Thunder in Paradise

Thunder in paradise must be watched as an entertaining series. You certainly must not watch it as a serious one or you'll easily be disappointed. The characters are caricatures, the situations are simple, the background looks like heaven. More, you'll appreciate the presence of Carol Alt who has since disappeared from our TV screens... I appreciated that show, it changes from all the CSI series we have now. The boat is a marine version of Viper, but convertible vehicles had some success at that time. Thunder in paradise is not worse than the A-Team for example, and it has at least as much action. The design of Thunder is rather interesting and the special effects are OK.

This was a largely undistinguished show. The actors were likable enough but the scripts were pretty lame.

But one thing that makes this series of interest to Disney fans is that it was produced at the Disney-MGM Studios at Walt Disney World and virtually all of their exterior locations were on property at Walt Disney World. Alert eyes familiar with WDW can spot a number of resorts and parks that were used. EPCOT Center provided international settings. Underwater scenes were shot at the Living Seas pavilion.

You won't see this very often. Disney has rarely allowed outside productions at their parks.

If Hulk Hogan hadn't been in this show, I would not have watched it. It was only the appearance of Hogan that attracted me to this show in the first place.

I always loved shows about super vehicles. In the 80's we had Airwolf (a helicopter), Knight Rider (a talking car) and Street Hawk (a motorcycle). Thunder in Paradise was about a super boat far superior to any normal boat.

I quite like Hogan's appearances in films but Thunder in Paradise was pretty unspectacular. There was one good episode where WCW wrestler Sting appeared but the rest of the series was pretty average.

This show is only really suitable for Hulk Hogan fans who can't get enough of the man (like me).

What you have to appreciate is the context. Thunder in Paradise was not about the acting or story or any such nonsense. Hulk Hogan can't act very well. He is not terrible, since all wrestlers have some experience in acting, but Hulk never rose above the wrestling level of acting, unlike some other wrestlers who broke through in Hollywood.

However, this show did combine a number of things that could really appeal to a young boy living in the cold North:

1. The paradise part. The blue water and palms sent you away from your rainy hometown on a little vacation every time you watched this show. It's a similar in effect to reading travel magazines or watching travel shows.

2. The boat, Thunder. It is awesome! It looks like a cooler version of the F117 stealth bomber. It has mini-guns and missiles and other funky tech. The show used computer generated effects for the boat transformations that look ok even today. This boat was the true star of the show that kept a boy hooked.

3. The theme song. This has a lot to do with point 1 on this list. The holiday-themed song just helped transfer you to that vacation setting.

4. Bikini babes.

Thunder in Paradise was a colourful show. Bright sun-lit scenes, blue water, green palms, orange explosions, etcetera. It's not about the acting or camera work or plot. It's about happiness. It's Margaritaville with miniguns. The fact that it was a silly show only underlined the happy attitude it was going for.

If you are an adult, and especially if you are an adult who is already happy with the climate of wherever you live, then you probably would not enjoy this show because it is a poorly acted kids show with a bunch of bikini babes.

Thuuuuuuuuuunder, thunder in paradise. There's a hurricane a blowing near over the water. Waiting in anticipation for the action to begin.

I still remember the theme tune from when I used to watch it as a teenage. I used to like the boat and the nice location, it's kinda like poor mans Airwolf or Knight Rider (Or Knight Boat from The Simpsons.) I used to like it as a kid but i'll probably hate it now.