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Krod Mandoon and the Flaming Sword of Fire (Comedy Central)

common sense media says

Silly swords 'n' sorcery spoof aims low and hits the target.

parents & educators say
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What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this fantasy spoof has plenty of action, but the slapstick swordfights are played for laughs instead of thrills. Most of the characters are stock stereotypes or one-note cliches -- the sadistic overlord, the dumb giant, etc. -- including a few that might raise eyebrows, including an effeminate gay man and a woman whose defining trait seems to be her easy sexual availability. There's not too much swearing or nudity, but expect lots of lowbrow humor and sexual references and some drinking.

Positive messages: Krod and his daring band of freedom fighters stand up against an oppressive and sadistic tyrant. They're outnumbered and on the run, and the series portrays them as underdogs, fighting on the side of right. That said, there's lots of sophomoric behavior and humor, as well as stereotyping.
Positive role models: Many of the characters are defined by broad stereotypes. For example, Bruce is portrayed as a very effeminate gay character, and Aneka's defining trait seems to be that she's easy.
Violence: Plenty of swordfights and other mayhem, but it's all played more for slapstick laughs than for thrills. Some references to torture.
Sex: Plenty of sexual references. Aneka has a very open attitude toward sex; she pursues dalliances often and with a wide variety of partners and sometimes uses sex as a tool to gain information from her enemies. This is distressing to Krod, especially when the group discusses her habits.
Language: "Hell" is about as strong as it gets. Some references to "whores," and Aneka is sometimes referred to as a "slut."
Consumerism: Not applicable.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Some social drinking.
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More on Krod Mandoon and the Flaming Sword of Fire

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
  • Families can talk about spoofs and satire. How is a spoof different than a satire? Do you need to be familiar with the things a spoof is making fun of in order to enjoy the humor?
  • How does the show compare to big-screen send-ups of other genres, such as the Scary Movie franchise? What makes a spoof work?
  • How do the characters in this series compare to those in other movies and shows that feature wizards, magic, and swordfights?

What's the story?

What's the story?
Krod Mandoon (Sean Maguire) is the brave and daring -- though not especially bright -- leader of a band of plucky freedom fighters who've vowed to overthrow the sadistic Chancellor Dongalor (Matt Lucas). He's aided in this mission by his girlfriend Aneka (India de Beaufort), a strong fighter with an equally strong libido; the not-so-powerful wizard Zezelryck; and the not-so-bright giant Loquasto -- and, of course, Krod's own intermittently flaming sword (which he often misplaces).

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 

Don't expect much depth from KROD MANDOON AND THE FLAMING SWORD OF FIRE. The swords 'n' sorcery spoof is simplistic and silly, the characters are broadly drawn stereotypes, and the action scenes aren't particularly impressive. But Maguire's earnest portrayal of Mandoon is entertaining, and the premise is fun. The show sets the bar low and manages to clear it.

That said, there are a few questionable points. The newest member of the rebel force is Bruce, whose chief character trait seems to be that he's gay. And not just a guy who likes guys -- his character is extremely stereotyped in a way that seems very dated and borders on offensive. And Aneka, besides her impressive skills with a knife, is notable mainly for her sexual appetite. She describes herself as having an open attitude toward sex -- which in this case means she'll sleep with just about anyone. She's fine with her choices, but it's clearly a sore point for Krod, and the rest of the group often derides her lifestyle. The show isn't complicated, and it's certainly not politically correct, but it's reasonably amusing.

TV themes & details

TV Details
TV Rating: TV-14
Network: Comedy Central
Cast: India de Beaufort, Matt Lucas, Sean Maguire
Genre: Comedy
Where to watch: Comedy Central
This review was written by Will Wade
 
 

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Krod Mandoon and the Flaming Sword of Fire
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