A.T.O.M. (Toon Disney)

common sense media says

Super action figure teens fight evil violently.


parents & educators say

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this is a pretty cynical take on the Superfriends concept. The people being rescued aren't always grateful, and the rescuers aren't all in it for the joy of doing good for humanity. And their version of superhero horsing around during the obligatory at-home scenes can be pretty cruel.

Positive messages: Shows people behaving badly even as the heroes are rescuing them -- in one sequence, for example, the rescuees step on the rescuer's head. Plus, there's the reliance on violence to save the world.
Violence & scariness: These animated action figures are saving the world from the evil Dr. Paine, and you can't do that without fight sequences, lasers, assorted weaponry, and explosions.
Sexy stuff: Not applicable.
Language: Not applicable.
Consumerism: The ATOM program and the tie-in action figures were developed together.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Not applicable.

More on A.T.O.M.

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
Families can talk about why superheroes -- in the fictional sense -- become superheroes. Some are (as they say) born superheroes, some choose to be superheroes, and some have superherodom thrust upon them. The teens in this show were chosen, and one, at least, is in it for the fame and fortune. Would you want to be chosen to be a superhero? Why?

What's the story?

What's the story?
In A.T.O.M. (ALPHA TEENS ON MACHINES), five diverse teens -- including the obligatory girl -- are chosen by a genius scientist to take on his fabulous machines and fight evil while living in what appears to be a glamorous animated "real world" house. The teens, with names like Hawk (voiced by Charlie Schlatter) and Lioness (Alli Mauzey), each have a back story explaining how they ended up fighting crime.

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 

The animation here -- a blend of classic comic book and anime -- is pretty good, with a sort of flash-vogue technique in which events are sometimes illustrated through a sequence of actual pictures, rather than a cartoon sequence. The effect is very modern, like a graphic novel.

Because of its relatively high level of cartoon violence -- the kind that includes lots of burning buildings and car crashes but stops short of ever actually killing anyone -- A.T.O.M. is best for older grade schoolers. It's graphically depicted and would certainly be scary for younger viewers.

TV themes & details

TV Details
TV Rating: TV-Y7-FV
Network: Toon Disney
Genre: Kids' Animation
Where to watch: Toon Disney

This review was written by KJ Dell Antonia
 
 

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Mojo02
teen, 15 years old
 
Not bad
Good show. Nutcase reviewer

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ON: Content is appropriate for kids this age.
PAUSE: Know your child, some content may not be right for some kids
OFF: Not age appropriate for kids this age