The storylines aren't bad, the characters are unique in their own way, and the animation is solid. This new show would have deserved a higher rating - if I hadn't seen it about a million times before.
I believe that this incarnation completes the metamorphosis of a droll, avant-garde Nickelodeon children's show that explored the psychology and socialization of infants to just another cookie-cutter pre-teen show for the Brittney Spears generation. I would be interested in seeing the types of topics they covered that hasn't already been done in "Doug", "As Told By Ginger" and any other show that involves home, school and friends.
Basically, this is a show that's would be most enjoyed by "Rugrats" fans. I'll admit that it's fun to see how the characters in the older show turned out, although one would be wont for surprises. Chuckie is still as insecure as he ever was, which goes well with the awkward geek stereotype he turns out to be. Angelica has toned down the "brat" side to her personality and has slipped comfortably in her role as an alpha girl seeking popularity and influence.
Tommy resumes his role as the unofficial leader and consensus builder of the gang while Susie is the sunny one. One of the few pleasant surprises is Dil, who turned out to be even weirder than we use to give him credit for. While Phil continues to be a goof-off, Lil is in the process of finding her own identity apart from being the female counterpart to Phil.
The parents haven't seemed to change a bit, they still have that ambience of cluelessness around them which would make for some funny moments when the more sophisticated kids confront them.
All of this won't matter, however, to those that have been living under a rock for the past dozen years or so and don't know who the "Rugrats" are.
The main rule of making sequels is to not just redo - reinvent.
Unfortunately, I don't see much creative investment in this "Rugrats" spin-off other than making the characters ten years older.
** out of **** stars.
I believe that this incarnation completes the metamorphosis of a droll, avant-garde Nickelodeon children's show that explored the psychology and socialization of infants to just another cookie-cutter pre-teen show for the Brittney Spears generation. I would be interested in seeing the types of topics they covered that hasn't already been done in "Doug", "As Told By Ginger" and any other show that involves home, school and friends.
Basically, this is a show that's would be most enjoyed by "Rugrats" fans. I'll admit that it's fun to see how the characters in the older show turned out, although one would be wont for surprises. Chuckie is still as insecure as he ever was, which goes well with the awkward geek stereotype he turns out to be. Angelica has toned down the "brat" side to her personality and has slipped comfortably in her role as an alpha girl seeking popularity and influence.
Tommy resumes his role as the unofficial leader and consensus builder of the gang while Susie is the sunny one. One of the few pleasant surprises is Dil, who turned out to be even weirder than we use to give him credit for. While Phil continues to be a goof-off, Lil is in the process of finding her own identity apart from being the female counterpart to Phil.
The parents haven't seemed to change a bit, they still have that ambience of cluelessness around them which would make for some funny moments when the more sophisticated kids confront them.
All of this won't matter, however, to those that have been living under a rock for the past dozen years or so and don't know who the "Rugrats" are.
The main rule of making sequels is to not just redo - reinvent.
Unfortunately, I don't see much creative investment in this "Rugrats" spin-off other than making the characters ten years older.
** out of **** stars.