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Amazon.co.uk Review
With its campy combination of lightweight adventure and Spandex disco chic, Buck Rogers in the 25th Century is a nostalgic throwback to post-Star Wars opportunism. Series co-creator Glen A. Larson was incapable of originality, and former soap star Gil Gerard (in the title role) was a bland incarnation of the comic-strip hero, so the much-anticipated series premiered on September 20, 1979, with serious disadvantages. Although the two-hour pilot "Awakening" had tested successfully as a theatrical release, Gerard and the show's producers could never agree on a stable tone for the series, which presents Capt. William "Buck" Rogers as a jovial space cowboy who is accidentally time-warped from 1987 to 2491. Earth is engaged in interplanetary war following a global holocaust, and Buck's piloting skills make him an ideal starfighter recruit for the Earth Defense Directorate, where his closest colleagues are Dr. Huer (Tim O'Connor), squadron leader Col. Wilma Deering (former model Erin Gray, looking oh-so-foxy), the wisecracking robot Twiki (voiced by cartoon legend Mel Blanc), and a portable computer-brain named Dr. Theopolis, who's carried by Twiki like oversized bling-bling.
The series struggled through an awkward first season, with routine plots elevated by decent special effects and noteworthy guest stars including Jamie Lee Curtis, ill-fated Playboy Playmate Dorothy Stratten (appearing, with her voice dubbed over, less than a year before her tragic murder), Batman alumnus Julie Newmar, Buster Crabbe (veteran of vintage Buck Rogers movie serials), and several others in a show that favored vamps and vixens over credible science fiction. A full-scale overhaul resulted in a disastrous second season, but devoted fans still gravitate to Hawk (Thom Christopher), the charismatic alien "birdman" who was introduced with new characters and a new, space-faring search for lost tribes from Earth (with echoes of Larson's own Battlestar Galactica). Behind-the-scenes squabbles continued, and by mid-season of 1981, NBC pulled the plug on a breezy, still-engaging series that suffered from uneasy chemistry and never realized its full potential. Existing somewhere between Galactica and Lost in Space in the TV sci-fi food chain, this Buck--with a dearth of DVD extras--now functions as a cheesy stroll down memory lane. --Jeff Shannon
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21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Classic late 70's TV Science Fiction - Season 1 ONLY,
By
This review is from: Buck Rogers in the 25th Century - Season 1 [DVD] [1980] (DVD)
This review is for the contents only, not the slipshod packaging.
Yes it does feature a picture of Hawk who is NOT in this series. It DOES say Buck was frozen in ice after crashing in the ARTIC (sic) and thawed in the year 2419. He was frozen in his space ship whilst in space and it was 2491. Does anyone at Universal give a toss, does no-one proof read their packaging? The show itself is the star. It brings back great memories of Saturday evenings, sure it has dated somewhat with a heavy disco emphasis but if you judge it as a product of its era it is one of the best. Gil Gerard is the laconic hero. Erin Gray is still the best looking woman ever to don a space suit. Tim O'Connor is a good foil as the Earth commander. Pamela Hensley is a suitably sexy villainess. Set in a post apolocalyptic Earth that appears to have lost most of its history and the land outside the cities is a wasteland, it is a pretty grim future and that is played on a lot as the theme of the futility of war is ever present. The stories contain a fair mixture of action and comedy and some great co-stars including the original Buck Rogers "Buster Crabbe" as Brigadier (Flash) Gordon. The make up effects on the Vorvon in Space Vampire are so effective it could join Oasis as the missing Gallagher brother. The language is heavily 70's influenced and if Andromeda in Space Rockers are anywhere near the future for music we need some help. I would hope Universal would repackage this show. as it is now they do it an injustice and it smacks of a rushed out effort. I cannot fault this season of the show it is one of my favourite shows ever. But Universal execs have, between this packaging and the whole of the concept of season 2 which was an act of TV suicide, managed to ruin what was a perfectly good idea. Shame on you.
13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
'Spacetastic fun' from the 1970's.,
By NEO "Daren" (orpington kent) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Buck Rogers in the 25th Century: Comp Epic Series [DVD] [1980] [Region 1] [US Import] [NTSC] (DVD)
Here at last is the full two seasons on Buck Rogers in the 25th century.Universal have done a fine job releasing this set even though it has taken them years to do it.The picture quality is first rate with rich deep colours and brilliant audio.The first series is set mainly on Earth with Wilma and Buck fighting off many alien evils.This is a very camp fun series and on quite a low budget but none the worse for it.I have noticed a massive re-use of Battlestar Galactica sets mostly on the second series.There are the Corridors which feature on Ardala's ship and then again on the searcher from Galactica. And even more bizzare is the flight deck on searcher which was the control room from the Sub Cetacean from 'The man from Atlantis' !.There are no extras included on this set which is a great pity , but there is a nice booklet included.I like the outer plastic slipcase which gives it that quality touch.If your buying from the UK make sure you have a multi-region player.And also there is a hefty Customs import duty to pay ! so this remember before purchase.I would recommend this set over the UK issue as you have the complete set in a better quality package.
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
As good as you remeber it!,
This review is from: Buck Rogers in the 25th Century - Season 1 [DVD] [1980] (DVD)
I remembered this with fond memories from my childhood, unlike so many other childhood series, this seems as good now as it was then.Colonel Wilma is still a fox. The princess in her metal bikini's is mind blowing, and Buck him self is a magical cross between James Bond, Han Solo and Templeton Peck. Though above all Twiki steals the show as the wise cracking side kick robot with a smart ass attitude.
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