Grand Star

If Doctor Who was produced in Canada, it would look and sound like this. It resembles the Gerry & Sylvia Anderson series UFO and Space: 1999 somewhat, as well as the 80s version of Battlestar Galactica, but unmistakably shot on low-performing video. Good effort from most of the actors, but it really does hark back to it's era where cheap-enough shows could get a full season of 26 episodes. Worth a look, if just for the nostalgia of good-enough for this show CGI backdrops and barely better than duct tape and packing material costumes and props. I had never heard of it, so at least the awareness has been increased.

I don't believe its fair to say Grandstar is a series with bad set-design with appeal to attract only young teen audiences who like cartoons. Dude, how rude!

Grandstar is a fledgling sleeper of a series that is destined to grow in both appeal and higher set value as its audience catches on to this gem in the rough.

Its cast consists of some strong performances with the occasional over-acted or just plain badly acted bit part from a few weaker members in the cast. However due to the potential in the shows development, its bound to improve (albeit a few cast switches may be needed).

This series will appeal to a wider audience then you've given credit to. Its analogies to modern times and moral story thread (albeit a bit idealistic), is strongly lacking in most TV series today - giving it a nostalgic story telling approach.

I believe this show if tweaked properly could grow as wide in popularity as Star-Trek did. hmmm... I believe that got canceled before its market was realized when it was first introduced.

My advice to people concerning this series: Watch season one straight through and see if your not wanting to see more. Trust me, you'll like it despite its apparent low-budget flaws and find it to become a guilty nightly pleasure.

Awesome actor Kudos:

Tyler Johnston <-- yes gorgeous , but also passionate , dynamic, convincing. Plays his character well. Great choice for the part! Looking forward to seeing him in future roles - big screen potential there. (but don't know quite how to feel about the 'young Tom Cruz' comparison some might give).

Peter Hudson <-- another very convincing and talented actor. Wonderful supporting role he plays as a father to the impetuous Cal Ragg (Tyler Johnson).

James Gerard <-- the ultimate villain with potential to redeem himself. excellent representation. He too I would love to see again in another bad boy role - a historical epic, perhaps.

These three actors performances propel the story along enough to make the trip interesting. Others were less steady in their performances - In need of either better dialog and/or different direction (it is perhaps at these moments that set design or other minor detractors take forefront to the acting).

Kudos also to a bit actors performance. He played the doctor towards the end of season one (unfortunately, I can not remember his name). He was twisted. I liked his potential I only wish he had better dialog (it molded one of his scenes in particular).

My perhaps one real complaint of the series (keeping in mind its newness): A Constant rosy non-life threatening scenario is just not realistic, I hope in time this becomes a bit more mature as it eludes to. Even Star Trek killed people.

Other then that, Great job. I hope this one develops into a long series.

Watched this mostly on the train, was a fun series with a fair storyline.

Was it the best set, certainly not.

Was it the best acting, certainly not.

But it was fun and I would have watched a second series.

Would've given 5.5, but no option to.

Honestly, it's a better than average sci fi show. The production value of the images is good enough, even if the overall setting fails to wrestle with its potential.

The delivery does lean CW/young adult fiction. But that's fine. It's ok that it's not for everyone.

The characters are both flat and yet at times, hint at depth. The relationships among the characters are hinted at throughout the series. But this show is not a character study, there's a bit of a predestination that colors the plot.

Is it the first sci fi show I would recommend? No. But it is better than so many other among the derelict bad sci fi show mill.

The series is based on "The Ice Company" series of comics, by G. J. Arnaud, that spans over 80 comic books and 20 years. The comic -almost- has the depth of Dune in politics, the vision of 2001, and the atmosphere of Blade Runner.

The TV series on the other hand, is targeted to (very young) teenagers. It has reduced the politics to these of a town mayor (the governor of the single Grand Star base), the vision to the here and now (looking for the sun to shine), and the atmosphere to that of McDonalds meets the Mad Max. Oh, and the (new) protagonist is telekinetic as well. Hmmm..

And, I really couldn't stand the way the scenery is designed. All through the series there is talk about energy shortages, power outages and death due to lack of energy (and, consequently, heating). And there is electric lighting in abundance, running electronic equipment everywhere having large and bright displays, all the corridors have good lighting, in all public places the props are neon lights and bright displays, and all doors are motorized. Hope they do not open the windows while turning on the air condition. The electric bill should be awful.

If you like good sci-fi please do not bother with this series. On the other hand, if you are a 12yo and only like cartoons, then this won't be too difficult to watch. And will have human actors.