Reviews

I saw a trailer for this movie months ago and loved the idea - if only they could make it work - said my fear ;) I finally got to watch it today and they totally made it work, this movie is everything I hoped it would be. Very funny for adults and kids alike, smart and kind of "scientifically accurate" in a metaphorical way - all of this with that touch of Disney magic, that golden dust they shine on simple stories to make them special. I read some reviews saying this is probably more of a family centered but adult oriented movie, with hints for kids and not the other way around and I must say I don't agree. Although the big picture may only be totally grasped by grownups I feel like it still makes sense for kids and gives them valuable tools to accept and understand their own emotions as well as other's. I find it awesome that in a world where more and more kids live isolated behind screens the animation industry is striving to make everyone feel included and to explain more abstract and social concepts earlier and in more explicit ways. If you like that idea or have a kid who could benefit from this kind of approach I also recommend the movie Home, with the cute purple aliens.

I must have been around 12 or so when this show aired in Portugal on a cartoon channel and I accidentally caught the first episode (how many times does that happen?). The story is intelligent, with some very intriguing plot twists and it grows with you while approaching themes like ecology, respect for life, acceptance of one another's differences, courage, friendship and love. It makes you understand that you sometimes have to rebel and break the rules if and when that is the right thing to do. It was intriguing, believable for sci-fi and the perfect 12 to 15 yo show, one that parents wouldn't object but I still didn't find boring or childish, in fact both my (then 6 year old) brother and my (obviously adult) mother got glued to it eventually and both enjoyed it their own way. If I had a child or cousin of appropriate age I would gladly re-watch it with them as this is a great show.

This series hooks you up right from the beginning, with a sequence of mysterious and uncanny events that lack the plot holes and "exaggerated" feel of bad sci-fi. All of it is reasonably plausible, well orchestrated and smart. Simultaneously, it draws you in with a fast pace, engaging action, drama and comedy, all without losing a certain "serious" style, feeling almost like a movie. That said, it isn't a pretentious or geeky series either and i'd say the mainstream public will enjoy it. Oh, and did I mention it maintains the quality through the whole season? It does.

All in all I'd say give it a go if you enjoy a good show... or don't, if you intend to get anything done in the next few days.