Creature Report! Creature Report! "Octonauts"

Octonauts (2010)

TV G

The Story:

The Octonauts are a band of intrepid undersea explorers whose credo is to Explore! Rescue! Protect! Each episode finds them interacting with a sea creature of some sort, and at the end, they break into a catchy little song to recap some of the facts that you've learned about the critter of the day.

The benefits of having children is you get to watch shows you would otherwise never see.

This offering comes, based on some books that were turned into a British children's series, which was in turn redubbed with some American accents for the minor characters and brought to the Disney Channel.

And, as you can see by their picture, they are absolutely adorable, and needless to say, my 3 year old has been enjoying their adventures on Netflix, streaming them in a seemingly endless barrage of Octonaut adventures.

But it's okay, the episodes are short, amusing, and again, your kids are learning some marine biology along the way.

Something that can't be said for that other show about creatures living under the sea.

Just watch out for the catchy "Creature Report" jingle at the end, it's going to stick with you!

Final Grade: B

I Wish I Could Move To "Gravity Falls"

Gravity Falls (2012)

TV Y-7

Starring Jason Ritter, Kristen Schaal, Alex Hirsch, Linda Cardellini

Created by Alex Hirsch

The Story:

Twin siblings Dipper (Ritter) and Mabel (Schaal) are sent to spend the summer in Gravity Falls, Oregon. They are in the care of their Great Uncle Stan (Hirsch) who runs a tourist trap in the town. Dipper soon discovers that the town is filled with supernatural secrets and he spends his time trying to solve these secrets while also pining away at the girl of his dreams, Wendy (Cardellini).

I watch very few cartoons anymore, so if I do, it has to be well-written and have a great voice cast.

This has that, in spades.

Credit, of course, needs to be heaped on Hirsch as the series creator, head writer, and main vocal talent for not only Gruncle Stan, but also Soos, the handyman at the Mystery Shack, and other characters.

Each episode has built slowly from each other, expanding the secrets of Gravity Falls. However, there is rarely any point that you just can't jump in as a new viewer and understand what is going on.

Of the 27 episodes that have aired on the Disney Channel, I'd like to say they were all perfect, but I can't.

The one with Mabel's crush on the boy band is the least favorite of the entire family.
I don't know, something about that episode just didn't do it for anyone in the family, and it was even deleted from the DVR.

That's some serious business right there!

Otherwise, it's a lot of fun and again, some of the best writing on tv, period, cartoon or not.

Naturally, dealing with supernatural, your parental discretion is warranted.

However there hasn't been too much to worry about overall.

Except maybe Stan in his boxer shorts...

:: shudder ::

Final Grade: A+

Rewatchability/Purchase Factor: Most episodes have been seen several times. Summerween (a holiday that should be adopted!) is a personal favorite. :)