Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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80 of 81 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Please Make One More Final Pretender Movie To Tie Up All Loose Ends, March 13, 2007
I was ecstatic when I found out that these two films would finally be released on DVD, not only because I am a big fan of 'The Pretender' and this would be my first opportunity to see them but also because I was hoping to see this wonderful series' multiple plot threads neatly woven together into a finished tapestry.
Unfortunately there was no such luck. 'The Pretender 2001' answers a few questions of where season 4 left off but leads to even more unanswered questions. It was a very entertaining film, much in the same vein as its episodic predecessors, so it is definitely worth watching for any 'Pretender' fan.
'The Pretender - The Island of the Haunted' is even more puzzling and complex than the preceding film, which is frustrating to no end since there is no real resolve. What began as an enigmatic series headed by the altruistic protagonist and the ambiguous hunters, namely Ms. Parker, Broots and Sidney, ends up in much the same way, with simply a few more pieces of the puzzles but far from having a complete picture of Jarod and Ms. Parker's legacies. The movie itself is well directed with an eerie yet appealing ambience on the island that's riddled with mysteries, and the story is clever, as usual. Nothing is left desired acting wise, the cast delivers great performances, especially by Jarod and Ms. Parker, who hint at something beyond mere mutual respect and an unspoken comradery.
All in all, this is well worth getting as it is a slightly better conclusion to the series than the season 4 finale cliffhanger, but nevertheless, I along with all the other fans of 'The Pretender' want answers to the questions that remain from the numerous arching storylines, such as who exactly is Jarod's mother, will he ever get to spend time with her and settle down, what became of Jarod's dad, who murdered Ms. Parker's mother and why, what is the fate of Ms. Parker's newly found half brother, besides Mr. Lyle, what will happen with Mr. Parker and Brigitte's newborn son from season 4, what will happen to the Triumvirate, The Centre, as well as the new questions from both these new, final films.
I implore the producers of this excellent series to please make an ultimate film that will once and for all answer the burning questions that have haunted not just Jarod and Ms. Parker but the fans as well for so many years. I sincerely plead to both the TNT and NBC channels that they produce a fitting end to 'The Pretender' saga. Not only would this be a sound business investment given the large fan base the world over who would buy the film, but also it would please everyone who's dying to know how this amazing journey ends. Thank you for your time and consideration.
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68 of 70 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
One great, one very good., December 7, 2006
After NBC cancelled "The Pretender", reruns showed up on TNT. Between the good ratings and fan pleas, the cable net decided to make these two television movies. It was originally planned as four films, but TNT's lack of support in promoting the second led to bad ratings and therefore no further movies.
"The Pretender 2001" - Reunites the cast and creative from the series, in fact picking up where the cliffhanger of season four ends. Jarod (Michael T. Weiss) makes it a point to reveal even more disturbing facts about The Centre. At the center of everything, as always, Miss Parker (Andrea Parker) fends off her disfunctional family in her futile quest for truth. Of the two, this remained truest to the series' tone.
"The Pretender: Island of the Haunted" - While there were appearances by most of the original cast, this was a battle of wills between Jarod and Miss Parker. They find themselves trapped on a small island in New England where Jarod tracks down his long lost mother. From there, it seemed to go off in a quasi-supernatural direction which was completely foreign to the show. Since the same creative team was in place, it's hard to fault them for changing their creation. Probably with the hope that TNT would see series potential in the altered Pretender reality.
Overall, "2001" puts a nice cap on the series. "Haunted" is a worthwhile diversion for fans. Michael T. Weiss and Andrea Parker worked very well together, and "Haunted" is one of the few times they got to work face-to-face for any length of time.
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15 of 17 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
The Pretender movies covers a lot..and still there is questions, March 27, 2007
The Pretender was a show that intriged and interested me. It was the Fugitive, part Quantum Leap (without the Leaping) and part Soap Opera/mystery plot.
These two TV movies,both made especially for TNT network in 2001, are, in my opinion, a expanded version of the TV show episodes. The original cast is all here, and It seem like the shows was almost never canceled
These two TV movies answer a few questions and asks more, leaving the door open to future TV Pretender movies which never came to pass..and that is too bad
If you are a fan of this series, these two movies will enhance your collection. If not, the Prentender 2001 will bring the whole four season show (all available on DVD) into hazy focus.
Either way, these two movies have quality...rare in TV movies these days
Bennet Pomerantz AUDIOWORLD
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