Rainbow Brite
Common Sense says
- Online
- Kids' Animation
- 2014
Parents say
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The parents' guide to what's in this TV show.
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that Rainbow Brite revives a popular cartoon character from the '80s and offers kids an excellent role model in its vibrant, cheery star. As she builds friendships, kids see the value of traits such as compassion, encouragement, and forgiveness. She also puts others' needs before her own and battles the nefarious Dark Princess with an arsenal of light, color, and positive attitude. Expect to see some mild cartoon spills and bumps, as well as some scenes in which villains kidnap Rainbow's friends. That said, none of the bad guys is particularly frightening, and some are even comical, so young kids shouldn't have an issue there.
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What's the story?
In the magical world of Rainbowland lives a cheerful girl named RAINBOW BRITE (voiced by Emily Osment). She and her trusty talking steed, Starlight, work with the Color Kids to create color and light for Earth, but her nemesis, Dark Princess (voiced by Molly Ringwald), looks to cast a gray shadow over all of Rainbowland with her own magic. When a new friend named Brian arrives from Earth, he teams up with Rainbow Brite to thwart Dark Princess' attempts, and an old acquaintance named Stormy reconsiders her allegiance when the villain pits her against her estranged friend.
Is it any good?
The timing of this revival series is perfect, given that kids who enjoyed the character's first animated go-round in the '80s are all grown up and have tots of their own now. The new Rainbow Brite has all of Rainbow's original charm, plus the benefit of modern animation that accentuates the vibrant setting of Rainbowland. She also has a number of vintage touches: the magical color belt, of course, and even the occasional '80s exclamation such as "Rad!" as well as some more modern qualities (the Color Kids' high-tech control center that monitors Earth's light supply).
As for those grown-ups now viewing cartoons through more discerning parents' eyes, there's plenty to like about what Rainbow Brite has to teach kids about friendship, kindness, and standing up for what's right. Much care is taken in showing Rainbow inspire the best in Brian and Stormy by relating to them in compassionate ways, and these and other excellent messages are impossible for kids to miss. If you're looking for something new that you and your kids can watch together, then Rainbow Brite is worth your time. This reincarnation does a great job bringing a beloved character into a fresh, appealing light for a new generation of viewers.
Talk to your kids about ...
Families can talk about what makes Rainbow Brite a good role model. How does she show she's a good friend to Stormy and Brian? Does she set a good example for them to follow? Is she courageous?
Was any part of this show scary? What does the Dark Princess set out to do? Would her actions hurt people, or are they simply a nuisance? Why is it important to stick up for what's right?
How do the characters in Rainbow Brite demonstrate compassion? Why is this an important character strength?
TV details
- Premiere date: November 6, 2014
- Cast: Emily Osment, Molly Ringwald
- Network: Online
- Genre: Kids' Animation
- Topics: Magic and Fantasy, Friendship, Great Girl Role Models
- Character Strengths: Compassion
- TV rating: TV-G
- Available on: Streaming
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