V - The Original TV Miniseries

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Summary: Long before Independence Day, Earth had major alien trouble.
Review: For those people who think that the eighties television shows focusing on science fiction consisted of wooden sets, and dodgy make-up, take a copy of V home for some serious viewing. Set in 1983 (present day!), this startling look at invasion is more of a political movie than a science fiction blazer. The frank and startling idea of aliens occupying our world, taking our resources and virtually wiping us out seems evil enough; but the conspiracies and sympathisers provide the show with a contemporary feel. Politicians creep around, the aristocracy buy respect and poor people are stolen from their homes. Consider the idea of X-files, mix it with Independence Day, add mother ships, lizards and a poor rodent's untimely demise and you have a cocktail ensured to entertain. A start of something that could have been great, V paved the way for a generation of stories on a theme, scaring the pants of its viewers and providing a firm belief that we are, in every case, not alone. Laced with special effects that were unmatched at its time, this invasion gives us a look at the way that humans deal with alien arrival. There is a sickening feeling throughout as the various characters adapt to their own way of dealing with the coming, however the reflective look at comparisons with facism make it realistic. Diana (when she keeps her skin on), leader of the aliens, is enough to make any man sweat, and was probably an eighties television queen. All in all, V provides us with a nostalgic trip down our television sets, to a time when we were truly scared by turning on after nine at night. Looking at it now; with both humour and years of special effects awareness, we can chuckle and have a good time. Not for animal activists who have pet hamsters! Definitely for those who, like me, adored the idea of owning a shuttle-craft or mother ship and would give their right arm to have guest-starred. A must for experimental viewing!

Rating:
Summary: not a sci-fi fan, but my favorite since childhood
Review: Every since I can remember, I've been watching V every so often, probably for about 15 years, around when it came out on tv. I've read some not-so-great reviews, but I think those people really just haven't sensed the whole meaning behind the movie. With so many ties to the Holocaust (a whole population being convinced that "scientists are the enemy" i.e. scapegoating, the police being on the side of the visitors, people going into hiding, not enough hiding places, and a general acceptance of the visitors), to resistance fighting which displayed unselfish heroism and this part reminds me of protests during the Vietnam War, and parallelism to the Cold War (two major superpowers, Earth and the visitors, fighting for world power), this movie holds so many important themes that no other movie has ever displayed at once. I give it a definite five stars, always hoping there will be some kind of sequel.

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Summary: one of the best mini-series of all time!!my favorite one!!
Review: ~I remember seeing this in the 1980's when NBC aired it on tv. At first I thought cool (the aleins ships at the time) . after watching this classic sci-fi mini-series several times discovers that the aliens are not what they seem!!he discovers that they are reptiles in plastic human form. Donavan also discovers that the aliens are taking humans for food and other sinister purposes. Besides that he finds out they are stealing water and dumping chemical back into the planet . After donavan escapes from the mothership ,he accidently finds out there is a group of rebels who are trying to find out a way to defeat the aliens . This video stars some favorite tv and movie stars Some of them are Marc singer(beastmaster) ,Faye grant(greatest american hero from the ealry 1980's) , Robert Englund(nightmare on Elm Street ,Urban Legand ,Wishmaster) . Also you can Jenny Sullivan as a newsanchor with the aliens. Some of the best things I like is the ships ( 5 miles ) the special effects are little chessy but the story makes up for it !!!I think the guys who did Id4 ripoffed these ships for that movie. If you want to take a trip back to the sci-fi of the 1980's get this video!!!I love this video it awesome!!Remember they come in peace-to enslave humankind!!!!!!

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Summary: FORGET THE X-FILES......."V" RULES!!!!!!
Review: ALTHOUGH I'VE SEEN "V" THE MINI-SERIES ABOUT 150TIMES (i'm not kidding!)i continue to be overwhelmed every timel iwatch it. although "V" had loads of special effects(well, they'd have been special in 1983!)what made it ultimately so successful was it's plot and characters. it made this invasion of human-like 'visitors' seem within the realms of possibility, due to the cunning and manipulative nature of the attack. "v" has everything needed to keep any viewer glued to their screens for the duration of this 4 hour mini-series..... action,gripping storylines, special effects, love interests.......and the fact that the good guys don't always win. i would strongly advise anyone who has never seen "V" or "V" the final battle, (the follow up mini-series) to go out and buy them now!!! i'm serious, you don't know what you're missing. final point...you don't have to be a sci-fi fan to "V"-I'M NOT!!!!! END

Rating:
Summary: for the real science fiction lover
Review: This movie is for the real science fiction lover. It's got more depth than Independence Day, and more plot than Dune. It also mixes in human issues, human history, and great special effects. It doesn't go overboard, and that's what gives it it's appeal. You don't even notice how long it is because its so engrossing.

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Summary: "We have to help, or we won't have learned a thing"
Review: When the planet Earth is visited by an advanced breed of aliens (who after an initial "we come in peace" sales hype, turn out to be a nazi-type occupying force), they regard scientists as the greatest threat to their cover (and later to their hold on our world). One scientist and his family attempt to blow town to hide out in the hills, but when they're turned back, a neighbor who's a Holocaust survivor offers to hide them. His grown son, whose house it is, objects--he's a law-abiding solid citizen and he doesn't need the heat. The old man reminds his son of what happened to the family at the hands of the SS, and how it might have turned out a bit differently if only someone else had helped their family back then the way he intends to help the neighbors now; "So you see, Stanley, we have to help. Or we won't have learned a thing". That powerful scene, the aliens' use of Soviet-style brainwashing, overall special effects on a "2001", "Star Wars" or "Star Trek" scale, plus superb acting from a cast of actors not normally seen in big-budget films, turns what would normally be standard "space invaders" fare into a pointed commentary on the human condition. "V" was a bit long for the big screen--sci fi flicks aren't supposed to be big like "Patton" or "The Godfather"--so they made it into the most successful miniseries ever. That success made a sequel half again as long possible. The political climate of that era was probably another factor--we all remember the same basic story line done more recently; "Independence Day" (more like "Nintendo, the Giant Economy Size"). Lotsa flyin'. Lotsa Shootin'. No Plot. This story is so good that A.C. Crispin did a novelization that was just as good as many scratch-written novels. Betcha these people carry that one, too.

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Summary: The BEST sci fi flick EVER!!!
Review: This movie is the one movie I saw and immediatly wanted a copy. So I searched and searched and after much time found it for $56.99 and bought it. It may seem like a lot of money but that should tell you how much I LOVE this movie. I also have the complete set of books in the series.

Rating:
Summary: A HOLOCAUST REMINDER WITH AN UPDATED TWIST
Review: "V" is a reminder of the propaganda and evils of the Holocaust that portrays visitors from outerspace as the villianess Nazis (even their emblem resembles the swaztica). They appear in human form, but soon we learn they are oversized lizards wearing body suits and are referred to as "Visitors." It also has the flavor of a classic western with fist fights and even the main hero, Mike Donovan, riding a white horse at one point. One of the more daring issues addressed in the movie is the conception of a baby that is a hybrid of a human female and a male "Visitor." Twins are born, with one dying shortly after birth, while the other baby matures at an incredible rate and ultimately prevents the destruction Earth. The mini series is entertaining and does not lack in human spirit nor patriotism -- some may even feel it is a little corny at times. "V" does start out a little slow, but after all of the characters have been introduced, the pace picks up.

Rating:
Summary: Nazi Lizards from Outer Space!
Review: Much better than watching the original aired version, the story is much easyier to follow without all the commercial and long waits inbetween air times. It is truely interesting from the begining, but kind of peters out at the end, just enticing you to keep watching for the continuation. END

Rating:
Summary: A TV Sci-Fi Classic !!!
Review: The original "V" mini-series was some of the best television science fiction in the eighties. It can be looked at as low budget by today's CGI special effects standards, but the story more than makes up for any failings. The first two nights of the mini-series was superb television... an allegory to the beginning of the Jewish Holocaust and Nazism if you can believe it! The insidious way in which the mysterious alien "visitors" slowly take over the planet POLITICALLY, rather than by using force, could be seen by some as a television weakness (there are not much in the way of special effects); but I consider it to be the story's strength. It forced the creators of the series to focus on plot, character, and mood (what a concept!), which results in a slowly building sense of horror as the true plans of the visitors are revealed. Give this series a shot, you won't regret it! ... "V - The Final Battle", the third thru fifth nights of the mini-series (actually aired months later) was also effective, though more action oriented, and details the growing human rebellion against the visitors. The climax to the storyline wraps things up very nicely. ... A warning: DO NOT waste your time watching any of the hour-long episodes of the short lived follow-up weekly series. Incredibly bad science fiction and a waste of a good concept, these 18 episodes or so gave the concept of "V" a bad name.