Strange New World

"Strange New World" is the third and final TV movie in the "Genesis II/Planet Earth" trilogy. However, unlike "Planet Earth," which was a direct sequel to "Genesis II," this follow-up is more of a loose spin-off. Indeed, in this outing, lead John Saxon plays a completely different character (Captain Anthony Vico) than he did in "Planet Earth" (when he played scientist Dylan Hunt, a role he took over from Alex Cord after "Genesis II"). Set in the year 2173, some forty years after the events of "Genesis II" and "Planet Earth," Captain Vico (Saxon) commands a trio of PAX astronauts from 1993 whose cryogenic stasis return them to a post-apocalypse Earth, a la Buck Rogers. If you've seen the first two films, then you'll recall that PAX is the same scientific research organization that Dylan Hunt belonged to in the 1970s, before also cryo-sleeping through the apocalypse which destroyed modern civilization. This is really the only direct connection to the first two movies, as Dylan Hunt, the future "Paxians," and their system of subterranean maglev trains, are never mentioned--and, for me, that's the primary disappointment. I was really looking forward to yet another direct sequel rather than a spin-off only vaguely set in the same universe or continuity.The reason for this may have been legal in nature. Apparently, Gene Roddenberry, who created the series, was no longer involved with the third film, which Warner Brothers still hoped would launch a weekly series. So, without Roddenberry onboard, Warner saw the need to revamp the general concept in a different direction with a different set of characters--and clearly a lot less money. "Genesis II" had been a big budget production with impressive sets and visual effects, and "Planet Earth" followed up with respectable production values, as well. That's not to say that "Strange New World" looks bad, per se, but it's evident that they were having to present the best they could with what little they had--and they didn't have much. I'm guessing that a large portion of their budget went into creating the futuristic all-terrain, van-like rover, which Vico and his team drive from one episodic adventure to the next. And it is kind of cool looking. Not quite as cool or iconic as the Ark II or even the "Lost in Space" Chariot, but it's a worthy sci-fi vehicle. The space shots of the PAX mothership and landing shuttle are also very well done visuals, but the budget's limits in so far as locations, sets, and inexpensive costuming are noticeable, when compared to the first two films.The writing, I felt, was also weaker than the first two films--and the acting a bit more wooden. It lacked the humor of the second film and the intelligence of the first film. It wasn't dumb, exactly, it was just kind of flat by comparison. It lacked a certain charm of its two predecessors. Still, it was okay. It held my interest. And even without Roddenberry, you could definitely sense that Roddenberry DNA in its presentation. Structured in two episodic adventures (which would have doubtlessly been split into two episodes had it gone to series), the first tale lands our heroes in the faux-utopia of Eternia, where children are never born and procreation is limited to continual cloning. However, making copies from copies has its degrading side effects and the Eternians are in need of fresh DNA. If this plotline sounds familiar to Star Trek fans, it's because that is the same general plot that would later be presented in "Up the Long Ladder," an episode of "Star Trek: The Next Generation." The PAX astronauts' second adventure places them in a situation which echoes the Star Trek original series episode, "The Omega Glory." It's not exactly the same, but it has some parallel ideas. Rather than a Caucasian tribe versus an Asian tribe like we saw in Star Trek, "Strange New Worlds" presents two primitive Caucasian tribes warring over wildlife resources in a rain forest. One group wants to hunt them; the other wants to protect them. Just like in "The Omega Glory," one primitive tribe reveres an ancient American document as their law and religious bible. Only, instead of the U.S. Constitution, it's an old book outlining federal guidelines for game wardens and the U.S. forest service. The moment the book is presented as their sacred law is the movie's only moment of mild humor.All in all, it's not a terrible watch. I'm disappointed that it so radically departs from the storyline of its two predecessors. On the other hand, you can also watch it independent of the first two films without being lost or even knowing that the first two movies exist--whereas "Genesis II" pretty well needs to be viewed in order for its sequel, "Planet Earth," to make any sense. "Strange New World" stands completely on its own without the need of a prerequisite. And yet, it just happens to take place in the same fictional universe, which I would still recommend to any completist out there.

3 astronauts are on a space station that is orbiting Earth; Captain Vico (John Saxon), Dr. Scott (Keene Curtis) and Dr. Crowley (Kathleen Miller). They are testing a device for suspended animation which will be used for interstellar space travel in the future. Strangely enough, they're up on the space station all by themselves, sans any other humans monitoring their conditions. And, of course, it is a bit strange to have this testing done in space as it seems like it COULD be done on Earth. But, we'll go with it!Things go kahooey when a whole bunch of meteors head towards the Earth. The test was supposed to last 16 days but Houston re-sets the test to go something like 180 yrs. They also put the space station on an alternate trajectory so that it will be out-of-harm's way & back in Earth orbit in 180 yrs so that the astronauts may return to what is left of the planet.When the astronauts awake they don't seem too perturbed about the delay in their awakening. Nor do they do any "soul searching" like in PLANET OF THE APES when they discern that every human that they once knew is long since deceased. But, again, we'll go with it!So they get back to Earth & they find 2 civilizations living in close proximity; one is very advanced and has mastered the art of human cloning (or ALMOST mastered it, anyway). The other one is primitive / stone age era and they use an old Department of Forestry handbook as their bible. There you have the basic plot line of the film.John Saxon is best known for portraying the "bad" robot on the TV show THE SIX MILLION DOLLAR MAN. He had an impressive / athletic physique and he shows it off in this film. I had not seen Kathleen Miller before but she is nothing short of stunning in a girl-next-door sort of way. She is beautiful and has a lithe body. There is 1 scene where it looked like there would be nudity but it ended up being a teaser frame (sorry).It is obvious that this movie came out sometime in the early 70s. As such, don't expect any mind-blowing special effects. It's not a great movie & it's not a movie that I can imagine people watching over & over again. However, for a 1 time looksie, yeah, I can see that. Particularly, of course, if you're a science fiction fan. Just keep in mind that it is sort of a poor man's BUCK ROGERS IN THE 25TH CENTURY.

Wow talk about corny. I forgot about this movie over the years. I first watched it in my late teens, and forgot how hokie it was. Looks like it was made for TV. The story line isn't too bad, but otherwise it's pretty bad. No need to watch it again for another 30+ years. LOL

Not so much a movie, it's actually two episodes from a failed TV show stuck together.Doesn't sound very encouraging does it?Well don't worry because it is excellent, Gene Roddenberry of Star Trek fame tried his hand at a few more sci fi shows and I would say that this one is well worth a look.John Saxon stars as our hero who along with his companions have returned to earth hundreds of years into the future after being in a state of suspended animation.Nuclear war has destroyed most of the old civilisation but a new lush and green world has grown with pockets of different societys.Some are friendly, some not so much but both stories included here are very decent indeed.Also check Roddenberrys other efforts "Genesis II" and "Planet Earth".They all have the same look, feel and often cast members as "Strange New World".

This is a great DVD and well worth it, by the way it is not a Region 1 DVD as stated, but a Region 2 one as I watched it last night for the first time and really enjoyed it. It's part of the Warner Archive Collection and you can also get GENESIS II and PLANET EARTH as well if your interested in this one. By the way Alex Cord plays Dylan Hunt in GENESIS II but John Saxon takes over the role in PLANET EARTH and is just as good but he plays a different character in STRANGE NEW WORLD.

Gene Roddenberry's PAX Trilogy is a standout series of TV Movies from the 1970's. No far out aliens here, just some buffed dudes in tight spandex fighting futuristic zombies. Sadly, even after three tries he still couldn't get network approval for a series. In the end, his wife, Majel Barrett reproduced it years later as "Andromeda" even using Dylan Hunt's (Saxon's) name. Be sure to see all three TV Movie pilots: Genesis II, Planet Earth & Strange New World.

only two shows both crap

70’s kitsch - when you only had tv & movie theatres