Post by Neverending on Sept 4, 2016 3:25:08 GMT -5
I should have done this 2 years ago, but laziness got in the way. It should take me a few days to watch all 22 episodes.
THE FLASH TV MOVIE
Original Airdate: September 20, 1990
Written by Danny Bilson & Paul De Meo
Directed by Robert Iscove
My knowledge of Flash comic books is very limited, so I don't know for sure what's source material and what isn't. What I do know is that 1990 Flash and 2014 Flash have a lot in common. Both shows are about a forensic police officer that's struck by lightening while surrounded by chemicals and then gets superhuman speed. And with the help of Star Labs he becomes a superhero. There's also a considerable amount of differences. 2014 Flash was created in the aftermath of Marvel's film & TV universe and is part of DC's television universe. 1990 Flash was made to cash in on the success of Tim Burton's Batman and to the some extent the original live-action Ninja Turtles. The pilot, which is really a 90-minute TV movie, is about The Flash getting revenge for the death of his brother. He lives in a gritty city similar to the one in Batman and the bad guys are a biker gang that aren't too different from the foot soldiers in the Ninja Turtles. But while there is a lot to compare it to, it is also ahead of its time. It's obvious that Chris Nolan watched this series and was inspired by it. Most of the story is spent on The Flash learning how to use his powers and dealing with all the biological changes to his body. He constantly needs to eat to keep his blood sugar up. He's constantly getting seizures. He needs to build a special suit cause his body bursts into flames. Like Batman Begins, it tries to stay grounded in reality. I don't know what else to say other than it's interesting to watch and a lot of fun. The cast is mostly good. The effects are good AND bad. The action scenes are generic, but not boring. The music by Shirley Walker, of Batman: The Animated Series fame, is a preview for later accomplishments. It's a really good pilot, and in some areas, I like it more than 2014 Flash.
OUT OF CONTROL
Original Airdate: September 27, 1990
Written by Gail Morgan Hickman
Directed by Mario Azzopardi
The pilot, or TV movie to be exact, cost $6 million to make. Every other episode cost $1.6 million each. It may not sound like a big difference but it is. You notice it right away. The show goes from respectable sci-fi and action to total schlock. Here, The Flash battles an evil scientist who's creating mutants. The creature effects aren't bad for early 90's television, but they don't last longer than a few seconds and not much happens outside of those scenes. The episode is basically a glorified police procedural.
WATCHING THE DETECTIVES
Original Airdate: October 18, 1990
Written by Howard Chaykin & John Francis Moore
Directed by Guy Trikonis
A corrupt district attorney discovers The Flash's true identity and blackmails him. It's not a bad plot but after biker gangs, evil scientists and now corrupt lawyers, I'm starting to wonder when the fuck we're gonna get some damn supervillains. It's no surprise this show didn't last longer than a season. On the bright side, Shirley Walker is starting to have a lot of fun with the music. It's the only thing keeping the audience awake.
HONOR AMONG THIEVES
Original Airdate: October 25, 1990
Written by Howard Chaykin & John Francis Moore
Directed by Francis Kenny
The action picks up, which is nice, and there's some nice character moments, but it's just an episode about The Flash stopping a group of criminals from robbing a museum. At this point it's fair to say that the show has strayed away from the source material. There's really nothing resembling a comic book. My understanding is that the series initially aired on Thursday night opposite The Cosby Show and The Simpsons. I guess they were trying to be "the grown-up show" and it isn't really working.
DOUBLE VISION
Original Airdate: November 1, 1990
Written by Jim Trombetta
Directed by Guy Trikonis
The Flash is brainwashed into committing crimes. There isn't much else to say except there's a few trippy scenes as The Flash struggles to regain control of his mind. Also, Shirley Walker's music is getting really strong. She's getting closer to Batman: The Animated Series territory.
THE FLASH TV MOVIE
Original Airdate: September 20, 1990
Written by Danny Bilson & Paul De Meo
Directed by Robert Iscove
My knowledge of Flash comic books is very limited, so I don't know for sure what's source material and what isn't. What I do know is that 1990 Flash and 2014 Flash have a lot in common. Both shows are about a forensic police officer that's struck by lightening while surrounded by chemicals and then gets superhuman speed. And with the help of Star Labs he becomes a superhero. There's also a considerable amount of differences. 2014 Flash was created in the aftermath of Marvel's film & TV universe and is part of DC's television universe. 1990 Flash was made to cash in on the success of Tim Burton's Batman and to the some extent the original live-action Ninja Turtles. The pilot, which is really a 90-minute TV movie, is about The Flash getting revenge for the death of his brother. He lives in a gritty city similar to the one in Batman and the bad guys are a biker gang that aren't too different from the foot soldiers in the Ninja Turtles. But while there is a lot to compare it to, it is also ahead of its time. It's obvious that Chris Nolan watched this series and was inspired by it. Most of the story is spent on The Flash learning how to use his powers and dealing with all the biological changes to his body. He constantly needs to eat to keep his blood sugar up. He's constantly getting seizures. He needs to build a special suit cause his body bursts into flames. Like Batman Begins, it tries to stay grounded in reality. I don't know what else to say other than it's interesting to watch and a lot of fun. The cast is mostly good. The effects are good AND bad. The action scenes are generic, but not boring. The music by Shirley Walker, of Batman: The Animated Series fame, is a preview for later accomplishments. It's a really good pilot, and in some areas, I like it more than 2014 Flash.
OUT OF CONTROL
Original Airdate: September 27, 1990
Written by Gail Morgan Hickman
Directed by Mario Azzopardi
The pilot, or TV movie to be exact, cost $6 million to make. Every other episode cost $1.6 million each. It may not sound like a big difference but it is. You notice it right away. The show goes from respectable sci-fi and action to total schlock. Here, The Flash battles an evil scientist who's creating mutants. The creature effects aren't bad for early 90's television, but they don't last longer than a few seconds and not much happens outside of those scenes. The episode is basically a glorified police procedural.
WATCHING THE DETECTIVES
Original Airdate: October 18, 1990
Written by Howard Chaykin & John Francis Moore
Directed by Guy Trikonis
A corrupt district attorney discovers The Flash's true identity and blackmails him. It's not a bad plot but after biker gangs, evil scientists and now corrupt lawyers, I'm starting to wonder when the fuck we're gonna get some damn supervillains. It's no surprise this show didn't last longer than a season. On the bright side, Shirley Walker is starting to have a lot of fun with the music. It's the only thing keeping the audience awake.
HONOR AMONG THIEVES
Original Airdate: October 25, 1990
Written by Howard Chaykin & John Francis Moore
Directed by Francis Kenny
The action picks up, which is nice, and there's some nice character moments, but it's just an episode about The Flash stopping a group of criminals from robbing a museum. At this point it's fair to say that the show has strayed away from the source material. There's really nothing resembling a comic book. My understanding is that the series initially aired on Thursday night opposite The Cosby Show and The Simpsons. I guess they were trying to be "the grown-up show" and it isn't really working.
DOUBLE VISION
Original Airdate: November 1, 1990
Written by Jim Trombetta
Directed by Guy Trikonis
The Flash is brainwashed into committing crimes. There isn't much else to say except there's a few trippy scenes as The Flash struggles to regain control of his mind. Also, Shirley Walker's music is getting really strong. She's getting closer to Batman: The Animated Series territory.
