Tubegazing

The Flash Gordon franchise is back, with the Ming dynasty intact, and some decidedly lame effects.

Flash Gordon

(Sci-Fi Channel, Aug. 10, 9 p.m.): This may be one of the most remade serials in pulp history, appearing in comic books, radio, TV, and film. Now it's back on TV, with more than a touch of the campiness that carried the 1980 Dino De Laurentiis-produced film. Flash Gordon is off to other dimensions, pursuing his dad, who is a captive of the evil Ming on the planet Mongo. For all the comic-book fans who can't get enough of grown-ups carrying ray guns and discussing the destruction of planet Earth, pretty lame effects and super-stiff acting keep this from being really great camp. Grade: C+