Tak and the Power of Juju - TV-Y7

Colorful, video game-based toon is fun, if fluffy.

TV Rating: TV-Y7 Network: Nickelodeon Cast: Patrick Warburton, Kari Wahlgren, Hal Sparks Genre: Children, Cartoons, & Animation
Available on: Download

Common Sense Note

Parents need to know that this animated series is based on a popular Nickelodeon video game, so don't be surprised if kids who like the show want to play the game, and vice versa. The series itself is fairly benign; its mild, injury-free cartoon violence (long-distance falls, full-speed collisions, that sort of thing) is likely the only content that might give parents pause. That said, don't expect any strong lessons, either -- the young protagonist is often guilty of making hasty decisions that get him and his tribemates into trouble (usually short lived, but still).

Families can talk about making thoughtful decisions. Why does Tak act before he thinks things out properly? Does he expect things to go badly? What are the repercussions of his actions? Kids: Have you ever rushed to a decision that's gotten you into trouble? If you'd stopped to think about it first, would you have changed what you did? How do you make up for careless behavior? What lessons do you learn? Families can also discuss the show's video game connection. Which do you like better, the show or the game? Why? Are some games better suited to make TV shows and movies from than others? Why or why not? Why do you think producers want to make media titles based on games?

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Common Sense Review

Reviewed By: Emily Ashby

In TAK AND THE POWER OF JUJU, a young jungle boy named Tak (voiced by Hal Sparks) uses his unique ability -- communicating with magical beings -- to improve on the traditionally bad luck of his native village, Pupununu. But unfortunately for Tak's tribemates, his hasty decisions often wind up inviting more problems than they solve.

Since discovering his unusual bond with the mystical world, Tak has assumed the role of mediator between the magical Juju and the Pupununu people, who rely on mystical intervention during times of turmoil. When trouble upsets their serene jungle life, Tak summons guidance from the spirits and acts on their advice. He relies on the magical powers of his wand to help him with the more forceful aspects of the job.

But the combination of the Jujus' vagueness and Tak's own impulsiveness usually means that his attempts to help wind up creating even more trouble for the village, and occasionally even the Jujus themselves. It's then that he has to do some quick thinking -- and enlist the help of his pals Jeera (Kari Wahlgren) and Keeko (John DiMaggio) -- to right his wrongs and get everything back to normal for the Pupununu.

Based on a popular Nickelodeon video game, Tak and the Power of Juju is an entertaining CG-animated series full of colorful characters and outlandish scenarios sure to entertain older school-aged kids and young tweens. Tak's mix of good intentions and general mischief lays the groundwork for plenty of fun in each episode, and parents will like that -- aside from some mild, typical cartoon violence -- there's not much to worry about here. Just be ready for your kids to begging for the tie-in games once they've developed an affection for the jungle-dwelling cast.

Other good choices for this age group include The Adventures of Jimmy Neutron and Ben 10.

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Content		CS	adults	kids
Content
Sexual Content
Violence Typical, injury-less cartoon violence: falling boulders pound people into the ground, characters sail off cliffs and live to tell about it, etc. Tak's magical wand can also blast apart large objects in his path.
Language
Message
	Social Behavior The young main character is happy to use his magical powers to help his tribe in any way he can, but his exuberant (and occasionally irresponsible) efforts sometimes result in more mishaps when he goes too far.
	Commercialism The series is based on a popular video game, so young fans of the show may take a new (or renewed) interest in the game.
	Drug/Alcohol/Tobacco