of the original story, btw. :)
Looks good, thanks!
Sweet Monkey Jesus, could this have been any more perfect? While I look forward to seeing the later chapters, They're most likely not going to use the original plot, as it was about a politically incorrect as you can get...'twill be interesting to see the results though.
ReplyDeleteHis makeup and acting seem a bit stiff and unreal compared to Mom and Dad who are shockingly good. I'm actually hopeful about this thing.
ReplyDelete...
ReplyDeleteOK, that was impressive. Looking forward to this.
@trollsmyth, well, Gil & Erin aren't Hoffman and Streep, but they've been solid pros for goodly while and it shows. (Fun seeing them in this, btw.)
re: Great War setting, 3 thumbs up. I remember reading about Pete Jackson and Kong, where he'd said there was pressure from studio to set it in modern times. His response was basically "Bi-planes."
They're most likely not going to use the original plot, as it was about a politically incorrect as you can get...'twill be interesting to see the results though.
ReplyDeleteYes, it will be. For me, it's not so important that they actually use the original plot, but I want to have the sense that they're familiar with it and understand it. The issue I have with so many reboots, remakes, and reimaginings is that I get the sense the people behind it are either utterly unfamiliar with the original or contemptuous of it (or both). I certainly don't get that sense with this Buck Rogers web series. Given that, I'm willing to forgo than Han etc. if what we get is a series that combines understanding and respect for the source material with contemporary creativity and know-how.
Sweet! I agree - it was great to see Gerard and Gray. I had missed this entirely. Back when I was a kid, the local library had a massive collection of Buck Rogers strips - partial (so there were gaps), but it included the earliest (against the Han), the Atlantis saga, the Tiger Men of Mars, and then straight into the full color rocket ship stuff (which, truth be told I loved most of all).
ReplyDeleteAll the key people involved have the 1969-1970 reprints as a guideline. Flint Dille of the Dille Family Trust, Buck Rogers Trademark owners, works closely with Cawley and company to ensure the stories and series bible will be based upon the 1929-1940 era of Buck Rogers original comics.
ReplyDeleteCawley Entertainment Company and Retro Film Studios are striving to provide strong stories, good character development as well as a retro-futuristic look - akin to the "Steam Punk" genre.
Notary Sojac
This look like it could be very good. I enjoyed this part.
ReplyDeleteBut it wouldn't have been on the radio. It would've been on the Marconi, if anything. Probably no radio on the farm until the 1920's, though.
ReplyDeleteIt sorta lurched in time. I realize it's hard to keep track of this stuff, but... they'll have to do better, before they start the show.
The snapbeans were right on, though.
I thought the mom and dad were great -- but the kid left something be be desired. I just have never really accepted the fresh-faced "gee" kid -- ala Chris O'Donnell -- as the hero. There were kids in my high school who were more mature, and that was 25 years ago.
ReplyDeleteAh well, I'm hoping to see more, but from what I've seen it's not as good as "The Guild."