M.A.N.T.I.S. (TV 1994)

A brilliant, wheelchair-bound scientist invents a form of exo-skeleton called the Mechanically Augmented Neuro Transmitter Interception System (M.A.N.T.I.S.) that turns him into a superhero... See full summary »

Director:

Eric Laneuville

Writers:

Sam Hamm (screenplay), Sam Hamm (story),

Stars:

Carl Lumbly, Bobby Hosea, Gina Torres

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Carl Lumbly	...	Dr. Miles Hawkins
Bobby Hosea	...	Yuri Barnes
Gina Torres	...	Dr. Amy Ellis
Steve James	...	Antoine Pike
Obba Babatundé	...	Cornell (as Obba Babatunde)
Marcia Cross	...	Lila McEwan
Wendy Raquel Robinson	...	Hawkins' Assistant
Christopher M. Brown	...	Hawkins' Assistant
Philip Baker Hall	...	Smitty
Yvonne Farrow	...	Magda
Francis X. McCarthy	...	Chief Stark
Alan Fudge	...	Captain
Grant Heslov	...	TV Crew
Luis Antonio Ramos	...	TV Cameraman (as Louis Ramos)
Billy Kane	...	DeCarlos

Storyline

A brilliant, wheelchair-bound scientist invents a form of exo-skeleton called the Mechanically Augmented Neuro Transmitter Interception System (M.A.N.T.I.S.) that turns him into a superhero and gives him the ability to fight the crime wave that is engulfing his city.

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Plot Keywords:

scientist | superhero | exoskeleton | african american | remake | 

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Genres:

Action | Crime | Drama | Sci-Fi

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

24 January 1994 (USA)

Also Known As:

Mantide

Company Credits

Production Co:

Wilbur Force Productions, Renaissance Pictures, Universal TV

Technical Specs

Runtime:

95 min

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Dr. Miles Hawkins is named after physicist Stephen Hawking.

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Connections

Followed by M.A.N.T.I.S. (1994)

User Reviews

The first and most positive black superhero male role model character ever written in the world of sci-fi.

(revised) Dr. Miles Hawkins, aka "the Mantis" is definitely the first and most positive black superhero male role model character ever written in the world of sci-fi... and thus, quite predictably, it was canceled by the Fox network,(on which it originally premiered), before very many episodes could be written.

The Sci-Fi cable-TV channel then picked it up for about a year before it disappeared into the ether of black TV history.

Having led a small campaign to persuade Fox to make this movie into a TV series, it was a heartbreak to see such a fine program fall so short, but the audience doesn't like black male role models to be be positive. Because while MANTIS failed, sitcoms such as "Martin" soared in the ratings with black audiences, even though Martin Lawrence presented a role model that was no better than that of "Amos and Andy", and so many other stereotypical images that are scorned so strongly be liberal black critics.

So with a role model as positive as the image of MANTIS, a black crippled man who by his own genius and determination became a self-made millionaire and an self-made super-hero, why did MANTIS fail? Because Miles Hawkins was also the positive portrayal of a black Christian moral-conservative. THAT'S why!

Sadly, if there is one thing Hollywood liberals detest and most wish to demonize and eradicate it is us black folks who are Christian moral-conservatives. But they never seem to mind representing us as thugs, criminals and anything opposite of good and decent.

So once again the liberals who sell our youth out,(both in Hollywood and the NAACP), win again and in doing so, we black folks, as a whole, lose again. One small loss for MANTIS, one huge loss for the minds of young black viewers who so badly need such positive male role models as MANTIS presented.

Well, at least we still have some great people to look up to in REAL life, such as former Presidential candidate Dr. Alan Keyes and Dr. Bill Cosby and a few others,(for now), bless them for the courage to stand up for good morals and decency, against the vast majority who choose the ignoble path instead!