Knight Rider - 1st Season Premiere

I'm probably the only person that liked the recent pilot for Knight Rider and I'm probably the only person that's going to enjoy the new series!

I've just watched the web exclusive premiere episode of the new Knight Rider, not due to be screened in the US until 24th September.

From the "Get Go!" its full of car chases, explosions and exiting life-or-death action. Its definitely influenced by action cinema and in comparison does an impressive job considering the show is made on a much smaller budget to its celluloid cousin.

There's a whole load of CGI which a lot of the Knight Rider purists don't agree with but I don't mind, the show should keep up with todays technology and if CGI is the way forward "go use the hell out of it!". Using the new FX tech, K.I.T.T can do lots of extra things including Transformer esque transformations into other vehicles, it looks totally awesome.

Mike Tracer/Knight (played by Justin Bruening) has an interesting back story as an Iraq war Vet with a healthy dose of amnesia! I expect this will follow Mike through the rest of the series in a Wolverine/X-Men way as he tries to understand his past and the people he had dealings with.

The rest of the characters in the cast seems pretty standard for the genre but features enough eye candy with a nice amount of humour to keep me entertained. Val Kilmer is still the voice of K.I.T.T which was quite a surprise, I thought an unknown but similar sounding person would have taken over after the pilot episode.

Roll on episode 2!

Knight Rider (2008)

The Knight Rider T.V movie was aired on Sunday in the U.S and thanks to the many people that have uploaded the video I managed to download a decent copy by the Monday night. Isn't the internet wonderful!

I'm pleased to say it was an enjoyable experience watching this official 'sequel' (not a remake) to the original classic 80's series.

Although this pilot isn't as 'perfect' as some of the die-hard Knight Rider fans wanted I found it was straight forward good fun. The new KITT (voiced by Val Kilmer) looks and sounds great with some cool new functions. The car (a Shelby GT500KR Mustang) can now colour change and transform its shape. I'm sure as the series develops we'll see other new abilities.

The new lead, Justin Bruening who plays the character Mike Tracer seems to have enough attitude and charisma suitable for the role. In his first scene he's already in bed with two stunning women, thats a pretty good start if you ask me!

David Hasselhoff makes a guest appearance (as Michael Knight) in one of the final scenes and if things take off will hopefully return in later episodes.

By the very end of the episode the basic team had been assembled with characters mirroring those from the original team, Mike and KITT ready to take on the baddies as part of the Foundation of Law & Government.

Anyone familiar with the Knight Rider spin-off series, Team Knight Rider will recognise the replacement for the Foundation's juggernaut, not the most subtle forms of transport!

I'm really exited about this show and can't wait to see more.

Some photos of the new Knight Rider

Here's some photos from the forthcoming Knight Rider TV movie (due to be aired in the US on the 17th of February).


The new version of K.I.T.T. (Knight Industries Two Three Thousand), now a Shelby GT500KR Mustang.


The new guy (Justin Bruening) & K.I.T.T.


An interior shot, looks pretty awesome!

Kilmer 'will voice' Knight Rider

Val Kilmer is to provide the voice of talking car Kitt in the TV movie remake of the 1980s series Knight Rider, trade magazine Variety says.

He replaces Will Arnett, star of comedy Arrested Development, who pulled out after a row over motor company Ford's sponsorship of the film, Variety adds.

It said Ford's rival, General Motors, asked him to step down because he had voiced adverts for the firm.

The film is due to air on the NBC network in the US on 17 February.

Arnett told Variety he had been "very excited" about voicing the part of Kitt, which he had already recorded.

"However, because of a long relationship with General Motors as the voice of GMC Trucks, I had to respectfully withdraw from the project," he added.

Bourne Identity director Doug Liman is executive producer of the pilot, which will lead to a TV series if successful.

Soap actor Justin Bruening, 28, stars as the son of David Hasselhoff's original character, Michael Knight.

Hasselhoff will also make a guest appearance, reprising his career-making role.

* Pinched from BBC Entertainment News, 08/02/2008