Another attempt at spoofing the trends of "dark reboots" of things. This time, one of my favourites, created during a conversation with a man who is me in 40 years. I give you: "Thunderbirds"
Scott Tracy - Aaron Eckhart
Virgil Tracy - Andrew McCarthy
John Tracy - Chris Bauer
Gordon Tracy - Martin Freeman
Alan Tracy - Garrett Hedlund
Lady Penelope - Sofia Myles
Aloysius Parker - Jason Statham
Tin Tin - Rinko Kikuchi
Kato - Hiroyuki Sanada
Brains - Jason Flemying
The Hood - Ken Watanabe
TracyCorp C.E.O - Christopher McDonald
White Ghost - Crispin Glover
The Tracy brothers have aged and grown apart, going their different ways. Their time at International Rescue has scarred them, after saving many lives but also failing to save many more. Golden boy and eldest child Scott, always his father's favourite son, has enjoyed wealth, success, prestige and the reputation of a hero as the "Face" of International Rescue. Now he's a wealthy playboy and philanthropist, who invested his inheritance wisely and has kept Thunderbird 1 in top condition at his mansion.
Virgil was forever in Scott's shadow, and became an alcoholic mess during his time at International Rescue. Haunted by the lives he lost, and resentful towards his father for treating them like his own personal army and living his own failed dreams through them, he has tried to move on, but is trapped in a loveless marriage and a dead-end job at an aeronautical engineering firm, trying to move on from his fame. The government grounded Thunderbird 2 long ago.
John has grown fat from constantly being in space, and found it hard to adjust to normal life back on Earth. He still tries to keep the peace between his brothers, but he has also lived a nice life of his own in the interim, quietly retiring to a small farming community near Houston, where he has married and had children of his own.
Gordon became the face of Tracy Island after his father's death, partly out of a necessity for somebody to carry on the great work (setting up a charitable foundation in his name) but also out of spite for the man, who always humiliated and belittled him, especially after he came out of the closet. Now a successful investor and company man, as well as on the board of Tracy Industries in an advisory role even after his early retirement, he is still the strongest advocate of the group's work.
Alan, the youngest, most idealistic and popular of the brothers, tragically died when Thunderbird 3 exploded in what investigators deemed a tragic accident.
International Rescue was deemed too dangerous to continue operating without impunity after a series of accidents, failed rescues and a turn in public opinion against them. Slowly their funds dwindled and they were pushed out of international airspace after Jeff Tracy's death, and the company was recently purchased by private shareholders.
Lady Penelope has remained a face in high society, though she has become reclusive since no longer working with International Rescue.
When terrorist organisations, under the command of a mysterious figure known only as "The Hood", launch multiple attacks simultaneously across the globe and kidnap Heads of State at the UN, plunging the world into anarchy, all seems lost...
Until Brains, the maverick genius shunned for his revolutionary ideas, suggests reforming International Rescue after all other plans and ideas fail horribly, leading to loss of life on a huge scale. With no other options, and the situation rapidly deteriorating across the world, it becomes clear that these bitter, mismatched brothers must put aside their differences and come together for the good of the world if they are to stand any hope of defeating this criminal mastermind.
Scott begins to understand the envy of his brothers, and humbles over the course of the story, no longer remaining a glory seeking adrenaline junkie and finally putting his differences (and rivalry with) Virgil aside in time for their final great mission.
Virgil cleans up his act and leads his brothers to greatness, despite butting heads with Scott along the way, and sheds his maverick attitude.
Gordon contends with the backstabbing politics of corporate intrigue, and finally shows the world that there are many kinds of heroism, as well as how he can me than live up to the name of "Tracy" in his own way, and show his father why he was wrong.
John takes to the skies once again, remembering how it felt to touch the stars. He feels free, happy and at peace with the world.
Lady Penelope and Parker come out of retirement and self-imposed exile to show the world that you can indeed teach old dogs new tricks. Even in the digital age, with an ever changing political landscape and crimes which cross borders, there is still a place in the world for high-kicking aristocrats and their combat-ready butlers.
Everything comes to a head seemingly at once.
Thunderbird 1 is damaged terribly in the attack on The Hood's fortress, though the wounded Scott manages to stop his central control system.
Thunderbird 2 is brought out of retirement in order to help evacuate the hostages. Finally, Virgil is a hero once again, shooting down the pursuing fighters and even standing up to the US Airforce when they try to force him to turn back.
Gordon discovers the link between The Hood and TracyCorp and confronts the C.E.O, who tries to murder him to cover up his tracks. But Gordon manages to escape and warn the relevant authorities and send a message to John, who broadcasts it across the globe. He even tracks down the submarine the man tries to escape in, using Thunderbird 4, which he had secretly kept despite telling his brothers he had sold it, and torpedoed him in international waters.
The Hood and his henchmen do battle with Tin-Tin, Parker and Lady Penelope. Though most of the henchmen are killed, The Hood manages to escape, after revealing that Kato was not Tin-Tin's father, but he was. Just as it seemed as if he was to escape in his aircraft, a mysterious rocket collided with him in the air...
At a hearing a few months later, The U.N allow International Rescue to reform, and the brothers move on with their lives, leaving it in the hands of Gordon and John.
Also, there's a musical number in there somewhere.
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