Super Robot Monkey Team Hyperforce Go!

Created by a British veteran of Warner Brothers' "Teen Titans", this show is among the first to be produced from a collaboration between Japanese animators and a major American studio, in this case, Disney's Jetix Animation Group (another example is Warner Brothers/Turner Cartoon Network Toonami and Production I.G. for "IGPX").

The animation is mindful of early Rankin/Bass shows like their versions of "The Hobbitt" and "The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King". he characters are voiced by an impressive cast of talent like Clancy Brown of "Starship Troopers", Kari Wahlgren, long time V/O artist for anime, most recently Otomo's "Steamboy", Mark Hamil ("Star Wars 4, 5 & 6"), Mako (Aku of Genndy Tartakovsky's "Samurai Jack") and James Hong ("Big Trouble In Little China").

With great sight gags and one liners meant for the adults in the audience, a sound effects library lifted from Horta/Manhana's loops from the original Star Trek TV series, appearances by characters from classic anime series (such as the captain of the "Yamato", aka the "Argo" of "Starblazers" fame, as an intergalactic tour bus driver in the episode "Big Lug") and plot lines that borrow from so many movie genres, including a showdown between Chiro and the Skeleton King that sounds vaguely like the exchange between Luke Skywalker and Darth Vader in "The Return of the Jedi" S.R.M.T.H.G. makes for great fun for young and old. With a title more convoluted than a certain group of radioactive, adolescent reptilian martial artists, how can you go wrong?

So I'm a cartoon freak. Officially. So sitting down for an early Sunday morning in front of Jetix was nothing new - Sonic X, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles... this is every other kids channel with severe kick-ass abilities added. So when S.R.M.T.H.G came on, I had to watch. After watching, I came to the conclusion that... robotic monkey things rule, Corey Feldman kicks as a monkey and the show kicks ass. No question.

Where else but Shuggazoom City would you find a huge robot abandoned in the middle of nowhere? And inside that robot is five way cool monkeys? Not in my local area at least (please report anything of that nature to your local neighbourhood watch). It's such an unbelievable show that it's almost believable and there's lots of funky kungfu fighting to keep me feeling violent. Yeah... it kicks.

Usually when you see so much as a glimpse of a show, you know what your gonna be in for. When I first saw a poster for samuri jack, I thought evil guy/kung fu fight sequences, and I was right. When I first saw a poster for totally spies I thought teenage girls/kung fu fight sequences, and I was right. When I first saw a poster for powerpuff girls I thought worst cartoon ever/kung fu fight sequences, and I was right. When I first saw a poster for super monkey force...whatever (the title is longer than my review) I thought what the hell! And I was right, I mean, there are no such thing as robot monkeys (unfortunatley), no such thing as skeleton monsters, no such thing as teenagers (oh wait a minute), and there are certainly no such things as teenage boys who fight along side a bunch of robotic monkeys, to defeat a skeleton.

But despite it being the weirdest show in the history of TV, it is also the best. And the final irony is...no matter how weird (or original, as you might like to call it) this show is, it hasn't lost the classic formula of a prime time kids show...kung fu fight sequences.

Oh, nice year 2006th. The peak of the popularity of the Jetix channel. A.T.O.M., W.I.T.C.H., Shaman King, Tutenstein, What's with Andy, Sonic X, Galactic Football, and the unforgettable Spider-Man and X-Men of the 90s. But at the same time - many forget about no less worthy model - «Super Robot Monkey Team Hyper Force GO!»

Hmm, that's another name. No less strange as "Teenagers Mutants Ninja Turtles". And for the first series of the seasoned spectator, this animated series can seem like a passing. Not an intricate story (which we are told in the intro) and its style. But this is only at first glance. In fact - not so simple. At least at the beginning.

Character characters can be simple, but they are made with taste, and can not be called pale. Each of them has its own strengths and weaknesses. Especially it shows on our main character - Chiro. Who learns becoming a hero and growing up like a real child.

And as the main character, it gradually grows. At first everything is really simple. Heroes meet with the main danger of today, and the end of the status quo returns to the usual place. Seasoning everything with colourful humour. But gradually it becomes not so, and it becomes very difficult, gloomy, more mature and even frightening. From which you can even fall into a depression. The fact that at first the child was amused, begins to teach heroism, wisdom and love. And it is filled with all sorts of references to "Star Wars" (the ship of the Skeleton King is a copy of the Star Destroyer at all), "Star Trek" and every cult Japanese heroic series.

Also, praise deserves the style of animation. Which can be called cheap, but cool. Like the "Samurai Jack." It still looks modern. Which also helps the image of the main characters and their specific humour, which summon a positive smile.

Now we touch the minuses - the beginning of the series. It does not seem to be the beginning of the epic. Also, the unbroken nature of some of the details and characters. For example, they did not show and/or not tell how Chiro lived, before he became the team leader (I'm not talking about his parents). And they were not completely disclosed, for example, the villain Mandarin, who, after his appearance, rolled down to the typical six of the main villain (and then replaced with a clone), and Chiro's girlfriend, Jinmay, whose past was also not discerned (but not disgusted by their cute love). Although it is possible, it could be revealed in season 5, but... here the main sad part of the series is not completeness. The series has lived only 4 seasons and 52 episodes, and ordered to live long. Leaving us to think about - what ended the confrontation of our heroes against Skeleton King, and what our answers have.

In general, the series, maybe forget it, but still deserves the attention of any connoisseur of cartoons. And I can only hope - that you will follow my advice, and you too will like it. As well as the fact that we will see the end of this story (as was the case with "Hey, Arnold" and "Samurai Jack"). Hasbro in beginning of May buy rights for Power Rangers. Plus, they are make toys based on series. They can buy rights and for this series from Disney, and end this story. Or at least make great reboot. Also with cool toys and comic book ongoing from IDW. Let's hope!...

10/10

I first heard of this cartoon when it first came out and I had to check it out. I was amazed at it's originality and classic composure. Chiro and the gang are way cool. It's action packed, comedic (thanks to Sprx-77 or Sprx), and stunning. A great show for kids and adults alike. Robot monkeys are what every teenager wants to have right? Kung Fu action, a giant robot, and an evil Skeleton King? Everyone's fantasy! S.R.M.T.H.F.G. has everyone's favorite team of robotic primates ready for action and adventure whenever ya need them! This is one of the best shows to hit television. A well made series with an awesome cast of characters you can treasure and love.