Vida y obra de Juniper Lee

Right now, there are two cartoon shows that are vaguely similar to each other in their mix of Asian heroes, magic, monsters, and talking dogs: Disney's "American Dragon: Jake Long" and Cartoon Network's "The Life and Times Of Juniper Lee". For my money, "Juniper Lee" is the way to go.

One reason that I like "Juniper Lee" is that the characters are generally less annoying than the cast of "Dragon". I can't sit through an episode of that show; I can watch Juniper Lee's adventures. Another plus is the show's slightly wacky tone; you're not supposed to take most of this stuff seriously. The voice acting is really good here, and once again Lara Jill Miller impresses me (she is the title role).

When you find yourself struggling to find an entertaining kid's show, turn on "The Life and Times of Juniper Lee".

What's impressive about "Juniper Lee" is that her voice actor, Lara Jill Miller is excellent. The first show I've ever heard her voice was "Digimon: Digital Monsters," eventually she moved on as minor characters in Japanese Anime, but this show about an 11-year-old Asian girl is really out-of-sight! Her younger brother Ray Ray, can be a nuisance, but what surprises me the most was who knew that Lara could even sing? That one episode of when June performed at the talent show. It's impressive, creative, and enjoyable to even listen to. Through all the Japanese series that I've heard her voice through, this would be a first.

My favorite part is the color palette. So beautiful and rich. I've screen grabbed several often to add to my photoshop and illustrator swatches. Several scenes in which the sky is yellow, then pink, are so masterfully combined, i am sure no one notices.

The characters are all so unique and wonderful ....their interaction with their ah ma is lovely. Reminds me of my grandmother Mama Clara. Although I am hispanic, my sister in law is Japanese and i see many commonalities in these multicultural families. Read that the author's wife is Korean.

Voice overs are wonderful. Kathie Soucie (sp?) should get an award for her work as Ray Ray. She can make him sputter, laugh, giggle, snort, shout and withhold his breath...all in one sentence. And Juniper has a lovely rasp to her voice.

Check this out its fun....better than the kid who tuns into a dragon.

When I see this show for the first time, I could not believe it, this show is exactly as Jake Long.

The worst of all this problem, is that was COMPLETELY A COPY OF JAKE LONG, first an occidental main character, a Sharpei dog that can talk, and the plot of facing supernatural forces, this was the worst think that someone could have ever done, because Jake Long appear first.

Juniper Lee have better color on its characters, but lacks originality.

If you really enjoy Jake Long, you better review this show by your self, personally, I was completely disappointed to see a show that has no original story.

Hardly worth more than a secondary glance, this half-baked cartoon adventure suffers from a bland, inconsequential presentation, for which the only meaningful reaction subscribes to a perpetually bemused, "What was the point?"

Granted, the fact that the creators have gravitated toward such a generically inept slogan as "You can't stop the girl" should be ample warning as to the show's readily-apparent lack of sophistication. Furthermore, despite the best efforts of the production team, the leading protagonist never truly resonates with the impositions of true hero. HArdly inclined toward even a broad definition of "butt-kicking", this supposed martial arts expert, more often than not, resorts to simply bouncing her foes into submission, Super Mario Bros-style. To add insult to injury, Juniper Lee herself is far too often relegated to the role of damsel in distress, thereby awaiting the heroic deeds of her little brother or Scottish terriers in order to prevail. Frankly, the prospect of being rescued time and time again by your own baby brother or even the noble deeds of man's best friend doesn't sound particularly heroic, in my book.

Despite the comical distortions of the characters, Juniper Lee is surprisingly devoid of humor, augmenting its so-so foundation with an insufferable tendency for taking itself far too seriously. Perhaps the creators might have benefited from a more serious presentation, ala Ben 10 or Teen Titans. As it stands, Juniper displays a cognitive confusion of combining elaborately "Bugs Bunny"-like characters with nary a single joke in sight.