I was in need of a good sci-fi action adventure so I watched the first episode of the Bionic Woman remake On Demand. I found it mildly entertaining. It premieres “for real” on NBC this coming September 26th, or you can download it.
David Eick who (along with Ronald D. Moore) developed the new Battlestar Galactica, created this show and like BSG, this is a reimagining of a '70s program in this case the original Bionic Woman (duh). So if you like BSG you might like this. It stars Michelle Ryan in the role of Jamie Sommers. Mood wise, Bionic Woman is a cross between Heroes and Alias with a touch of Dark Angel. It’s got potential but in my opinion it’s gotta’ get more science-fiction-y or superhero-y if it’s gonna survive. The fact that the Jamie character has cool powers is the big draw of the show but in the pilot that is all downplayed for angst and drama.
Here is what I liked in no particular order (spoilers):
The pilot was under one hour. I’m glad it wasn’t stretched out into some boring made for TV move style deal. Tell the story and get it done.
Sometimes Bionic Woman is dark and creepy in the style of grim and gritty superheroes and vampire movies. I liked the scene in the rain quite a bit. It reminded me of Blade Runner for some reason.
Our heroine has a supervillain-like enemy.
The struggle between military and civilian interests.
Jonas Bledsoe as the hard-ass director of the bionics program. Usually I hate these kinds of stock characters.
The writers kept things moving despite some lame dialog and exposition.
The fact that a regular person was uploaded with military combat programs reminded me of Deathlok. I like Deathlok.
Nanotechnology
Here is what I disliked in no particular order (spoilers):
I wanted Jamie’s accident to be a real accident.
The show needed to present more use of powers.
Bionic Woman is trying too hard to be cool with hip music and a dance club atmosphere.
The characters are all too interconnected. Sometimes things just happen.
There is a dark conspiracy going on that… blah, blah, blah…
Vancouver is getting really old as a stand-in for the US and Sci-Fi shows in general.
I did I mention some lame dialog and exposition (but nowhere near as bad Flash Gordon).
Jamie's recovery was too fast. She didn’t seem very surprised at her newfound powers.
She could have been a little more grateful that her boyfriend saved her life.
Future Opportunities:
There better be a bionic dog, Fembots, and a guest appearance by Lindsay Wagner coming down the pike.
Trailer:
5 comments:
I actually want to see that.
I hope it works. If 'Heroes' is now the benchmark for prime-time sci-fi, I am sorely disappointed.
"Vancouver is getting really old as a stand-in for the US and Sci-Fi shows in general. "
Man, you're so right. Funny how every single planet visited by SG-1 was a temperate rainforest. Though 'Rumble in the Bronx' was the best use of Vancouver for a USA stand-in
Does she have Max the bionic dog or fight Sasquatch? That's when we know we're doing a good job of getting into retro Steve Austin/ Jamie Summers territory.
Nobody can replace Lindsay Wagner. I am glad they are not trying. As with Gene Wilder's Wonka in the Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, this role will be extremely hard to fill. Depp couldn't pull it off even with all his talent. The Lee Majors role would have been much easier to remake.
arkonbey - I've really had more than enough of Vancouver...
Bionic Woman might work they gotta get better hold of the ploting though. My Sci-Fi stuff IMO
-dean nope none of that so far.
-sanb Your right, but I think a Woman cyborg has more appeal nowadays.
Kewl! I wish I could see that.
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