"Cleopatra 2525" (2000) TV series 2000-2001

User Rating:

5.5/10   

Creators:

R.J. Stewart
Robert G. Tapert

Seasons:

1 | 2

Release Date:

17 January 2000 (USA)

Genre:

Sci-Fi | Action | Fantasy

Tagline:

The fight for earth has never been hotter!

Plot:

An exotic dancer, cryogenically frozen in the year 2001, is accidentaly thawed out in 2525 by two female...

Plot Keywords:

Robot | 26th Century | Mutant | Stripper | Friendship

Awards:

1 win

Cast

Gina Torres	...	Helen "Hel" Carter / ... (28 episodes, 2000-2001)
Victoria Pratt	...	Rose "Sarge" / ... (28 episodes, 2000-2001)
Jennifer Sky	...	Cleopatra "Cleo" / ... (28 episodes, 2000-2001)
Elizabeth Hawthorne	...	Voice (27 episodes, 2000-2001)
Patrick Kake	...	Mauser (23 episodes, 2000-2001)

Runtime:

USA:30 min (2000) | USA:60 min (2001-)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Certification:

Australia:M

Filming Locations:

Auckland, New Zealand

Company:

Renaissance Pictures

Trivia:

After "Jack of All Trades" (2000) was canceled, Cleopatra 2525 episodes became longer in order to fill its runtime.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Saturday Night Live: Jennifer Lopez (#26.11)" (2001)

One of the most original, creative, and entertaining shows of the genre.

Everyone I told about this show (especially females) was most skeptical of its quality (to say the least), but quality is one thing Cleopatra 2525 had in surplus. After watching an episode or two however they began to see that this was much more than simple "eye candy" for men, this show had depth. Women are shown to be intelligent, powerful, and excellent leaders in this show more than any Sci-Fi series at the time. This show should be seen by all women for its pure self-esteem boosting qualities (my wife loves Sarge), "girl power" is in full force here (apologies for the cliché). Many people that thought the show was silly or degrading to women probably only saw the commercials for it, or a few minutes of the actual show (if even that) and never gave it a chance.

The show had a "pure Sci-Fi" storyline which never drifted into the paranormal (i.e. always had a science explanation without ghosts, esp, god, etc.) which was a breath of fresh air in the midst of the many idiotic shows of the time that turned to the Paranormal to explain their plot devices. As an example, when someone was "out of phase/invisible" and could walk through walls the writers went to great lengths to explain why they didn't fall through the floor to the center of the earth (ever hear another Sci-Fi or Paranormal show even try to explain that). All the villains had motives (known or unknown) and were never presented as simply `evil'. This show had great storylines, characters with depth, unique and creative set designs, gadgets, and special effects to die for. The means of transportation was a blast to witness (shaft travel) as well. The actresses were not just extremely attractive, but extremely talented as well. This was the ONLY show I made a point to record when I would be elsewhere, and I can proudly say I never missed an episode. My wife loves the show as well, although she can't stand the theme song and tries to make me mute it.

The series unfolded in a way I have not seen since Babylon 5 (another great show, but a bit on the Paranormal side of Sci-Fi) another of my favorites. The entire series was building up to a spectacular revelation, but was cancelled for reasons unknown (after constantly being moved to increasingly inconvenient time slots that is). I can't help but wonder that if the PR for the show emphasized the Sci-Fi qualities more than the attractive women (and attractive though they are) they might not have given so many the misguided ideas that probably led to the changes in time slots, and ultimately cancellation.

I give Cleopatra 2525 a 9 out of 10.

Cleo, Hel, and Sarge, you will always hold a special place in my Sci-Fi heart. >