Fans of the original 1960s TV series may well feel short-changed by this pedestrian live-action adventure from Star Trek: Insurrection director Jonathan Frakes. It's more an "inspired by" homage than a direct adaptation, with the Tracy family's core members disastrously sidelined to supporting roles. Instead the focus is on sulky adolescent Alan Tracy (Brady Corbet) who resents studying at boarding school while his dad (Bill Paxton) and brothers are saving the world. Cue a wannabe SPYkids plot in which Alan and his two cutesy pals are left to defeat the Hood (Ben Kingsley), after the villain lures the International Rescue team away on a fake mission and takes over Tracy Island. With the exception of the frothy kitsch of Sophia Myles's Lady Penelope and her multi-talented chauffeur, Parker (Ron Cook), there's just no substance or vitality to this obviously expensive production. The retro-futuristic design and scenery look great, as do the mighty Thunderbird machines, but style alone can't save a weak script or make flat dialogue sparkle.

Dangerous missions are the bread and butter of the Thunderbirds, a high-tech secret force employed by the government. Led by Jeff Tracy (Bill Paxton), the Thunderbirds are at the top of their game, but their nemesis, The Hood (Ben Kingsley), has landed on their island and is attempting a coup by using the team's rescue vehicles. He'll soon discover that the Thunderbirds won't go down.