Saturday, June 4, 2011

Heroine's Big Comeback

At first glance, I thought she was going to be another big-screen telling of a comic book hero, though a promising idea on paper, would most likely nose dive into the toilet just as Halle Berry's Catwoman did back in '04. However, I've now learned that this non-caped crusader, is making her leap onto the small screen.

Just as Linda Carter appeared on television for three seasons in the latter half of the 70's, the former "Friday Night Lights" star will be donning the golden lasso and patriotic uniform of the Amazonian princess formally known as Wonder Woman. And while Carter's sexy curves and 38C's managed to captivate audiences for three seasons, I doubt that the stunningly beautiful Adrainne Palicki will be greeted with the same success.

After all, this IS just Wonder Woman. A woman whose disguise is as clever as that of Superman, a pair of glasses, a flashy superhero she is not. Although, in my humble opinion, when she dons her hero outfit, I doubt that many men would be looking her in the eyes anyway, so perhaps a pair of unattractive bifocals may be just the disguise she needs. I can't explain why that works for a bumbling fool like Clark Kent. Perhaps Metropolis is simply full of idiots. I really cannot say.

I'm not at all saying that women can't be heroic. Quite the contrary. I'm saying that given the super-abilities, Wonder Woman is freakin' boring. She flies an invisible plane, which prompts me to ask, "How the hell does she find where it's parked?" But she also has a golden lasso. Ooh, a yellow rope. Whoop-de-frickin'-doo. And bracelets that can deflect bullets. I'm beginning to believe that dressing like a tramp is the only way Wonder Woman can distract criminals. It's everything I can do to continue writing this piece. I've had to pause twice to remember what I was speaking about. So anyway, the guy in the car yells at me and.... Oh crap!!! I've lost focus again!

I've read today that famed director and producer McG has possibly attached himself to the project slated to enter NBC's 2011 fall line-up. McG is the creative genius behind big screen hits like the "Charlie's Angels" movies, "We Are Marshall" starring Matthew McConaughey, and "Terminator: Salvation" with Christian Bale. Not to mention he's had his hand in some of TV's successes too, like "Chuck", "Human Target" and "Supernatural". So perhaps with McG involved, Wonder Woman may have some success... But I doubt it.

It's quite possible that with McG involved, the television series may take on a certain look. Lord knows, the man has a unique eye, especially when it comes to action sequences. However, I doubt that Wonder Woman will have the panache needed to make it survive on television. Granted the original TV series lasted three seasons, and I'll go out on a limb to say that much of that was due to men lewdly leering at Linda Carter's exposed cleavage. I doubt it was the action or the story-lines, granted that this was the late 70's and there were only three (U.S.) channels to watch (only two in Canada, unless you include the French-speaking station). However, today there are how many alternative television channels to entertain the masses? Plus, DVD's, Blu-rays, Pay-Per-View, Internet, and countless other modes of entertainment. Not to mention the pornography that is readily available to occupy the minds of those who in the 70's would've tuned into the original series.

I really like Adrianne Palicki as an actress. I enjoyed her on "Friday Night Lights" for the two seasons that I actually watched the program, not to mention her brief stint on episode one of "Supernatural", as well as her appearance in last years film, "Legion". Unfortunately, I don't think she's going to have the clout to keep this television series on TV.

Anyone who misses this series in the fall, I suggest looking for the Complete Series on DVD when it hits the bargain bin at Wal-Mart, probably right around Christmas.

No comments:

Post a Comment