 | 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. |
Metalocalpyse
- Cartoon Network
- Genre: Comedy
Common Sense Media says
Rock toon for adults: Big on blood but lacks bite.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that the violence depicted in this late-night cartoon (it's part of the Cartoon Network's Adult Swim line-up) is explicit. Characters are shown bleeding from their eyes, having their skin burned off by scalding-hot coffee, and getting mangled in the blades of a helicopter, among other catastrophes. The show also manages to reinforce just about every negative stereotype imaginable about long-haired, leather-clad heavy metal bands. These guys play and party hard, spend their spare time with busty women, and drink alcohol like it's water, prompting one of them to declare, "I'd rather chop off my ding-dong than not drink." Indeed.
What's the story?
As the world's most popular (fictional) heavy metal band, Dethklok has cornered the market on the hard-living, hardcore lifestyle and has cultivated a powerful worldwide influence from their perch in Scandinavia. So much so that they've unknowingly attracted the attention of a subversive group of world leaders, who have plans to use the band's clout to their advantage. Throughout most of METALOCALYPSE, the guys of Dethklok have no idea that this deadly subtext is brewing. They're just focused on playing rock music and avoiding the long arm of the law every time one of their publicity stunts goes awry. The guys in the group are lead singer Nathan Explosion (a "lyrical visionary"), lead guitarist Skwisgaar Skwigelf (the "fastest guitar player alive"), guitarist Toki Wartooth (the "second-fastest guitar player alive"), bassist William Murderface (a hate-filled time bomb), and drummer Pickles (a corn-fed Midwesterner and former front man of his own band).
Is it any good?
These guys make Metallica look like Sesame Street. In short, they're kind of scary. Despite the promising kitsch of '80s hair band nostalgia and the hilarity of Murderface's squared-off afro, Metalocalypse suffers from a lack of smart humor and a plot that never really takes off. The show tries to make up for it by trucking in excess blood and guts, but that only makes things worse. Even adults who grew up on death metal -- and therefore might get more of the "jokes" -- probably won't find it especially funny. And kids? They shouldn't be watching in the first place.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about the fact that heavy metal music isn't always this X-rated. After all, plenty of bands rock hard without resorting to gory shock-tactics and blood worship. That said, the show does offer a way for parents to talk to their kids about the grim realities of alcohol and drug abuse -- and the objectification of women -- that runs rampant in the music industry. Why does having an outrageous lifestyle usually make bands seem cooler to their fans? And can heavy metal still be "heavy" without all the vices?
- Show:
- All members
- Parents
- Teens & kids
AGE
hahaha;
I love this show. Common Sense Media is like stupid. They make everything sound bad. I mean the make everything like 5 years older than it should be. This is almost okay for anyone. It's awesome.
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Kid, 10 years old
August 17, 2011
AGE
DON'T YOU DARE SHOW KIDS THIS SHOW, (TV-MA-V NOT TV-14)
great show but really it's TV-MA V for it's explict violence and teenage language ("pr-ck" "fat ass" "s--t" "f--k" "motherf--ker" douchefag or d--do some band members drink and make remarks like: "i'd rather chop wy ding-dong off than not drink" definitly a show for metal inspired 15 year olds with supervision
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AGE
Not for everyone.
Avoid this show if you have issues with death, blood, heavy metal or idiots becomeing insanely wealthy. I find it very funny.
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AGE
Doodilidoo!
Metalocalpse is an acquired taste but worth the effort. I reccommend adults watching it with the subtitles on--some of the dialogue is difficult to follow because of Nordic accents and speech impediments and the lyrics to the songs are an oft-missed punchline.
I am not a fan of metal (I was a punk rock girl) but I have a new appreciation for the music from this show. Good times!
Oh, and the violence is off the charts. I actually don't let my kids watch this one even though I am a very liberal mommy. I prefer for all my kids to stay in their own beds and I fear I'd have a puppy-pile of kiddies under my covers if they caught one of these episodes. However, there is no judgement coming from me--for you metal families, share the love with your kids all you want!
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AGE
Teens and Adults only- standing on each other's shoulders and wearing an overcoat won't help.
Extremely Adult, but if your kid is into extreme violence, sexuality, and death metal, they'll love it. If they're screwed up like me, that is. And if they are, it's a non-stop laughfest for teenagers into dark humor. Such as in one episode, when they have to visit the grocery store for the first time, the lead singer puts his face against the glass at the deli display case, and continues to push until the glass shatters and cuts him, at which point he simply picks up the sausage he wanted to buy and walks off.
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AGE
Metalocalpyse
It's a pretty funny show, you just have to understand the humor. The band itself kinda sucks. The guitar is insanely awesome, but the singing needs a lot more work. Other than that, great show.
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AGE
Blacker, than the blackest black times INFINITY (AGAIN IT IS TV-MA) NOT TV-14
rock on for 15+, AWESOME show, KICK ASS. Di-do is used so often people will stop using them
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AGE
Appropriate for 15+, at the least.
So I don't know if this has been pointed out, but no product placement? Really? Have you ever heard of Gibson, a huge manufacturer of guitars based out of Nashville? Nearly every famous guitarist that has ever produced music has used Gibson. It's a household name, and not only is the brand all over the show, but the logo is HUGE and shown at the end of every episode. It's a bit ignorant to miss such a huge corporation being marketed.
As far as the show being appropriate, let's think about this. It's on a program called ADULT SWIM at 12:30 at night. I don't think many children will be watching it. And I believe it is acceptable for people, at the very least, 15 years old and up to watch. As far as all the violence, swearing, drinking, and such, this is a show that is parodying heavy metal bands in a way that is designed not to make fun of them, but to be funny and joke around about the music industry. It's not to be taken literally, but for what it is: A funny show for metal fans.
Also, just a side note. They didn't put the chef back together to write a song about him. They did so because they were hungry. And wanted a sandwich. It's obvious you did not watch more than the first episode.
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| TV rating: | TV-14 |
| Network: | Cartoon Network |
| Genre: | Comedy |
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