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 ... Read allA 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.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.
Photos
- Cornell
- (as Obba Babatunde)
- TV Cameraman
- (as Louis Ramos)
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaGina Torres's debut.
- GoofsWhen MANTIS is holding Kid MG over the edge of the building, he jumps down to the ground quickly, and the wire holding MANTIS is visible as he descends.
- Quotes
Hawkins' Assistant: The problem appears to be neurological. The more you use the harness, the more dependent on it you become.
Dr. Miles Hawkins: It's a technical problem. All progress comes at a cost.
Hawkins' Assistant: The harness is destructive, Doctor! If you continue to wear it, you sacrifice any hope of recovery.
Dr. Miles Hawkins: It's my body, Injia. I wouldn't dare test it on anyone else. If you don't like it, I can have you on the first plane back to Africa.
Hawkins' Assistant: But then you'd have to find new assistants.
[laughs]
Hawkins' Assistant: I can just imagine the interview process, Doctor.
[They both laugh]
Dr. Miles Hawkins: I can always quit if I have to.
Hawkins' Assistant: But you won't. You enjoy it too much, the freedom, the danger... perhaps even the violence. You're becoming addicted.
Dr. Miles Hawkins: Don't ever presume to tell me about violence. It never touched me. I was blind, and it took a bullet to open my eyes.
Hawkins' Assistant: It is the next bullet that I am worried about. You can not change the world on your own, Doctor!
Dr. Miles Hawkins: I have a debt to pay, Injia! If I can help, I will, no matter what the cost.
Hawkins' Assistant: As you say, Doctor. Nobility, it is the best excuse in the world.
- ConnectionsFollowed by M.A.N.T.I.S. (1994)
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!