merlin-2

I set my recorder so that I could speed through the commercials but from the beginning I was so gripped I watched it as it was transmitted and loved it. The period setting was perfectly captured by the director, Ed Hall, and the acting was of a very high standard, but the star of the show was not Miss Marple, but the truly brilliant Miss Myles. Stephen Churchett's script worked well and gave the cast plenty of good dialogue. I especially liked Una Stubbs and Sarah Parish and it was a pleasure to see Dawn French and Russ Abbot in straight roles. But, in the leading role, Sophia Myles had a magical quality that lifted the film to a much higher level.

The critics would have you believe that 'Thunderbirds' is a terrible movie. It isn't. I took my 8-year-old son and we both enjoyed it enormously. In fact, we're looking forward to seeing the DVD version, with deleted scenes, as the movie felt too short. Sophia Myles, as Lady Penelope, has by far the best lines and she gives the film its wit, sparkle and glamour. Together with Ron Cook who plays her manservant, Parker, they make a great comedy team. It's worth paying the price of a ticket just to see them.

Ben Kingsley, as the baddie, is also excellent as are the three teenage leads. Anthony Edwards is brilliant as Brains and did not remind me for one second of his role in ER.

'Thunderbirds' is not a big budget spectacular on the scale of 'Spider-Man 2' and with a few more scenes with Lady Penelope and Parker, it may have avoided some of the negative reviews. But it is exciting, funny (thanks to Sophia Myles & Ron Cook) and entertaining.

The story is as old as the hills but it works because of the film's immense charm, terrific music and great acting. I've seen it twice and loved it more the second time. Preeya Kalidas is a dream to look at and when she sings it's milk and honey.