A REVIEW OF THE NEW MOTU CARTOON
While the focus of Vaults Of Grayskull is fan fiction inspired by the original minicomics which were packaged with the toys of the 1980s, I like to think that the website is not completely resistant to new themes and ideas. As you have no doubt seen elsewhere within the vaults, the new toyline has been reviewed, and I have even gone so far as to dedicate an entire page to the special edition Keldor figure. So, as the opportunity has now arisen for me to take a critical look at the new cartoon, I thought I'd create a new page for that purpose. Just don't expect me to sing its praises.
Certain MOTU websites have recently dedicated themselves to promoting the new toyline and cartoon vigorously, never stopping to consider that neither are really worth the effort. Incidentally, this is not a criticism of the Four Horsemen's designs, just the direction in which the toyline has been taken by Mattel. It is no secret that MOTU is faring badly in the US, and despite good international sales, it is likely that the line will collapse. Opinions have been expressed on Vaults and other fan-based websites as to the direction that Mattel should have taken. It's a shame that no one paid any attention.
I have expressed my views elsewhere on the website, but it is worth revisiting the topic here as the toys and cartoons have been promoted together. Is anyone really surprised that MOTU characters are struggling? There is a great deal of competition in the shape of Lord Of The Rings, among others. The other toys out there are simply better. And who is interested in countless variants anyway? If ever there was proof that Mattel should have revisited the original barbarian themes, then the state of the marketplace is it.
So what is wrong with the cartoon specifically? Well, apart from the fact that it was designed as a promotional tool for the toys, it is quite simply underwhelming in its story-telling. I suspect that one of the reasons for this is the fact that there is a heavy overseas involvement in its production. The animation studio is Korean, and as a result the cartoon suffers from many of the Far Eastern animation techniques that have become as over-used as wire-work in the movies. By looking at some of the screen shots below, you'll see what I mean.
Characters perform physically impossible death-defying leaps so frequently in the cartoons that all credibility evaporates rapidly, and the action becomes boring. Sure, these characters are pretty special, but let's leave the flying ability to those who possess wings. The next couple of images show some more examples.
Unsurprisingly, the cartoon parallels the toyline in its shift away from fantasy to science fiction. I've condemned that decision many times before, and the following images add considerable weight to my argument. There is a place for science in the MOTU world, but the heavy artillery carried by Man-At-Arms and Roboto in these pictures is ridiculous. How can they do this to the heroic master of weapons?
Anyway, moving swiftly on to the worst thing that's wrong with the cartoon. Characters staring at eachother. Rather than have a few seconds of spectacular sword-fighting, they simply stand still and wait for something to happen. Not only is this incredibly boring, but it is obviously a way for the studio to use up a few seconds without having to draw more frames. As with the stupid jumping, this happens far too often.
I'm happy to avoid rubbishing the storylines because I know they're only for kids, and I hope that no adult MOTU fan takes these new tales too seriously. However, I will say that the treatment of the Keldor story was a big mistake. It was one of those stories with incredible potential, but for some reason the whole 'brother of Randor' concept was ignored. What a waste.
So is there anything positive to say about He-Man And The Masters Of The Universe? Well some of the scenery is drawn quite nicely. Can't think of anything else though. Tell you something folks - after all that I feel the need to read a Series Two minicomic.
