Bionic Showdown: The Six Million Dollar Man and the Bionic Woman (1989)

Good , But It Is Overrated By Some

Funny, strange, confrontational and subversive, this is one of the most interesting experiences you'll have at the cinema this year.

The film creates a perfect balance between action and depth of basic needs, in the midst of an infertile atmosphere.

It’s not bad or unwatchable but despite the amplitude of the spectacle, the end result is underwhelming.

Another great comeback for Lee Majors and Lindsay Wagner as the bionic duo of Steve Austin and Jamie Sommers. Unfortunately, the movie tended to show more of Sandra Bullock at times than Lee Majors or Lindsay Wagner. Yes, a lot of people who commented here said that she was great. I agree her character was fantastic. Her character, Kate, overcame paralysis when she received a bionic leg. But I felt that her character was only supposed to be a supporting one here, not in practically every other scene. But I think this is probably how she got noticed in this film and made it to the big screen. The story is basically about a bionic villain who tries to assassinate Russian diplomats watching an olympic-type event. Note how they couldn't use the word, Olympics. Probably the IOC said no to the producers.

First, I'll preface by saying I am a huge fan of The Six Million Dollar Man. I started watching the show as a kid, and it has never lost favor with me. Same with the Bionic Woman. Both shows were enjoyable, whether they were being serious, or tongue in cheek. That said, I was somewhat disappointed in this film, as I was in its predecessor. The writing and directing were far too choppy, as if they were trying to compress 4 hours of television into 90 minutes. There are times where it also seems like it was trying too hard to sell a pilot. Like "Return of The Six Million Dollar Man and the Bionic Woman" a few years earlier, the film was composed as a pilot for a series that would spin off from the saga of Steve and Jaime, and, as with most pilots, the network and the studio were characteristically stingy with the budget. The video effects used to make Kate look "more powerful" than Steve and Jaime were far too schlocky and poorly realized, and all of the characterizations were melodramatic pastiches of the originals. Gone was Steve's subtle sense of humor, and Jaime's compassion was twisted into a stereotypical Aaron Spelling-like mom character. Sandra Bulloch's character was ironically the most coherently realized, probably because it was her character that the new series would be based on.Thank goodness for the caveat at the end, leading to Steve and Jaime getting engaged. It made for a nice lead-in to what would turn out to be the best (by a wide margin) of all the Bionic Reunion films. Much as i love the hows, I have to give this film two bionic thumbs down... although, I'll still watch it every now and then, like a guilty pleasure.

Another made for TV movie based on the hit show is BACK! This time, they can get the help they could ever need. "The Bionic Showdown" is way more thrilling than the show ever could give. Steve and Jamie(Lee Majors& Lindsey Wagner) get a new assistant who is younger and faster than they are. There's Kate Mason(Sandra Bullock), the first volunteer to become bionic. Jamie had helped her get over the feeling after the accident before becoming bionic. And the action is never lost in this movie. Allan(Geraint Wyn Davies) is a "friend" of Kate, Steve, and Jamie. This guy later showed his true colors to be a spy, and a traitor. When Kate found out while she was racing, She really put her bionics to the test. Allan should have known better about using his bionics. Misuse leads to uncertainty, and most will learn the hard way one way or the other. I thought Barney Miller was a problem in the SMDM. At least he got redemption. Plenty of action, plenty of suspense, and plenty of surprise, this movie got it all, and the reunion goes on and on... Rating 3 out of 5 stars.

DID YOU SEE THE PART WHERE SANDY RUNS AROUND THE TRACK AND FIELD??? WHOA! SHE WAS SO SO SO SO SOOOOO SEXY IN THAT LEOTARD! IF ONLY THAT FILM WAS FOR SALE ON VIDEO OR SOMETHING, I WOULD'VE GRABBED A COPY OF IT SO FAST! BUT NOOOOO, IT WAS MADE - FOR - TV! I'M ****ED.....