Exoticalot People are voting emotionally.

BroadcastChic Excellent, a Must See

Maidexpl Entertaining from beginning to end, it maintains the spirit of the franchise while establishing it's own seal with a fun cast

Guillelmina The film's masterful storytelling did its job. The message was clear. No need to overdo.

rolee-1 It's official: the sixties ended in 1983 when "The Greatest American Hero" went off the air. At times it's not clear whether creator Stephen Cannell is skewering or celebrating the foolish idealism of the 60s. A lot of the groovy-speak and idealistic rants of the characters, usually but not always, Hinkley, is so over the top that it seems it's a satire. But the protest music from the 60s and the lessons learned at the end often point to a true belief in at least the ideal of the ideals--helping our fellow human beings--if not some of the more specific forms that those ideals often take, for instance non-violence in the face of extreme violence.At the opposite end of the spectrum, Bill Maxwell embodies the narrower and usually less thoughtful version ideals of law and order. Maxwell's character is so grating that it's obvious Cannell doesn't think much of his personality or his tactics. But Maxwell does seem to have his heart in the right place--helping our fellow man--and his willingness to risk his life despite being without the protection of a special suit. He is presented as a slightly skewed version of our notions of justice and humanity that has always existed as a counterpoint to the naïve idealism that Hinkley represents.What was it that brought this show into being? A reaction to the mercenary idealism of the Reagan years? Perhaps. Whatever the reason, it's interesting that Cannell trots out the naïve, goofy idealism that represented the counter-culture of a decade earlier. Perhaps it was such an iconic and easily identified (and spoofed) pattern that it was just easy pickin's. Overall the show is enjoyable but occasionally heavy-handed with the idealistic romps.

SnoopyStyle Progressive high school teacher Ralph Hinkley (William Katt) is given a class of delinquents including Rhonda Blake (Faye Grant) and Tony Villicana (Michael Paré). He falls in love with his divorce lawyer Pam Davidson (Connie Sellecca). He takes the kids on a field trip to the desert. The bus breaks down and he goes off to find help. He runs into hard-nosed FBI agent Bill Maxwell (Robert Culp) who is investigating his partner's killing. The odd couple has a close encounter with a UFO. The aliens give Ralph a powerful superhero suit. Ralph struggles to make it work (especially flying) after losing the instruction book.It has a great premise for a superhero show when the superhero genre just got a leg up after Superman (1978). It's riding the first wave of superhero in the real world. The problem is that it doesn't follow through. It turns into an action procedural that Stephen J. Cannell would be famous for all throughout the 80s. Instead of digging into the ramifications and the personal lives, it becomes one rescue idea for each episode. There's a problem and the duo solves it after 60 minutes. In fact, the show doesn't even give Pam that much to do most of the time. Nine times out of ten, she's simply the girlfriend character despite being the third character to know Ralph's superpowers. The show eventually makes her a third wheel while they get rid of the students. Even Ralph's son fades into the background. The characters don't grow and the show becomes episodic in nature.The most memorable episode is when the duo encounters two old men who had a suit back in the day. However the silly episodic stories mount up. There is a ghost in one episode. They're digging for gold in another. With voodoo, Bermuda Triangle and everything else, the second season simply has too many stupid episodes and the show never recovered.

mr_pogey_bait I wont beat a dead horse here and explain the premise of the show so if you want to know what the Greatest American Hero was all about, read any of the other posts to get a good idea of what went on. What I will tell you is that most television shows these days just don't add up to the originality of this show. I am really surprised with all the superhero movies that have been released in the last 5 years that a movie was not made based on this TV show. I would stand in line to see it. Any TV show currently running just cant stand up to the story. I remember as a kid literally being restless to see this show each week and I'm pretty sure if this show was on now, I would be just as restless to see it each week. Why isn't this show being remade? There is a lot of talent out there and I'm sure they could find some actors and actresses that would be suitable. ABC made a terrible mistake canceling this series and that is very obvious since GAH fans are still around even though it only aired 3 seasons (44 episodes I believe). I'd be willing to bet that the 6 million dollar man, the incredible hulk, and the A-Team fans don't add up to the fan base that GAH has.Any movie studio out there would be nuts to put off remaking this any longer. With Stephen Cannell still being around, it would be a perfect time to do it. So, where is the remake? The GAH fans are asking.

michaelf95 One of the most under-rated TV shows of all time. I keep hearing rumors about a new movie version. It seems to be in the early days of planning. The old series is now out on DVD (thank ya Lord...). Been waiting' for that for a long time...Here is my take on who would be great in the new movie version:Ralp: Steve Zahn. Bill: Billy Bob Thorton. Pam: Jennifer Conelly.The series only ran from 81-83 and I guess there was a great deal of tension between Cannell and ABC over the creative direction. But Cannell thankfully won and though the series was too short, what was aired is fantastic!If you've never seen the old series pick up or rent the DVD! Holds up very well despite being 25 years old...