Product Description

Steven Flash Gordon used to be just an average, all-American guy. That is until he fell through a rift in space and found himself on the planet Mongo. Suddenly plunged into life-and-death interplanetary adventures, Flash is shocked to discover that his father, who mysteriously disappeared years earlier, may still be alive and in the hands of Ming, the evil ruler of Mongo. Contains all 22 episodes from season One plus an alternative version of the pilot episode

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #6340 in DVD
• Released on: 2008-07-28
• Rating: Suitable for 15 years and over
• Format: PAL
• Number of discs: 5
• Running time: 1012 minutes

Synopsis
The latest incarnation of Alex Raymond's science-fiction comic strip stars Eric Johnson (SMALLVILLE) as the all-American Steven 'Flash' Gordon. When Flash discovers that his father didn't die 13 years ago, but instead disappeared through a 'rift' in space, he decides to investigate. Taking with him his ex-girlfriend Dale Arden (Gina Holden), the hero travels through the rift to the planet Mongo, and so begins a rousing interplanetary adventure. Fans of the original comic strip and subsequent television series, cartoon and film will be pleased to see the return of Dr. Hans Zarkov (Jody Racicot) and the arch-villain Ming (John Ralston), albeit in notably modernised form. Ming, in fact, is no longer plain 'merciless' but has become the 'Benevolent Father'--a corrupt dictator relishing control over the planet's only safe drinking water. This release includes all 22 episodes of the Sci-Fi Channel series, plus an alternative version of the pilot.

Customer Reviews

A fun series
So this wasn't the best sci-fi series ever to come on television but for some reason I began to like it more and more as the series progressed. And yes it is cheesy, but so what, just don't take it too seriously and I'm sure you'll like it. It was never intended to be up there with the likes of Battlestar or Farscape but it's still a good series with some fun characters.

When it first started off I wasn't to keen on the concept of a wormhole from Earth to Mongo but it worked out quite well in the end, even if it was kind of a rip off of the Sliders idea. Also, some people complained that the stories were always on Earth instead of Mongo, but as it went along, the storyline shifted more to Mongo and the story revolving around Ming and his daughter Aura (who is hot by the way). There was also a lot of great action too and gunfights. One of the best performing character's would probably have to be the Ming, the benevolent father (played by John Ralston). He made his character seperate to the other Ming I remembered and I appreciated that. The other actors did a good job but nothing too special.

Anyway I overall recommend this series but don't put it down until you've stayed until midway because it does improve. Also just wanted to mention something. It states here that there are 22 epsiodes but when I finished watching the series I noticed on tv.com that there are only 21 episodes so I'm notsure if there's an unaired ep or if the pilot was a double ep. I can't really remember. And I'm hoping that when the region 1 version comes out they will include some good extras like a few commetary tracks or something.

Fun if you don't take it to serious
This is one of those wooden Sc-Fi series that just grows on you and before you know it you can't wait to see the next episode.

It is filled with Hot Chicks who spend far to many hours in the gym (look out for Ming's daughter), which can also be said about actor who plays Flash Gordon instead of those all important acting lessons! In fact: you'll find yourself rooting for "Ming the Merciless" (not to be confused with the ex-Lib Dem Leader) played by John Ralston who clearly can act!

This series is closer to Lexx than the tiresomely serious Battlestar Glactica series, which I also own. Of course, its no where near the Stargate franchise, but if you can appreciate a less full on version of Lexx with bigger budget then you'll like this series. I do also own the compulsory Firefly series and movie for Sc-Fi fans.

Worth a buy at only £26 with the knowledge it's closer to the Lexx series than Battlestar Glactica(very boring in its 3rd season). Enjoy the ham acting with an open minded.

A largely entertaining little-known series
I bought this because of the name coupled with the good value, and once I got over the very poorly-realised episode one title sequence, I settled down and enjoyed a very likeable set of characters in a interesting sequence of conflicts mostly set on the well-realised planet Mongo.

This series is comparable in terms of the target audience, drama and good looking cast to the likes of Smalleville. It has the nice science roots nod dissimilar to Sliders. There are many dramatic moments, cliff-hangers and interesting characters.

The series only gets a four as there is something not quite A-list about it (same with many other series e.g. Lexx, Charlie Jade) and it being a little incredible at times, but then Flash is not super-human like so many similar teen-dramas, and dramatically cannot die if they are to make a whole series about a super "hero" - a difficult task.

Enjoyable and at times every bit as excellent as other highly rated series.