tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12380553.post6256803648901431198..comments2024-03-17T07:11:44.454-04:00Comments on John Kenneth Muir's Reflections on Cult Movies and Classic TV: Saturday Morning Cult-TV Blogging: Jason of Star Command: "Mission to the Stars" (September 15, 1979)John Kenneth Muirhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15629979615332893780noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12380553.post-50385044817785074982012-02-20T06:39:27.456-05:002012-02-20T06:39:27.456-05:00The Sci Fi Fanatic said:
Hi John.
I have to tell ...The Sci Fi Fanatic said:<br /><br />Hi John.<br />I have to tell you re the star wars star trek closing. I loved star wars in 1977 and I liked star trek a lot too through syndication. Funny enough, things have reversed for me considerably over the years. I now love star trek more than ever and star wars I like. I especially adore the original and can watch it Anytime but by and large I've moved on fro star wars. It's entirely for the reasons you mention. Star trek is the smart one with heart. Star wars has loads of heart and it's fun, but star trek is the one you want to spend time with rediscovering it's intelligent details. Definitely a great idea for a post and one that is always great fun for debate despite the fact they are very different.John Kenneth Muirhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15629979615332893780noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12380553.post-65993144951057840782012-02-19T12:29:36.103-05:002012-02-19T12:29:36.103-05:00It's so nice to read all these affirmative com...It's so nice to read all these affirmative comments about Jason of Star Command! I'll be blogging the remainder of the second season episdoes as part of Saturday Morning TV blogging...<br /><br />Anonymous: I agree with you that the second season changes were for the better. They made Jason of Star Command more lively and less generic feeling, somehow. I also agree with you that the special effects are pretty fantastic.<br /><br />I'd love to see a modern re-do of Jason of Star Command. I think it could be truly amazing, and add a lot of depth to this universe.<br /><br />Anonymous #2: I'm glad you wrote that the sets and special effects of JOSC and SA are up there with 1999, and BSG. I think you are absolutely right. It's something I should have said in the body of my review. The production is just incredibly impressive. I'll also note, the effects and sets of Saturday morning Filmation efforts far exceed the likes of prime-time contemporaries such as Logan's Run or The Fantasitc Journey. I'm not saying I don't love those series, only that Jason and Space Academy actually looked more accomplished.<br /><br />SGB: We're on the same page. I love both Space Academy and JOSC, but for me the nod tends to go to Space Academy. But my mind is open, and I have a whole second season of JOSC to go through, so we'll see. But like you, I absolutely loved these shows growing up. That image of Jason and Parsafoot near the Starfire is really great, isn't it? I love that kind of stuff. Great integrated effects in the age before CGI....<br /><br />Hi T.S. Yes, the JOSC special effects are a marvel. Clean, crisp and terrific. I agree with you about the ambition of Space Academy and Jason of Star Command. The production design, costuming and sets are all top-notch. I feel very much that these two series tend to be overlooked (a lot like Land of the Lost...) because they aired on Saturday morning.<br /><br />Excellent comments!<br /><br />best,<br />JohnJohn Kenneth Muirhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15629979615332893780noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12380553.post-3637934989025484942012-02-19T12:10:58.888-05:002012-02-19T12:10:58.888-05:00I am such a fan of this series. Even with the reus...I am such a fan of this series. Even with the reuse of some Space Academy footage, it really appears that Filmation gave carte blanche to the effects team to do much more complete, fully realized work compared to the previous series. From the clarity of the model shots to the ship re-designs and insert shots (like W.I.K.I. flying up into the sky) to the stop motion creatures -I think it's among the finest live action effects work the company ever did. Certainly the most ambitious.TS Hartnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12380553.post-17175975135982333932012-02-18T18:14:47.544-05:002012-02-18T18:14:47.544-05:00John, like you, I was a boy in the '70s first ...John, like you, I was a boy in the '70s first enjoying SPACE ACADEMY, then JASON OF STAR COMMAND. Your Star Trek=Space Academy and Star Wars=Jason Of Star Command analysis is exactly how I felt about these shows. I loved the production design of the Space Academy/Star Command ship, Seeker and Starfire. The photo that you posted in this review of the SA/SC A6 Space Lock Docking Bay with the 'realistic' full-scale aft section of the Starfire with the actors in frame still impresses me.<br /><br />SGBAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12380553.post-33766719758771704172012-02-18T16:25:36.042-05:002012-02-18T16:25:36.042-05:00As always, another excellent review, John. Every S...As always, another excellent review, John. Every Saturday Morning, I looked forward to viewing both Space Academy and Jason Of Star Command on CBS. It seems that CBS always had the cool programming when it came to Saturday Morning cartoons and other shows(Saturday Supercade, Dungeons and Dragons, Bugs Bunny-roadrunner, and The Charlie Brown and Snoopy Show among many). I definitely enjoyed these two Filmation productions. The set designs, costuming, and SFX were definitely up there with those shown on Space:1999 and the original Battlestar Galactica. In a few words - I LIKE THEM! Thanks again for another great review. As always, they are a delight to read. Keep up the good work.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12380553.post-48889269434414139512012-02-18T13:44:40.380-05:002012-02-18T13:44:40.380-05:00As with your review for Wonder Woman's 'Th...As with your review for Wonder Woman's 'The Boy Who Knew Her Secrets', it's wonderful to see a review for another often overlooked series. The changes for the second season of Jason of Star Command were mostly for the better. The new (blue!) Commander was a far more interesting character than the rather dull one played by James Doohan in the first season. Samantha was fun, though her background could have been better explored. The effects were more than just great, they were astonishing for any tv program in 1978 (stop-motion creatures and motion-control filmed models). This show showed the amazing leap in effects technology after Star Wars. The improvement and sophistication is particularly notable compared to Space Academy filmed just a year earlier with some of the same models. <br /><br />Dropping the short 'Flash Gordon'serial style for longer eps was an improvement too. As with the recent annoucement of a Space:1999 retooling, it would be great if Jason of Star Command could be made into a new series!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com