![Cartoon Network: Steven Universe: The Complete Collection [DVD]](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/71kGhvv3wnL._AC_UL160_SR160,160_.jpg)
![Ed, Edd n Eddy: The Complete Series [DVD]](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/71vCA4DOkwL._AC_UL160_SR160,160_.jpg)
Let me state two things before I begin:
1. I'm 22 years old and virtually all of the animated shows that I watch are aimed at older audiences; things like South Park, Archer, and many Adult Swim shows. My choices in animation are either these or animated television shows from the 90's; things like The Simpsons, The Critic, and Batman: The Animated Series.
2. I HATE reality television!! I feel that it is a blight upon television which not only offends me with its sheer lack of redeeming features but also for slightly lowering what some people accept as good entertainment.
So, what does it say when a spoof of reality television aimed at young teenagers is one of the only cartoons released over the past 10 years that I thought was truly amazing!? How can this be? Let me explain myself.
Well, in acute irony, this show about 22 animated teenagers competing in a "Survivor" type show (with a delightfully cruel "Survivor" type host) for $100,000 has everything which real reality television sorely lacks. Said "everything" being: good writing, good voice acting, good characters, and actual honest-to-God character development! I will spend most of the remaining review by focusing on the character development because there is much more to say that's worth saying.
Firstly, as others have already stated, the characters competing are stereotypes of both of teenagers and the contestants on reality television. Others before me have already gone into the names and "types" of these characters so I will not. Despite being somewhat stock characters and often just walking punch lines in the early episodes, something slowly but surely starts happening. The at first glance generic becomes more fleshed out, more realistic, more developed. Take note animators as this is what above all else results in a great animated show: characters that entertain AND make you feel something, some genuine emotion!
Something else to note is that this development is both Romanic and platonic. I'll talk about an example of Romanic development very shortly but for now I'll say that every relation that develops is exactly as funny or believable as the creators intended it to be. But more unique for a children's cartoon, there's quite a bit of real platonic development.
Beth learns to stand up to Heather. Duncan secretly helps DJ find a new pet rabbit and later sees the value of not having to always act tough with Leshawna. Cody places Gwen's happiness above his own. Gwen becomes close friends with both Bridgette and Leshawna. Geoff and Gwen have a heart-to-heart while visiting a neighboring island with Geoff honestly inviting Gwen to her first party.
As the DVD Verdict Review of Total Drama Island puts it: "These extended dialogue scenes don't happen often in the show--or in any animated show, for that matter--but it's nicely handled when it does happen. During these few rare moments, the characters cease to be stock types or walking jokes, and instead they almost feel like real people." I couldn't have said it any better myself.
But now I get to the thing, among many other things, that makes this show worthy of praise: the characters of Gwen, Trent, and their romance. This was the main focus of the show and a big part of why it was a fantastic ride. While Gwen was my favorite character, that was because she was the most 3-dimensional and the character who developed the most. Starting out an interesting but withdrawn girl with little experience or skill at social interaction, Gwen develops several true friendships and learns how to open up. The greatest reason for this is her relationship with Trent. Despite being a Goth and a musician, the two have great chemistry and they form a bond that's as much emotional as it is Romanic. And this is why the sabotage of their relationship by the deceptions of Heather was so powerful. As both Gwen and Trent walk to separate sides of the island and start pounding their fists at the ground in an act of catharsis while both powerful music and the loud cries of a broken-hearted Gwen fill the air, I was actually getting teary eyed. Where their relationship went after that point mattered because I became truly invested in their struggle. They felt like real people, from the real world.
Don't get me wrong, there are things and features of this show that couldn't happen in the real world: things like a duck running like the Roadrunner from Looney Tunes or the campers running into a pack of giant prehistoric meat-eating beavers. However, these moments work because they are for the most part very well done and even if they are not the characters are so grounded that it doesn't matter. Also, there are lowbrow gross-out jokes a plenty (ranging from funny to forced). But again, much of it is enjoyable and even when it isn't the characters are so good that you often don't notice it.
So, all in all, this is a show that should be looked at to understand what animated television can rise to and what makes it great: great writing, great voice acting, legitimately funny and clever jokes, being able to appeal to both kids and adults in equal measure, respecting the intelligence of the audience, and characters that one can endlessly watch and become endured to. Being the textbook definition of "being greater than the sum of its parts" this show is lightning!
Sadly, it appeared for a while that Total Drama Island was lightning that only struck once. The two seasons afterwards, Total Drama Action and Total Drama World Tour, lost the character development that compelled me to write a glowing review for this show. Furthermore, whatever development had been established in Total Drama Island was erased in favor of contrived fan-service and, following the lead of real reality television, by going too over-the-top to the point of idiocy. Fortunately, the current season, Total Drama Revenge of the Island, has a new cast of characters and has returned to the (comparatively speaking for a children's cartoon) grounded and believable character development. I really hope the people working on this show don't drop the ball again because they have something truly unique and worthy of notice.
Add a debit or credit card to save time when you check out
Convenient and secure with 2 clicks. Add your card
Customers who viewed this item also viewed
Page 1 of 1 Start overPage 1 of 1
Videos
Page 1 of 1Start OverPage 1 of 1
Videos for this product
2:00
Click to play video
Total Drama Island: I Triple Dare You
Merchant Video
Reviews with images
It would've been good but
Came a really good time but when I opened it look like the box has been cut with a box knife & the case was cut to I gave it three stars because I really love this show
Top reviews from the United States
There was a problem filtering reviews right now. Please try again later.
Reviewed in the United States on March 5, 2012
Reviewed in the United States on July 22, 2023
Reviewed in the United States on August 26, 2015
Reviewed in the United States on August 25, 2009
Reviewed in the United States on September 27, 2009
Reviewed in the United States on October 17, 2012
Reviewed in the United States on December 25, 2012
Reviewed in the United States on July 18, 2018
