 | 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. |
Making Fiends
- Nicktoons
- Genre: Kids' Animation
Common Sense Media says
Edgy, wickedly funny 'toon based on Web series.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know although that the main character in this edgy cartoon is patently evil, speaks with an evil accent (apparently German is still a stand-in for evil), makes creatures called fiends with the intent to destroy another character, and keeps her parents in a cage, it's quite funny -- if you and your kids are up for this kind of humor. Expect some violence (though the primitive animation keeps it from being particularly scary) and iffy behavior -- as well as the potentially confusing (for kids) situation of rooting for the "bad" guy.
What's the story?
Vendetta (voiced by Aglaia Mortcheva) rules Clamburg in the way that the small boy from the old Twilight Zone episode ruled his town: fear, intimidation, and really weird powers. In Vendetta's case, she can mix up "fiends" in a pot using ingredients found around the house, a pack of Insta-Fiend, and an extrememly useful recipe book. The fiends are endowed with whatever powers she chooses -- touching them might make you bigger or smaller or cause a
shock -- and most are ready to chow on other Clamburg inhabitants. Vendetta particularly wants to "destroy" Charlotte (Amy Winfrey), an annoyingly sunny, oblivious girl who can charm even the worst fiends that Vendetta cooks up.
Is it any good?
The dialogue is simple, the animation is intentionally scribbly and dark, and the color palette is limited. The whole thing looks like a kid's flip book. And yet it's funny -- funny for the kind of parents who think Dexter's Laboratory is funny, and funny for any kid old enough to handle the weirdness of rooting for a patently bad girl who will never win and with nothing but a secret, lingering fear of monsters under the bed.
The humor is mainly just the goofiness of watching the fiends fail -- they're too slow to catch their prey, or they accidently eat one another -- and the wobbly artwork (the show is based on a Web series created by Winfrey). It's not gross or political or even gory, and although it's dark -- and looks dark -- it's a beginner's sort of dark. Because no matter how cynical Vendetta's outlook or how random the results of her machinations seem, she'll never ever actually win.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about why "bad guys" are sometimes more likable and sympathetic characters than "good guys." Is it wrong to hope that a "villain" will win? How often does that actually end up happening in most TV shows and movies? What about in real life? Families can also discuss the show's sheer absurdity. How do the show's art and animation make the fiends even funnier -- and the humor more universal? There aren't many shows that both a parent and a kid laugh at for the same reasons. What makes this one work?
- Show:
- All members
- Parents
- Teens & kids
AGE
Good Show, More For Teens
like this show, though it is dark and strangely funny , like Invader Zim. Vendetta often says, "stupid girl", and in the web series, a boy says, "That is the cat from hell!", so once again, more aimed at tweens and teens.
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AGE
It's okay.
It isn't too funny, but there are a few good laughs here and there. The messages aren't really prominent, but they should be obvious for its target audience. Overall, though this was entertaining, it isn't exactly my favourite.
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Kid, 12 years old
June 12, 2011
AGE
Good Show, More For Tweens and Teens
I like this show, though it is dark and strangely funny , like Invader Zim. Vendetta often says, "stupid girl", and in the web series, a boy says, "That is the cat from hell!", so once again, more aimed at tweens and teens
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AGE
You need to think.
I think you need to be at least ten to appreciate this show. You need to be able to understand the hidden messages behind it. Take a close look: Vendetta, the "pantaganist" as l like to call her, has total control of everyone around her. They bow to her whims like slaves. Everyone, that is, except Charlotte. Of course, Charlotte doesn't realize it, but her niceness gets under Vendetta's skin. She's unafraid and immune to Vendetta's malice.
It's kind of deep, actually. You have two extremes that show you : it all depends on how you look at things. To Vendetta, the world is dark and everyone and everything around her is stupid. But Charlotte's positive, happy, pretty spin on things counteracts the darkness. Charlotte's not stupid, she sees things in a brighter light.
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AGE
Love it!
This is also one of my favorites. They used great animation to make this Television Show. I started watching this after Common sense redesigned the website so I am comfused if this show sends good messages or not. It's very funny! I LOVE IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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AGE
AWESOME!!!!
Kay, I know what i said about Nick, But i watched a marathon of this show and I LOVED IT!!! Surely, YU AND NICK CANNOT BE THE SAME COMPANY!!!! I DON'T BELIEVE IT!!! I LUV YU GUYS!! YU ROCK!
~InvaderZib~ (THE ALIEN LOVE CHILD!!)
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AGE
unacceptable for any child to watch this show.
absolutely ridiculous, and for a parent to vouch for this type of behavior, they are ridiculous, as well. my children will not watch a show that promotes another child trying to destroy another because of her hate for kindness. no way. and my children are no longer allowed to watch nickelodeon since this behavior meets the 'standard' for there shows.... absurd behavior.
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AGE
Unique animation and colorful characters!
Making Fiends is one of those darker kids' shows, like Invader Zim. It follows the exploits of a little girl named Vendetta and the many fiends she creates to try to defeat her worst nemesis, Charlotte. After Charlotte joins her school, Vendetta and her giant hamster Grudge try to defeat her, but always seem to fail, due to the fact that Charlotte is a bit too happy and dumb. No matter how many perilous situations she's thrown into by one of Vendetta's plans, she always remains unhurt. A very unique premise. It looks like a show for little kids, but is actually for older kids. One thing brilliant about this show is the animation style. Although it may be cheap-looking, the colors and the character design makes this a great, but odd, win. It's just hard to explain. You'll just have to see it for yourself. Kids shouldn't imitate Vendetta's behavior and actions, though.
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Kid, 12 years old
July 17, 2011
AGE
GOOD FOR TEENS AND MID-PRETEENS
i like the internet series and i like the tv show but, the fiends are a little rough. vandetta tries to destroy charlette. so i would say 10+
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AGE
Fun for Mom and kids
This is the only cartoon I enjoy watching with my kids. So for that reason alone I have to highly recommend it. The humor and animation are unique - it all makes me giggle, which makes my boys giggle. Have fun!
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| Topics: | monsters, ghosts, and vampires |
| TV rating: | TV-Y7 |
| Network: | Nicktoons |
| Cast: | Aglaia Mortcheva, Amy Winfrey, Peter Merryman |
| Genre: | Kids' Animation |
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