The new series of Flash Gordon tries to put a modern twist on classic sci-fi, but ends up a Flash in the pan.

Spandex, spaceships, stereotypes and even porn remakes - the things that made the original Flash Gordon stories great. Telling the tales of a titular, but heroic, All-American fighting evil Ming The Merciless of the planet Mongo, they were OTT and hugely influential on series like Star Wars and Star Trek.

This new incarnation sheds the sillier aspects in favour of a more slick approach. But in doing so, it takes away much of the appeal that has helped the character last over 70 years.

Flash now works as a mechanic and lives with his mum. Hardly hero material. His once faithful girl Dale is now an engaged ex-girlfriend who works as a TV reporter and the brilliant scientist Dr Hans Zarkov is a timid geek who lives in a camper van. Changes with the times are expected, but these aren’t the only parts of the story to get a makeover.

What used to be the unmistakable, oriental Ming The Merciless, complete with a comically long moustache, is now replaced with a blonde, middle-aged American who looks too much like an older version of Flash himself. The planet of Mongo has also seen some downsizing, too - with the population living in one major city, it feels more like a neighbouring town than a planet on the other side of the galaxy.

What’s more, travel between the two worlds take place in randomly appearing “rifts” that look stolen from Stargate, as opposed to the spaceships and colourful uniforms of old. These changes take away much of the fun that made the stories so successful. They were outlandish and, at times, downright silly to watch or read. But that’s what gave them their appeal. The only fun to be had here are bad one-liners and forgettable action sequences.

However, it is watchable. If you treat it more as a teen drama with ray guns, as opposed to reinvention of a classic sci-fi story, you’ll get much more out of it. Try to think along the lines of Roswell or Charmed and you’re on the right track.