Like a lot of people, I like Spider-Man. I grew up with the comic books and with the 1990's animated series. When they announced a film was being made, I was excited. I went to see all three of the previous run of Spider-Man movies at the theatre. I enjoyed all of them, but like a lot of people, I was disappointed with the third. They tried to do too much in there, some of the choices they made baffled me, and I didn't enjoy it near as much as the first two.
Fast-forward to the present day, and we have another Spider-Man film on the way. The Amazing Spider-Man will be hitting cinema screens soon, and once again I'm excited. But I'm even more excited for this one than I was for the previous ones. From the trailers, and the press releases and so on, there's some things that really get my fanboy juices flowing. These are five reasons I think The Amazing Spider-Man is going to be an amazing film.
Gwen Stacy
Don't get me wrong, I like Mary-Jane as much as the next guy, but I've always had a soft spot for Gwen. Apart from featuring in one of the most memorable and tragic events of the Spider-Man comics, she was also a good character and an important part of the Spider-Man story. It was a shame to see her ousted in favour of MJ in the previous films, and I'll be glad to see her get her time to shine in this film. It also opens up possibilities for a future film focusing on her final, and most famous storyline. Not to mention that whereas I'm not a fan of Kirsten Dunst, whereas I think Emma Stone is a great actress.
Crackin' Wise
As I said, I grew up with the Spidey from the comics and the 90's cartoon. If there's one thing that Spidey did a LOT of in those, it was talk. He'd always be taunting and teasing his enemies in and out of fights. He was sarcastic, very flippant, and very funny. They captured that a little bit in the previous films, but not that much. From everything I've seen of the trailers of this one, that's not the case this time. Spidey looks like he's every bit as capable of slinging quips as webs this time around.
Amazingly Ultimate
Some elements of this movie have definitely been influenced by the Ultimate Spider-Man line of comics. From story elements, and elements of design. But plenty has also come from the Amazing Spider-Man line too. When the last line of films was in production, the Ultimate line of comics was only in its very early issues. I really like the Ultimate Spider-Man series, as well as the Amazing Spider-Man series, and I feel having both to draw on is something that gives this film a deeper pool from which to pull influences, and that if it's done right, which it seems like it's going to be, that will benefit the film.
Real Stunts
The previous films used a lot of CG for scenes involving Spidey swinging around. They looked great, and it was completely understandable for them to go that way. But this film isn't. This film has gone to great expense and effort to try and incorporate as much physical stuntwork as possible. They built huge rigs, and had guys actually swinging around. I'm always a fan of film-makers actually doing things rather than using CG where it's possible, so I'm really looking forward to the acrobatics and action scenes in this iteration of the Spidey franchise.
The Lizard
As a character, and in terms of story, Marvel's, and Spider-Man's specifically, strengths have always lain in their ability to make the characters feel very real. It's not just black and white morality, it's not simply moustache twirling villains and square jawed two-fisted action heroes. And of all Spidey's rogue's gallery, I feel the Lizard is the best to show this. Sure, Green Goblin, Doc Ock, and others have elements of tragedy to their past. But Doctor Connors' transformation into The Lizard has always struck me as perhaps the most tragic. It'll be great to see if they do it justice in this movie.
So there we have some of the reasons why I think this film is going to be great. If you're still not convinced, I'd just like to point out that the director of the film is called Mark Webb. Mark WEBB. It has GOT to be a sign!
Cartoons! Madcap antics, slapstick comedy, wacky hi-jinks and more! Continuing from part one, here are nine more cartoons I watched and loved as a kid! Unlike the last part, there's no particular theme to this list, I just picked nine at random, as such these aren't ranked either, they're listed in order of when they first aired. So here we go, nine more nostalgic animated shows from my youth!
Peter Pan and The Pirates (1990-1991)
This was not based on the far more well known Disney adaptation of Peter Pan, about which I am fairly indifferent. This show was entirely seperate, and featured different characterisations, more focus on the pirates beyond Captain Hook and Mr. Smee, and stuck more closely to the book than a lot of other adaptations. The animation was decent, but not spectacular, but the show featured some interesting character and location designs; Neverland was always interesting to look at.
Captain Hook and Peter Pan, talking
out their problems in a reasonable manner.
Captain James Hook was voiced by none other than Tim Curry, and he did a great job of it. Hook was a far more credible threat in this show than in most representations. All of the characters were really given time to develop over the series, and the interactions between them feel solid and real, with genuine motivations. The relationship between Peter and Hook is the one which really feels the most developed, as it should, and it's fun to see those two interacting.
I can't talk about this show without mentioning the excellent theme song (see above!). It really sets the pulse pounding and sets the mood to swashbuckling adventure. This may stem from the fact it seems to borrow very heavily from the music of the 1940s Errol Flynn movie 'The Sea Hawk' (If you want to see HOW closely, check it out here), nonetheless, it's one of my favourite cartoon openings.
James Bond Jr. (1991-1992)
Bond! James Bond Junior! This, like Peter Pan and the Pirates is another show that's maybe not too well remembered these days. It followed the adventures of James Bond Jr. Not 007's son, as you'd think from the name, but apparently his nephew. It followed the Bond formula to an extent, but without the sex and martinis.
James Bond Junior's version of Doctor
No; Dr. Oh Good Lord Why?!
Going back to watch this show now, it's not impressive. The opening theme is fun, if making it clear this show is very much in the early nineties mold. The show features several characters from the Bond films, and though some, like Goldfinger and Jaws, came through okay. Others, like Oddjob and Dr. No, did not. Bond Jr. himself looks fine. But he SOUNDS horrible, genuinely horrible. His attempt at a british accent is terrible. It's a shame, as the voice actor, Corey Burton has done some good work on other things (he's Ludwig von Drake!).
That said, it's not ALL horrible, though there's definitely nothing in the show that rises above being mediocre. Some of the gadgets are fun, but hardly mindblowing, and the action sequences are sometimes enjoyable, though there isn't a lot of action. The animation is a little odd (characters will NOT stay still, they're always moving their head or hands for no reason) but not terrible. Character designs range from meh through to bad. A lot of the characters are very nineties, we have the obvious geek, the surfer dude, and the annoying rich minor antagonist. So yeah, the show's pretty bad, though there's a scant few enjoyable moments. Mostly though, it's just dull, with wooden dialogue, and scenes that don't really go anywhere. This one, I'd just stick to watching the theme song, and then move on. Maybe watch some ACTUAL Bond movies instead, as this show will leave you needing to be shaken and stirred from the coma you'll lapse into.
Tintin (1991-1992)
A scene from Tintin. Or a dream I had
whilst in a fever. I'm not sure which.
Ah! Something to raise us out of our comas! Tintin is an animated show based on the series of graphic novels by Belgian author Herge. I was, and still am, a fan of the comics, and the show also manages to hold up today. It follows the adventures of Tintin, a young reporter. The character is a little bland personality-wise, but it makes it easier for the viewer to assume his position. Despite being fairly unassuming, he doesn't come over as boring, and there are plenty of exciting events and colourful characters around him to keep things interesting.This one was really beloved of me as a child, so I was glad to see it holds up. The animation is smooth, the voice acting is good, and the stories still hold up. I've yet to see the new film, fearing it will ruin a beloved franchise for me, but I'm glad to see this still reflects well on the Tintin name.
Batman: The Animated Series (1992-1995)
Harley Quinn actually originated on this
show. So creepy, yet so strangely
attractive...
Hoo boy, what can I say about this that hasn't been said already? Fantastic opening, good animation, oozes style, amazing voice talent, some of the best storytelling in cartoons. This show is smart, stylish, clever, and exciting. Kevin Conroy and Mark Hamill ARE Batman and the Joker to me. If you've not seen this, and you like Batman, comic books, or cartoons, then you should see it as soon as you can. If you don't like any of those things, odds are you're not reading this right now. I won't go into much depth, since this is such a well known show, but it receives the praise it does for a reason. Definitely worth a watch, or two. Or more.
Mighty Max (1993-1994)
This show was based on a range of pocket sized playsets I owned most of as a boy. It looks a little dated and nineties these days, but it's got a good voice cast (Tim Curry is the villain in this one too), the animation isn't bad, and the plots are enjoyable. It also has a pretty mature and deep ending (SPOILERS AHEAD!!!) in which Max, the protagonist, loses, his friends are killed, but he goes back in time to the first episode, saying that this time, he's going to get it right. Not a happy ending, nor the non-resolution that so many animated shows get.
Tim Curry: Stalking me through my
childhood cartoons.
The show followed Max; an adolescent boy, Virgil; a birdlike creature from Lemuria, and Norman; a viking warrior. They fought against the Skullmaster, played by Tim Curry, and sometimes other unrelated menaces. Max had a magic cap which could transport him through portals to various locations.
The character designs were pretty good, with some creative monsters, and the show had a dark edge to it that other shows lacked, often portraying death or violence. It was never grotesque about it, but it didn't shy from the realities of it either.
Animaniacs (1993-1998)
Along with Batman, probably my favourite animated show from when I was a kid. It holds up very well today, it's still funny, clever, and works on a variety of levels. They used the relative creative freedom given to them by Steven Spielberg's involvement, with him interceding on their behalf with the studio at times, and made this giant mish-mashed amalgam of old Looney Tunes style cartoon humour, music, pop culture references and variety show style schtick to create a show which had something for nearly everyone to enjoy.
Goodnight everybody!
From the adventures of the Warner Brothers (and the Warner Sister; Dot) to Pinky and the Brain, from Slappy Squirrel to the Wheel of Morality. The show just covered so much ground, managed comedy that appealed to young and old alike, snuck a lot past the censors, and just managed such high quality work, I doubt there'll ever be anything like it again.
If you're a fan, I highly recommend you check out the Animaniacs Tribute over on That Guy With The Glasses. It has interviews with the cast and creators, and really offers some insight into what went into that show.
Aaahh!!! Real Monsters (1994-1997)
Another of Tim curry's many forms.
This isn't the greatest show on the list, but it's nowhere near the worst. It was a fun show about monsters attending a school (run by an odd, Tim Curry-esque monster named The Gromble (ironically, his assistant WAS voiced by Tim Curry...man, that guy seems to pop up in a LOT of cartoons I watched...). The monster designs were creative, the show had an offbeat, slightly gross, sense of humour, and it was generally entertaining. It also took the idea of scaring people as being just a job for monsters and did it long before Monsters Inc. (still one of my least favourite Pixar films).
The animation was good, the voice acting was done well. It isn't a show that jumps out as being amazing, but it has aged well, and is still entertaining. I definitely enjoyed it as a kid, and it may just be that thegross out humour is something I've outgrown a bit. I certainly can't find anything bad to say about it though, so it definitely gets marked on the good side, rather than the James Bond Jun--sorry, I mean bad side.
The Mask: The Animated Series (1995-1997)
This, along with James Bond Junior, was a show I was expecting to have aged badly, or to simply not be as enjoyable as I remembered it being. Thankfully, as right as I was on James Bond Junior, I was just as wrong on this one. It's just as funny and energetic as I remember. It holds up as well as the movie, in fact, perhaps better, since 2D animation doesn't age in the same way as the CG in the film has aged.
Ssssmooookiiiin' ! #obviouscaption
Rob Paulsen provides the voice of Stanley/The Mask, and does a great job (as he once quipped, he does the same job as Jim Carrey, but for one tenth of the money). The rest of the voices are good, and most of the characters are recognisable from the movie. Things are a little toned down compared to the film, which itself was toned down from the comics, but only in as much as to make it a little more 'kid-friendly'. The slapstick humour, and mad fast paced antics are all intact, and still funny.
The Mask is definitely another one on the list which holds up in the current day, and I'd happily sit and rewatch it (and indeed, just spent an hour or so doing that!).
Fillmore! (2002-2004)
The final one on my list this time round, and far more recent than any of the others. This came after the point I'd stopped watching many cartoons, but it caught my eye thanks to having a younger sister in the house who still did. The fact I was a bit older is probably part of what made me love it, as I got a lot more of the references it made. I've always loved shows that pastiche genres or types of show/movie, if they do it well. That's exactly what Fillmore! does, taking buddy cop series and movies, as well as various other crime movies or tropes, and perfectly satirises them by reducing them down to the confines of a school safety patrol. So we get a Hannibal pastiche about graffiti, or a Gone in Sixty Seconds homage done with micro-scooters. Thee crimes were always reduced to the level that would only seem important to a school setting (instead of a pet being kidnapped, it's a tamagotchi style virtual pet, that sort of thing), but the show and the characters treated it as being entirely serious in the confines of the show. This is what made it work so well, and allowed the humour to work, though you still had one-liners and wisecracks. The show had an abundance of great chase scenes, and nods to so many pop culture elements, I suspect even I missed plenty.
Inter-racial buddy cop team hyper-force go!!!
It focused on reformed bad-boy, now safety patroller, Cornelius Fillmore, his partner Ingrid Third; the new girl in school with a photographic memory (and voiced by Tara Strong, whom regular readers will know is my favourite living voice actor and someone I have something of a not-so-hidden crush on). They have to answer to Junior Commissioner Vallejo, and above him, Principal Folsom. The parody elements are spot on, the show is entertaining, well written and acted, and has a bold art style. It sadly only made it to 26 episodes, perhaps as a result of being aimed a little too high for kids sometimes in the references it made. I mean, how many kids know who Hannibal Lecter is?
The opening theme was done by Ookla the Mok, something I only realised years later when I discovered them through unrelated means. I wish I had known and sought them out sooner, as the album it comes from (Super Secret, where it's the opening instrumental to Das Uber Tuber) is one of my favourite albums off all-time these days.
If this show was made today, I feel it might see more success, what with there being less animated shows for kids to compete with, and a larger proportion of adult cartoon fans. If nothing else, it would probably generate something of a cult following. It may have been ahead of its time.
So there we have nine more cartoons from my younger days. I'll be back soon, if not with more cartoons, then with more something. Until then, later days!
