Are they?
On youtube alone I will read comments on cartoon videos from the 90s, that mostly all say the same thing--"cartoons now are crap".
It doesn't help that places like Cartoon Network and Nick are playing little to no cartoons at all--and when they do they feed us half-baked stories about 'teens living the cool life'.
Oddly enough I enjoy some of those 'half-baked' teen shows. When Total Drama Island first aired I was sick to my stomach with abhoration! I couldn't believe they had made a cartoon REALITY SERIES. The very idea threw me for a serious loop into "AUUUGH"s ville.
Then I watched an episode.
And I didn't hate it.
I am not saying that because I 'didn't hate it' it deserves the hyped that it gets, because it doesn't. Am I going to look for that cartoon years later like I did with Mighty Max or The Magic School Bus? Heck, no. Is it interesting? Yes, in a way. The characters are fun to watch, but I wouldn't spend all day watching it that's for sure.
Speaking of teen cartoons, what about 6teen?
Was I super angry when I saw how they were making a show about some 'hip teens living at the mall'? Yup, I believe I was.
But just like with Drama Is. I watched an episode of it, and actually enjoyed it. I enjoyed it way more than Drama Is., because compared to a show of reality knockoff characters you have some teens with personality--well, personalities that are more in depth than a shallow girl wanting to back stab all her team mates like on Drama Island. I found the characters from 6teen actually enjoyable.
Will I go looking for this down the road later on in my life? Most likely not. It is good, but it isn't something I will always remember.
To me, cartoons are the best ways to tell stories. It is a children's book come to life on a screen, that you can watch day to day, or once a week at a given time. You don't want to admit that you spend your life around them, obsessing over them, but more times then not, we do. I know I did--and still do.
Old cartoons, ones that I grew up watching, like the Power Puff Girls, Dexter's Lab, and the Rugrats, all used different animation styles, had fun voices, and fun to watch episodes that kept you captivated on all the characters' next move. Was Mandark *insert lightning, and cat's screeching here* going to destroy Dexter's lab? Was Dee Dee going to learn that new dance move and THEN use it like no one's business in Dexter's laboratory? Would Bubbles ever face off against Fuzzy like she did in the pilot episode? Will Medusa get the girls with the Professor? And we all wondered if Tommy was going to slug Angelica one day...which should have happend but sadly didn't.
To compare cartoons with other cartoons is something we all do, but in the end it just makes one big headache. I have heard so many "New cartoons suck" so much my eyes hurt. I am a cartoon junkie, in a way, I don't hate any cartoon--I had my doubts about Camp Lazlo. I didn't want to like it, but I did. I LOVED it. Clem is the most unique pygmy rhino I have ever seen--maybe because he was the ONLY one I've ever seen!
We hear so much now about what reeks with cartoons, how about for a change of pace we pay homage to the ones that kicked major animated butt!
AVATAR THE LAST AIRBENDER
Someone once told me that no one could hate this show, well, I have a friend who can't stand it, but personally, I LOVE it! Not only was it overflowing with culture, this cartoon had a major story! The characters were funny, sometimes sad, other times extrememly overly happy, but most of the time it was realistic. And for a cartoon, to match realism is an interesting pace. Now, bending isn't realistic, but who cares, it is still awesome! Combining realism with fantasy equals win in my book most of the time!
Plus, IROH. Need I say more?
Now how about THE FAIRLY ODD PARENTS!
This show began when I was 10 and it is still playing new episodes! I am 19 now! The characters are funny, and now when I say "voila" I say it like Chester and pronounce it, "VI-ola." I am a nerd for voice talent, and this show has it! The voices bug the who knows what out of my parents, so you know that means they're good.
"La Cooca racha! La cooca racha enchaladas blada blah!"
That still makes me laugh!
SPONGEBOB! Ok, don't run away!
I know this one may be mixed in terms of "what makes a great cartoon", but let's face it...any show that can keep an audience entertained with just under water creatures and a squirrel deserves some credit! Think what you want about the show, but I laugh everytime I watch it.
Are the newer episodes any good? Hard to say, I haven't watched alot of them, but I do know, that when I watch an episode of the sponge I normally have a great time. This is also another cartoon with a great voice cast--Tom Kenny does a FANTASTIC Spongebob--and pirate picture man--and nearly everyone else from that show! He is a super talented guy!
When people talk about cartoons that are 'above the crap' that is playing now, we think of...oh, I dunno....FLAPJACK and CHOWDER!
I squeal like Flappy, I'll admit it--I also imitate Bubby every change I get, but sadly I cannot do a very good imitation of Captain Knuckles, I don't have that talent.
With the waves of the water, the creepy-gross other characters, and the pure hearted adventurer who tries to adventure it up every chance he gets is a great mix for fun in my opinion. With Chower, I sing the theme song ALOT. I have advertisements I got from a grocery store I use as a bookmark, I can talk like Truffles and it amazes me. Mostly though, I love the purple little chef who isn't a cat, or a dog, but maybe a swollen raccon. He is just too great, and c'mon, you all know you love how Panini the pink bunny has fangs and red eyes! ;3
*EDIT* I can't believe I forgot to add this one--I can't talk about great cartoons without meantioning PHINEAS AND FERB!
Practically the ONLY cartoon playing on Disney Channel, it is the one thing that inspires hope in me when I turn on that station. Does Witches of Waverly Place do that for me? Nope. Does Sunny with A Chance make me laugh? No--but that may be because I've never watched it. Phineas and Ferb, along with their pet Perry, sister Candence, and their friends, and Perry's nemisis too--Dr...something or other XD, get together every episode to raise some crazy fun. How does that happen? Normally with one simple statement. "I know what we're gonna do today Ferb!" This cartoon brings back crazy geometric shapes for characters' heads, random music numbers, and of course a platypus being a secert agent...wait, that's never been done before has it? This show is great! It gets me into kid mode every time!
I watched alot of cartoons as a kid, and I mean ALOT. I watched Jabber Jaw, Josey and the Pussycats, I wasn't allowed to watch Jonny Quest, but that theme song still gets me pumped top this day--I watched Scooby-Doo, Pepper-Ann, Fairly Odd Parents, Freakazoid, Animaniacs, Tiny Toons, Batman the GOOD animated series, Invader Zim, Angry Beavers, the list goes on and on and on....did I enjoy those cartoons more than the ones they show now?
Yes, BUT, shows like Avatar and the others listend above are hopeful rays that cartoons can still maintain that greatness quality--cartoons nowadays are playing for an audience of kids who don't know what kick butt really means. Before I end this I have to voice that YES Cartoon Network is really burning me up with their "Lefty VS. Righty" gags in between shows, or they fact that have started playing non animated shows--we need cartoons, there are plenty of stations that play real people shows, but we lack cartoons.
I don't agree that all cartoons now suck. I can't, as an animated junkie I find something in almost all cartoons that I like, but I do miss the stoy-telling, and in the end I think that really is what it comes down to. The story.
So if you will excuse me, I am going to go watch some Mighty Max!
- Mood:
Eager - Listening to: Air...or is it?
- Reading: WORDS!
- Watching: Nothing...yet!
- Playing: the quiet game
- Eating: Air
- Drinking: Spit ...and water.
Crazy Freaky Zim Picture!
oo'.
Excited
Distracted
Rant
Amused
