Is TAS worth watching?

Discussion in 'Star Trek - The Original & Animated Series' started by FreddyE, Oct 15, 2013.

  1. Warped9

    Warped9 Admiral Admiral

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    I can give it something of a pass. When you read the Alan Dean Foster adaptations you realize quite a few of the TAS episodes could have been pretty decent live-action stories.
     
  2. Maurice

    Maurice Snagglepussed Admiral

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    It wasn't great by the standards of its time, either. Then, TV animation is cheaper to produce now than then due to digital technology, so it's rather an apples and avocados comparison.
     
  3. Timewalker

    Timewalker Cat-lovin', Star Trekkin' Time Lady Premium Member

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    There were a lot more than three of them. Only Walter Koenig wasn't included.

    Yesteryear would have made a wonderful live action episode, where we get to see Spock's childhood home and his "fat teddy bear" he had as a pet.

    There were some other good stories, too - Slaver Weapon and Albatross come to mind (the latter is one where McCoy is arrested and charged with genocide).
     
  4. BigJake

    BigJake Vice Admiral Admiral

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    My bad. It was guest stars and peripheral characters who were usually voiced by a couple of members of the original cast -- not the entire series.
     
  5. drt

    drt Commodore Commodore

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    There are a couple of clunkers, but most of the episodes have reasonably good stories and concepts.

    However, I think a lot of people have a hard time looking past Filmation's animation (which isn't very good because of the numerous tricks used to reduce cost - as they were one of the last animation houses at the time that still produced all of their content in the USA), plus, the voice direction leaves a little to be desired (likely also done on the cheap, and being a voice actor requies a little different skill set, so actually using the original TV actors probably ended up hurting them a bit in this regard).
     
  6. Robert Comsol

    Robert Comsol Commodore Commodore

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    Agreed. The OP was referring to the German dubbed version and it's terrible because of the lame and silly jokes.

    As for TOS the German dubbing director took some artistic license ("The Persuaders" were a big hit in Germany because of the funny dubbing) making a few episodes like "That Which Survives" very entertaining but not silly.

    For TAS it appears someone tried to copy that dubbing style and failed terribly. It didn't even feature the voices of the original dubbing cast until TMP came along.

    Bob
     
  7. LOKAI of CHERON

    LOKAI of CHERON Commodore Commodore

    I'm certain I've read that much of the dialogue was almost literally phoned in, with the actors recording their lines in disparate studios depending on work commitments - providing no opportunity to play off each other.

    I think this accounts for some slightly odd performances sometimes - as opposed to specific skill sets.
     
  8. Mycroft Maxwell

    Mycroft Maxwell Lieutenant Commander Red Shirt

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    Eh...the animation by Filmation...ehhh...well Its like this. I very much enjoyed the animated series from story stand points. I bought the DVD set for $15 on sale at walmart and I dont regret it. If you can get passed the animation im sure its worth buying...ok if you like He-man and She-ra you'll like it. (Also by Filmation)
     
  9. Maurice

    Maurice Snagglepussed Admiral

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    There's an old saying in animation circles that "Filmation animation is an oxymoron." ;)

    (Don't blame the artists, they did the best they could with the limits they were given.)
     
  10. R. Star

    R. Star Rear Admiral Rear Admiral

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    I only watched through TAS and for the most part it was a chore. It's just... boring.. to me. There were a couple good episodes though. I'd say give it a try if it's the only bit of Trek you haven't watched. In the end, you should form your own opinions rather than let everyone else define yours.
     
  11. RandyS

    RandyS Vice Admiral Admiral

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    Yes, TAS is worth watching.

    And yes, it's dated.

    However, for THAT alone, it's worth watching.
     
  12. bbailey861

    bbailey861 Admiral Admiral

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    I think it is worth watching. I am on record as not really liking the animation but I do enjoy many of the stories. I often put it on as background noise or just to lay down and listen to the stories being told.
     
  13. BoredShipCapt'n

    BoredShipCapt'n Rear Admiral Rear Admiral

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    Why, I would run forward awkwardly with my horizontal fists almost touching my shoulders to buy that DVD set!
     
  14. Forbin

    Forbin Admiral Admiral

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    I showed the series to my wife, one episode a night over dinner. She said it was "interesting, mostly bad, glad I finally got to see it, but don't ever make me watch it again." :lol:
     
  15. 2takesfrakes

    2takesfrakes Rear Admiral Rear Admiral

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    If you can't get enough STAR TREK, then, yes! You've got to include TAS in your collection ...
     
  16. FreddyE

    FreddyE Captain Captain

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    Okay...I put it on my dvd shopping list ;-) Thanks guys.
     
  17. mothx

    mothx Ensign Newbie

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    TAS to me is like illustrations from 1950s and 1960s books about space suddenly coming alive and turning into a motion picture. They have this unique feel to them, one of the reasons being probably the un-restricted colour range - nowadays cartoons, adverts etc. look as if the world only had 256 colours or maybe even something like 16. Red is only "red scraming at ya", there is no crimson, orangered, salmon etc. Everything has become strangely restrictive and monotonous colour-wise while those old paintings and illustrations show what the world is really like, they have this unique atmosphere.

    Another reason why I like TAS are all those things that would not be possible or rather difficult with organic actors. For example Lieutenant M'Ress! Or all those strange animals they meet on other planets. People's imagination regarding alien fauna and flora still seems to be awfully limited so it is nice to see some creative thought here.
     
  18. CrazyMatt

    CrazyMatt Fleet Captain Fleet Captain

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    It has its moments (such as "Yesteryear"), but I don't consider it on par with any of the other Star Trek series. It was only a half-hour show, and was written for a Saturday morning audience.

    It's better than no Trek at all, but probably not much, IMHO.
     
  19. R. Star

    R. Star Rear Admiral Rear Admiral

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    You can stream them for free on startrek.com so I'd watch a couple there before I shelled out money on the DVDs.
     
  20. Winterwind

    Winterwind Commodore Commodore

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    I've made three attempts and just can't get into it.

    I'm very familiar with the stories and some are quite good but the stilted voice acting, based on how it was done then, and the animation just rip me out of my enjoyment of the stories. And I love re-watching the original Scooby Doo so I just can't explain why my TAS experieces are so unenjoyable.