I just feel like ranting a bit, because I've been getting so sick of it lately...I'm just now realizing that maybe there's a reason the first original comic project I've actually started working on in YEARS features a story where all the characters take everything so seriously that that's the comedy. Because I'm just so tired of the opposite...I'm tired of "so quirky" protagonists; I'm tired of the self-deprecating jokes; I'm tired of characters who will essentially stare point-blank into the camera and announce that they don't want their story to exist.
I'm sure most of you are thinking of the MCU, but I feel like this sort of writing predates that, and "he's right behind me, isn't he" just gave it new life, catapulting it into the mainstream. And although audiences are already getting tired of it, production cycles haven't caught up to that yet. AND, now we have a whole generation of young writers who basically grew up with it and have it ingrained in their skillset, despite their attempts to play with it or 'explore' it...
What initially got me thinking about this was, unfortunately, a popular artist I used to follow on Tumblr. I'm not naming names because I'm trying to put this behind me, and in any case they've done nothing wrong. They just happened to come up with a shiny new story idea where the central conceit is that the main character does not want to be there. They hate their special magical powers and they don't want them, and every aspect of their magical protagonist life is an annoyance to them, and that's the joke. Along with, y'know, actual jokes to prop up their opinion that are just weak and stupid nonsense.
I get that I'm supposed to be laughing at their goofy reasoning for wanting to be excused from their own story, but I'm just not here for it anymore. Like, y'know what, MC character? If you really hate being a protagonist so much, then don't be one. Just quit. Sit and do nothing and let the world get destroyed...or just admit that you actually do love everyone and everything and want to protect your friends and stop wasting my time. I cannot imagine sitting through a whole series watching this character essentially just blatantly lie about their values and desires for the sake of 'subverting expectations'.
And watching this artist's fans flock to this idea in droves; drawing fan art of their cute character designs and comparing it to MADOKA MAGICA of all things (tell me you didn't watch that anime without telling me you straight up did not watch it)...it legitimately made me furious. I was actually angry every time I saw them talking about it, and that's when I knew I needed to just unfollow. Last I heard, they're making an animatic pilot for the concept (because they're a professional storyboarder and they can just do that), and good for them, but I hope to God I never see it and never hear about it. Maybe in a year or two I'll cool off and I won't care, but right now I'm just done. Sick and tired.
A couple weeks after that debacle, I started thinking about this issue again, concerning two Netflix animated series I'd had on the edges of my radar for a while: Jentry Chau vs. the Underworld, and Tomb Raider: the Legend of Lara Croft. Both look pretty stylish, with good animation...but, based on artstyle and concept alone, I was much more interested in Jentry Chau initially. Cutely designed young protagonist with a FANTASTIC name, fighting demons with neon pink flames?? Sign me up. ^^
Lara Croft, on the other hand...I had no real interest in her show, or in the Tomb Raider franchise as a whole. Tbh it feels like something I'd be straight-up ideologically opposed to...and it seemed to have that 'grey-and-gritty DCAU' artstyle that I'm not particularly fond of...so why would I even bother?
After recently seeing the trailers for the shows, however, my opinions have completely flipped. '_'
Literally the first line of Jentry Chau's Netflix trailer is "Does this outfit say: 'I'm fun! Approachable! And definitely won't set fire to you'...??"
And my heart immediately sank like a deflated balloon. ಠâ•â•®ŕ˛ Especially after hearing the other character's lamely written (and honestly horribly delivered) response. There are only a few lines of dialogue in the whole trailer, and NONE of them are remotely interesting. "Fabulous. We're all dead" SO ARE MY HOPES AND DREAMS. IT SHOULD BE ME SCREAMING INTO THAT PILLOW.
So if all I can look forward to from the writing of the show is aggravating characterization tropes that have been regurgitated unchanged from 2005, all that's left is the monster fights....which don't look good enough to carry it, IMO. Despite the strong human character designs, the monsters all look really boring, as if each one was just copy+pasted from some horror movie without integrating THIS show's artstyle into their designs. The combat animation is fine but nothing special, and the FX are kinda lame. Her special powered-up form is just an ugly flame cape and flame hair? Assuming that sad-looking minidress and boots aren't also part of the look...what a letdown.
Meanwhile, the Legend of Lara Croft trailer actually...genuinely piqued my interest. '_' What's that you're offering me?? Character development? Introspection?? Real stakes outside of "I'm 14/15/16/17 so I shouldn't have to deal with this???"
The idea of Lara exploring a traumatic past and chasing someone down on a globe trotting adventure wasn't something I expected from my limited understanding of the franchise, and the way they presented it made it look kinda cool. Reminded me of Nikita and Noir, two mature action-heavy shows starring female leads that I've really been missing lately...it makes me feel like, even if I'm still ideologically opposed to the character after seeing her in action, I might be willing to stay and watch her adventure anyway, as long as there's a deeper story to tell.
Plus, the artstyle and combat animation look better than I expected. It's like all the issues I had with Castlevania Nocturne's animation, magically addressed in this totally different production. ^^ The compositing adds weight to the art instead of muddying up the movement. The animation is simple but well-paced and well-framed, emphasizing the action.
I'm seriously thinking about watching the show...and not just because of the low emotional stakes (i.e. if it does disappoint me, it's not like I was that invested anyway). I just miss that sincerity in Western animation...it's been so long since I've seen it. I pivoted to goofy comedy cartoons because it felt like swinging to the other extreme was my only option...but now, for the first time, I feel like maybe I could experience that kind of immersion again in a long-form series. I really hope so.
created
Oct 12last reply
Oct 14- 12
replies
- 276
views
- 1
user
- 9
likes