Kids cartoons - What happened to all the good stuff?
Discussion
I've just spent a short while zipping back to my childhood (from the 80's) with this collection of cartoon intros that I watched back in the day:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dy3RTFFhSYs
Those fast paced, high energy anthems with characters who came to life in rich cartoon worlds were just amazing as a child. And of course you could then ask Santa for the action figures at Christmas and create your own adventures with your mates.
It was brilliant. But when scanning in the toy shops as a grown-up for my daughter, having a look down the boys isle there doesn't seem to be anything like what there used to be. There are wrestling figures and the DC/Marvel stuff but thats about it.
What happened? I think at some point there was a halt put on making cartoons with the intent of selling a toy line so blatantly, but I think that was just a brilliant tie in and it made both TV and imaginative play figures all the better for it.
Thoughts? Have you got a budding boy-wonder, what are they watching? Is it as good as the 80's stuff?!
Paul.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dy3RTFFhSYs
Those fast paced, high energy anthems with characters who came to life in rich cartoon worlds were just amazing as a child. And of course you could then ask Santa for the action figures at Christmas and create your own adventures with your mates.
It was brilliant. But when scanning in the toy shops as a grown-up for my daughter, having a look down the boys isle there doesn't seem to be anything like what there used to be. There are wrestling figures and the DC/Marvel stuff but thats about it.
What happened? I think at some point there was a halt put on making cartoons with the intent of selling a toy line so blatantly, but I think that was just a brilliant tie in and it made both TV and imaginative play figures all the better for it.
Thoughts? Have you got a budding boy-wonder, what are they watching? Is it as good as the 80's stuff?!
Paul.
Cloudy147 said:
I've just spent a short while zipping back to my childhood (from the 80's) with this collection of cartoon intros that I watched back in the day:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dy3RTFFhSYs
Those fast paced, high energy anthems with characters who came to life in rich cartoon worlds were just amazing as a child. And of course you could then ask Santa for the action figures at Christmas and create your own adventures with your mates.
yes. THe quality of cartoons today isn't as good as it used to be. Looking back, the 80s were the water mark. THere were some decent ones in the 90s, and the 00s I think. Most stuff today tries to outdo each other with postmodernism or esoteric animation.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dy3RTFFhSYs
Those fast paced, high energy anthems with characters who came to life in rich cartoon worlds were just amazing as a child. And of course you could then ask Santa for the action figures at Christmas and create your own adventures with your mates.
SOme of those anthems are on my running playlist.
British animation died with Cosgrove Hall.
I watch a lot of kids tv with my daughter (nearly 3yrs old). Most of it is pretty rubbish (paw patrol, octonauts, go jetters etc), however there are a few good ones. Sarah and Duck for example is awesome, its so weird,
Agree with the comment above as well, the Brian Blessed character in Peppa Pig is pretty funny.
Agree with the comment above as well, the Brian Blessed character in Peppa Pig is pretty funny.
Cloudy147 said:
I've just spent a short while zipping back to my childhood (from the 80's)
This may amuse you, then. Renault Brazil have resurrected the old Dungeons & Dragons cartoon as a live action for a series of adverts:https://d-rezzed.clownfishtv.com/dungeons-dragons-...
I really want them to make an actual film now.
Most of the current batch of cartoons/animation have some kind of tie-in "merch" everywhere in the shops - so the toys are still there, but I agree, somehow it doesn't seem to have the same feel as it did back in the 80s.
Maybe it's the proliferation of "collect all 50!" toys and throw away junk like Hatchimals that's changed. Back in the day we had 1 or 2 figures/Transformers and those got played with endlessly. Now it's all about buying something new.
Totally agree about the new Dangermouse. Excellent. I was desperate to work for Cosgrove Hall when I left school! Hey Duggie is particularly good too also with Alexander Armstrong narrating. But Ben and Holly is probably my favourite, so many levels for adults too. There's a particularly brilliant moment when Gaston the ladybird goes to the vet and has his temperature taken... Never mix magic and plumbing.
I have tried re-watching some cartoons from my childhood in the late 70s/early 80s, but it's mostly a bit "odd" when viewed again today. Happy memories, but nothing that I'm keen to show my 4 year old. Although she did quite enjoy Trap Door, even though she had no idea what was going on..!
Maybe it's the proliferation of "collect all 50!" toys and throw away junk like Hatchimals that's changed. Back in the day we had 1 or 2 figures/Transformers and those got played with endlessly. Now it's all about buying something new.
Totally agree about the new Dangermouse. Excellent. I was desperate to work for Cosgrove Hall when I left school! Hey Duggie is particularly good too also with Alexander Armstrong narrating. But Ben and Holly is probably my favourite, so many levels for adults too. There's a particularly brilliant moment when Gaston the ladybird goes to the vet and has his temperature taken... Never mix magic and plumbing.
I have tried re-watching some cartoons from my childhood in the late 70s/early 80s, but it's mostly a bit "odd" when viewed again today. Happy memories, but nothing that I'm keen to show my 4 year old. Although she did quite enjoy Trap Door, even though she had no idea what was going on..!
Edited by timmymagic73 on Wednesday 22 May 08:40
Not watched the vid yet but will do when indoors.
I was an 80's kid/teen and loved Transformers, Thundercats, Pole Position, Mysterious Cities of Gold, Ulysses 31 etc and I don't think they'll ever be beaten. I watched the most recent Thundercats which is a few years old and I thought it was brilliant. Will have to look out for the new Dangermouse.
I was an 80's kid/teen and loved Transformers, Thundercats, Pole Position, Mysterious Cities of Gold, Ulysses 31 etc and I don't think they'll ever be beaten. I watched the most recent Thundercats which is a few years old and I thought it was brilliant. Will have to look out for the new Dangermouse.
kowalski655 said:
I know its more for younger kids(Im forced to watch by my daughter) but Peppa Pig isnt bad. Some knowing jokes/looks from the cartoon adults,and it also has Brian Blessed being, well, Brian Blessed!!!!
Peppa Pig wasn't around when my daughters were of that age, however I have watched it with my Grandson and in parts it is very funny with the odd bit aimed at adults.Mcphisto said:
Spongebob was my chance to enjoy a bit of TV when the kids were growing up, I sometimes howled with laughter at it, while my kids looked on bemused. So much adult in jokes. Not sure if it's any good now?
I don't know if they still make it, Steven Hillenburg (the creator) died a year or so ago However, on Sunday morning I found myself up early with my daughter and it was on, and it was brilliant.
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