If you grew up in the 80s, chances are you were obsessed with ThunderCats - and that you had at least one of the action figures. I collected all of them, except for Cheetara for some reason, and still have the once-treasured figurines in almost perfect condition. I remember being thrilled that Lion-O's eyes could light up, just like they did on the show, and the others had arms that moved up and down with a flick of a switch in their backs. For those of you who were born too late to enjoy this brilliant animated series, it debuted in 1985 and ran for four years (the final episode, titled Book of Omens aired in 1989). At the time it was one of the highest rated animated series. It follows the adventures of a group of "cat-like humanoid aliens" who settle on Third Earth after their home planet of Thundera is destroyed. They must constantly fight off a group of mutants and a mummified sorcerer, Mumm-Ra - all intent on getting their hands (claws? paws?) on the "Eye of Thundera" and the power it contains.
I recently started rewatching the series from the very first episode, titled Exodus (FYI the entire series is available on Hulu). Of course the animation seems primitive now and the dialogue somewhat basic, especially Lion-O's tendency to vocalize everything happening on the screen, often stating the obvious. The first episode finds the ThunderCats on a ship, already fleeing from their fast-disintegrating planet. They all appear to be naked, except for their wise leader and Lion-O's mentor, Jaga (an aside: for the longest time I thought his name was a unique pronunciation of Jaguar). Yet, much like Barbie and Ken dolls, they all boast perfectly ripped bodies but no genitalia. Cheetara also looks like she's been binge-watching drag queen make-up tutorials (easy on the contouring, girl).
Jaga tells a pre-pubescent Lion-O he will be Lord of the ThunderCats and introduces him to the Sword of Omens that contains the Eye of Thundera - the source of their powers. His lesson on the sword also seems to take on a double meaning pertaining to Lion-O's imminent sexual awakening: how he can "wake up" the big sword that is too heavy right now but will "feel natural" in his hands soon. Indeed the phallic symbolism continues as the sword grows bigger when Lion-O cries out "Thunder-Thunder-ThunderCats ho!".
Jaga also gives the ThunderCats some clothing and weapons. Cheetara wears a basic body suit (Michelle Visage would read her for filth) and her weapon is a seemingly lackluster staff that turns out to have some cool powers. Panthro gets a spiked leather daddy harness and a set of nun-chucks. Tygra is the proud owner of a bolo whip that he can wrap around himself when he wants to become invisible. Poor WilyKat is stuck with the least flattering outfit in the form of a shapeless smock (fortunately he has the legs to pull it off). He and WilyKit's primary weapons are grenade capsules that release smoke, gases and bath bubbles.
They all retire to suspension pods to allow them to make the long journey to a new planet, leaving Jaga to pilot the ship - and die as a result. After their ship makes a crash landing on Third Earth, Lion-O seems to be the only one who has aged into a chiseled adult who looks like he was working out for hours every day while in the capsule. However, WilyKit and WilyKat's pods seem to have preserved their age and for the rest of the series they remain spirited kittens. Lion-O uses the sword to find and awaken the other ThunderCats in order to help him fight the mutants who have followed them to the new planet. Unfortunately, Snarf - his companion who is annoying AF ("mmmm schnarf schnarf") - also survives the journey.
And so begins the series that will see the ThunderCats make new allies, including the Ro-Bear Berbils (whose electronic voices are more cringeworthy than Snarf's incessant whining), the Warrior Maidens, Snowman and his cat Snowmeow (for real) and Mandora and face new foes such as The Ancient Spirits of Evil, Ratar-O, Mongor, The Lunataks and The Beserkers, as they create a new life for themselves on Third Earth. While it may not evoke the same sense of wonder and adventure as it did as a child, it still provides much entertainment when viewed with more cynical adult eyes.
Comments
Post a Comment