Take 4: BBC Invasion

Hey, folks. Got a little something different going on in this edition of Take 4. One of the things I like most about Netflix is that it allows me to catch up on a lot television series I've missed (e.g. The Sopranos, 24) or that aren't shown frequently here in the U.S. (e.g. Coupling, The Office). So, below, is the first review of a set of television DVDs. The series was three discs, so in essence we've only got two reviews.

Sorry for the delay in this one...as I mentioned in the blog, was sitting here, waiting for the last disc to come in. Just arrived on Saturday, so getting the review out today. Enjoy!

===========================
Lara Croft, Tomb Raider: The Cradle of Life (2003)

In 25 Words or Less: The video game comes to life (again) as Lara Croft races to find Pandora's Box before bad guys can unleash its contents on the world.

For People Who Like...: The Indiana Jones trilogy. Same sort of archaeological bent, but a little on the lighter side across all elements (story, acting, etc). Oh, yeah...and if you liked the first Tomb Raider.

I Know Them!: Angelina Jolie, as Lara Croft. She's really the only person I knew coming into this film. She kicks ass...much as she did in Mr. & Mrs. Smith. She doesn't have much of a sense of humor in this, though. Didn't really have any reason to root for her other than her being a hottie.

Things to Look Out For: 1920's Pulp Adventure Cliches (although it's set in present day); An Evil Looking Pandora's Box; Lots of Gunplay and Hand-to-Hand Combat

Curt's Favorite Character: The film wasn't much on characterization, I'm afraid. Or, at least there were no characters that stuck out as favorites.

Final Thoughts: Going after Pandora's Box was a nifty concept...much as the Ark of the Covenant and the Holy Grail featured prominently in the first and third Indiana Jones movies. Anyone know what was pursued in the second movie? No cheating and looking up online now. Anyway, there was a series of Indiana Jones novels that were pretty quick reads, and Noah's Ark was one of the things being tracked down. I kind of like the whole "searching for things of legendary importance" idea.

Overall Recommendation: 6.5 out of 10 - Again, with an "8" representing my "must see this" threshhold, I have to let this fall shy of the mark. While entertaining, I didn't come out of this going "wow." It was good and entertaining, but not great.

------------------------------------------------------

MI-5: Season One (2002)

In 25 Words or Less: British spy television series that follows the lives of "spooks" (agents) who fight against terrorism and espionage in the United Kingdom.

For People Who Like...: The FOX television series 24. While it doesn't have the "real-time" element, you do have the counter-terrorism aspect. I guess it had some elements of Alias in it as well.

I Know Them!: Didn't know any of the main characters, but Anthony Head (Giles from the Buffy TV series) played a guest role and Hugh Laurie (of the House, M.D. TV series and Flight of the Phoenix) has a recurring role.

Things to Look Out For: Subtitles (They Make Understanding the Story a Lot Easier); Mix of Camera Footage and Surveillane Footage

Curt's Favorite Character: Tessa Phillips, played by Jenny Agutter - She's got so much going on and, without giving too much away, seems to have a lot more power than she lets on

Final Thoughts: The first season contains six episodes, two per disc (in addition to bonus features). The first episode didn't really do it for me, but the second episode hit it out of the park...you knew after watching it that the makers of the show weren't going to pull any punches. Like most great shows (in my mind) the series had elements that were specific to each show, but then also had plotlines that spanned episodes. From Tom trying to decide whether or not to tell his girlfriend and her daughter that he's a spy to Danny's problem with credit card debt, you begin to care about what's going on with the characters in and out of their line of work.

Overall Recommendation: 7.5 out of 10 - Can see how this wouldn't be for everyone, but I definitely plan on renting the other seasons sometime down the road. Falls shy of the "must watch" mark, only because the elements that carry over from one episode to the next aren't edge-of-your seat, nail-biting cliffhangers, but instead lean more toward the social lives of the characters.