Thundercats 2011 Series

[Gryffindorian]

When I was growing up, this was one of my favorite animated shows back in '80s. I remember Lion-O, Cheetarah, Panthro, etc. and their nemesis, Mumm-rah. I didn't realize there was a modern reboot of this on the Cartoon Network.

Anyone else watch this? It looks lije a promising new series.

 

[Hound of UIster]

It's just as terrible as the original, but in its own unique way.

 

[Jono]

The committed the great crime of making Snarf just a pet without a voice.

 

[Peach Wookiee]

And that's a bad thing why? I think the new Snarf is adorable.

ETA: Mummra isn't scary enough, though.

 

[Vasquez Rocks]

This short aired a few days ago on CN.

[yt]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BD9e24cbelA[/yt]

 

[Gryffindorian]

Well, I've watched up to episode 4 online - ”Song of the Petalars,” and I must say, this new series isn't bad at all.

I don't remember the origins of the original Thundercats, but I like this new series, although the plot seems to be a bit cliched. It starts out with a young and brave prince Lion-O who's being groomed to be the future king of Thunderra. Their peaceful kingdom is attacked by the Lizard people, who use technology-based weapons and are working with an old enemy of the Cat people, Mummra. Mummra kills the king, Thunderra falls, and Lion-O inherits the Sword of Omens and gauntlet, thus becoming the new ruler of a now devastated kingdom. He's aided by his older brother, the more skilled and experienced Tygra, and a cleric who serves as a protector, Cheetara. They are joined by two street urchins, Wilykat and Wilykit, and Lion-O's pet, Snarf. Lion-O has to find the mystical Book Of Omens, which holds important knowledge and is also being sought by Mummra, whom Lion-O vows to find to avenge his father's death.

What I even like is the life lessons that Lion-O picks up along in his journey, such as the damage that hatred and revenge can do to a person in ”The Rise of the (Sea Creature)” - Moby Dick, anyone? In ”Song of the Petalars” Lion-O questions the shortness of life and its significance.

I like the anime style without looking cartoonish. The dialogues are often witty and sensible. And the character development, at least for Lion-O, is done pretty well.

 

[Santeria]

And the character development, at least for Lion-O, is done pretty well.

The Hell?

No. No it's not. It's the exact opposite of "done pretty well."

The only decent things about this show are Wily Kit, Wily Kat, and Cheetara. Everything else is completely nonsensical. I'm still marveling at how they instantly mastered "technology" after a couple of days to the point where they can build and repair the Thundertank in the field, or that Lion-O's claw is clearly "technology," which none of them even believed in for countless generations despite being used on a daily basis. Nevermind that a wheel and axle, a lever, a bucket, or even language or a government is "technology," too.

 

[Kelthaz]

What I even like is the life lessons that Lion-O picks up along in his journey, such as the damage that hatred and revenge can do to a person in ”The Rise of the (Sea Creature)” - Moby Dick, anyone? In ”Song of the Petalars” Lion-O questions the shortness of life and its significance.

Except the blind revenge thing worked out pretty well for everyone by resulting in the death of the creature and return of the sea. Lesson learned? Revenge is an awesome motivating force for getting a job done.

And as for "Song of the Petalars", Lion-O just got bored with running and decided to throw his life away, and those of his companions, by charging recklessly into a superior army with no hopes of survival. They only survived because they were main characters. Lion-O learned the exact opposite of life should be cherished by needlessly trying to sacrifice their lives for no gain.

 

[bullethead]

I'm still marveling at how they instantly mastered "technology" after a couple of days to the point where they can build and repair the Thundertank in the field

You are aware that there's time skips between most of the episodes, right? Sometimes within the episodes themselves. There's more than enough time for Panthro to teach them how to do field repairs in between episodes.

or that Lion-O's claw is clearly "technology," which none of them even believed in for countless generations despite being used on a daily basis.

Right... despite the fact that there was no onscreen or in universe evidence that it was tech until Lion-O got sucked into the Book of Omens. All the times that Lion-O actually used the claw's features were after learning it was a piece of tech and not just a cool sheath for a magic sword.

What I even like is the life lessons that Lion-O picks up along in his journey, such as the damage that hatred and revenge can do to a person in ”The Rise of the (Sea Creature)” - Moby Dick, anyone? In ”Song of the Petalars” Lion-O questions the shortness of life and its significance.

Except the blind revenge thing worked out pretty well for everyone by resulting in the death of the creature and return of the sea. Lesson learned? Revenge is an awesome motivating force for getting a job done.

No, that was "if you get swallowed by a monster and have a sword, try cutting your way out."

And as for "Song of the Petalars", Lion-O just got bored with running and decided to throw his life away, and those of his companions, by charging recklessly into a superior army with no hopes of survival. They only survived because they were main characters. Lion-O learned the exact opposite of life should be cherished by needlessly trying to sacrifice their lives for no gain.

Yeah, because it's not like they were trapped in a giant burning brush and had no realistic chance of getting out before being burned. They were completely screwed and decided to take as many Lizards with them as they could.

 

[Hound of UIster]

Thundercats is essentially CN's attempt at creating their own Airbender except the writing and execution side all failed miserably.

 

[Kelthaz]

No, that was "if you get swallowed by a monster and have a sword, try cutting your way out."

But that only happened because crazy Captain Ahab hunted the whale-plant. If Captain Ahab had behaved all sensibly by not getting consumed with revenge, the beast never would have died. If the beast never died, than their lake-home would never have been restored. Revenge saved the day.

Yeah, because it's not like they were trapped in a giant burning brush and had no realistic chance of getting out before being burned. They were completely screwed and decided to take as many Lizards with them as they could.

Let's see here...

Plan A) Take their chances trying to escape. It's unlikely all of them will make it, but some of them might survive to continue on their quest for the Book of Omens.

Plan B.) Lion-O, with his newfound respect for life, decides to heroically sacrifice himself by distracting the Lizard army so his friends can escape to continue on their quest for the Book of Omens.

Plan C.) They charge recklessly into the enemy forces guaranteeing their deaths, including those of the children with them, and ensuring The Book of Omens remains hidden and Mummra wins.

I think Lion-O is just a little slow. It would explain so much.

 

[Gryffindorian]

And the character development, at least for Lion-O, is done pretty well.

The Hell?

No. No it's not. It's the exact opposite of "done pretty well."

The only decent things about this show are Wily Kit, Wily Kat, and Cheetara. Everything else is completely nonsensical. I'm still marveling at how they instantly mastered "technology" after a couple of days to the point where they can build and repair the Thundertank in the field, or that Lion-O's claw is clearly "technology," which none of them even believed in for countless generations despite being used on a daily basis. Nevermind that a wheel and axle, a lever, a bucket, or even language or a government is "technology," too.

Granted, I've seen only 4 episodes, and Lion-O, being the main character, so far has gotten the most screen time. So I'll say again, his character development has been done well.

 

[bullethead]

No, that was "if you get swallowed by a monster and have a sword, try cutting your way out."

But that only happened because crazy Captain Ahab hunted the whale-plant. If Captain Ahab had behaved all sensibly by not getting consumed with revenge, the beast never would have died. If the beast never died, than their lake-home would never have been restored. Revenge saved the day.

No, the message of the episode (which Lion-O) was about to spout when he got eaten by the thing) was "Revenge tends to make you stupid." Captain Tunar died, along with more than a few of his men, due to his inability to set aside emotion and think rationally. Lion-O killing the thing was completely unrelated aside from the fact that Tunar put them in a position to be eaten.

Let's see here...

Plan A) Take their chances trying to escape. It's unlikely all of them will make it, but some of them might survive to continue on their quest for the Book of Omens.

Plan B.) Lion-O, with his newfound respect for life, decides to heroically sacrifice himself by distracting the Lizard army so his friends can escape to continue on their quest for the Book of Omens.

Plan C.) They charge recklessly into the enemy forces guaranteeing their deaths, including those of the children with them, and ensuring The Book of Omens remains hidden and Mummra wins.

I think Lion-O is just a little slow. It would explain so much.

DO you even remember how large that brush was? It had the volume of a decent sized hill and was densely packed with little navigational aids. Not to mention the fact that the lizards put the outside on fire, so the fire would spread into the rest of the brush ensuring that they'd all burn to death once they got too far in and were surrounded by the flames.

Also, Lion-O isn't the best leader, given that Tygra has been shitting on him for years and Lion-O decided to do his technology thing because Tygra's douchebaggery just got to be too much. The guy has little experience, but when everybody was gushing over Tygra, it's not like he'd get the kind of mentoring he needed. He's actually doing fairly well for someone with little practical experience and who suddenly got tossed the most important mission in all of Third Earth's history.

 

[Santeria]

I'm still marveling at how they instantly mastered "technology" after a couple of days to the point where they can build and repair the Thundertank in the field

You are aware that there's time skips between most of the episodes, right? Sometimes within the episodes themselves. There's more than enough time for Panthro to teach them how to do field repairs in between episodes.

Go drop a modern day tank into a European village in the 10th century. I'm sure after a few weeks, or even a decade (nevermind that it's been, at most, a few months in the show), they'll have it mastered just like that. Especially if they were raised for generations to loathe and despise such "technology."

The fact that even Panthro -- portrayed constantly as a not-that-bright fellow -- was able to learn how to use it is a stretch beyond any level of suspension of disbelief. That he not only did that but managed to teach all these dunderheads how to do it, too, is silly.

or that Lion-O's claw is clearly "technology," which none of them even believed in for countless generations despite being used on a daily basis.

Right... despite the fact that there was no onscreen or in universe evidence that it was tech until Lion-O got sucked into the Book of Omens. All the times that Lion-O actually used the claw's features were after learning it was a piece of tech and not just a cool sheath for a magic sword.

Except his father used the gadgets all the time, too, including popping the claws in and out for show. I'm pretty sure that I recall him using the grappling lines, too.

And nevermind that language, architecture, government, and even magic is "technology" to boot. It's ridiculous.

 

[Whofan]

Who cares the art sucks

 

[Disruptor]

So Lion-O realized the final test is about emotions but then gives into his emotions and loses anyway.

I think they made Monkey guy and Jackalman too huge. I mean, bigger than Panthro.

And a lot less interesting than Grune.