Just Watched the OT Pilot...

Monte Williams · 03-29-2009, 05:33 PM

I hadn't seen the five-episode pilot that started off the Old Toon since... hell, probably the late '80s.

Recently, I found a VHS copy at a second-hand store, still shrink-wrapped, for $2. Figured I'd get it to watch with my five-year-old daughter; she liked the first flick and the CGI flick.

I ended up falling asleep during the fourth episode, not because of its quality but simply because it's been a long week. I'll watch the rest soon, 'cause no doubt she'll watch the video religiously for a week or two before moving on to something new...

Ultimately, like any other 1980s children's cartoon, the show boasts animation that's uneven, at best, and generally speaking, the series does not hold up the way one might hope; nor does G.I. Joe or Transformers, of course.

That said, it is very, very clear why the show caught on the way it did. Indeed, I could summarize its revelatory appeal with one sentence:

It was the first animated action series to treat itself and the conventions of the genre with such cheerful irreverence.

I recalled that the series would often break the fourth wall, but I didn't realize that that tendency started so soon ("You wouldn't last five minutes in a ninja pizzeria... I love saying lines like that.")

The writing isn't notably clever by today's standards, but much of what has come since was likely inspired by Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and its comical approach; I particularly liked that Raphael's most intimidating threat when interrogating Baxter Stockman was that he might have to get "sarcastic" with him.

Much of the humor is stilted and contrived, and the entire story has something of a meandering, make-it-up-as-you-go awkwardness. Nonetheless, I enjoyed watching it again, and while I wouldn't likely give it a second glance if it debuted today rather than when I was in fifth grade, I'm also not embarrassed that I used to watch it, as I am when I look back at Thundercats.

What do you think of the old-toon pilot when you watch it today, and to what extent is your opinion objective, rather than clouded by nostalgia?

Cheers,

Monte

03-29-2009, 05:33 PM	#1
Monte Williams Stone Warrior Join Date: May 2008 Location: Twin Falls, Idaho Posts: 825	Just Watched the OT Pilot... I hadn't seen the five-episode pilot that started off the Old Toon since... hell, probably the late '80s. Recently, I found a VHS copy at a second-hand store, still shrink-wrapped, for $2. Figured I'd get it to watch with my five-year-old daughter; she liked the first flick and the CGI flick. I ended up falling asleep during the fourth episode, not because of its quality but simply because it's been a long week. I'll watch the rest soon, 'cause no doubt she'll watch the video religiously for a week or two before moving on to something new... Ultimately, like any other 1980s children's cartoon, the show boasts animation that's uneven, at best, and generally speaking, the series does not hold up the way one might hope; nor does G.I. Joe or Transformers, of course. That said, it is very, very clear why the show caught on the way it did. Indeed, I could summarize its revelatory appeal with one sentence: It was the first animated action series to treat itself and the conventions of the genre with such cheerful irreverence. I recalled that the series would often break the fourth wall, but I didn't realize that that tendency started so soon ("You wouldn't last five minutes in a ninja pizzeria... I love saying lines like that.") The writing isn't notably clever by today's standards, but much of what has come since was likely inspired by Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and its comical approach; I particularly liked that Raphael's most intimidating threat when interrogating Baxter Stockman was that he might have to get "sarcastic" with him. Much of the humor is stilted and contrived, and the entire story has something of a meandering, make-it-up-as-you-go awkwardness. Nonetheless, I enjoyed watching it again, and while I wouldn't likely give it a second glance if it debuted today rather than when I was in fifth grade, I'm also not embarrassed that I used to watch it, as I am when I look back at Thundercats. What do you think of the old-toon pilot when you watch it today, and to what extent is your opinion objective, rather than clouded by nostalgia? Cheers, Monte __________________