The ’80s are back in a big way, and along with that comes a wave of nostalgia from all corners of the nerd world. From TV shows and movies to books and music. It is impossible to avoid things from the decade of big hair and bigger shoulder pads.
During that time, audiences were given some of the greatest movie franchises including the likes of Star Wars, Terminator, Back To The Future and Ghostbusters. However, what is often overlooked is the stellar line-up of Saturday morning entertainment that decade embodied.
Let’s turn our attention to some of the hidden gems from ’80s television that deserve second chances in the Age of the Reboot, and some that should be buried in the ’80s’ distant neon glow.
Shouldn’t - The Super Mario Bros. Super Show
If there is one thing we have learned from countless cinematic attempts it is that adaptations of beloved video games can fall short of the source material. The Super Mario Bros. Super Show is no exception to this rule.
The main issue is that Super Mario is a fairly linear game, so the foundation for this entire TV series is lacking. There are only so many ways you can watch an Italian plumber rehash an idea he stole from a movie to defeat his giant turtle adversary. It is safe to say that Super Mario and company are more suited to the world of gaming and should stick to what they know.
Should - Snorks
If there is one thing the world loves it’s Smurfs and what’s better than Smurfs?….Smurfs underwater.
Snorks re-brands everyone’s favorite blue, pocket-sized forest dwellers and slaps a snorkel on their heads. This also opened the door on countless sea-themed adventures and a modern reboot of the franchise may prove fruitful endeavor, given the moderate success of the Smurfs in their transition to the silver screen.
A new Snorks series could be an alternative outlet for studios and writers to discuss environmental problems and incorporate them into this underwater world, breathing life into the tiny sea dwellers and giving them a chance to rival their semi-plagiarised counterparts.
Shouldn’t - Star Wars : Ewoks
If there is one thing that the world learned from the original Star Wars it is that furry teddy bears have the power to topple an entire empire. They also almost did the same to an entire franchise.
Star Wars: Ewoks looked to capitalize on the success of the original trilogy by bringing back the furry murder bears for their own series of adventures. This time the Ewoks developed some horrendous whiny voices and a story which had no relevance to Star Wars in any way.
It is safe to say that Star Wars: Ewoks should forever remain frozen in carbonite alongside the Holiday Special, deep inside the depths of Jabba’s palace, never to see the twin suns of Tatooine again.
Should - Dungeons And Dragons
Dungeons and Dragons is having its own mini-renaissance of sorts with Internet shows like Critical Role and their mastermind Matthew Mercer riding the red dragon, so what better time to bring back a show that explores the game’s world and its endless possibilities?
Not only would this create more interest in the franchise as a whole, but it could provide an entry point for people who are intimidated by the prospect of playing the complex fantasy game. Fantasy is an effective escapist genre and Dungeons And Dragons is a creative platform unlike anything else with its countless monsters, planes of existence, and magical marvels, giving audiences a truly magnificent universe of entertainment.
Shouldn’t - Robocop
Nothing screams children’s entertainment quite like a gang eviscerating a law enforcement officer with machine guns, and an evil corporation taking what’s left to create a cyborg to extinguish the city’s violence with even more violence.
The ’80s was a truly incredible decade for action on the big screen. However, it blurred the lines between what was considered suitable entertainment for children by cashing in on the forever-profitable toy market. Robocop was no exception to this rule and this series served its only purpose in furthering the profit margins of studios.
Dead or alive? the former may be the better option for this one.
Should - Thundercats
Since its introduction in 1985, the Thundercats have seen several attempts to reintroduce the series to new audiences. However, none of these retained the masterful art style and intriguing story that the original series had.
By giving the Thundercats a reboot and following in the footsteps of the original, the world could finally get a series that not only recaptures the feel of the ’80s phenom but reignites the passions of the now dormant original audience. It has the potential to open the door to future Thundercats projects that could include the much sought after introduction to the silver screen.
Shouldn’t - Bananaman
In a world where superhero movies have solidified their position in Hollywood, with almost every A-list actor/actress hoping to land the lead in a re-imagining of a Marvel or DC classics, one hero remains in the shadows.
Bananaman was the BBC’s attempt at taking on the likes of Superman and Batman by drawing from the beloved British comic strip. In reality the parody style fell short and the stories were lacking. The show failed to appeal to a wider audience. A modern retelling would only find itself compared to the hugely successful Marvel Cinematic Universe and DC’s successes on the small screen, meaning this project would slip on its own peel and fall flat.
Should - He-Man And The Masters Of The Universe
What started off as a toy line soon became one of the most popular shows of the decade. He-Man And The Masters Of The Universe may have gained popularity through it’s TV show but by some miracle it still managed to retain its credibility despite the poorly received Hollywood reimagining.
So, what better time to revisit Eternia? By following in the footsteps of the original and holding on to the camp and somewhat cheesy dialogue and story, He-Man And The Masters Of The Universe could very well be the most metal reboot in this list. Netflix sure thinks so.
Shouldn’t - Rambo : The Force Of Freedom
If the film franchise taught us anything, it’s that Rambo was a product of its time. The original film starring Stallone as John Rambo was an 80’s juggernaut. However, The Force For Freedom was already outdated when it premiered. It wouldn’t translate well into today’s larger world.
The violent Rambo franchise was designed for the adult market, so the fact that a children’s cartoon show even made it past the pre-production stage is shocking. There were several issues presented in both the original source material and films that the animation was simply unable to tackle due to the new audience, and so Rambo: The Force For Freedom simply became a lesser version of G.I Joe.
Should - The Legend Of Zelda
The Legend of Zelda is arguably one of, if not the most, popular gaming franchises on the planet. With 18 successful titles spanning over forty years, the next logical step for the franchise was to tackle both animation and live-action.
In 1989 the world was given The Legend Of Zelda tv series, a short run of just 13 episodes which featured alongside The Super Mario Bros Super Show. To this day it is still constantly pointed to for its annoying catchphrases, worse animation, and pointless story threads. However, the continued support for and success of the franchise as a whole could mean that an animated Hyrule, if handled correctly, could become something quite special.
