DVD review (region 2)
Directed by Simon DaVison
Starring James Vaughan, Tamsin Greig, Mark Heap, Rick Leaf
Release date 24 November 2008

Square-jawed hero Captain Ted Eager (Vaughn) sets off in his rocket ship to save the galaxy from the dastardly Colonel Regamun (Leaf). To aid him there’s his sidekick Scrutty (Heap), old flame Jenny (Greig) and pet dog Scamp…

Minuscule of budget and DIY in approach, Captain Eager and the Mark of Voth may not rank as one of the year’s best movies, but it’s certainly one of the most unique.

DaVison’s curious debut is essentially an affectionate throwback to Dan Dare comics and classic science fiction, brought to life with a combination of Blue Peter-style effects and a little CGI. It’s a surreal and gloriously nostalgic effort with an often dazzling visual style that’s quite unlike anything else. Vaughn pitches his space captain as just the right mixture of the brave and slightly naive, while Mark Heap and Tamsin Greig (both well versed in the weird from their appearance in cult comedy Green Wing) give it their all despite the non-existent characterisation.

In terms of storytelling, Captain Eager isn’t quite so successful. The plot soon becomes virtually unfathomable, and DaVison is unable to sustain the film’s charm over a 90 minute run time. And while aficionados of Eagle comics and Flash Gordon serials will get a kick out of the movie’s gentle spoofing of old fashioned heroics, the script lacks any real laughs.

Still, the movie gets full marks for enthusiasm and originality, and suggests that if DaVison is showered with a little more cash he could be capable of better. Matt McAllister

VERDICT: 6/10
An original, though eventually slightly dull, Dan Dare throwback with a style all of its own.