The cult TV series is now an equally outlandish audio series filled with crazy plots and lots of laughs.
It’s a dire state of affairs if you’ve never experienced either of the two completely bonkers television seasons of Danger 5. The Australian comedy show, created by Dario Russo and David Ashby almost ten years ago, is outrageous in every sense of the word: it’s laugh-out-loud funny, wildly exaggerated, and completely camp as an international team of spies attempt to outwit Hitler and win World War II. The 1960’s vibe, deliberately cheap-looking effects, off-kilter dubbing, and high-action storylines created a cult following and a unique viewing experience unlike anything else on TV at the time.
Audible has now brought the team back together, including the original voice cast and writers, to present a new series of outlandish adventures, and the result is glorious.
In Danger 5: Stereo Adventures, the threat of world domination by Hitler is replaced by communism across eight new illogical adventures that include squaring off against a 50-foot pussycat, meeting Spiro the conspiracy dog, getting down at Dracula’s beach party, becoming victim to an Australian bargain basement, and going on a treasure hunt in the Bermuda Triangle.
Despite the lack of visuals which added so much to the cheesy goodness of the television series, the audio adventures allow the creative minds of the series to take the Danger 5 team to greater heights. The sound effects, music and dialogue combine to create a very visual experience that is as absurdist as it is exciting.
The eight episodes are each replete with two fake commercial breaks that are equally nonsensical and add to the overall fun of the series.
Comedian Shaun Micallef, who guest starred in an episode of the TV series, joins the regular cast as the narrator – a device not used in the original series but one which adds clarity to the insanity as each audio story evolves. Said cast includes David Ashby (Jackson), Sean James Murphy (Tucker), Aldo Mignone (Pierre), Nataša Ristić (Ilsa), and Michelle Nightingale (who dubbed the voice of Claire for actor Amanda Simons). Both Carmine Russo and Andreas Sobik also return, having played Hitler and the dubbed voice of Hitler respectively in the original series.
Thankfully, there’s no need to have seen the television series to dive into the mayhem of this third season. The Audible Original production has ensured any references to earlier antics are limited and in context for new listeners.
Lovers of the ridiculous, fast-paced action, and kitsch retro vibes should all rejoice in the revival of this much-loved series. Trigger warnings, for those who need them, include excessive smoking, alcohol consumption, sexism, drugs and the occasionally well-placed naughty word. Those who struggle to have a good time may wish to avoid Danger 5: Stereo Adventures.
Reviewed by Rod Lewis
Twitter: @StrtegicRetweet
Distributed by: Audible Australia
Released: April 2020
RRP: $24.95 or $16.45 by monthly subscription to Audible
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