Horror Movie Reviews

Compare at: $49.98 (New)
Buy Now: $21.99 (New)

You Save: $27.99 (56%)

Add to Cart

Title: M.A.N.T.I. S: Complete Series (2009)
Format: DVD
Score:
Starring: Carl Lumbly, Gary Graham, Jerry Wasserman, Gary Chalk, and Blu Mankuma
Director: Cliff Bole, David Grossman, David Nutter, Joe Napolitano, an
Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Runtime: 60 minutes
Hits: 111
Favorite:

Review of M.A.N.T.I. S: Complete Series

[ Back to Homepage | Back to Horror Movie Reviews Index ]

HellHorror.com not responsible for reviews/comments and they may be removed at any time.

Comments for M.A.N.T.I. S: Complete Series

• Posted on 2009-09-12
  Black Superhero Before His Time
  
  M.A.N.T.I.S was a show that appeared and disappeared on FOX in the Friday death slot in the early 90s. This complete series collection is a welcomed addition to my DVD collection. The fact that the show was able to last a season is a testament to creative energy behind the scenes and the actors' commitment on the screen. Of special note, the pilot episode is so different in tone and substance from the actually series, that you can see how much the prospect of a black superhero was problem for FOX TV executive. The pilot feature numerous African-American and African characters is support of Carl Lumby's Miles Hawkins (including a younger Marcia Cross of Desperate Housewives fame). The pilot infused elements of African language and culture into the characterization, but also introduced Hawkins as a black conservative. Virtually the only character to survive the revamp for the regular series is Hawkins, who is joined by a white pseudo-collaborator and white "street" sidekick. Although Hawkins was seen as self-made and independent inventor in the pilot, the regular series give his white friend John Stonebreak, a crucial role as technical maven and moral compass. Hawkin's conservativism remains a factor, but all element of African language and culture so visible in the pilot survive the regular series revamp. Merging action television tropes with comics themes and characters including alternative dimension invasion, cyborgs, time travel, and mind control, the show was entertaining. On air before the comic book explosion that brought us Blade, and the X-Men, this show highlight the difficulties of African-American as action heroes as much as the evolution of comic ethos in modern entertainment. This collection is a disappointment for it lack of commentary tracks or documentaries about the series. Carl Lumby has gone on to great things (voice work in Justice League cartoons and lead character in ALIAS) and a number of the producers and writers have done other great things. Getting the producers and actors to talk about the show and its life would been great. Regardless, this is a DVD worth the time if you like comics and adventure television.
  
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • 6
  • 7
  • 8
  • 9
  • 10
• Posted on 2009-05-13
  Alas...
  
  It died before its time. This was a good show, but it got a little weird at the end. But it could have been great if given the chance.
  
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • 6
  • 7
  • 8
  • 9
  • 10
• Posted on 2009-04-26
  Greate Show in M.A.N.T.I.S.
  
  I remember this show vividly because I love African American super heroes of all kinds, be they funny and a joke (i.e. Blankman) or serious and political (Omega Man). In the M.A.N.T.I.S. we have an African American super hero that is put in all types of situations. The only thing that would trump this show is if a show was made about Omega Man (see www.omega7.com). Anyway, this show is great and those who did not see the show need to get this cult classic. Too bad it only lasted a season. It could have more direction too, but even though it didn't it still was a great series.
  
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • 6
  • 7
  • 8
  • 9
  • 10
• Posted on 2009-04-18
  Still love the show
  
  The pilot is definitely different from the rest of the shows in the series, prepare to be slightly confused. All in all I still love the show, an African American superhero, is a shame that the show only had one season.
  
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • 6
  • 7
  • 8
  • 9
  • 10
• Posted on 2009-04-07
  Great one season wonder
  
  I bought this set because I remembered watching this show with my beloved wife. It was the first show to have a black super hero, as well as a handicapped hero. Our hero is a wheelchaired bound scientist who invents a suite which enables him to run and move. It is this suit that he calls MANTIS. He then operates outside the law to capture the criminal element in his city. Great fun. The picture quality is pristine and I am glad I bought the set.
  
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • 6
  • 7
  • 8
  • 9
  • 10