I thought it would be neat, for my 2,000th review, to go back to part of my beginning. And 7½ hours later...I grew up on V. No, not the awesome Vendetta film from DC decades later. And I'm not talking about the super-vamp drug from True Blood or the hard-to-get-through 2009 remake.I'm talking about the Badass Badler and Super-Hot Singer Star Wars knockoff of the early 80s. In fact, V *was* my Star Wars.Back when I was between 9-12ish, I consumed this show/concept. While it only had two miniseries (sorta movies, sorta seasons) and one official season (or, as labelled, Season 3,) it practically became my world. I watched it live and all the reruns I could plan out. And no, my family couldn't afford a VCR until a few years later, so I did my best by the TV guide and commercial previews.It wouldn't make much sense to me until this viewing that one of the biggest reasons I fell in love with V was the show's creator. He also created another favorite show of mine growing up and pre-V: The Incredible Hulk. I had the same feeling about that show as I did V and they shared the same creator: Kenneth Johnson.I digress, once the show's finale (3rd season spoiler) created peace in the world, and I began my teen years, I grew apart from the show/concept and never to return any of the Vniverse until 35-freaking-years later.When I thought of what I could celebrate my 2,000th review with, this made sense as my 1,000th celebratory review was the very first movie I'd ever remember seeing: 1975's Escape to Witch Mountain. V was a huge part of my childhood and memories, but I had no idea what kind of commitment I had to give to review this. I mean, seven and a half hours?! Fine, I had nothing else going on this weekend, so why not?I'll tell you why not and why I can't give it a huge recommendation. For today's audiences anyways. It's way too padded. It's easy to figure out why, but it's a chore nowadays when we have more options of what to watch online and wasn't relying on a non-VCR, heck, non-internet world in 1983. These two miniseries/seasons could've/should've been easily edited down to about 4 hours, ish.At the time, though, it was epic. Not just for the preteen in me, but for the ambition they had. They had top-notch FX (for TV) and world-building that they did oh so well. I truly felt this world of V (for visitors) could have existed. Yes, there are special effects we would scoff at today, mostly the flying sequences, but for the most part, it was practical effects and sets. I can totally see the 9-12 year old in me loving and believing this world was realistic.From what I'm told, the concept was supposed to be a retelling of the Nazi regime in modern (1983) times, but those in charge thought no one would buy it (fast-forward to the trump presidency of these modern times and, well...) and Star Wars was hot back then, so they switched it to an alien invasion. In any case, that worked and totally made sense and is more believable. The world is invaded by "peaceful" Visitors who come from a dying planet. Their mission is to share their resources and technology in exchange for hospitality. As most dictatorships develop, "They Come in Peace" and slowly/surely take control of society. Ahh, but Vive la résistance!The show/series/seasons began with Star Wars-types of tropes and ends with flat-out theft of the Original Trilogy. Again, as a kid, I was fine with it. At the time, anyways, the only way for a kid to see Star Wars was to go to the theatre for the first-run Return of the Jedi, for one of the many re-releases of IV and V (Episode 5 in this case) and pray one of the five channels we got ran them in prime time.I literally have not seen the V original series or singular season since around/about 1985ish and boy do I remember plenty of it, this time around. This does prove to me how much this show did mean to me.Fun Facts: I was in total love with Marc Singer during the show, though I didn't know what that meant since I didn't know what "gay" was at the time. I totally dug Diana as one of my all-time favorite villains. She was so deliciously evil and charismatic. I also loved Faye Grant as the leader and every-person and Freddy Kruger! Well, not yet, but I did like Robert Englund as Willie. Oh, and lest I forget Michael Ironside, which I was in love with internally and externally, as well. Back then, I couldn't get enough of this show. Every character meant something to me, every battle and scheme had me truly involved and on the edge of my seat and, mercifully, the plot, dialogue and adventures were easy enough for my preteen mind to wrap around. THIS was perfect for my age back then and no matter what I feel now (ah-hem, only 4/5 stars,) V will always have a special place in my heart. Only, I don't think I'll ever rewatch the show again. Once every 35 years is enough nostalgia...and honestly, I don't think I have another 35 years left. Is it V for Visitors or V for Victory?***Final thoughts: Couple of other good things I loved/love about these two miniseries: a VERY good score, only to be improved in the "3rd" season and some actual laugh out loud humor that, surprisingly, still works today. I was honestly pretty impressed with some of the dialogue and delivery.

I know it's not very popular to like the villain of V better than the heroes, but Diana was a strong, attractive alien woman who never let anyone walk all over her and she knew herself and her own mind much better than Julie Parrish (Faye Grant). They tried to remake V with another attractive woman as Anna the leader of the aliens, but the actress never achieved what Jane Badler did! When Diana came on the scene, you knew someone would be in deep, deep trouble. I did think Mike Donovan (Marc Singer) was a good-looking, tall young guy who held his own against Diana quite well! John (Richard Herd) was a weak commander of the aliens and Diana was smart enough to see this. Steven (Andrew Prine) had zero respect for Diana because I guess he was a bit of a sexist who hated being bossed around by a woman. Pamela who was another alien tried to one-up Diana but she could never achieve the one oneupmanship which was why Diana killed her. I know the story ends with the aliens being defeated, but they would have succeeded if John, Steven, and Pamela would have listened to her.

Catholic influences are sprinkled throughout this science fiction adventure, taking shortcuts to material and moral dilemmas. Miracles replace human endeavors, while the species-centric nature of the writing glosses over genocidal decisions. The fifth column is reduced to helping in a lopsided partnership. Is that the best writers can do? I surely hope that the new series on ABC will do more justice to these not-insignificant problems, just as the early seasons of the re-imagined Battlestar Galactica (another show ruined by unnecessary religious plot devices) did. Is religious fanaticism not the cause of untold crusades? What would it say about humanity if we must rely on religion to fight the dark forces?

This was a marvelous follow-up to one of the best TV mini series of all time. Most of the original cast returns, and the human team led by Marc Singer and Faye Grant lead their squad against the Visitors intent on world domination. Michael Ironside's character was a perfect addition to the cast, as he provides the arrogant tough-guy role the good guys needed. If you liked the first one, you'll love this one. I guarantee it. You will never forget the childbirth scene in this film.*** out of ****