 | 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. |
Spider-Man
- Toon Disney
- Genre: Kids' Animation
Common Sense Media says
Complex, sophisticated action for older kids.
Parents say
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this mid-'90s animated Spidey series looks more like the movies than the earlier cartoons. It's dark: Villains aren't neatly trounced at the end of each episode -- in fact, nearly every episode continues into other episodes (which can be a problem, since they're not always aired in order). The action, while "comic book" in nature, is quick and explosive (sometimes literally). Characters often find themselves in moral quandaries, and their back stories -- which often involve the deaths of beloved figures like uncles and fathers -- are both described and shown. On the other hand, the difficulties of being a superhero (loneliness, fear) are also made clear, as are the characters' dilemmas ("I could save myself, but I might endanger others").
What's the story?
SPIDER-MAN -- which originally aired on Fox from 1994-1998 -- follows Peter Parker/Spidey (voiced by Christopher Daniel Barnes) from college through his early career and encounters with villains like the Green Goblin and Chameleon. Because each episode is part of a multi-part storyline, the action can be a little hard to follow (the episodes aren't always aired in order during reruns), and there's no expository catch-up -- familiarity with the Spider-Man back story and characters is assumed.
Is it any good?
Spider-Man looks and feels more like a movie than a classic action cartoon. The plots are complicated, the scenes are cut in movie style, characters narrate their histories over flashbacks, and action interrupts conversations and prevents people from revealing or discovering things. It's interesting and complex -- a good introduction to the live-action movies that are more suitable for older tweens and teens.
It's also worth noting that this Spider-Man, like the one in the comic books and movies, isn't always clearly the good guy; he struggles with his identity. And other superhero characters in the series can be even more ambiguous. All of that complexity makes Spider-Man a fun world to enter into -- nearly everyone seems to have an alter-ego and a personal mission that drives them. In that way, it also serves both as a reminder that everyone has his or her own story and as an invitation to create your own.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about whether this show more accurately reflects the original comic book Spider-Man than earlier series did. If so, what makes that the case? In what ways is it different from other versions of Spidey's story? Also, what messages do Spider-Man and his dilemmas send to kids? And how is Spider-Man different from other superheroes?
- Show:
- All members
- Parents
- Teens & kids
AGE
Really good
I may be a girl but I like Stan Lee's superhero shows. It's just cuz they're so good! Spider-Man has action for boys (and done girls, I like action) but the complex storylines keep me interested I think boys will like it, not to be sexist to girls, though, they may like it too my mom does
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AGE
Best Spider-Man cartoon.
This is the best Spider-Man cartoon! Nice animation, okay theme-song, and the voice actors are mostly perfect. Recomended.
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AGE
Spidey stars in an exciting series with interesting characters and plots
Action packed Spidey toon involves many other Marvel characters.
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| Topics: | superheroes, adventures |
| TV rating: | TV-Y7 |
| Network: | Toon Disney |
| Cast: | Christopher Daniel Barnes, Ed Asner, Roscoe Lee Browne |
| Genre: | Kids' Animation |
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