There is a new kid’s show on Netflix, and the My Dad the Bounty Hunter review explores how well it works for kids. It is a ten-episode series starring Laz Alonso, Jecobi Swain, Priah Ferguson, Yvette Nicole Brown, Yvonne Orji, Leslie Uggams, Rob Riggle, Jim Rash, Jamie Chung, Everett Downing Jr. and Kari Wahlgren, alongside other cast members. This animated series is created by Everett Downing Jr. and Patrick Harpin, who also joined the series as directors for the first few episodes.
Netflix’s description of the series reads:
An intergalactic bounty hunter takes dad duty to new extremes when his two kids accidentally hitch a ride with him to outer space and crash his mission.
-My Dad the Bounty Hunter Review Does Not Contain Spoilers-
This is supposed to be kid’s television, but let’s make it clear, it is so much more than that. The story follows an estranged father who is trying his best to connect with his children and keep his job as an interglactic bounty hunter. While the son is young enough to overlook these absences, the elder daughter is quite familiar with her father’s pattern of leaving and not coming back. There are moments of compassion and understanding in this show that is not present in most well-written films.
Characters are written graciously, giving them time to grow and become better versions of themselves across the series. It has a great character arc for every individual but especially the father. The animation is not stylised but employs techniques of realism and adheres to the law of physics (at least when the characters are on Earth).
What is extremely well done, though, is their hair. Every strand is clearly visible and drawn to look as realistic as possible. It isn’t as impressive as creating a whole program to track hair movement but is drawn to look like it could exist in our world. Furthermore, this story uses the guise of extremely well-built storyworlds to explore serious concepts like colonisation and complacency in the face of oppressive regimes.
Violence is a recurring theme in the series but doesn’t feature blood to keep in line with the age rating. Additionally, the show doesn’t feature any inappropriate language, so if there are kids planning to watch this show, it is entirely okay for them to do it. Apart from the stunning visual elements in the show, it is also extremely well-written. The cold open sets the tone for the intergalactic sphere while the exposition does an incredible job of showcasing the family dynamic and the issues that they will take on this adventure through the galaxy.
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There are some subverted elements of the real world that make the show exciting for adults to watch. It is bright, wholesome and optimistic. Elements of the show definitely give The Incredibles energy in terms of understanding family and relationships. The storyworld is built fantastically, with each planet and setting having its own charm and energy dependent on the nature of the area. Robots are also present in their galaxy, and they have become sentient creatures ready to have fun and make harmless menace.
All the female characters in the show are also created differently and pass the Bedschel test with flying colours. Their discussions barely surround a man and instead focus on the greater good of the galaxies beings. Pacing-wise, this show comes out on top. There is a central storyline and plot driving the character’s actions, but each episode makes its mark, tackling different aspects of the adventure to complete the mission.
My Dad the Bounty Hunter Review: Final Thoughts
The bait and switch, the family dynamics and the callbacks to previous episodes make it a treat to watch. As a member of the Gen Z culture, this writer can get behind the eldest daughter representation, the person who mothers the family while also taking care of herself and protecting the family from people trying to hurt them. Moreover, even the younger brother dynamic made its appearance well in the show, exploring the overshadowing feeling, the problems that come with stress and knowing what happens when there is someone believing in you.
We can definitely recommend audiences to watch this show for all the aforementioned but also just some non-disturbing and non-toxic entertainment. Animation is one of the most versatile fields, and the show does its best to use the freedom to bend the rules and tell some fun and interesting stories. It may not always follow the laws of physics, but that is the least of the viewers’ concerns when it comes to watching this series. Fortunately, the storyline has been left open with a cliffhanger in case they are greenlit for a second season.
My Dad the Bounty Hunter is currently streaming on Netflix. What did you think of the intergalactic bounty hunting family? Let us know in the comments below.
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