Bravestarr had really bad character/mechanical designs and animation (by Filmation - producers of He-Man). The stories and characterizations were pretty decent though, but they weren't enough to make me a fan. As for Saber Riders and the Star Sheriffs, I watched that too when it came out (it was anime after all, albeit in mutilated and mutated form). It was a heavily edited and re-written American adaptation of the Japanese anime, Star Musketeer Bismarck. I unfortunately never saw the original Japanese version, but from what I have read, the changes for the American version were laughable (i.e. bad guys didn't "die", they just went "back to the vapor zone"...yeah, riiiiiight!!!). Like Saber Riders/Bismarck, the Galaxy Rangers had these mechanical "horses" called cyber-steeds. The cyber-steeds appear to be A.I. and could talk. None of the Rangers used a sword, but lots of guns, martial arts, and yes, even superpowers (the team consisted of a cyborg, a psychic, a mutant, and a guy with this A.I. computer hacking thingie). Galaxy Rangers NEVER featured any giant mecha battles. All three shows often featured Western frontier style settlements set in alien worlds. All three shows at some point showcased Native American types of people.
Anyway, it's nice to see the "Space Western" concept continuing on to this day (from the prolific imaginations of the Japanese) in the form of animes like Cowboy Beebop, Outlaw Star, Trigun, etc. After so many years, original Galaxy Ranger fans like me can finally see all the episodes again by purchasing the Galaxy Rangers Collection Volume 1 & 2. But NEW fans are always welcome.
"When I'm good, I'm GOOD. When I'm bad, I'm BETTER."
reply
share
Fluke_Skywalker
16 years ago
It's on it's way to my local branch now so I should get to watch it this weekend.
’Cause there’s thunder in your heart... Every move is like lightning!
reply
share
Fluke_Skywalker
16 years ago
Well, I watched the pilot episode as well as the first episode last night. I'll post my thoughts so far.
-- I'm impressed by the look of the show. From the designs to the actual animation.
-- The voice acting is solid. Standard, but not above average.
-- The show has a very mature feel. The pilot wasn't exactly what I'd call high voltage entertainment. In fact, the show so far isn't necessarily action packed. The idea that it's serialized, without real resolution is also an interesting dynamic.
-- The music is excellent. They make use of original pop music in the show, which is unique. It's very 80's, but that's a good thing.
-- Though not the leader, Shane "Goose" Gooseman is quickly becoming the star. He's got a little Han Solo mixed with a lot of Clint Eastwood.
-- The Queen of the crown looks a LOT like the evil queen from 'Snow White'.
-- The DVD set is well done. I've seen more well known series' get fewer features than 'Galaxy Rangers'. I'm not some home theater aficionado, but it looks very good [Set says it's been 'Re-Mastered'] and sounds pretty good [Dolby digital]. It also includes a great booklet with character bios in it.
So far, so good. I really enjoyed the first two episodes and I'm looking forward to watching the rest.
’Cause there’s thunder in your heart... Every move is like lightning!
reply
share
hey_o
16 years ago
Good to hear. And remember, you're viewing the show for the first time as an adult. Imagine if you had seen the show as a kid when it first aired 22 years ago. I think you would have been blown away (like I was).
Oh, as for Shane Gooseman, yeah, he's DA MAN!!! He was definately influenced by Clint Eastwood (particularly from the old Sergio Leone's Spaghetti Westerns). But...Han Solo? I personally don't see that in him. Han Solo was this rogue-ish Robin Hood outlaw type - a smirking smartass with a best pal/sidekick. Shane Gooseman seemed more like the brooding lone wolf type (even if he's part of a team). On a different note, if my memory serves me correctly, there were hints of a mutual attraction between Shane and Nikko during the series, but a romantic relationship was never directly depicted.
"When I'm good, I'm GOOD. When I'm bad, I'm BETTER."
reply
share
Fluke_Skywalker
16 years ago
I'm only 3 episodes in, so everything is still forming up. Reading through the booklet that came with the DVD, it lists Shane as being 19. His character seems to be played older than that. I wonder if that was something they had in mind as the series was created or if it was made up years later? It also lists Doc as 25 [A little younger than he seems in the show. I'd have said early 30's], Nikko as 24 [sounds about right] and Zack as 35 [Maybe a little younger than I'd have guessed. I'd have said 38-40].
’Cause there’s thunder in your heart... Every move is like lightning!
reply
share
hey_o
16 years ago
19?! I never viewed Shane as 19, maybe late 20's. Unless they're not talking earth years.
On a serious note, it was later revealed in the show that Shane was originally part of a program to create enhanced soldiers called "Supertroopers", and that Shane was a "genetically engineered mutant". So it's possible that his development is different than normal people.
"When I'm good, I'm GOOD. When I'm bad, I'm BETTER."
reply
share
Fluke_Skywalker
16 years ago
On a serious note, it was later revealed in the show that Shane was originally part of a program to create enhanced soldiers called "Supertroopers", and that Shane was a "genetically engineered mutant".
The booklet profile touched on that a bit. That's pretty cool.
It was recently announced that 'Silverhawks' is finally coming out on DVD in North America this. Although a little different in tone, I think it makes a nice companion piece to 'Galaxy Rangers'. 'GR' put me in mind of 'Silverhawks' as I was watching it.
’Cause there’s thunder in your heart... Every move is like lightning!
reply
share
hey_o
16 years ago
For me, Silverhawks was more watchable than Thundercats (which I couldn't care less about and never did), but the 80's shows that I really want to see released on North American DVD are Mighty Orbots (not to be confused with the atrocious Gobots), Bionic Six, and Visionaries: Knights of the Magical Light. Hopefully if and when they're released, they will be in a collection set (to save shelf space and money) with all the episodes and extras.
"When I'm good, I'm GOOD. When I'm bad, I'm BETTER."
reply
share
Fluke_Skywalker
16 years ago
It's funny that you mention 'Mighty Orbots', because I also just became aware of it [about 3 months ago]. I have no recall of it either. I love the theme song and the animation looks interesting. Maybe there will be some movement on it soon.
Now that 'Silverhawks' is on it's way, that just leaves 'M.A.S.K.' as the last of my childhood pantheon of toons not to be on [official] DVD in North America.
’Cause there’s thunder in your heart... Every move is like lightning!
reply
share
hey_o
16 years ago
Mighty Orbots was one of the best and most neglected shows on broadcast TV ever. It was an American/Japanese produced Saturday morning cartoon. The animation was done by the Japanese. The designs and animation were soooooo incredibly good, you almost couldn't believe it was early 80's TV animation. The show lasted only 13 episodes I believe, and was quickly canceled. So it never had a chance to develop any huge fan base even though the visuals were light years ahead of anything else on American Saturday morning TV at the time (or now for that matter, excluding anime of course).
"When I'm good, I'm GOOD. When I'm bad, I'm BETTER."
reply
share
Fluke_Skywalker
16 years ago
Wow, only 13 episodes? I don't know if that helps or hurts it's chances of making it to DVD.
’Cause there’s thunder in your heart... Every move is like lightning!
reply
share