Invader ZIM: Enter the Florpus

After an absence of about 15 years, "Invader Zim" is back as a special on Netflix. Interestingly, this Nickelodeon show returned to Netflix just a few days after another, "Rocko's Modern Life". Of the two, I prefered the Rocko special but they both are well worth seeing...particularly if you are a fan. As for Zim if you are NOT a fan or if you haven't seen it before, then this is something you might want to skip.

In the show, Zim has been missing for many years. During all this time, the obsessive Dib has been spying on Zim's house...waiting and hoping to see him again. Suddenly, Zim appears and Dib is pretty much powerless to do anything, as he's become a disgusting blob who hasn't slept nor showered nor left his computer chair since who knows when. But, after a montage, Dib is back to his old self and just in time to try to twart Zim's latest plan...one that involves fake dad, pudding and Mini-Moose.

I have watched all the "Invader Zim" cartoons, so this one did not make my head explode. However, this is a distinct possibility and the new show is incredibly weird...even compared to the old show. Fans of the series will adore it and shower it with 10s, non-fans will just be confused and I think a reasonable overall score is 7.

The art style from the show has been greatly missed since the comics came out, and even more in this movie. If they do bring Zim back for another series, I hope they revert back to the original style. Aside from the art, I enjoyed the movie and found it as entertaining as the show. I especially love the voice cast reprising their roles, and the humor of the show being represented in the film. Jhonen Vasquez is a brilliant writer with a hilarious view of his fellow man (one that I can't disagree with). I'm also immensely grateful that unlike the creators of "Rocko's Modern Life," they stuck to their story and didn't change any characters.

While i didn't grow up with Invader Zim, i was introduced to it when i was a teenager but the show was so captivating and bizzare, and it's charm hooked me in.

Now fast forward to 2019, it is just incredible to see for the first time in so many years a return, Netflix saved this show from the deepest void and now we have Enter the Florpus.

It was everything i ever wanted from Invader Zim, and it feels like they have taken few notes from Rick and Morty with the expansion of the world and it's characters. Let's just hope that this gathers enough attention to create more movies or maybe a continuing series in the future?

Welcome back Invader Zim.

And the Nostalgic Nickelodeon Netflix specials continue!

As a huge fan of The Invader Zim series, I was very satisfied with this story. It truly was everything and more I remembered Zim to be. Which is a bunch of smart random fun. It was also fun to introduce Zim to my nephew who is 7 of course his favorite is Grrr. He was quoting the show for days after which tugged at my heartstrings. The funniest thing that happened while I watched this was the realization I had. Now you can agree or disagree with this of course but I believe it true. I realized Invader Zim set the tone for today's cartoons. Teen Titans Go, Adventure Time, Amazing World of Gumball the list goes on and on all of these take from the original randomness of Zim. I recommend this piece of art to all and hope for more Nostalgic Nicktoons specials

There were a lot of great moments in the movie, I love that Vasquez held onto a good amount of his humor as the years have wore on, I'm sure many things have changed for him as has the world & culture around him, so it inspires me to see the unique expression of all the bizarreness & absurdity in a time that has largely departed from this style of humor & show.

I enjoyed the movie & I would recommend it, it really punches you in the nostalgia bags & gives a lot of good laughs.

I only have a few small gripes about the movie, having been a huge fan of the original series.

The movie departs a bit from the vibes of the original series, for whatever reason. For one, the movie exhibited a lighter atmosphere, I understand that perhaps the production assumed that the audience has changed and was afraid to alienate their audience, but Invader Zim was great in large part because its irreverence, many great art pieces are great because they're bold & actually defy people's expectations. There was never a good comedian who only said what was socially acceptable, and that's why it brings me some sense of sorrow to see Zim made less intense, diminishing near the first point of contention, even Dib & his family having obscenely 'normal' moments. Gaz is not someone pretending not to care about her brother, being annoyed with him, & looking for ways to injure him, but in the movie she is, and Dib's dad doesn't really care that much about him, he's actually consumed by his passion for science to a fault, except in the movie.

The power & intensity of the individuals are diminished in the movie, the nature of their reality is toned down perhaps to tailor to more modern audiences, there is less darkness & ugliness, less witty, repulsive, absurd, nihilistic, subtle commentary, & more silly, apprehensive humor that pulls too many punches.

I would gladly watch a remake because I still love the humor when it hits right & the remnants of the original atmosphere they kept, but that doesn't change the fact that the movie could have been better if it was significantly more authentic & daring.