Amazon Prime Original: The Tick

[rojo]

tl;dr: It's bad. Spoilers follow.

I first saw the banners for the live action version of The Tick and thought, "This ought to be both awful and amusing." I was half right, anyway. From the opening theme song I was disappointed. I'd hoped for a reprise of the iconic "Daht dehweee daht daht daht dwee dow" theme from the Saturday morning cartoon, or at least a studio big band, but instead got cheesy synth. Not that cheese was unexpected, since The Tick is traditionally cheesy anyway, but there was simply no quality. The series has the music of a Troma film, the special effects of a Troma film, and foul language and gore completely at odds with the whimsy and puerile nature of the stories fans of The Tick expect.

A couple of the running gags were pretty funny, such as the girl who shoots lightning from her fingers also attracting lint with her static electricity. Ultimately, though, there weren't enough laughs to salvage the series.

There is no Die Fledermaus, no American Maid, no Chairface Chippendale, and no familiarity with any of the characters. The Tick seemed more smug than heroic, and Arthur doesn't even fly until the cliffhanger end of episode 3. This is not The Tick you know, nor is it worth knowing.

Hopefully this cautionary tale will spare someone the sadness of this abortion of a reboot. Do yourself a favor, and check out "The Grand Tour" instead.

 

[jliedeka]

I liked it.

 

[Pogre]

Ohh... 1 thumbs up and 1 thumbs down! Siskel and Ebert! I just got Prime and they have this one splashed all over the place. Haven't checked it out yet tho...

 

[rojo]

Ohh... 1 thumbs up and 1 thumbs down! Siskel and Ebert! I just got Prime and they have this one splashed all over the place. Haven't checked it out yet tho...

I still say the animated series is much better. In the first episode, The Idea Men go on a crime spree that ultimately takes them to the City Dam, which they hold for ransom. The Tick subdues one and gets him to reveal their evil plans:

The Tick: OK, Idea Man. What's the big idea?

Idea Man: Well, we thought we'd steal a lot of money, and then we'd be rich. And, we wouldn't have to work any more!

The Tick: You cads!

Anyway, Amazon also has banners touting season 2 of The Grand Tour coming soon. That show is far more worthy of your attention. After Jeremy Clarkson clocked one of the producers of Top Gear, he was strongly encouraged to seek other avenues of employment. Insisting that they come as a package deal, James May and Richard Hammond resigned the show shortly thereafter. They followed Clarkson to Amazon for a three season contract. Season 1 has delivered. The trio are comedy gold, and there's no shortage of car porn. Now I'm eager for season 2.

 

[panteragstk]

I still say the animated series is much better. In the first episode, The Idea Men go on a crime spree that ultimately takes them to the City Dam, which they hold for ransom. The Tick subdues one and gets him to reveal their evil plans:



Anyway, Amazon also has banners touting season 2 of The Grand Tour coming soon. That show is far more worthy of your attention. After Jeremy Clarkson clocked one of the producers of Top Gear, he was strongly encouraged to seek other avenues of employment. Insisting that they come as a package deal, James May and Richard Hammond resigned the show shortly thereafter. They followed Clarkson to Amazon for a three season contract. Season 1 has delivered. The trio are comedy gold, and there's no shortage of car porn. Now I'm eager for season 2.

Hope it goes longer than three seasons. Top gear was my favorite show..not so much now.

 

[KEW]

I loved this series for one reason:

... because sometimes, at the end of the day, a "mind-dump" is what you are looking for and a mindless good-humored fun show is the ticket!

Full disclosure: I was not familiar with any of the former iterations of this show, which might color your impression of this series.

 

[afterlife2]

Hmmm I’ll check it out. Oh Rojo???? How ya been?

 

[davidscott]

I have Prime so I will check it out. Thanks!