I was a kid from the 80's and I was really into the fantasy genre to me it just had everything, beautiful worlds out of the ordinary, magic, creatures, secrets, treasure, action, and most importantly adventures and possibilities that could come true. This was another cartoon that got me into that genre besides "He-Man". This also was a show that introduced me into the RPG subculture, since this show is loosely based on the board and book game; so this show is also to me one of the best game to visual medium adaptations done right and this was way before the concept of video game movie adaptations.
The animation I think is very good and I personally think holds up today, I like the character animation of the humans and creatures, but what really impresses me is the background animation which really give the fantasy world a sense of vastness and wonder; each episode I was always excited to wonder what the next place would be.
I really like the plot/set up which makes sense if you think about the principles of the game, in the RPG the characters in the books are all roles/archetypes you play which is why each of the characters are assigned their roles. And like all the roles each of them are assigned abilities which are both strengths and weakness but require a party to act together as many or one. It was also kinda a dream come true for me seeing kids having magical abilities and journeying into a fantasy world, that's the kinda of thing I always daydream about.
Each of the plots in the show are different, yeah their random but there's nothing wrong with that as long as there interesting and they are, just like in the RPG game each are a different quest which gives the show a sense of unpredictability and mystery; you just never know what they'll run into next and how they'll deal with it. And the episodes are memorable two of my favorites are "The Dragon's Graveyard" and "Child of the Stargaizer" which I'll admit still tugs at my heartstrings.
The mystical weapons/tools are cool and they use them well. My favorite power of the bunch is Hanks Bow which can shoot unlimited mystical arrows, but most importantly you can make those arrows into anything with your mind like into a lasso, cage, or electro field. The action is solid for what it is, it's not exactly wall to wall but sufficient. The music is great, I really like the theme song at the end of the show it has a touching and adventurous tone.
And I really like the characters, there was actually a small sense of depth to them and they all had emotions which made you actually care and even feel sympathy for their desire to go back home. In a way it's kinda of a common feeling most heroes/superheroes have despite how far they go or how far away and what they do, theirs still that desire to water and grow personal needs. But most importantly I love the fact that this group of kids act and feel like regular kids, there not some stereotypical annoying all smiles or dumb their all smart human people with wants, needs, and feelings of their own.
My first favorite character if you can believe it is Eric (voiced well by Danny Most, yes I've seen "Happy Days"). He's kinda like Hudson on "Aliens", he's ill confidant but he can still do his job. Yeah it's true he's a spoiled rich kid, but I like that he's doesn't let that get to his head, he is a bit of an underdog because he's not a smooth guy, he doesn't get the girl, nor all the luck. You can at times laugh but at the same time emphasize a bit with his illconfidance which I think is a bit realistic; honestly how would you react if you were forced to encounter and fight demons or a six headed dragon. But to me what I like about him is that he does care about his friends and is borderline selfish/selfless which makes him capable of helping his friends in need and doing the right thing whether he wants to or not.
Second is Diana, I know a lot of kids had a crush on Sheila but me it was Diana. She did look great in the amazonian outfit, but I like that she's strong physically with her gymnastic skills and mentally, and has good charisma.
Third is Bobby, he's a bit like Young Pete from "The Adventures of Pete and Pete" he takes crap from no one and has guts. He's willing to beat the crap out of anyone or anything to help his friends or tees him off.
The villain Venture is cool, he's pretty much a straight forward villain nothing wrong with that, he's menacing from both powers and presence. But to me what makes him really stand out is the fact that he's voiced by Peter Cullen whom of course is well known for being Optimus Prime in the "Transformers" franchise. It's just cool hearing him in a villain role, that voice could almost make anyone nervous, it's a shame the actor didn't play the villain role often.
It would be awesome if there was another animated series based on this RPG franchise. It would be cool seeing more popular creatures, magic powers, and other roles which are in great abundance as the franchise has progressed to this day.
Just like the game this show is an journey you wouldn't want to end.
Rating: 4 stars
The animation I think is very good and I personally think holds up today, I like the character animation of the humans and creatures, but what really impresses me is the background animation which really give the fantasy world a sense of vastness and wonder; each episode I was always excited to wonder what the next place would be.
I really like the plot/set up which makes sense if you think about the principles of the game, in the RPG the characters in the books are all roles/archetypes you play which is why each of the characters are assigned their roles. And like all the roles each of them are assigned abilities which are both strengths and weakness but require a party to act together as many or one. It was also kinda a dream come true for me seeing kids having magical abilities and journeying into a fantasy world, that's the kinda of thing I always daydream about.
Each of the plots in the show are different, yeah their random but there's nothing wrong with that as long as there interesting and they are, just like in the RPG game each are a different quest which gives the show a sense of unpredictability and mystery; you just never know what they'll run into next and how they'll deal with it. And the episodes are memorable two of my favorites are "The Dragon's Graveyard" and "Child of the Stargaizer" which I'll admit still tugs at my heartstrings.
The mystical weapons/tools are cool and they use them well. My favorite power of the bunch is Hanks Bow which can shoot unlimited mystical arrows, but most importantly you can make those arrows into anything with your mind like into a lasso, cage, or electro field. The action is solid for what it is, it's not exactly wall to wall but sufficient. The music is great, I really like the theme song at the end of the show it has a touching and adventurous tone.
And I really like the characters, there was actually a small sense of depth to them and they all had emotions which made you actually care and even feel sympathy for their desire to go back home. In a way it's kinda of a common feeling most heroes/superheroes have despite how far they go or how far away and what they do, theirs still that desire to water and grow personal needs. But most importantly I love the fact that this group of kids act and feel like regular kids, there not some stereotypical annoying all smiles or dumb their all smart human people with wants, needs, and feelings of their own.
My first favorite character if you can believe it is Eric (voiced well by Danny Most, yes I've seen "Happy Days"). He's kinda like Hudson on "Aliens", he's ill confidant but he can still do his job. Yeah it's true he's a spoiled rich kid, but I like that he's doesn't let that get to his head, he is a bit of an underdog because he's not a smooth guy, he doesn't get the girl, nor all the luck. You can at times laugh but at the same time emphasize a bit with his illconfidance which I think is a bit realistic; honestly how would you react if you were forced to encounter and fight demons or a six headed dragon. But to me what I like about him is that he does care about his friends and is borderline selfish/selfless which makes him capable of helping his friends in need and doing the right thing whether he wants to or not.
Second is Diana, I know a lot of kids had a crush on Sheila but me it was Diana. She did look great in the amazonian outfit, but I like that she's strong physically with her gymnastic skills and mentally, and has good charisma.
Third is Bobby, he's a bit like Young Pete from "The Adventures of Pete and Pete" he takes crap from no one and has guts. He's willing to beat the crap out of anyone or anything to help his friends or tees him off.
The villain Venture is cool, he's pretty much a straight forward villain nothing wrong with that, he's menacing from both powers and presence. But to me what makes him really stand out is the fact that he's voiced by Peter Cullen whom of course is well known for being Optimus Prime in the "Transformers" franchise. It's just cool hearing him in a villain role, that voice could almost make anyone nervous, it's a shame the actor didn't play the villain role often.
It would be awesome if there was another animated series based on this RPG franchise. It would be cool seeing more popular creatures, magic powers, and other roles which are in great abundance as the franchise has progressed to this day.
Just like the game this show is an journey you wouldn't want to end.
Rating: 4 stars