jwrowe3

I was about the same age as "James" when this show started, so I enjoyed seeing someone else have issues like I was at that time.

I guess I always love the underdog, too. I watched a great deal of NBC's prime time shows during this time, as they were dead last in the ratings. I can't even count the number of programs that came and went in a short period of time. And when they tried something original, like "James" it got pulled down by the sinking shows around it. Now, granted, your average teen isn't in the desired demographic a network wants as they are all poor, but it might have gotten some of the older set to watch.

It's a shame that this one seems lost to the ages, and probably won't appear on some network like "TVLand"...but it would make a nice add to Netflix.

Okay, we all know going into this one that it's going to be bad. Shame on anyone who thought they'd be getting a classic motion picture, here. This was what you'd call a "B" movie at it's best...or worst, depending on who you listen to.

Basic plot line? Who cares. We're all here to see what happens when the star, Amee Gray takes off something. This is the early 90's when, along with really awful hair, most of your female leads would lose clothing. And...along with the aforementioned bad hair, she does. She is a very pretty lady but her acting is pretty much like watching a middle school cast do Mamet. It just ain't happening...

Now remember, this movie was done in those days before the internet. Your typical teenage boy had to find movies like this to look at semi-clad women, or pick up a men's magazine. I suspect someone had that idea when coming up with "9 1/2 Ninjas". Make a movie with some skin in it...toss in some action, and find a joke writer to add a laugh. Then, when the movie has it's theatrical run, put Gray on the cover of the VHS clamshell in as little as possible. Put the movie in your local "Lou's Movie Rental" place that's probably a gas station as well, where one can rent a movie like this, and viola! It'll make money.

The acting is pretty wooden and sophomoric. But, I have to admit I laughed at the scene where there's a Ninja attack, and the actors slip on some sort of spilled oil.

Having friends who have had parts in low budget films, I have a warm spot in my heart for a movie like this. They are a "starting point" for talent and production people. And, if you think about it, the B-movie seems to have largely disappeared due to much better technology allowing slicker and better looking productions.

Do I recommend this movie? Sure! It'll give you something to tell your friends the next day.. "Holy crap did I watch a pretty rotten movie...but the girl in it was kinda hot for 1991!" Put this in your Que for "Bad Movies I Will never Own Up to Watching, But it Had Some Redeeming Reasons to Watch"...

4 out of 10, and that's being really generous.

Good old fashioned "escapist fun". That was ABC's forte back in the day. "Fantasy Island", "Love Boat"...shows like this took you away from your standard drama show. And in some ways "Pan Am" does just that.

No, there's no schlocky comedy or anything along those lines, but you go back to a day and age where flying was glamorous, and there was an air of 'excitement' in faraway places. I'm, just a little too young to recall travel like we see on the show, having been born in 1961... My first flight wasn't until the late 60's and by then jet travel was almost the norm than the exception...and then deregulation came along and flying was more a chore than an event to look forward to.

I agree with another poster who thinks the flight crew is a little young. The "jet boys" tended to be a little older. I recall when the pilots of the planes I flew were all old WWII pilots, all in their late 50's or so when I flew through the 1970's...

Aside from THAT, I have very little to grouse about.

Should this show have really great legs and last a while, it'll be interesting to see where we go as Pan Am's fortunes were at their peak in the 60's, but the decline began as the 70's arrived.

Good show. Good Job, ABC!