Star vs. the Forces of Evil
Common Sense says
- Disney XD
- Kids' Animation
- 2015
Parents say
Kids say
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A lot or a little?
The parents' guide to what's in this TV show.
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that Star vs. the Forces of Evil features numerous scenes of physical conflict among intergalactic monsters and two teens protecting a powerful magic wand from falling into the creatures' hands. There's martial arts-style fighting (Marco is said to be a karate expert), some weapons, and magic powers such as eyes that shoot laser beams, plus an unpredictable shower of objects from Star's uncontrollable wand. Although you won't hear cursing, you will hear a lot of put-downs such as "moron," "loser," and "turd," as well as the occasional disparaging remark along the lines of "I hate your face, plus you're ugly." A recurring character encourages Star's bad behavior, but Star typically learns a lesson from doing so.
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User Reviews
- Parents say
- Kids say
Finally! A kid's show with GOOD protagonists!
Disney strikes back
Not bad... kinda quirky. (EDIT: IT'S COME SOO FAR!!)
What's the story?
As princess of Mewnie, Star Butterfly (voiced by Eden Sher) is presented with her family's royal magic wand on her 14th birthday, but putting it to use turns out to be a little more complicated than she anticipated. After a few near-miss disasters, her parents decide to send her to another dimension to sharpen her skills before she returns home to continue fighting a variety of monsters who want the wand for themselves. She arrives on Earth and moves in with the Diaz family, following son Marco's (Adam McArthur) lead to blend in with the masses in high school. Unfortunately her monster foes discover where she is and travel to Earth themselves, leading Star and Marco to hop from one dimension to the next to escape their grip.
Is it any good?
STAR VS. THE FORCES OF EVIL's title tells you all you need to know about this show's plot. It's pretty basic stuff: A heroic duo faces off with nefarious creatures of all shapes and sizes, traveling to one universe after another to escape their grip. Along the way, the earthling teaches his tagalong about being human, and a carefree princess introduces her human counterpart to the thrill of adventure. Their intergalactic travels and skirmishes with evil are fun to watch but lacking in substance.
For being such polar opposites, Star and Marco do manage to meet each other halfway and forge a friendship that teaches each one some lessons in responsibility, courage, and a healthy appreciation for fun. Beyond that, though, there's not much of note in this scattered show that has the feel of being pieced together from a 7-year-old's imagination, what with the flying disembodied unicorn heads and a magic wand that conjures everything from laser beams to a bevy of narwhals. The influence of Adventure Time is clear in the kooky characters, and it's nice to see female protagonist Star fighting evil. If unpredictability and fantasy are your kids' tastes, then Star's adventures will keep them entertained.
Talk to your kids about ...
Families can talk about Star's obligation to her family. Why must she learn to control the Royal Magic Wand? What are the potential consequences to her kingdom if she doesn’t? Kids: What responsibilities do you have in your family?
How do Star and Marco complement each other's personalities? Would they be better friends if they were more alike, or do their differences play a positive role in their friendship? Kids: Who among your friends is very different from you? Does that make your relationship more interesting or more challenging?
Kids: What role do grown-ups have in this show? Are they ever helpful to the kids? Which adults serve as role models for you, and why?
TV details
- Premiere date: January 18, 2015
- Cast: Nia Vardalos, Eden Sher, Adam McArthur
- Network: Disney XD
- Genre: Kids' Animation
- Topics: Magic and Fantasy, Princesses, Fairies, Mermaids, and More, Adventures, Monsters, Ghosts, and Vampires
- TV rating: TV-Y7
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Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.