jdpc

(revised) Dr. Miles Hawkins, aka "the Mantis" is definitely the first and most positive black superhero male role model character ever written in the world of sci-fi... and thus, quite predictably, it was canceled by the Fox network,(on which it originally premiered), before very many episodes could be written.

The Sci-Fi cable-TV channel then picked it up for about a year before it disappeared into the ether of black TV history.

Having led a small campaign to persuade Fox to make this movie into a TV series, it was a heartbreak to see such a fine program fall so short, but the audience doesn't like black male role models to be be positive. Because while MANTIS failed, sitcoms such as "Martin" soared in the ratings with black audiences, even though Martin Lawrence presented a role model that was no better than that of "Amos and Andy", and so many other stereotypical images that are scorned so strongly be liberal black critics.

So with a role model as positive as the image of MANTIS, a black crippled man who by his own genius and determination became a self-made millionaire and an self-made super-hero, why did MANTIS fail? Because Miles Hawkins was also the positive portrayal of a black Christian moral-conservative. THAT'S why!

Sadly, if there is one thing Hollywood liberals detest and most wish to demonize and eradicate it is us black folks who are Christian moral-conservatives. But they never seem to mind representing us as thugs, criminals and anything opposite of good and decent.

So once again the liberals who sell our youth out,(both in Hollywood and the NAACP), win again and in doing so, we black folks, as a whole, lose again. One small loss for MANTIS, one huge loss for the minds of young black viewers who so badly need such positive male role models as MANTIS presented.

Well, at least we still have some great people to look up to in REAL life, such as former Presidential candidate Dr. Alan Keyes and Dr. Bill Cosby and a few others,(for now), bless them for the courage to stand up for good morals and decency, against the vast majority who choose the ignoble path instead!

After seeing Tia and Tamara bragging how Christian they are on that interview that they did for the Trinity Broadcasting Network aired over and over for the past 10 years before this movie, then to see them take a role that glorifies witchcraft, just shows the whole world how these two sisters can not be either trusted or believed and the quality of their acting is just one more lie they would like us to believe, but which is yet one more falsehood about them which has been exposed by this movie.

Frankly, the whole movie really stank, especially the acting.

I recommend that the producer should be made to refund every cent that the viewers have wasted on this most lousy of movies.

Zelda Harris as "Clover" gives an excellent performance! This beautiful and very talented young woman is a natural star when it comes to family movies. I hope she never settles for doing any roles that are beneath her dignity. She's much too good for that. In this movie and her others, she is thoroughly convincing every time. She has the class, the finesse, the talent and the potential to be the next Phylisha Rashad or Lena Horne. She is that great. I hope it happens for her. How Bill Cosby missed out on her talent is beyond me! Are you paying attention Dr. Cosby? This young lady is an actress quite worthy of your employment!

Elizabeth McGovern also did a very fine job in this picture as did Loretta Divine. This was the first "mean role" I ever saw Loretta Divine do and she played it very well.

I rarely give a picture a vote of "10" on IMDB, but this was definitely a "10" well earned. I waited 3 years for this movie to come on TV at a time when I could fit it into my schedule to watch it,(it only shows exclusively on the USA channel), and now that I have had a chance to see "Clover" I was so impressed that I wish someone would make it into a TV series with the entire original cast, if possible. It is THAT good! But if someone does so, please make it run at least 5 seasons!

TV desperately needs many more like this one! And how!