Thundercats: Season Two, Vol 1 (Rental Ready)

I bought this due to the nostalgia factor surrounding it. I only have vague memories of the first few episodes a long, long time ago. I do, however, remember that I loved it. So, I was very surprised to find "Season 1, Volume 1" on DVD in HMV earlier this year. Having bought it I really enjoyed it, despite the occasional bum episode ("The Terror of Hammerhand" anyone?). 7 Months down the line and we finally get the continuation of the first season and boy, has it been worth the wait!

There are only one or two below average episodes this time around ("Mumm-Rana" is just insulting!) and even they are at least a little enjoyable. The storylines are as fantastic as ever and the characters are all full of life (even dear old Snarf, who everyone really wants pushed off a cliff). The villains are all horribly well thought out and there is still something rather unsettling about Mumm-Ra's cackle. It's also frequently (and unintentionally) hilarious, such as when a distraught Panthro screams: "And get your foot off that blasted Samoflange!" at an equally mortified Snarf.

As for DVD extras, last time around, we got a fairly rubbish fan documentary about the Thundercats. This time we are blessed with an interesting in-depth "making of" account of turning Thundercats into a pop culture phenomenon which includes interviews with the creators and cast members as well as some of the (now infamous) outtakes from the show.

Probably the biggest attraction of all though is the five part story of the trials of Liono, as the young Lord of the Thundercats has to prove hiself worthy of the title by completing five tasks, the first four involving him fighting each of the Thundercats in turn, and the final task seeing him engaged in an epic one-on-one duel with Mumm-Ra to the death!

All in all, this is a fantastic package that is definitely worth the money. Buy it for your kids (assuming you have any... and if so, watch it with them), or buy it for yourself if your feeling nostalgic. Just don't watch it all at once, as the next set (Season 2, Part 1) doesn't come out until the 14th April 08. Until then, THUNDERCATS HO!!!

UPDATE: The final two sets are now out and it just gets better and better!

These DVDs are a great nostalgia trip generally.

The inclusion of the five-part storyline, Thundercats Ho!, is much appreciated (though as it was also released as a film, the choice to watch as one integrated story would probably have worked better on the DVDs than watching the intro/outro sequences and flashbacks to last episode). The defeat of Mumm-Ra, the main antagonist, in the previous series leading to Lion-O's accession to being "Lord of the Thundercats" however seemed to mark the start of decline.

Mumm-Ra's ingenious return in this series is a great plot twist, but with successive defeats and reincarnations, Mumm-Ra starts to look particularly weak and the accompaniment of "Ma-mutt", the counterpart to Lion-O's Snarf, unfortunately leans towards a parallel of Dick Dastardly and Muttley.

To bolster this, there is the inclusion of a new faction, the so-called "Lunataks of Plun-Daar", who even make the former Mutants cower from shadowy rumour of their name. However once they appear, their mystique crumbles in the face of a rather punk-based group of misfits. The most interesting of these enemies is not their leader, diminuitive "Luna" on her henchmen/steed, but actually their psychic/hypnotic trooper "Alluro". His voice seems to be a contemporary of Eddie Izzard, but his talents simply extend to instilling despair and hopelessness, leading to his mantra "Let's face it, You don't stand a chance!!". Its unintentionally funny, especially as a climax before the unsuspecting Thundercat is rescued by the cavalry.

Similarly "Chilla" who is a glamourous Ice Witch (who can strangely also restore heat) is an underused character compared to the others in this group. The flying fortress however is a good concept. The Mutants however are predominantly sidelined to being manipulated by either the Lunataks or Mumm-Ra into being involved with their schemes.

Beyond that however, the actual Thundercats themselves progress with the expansion of their territories and new players of Pummyra, Ben-Gali and Lynx-O and much use is made of the blind Lynx-O and his Braille-board to overcome the blindness he suffered in the original Exodus episode. Although his prescence is laboured, Lynx-O as a character often manages to demonstrate that his blindness impairs him only physically, as his other senses greatly compensate and also manages to exploit the prejudice of various captors who believe he is weak from being unable to see.

In spite of my criticisms, it is an enjoyable series and generally my adult scrutiny will be the factors most children will ignore, as it is the continuing conquest of the heroes against seemingly impossible odds that is the draw. Parents will also generally appreciate the cartoon violence is present but minimal and involves Star Wars style sword and space battles and karate action as well the moral-driven plotlines, being generally a variant on wariness towards overly charming strangers.

Overall a good addition to cartoon collections, both new and old.

I have to say my kids love Thundercats, I bought it as I remembered how much I enjoyed them - both my boys and girl love this. They love to play thundercats in th egarden and with their friends.

This is sooooo much better than todays cartoons that is for sure - nobody die's, the good guys always win and the bad guys lose.

Compaired to cartoons like adventure time and gumball, Thundercats is really enjoyable.

I asked the kids what they like about it and they say its exciting and they can pretend to be Lion O or Tigra.

Great box set well worth it.