Common Sense Media Review
By Matt Springer
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Faithful adaptation has some old-fashioned values.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 9+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
What's the Story?
Based on the worldwide comic book phenomenon created by artist Herge, THE ADVENTURES OF TINTIN adapts most of the intrepid Belgian reporter's escapades in an animated format. With his dog Snowy constantly at his side, Tintin constantly finds himself wrapped up in criminal intrigue, often with the aid of his friends Captain Hadock, Professor Calculus, and the laughable detectives Thomson and Thompson. Somehow good usually seems to triumph and the bad guys typically end up meeting the fate they deserve.
\
Is It Any Good?
The global phenomenon that is Tintin finds a mostly faithful adaptation in the lovingly animated series The Adventures of Tintin, which originally aired in the US on HBO during the late '80s. For European audiences, Tintin is perhaps as popular as Mickey Mouse in the states, a beloved icon whose history has stretched over decades and whose books have sold hundreds of millions of copies.
American audiences may find a bit of culture shock in trying to understand the appeal of the brave reporter and his faithful canine sidekick, Snowy. Tintin himself is almost a blank slate, moving through his adventures with bravery but more often than not enlivened by the presence of eccentric villains and a creative cast of supporting characters. For kids, this may not prove an issue, as the momentum of the action will be enough to engage their imaginations. Teens and adults, however, will have to adapt expectations to fit the show's more esoteric storytelling and characterizations. It's a worthwhile series, but definitely a faithful adaptation of a bygone era in children's books.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about Captain Haddock's occasional use of alcohol. Was it noticeable as part of the stories? How would a series created today handle his alcohol use?
Did you find Tintin's adventures to be exciting? How does the TV series compare to the books?
TV Details
- Premiere date : November 4, 1991
- Cast : Colin O'Meara , David Fox , Wayne Robson
- Networks : HBO , Nickelodeon
- Genre : Kids' Animation
- TV rating :
- Last updated : September 30, 2020
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by
Suggest an Update
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.
See how we rate