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BobSquob Trainer with "Isshu"s from A World of Imagination Since: Jun, 2010
Trainer with "Isshu"s
#1: Apr 1st 2012 at 8:41:58 PM

Has there ever been a good one of these? Like, widely agreed upon good? I'll admit I enjoyed the adaptation of Speed Racer, but even that was critically panned. In any case, discuss live action films based on animated series here. The ones you liked, the ones you hated, the ones you want to get made, etc.

MrAHR Ahr river from ಠ_ಠ Since: Oct, 2010 Relationship Status: A cockroach, nothing can kill it.
KnownUnknown Since: Jan, 2001
#3: Apr 1st 2012 at 10:11:04 PM

Er... there aren't a lot of these in the first place. We got a few a few years ago, but...

A lot of them were either briefly known about and then faded away (like Mr Magoo or Rocky And Bullwinkle) or still remembered for being bad.

It kind of hurts films like this that writers and directors tend to either think they need to add something unnecessary to make it stand as a film or oversimplify things because they figure "hey, it's for kids, it doesn't need to be good." In either case, they often fail to emphasize what made the originals good in the first place - pretty much every animated series movie I can think of that was bad was so for a reason that was actually kind of extra (for example, Underdog spending so much time trying to explain everything and create odd though "kind of heartwarming I guess" character tension, or a multitude of others being overly gaggy).

Personally, I really liked Mr. Magoo, but I'm pretty sure that's not in the "widely considered good" category. I kind of liked Inspector Gadget, though even as a kid I felt it tried to flesh out the characters in ways that didn't quite feel right. I liked the second one slightly better, and I know for a fact that I'm alone there.

With the rush of superhero movies, I'd personally love a Space Ghost movie.

But to answer the OP's question... off the top of my head, no. But I'm sure there's got to be a few out there that I've overlooked.

"The difference between reality and fiction is that fiction has to make sense." - Tom Clancy, paraphrasing Mark Twain.
JRPictures I got a Logo Just Cause from Australia Since: Nov, 2010 Relationship Status: In Lesbians with you
I got a Logo Just Cause
TheatricalAndProud Since: Nov, 2011
#5: Apr 2nd 2012 at 2:35:40 AM

Why doesn't Who Framed Roger Rabbit count?

How roundabout we talking here? The Addams Family movies are both agreed to be great - I'd say they're everyones guilty pleasure, but no-ones ever guilty about it. It just seems that no-one ever puts either on a best list, but everyone always says "Oh yeah, those movies were awesome". There was also an animated series in 1973.

Similarly, the Batman and Superman cartoons, and really all the old superhero saturday morning cartoons.

But if we're talking direct between cartoons and live action, Speed Racer is a cult classic, George of the Jungle is a guilty pleasure, Space Jam was a commercial success, and Looney Tunes Back In Action got some very favourable reviews.

TheBatPencil from Glasgow, Scotland Since: May, 2011 Relationship Status: I'm just a hunk-a, hunk-a burnin' love
#6: Apr 2nd 2012 at 4:10:42 AM

The first Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles cartoon predated the first film by three years. That said, it might not count as the film was based on the Mirage comics rather than the show.

edited 2nd Apr '12 4:10:58 AM by TheBatPencil

And let us pray that come it may (As come it will for a' that)
TiggersAreGreat Since: Mar, 2011
#7: Apr 2nd 2012 at 4:56:44 AM

There is Avatar The Last Airbender, sorry, The Last Airbender. Apparently, the "Avatar" had to be dropped from the title so that there wouldn't be confusion with the film Avatar. sad

I know there's a lot of points about the film that earned a lot of boos and hisses, but hey, at least M Night Shyamalan tried to make a film that we all knew would not have a Mandatory Twist Ending! evil grin

Oh, Equestria, we stand on guard for thee!
KnownUnknown Since: Jan, 2001
#8: Apr 2nd 2012 at 5:06:35 AM

Why doesn't Who Framed Roger Rabbit count?

Because nearly everything in Who Framed Roger Rabbit is from theatrical series, not animated television series. And plus it's not really "based" on any of them.

That distinction is why I intentionally didn't bring up anything Looney Tunes related, nor Batman/any superhero stuff, or pretty much anything that wasn't actually based on an animated television series but something else that had animated television series based off of it.

edited 2nd Apr '12 5:08:31 AM by KnownUnknown

"The difference between reality and fiction is that fiction has to make sense." - Tom Clancy, paraphrasing Mark Twain.
GaryCXJk Wants Captain N for SSBU Since: Aug, 2009 Relationship Status: Shipping fictional characters
Wants Captain N for SSBU
#9: Apr 4th 2012 at 2:02:17 AM

I'll have to get this out of the way.

Alvin and the Chipmunks wasn't as bad as people say it is. I mean, first of all, the film is directed at kids. It might come to you as a surprise, but they made the films for kids. Second, sure, the storyline might be cliche-ridden, but the thing is, like tropes, cliches don't always have to be bad. Sometimes it helps people to identify with certain situations, especially kids. It's just like how stereotypes must exist in fiction, as they help people identify with the characters.

Now I do agree that the story can be stupid at times, but hey, why can't it be? The film doesn't need an elaborate story on how the chipmunks got together and stuff. And the fact that they mostly sing modern songs is a logical step. The chipmunks have always sung songs from the current era. I mean, they didn't sing the songs they used to sing during the '80s, that would distantiate the '80s kids too much.

I think people are just too serious when it comes to films. I mean, I also like the Scooby-Doo films, although I do have to admit the second movie was a bit stupid and silly. People just want huge elaborate plots with plot twists and stuff, while kids just want a laugh, or at least be entertained. I mean, the main critique, that the films are dumbed down versions of the series, is just balls. If you compare the films to the source material, you will notice that the originals are just as simple, or "stupid" as the films.

Finally, I enjoyed the Yogi Bear film, but even I have to admit it was stupid. Mainly because the source material was actually stupid. But since I also like the series, I don't really care. People who think the film is stupid most likely think the series are stupid anyway.

Signatures are for lamers.
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