This animated series is another under the radar gem. This was based on a toy line from Mattel whom were after the success of their big one "He-Man and the Masters of the Universe" they tried to create another big franchise "Bravestarr" but sadly lighting just didn't strike twice which is understandable because sometimes the magnitude of one franchise is hard to match.
But also, because the western genre wasn't as big as it use to be, let alone westerns aren't really my genre which make this franchise a tough sell. Which is why looking back at this can be a little sad sometimes because you can't help but wonder, if given a little more time what more it could have been.
I really love the concept which is a beautiful combination of sci-fi, fantasy, and the western genre. I always love westerns in space or simply a sci-fi with some western elements, both make a beautiful combination which goes to show you can do more with genres and that their never set in stone; it also in a way predates the show "Firefly". It's true that this show does take a cue or two from "He-Man" from Starpeak mountain and the Shaman is the equivalent of the Sorceress and Castle Greyskull. As well as another comparison here and there, it's nothing totally new but it's in its execution that uniqueness that makes it stand out.
The animation is solid I really like New Texas world which is fascinating as it's a place that is one foot in the past but two steps away from it, despite it using old fashioned settings we see it's a place that has high technology as there are laser guns, cybernetic hover horses, starships, aliens but also there is magic and even some creatures that exist from the fantasy realm. The music is decent, there is a theme song which I don't mind listening to despite not one I'd download into my cell phone. Action is good/decent there are some scuffles here and there, nothing too amazing but serviceable.
Characters are serviceable, not too deep but it's a cartoon from the 80's what do you expect. The ones that stand out are for the good guys it's Bravestarr and Thirty Thirty.
Bravestarr is pretty much typical western hero archetype, I love the fact that's he's native American which I think is cool because it's was a rare thing having fictional protagonists of this nationality in the fantasy genre and still is, the only other from pulp fantasy I can think of is the comic book series "Turok: Son of Stone.
Bravestarr was cool as he had all kinds of weapons like that laser gun which is a unique design as the handle has a bulk bottom which I never quite understood why because wouldn't that feature weight the handgun down? But also, he has a tomahawk and a light lasso though all three things he doesn't really use enough which is one weak point in the show.
But the best feature is his mystic ability to harness his inner totems, sort of like Vixen from the DC universe; I don't have to explain them as their explained in the intro. I remember as a kid seeing that made me which I could do that, would of came in handy, for Bullies would love to use the strength of the bear totem to throw and beat the crap out of them.
Thirty Thirty is fun, he's sort of the tough cowboy archetype too, it's interesting how he can morph from a regular horse to a humanoid horse. If there is ever a revival would like some explanation about that like Thirty Thirty is part of some alien species that can metamorph. But anyway this character has a lot of fun lines and he is armed with a big rifle named Sara Jane which I always found cool as that rifle can just do serious damage, just obliterate large objects in the way, create large craters, this would make bad guys twice when they think of shooting out with him.
But my favorite character is Tex Hex whom I think is another underrated animated villain. Yeah, he's the Skeletor equivalent but cool all the same. I really like the design of him as he's pretty much a zombie cowboy, he's got purple decayed skin, a skeletal face and those red eyes. He's got some of the best lines where he is just fun and funny, but also at the same time menacing. And of course, he wields black magic which makes him also a mystical cowboy.
There are some memorable episodes like one on Bravestarr having to go against his mentor and hero. Another which is a crossover with both Bravestarr and Sherlock homes which was cool. And then there is the drug episode which has an ending that is haunting and was unique for its time.
The only bad things are the show some of the storylines consist of a few too many prechies. Not to say that most 80's cartoons weren't without them as they were commonplace, it is a kids cartoon after all. However, in some of the other shows there weren't all that many and most of the time the message was conveyed suttlely which I prefer best, this show at times really lays that message down a tad thick, which gets in the way of actual storytelling and adventures.
The ally and rogue gallery is rather short, not to say their bad but neither side has much to do, nor is developed all that much though that could be because the run on the show was short which didn't give them much of a chance to, which is why they don't stand out much, there sort of nothing but background ornaments.
I also feel the protagonist may come off a tad too powerful as it seems like he has lots of advantages and not enough struggle. Might have helped more if Bravestarr was challenged a lot better or he didn't come out too smoothly, though same could be said about other animated shows of yesteryear also so I can't complain too much.
I personally would like to see a revival of this show. Could broaden the universe of the show, like seeing Bravestarr not just in New Texas but venture to some other planets. May 'be even enhance the fantasy aspect more like have Tex Hex do more black magic, have a better or more enhanced version of the rogue gallery, have him and his gang go on some quests to retrieve some ancient magic book or something, have more creatures both aliens and ancient beings may'be some of them could be Lovecraftian where Stampede could be a creature from the time of the old ones; but most importantly have a little more on Native American mythology.
Have some more action like seeing both Bravestarr and Eighty-Eight engage in more shootouts and even fisticuffs action. But also have some depth or a constant developing plotline and story arcs like one on Bravestarr's past as we get more clues we see how it affects and catches up to the present, and have him just learning to use each of his abilities as the show goes on and maybe even include some new totem if you want. Well like any nice horse it's a thought worth considering.
Like any pony ride, this show is worth a ride, "Bravestarr" rides high.
Rating: 3 stars
1 out of 1 found this helpful.
Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink
