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SWAT Kats: The Radical Squadron

(Rated TV-Y7-FV, Children, cartoons, & animation, Starring Barry Gordon, Candi Milo, Charles Adler, Where to watch: Boomerang, Online)

  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 5, age appropriate for kids over 7; suggested age 7.

  • Is it any good?

    3.0

  • Common Sense says

    Kid-friendly action 'toon has cat cops, cool jets.

Why We Rated This on for Ages 7 and Up

The good stuff

  • Messages:

    While violent and careless, the heroes are proud to defend their city and have strong relationships with each other and other characters. Female characters are less stereotyped than in many action cartoons.
 

What to watch out for

  • Violence & scariness:

    Plenty of action cartoon violence, with laser weapons, fighter jets, attack helicopters, and everything a SWAT team could need to defend a besieged city. Both villains and heroes are rather careless of the lives of extras, although their deaths are never explicitly shown.

  • Sexy stuff:

    Not an issue.

  • Language:

    Not an issue.

  • Consumerism:

    Not an issue.

  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Not an issue.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About SWAT Kats: The Radical Squadron

Parents need to know that this is an action cartoon with lots of violence, explosions, and high-tech weaponry -- so it's not for really young kids. That said, it has a number of strengths. The characters are relatively well developed, with relationships and backstories. And even though the female characters aren't the heroes themselves, they hold powerful roles in the city and aren't portrayed with the typical wasp waists and big breasts that populate many action cartoons.

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about the role of the media within the show. One main character is a reporter who often finds trouble but is invariably brave (and reckless) in going after the story. Is that what you think journalists are like in real life? What's good about how she does her job, and what's not? Families can also discuss how this show is similar to and different from other action cartoons.
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