A forgotten tradition in children’s television seems to be the animated series based on a live-action movie. Sure, we still get superhero adventures and their ilk, but let’s put it this way: If the Harry Potter movies were released 30 years ago it would have been considered bizarre if it didn’t have an accompanying cartoon series, perhaps with a new cute side character no one liked. Maybe the Sorting Hat could have grown arms and legs, be renamed Sorto and speak in a high-pitched voice that only our main characters could understand.
That’s the kind of thing we would have to deal with in the ’80s and ’90s. So it’s time to take a look back at this lost art form and pick five of the best-animated adaptations ever made, and five that shouldn’t have bothered!
Good: Godzilla: The Series (1998)
Godzilla the series was a sequel to the 1998 Godzilla film, focusing on the last surviving member of the OG G’s offspring, and was accepted by Godzilla fans with more warmth than that awful flick was. As the movie was kept secretly under wraps during the production of the show the makers had to take their inspirations from previous TOHO films, which worked in its favor. Zilla’ was a force of good, stood more upright and had his gnarly superpowers such as the atomic breath.
The show even had an homage to “Destroy All Monsters” in its three-parter episode Monster Wars. Sadly, it fell victim to another war, that being the one between Pokemon and Digimon, and it was canceled in 2001 after being lost in the shuffle.
Bad: Godzilla (1978)
Created as a joint project between TOHO and Hannah Barbera productions, this was the first time many people in the West were introduced to Godzilla thanks to Cartoon Network’s wider availability, which is a shame because it is awful. Unable to get the rights to other monster names, the show introduced us to Godzilla’s bumbling idiot nephew Godzooky (based on the movie series equally awful character Minilla.) Who would basically spend most of the show blowing smoke rings and falling over. This series introduced new Godzilla powers that nobody wanted, such as fire breath and laser eyes, plus the unofficial ability to change size depending on the scene and the setting!
Good: Clerks (2000)
This one maybe cheating as it was an “adult series” but Clerks was relatively tame in comparison to today’s shows. Produced by Touchstone Television, it was Disney’s second animated show for grown-ups after The PJ’s but was canceled after only two episodes aired. This is a shame, as Kevin Smith’s wordy dialogue and iconic character roster consisting of Dante, Randall, Jay, and Silent Bob actually lent themselves well to the stylized animated universe.
Bad: Rambo: The Force Of Freedom (1986)
The R-rated film franchise follows John Rambo, a Vietnam war veteran who, despite wanting a life of peace and solace, is forced to leave a wake of bloody violence and dismembered bodies wherever he may roam…perfect for a kids Saturday morning cartoon!
Clearly a cash in on the GI Joe craze that was happening at the time, Rambo and his Force Of Freedom buddies would travel around the world battling the evil forces of S.A.V.A.G.E.
Unfortunately, none of his crew would aid John during his bloody battle against a Mexican drug and prostitution ring during the events of Rambo V for some reason.
Good: Beetlejuice (1990)
Produced by Tim Burton himself, the Beetlejuice animated series was better than it had any right to be, only loosely based on the film. The basic concept was that “strange” 12-year old Lydia and her “ghost with the most” best friend Beetlejuice would take a break from the mundane reality and go on adventures through the netherworld.
A perfect show for kids who felt outcast, teaching them that it’s okay to be different. The show would go on to run for four seasons.
Bad: Police Academy
Say what you will about Police Academy, the movie about bumbling law enforcement cadets was popular enough to spawn off 7 increasingly awful sequels, a live-action TV show, and this animated series.
One of the few things the Police Academy films have going for it is the amazing theme tune. Alas, the animated show decided not to use it for the intro and instead opt for what any self-respecting 80’s franchise should have: a rap by The Fat Boys.
Set between the fourth and fifth movies, some episodes featured a crime boss called Kingpin, who may have been inspired by the comic villain as Marvel produced the comic book series based on the show. Or they did until it was unceremoniously canceled after six issues.
Good: Bill And Ted’s Excellent Adventures (1990)
What did Bill and Ted have that most cartoon spin-offs didn’t? The original cast! At least for the first series anyway! That’s right, Keanu Reeves, Alex Winter, Bernie Casey, and George Carlin each lent their vocal talents to the show. Like Doctor Who has proved for almost 60 years, time travel shows work thanks to the almost endless plot possibilities. Sadly after a network change in season two, the cast was replaced and the show veered away from the original time travel premise. This caused a loss in viewership and the show was axed.
Bad: Robocop (1988,1998)
Like Rambo, Robocop started off as a franchise aimed towards an older audience. Unlike Rambo, as long as he wears his costume and fights crime, there is no reason why Robocop can’t go on more family fun adventures. It’s not like he’s programmed to swear like Joe Pesci being stung by a bee or anything. Despite this, a lower age rating didn’t stop the third movie from sucking. Or the remake. Or the live-action TV show, or this animated series.
Yes, the animated 1988 series was bad, but if at first, you don’t succeed, try again ten years later and make it even worse. That’s what they did with 1998’s Robocop: Alpha Comando. If the horrible character design won’t put you off, maybe Murphy’s legendary line of dialogue from the first time we see him after being inactive for five years will. “Hello, Dr. Newmire. Who’s The Babe?"
Good: The Real Ghostbusters (1986)
The continuing adventures of Venkman, Zeddemore, Spengler, and Stanz, sure had to sidestep a lot of legal boundaries to get on the air. First, the had to add “Real” in order to differentiate themselves from the Film Nation “Ghost Busters” properties. Next were the character’s themselves, completely redesigned so none of the original actors could sue for image infringement.
Despite these barriers, the show was a success, with animation lending itself incredibly well to the universe. It ran for seven seasons and even had a sequel/spin-off series with Extreme Ghostbusters.
Bad: Little Shop (1991)
Little Shop Of Horrors is a 1986 comedy musical about a killer plant. Take away the musical aspect and you have the 1960 original movie that the musical was based on. Take away the killer plant and not only do you have no point, but you also have the 1991 animated show Little Shop (not of horrors because there isn’t any, Not intentional anyway).
Seymour and Audrey are reimagined as children and the dentist is replaced by a bully in braces named Paine Driller. Audrey II, everyone’s favorite murderous venus fly trap, is replaced by Audrey Jr., a not so murderous venus fly trap with googly eyes. Junior grants Seymour wishes like a genie, and the show was canceled after 13 episodes because, well, it was as bad as it sounds.
