This show is another animated under the radar gem. This another entry in the anamorphic subgenre of animation which came out during the twilight years of "Turtles" fame; it was sort of the Turtles but in the Wild West which I thought was a cool idea. And the show was somewhat of a hit, there actually was a toy line and there was even an arcade game from Konami that was cool.
This was also the last show from the popular animation company "Ruby Spears" whom I'll admit I miss, and I felt they went out with a hit. Though despite the show I felt did hit the bullseye, it wasn't quite enough it just never really gained the same amount of horsepower that the franchise "Turtles" even though franchise's fame was fading at the time. And as time went on the show has written into obscurity making it a forgotten gem.
But also, the whole show was a tough sell all together as the "Western" genre was kind of in the coral for a while, let alone not everyone is into the genre and that includes myself. Yeah, I have watched the show but not highly, as I said before "Westerns" are really my genre which is why this was a show I only grabbed by the reigns sometimes; but despite my brief rides they were fun rides all the same.
The animation is solid nothing groundbreaking but good enough to create a familiar but strange and different western environment and all that inhabits it. The concept I'll admit is wild and kind of out there though same can be said about most books from Harry Turtledove, it's still fun and interesting concept; let alone whose to say in the alternate dimensions everyone has to be and look human. Here we see an alternate 1800s America where the animals are the dominant species and are forming our country.
I also like the show is a bit of steampunk sci-fi like "Wild Wild West" where we do see all of the customs and usual conveniences from the 1800s, but also slight differences as we see there is some technology in the mix. Of course that theme song is great, it's one of my favorite theme songs of all time, shame the guy that sang it never became a country star, but that song sounds great as it western themed and has plenty of memorable lines.
The show has a good voice cast ensemble and characters, like that ironically each of their names are after mid-western states. Jim Cummings who is one of my favorite voice actors as Dakota whom is my favorite of the three, as his character has super strength and the persona to match but is deep down a real softy. Jeff Bennett as the Colorado Kid he's my second fave, he's sort of the Michelangelo of the bunch as he's got a lively ball of energy persona, he's fast with the rope as well as line delivery. Pat Fraley as Marshal Moo Montana, he' s pretty much the straight man of the bunch, the typical noble cowboy architype. And of course, Tim Curry as Jacque La Beefe as usual my favorite actor/voice actor can do no wrong being the bad guy.
You've got good action, like the "Turtles" the cowboy posse each have their abilities. From whom is good with the lasso, Dakota his super strength, Colorado is good with the rope, and Montana he is an expert marksmen as he's good with he gun. Really like the guns they use in the show which shoot out stars which is unique, though I always wonder how do they reload those guns lead alone the caliber, do they just look and start out as real bullet but then once discharged they morph into stars. I don't know it's a cartoon you just roll with it.
Even some of the plotlines are pretty good their the ones you would see in most westerns on bad guys trying to steel this and that, or terrorizing the innocent but with this show there are certain things that happen which at times turns the common western cliché which I feel helps keep things fresh, and once again shows how you can do more with an old genre and concept. But also, the show has a sense of humor, it really doesn't take itself too seriously as it's sort of aware of how ridiculous it is and just has fun with it.
The only bad thing about the show is the same problem with "Bravestarr" (another under the radar gem) even "Thundercats" (80's version) there is a weak rogue gallery. The bad guys aren't bad, but they come off as kind of weak, they hardly put up enough of a fight against the good guys. This is all just a minor misfire as I said the main villain and the situations of the week make up for it.
I'm not sure if this show could be revived or not as the "Western" genre is still not a big draw, though personally I wouldn't mind. Get a bigger and better rogue gallery, more elaborate and big plotlines, make the action more intense like more shootouts, and expand more on the western world the characters inhabit, like have more steampunk tech like vehicles, mecha, and gadgets for the good and bad guys. Well, this is a nice thought worth shooting for anyway.
Overall if you're into the Anamorphic subgenre and if possible the "Western" genre, like taking the reigns of any horse it's worth a ride.
Rating: 3 stars
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