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     This is a 90's remake of the classic series and everything has been updated to give it a more modern feel. The artwork is even better than before! And I give props to the show producers who while bringing the show into modern times did not compromise the original classic at all.

     As I watched the show, memories came back of me chilling in my living room and watching the action unfold in front of me. Nothing has changed. I sat at the edge of my seat, watching those same characters battling the same villains from the past. The look, feel and music of the show have not been touched and I loved every minute of it especially Dr. Nambu, who still looks like a disco porn star. He's the man!

     Anyway, the story spans three episodes, each one adding to the layers of the Gatchaman series. I always liked the idea of a select few being able to battle thousands and making it look easy. The Science Ninja Team has to do just that as an enormous dragon-shaped warship decimates the city, targeting the Mantel Plan, a network unifying the world's energy resources. It has been a long time, but the Gatchaman team is needed again and they are called back into action to stop the evil alien Gallactor and its minions.

     The first show introduced everything very well and it contained a scene I swear I remember in Battle of the Planets where two of Gatchaman's ninjas are surrounded then a mysterious voice is heard and the rest of the team suddenly appears to kick ass and save the day. As soon as I saw this scene, I swear my childhood came rushing back to me.

     The second episode heats up as the Jupiter Death Brigade and the evil Black Bird Battalion batter Gatchaman to the brink of defeat. A mysterious character seems to be helping Gatchaman against these groups. However, this guy doesn't appear to be that good in action, and doesn't seem like a threat at all to these evil creatures. Suddenly, in a cool twist of fate, this same man turns out to be the leader of the Red Spectre, a ninja group that is sabotaging the Gallacter's plans for world domination. The second episode gives you the sense of a strange connection between the leader of the Red Spectre and Ken, the leader of Gatchaman.

SPOILERS AHEAD!

     This brings us to the ultimate third episode battle where Gatchaman looks as if they are on the losing side. Joe Condor starts to relive forgotten childhood memories that suggest he is the spawn of the evil Gallacter group. Being the hot headed rebel of the group, Joe goes after the Gallacter on his own and ends up "dead." Joe is actually on the inside with the leader of the Red Spectre, as Gatchaman teams with that group in a brutal battle to the death with Gallacter. In the end, not everybody makes it out alive and the connection between the two group's leaders is finally revealed.

SPOILER ENDS

     I was upset with the ending of this collection, because it was over. I need to see more of the old shows back on DVD, too (hint, hint Urban Vision). And I would also like to see some more new episodes (hint, hint, maybe a Japan/US team up on the series?). The modern version of Gatchaman is cooler, better looking, and contains more action than its older counterpart, but nothing can replace the classic series I love. And that Nambu guy is still pimping and living large. All jokes aside, if you want to relive some childhood memories you may have forgotten you got to have Gatchaman.

     Send your comments and or questions about this article to Blackhart@ybfree.com.

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