bnthesecond Reviews

Rocko's Modern Life: Static Cling (2019 TV Movie)

Modern Yet Still A Throwback

[9/10 · 8 October 2019]

I didn't get into the original show until a few years ago, but it's a show that I've grown to love and appreciate very recently. I was hyped for this special back when it was originally announced. I can safely say that even with all the delays and complications of distribution, this was definitely worth the wait. This special retains most of the charm of the original 90's show, though of course in an even more modern lens. Unlike many things, this was something that made so much sense to revive for our current period in time.

Whilst the story, topics, and humor are generally pretty good and reminiscent to either the original or modern life in general, the animation style and fluidity is honestly a breath of fresh air. Nowadays we have little choice in terms of mainstream animation that doesn't stick to clay CGI or overly simple and robotic 2D cartoons. This specials matches the visual style of the source material perfectly, and with the added benefit of being higher quality overall. It feels like a throwback many have been yearning for and want to see return more often. Definitely one of the best looking cartoons of the decade in my eyes.

Even though the style hearkens back to an older era, the special still adapts perfectly fine with our current climate. It probably helps that the original show still holds up 20-so years later. If you're not that into the Rocko formula, this may not be the special for you. For what it is though, it's a blast from start to finish with little in the way of grievances or complaints.

Pet Alien (2004–2005)

Overlooked, but kind of hard to defend

[6/10 · 19 April 2019]

This show weirdly enough was a personal favorite cartoon of mine from say 2006 ro 2007. At the time, I craved to see more episodes of this odd little show, which unfortunately weren't provided all too often on cable. The show's more available now, bur I don't have a subscription to STARZ.

Anyways, this show is one I actually like still, but honestly for not very good reasons. I admire Muncy and company attempting to make the show some squash and stretch CGI show. Even if really dated and ugly looking with those results at times, I can't hate the show for its lower-poly models and texture quality. This was 2005 after all, developed on a low budget where fancy effects weren't really achievable. Even then, the show sometimes does have its pretty fluid and expressive movements. This show illicits a strange kind of charm to it with its aesthetic. Simply put, it blew me away as a child. The human characters however do look really unappealing to me, moreso than most of the aliens.

The show admittedly doesn't have a lot of characters which stick out. 70% of them are pretty one-note, including the protagonist Tommy Cadle. However, the character Dinko does bring some much needed life in the show. Not all the time, but he's probably the least one-dimensional character on the show. He's got this sense of friendship you just can't help but adore. Surprisingly likable given a lot of the other characters are either stupid. This is also likely to be the favorite for the animators; he clearly feels more alive compared to the others. Not in a very jarring way mind you. Though, I will kind of give points off for his design resembling Yoshi from the Mario series, albeit mixed with Scrat from Ice Age or something. Little green characters are one of my weaknesses, and I'm almost guaranteed to like them anyway.

As for the storyline and humor, it is kinda shaky. Very textbook premise that's been done better with other shows long before this crawled in. One notable example coming to mind is the French cartoon Space Goofs. I generally would recommend watching that or more creative plots and humor. Speaking of, it's pretty hit or miss... usually miss. There are a few good lines here and there, and some of the animations do look funny (probably for the all the wrong reasons depending on who you ask). Overall though, that is one of the show's weaker parts. It is stock, there's no doubt about that. However, I guess my nostalgia blindness prevents me from giving the show much flak.

Overall, I'd recommend this show as some sort of outlier for 3D Animation at the time, despite the bland premise. It's bound to not be everyone's cup of tea. Generally, thoughts on this program do vary from the general consensus. I think this show has enough redeemable qualities to give it a weak thumbs-up.