The Troop
By Emily Ashby,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Monsters vs. teens fantasy is worry-free fun for tweens.
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Based on 3 parent reviews
Watch Kenan & Kel or All That instead.
What's the Story?
High school is little more than a necessary evil for social underdog Jake (Nick Purcell), but his luck changes when an stealthy aptitude test earns him a spot on a secret team that battles supernatural beings. Suddenly going to school takes on new meaning for Jake, since the building itself doubles as a cover for the Troop's lair -- and a holding pen for some of the uncivilized creatures that Jake's teammates Felix (David Del Rio) and Hayley (Gage Golightly) have captured. But battling basilisks is nothing compared to the challenge of keeping their secret and going about their not-so-normal teenage lives.
Is It Any Good?
If the show's plot description rings a few bells for you, it's not without good reason. THE TROOP shares plenty of similarities with the 1997 hit movie Men in Black, right down to vomiting-monster scenes that will thrill the tween set. The concept isn't exactly original, but the good news is that the likable cast and great special effects make up for any shortage of creativity.
Kids will enjoy the show's mix of fantasy and adventure and have fun at Jake's expense as they watch him balance his new life with the mundane nature of teen existence. And while it can't be said that the show touts particularly obvious messages of any kind, parents can breathe easy knowing that there's nothing in the way of content that will surprise their grade schoolers.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how the violence in this show compares to that in other TV shows and movies they've seen. Does it have less impact because it's based in fantasy?
Do you believe in extraterrestrial life or supernatural beings? What evidence exists to support believers' claims? How reliable do you think it is?
Do you think this show gives an accurate impression of teen life? How does your experience with friends compare to Jake's? Would you be able to keep a secret as big as his from your friends?
TV Details
- Premiere date: September 12, 2009
- Cast: David Del Rio , Gage Golightly , Nick Purcell
- Network: Nickelodeon
- Genre: Science Fiction
- Topics: Superheroes , Friendship
- TV rating: TV-G
- Last updated: December 23, 2022
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