First of all, I like this series, but I think that some things simply didn't work which have to do with the Disney brand itself. That thing, especially, is evident in the first season and is the hip-hop lingo used by our main characters which honestly comes off as very forced and too exaggerated.
Disney has never quite exelled in being hip and cool with the youth, but that brings us to what actually does work in this series, because Disney does succeed in telling us fantasy based adventure stories with magical creatures and all that good stuff, and even though the set-up reminded me a little of the Ninja Turtles (a old wise teacher and a slacking young student, a counsil of magical creatures, a main villain looking like the Shredder) it worked okay on its own.
The writers could have done a little more with the magical world to make it seem an integrated part of the show, because honestly, it's pretty unevenly spread out in the show's runtime.
But the best thing about this show is the ongoing and well executed tough love story between Jake and Rose which is basically Romeo and Juliet, but well done and gives us a couple of heart breaking moments even for a kids show.
The humour is kind of hit and miss, but I enjoyed Fu Dog and Spud did have some chuckle-worthy lines here and there.
The art style changes from season to season looking cheaper in the second season, but in defense of that change, I found the writing of the show to be stronger in the second season, and I am of that conviction that movies and tv-shows primarily should be judged on the writing.
So, was American Dragon: Jake Long original? Semi, it put its own spin on some well-known fairy-tale elements. Was it timeless? Not really, but had a well done romance. Was it any good? For the kids and nostalgic nutcases like myself, it's still charming and brings back memories.
Disney has never quite exelled in being hip and cool with the youth, but that brings us to what actually does work in this series, because Disney does succeed in telling us fantasy based adventure stories with magical creatures and all that good stuff, and even though the set-up reminded me a little of the Ninja Turtles (a old wise teacher and a slacking young student, a counsil of magical creatures, a main villain looking like the Shredder) it worked okay on its own.
The writers could have done a little more with the magical world to make it seem an integrated part of the show, because honestly, it's pretty unevenly spread out in the show's runtime.
But the best thing about this show is the ongoing and well executed tough love story between Jake and Rose which is basically Romeo and Juliet, but well done and gives us a couple of heart breaking moments even for a kids show.
The humour is kind of hit and miss, but I enjoyed Fu Dog and Spud did have some chuckle-worthy lines here and there.
The art style changes from season to season looking cheaper in the second season, but in defense of that change, I found the writing of the show to be stronger in the second season, and I am of that conviction that movies and tv-shows primarily should be judged on the writing.
So, was American Dragon: Jake Long original? Semi, it put its own spin on some well-known fairy-tale elements. Was it timeless? Not really, but had a well done romance. Was it any good? For the kids and nostalgic nutcases like myself, it's still charming and brings back memories.