In short: Thunderbirds Are Go! is an fast-paced show with interesting plots and rescue operations, yet is brought down by the lack of interpersonal conflict and character motivation.
Please note that this review comes from the point of view of someone young with no experience or nostalgia for the original series, so this is from a completely new perspective.
Starting with what works with the show, the interesting plots and rescue operations. Though episodic in format, the show has plenty of interesting missions to give International Rescue and is very creative when it comes to that aspect of the show. If you're simply looking for exciting action without being very heavy with drama, this is certainly a good show for you.
The visuals often waver between beautiful realism and clashing CGI. The creators of the show used miniature sets as a homage to the original, and for that same reason decided to make the CGI characters intentionally doll-like and unreal. While the homage may be appreciated by many fans of the old show, it can still be difficult to process. Cartoons are primarily a visual medium, and unfortunately, the stilted facial expressions often do a poor job of communicating emotion to the audience. The miniature sets are incredibly detailed and often stunning, but the jarring animation can be a turn off for some. Though, with some time, you can often get used to the CGI.
The pacing is generally kept rather well, but there are times when things happen too quickly. They often leave you feeling like there was something more that could've been written in. This quick pace is due to the much shorter time constraints of a 22 minute episode. Perhaps if the episode length was half an hour, they could take more time with certain scenes, but the pacing of the action is otherwise OK.
However, for me, the biggest issue with the show is the characters. They seem like interesting foundations for characters, but they're simply not fleshed out. The characters themselves are not given enough screen time to develop. It is clear that everyone is very close and they all care dearly for one another, but their relationships simply do not have enough time on screen. Despite the engaging plot and gripping action, as a newcomer to the franchise, I just don't have much of an emotional connection to the characters. None of them really have internal conflicts, either. Yes, they are all struggling to deal with the untimely disappearance of their father, but this grief is never given much time. Kayo is the most interesting character because of her personal ties and characterization, but even those aren't really given more than an episode.
Overall, the show has decent episodes with a loose overarching plot that needs fleshing out, interesting visuals, but desperately needs more time devoted to the characters and their issues and conflicts.
Please note that this review comes from the point of view of someone young with no experience or nostalgia for the original series, so this is from a completely new perspective.
Starting with what works with the show, the interesting plots and rescue operations. Though episodic in format, the show has plenty of interesting missions to give International Rescue and is very creative when it comes to that aspect of the show. If you're simply looking for exciting action without being very heavy with drama, this is certainly a good show for you.
The visuals often waver between beautiful realism and clashing CGI. The creators of the show used miniature sets as a homage to the original, and for that same reason decided to make the CGI characters intentionally doll-like and unreal. While the homage may be appreciated by many fans of the old show, it can still be difficult to process. Cartoons are primarily a visual medium, and unfortunately, the stilted facial expressions often do a poor job of communicating emotion to the audience. The miniature sets are incredibly detailed and often stunning, but the jarring animation can be a turn off for some. Though, with some time, you can often get used to the CGI.
The pacing is generally kept rather well, but there are times when things happen too quickly. They often leave you feeling like there was something more that could've been written in. This quick pace is due to the much shorter time constraints of a 22 minute episode. Perhaps if the episode length was half an hour, they could take more time with certain scenes, but the pacing of the action is otherwise OK.
However, for me, the biggest issue with the show is the characters. They seem like interesting foundations for characters, but they're simply not fleshed out. The characters themselves are not given enough screen time to develop. It is clear that everyone is very close and they all care dearly for one another, but their relationships simply do not have enough time on screen. Despite the engaging plot and gripping action, as a newcomer to the franchise, I just don't have much of an emotional connection to the characters. None of them really have internal conflicts, either. Yes, they are all struggling to deal with the untimely disappearance of their father, but this grief is never given much time. Kayo is the most interesting character because of her personal ties and characterization, but even those aren't really given more than an episode.
Overall, the show has decent episodes with a loose overarching plot that needs fleshing out, interesting visuals, but desperately needs more time devoted to the characters and their issues and conflicts.