As some of you may know, I've been a fan of this cartoon series since I was a small child.
Over the holidays, I had the chance to order both Volumes 1 and 2. I discovered that with the exception of one episode, I've got the whole series.
Having watched the bulk of it, I think I can say now what I think of it.
Like the 1967 Spider-Man series that was produced by the same group (and around the same time), I can honestly say that I find the first two seasons in terms or writing and quality stand the test of time in terms of entertainment, far better than the third season.
Granted, the animation wasn't probably up to the standards of today, even then. It doesn't matter much to me. I've always been attracted to shows that are plot- and character-driven. It's largely the same with animated shows as well.
As for the DVD transfer -
Like the animation, it's inconsistent at best. It looks like they made one honest attempt, and stuck with it. This could be because the original source material (as stated in each DVD disk) was fragile, or it could be that they didn't have the budget to go any farther, or it could be that no one really cared as they didn't see a whole lot of profit ...
... well regardless ... it doesn't really matter much to me.
The writing, and the characters are there. Indeed I found them entertaining as a child, and continue to do so as an adult. There are touches of wit that I didn't know existed, and the characters remain as memorable as I recall. I think part of the appeal is that I find many of them quite endearing (Little John, Friar Tuck, even the Sheriff of NOTT).
From what I've read, the budgets were severely cut after the first season, which led to them using or re-using tremendous amounts of previous created footage wherever and whenever possible. That itself doesn't bother me so much as the what happened in Spider-Man, where they'd be endless amounts of time and space spent doing almost nothing. Those aspects of the later season might have been viewed as 'cool' and 'psychedelic' back then, but they seem very dated and boring now (that and recycling of episodes - I think the stoned element segment was in three separate Season 3 episodes, all of which featured Will and Robin).
The more campy aspects of the show (from the first two seasons) actually stand up better - at least to me.
The other aspect of the show I've always dug - was the music.
Like the Spider-man series, the music is phenomenal. A combination styles (surf, jazz, classical) and different instruments (strings, horns, guitar and lot of percussion), with some distinct themes that echo suspense, tension, sadness, happiness, and resolution - truly add to the overall impact of each episode.
I know, there are many out there in Intenetland who revile this show, its animation, heck the whole concept (people flying in space without life-support - Meh!).
But these people are either revisionist in their thinking, or they are still awaiting surgery to have the sticks pulled out of their asses, or some combination of both.
The show was targeted to kids. It was fantasy. In a kid's world, it's completely believable, and entertaining. These jokers who revile the show, probably think it was cool that Star Trek TOS was re-mastered with new special effects, which add nothing to the enjoyment of the show (because, like Spider-Man, and Rocket Robin Hood, Star Trek was plot- and character-driven, the special effects were secondary, and really don't interfere with enjoyment of the final product. And those stories' impacts are supported by strong and distinct musical themes).
That's what these people will never get. To each their own I guess.
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