ThunderCats

TV review by Emily Ashby, Common Sense Media
ThunderCats Poster Image

Common Sense says

age 9+

Appealing '80s remake is darker, more violent than original.

Cartoon Network Kids' Animation 2011
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Parents say

age 12+

Based on 5 reviews

Kids say

age 9+

Based on 10 reviews

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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 there's a lot of violence in this remake of the classic '80s cartoon of the same name, and it's a bit more intense than the original. Heroes and villains alike use weapons like swords, whips, and knives against each other in tense combat scenes, and some deaths result from the fighting, although there's no blood or gore to speak of. The ThunderCats' efforts to destroy their enemies is the main plotline, but an equally prominent one is Lion-O's personal struggle to cope with the responsibilities of his newfound leadership role and to balance his personal expectations with those thrust upon him. Because of its classic roots, this entertaining action-adventure cartoon has some cross-generational appeal, but its intense content and frightening villains make it a better choice for older tweens than for kids.

Community Reviews

Allie Pierson
Allie Pierson Adult
March 13, 2013
age 9+

Nothing like the original.

It's okay, but it's nothing like the original.

This title has:

Great role models
Too much violence
Haimericus
Haimericus Adult
November 26, 2011
age 10+

Action-adventure with a side of complex moral questions

For kids old enough to analyze these things, there is a lot to talk about in the backstory established in the pilot. Do the cats rule at the expense of other species? (The lizards, who become the recurring bad guys on the trail of our heroes, insist that they are fighting for their own liberation.) Also, the royal family are lions, so Lion-O inherits the crown instead of his adopted brother, who is a different species. There seem to be implications of a race/caste system underlying their society. The cats' religious order (of which Cheetara is a warrior/acolyte) supports and defends the king, and does not seem to question the existing order. Lion-O rebels against this when he saves two lizard prisoners from being lynched by the cat citizens of Thundera, and in his friendship with a dog who supplies him with ancient technological artifacts. But he never seems to question his right to the throne when the time comes, though it is implied that he would be a more enlightened king if he still had a kingdom. Younger kids will probably miss all of this, and just latch on to the cats as the obvious good guys; but it really raises interesting questions for older kids. Did the cats bring this on themselves? What kind of future is Lion-O fighting for?

This title has:

Educational value
See all 5 parent reviews

What's the Story?

When Thundera is invaded by the lizard people and his father is killed, Lion-O (voiced by Will Friedle) is thrust into the role of king of the ThunderCats and charged with protecting his home from the villainous imposters. Though uncertain of his abilities, Lion-O finds strength in his friends Cheetara (Emmanuelle Chriqui), Panthro (Kevin Michael Richardson), WilyKat, and WilyKit, and even his adopted older brother, Tygra (Matthew Mercer), who has his own aspirations toward the Thunderian throne. Armed with Lion-O's Sword of Omens, the ThunderCats embark on a quest for the legendary magic stones and the Book of Omens, whose power will allow them to defeat the evil sorcerer Mumm-Ra (Robin Atkin Downes) once and for all.

Is It Any Good?

THUNDERCATS is a reimagining of the '80s cartoon of the same name, and now-adult fans with fond memories of the original will revel in how the new animation revives their favorite characters. The story picks up approximately where the old series left off, taking a few small liberties with characterizations (Tygra is now Lion-O's adopted brother, and Snarf doesn't talk, for instance) to improve on the original, but sticking closely enough to its predecessor to maintain continuity. Good and evil, sibling rivalry, and personal responsibility are major themes in this high-adventure cartoon, which has the potential for cross-generational appeal.

Parents' main concern with ThunderCats will be its violent content, since the combat scenes can get intense, and death by explosions, weapons, and hand-to-hand fighting occur on a regular basis. There's no gore, but palpable danger lurks around every corner, and the villains are a pretty scary bunch. For tweens who can handle this level of intensity, though, there are some decent takeaways in Lion-O's commitment to his own value system and the heroes' willingness to set aside their differences, rely on each other's strengths, and work as a team for the common goal of survival.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about heroes. What defines a heroic act? Does heroism always require an element of danger? Who do you consider to be heroes?

  • Are good and evil always clearly defined in this show? What about in real life? How can you tell what someone intends?

  • How does the violence in this show compare to what you've seen in other cartoons? Does violence have less impact when it's in a cartoon rather than a live-action show? Do you think seeing it on TV desensitizes viewers to violence in real life?

TV Details

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