Star Hunter Vol 1

Rating:
Summary: Quirky low-budget space opera similar to Firefly
Review: This Canadian-made series was broadcast over two seasons in the US (including the much-revised, newly-cast second season) but was very difficult to find due to the usual poor scheduling (in my area, at 11PM Sunday to begin, then at 1PM Saturday, with no repeats and frequent pre-empting).

Those who do encounter it should keep an open mind, since the skimpy budget is evident in the many shadows used to suggest a "big spaceship" and in a regular cast of only three actors (plus the "AI", another actor who was never on set). And, star Michael Pare is likely to never, ever win a Best Actor award.

But the program has plenty of entertainment value if you go with it, and features several explicit points of comparison to Joss Whedon's "Firefly" - which, most interestingly, made its debut TWO YEARS AFTER Starhunter appeared in Canada.

Both series involve ships cruising the fringes of the galaxy, both ships have crews involved with bounty hunting, and both have as Chief Engineer a very young woman whose shipbound life has left her notably short of "people skills." But Starhunter's Percy Montana, played by Tanya Allen, with her cynical attitude, bored demeanor and knack for getting herself and the whole ship into deep trouble, is a much more interesting character than Firefly's whiny Kaylee, and is really who makes Starhunter worth watching.

SciFi fans should give Starhunter, and especially Tanya Allen, a look. They might find something neat there.