We form up and take an in-depth look at the new Voltron Netflix series.
ThisVoltron Legendary Defenderreview contains spoilers.We have a spoiler free version here.
DreamWorksVoltron Legendary Defenderis a master class in science fiction storytelling.
Its so much better than it has any right to be.
Every giant robot show ever wishes its action was this intense.
I dont just mean for kids.
I dont just mean in animation.
I dont just mean on Netflix.
Voltron Legendary Defenderavoids the main problem that plagues so much of TV today.
The oh, youve just got to get past the first few episodes syndrome.
Come on now, youve all said it about some of your favorite shows.
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It doesnt slow down.
It doesnt waste any time.
The character development is the essential piece that makes the whole thing work.
In fact, I love them all so much; its time to go through them one by one!
Thankfully, Shiro isnt all angst and stoic leadership.
None better than him stooping to others level in imitating blaster sounds.
Most everyone else got a major focus storyline but Keith was mostly relegated to his interplay with Lance.
Thankfully that interplay was so strong it helped keep him from just being the hothead character.
Everyone balked at this, but it wasnt a bad call.
Keith thinks of the mission and preserving that was key in his mind when he put the idea out.
The brilliant tactic that more series could stand to use is getting to know all of them through humor.
Lance: Pilot of Blue Lion
On the surface Lance is a dick.
But theres more to Lance then meets the eye.
Lance is not as confident as he seems.
He has to talk big about himself because he doesnt believe it deep down.
He fancies himself as Keiths rival because he needs to feel that important.
When Keith doesnt even acknowledge it that sets Lance off.
Lance just piles on the delusions of grandeur.
In one of those comedy revealing character scenes, Lance wants to know how far away Earth is.
Its a fun moment, but Lance is bummed.
Its one of the few times he lets his cocky exterior down and shows off some genuine unmanufactured emotions.
I mean, theyre all funny, but Lance is a scene stealer.
Thats the power ofVoltron, they made a fart joke work.
I shouldnt be surprised, this is also the team that made fart bending a thing inLegend of Korra.
No one creative team should have all that power.
Jokes like this are super juvenile, but thats what Lance is.
In a lot of ways he still has a lot of growing up to do.
Thats the thing youve got to remember about these characters, theyre all still kids.
Well, teenagers, but you cant tell me you didnt make fart jokes at that age.
He needs attention and validation constantly, even if he has this exterior of being too cool for school.
Ive got a soft spot for characters like that, so I cant get enough of him.
Pidge: Pilot of Green Lion
Pidge is life and Pidge is love.
In the run up to the series, I suspected Pidge wasnt all that she appeared to be.
So perhaps well get some more exploration of Pidges gender identity in the future.
Still, Pidge is amazing.
I mean, she loves peanut butter and peanut butter cookies but hates peanuts.
I can relate to that.
Her fondness for machines over people was more of a subtle characterization, but one that was constant throughout.
Not only that, shes the tech person!
That alone is worth watching the series for.
Bravo,Voltronteam, youve done a solid for humanity.
Not everyone needs a hugely complicated back story.
Sometimes you just need a guy who really loves snacks.
While others focus on home or their families when forming Voltron, Hunk thinks only of food.
While Lance is the jokester, Hunk is the heart of the team.
Hes the big loveable goof but surprisingly gets the first real love interest in the series!
Yeah, his big ol rock girlfriend.
Oh no wait, sorry, a rock Im very fond of.
Bless you, Hunk.
We should all strive to be like you.
Its through his experience on Balmera that Hunk finds his reason to fight with Voltron.
After all, Hunk is the character with the least desire to fight.
Hunk also shows a great side of emotional vulnerability with his constant crying in battles.
Speaking of which, if I had to choose my favorite Lion, it would be Yellow Lion.
That whole tank exterior really works well with Hunks personality and its got the best design.
More then even Shiro that responsibility weighs heavy on her shoulders.
She has a giant space fortress that has a freakin giant laser gun.
Thats way cooler than a Lion, lets be real.
We cant talk about Allura without talking about The Space Mice.
They arent overplayed, theyre used sparingly for both cute and plot relevant purposes.
The design of these little guys is ten levels of adorable, theres no way you could hate them.
Why does Allura even need Paladins when shes got this team?
I need plushies of all of them, stat!
Coran
Wow, Coran was a surprise.
But oh my god, Coran is hilarious.
He thinks hes the smoothest and smartest guy in the room, but hes a clown shoes.
I think this castle is haunted.
Gone is the over the top king and cackling stereotypical witch of the original series.
Haggar doesnt get much to do in this first season, but the small glimpses we get are chilling.
Theres a lot of story to explore with this character and weve only scratched the surface.
I mean, the last episode really said it all, didnt it?
Taking on the Red Lion all by himself truly demonstrated how outclassed our team is.
The team would lose, no question.
So it makes you wonder, why doesnt he take on Voltron right now and crush them?
My theory is he doesnt NEED Voltron.
Hes willing to wait until the right opportunity presents itself.
Plus, hes got a whole empire to run.
Through his voice alone, Zarkon communicates hes absolutely in charge.
He has no fear.
You will obey him or die trying.
There isnt a weak link in the bunch.
They all play off of each other perfectly.
Their chemistry helps sell the teams friendships, frustrations, and triumphs.
Their excitement bleeds through into the show and makes it something truly special.
The scope of this series is off the charts amazing.
With only 11 episodes we get the sense of just how much this team will have to face.
Threats that wont just take a few seasons, but could take 10-15 years if they really wanted to.
This isnt just a singular mission, its a war that they are woefully under classed to fight.
As powerful as Voltron is, theyre still only one band of fighters.
I have no hesitation in saying this show could run for 30 seasons if they really wanted to.
There is that much scope hinted at here.
Hell, we could have aStar Warslevel of mythos here.
That would have been perfectly serviceable, but every level of this show took it a step beyond.
This show is special and you might see the love put into it.
There are no excuses needed for it.
The action is astounding.
Thats no shock coming from the team behindLegend of Korra, but the escalation of conflict is flawless.
The team doesnt win any two fights the same way.
Sometimes they need to form Voltron.
Sometimes they need to fight with just the Lions.
Sometimes they only need to fight as themselves.
Each and every fight is dynamic and extremely well animated, as is true for the whole series.
They dont even use the blazing sword in the first episode!
That, again, takes some restraint.
This isnt just a whip out the sword and win kind of adventure.
This team has to actively think about tactics while fighting.
Again, a great comedic scene that illustrates the different between our human Paladins and the aliens they meet.
It also featured some of the most quotable dialogue in the show:
Curse my short arms!
Oh, I hate those little things.
I cant wait forVoltron Legendary Defenderseason two.
Or as Ive already nicknamed it,Voltron: Lost in Space.
It can not come soon enough.
Voltronis the ultimate embodiment of living up to the potential of a franchise.
Its given us an unforgettable cast of characters and a universe that is ripe to explore.
Not just to the original Voltron, but anime in general.
Look no further than the various easter eggs throughout the show featuring nods to classic mecha anime.
If youre somehow still on the fence about watching this show, just do it.
And if youre reading this spoiler filled review before watching the series, shame on you!
But seriously, you wont be disappointed.
We get that kind of progressive attitude with an amazing series for it to live in.
I cant get enough.
Voltron Legendary Defenderis the show youve always wanted but never thought youd get.
Rating:
5 out of 5
