Aqua Teen Hunger Force - TV-14

Oddball humor is OK for teens ... but is it funny?

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About Our Ratings
Common Sense rates it
3
Seen the show?
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details
  • TV Rating: TV-14
  • Network: Cartoon Network
  • Cast: Dave Willis, Dana Snyder, Carey Means
  • Genre: Comedy
  • >Available On: DVD,Download

Parents need to know

Parents need to know that the members of the Aqua Teen Hunger Force don't really have much contact with water (except for their neighbor's pool), aren't really teens, and are occasionally hungry but rarely exhibit much force. Mostly, they're shown hanging around their house, which looks more like a bombed-out crack den, and getting involved in side schemes that never turn out well. They sling insults at each other, don't hold steady jobs, and apparently live off welfare. And to top it all off, they're junk food personified.

Families can talk about whether a cartoon really needs a plot to be funny. (Based on Aqua Teen Hunger Force's popularity, apparently not.) The show also prompts questions about group dynamics among friends with distinct personalities. Why do some people become leaders who get to tell everyone else what to do -- and why do others become followers who get mercilessly pushed around? How many bad decisions does a person have to make before being ousted by disgruntled friends?

Message

Social Behavior:

Frylock's brains and maturity make up for Master Shake's ethical stumbles. But Meatwad usually gets squished in the process. Neighbor Carl is a terrible role model.

Consumerism:

The beer a neighbor drinks looks suspiciously like Budweiser.

Drugs/Alcohol/Tobacco:

Beer is featured prominently, although no one on the Hunger Force seems to drink. Drugs and tobacco pop up occasionally.

Violence

Occasional cartoon violence includes guns and some blood.

Sex

At least one episode involves a hooker, but the Aqua Teens are generally asexual. Their neighbor has pubic lice.

Language

"Hell," "bitch," "damn," and "ass" have free reign, but bigger words get bleeped.

Common Sense says

What's the story?

Reviewed by Kari Croop

AQUA TEEN HUNGER FORCE, the longest-running original series in Cartoon Network's late-night block, flies in the face of conventional comedy, Who would've thought that a milkshake, a meatball, and a container of fries could become rulers of their own cult domain? The show follows this trio of edible friends, who are supposed to be detectives but really aren't: Master Shake, a megalomaniacal milkshake (voiced by Dana Snyder); Frylock, a cerebral box of French fries (Carey Means); and Meatwad, a mild-mannered ball of ground beef (Dave Willis). The story lines are as absurd as the characters; for example, there's the time that Frylock decided to join a mountain biking club, never mind that as a levitating box of fries, Frylock has no legs and can't really ride a bike.

Is it any good?

3
Some parents might wonder why this show is funny at all, since it really doesn't make any sense. But maybe the randomness is part of its charm. As a programming choice for kids, ATHF isn't the best. After all, the language is loose, the story lines nonsensical, and the Aqua Teens' next-door neighbor, Carl (also voiced by Willis), is probably one of the worst role models on TV. That said, Frylock serves as an oddly comforting father figure whose passion for science and technology sets a positive example for younger viewers. Meatwad, too, usually displays some sense of moral outrage, though it rarely shields him from Master Shake's schemes.

Other choices

South Park

Minoriteam

Robot Chicken

Space Ghost Coast to Coast
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Parents and kids say

All Reviews

There are 25 reviews.

4


Posted on 07/13/08 by brak show345 Kid contributor, age 10

disturbing show somtimes

4

Posted on 05/18/08 by Anonymous Kid contributor, age 15

2


Posted on 04/29/08 by kirbster Kid contributor, age 10

hmm..

sigh! Another show made by adult swim even though this show is kind of like robot chicken and family guy why don't I gvie it 0 stars like my review on robot chiken? First of all it's not as gory as robot chyken and second it's funnier thaqn robot chicken! (aqua teen hunger force is a kind of fuuny show!
5


Posted on 04/26/08 by Frylock234 Kid contributor, age 9

not for everyone

some episodes are a little more adult than others, maybe even some characters. I can name 2 or 3 episodes that parents may have to watch with their kids. Handbanana and ,maybe Revenge of the Mooninites.
Age 13+
5


Posted on 04/24/08 by rachelemae Adult contributor

It's a really gunny show

...But, if I had kids that were 12, I would not really want them watching this show. Because I don't even see why it would be funny to young kids. All of the humor is for adults, and most kids wouldn't even understand. All in all it's a really funny show. But kids just shouldn't watch it.
4


Posted on 04/11/08 by 0per4t0r Kid contributor, age 11

Funny Show for 13+

The show overall is not too bad, but some episodes aren't too good for kids. In one episode, meatwad morphed into a hand and stood on the side of a highway, and started flipping people off in hand form. In another, they hired a witch doctor to bring Shake back to life after he killed himself. During the seance, the witch doctor made them say " I am sofa king we todd edd," Which sounds like " I am so f***ing retarded. This show is not for certain kids.
3


Posted on 03/25/08 by Aqua Teen2346 Kid contributor, age 9

funny

first 2 seasons are ok, but the newer episodes are a bit off. the episode Dirt Foot has 3 scenes that some may not be comfortable with seeing. more for kids 9+
3


Posted on 03/25/08 by Aqua Teen 2435 Kid contributor, age 9

5


Posted on 12/18/07 by slickback Kid contributor, age 13

Shakespeare would be Proud!!!!

In a world of moral decay, Aqua Teen Hunger Force shines a refreshing beam of hope to today's troubled youth. I find these characters to be inspirational. I love there open talk about today's issues, such as pubic lice, a subject which hit's close to home for me. I don't know why this show hasn't won any Emmys. If I could, I would give a copy of it to every troubled youth in America, myself included. I feel the creator should receive a Nobel Peace Prize.
5


Posted on 11/18/07 by childsplay176 Kid contributor, age 15

Not for tweens or younger teens.

Sure the first few episodes are okay, but the later episodes contain graphic violence and make fun of issues like rape and suicide. I don't recommend it for anyone under 15.

See all 25 reviews >

Adult Reviews

There are 4 reviews.

Age 13+
5


Posted on 04/24/08 by rachelemae Adult contributor

It's a really gunny show

...But, if I had kids that were 12, I would not really want them watching this show. Because I don't even see why it would be funny to young kids. All of the humor is for adults, and most kids wouldn't even understand. All in all it's a really funny show. But kids just shouldn't watch it.
Age 17+
5

Posted on 07/22/07 by Anonymous Adult contributor

I laughed so hard!!

This show is absolutely hilarious, but not for everyone. the sexual innuendos in some of the episodes are over the top in some places and some of the references and violence in certain episodes are awful. Great for 15+.
Age 13+
5


Posted on 07/13/07 by dpdsd Adult contributor

cool show,but some episodes are worse then others

Aqua teen hunger force is a great show but some episodes can be more adult then others.For example the first season of the show is ok for ages 12 and up and only contains a few swear words but new episodes are more edgier because one episode they had said the word d***k 56 times in explicitive ways but other then that episode its good for ages 14 and up
Age 13+
3


Posted on 07/17/06 by HaloFreak123 Adult contributor

its ok. not 4 young kids 4 language, gore and sex references

Kids Reviews

There are 21 reviews.

4


Posted on 07/13/08 by brak show345 Kid contributor, age 10

disturbing show somtimes

4

Posted on 05/18/08 by Anonymous Kid contributor, age 15

2


Posted on 04/29/08 by kirbster Kid contributor, age 10

hmm..

sigh! Another show made by adult swim even though this show is kind of like robot chicken and family guy why don't I gvie it 0 stars like my review on robot chiken? First of all it's not as gory as robot chyken and second it's funnier thaqn robot chicken! (aqua teen hunger force is a kind of fuuny show!
5


Posted on 04/26/08 by Frylock234 Kid contributor, age 9

not for everyone

some episodes are a little more adult than others, maybe even some characters. I can name 2 or 3 episodes that parents may have to watch with their kids. Handbanana and ,maybe Revenge of the Mooninites.
4


Posted on 04/11/08 by 0per4t0r Kid contributor, age 11

Funny Show for 13+

The show overall is not too bad, but some episodes aren't too good for kids. In one episode, meatwad morphed into a hand and stood on the side of a highway, and started flipping people off in hand form. In another, they hired a witch doctor to bring Shake back to life after he killed himself. During the seance, the witch doctor made them say " I am sofa king we todd edd," Which sounds like " I am so f***ing retarded. This show is not for certain kids.
3


Posted on 03/25/08 by Aqua Teen2346 Kid contributor, age 9

funny

first 2 seasons are ok, but the newer episodes are a bit off. the episode Dirt Foot has 3 scenes that some may not be comfortable with seeing. more for kids 9+
3


Posted on 03/25/08 by Aqua Teen 2435 Kid contributor, age 9

5


Posted on 12/18/07 by slickback Kid contributor, age 13

Shakespeare would be Proud!!!!

In a world of moral decay, Aqua Teen Hunger Force shines a refreshing beam of hope to today's troubled youth. I find these characters to be inspirational. I love there open talk about today's issues, such as pubic lice, a subject which hit's close to home for me. I don't know why this show hasn't won any Emmys. If I could, I would give a copy of it to every troubled youth in America, myself included. I feel the creator should receive a Nobel Peace Prize.
5


Posted on 11/18/07 by childsplay176 Kid contributor, age 15

Not for tweens or younger teens.

Sure the first few episodes are okay, but the later episodes contain graphic violence and make fun of issues like rape and suicide. I don't recommend it for anyone under 15.
5


Posted on 08/03/07 by milo Kid contributor, age 13

See all 21 kids reviews >
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