Disenchantment

This series had potential to be unique, and I think in some ways it still maintains that, but overall it doesn't do well in capturing your attention. I do think it has a few redeeming qualities that would make it worthwhile to some viewers.

The show's characters aren't interesting or distinctive, which is what I believe this series misses most.

The episodes tend to have very little conflict. The stakes are typically low as well which make for boring television. Often, the main trio (Bean, Elfo, and Luci) get into something trivial, it resolved, then they're back to square one and ready to repeat it in the next episode. It's all predictable. Each episode started to blend together at about episode 6 in Season 1. I soon realized I was having trouble with episode plots and what the characters were truly doing.

As for comedy purposes, it doesn't garner laughs from me--the comedy it tries to produce isn't particularly funny.

There is some sort of charm the show possesses though. I can't quote put my finger on it exactly, but it makes for a decent show to have on in the background.

I don't think the writers are passionate about the show, unfortunately. It certainly shows in the episodes.

All in all, it's watchable enough.

This show is not a comedy! It's a story and character driven fantasy show with jokes. And I love it! Every time the focus is on the characters or the story and world, it's awesome!!! Don't treat this show as a comedy, and kind of suffer through most of season 1, still enjoyable, but mostly one offs. This show is fun!

And now I'm waiting for the third season. Its not funny, its not something special but its fun to watch and i really like the animations.

It's a struggle watching Disenchantment - I have a deep and endearing love for Rough Draft studios and their animation game is strong here. In fact, Groening's aesthetic has never looked nicer - beautifully painted backgrounds, huge complex CGI sequences seamlessly integrated with the 2D stuff. You've got all your favourite voice actors and some nice cult British comedy casting, you've got the legendary Mark Mothersbaugh crafting a fun score to keep it rattling along. It's a serious shame then that it's so let down by some wildly inconsistent plotting and some absurdly sketchy characterwork.

In trying to flex from a syndicated-style comedy animation to a multi-part fantasy epic Disenchantment manages neither very well - and the weight of the story is let down by the flailing plot tendrils and stop-start character arcs that drift in and out of focus seemingly entirely randomly. It's like a big fantasy book where each chapter is being written by different people who each had a brief half-forgotten conversation with the person who wrote the chapter before. It's frustrating, and you find yourself going "wait, but what about this thing from seven episodes ago? Did they forget about it? Will it ever be referred to again?! IT SEEMED IMPORTANT AT THE TIME."

So it's a hodge-podge show really - magnificently polished on the one hand - but incredibly sketchy on the other. Like when a load of artists fold over paper and pass it to another to draw a strange hybrid creature, sure it all sticks together but it doesn't quite work as a whole. It's a show sort of fighting itself and my own mind is doing the exact same thing when I'm watching it. Was Futurama this frequently awkward and hit-and-miss? Is my whole life a lie?! Well perhaps but I'll stick with it for as long as Netflix does (or will the resurrection of Futurama on Hulu spell the end?) - for a deep love of what was and what may or may not ever end up coming to pass.

Season 1 of either Futurama or The Simpsons were never considered their best work. Disenchantment does not meet this high mark just yet. Jokes are funny but they are often rather safe and lacks some cleverness. The main characters are well acted by the young talent but Princess Bean, Luci, and Elfo come off as very one note. The Planet Express crew and The Simpson family are well defined characters but these shows had time. While I enjoy the show as a huge fan of Matt Groening, Disenchantment needs time and some thoughtful writing that made Futurama a fan favorite.