Firstly,sorry I did not post in the appreciation thread or crit thread - but my thread contains both (mainly praise) so I figured a new thread would be ok.
I have been watching all the new series following the pilot and am impressed.
I live in the UK and a USA friend of mine records the shows and sends them to me.
Being a UK resident I see just how often the good American folk start up a new series then cancel it before it gets time to find its feet. This is a major letdown and the reason why I dont follow many American shows - but when one does come along that needs support, I will be right there fighting for it.
Yeah, I used to like the original series and was excited about a new one even though the crash at the end of the pilot movie made we wince at just how silly it was.
However, KR08 has been exciting from the start with actors/actresses seeming to be at ease with the show as if they had been filming it for many years.
The original theme tune is an absolute legend - but despite my love for the music I think it would have been a bad idea to use it again in a revamped, updated version of the show. The best idea would have been to write a new theme but incude a snippet of the original which is exactly what was done and therefore a great decision.
The Mustang seems to be a car built for battle and something that encases some awesome technology whereas the original TransAm looked sleek and fast. I was not a fan of the Mustang at first as it did look like a 'regular' vehicle but the sight of the new KITT has grown on me and the shape'shifting abilities it has are a great addition. I am just so glad we have stopped getting KITT transformed into a truck.
As I have already said - I think the characters gel well together and this is obviously attributed to the skills of the actors and actresses involved. Mike is a great character and has more of an edge than the original Michael in my opinion.
So, what about KITTs personality. Well, it was strange to hear Mr Kilmer as the voice of KITT but of course - it is a totally alien thing to hear this and would take time to get used to. In no time at all however I adjusted to the new voice and am very impressed at how the development of KITTs personality has been handled. It has been subtle and slight but KITT is now seeming to be as much a 'character' as the original KITT.
It amazes me that people complain about some of the CGI in KR08. I think the CGI is very good. Some sections look as though they could have been done better - whilst others look very convincing. Overall though, I am not a 3D CGI designer and so cannot crit the work these people do. I think people forget that this is a new series with a budget - not some $150million Hollywood blockbuster where CGI has to be as real world as possible. There has been some poor CGI in Hollywood films and considering KR08 only costs a tiny fraction of big film budgets I think they do very well. If it came to a choice of stripping all the CGI from the series then I am sure that those who complain about it would miss it. Remember, the CGI is a tool to tell part of the story - but with good writing and good acting the CGI remains only a tool and not the whole package. The CGI of the KITT transformations is exceptional!
So, thats basicly it for now I think.
Just wanted to add my support for the cast and crew of this show which has turned from having potential into an exciting journey that can be enjoyed by all.
I am writing this as even though everyone is entitled to their own opinions, I do get disappointed when I read things saying that the freeway/motorway scene in the recent 'part 2' episode was pointless. Well, not really - it was fast, furious and we got a turbo boost which everyone wants to see more of. In fact that whole second part was a non-stop rollercoaster which didn't let up for 1 second and certainly kept me from blinking in case I missed something. I would go as far as to say that the part 2 episode was one of the most exciting episodes of any 'action' season in the last 5 years or so.
The KR08 team should be proud of themselves as they have built this show up into something great. Yes of course there are things I would change, KITT turning into a truck, the endless in-car tricks KITT can perform such as a nuclear container in the boot, the runaway hand accross the desk in the Halloween episode. But overall this is a fun and exciting show that should really be pushed and pushed by everyone involved as they all do a great job and I would be extremely disappointed if we dont get a few seasons.
I suspect tonights KARR episode will be absolutely amazing and so before the icing is put on the cake, I just wanted to express how the cake tastes to me.
Keep up the good work folks, I am not a big collector of Knight Rider material or memorabilia, nor did I think the original series was better than some of the other shows in the same genre (eg) airwolf, street hawk (etc). BUT, I DO think this new series is on the right track for sure and long may it continue to be so.
regards to all.
Graham
