Voltron Force

Review

Common Sense Media says

Cartoon violence, toy marketing leave little to recommend.
greenON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age.
yellowPAUSE: Know your child; some content
may not be right for some kids.
redOFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age.
not for kidsNOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age.

Find out more

Quality
 
Sometimes media can be age appropriate but a real waste of time. Our star rating assesses the media's overall quality.

Find out more

Parents say

Not yet rated

Kids say

Not yet rated

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this animated adventure series depicts lots of sci-fi violence, with giant robots facing off in the streets of futuristic cities. There are a few jokes that might be considered mild toilet humor, but nothing approaching inappropriate for younger viewers. Expect major toy tie-ins to show up in stores everywhere. Despite some general messages about the benefits of working together, there aren't many explicitly positive messages or much else to recommend this series as a worthwhile show for kids.

  • Educational value0
    Pure entertainment; not educational.
  • Positive messages2
    Only when the characters join together are they strong enough to defeat their enemies -- reinforcing the benefits of working together for a common good. Loyalty and bravery in the face of overwhelming odds and freedom from the control of evil powers are all strongly advocated by characters and situations.
  • Positive role models2
    The show depicts a government that has used deception to discredit the key heroes. As such, the heroes must engage in deception themselves to restore their name and fight for positive ideals. There's a mixed message in that sense, although even young children should be able to distinguish between the actions of the heroes and those of the villains. 
  • Violence & scariness3
    The violence depicted (and there's lots of it) is purely fantasy and sci-fi in nature. Characters use laser swords and pilot giant robots that engage in hand-to-hand combat. No clear deaths or obvious injuries are seen.
  • Sexy stuff0
    Not applicable.
  • Language0
    Not applicable.
  • Consumerism3
    The show's brand has been used to sell toys for decades; the launch of this series is accompanied by the release of an additional line of action figures and vehicles.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking0
    Not applicable.
CloseExpand to see more details

What's the story?

VOLTRON FORCE is an animated series based on Voltron: Defender of the Universe, which aired in syndication during the mid-'80s. In this iteration, the original pilots of the Voltron lions -- who have become outcasts from society -- recruit a group of young, rebellious military cadets to help them stop the oppressive regime of a new government. Daniel (voiced by Vincent Tong), Vince (Doron Bell), and Larmina (Shannon Chan-Kent) are the newest additions to the Voltron Force, and they bring some young energy to the now-mature originals (Lance, Allura, Pidge, and Hunk). There are also otherworldly threats to deal with ... and perhaps the return of old villains as well. 

Is it any good?

 

There's a massive market these days in kids' television that plays on parents' nostalgic feelings. Heck, the Hub network is constructed almost solely around nostalgia and kids, from Jem and the Holograms reruns to new series based on Pound Puppies, Transformers, and Strawberry Shortcake.

Voltron Force only seems to exist to sell Voltron toys to wistful parents who remember their own weekday afternoons spent longing for five robot lions that miraculously combined to create one spectacular robot. There are occasionally clever moments in the storytelling and dialogue of Voltron Force, but most of it might as well have been drawn from the template of countless other half-hour "advertainment" series for large toy lines from major manufacturers like Mattel and Hasbro. The computer graphics effectively showcase the classic designs of Voltron and his component parts, but beyond the visceral thrills of watching giant robots beat each other up, there's little to recommend here.

Sign Up Message
Sign up for our weekly newsletter
Each week we send a customized newsletter to our parent and teen subscribers. Parents can customize their settings to receive recommendations and parent tips based on their kids’ ages. Teens receive a version just for them with the latest reviews and top picks for movies, video games, apps, music, books, and more.
Please enter an email address.
Please check your email address for possible typos.
Sorry, you must be 13 or older to subscribe to our weekly newsletter.
Sign me up!

What families can talk about

This review was written by Matt Springer

There aren't any reviews yet. Be the first to review this title below.
This review was written by Matt Springer
 

Review It

Share your review with others

Hang on! You need to be a member to post your review.
A safe community is important to us. Please observe our guidelines.
About our rating system
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.
Learning ratings
BEST: Really engaging, great learning approach.
GOOD: Pretty engaging, good learning approach.
FAIR: Somewhat engaging, OK learning approach.
NOT FOR LEARNING: Not recommended for learning.
Our child development rating guidelines

Great alternatives handpicked by our editors

Great kids' adventure series
For kids who love cartoons and classics
Browse more TV
 

vote now

Will you see Voltron Force?

Won't miss it
We'll try
Change it

Already seen it? What do you think?

I recommend it
It's a pass
 
More from Common Sense Media
Age-appropriate reviews
Top advice and articles

Been There? Tell us about it