BraveStarr: The Legend

I got this tape sometime in the early 90s after the video vendor himself recommended it and it turned out to be fantastic. This was certainly Filmation's best cartoon and the movie itself is better than the Bravestarr series. The whole effort and theme was perhaps the most creative I've ever seen in any single cartoon and they were also pretty bold when it came to dark themes and violence. The opening sequence for the movie where the tribe is destroyed is amazing. With great characters, some fantastic villains and a nail biting story from start to finish, this movie is something that I personally feel that should not be missed by any fan of cartoons in general. Its too bad that it was so easily forgotten even though not many would have seen it in the first place.

I have some good news all fans of Bravestarr! A two disk DVD set has been released in America that has the Movie "Bravestarr The Legend" on Disk one and has five other episodes on Disk 2. This is a great thing to see happen. Since the movie never aired on TV in America and when it was in theatures my parents did not have the money to take me this has been the first time i have ever seen the movie that shows the origins of how Tex Hex got his powers from Stampede, and how The Shaman gave Bravestarr his four Animal powers. Plus it also amazed me at the fight Bravestarr had to do with 30/30 in order for them to become friends. It also amazed me at how Judge J.B. had to teach Fuzz how to speak English and how Bravestarr had to do his first warning to the Mayor involving that he needed to learn to show respect to Fuzz and his people.

My review was written in September 1988 after a Times Square screening.

"Bravestarr" is a disappointing animated feature applying the Western format directly to an Outer Space saga. Pretty backgrounds and explosions do not adequately cover for lackluster characters, given limited animation movements.

Title character (on screen it reads Bravestarr the Legend", but "Bravestarr the Movie" in ads) is an indistinctive-looking American Indian-styled cowboy destined to save the planet of New Texas from variou monster meanies, led by Stampede (a huge dragon-like steer) and Ted Hex (a reanimated, skeletal cowboy). The ancient Shaman gives Bravestarr his orders and magical power, largely calling upon the strength of the Bear constellation (a repetitious device).

Though its occasional attempts at comic relief fall flat, film plays off foolishly with its one-joke premise of a planet with modern technology but styled after all the corny cliches of a Western movie. Critters are robots, except for the Prairie People, cutesy little burrowing humanoids forced to work as slaves in mining operations.

Opposite the bland Bravestarr, heroine J. B., who's the local judge, is nondescript, as is her mustachioed dad McBride, given a Scottish brogue right out of James Doohan in "Star Trek".

Much running time is given to introducing each of Tex Hex' henchmen, but they have nothing to do or say in the film, wasting at least one unusual creation, the exotic Vipra, villainess riding a vast serpent.

Characters mainly pose, with very mechanical movement of the limited sort familiar from tv. Toddlers may overlook this thanks to okay action scenes involving flying vehicles and well-executed battle explosions.

Frank Becker's tinny musical score is a big letdown when it attempts to ape Western motifs on synthesized keyboards.

About 20 years ago, I was a kid when my father came one day with the tape of Bravestarr: the legend. After watching this animation, I was very happy. I used to watch it often because this was the only tape I had. And I loved it. This became the greatest childhood memory of mine. I think the last time was 2 years ago, when I again watched it. Friendship is one of the lessons I might have learned a lot from this movie. When I could have children, I would certainly ask them to watch this. I never new that there is a TV series about this characters, but I know now. However, I am not young enough to watch them, and I don't have time. I wish I could watch and enjoy the series when I was a kid.

Who Didn't like Bravestarr when they were younger. This was from the same people who gave us He-Man and the Masters Of The Universe. Bravestarr the legend is a feature length movie which introduces our sheriff of new texas. The film involves bravestarr coming to terms with his new found powers to fight the evil Spirit Stampede and his 'Minions' led by Tex Hex. The show's animation may appear dated but dont let that fool you. so if you get a chance to see this fine piece of nostalgia do not hesitate

Also i would like to point out that this was only released in cinemas in america to my knowledge the is no DVD or VHS

A VHS was released in the uk so if you live there you're in luck