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6.5/10
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A suave and elegant university professor, who can shape-shift into any animal, fights crime along with a female New York detective and his right-hand man.A suave and elegant university professor, who can shape-shift into any animal, fights crime along with a female New York detective and his right-hand man.A suave and elegant university professor, who can shape-shift into any animal, fights crime along with a female New York detective and his right-hand man.
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OK I'd have to see these again as an adult to give a better opinion. But the show lasted only a few episodes. The special effects were cool , but they did have to reuse some footage. I'm not sure if it was budget or time. Those change sequences must have been a pain to do. And using latex I think is better than CG even though you can do a lot more with CG
From what I remember I liked the show, but it might have been just the fact that a guy could turn into any animal he wanted (although he only got to do a few of of them). That would capture the imagination of any 8 year old. I remember wishing I could do that!
From what I remember I liked the show, but it might have been just the fact that a guy could turn into any animal he wanted (although he only got to do a few of of them). That would capture the imagination of any 8 year old. I remember wishing I could do that!
I loved this show. It was so fascinating for me when I was a kid. I loved animals, and thought it would be beyond cool to be able to change into one. I wish a movie studio would pick up the concept and do a feature film on it. But, it is apparent that the rest of the world did not agree with me, since it didn't last a full season. But, it still goes down in history as one of the coolest shows ever.
I used to love this show when I was a kid - I wish it lasted more than 8 episodes. The sci-fi tech was fantastic for that age. Anyone else agree?
Is there, in the whole English language, a better word than "Manimal"? I think not. And should you be lucky enough to catch a glimpse of this show, you'll never be the same again.
Putting the "high" in "high concept," Glen Larson's crime-fighting shape-shifter was a man who could turn into ANY ANIMAL. Any animal at all. As long as that animal is a panther. OK, in a pinch, he can do a hawk, but can we stick with the panther please? It's not so much that special effects technology didn't exist in 1983, it's just that network TV could not afford them. Production costs were high for all that Manimalization, and when low ratings did not quickly morph into Neilsen success, Manimal was hastily euthanized.
Simon MacCorkindale does fine work as the Manimal, but to modern eyes this show plays more like an extended Saturday Night Live skit, when the promise of a man who can be any animal turns into the reality of a guy being swapped out for the same piece of stock panther transformation footage week after week. Still, I sincerely hope Manimal is reissued, because for all its faults, it's a priceless slice of ridiculous 80s fun.
Putting the "high" in "high concept," Glen Larson's crime-fighting shape-shifter was a man who could turn into ANY ANIMAL. Any animal at all. As long as that animal is a panther. OK, in a pinch, he can do a hawk, but can we stick with the panther please? It's not so much that special effects technology didn't exist in 1983, it's just that network TV could not afford them. Production costs were high for all that Manimalization, and when low ratings did not quickly morph into Neilsen success, Manimal was hastily euthanized.
Simon MacCorkindale does fine work as the Manimal, but to modern eyes this show plays more like an extended Saturday Night Live skit, when the promise of a man who can be any animal turns into the reality of a guy being swapped out for the same piece of stock panther transformation footage week after week. Still, I sincerely hope Manimal is reissued, because for all its faults, it's a priceless slice of ridiculous 80s fun.
Panther and hawk only?? Don't be silly. I think I got a jumpstart into puberty when he turned into a kitten and nuzzled up against some beautiful woman under her bathrobe.
Granted, it was no "Misfits of Science", but still, quality television all the way! (At least for a nine-year-old ...)
Granted, it was no "Misfits of Science", but still, quality television all the way! (At least for a nine-year-old ...)
Did you know
- TriviaWhenever the script called for an animal transition, the production designer, director, set decorator, stunt supervisor, animal wrangler and actor had to carefully coordinate every move. Shooting on a sound stage allowed more animal control; location shoots were very difficult. When one script required a cobra, the entire set's perimeter floor and walls had to be sealed to prevent the animal from escaping. A low wall was placed at the open end of the set to seal the stage. To set up filming action scenes with the snake, the camera crew had to lift their equipment into walled-off stage area. The snake wrangler supervised the animal's movements.
- GoofsA bit strange for a cop, Brooke had a purse seemingly "permanently fused" to her shoulder. Whenever she was running around after bad guys, her purse was inconveniently dangling at her shoulder. She kept her gun in her purse, contrary to other lady cops, who carried it in a holster.
- ConnectionsFeatured in NBC 75th Anniversary Special (2002)
- How many seasons does Manimal have?Powered by Alexa
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