Customer Reviews

Starhunter 2300: The Complete Series

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This box set, Starhunter 2300, The Complete Series, is actually the second season of Starhunter. The original series, just called "Starhunter", starred Michael Pare, Claudette Roche, Tanya Allen, Stephen Marcus, and Murray Melvin.

The series was cancelled and then returned 2 years later in this newer installment. Tanya Allen and Stephen Marcus were the only cast members to return for this second installment.

This show, along with it's first season, is easily my favorite sci-fi series ever. The first season came out a couple of years before Joss Whedon's much acclaimed "Firefly", to which it is often compared. I get the impression that Mr. Whedon actually might have got some of his ideas from Stahunter's first season .

This second season, "Starhunter 2300" however, is my favorite season of this show.

Imagine a sci-fi series set in space where all the main characters are desperate and poor! There is no politically-correct 'prime directive'. There is no magical warp-drive or transporters or any quick and easy way to get to the stars. Humanity is still mostly confined to the Solar System. Hyperspace is still the stuff of theoretical physics, unreliable pseudoscience, and it is also the obsession of a Mensa-like organization of elitists called "The Orchard" who wish to control access to hyperspace for themselves. Earth is too polluted to live on, so most people live in dindgy space colonies scattered throughout the solar system (the lucky ones live on Mars)

The Solar System is impossible to police. The last thing resembling a police force rebelled and became the Raiders, scattered 'clans' who raid colonies, steal children (many of the original Raiders became sterile due to something like a futuristic Gulf War Syndrome) and run much of the prostitution and drug business in the solar system.

The only solution to maintain any semblance of order? Bring violent criminals to justice by paying bounty-hunters to bring them in! There is so much poverty and desperation in the solar system that somebody is bound to be willing to do it. That is the role of our main characters and the basis of the concept for Starhunter.

The cast is excellent all around. I could go on at length about each of the castmembers, but then this would turn into a 6-page review. Some of them may be familiar to you from other shows and feature films. Many interesting guest stars pop in through the season as well.

This second season, "Starhunter 2300" features much-upgraded special effects, compared to the original Starhunter. Even the trip-hop theme music and the moody ambiente incidental music are a huge improvement. It still has a bit of the first season's cheeziness, in some of the writing and characterization, but I find that to be part of the charm.

The series begins where the first season's cliffhanger ending left off, but don't worry if you didn't see the first season, the disorientation of not knowing what's going on put's you in a position to easily relate to the main characters and their situation. You have to find your way around, much as the characters themselves do.

The year is 2300, 15 years after the time of the first season. Percy (Tanya Allen) finds herself alone on the Tulip, a delapidated old space-cruiseship that has been her home for most of her life. However, she finds that she has just come out of hyperspace and has somehow missed 15 years of time. She is now all alone on the ship she and her uncle Dante used to lease for the purpose of bounty-hunting. She has no relatives, no friends, and no income. She does, however have the Tulip and must now decide how she is going to survive.

She is docked at Clarke Station (in Jupiter-Federation) where she sets about trying to find a new crew. Things don't go too smoothly, though. In fact, they never go smoothly through the entire season. Debts, jealousy, untrustworthy friends, corrupt officials, mental instability, and ghosts from the past plague the entire crew. Controversial subjects are tackled in interesting ways in the seedy settings of a mostly lawless and often amoral society.

It's a shame that the series itself was plagued by a severe lack of promotion and lack of interest on the part of some of it's powerful network investors. Sadly, on the verge of commencing a new season of shooting, the production was abruptly shut down, without any warning. If you like this series as much as I did, then you'll be wishing that it had been allowed to continue. I find myself watching this box-set end-to-end, again and again and I still can't find another series that I have enjoyed this much.

I thought the only sci-fi that would ever come out of the British Empire would be a spoof-show riddled with toilet humor.

But I did enjoy this whole series. Especially towards the end, however as the other reviewer stated, production does lack a little, but the stories make up for it in spades (along with the SCRUMPTIOUS Tanya Allen, she is so friggin cute).

Basically it's like watching a slightly less interesting Firefly with British accents. If you like Crusade, Firefly, B5 etc. this is a good addition to that genre drawer (fellow DVD compulsives). Any sci-fi fan would appreciate these stories on some level.

Having caught a few episodes of both the original Starhunter and Starhunter 2300 on grainy low power UHF, I kind of knew what to expect; still, I was really surprised at how much I enjoyed this Starhunter 2300 set. The original season of Starhunter was strictly "B" level material; Starhunter 2300 is, just as others have pointed out, much much better. Its not top level, this is definitely not Farscape or B5, but it is a really solid production that has a flavor all its own.

I thought there were a few things that made this series work well. Its universe is interesting; its dark, gritty, and atmospheric, but not hopeless. The interplay if the various planetary federations and factions provides enough scope that the setting of the solar system (well, mostly the solar system) doesn't feel confining. The cast is quite likeable. The performances may be on the low key side, but I thought they fit the milieu pretty well, for the most part. Strangely enough, Percy Montana who may have been the best character in the original series, didn't come across too well for me - a little too catatonic and with a weird attraction to risky behavior. The rest of the crew is great: Caravaggio the dry acerbic AI, the lively optimistic Marcus, the somewhat questionable Rudolpho, and the controlled uber competent Travis. My favorite character, though, is Callie - tough as nails with a lot of depth and breadth. Not to mention that Dawn Stern is a flat out goddess. Finally, there's the ongoing subtext of hyperspace and the "Divinity Cluster". You really get the impression of impending breakthrough; that the human universe is on the verge of major changes - good and bad - and that the breakthrough has as much to do with genetic and emotional factors as with technology.

The episodes are consistently good for the most part. I thought there was one real clunker, one borderline clunker, and two or three mediocre efforts. These are more than balanced out by good or excellent episodes. I'd say 75% of the episodes fall into the latter category; at least half a dozen, as well as the finale, are taut and gripping - close to the level of the best TV sci-fi. I didn't think there were any glaring weaknesses with Starhunter 2300. Sure the dialogue is not up to Firefly standards, there are better FX, and maybe there could have been more "whoa" factor and less repetitiveness in the storylines. With a little improvement in these areas this show could have been special. I really got the impression that this was a first year type of series; one in which the universe was being defined, the characters were being established, and the foundations for the future were being set.

The DVD set is nicely put together; six DVDs in a streamlined book style box. The package contains the episodes only; absolutely no extras. The price is definitely right. Since the series was cancelled, you will be left hanging; I'd love to at least see a resolution to the two part finale, but I guess that's the lot of the sci-fi fan - you're left hanging as often as not. Its too bad that this show didn't get more traction, but at least this set is available. I actually had some withdrawal symptoms when I finished watching this; I think most sci-fi fans, casual to rabid, would enjoy this.

First of all, don't bother complaining about Image releasing the second season, the first season shows were licensed by a different company (Platinum) and are already on the market on DVD. Amazon and many other outlets carry the first season DVD releases; do a search. Take note: the Platinum DVD volumes contain the uncut versions of the shows not aired on US TV, which contain some nudity and run a bit longer.

The second season is a lot more expensive, but it is a higher quality presentation. The real trouble here is that both seasons are pretty dull and cheaply produced.

Fans will likley buy them, others won't find anything worth more than a rental when everything else is checked out.

I discovered Starhunter season one recently on DVD and was very intrigued by it. The show was entertaining although the DVDs weren't the best. It's too bad the episodes are mixed up on the DVDs! Also only a few episodes of season one are available on DVD. Why not put them all out and in the right order? The series is fun though.

Season one prompted me to try Starhunter 2300. Nice package! All of the episodes are included and in order. Wonderful image and sound. Fun episodes! Great show! Can we get a sequel? Maybe a direct to DVD "Serenity"? A follow-up that unites father and son while introducing new fans to the previous two series? How about re-releasing season one in the same type of quality DVD package as season two?

I had just finished watching this box set over 2 weekends and I must say I wish there could be more. This show is no firefly. If you like sci-fi tv shows about space bounty hunters this show is worth watching. It seems just as the show gets real good and the relationship between the crew from episode to episode is built up the show ends. Also if you a pc gamer and like games like freelancer or X3 reunion and ever woundered what a live action show would be like based off these games this tv series is worth watching. I enjoyed every episode of this show and if I can ever find the time to watch it again I would. If you add this show to your sci-fi collection of dvd's of firefly or babylon 5 you won't go wrong giving this show a try. I have not seen the first season of this show everyone is talking about. I do see the first season is on amazon being rereleased in a new box set not costing that much and I will buy it to watch also.

The Good Things
*Good special effects and action; better than the first "Star Hunter."
*Still has good characters.
*Still has good stories; perhaps even better than "Star Hunter" because there's more action.

The Bad Things
*Some episodes still feel long.
*Characters have some issues that never get resolved.

With higher production value, the second season of "Star Hunter" looks much better, with fancier special effects, more action, better sets, better costumes, and a cleaner picture. It is enjoyable for sci-fi fans, and would reccomend it as a compliment to the first "Star Hunter" season (or perhaps to fans of "Firefly").

Starhunter was a B-level sci fi show aired at like 3AM in my area a while back. I only caught a few episodes of it, and recently (because I liked this release so much) bought it on DVD. I really am enjoying it. Anyway, Starhunter 2300 may have been similarly aired in such vespertine hours, but if it was, I missed it altogether. This show is a restructured version of the original. Similar pretense, some different characters (Michael Pare is gone), more special effects, and some decent writing. I have this box set and have watched about halfway through so far. I will watch the rest and have enjoyed myself thus far. It is an adventure show set in space, on a par writing-wise, quality-wise, enjoyment-level-wise with something like Arthur Conan Doyle's The Lost World tv series, though a little less silly and more somber in tone than that particular show. Some of the characters are endearing, though I have to say Tanya Allen is not as fun this time around. Her character is more dour than quirky sometimes, though it does fit her character's new situation. This show has production similarities to a sci fi show like Lexx, as they are both products of Canada (you will see character actors from Lexx and other Canadian genre shows you may recognize appear from time to time). This show is not as dark or sarcastic as Lexx (or as silly), though, but it is a darker show than a lot of other sci fi things that have ended up in syndication. There are, as others have mentioned, certain similarities with Firefly, the short-lived Fox series of a few years ago (eventually resurrecting in movie Serenity) in the setting and crew of characters, but these are superficial. It is not as well acted, written or directed as Firefly was. It is not as engrossing as Firefly. It is a fun indulgence, like watching Saturday afternoon episodes of syndicated action/adventure or sci fi. It's better than Andromeda (more consistent, makes more sense, more hardcore sci fi ideas, less incoherent spiritual sidetrips, similar level of special effects). No where near as epic as Babylon 5 or even Deep Space Nine (not that they are on the same level). It's episodic sci fi and if you're into that, here's some more. If you know you watch anything sci fi they put on the air because you're a rabid sci fi fan, then you should seek this out, because it's better than a bunch of shows you sat through already and told yourself were worth it. This show should have gotten a better chance to be seen here in the states. Anyway, here's a rabid sci fi fan who says it ain't your new favorite show, but it is a fun little trip into space each episode that's recommended.

Being a Sci Fi junkie, I had to own a series called STARhunter 2300. Having seen it on YouTube, I was hoping to find the missing ending. It ain't there. What a let down. The story and characters moved along nicely throughout the whole series only to abruptly end on the cliffhanger meant to draw viewers to the next season. It's a shame corporate money hounds can't figure out that Science fiction sells. It seems, if they don't like it, you're not allowed to.
But I digress.
This was supposed to be the continuing story of Dante Montana, a bounty hunter and his niece, who live in space after Earth was decimated by man and rendered virtually uninhabitable.
Dante's family is tragically separated due to Raiders abducting his son Travis and killing his wife.
But the writers seem to think Travis Montana's character needed to be fundamentally changed from season to season.
Once the forced gear change is made, we find Percy (Dante Montana's niece) returned from hyperspace 15 years after disappearing and discovers that by salvage laws she has inherited the TULIP a luxury liner/spaceship her and her uncle were renting from Rudolpho DeLuna, their old boss, who is now broke and looking for a job.
Somehow neither Dante or Luc made it back from hyperspace and the family is still tragically fragmented.
For now, Travis Percy's cousin is plopped down into the story with his partner, Marcus.
Rudolpho with his new recruit, Callista, a rival hunter joins, reluctantly at first, and tada! We have a crew.
The bounty hunting gets underway with mysteries of the universe woven into the story.
A Sci Fi junkies dream.
I give this only 3 stars because of the gaping plot hole and unfinished state of the series.

I liked this second "season" of the Star Hunter series. It was obviously better financed, has better writing, more polished production values, and so on. I wasn't sure about the new cast, but I grew to like them and enjoyed both series a lot. Overall, I preferred the original first series, because I found the story themes better and more engrossing (even if the writer's screenplay skills were sometimes lacking). But I thoroughly enjoyed this installment, although at the end I felt it flagged a bit.

This DVD set is much better as far as polish, production and packaging than the first. Worth the money.

P.S. I feel very sure Joss Whedon was familiar with this series, especially the first season, since there are many similarities and references in FireFly/Serenity that can only be homage to StarHunter. Maybe one day someone will ask him. Firefly was a much better series overall, one of the best Sci-Fi series ever (IMHO). I'd give my left toe to be able to go back in time and see it get a nice 5 seasons or so run. It's a tragedy that Fox execs were so incredibly stupid and mishandled it so badly. Thankfully, they got to make the wonderful movie Serenity to wrap it all up.