Reviews

Starting with the set dressing, this film is scarily prescient of what, with very few key drivers, could become of western society - a bleak view of what happens when those in power think they know best. And yet, there is always hope. To put it in perspective; "Blade Runner" was an example of a dysfunctional utopia - the power of the individual against an otherwise benign state, where the nature of what makes humanity is explored; "Brazil", on the other hand, was a functional dystopia - the power of the state against the 'little guy', where individuality is quashed, and humanity is, where possible, extinguished; "Children of Men", on the other hand, is a truly dysfunctional dystopia - individuals battle against friends and enemies alike to define the human condition. There are no "good guys". There are no "bad guys". Practically everyone has their own agenda, that they want to pursue, using the promise of the unborn to try and suborn morality into "their solution"

Politicians often claim to be on the side of right. And yet, all too often, the result of their self-serving actions makes for more misery and chaos. To try and forestall this, just like the corrective therapy applied in "A Clockwork Orange", all politicians should be made to watch this with their eyes wedged open. Just so that they realise that they have to think of others, rather than themselves, to make things better.

OK, so when it started, I was sceptical. Why come back to a hokey 1970s series?

The answer? Because this time, they did it right.

Plot arcs? Check.

Fantastic characterisation you actually care about? Check.

Poiltical metaphors that resonate with what is actually going on in the world? Check.

It has been a long time since Babylon 5 perfected the political story arc, that could be dipped in and out of, while still maintaining separate episodes. BSG proves that it has been worth the wait.

Unlike Star Trek, which showed an idealised human race, that seemed to be near perfection in every way, Babylon 5 before it, and now Battlestar Galactica, shows the human spirit, warts and all. Sometimes the truth hurts, but it has to be shown, if we are to learn.

Clearly, the way to inspire the viewers is not to patronise them, but to engage them. Even at our worst, there are elements of hope. And if that is not an effective metaphor for humanity, what is?

In other words, 10 out of 10.

I am a busy mother and midwife, an SF fan since I was 8 (and using my husband's nom de plume to write this), but this is the the first series I have absolutely GOT to see for a very long time.

As with that other great British institution, Doctor Who, your favourite is the one you grew up with (with, just maybe, the immediate predecessor being "fairly good, considering"). It takes a lot to shake that.

And so, as the end credits rolled played, suddenly, all the preconceptions were tested,to say the least. While it is not (yet) "Move over Sean", it's a close run thing. So, what is it that makes Daniel Craig a Bond for the 21st Century? This is a man very much in the raw. When he fights, he gets hurt. He bleeds. He has to rely on his wits and reflexes, rather than the gadgets of the Q branch. More importantly, at the start of the film, he is newly promoted to "double-o" status. "M" even ponders out load whether he has been over promoted, so has everything to prove. Thus begins a baptism of fire for 007. Unlike, say many of Roger Moore's Bond adventures, where it is a given that he will come through triumphant, here it is less certain (other than, obviously, "It's a Bond film. Of course he wins in the end"), and there times in the film where it's a case of "How will he get out of *that*?" When he does, (and you can breathe again), it's not the end - just the end of a chapter. And there's more chapters. Craig has the poise, the looks and the overall "feel" for the part. A repeat performance in the next film and it really will be "Move over, Sean"

Once again, Doctor Who delivers the goods by the bucket load. It has humour ("You're just making it up as you go along!" "Yup, but I do it brilliantly"), action, monsters (in this case still more kick-ass cybermen), tragedy and scare tactics. In short, just what the doctor ordered (pun intended). The way that the emotions move from one to the other is done so well that there is no feeling of "get on with it". So, chalk up 3 out of the last 4 episodes that have made you laugh, then made you cry, and made you go "eek".

In terms of character development, this is clearly the clincher for Noel Clarke's Mickey (and Ricky). Being one of the Doctor's companions, you know that he will do the right thing, and may even suspect the manner that he does it. However, it is still an emotional wrench when he confirms his future path.

While "The rise of the Cybermen" had more of the sinister build up to terror, "The Age of Steel" is an all out blast. Like "Alien" compared to "Aliens" - both true classics, but in different ways. Can the series keep it up at this level? Let's hope so.