New Adventures of Flash Gordon Vs. Defenders of the Earth

[cb31]

I've finally talked my six year old into watching some shows with me! We watched all of the New Adventures of Flash Gordon which we really liked and have started on Defenders of the Earth!

My son likes Defenders better but I like Flash Gordon more. I was curious which show has the bigger following? Which one do you prefer?

Oh, and has anyone seen the 90's animated Flash, is it worth a watch?

 

[cylkoth]

You mean the Hearst produced 90s Flash Gordon where he and Dale were teens? And blaring rock music theme? It's been a while... I loved the Filmation version, but I confess, I don't think I gave the syndicated Hearst show a fair shot. Might be interesting to revisit it, and judge it on it's own merits, rather than on how it wasn't the Filmation show.

 

[Christopher]

I didn't like the '90s Hearst show at all. After the two really smart and adult-oriented (albeit horribly animated) series that Hearst had previously produced, The Legend of Prince Valiant and Phantom 2040, this dumbed-down, kid-oriented Flash Gordon was a real disappointment. It was probably a matter of executive fiat, since it was developed by Judith & Garfield Reeves-Stevens, who'd been the main creative forces behind Phantom 2040 as well.

Defenders of the Earth was a typical '80s cartoon, not very good.

 

[blockaderunner]

The Filmation Flash was excellent. I even thought Defenders was fun. The idea of taking all the King Features characters and making them a team was cool. I think that idea still could work now. Just don't let the brainstems responsible for the horrible SciFi channel abortion do it.

 

[darkwing_duck1]

The first season of the Filmation series is VERY good. The second, not so good. Hated "Defenders..." and was "meh" about the 90s Flash.

 

[Christopher]

The first season of the Filmation series is VERY good. The second, not so good.

"Not so good" is way too generous. It was horrible.

The original Filmation movie is the best of all. Much of the first season is a recut, redrawn, relatively kiddified version of the movie. The film was made for prime time and is more sophisticated and adult. There's a whole opening sequence in Nazi-era Europe where Flash, Dale, and Zarkov first meet. It was considered too adult for Saturday morning, which is why the series opens in medias res with the heroes already in space with no explanation of how they got there.

Unfortunately, the film was only aired once, in 1982, and has never been broadcast or released since then. Which is a tragedy, since it's the best filmic adaptation of Flash Gordon ever made.

 

[cb31]

The Original Filmation movie is the best of all. Much of the first season is a recut, redrawn, relatively kiddified version of the movie. The film was made for prime time and is more sophisticated and adult. There's a whole opening sequence in Nazi-era Europe where Flash, Dale, and Zarkov first meet. It was considered too adult for Saturday morning, which is why the series opens in medias res with the heroes already in space with no explanation of how they got there.

Unfortunately, the film was only aired once, in 1982, and has never been broadcast or released since then. Which is a tragedy, since it's the best filmic adaptation of Flash Gordon ever made.

Yes, I was hoping this version would be on the complete series release of The New Adventures but sadly it was not.

 

[Morpheus 02]

The first season of the Filmation series is VERY good. The second, not so good.

"Not so good" is way too generous. It was horrible.

The original Filmation movie is the best of all. Much of the first season is a recut, redrawn, relatively kiddified version of the movie. The film was made for prime time and is more sophisticated and adult. There's a whole opening sequence in Nazi-era Europe where Flash, Dale, and Zarkov first meet. It was considered too adult for Saturday morning, which is why the series opens in medias res with the heroes already in space with no explanation of how they got there.

Unfortunately, the film was only aired once, in 1982, and has never been broadcast or released since then. Which is a tragedy, since it's the best filmic adaptation of Flash Gordon ever made.

Had no idea baout the movie!

As a kid, loved the 1st season. If that was the kiddified version (with Hawkmen being vaporized in the same fashion every other episode -- stock footage!), the movie must've been great!

2nd season was maybe OK (don't remember..it's been a whole lifetime ago!).

 

[blockaderunner]

The original Filmation movie is the best of all. Much of the first season is a recut, redrawn, relatively kiddified version of the movie. The film was made for prime time and is more sophisticated and adult. There's a whole opening sequence in Nazi-era Europe where Flash, Dale, and Zarkov first meet. It was considered too adult for Saturday morning, which is why the series opens in medias res with the heroes already in space with no explanation of how they got there.

Unfortunately, the film was only aired once, in 1982, and has never been broadcast or released since then. Which is a tragedy, since it's the best filmic adaptation of Flash Gordon ever made.

I have some memory of it. What I do remember was once Flash, Dale, and Zarkov landed on Mongo, they were immediately put in chains and treated rather harshly. Pretty intense for an animated piece.

 

[Davros]

The Filmation Flash Gordon series was one of the best saturday cartoons ever made.

 

[Alpha_Geek]

You mean the Hearst produced 90s Flash Gordon where he and Dale were teens? ...Might be interesting to revisit it, and judge it on it's own merits, rather than on how it wasn't the Filmation show.

Nah, don't bother. Just trust me on this one.

 

[Davros]

You mean the Hearst produced 90s Flash Gordon where he and Dale were teens? ...Might be interesting to revisit it, and judge it on it's own merits, rather than on how it wasn't the Filmation show.

Nah, don't bother. Just trust me on this one.

Major Matt Mason here would never steer ya wrong.

 

[cylkoth]

The original Filmation movie is the best of all. Much of the first season is a recut, redrawn, relatively kiddified version of the movie. The film was made for prime time and is more sophisticated and adult. There's a whole opening sequence in Nazi-era Europe where Flash, Dale, and Zarkov first meet. It was considered too adult for Saturday morning, which is why the series opens in medias res with the heroes already in space with no explanation of how they got there.

Unfortunately, the film was only aired once, in 1982, and has never been broadcast or released since then. Which is a tragedy, since it's the best filmic adaptation of Flash Gordon ever made.

I have some memory of it. What I do remember was once Flash, Dale, and Zarkov landed on Mongo, they were immediately put in chains and treated rather harshly. Pretty intense for an animated piece.

Had no idea baout the movie!

As a kid, loved the 1st season. If that was the kiddified version (with Hawkmen being vaporized in the same fashion every other episode -- stock footage!), the movie must've been great!

2nd season was maybe OK (don't remember..it's been a whole lifetime ago!).

The whole movie's up on You Tube if you'd like to see it. I really wish it could be released on dvd. IIRC, BCI which released the tv series, doesn't have rights to the tv movie, nor does a satisfactory print of it still exist.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zAJ1wE0vvno

You mean the Hearst produced 90s Flash Gordon where he and Dale were teens? ...Might be interesting to revisit it, and judge it on it's own merits, rather than on how it wasn't the Filmation show.

Nah, don't bother. Just trust me on this one.

Alrighty...curiousity mode deactivated.