 | ON: Content is age-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. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Captain Planet and the Planeteers
- Boomerang
- Genre: Kids' Animation
Common Sense Media says
Help Captain Planet save the earth!
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this animated classic sends many positive messages about preserving our natural resources. But it does have some questionable language choices, some on-the-racy-side innuendos, and regular cartoon battles.
What's the story?
CAPTAIN PLANET AND THE PLANETEERS, which was created in the early '90s by media mogul Ted Turner, chronicles the adventures of an environmental superhero who saves the world from eco-villains trying to destroy the planet. The superhero (voiced by David Coburn) depends on his teenage Planeteers (Kwame for earth, Wheeler for fire, Linka for wind, Gi for water, and Ma-Ti for heart) who set up the initial groundwork for the missions. Captain Planet can only be summoned to finish the job when the Planeteers combine their powers. None of the characters can do their best without each other.
Is it any good?
The show offers plenty of factual information to digest. For example, one episode features the eco-villains attempting to destroy a manatee's habitat with a motor boat. The Planeteers provide in-depth background on manatees' natural environment and behavior toward humans. The educational segments offer a nice counterpoint to the action that dominates the rest of the show. But there's also a lot of mainstream garbage littering the show. The motor boat in the episode about the manatees is used for a Baywatch party, and the male Planeteers talk about wanting to give Baywatch star "Mrs. Bubblebutt" mouth to mouth as the camera moves in for a close-up on her rear end. The female Planeteers, meanwhile, label the Baywatch star with colorful words like "stupid" and "bimbo," all while the eco-villains dress in drag to look like the star and use a machine gun to shoot one of the Planeteers into the ocean. For a series that's aimed at kids, the show sometimes has a PG-13 feel to it -- especially when the protagonists are setting such bad examples.
As the first animated series to teach kids about key environmental concerns, in many ways Captain Planet -- which offers plenty of valuable lessons -- was ahead of its time. Expect to walk away with a better understanding of environmental issues like the ozone layer and animal rights. Addressing these issues with such clarity is admirable. However, you can also expect your fair share of violence, language mishaps, and sexual innuendos (which is the largest repeat offender). Captain Planet and the Planeteers is fun and retro, but it's not your best bet for younger grade-schoolers.
Explore, discuss, enjoy
Families can talk about the importance of preserving our natural resources. Why is it important to take care of the planet? What is pollution, and why is it harmful to the environment? How can you contribute to taking better care of the planet -- both in the big picture and every day?
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- Parents
- Teens & kids
Teen, 13 years old
February 11, 2010
AGE
Evil
This is propaganda and eco-terrorism. Only let kids mature enough to make decisions for themselves watch this.
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Kid, 10 years old
April 9, 2008
AGE
this show is annoying!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
this shows so stupid it realy sucks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Kid, 11 years old
April 9, 2008
AGE
I lost Six brain cells
If I hear another word about "Gloabal Warming" I am going to find that al gore guy and slit his neck!
1st off i would like to point out that we are not causing as much climate change as we think we are,
2nd the earth goes through diffrent cycles and such and if there is such a thing as global warming why in alberta up here did we get snow on April 23!
Its suppose 2 be 5-10 degrees right now!
And 3rd and finaly for all you people that think Al Gore is doing this for the greater good he's not, Do you realise how much $Cash$ hes brought in by doing this.
Please think about it,
Thank you for reading My Comment.
P.S for all of you that have heard about wheat shortages and such think how much of that food is going into these "bio-fuels"
I guess some will disagree but those people don't have a brain so, what can you do?
Besides they just found out that Sask.
Has oil underneath it mabye even more than Alberta.
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Kid, 12 years old
November 16, 2010
AGE
How preachy can a show get? Let our powers combine and ask Captain Planet!
I love the earth. I hate preachy shows. Why did they just have to mix the two? I have seen a couple of these shows, and Captain Planet is so very annoying! My heart goes out to Ma-Ti though. I mean really, he got stuck with heart. HEART! Secondly, if this Mother Earth character is so great, why doesn't she save the earth? And last, why does the team solve every problem with violence, yelling, or lectures? I wouldn't let any kid who wants to go another day without guilt to our planet watch this.
What other families should know:
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Teen, 17 years old
April 17, 2010
AGE
Terrible, campy, and giggle inducing
I watched this when I was younger, and it was fun and educational. Now, it's campy and hilarious. Not once have I heard the words 'Global Warming', but 'Climate Change' is used often. I count the amount of puns Captain Planet says for giggles. It's good for kids who like bad cartoons. It's a terrible show that shoves causes down kids throats, but is fun to watch for giggles.
What other families should know:
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Kid, 9 years old
October 12, 2010
AGE
What other families should know:
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Adult
April 15, 2012
AGE
Violent at times but still good.
This show is violent but not bad.It is REALLY funny and entertaing.
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Educator and Parent
December 31, 2012
AGE
Hey, You Kids! Off My Planet!
This show was popular when I was a little kid, but it was not allowed in our house, because it is an example of environmental extremism. Capitalism, business, and the like are painted as inherently evil, with anyone who even questions how best to take care of the planet labeled as a "polluter." Wheeler, the show's only American, is also the only one portrayed as spoiled and stupid, with the other characters pointing this out at his expense. Linka, the Russian character, even calls him an "imperialist dog." Other stereotypes abound, such as the black Kwame being painted as the one most concerned about gang violence. As other reviewers have noted, this show also perpetuates guilt about not living completely "green," myths about global warming, etc. If today's kids are anything like me when I was a kid, they will come away thinking their parents are bad for driving cars. Pantheistic religious overtones, such as "Gaia, the spirit of the earth," may disturb some parents. As a final note: it is inherently deceptive to teach children the earth can be "saved." The earth goes through cycles; things live and they die. The Planeteers are actually being quite anti-nature in their attitude.
What other families should know:
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Teen, 17 years old
September 18, 2012
AGE
This show is boring (CSM,asked me to re-write the title because the language isn't their style.I was too harsh.)
This was the WORST cartoon of the 90s! No matter how hard I tried as a kid,this show always bored me to death!
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| Topics: | superheroes, adventures |
| TV rating: | TV-G |
| Network: | Boomerang |
| Cast: | David Coburn, LeVar Burton, Whoopi Goldberg |
| Genre: | Kids' Animation |
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