Voltron: Defender of the Universe
I was able to visit Dreamworks Animation studios along with Adrianne to review the launch of their Netflix Show Voltron: Defender of the Universe. We were hosted for this event.
I watched the first three episodes, and met with the Show runners, a few of the voice actors, and a few of the Dreamworks Animation executives and staff who are working on the project. Adrianne and I even had the opportunity to take a selfie with them. Such down to earth friendly people.
Here are four reasons I am excited about this show!
- The entire project is being built by passionate creators! Most of the people working on the project are from a time when the show was run during their elementary school years. In my time with conversing with Juaquin De Los Santos, the show runner, it was obvious he had a deeply held nostalgic vibe from the show. That said, he freely discussed that while the original is unique and has its own place, his vision for the project was to take the core story and fun, and update it to the lofty modern standards Dreamworks has for all of its shows. Sharing lunch with Tyler Labine, (who plays comic relief character Hunk in the show) it was obvious he was ecstatic to be a part of this show. Tyler said numerous times as soon as heard about the project he worked tirelessly to be attached to it. Their passion shows clearly in the quality of the project I saw, not just in the behind the scenes time.
- The show is for new viewers and nostalgic ones as well! The first three episodes are written as a minor feature film in and of themselves, as the origin story told anew. Brilliant. I had only vague recollections of the show, but, I felt after watching the episodes I was brought entirely back up to speed, and felt confident my eight year old daughter could watch it with me and feel the same way. Its not a rehashing of a previously told story as a quick cash in…it is a complete and substantial rebirth based on the beloved franchise.
- It has a quality and tone parents will appreciate and enjoy…. As a dad who enjoys watching movies and shows with his daughter, I have a pretty specific set of tastes and rules. I want a show that is interesting enough for me to enjoy, but, also has some guiding values I want her to engage. Voltron has several major themes in it that as a parent, of which I directly approve and appreciate. The Voltron team learns about important ideas such as pre-judging people who are outsiders, about doing what is right, and the importance of teamwork. There was no content that made me squeamish about my daughter watching the show. And I found it to be a great story in with some outstanding storytelling in and of itself! I would probably have watched it even without my daughter present..it was that good!!!
- …and it will appeal to the kids as well! All of the above is for nothing if half way into the first episode if my daughter gets up and asks if she can do some chores instead of continuing with the show!!! There is humor, action, great animation, and some excitement. I cannot say for sure…but It seems likely she will really enjoy the show and we can watch it together! Since it is on Netflix, we will have the option to binge on a lazy stay at home weekend, or hit an episode at a time on our schedule.
If its not already clear, I am really excited for the show! It was something I could enjoy as an individual and as a parent. I enjoyed the episodes, I appreciate what they bring to children’s programming, and I think she will find it something she enjoys as well. I am looking forward to sharing this franchise with my daughter anew!
~ David
