I was a kid from the 80's, this show is an underrated and forgotten 80's gem, that is one of my favorite cartoons from that decade if you can actually believe that.
The main reason it caught my eye was the fact that unlike most cartoons back them this actually had a really good plot (at least I thought so) personally I thought it was an awesome idea because it was creative and different. It's kinda strangely similar to the sci-fi story "Day of the Trifids" which was about plant invasion only here it's in space which makes it cool. What makes the story compelling (for me anyway)and the space opera universe it in it's dark atmosphere. The show really creates almost at times a sense of dread because we see much damage and how far the monster minds evil influence extends. You really feel like the odds are truly against the good guys, but this just all the more makes us bet on the good guys to win.
It's true that there's not much in plot development, like most 80's cartoon most of the episodes were random. But there was nothing wrong with that as long as the episodes had good stories. And certain aspects do rip a bit from "Star Wars" but this is a minor flaw I can get past.
The animation I think is very good and holds up today. I like the worlds it was able to create, how the human characters are animated, but most importantly I really love the designs of the vehicles, the monster mind vehicles are both organic and inorganic at the same time; their menacing and strange. Each of them have unique features and at times characteristics. However the vehicles I like the best are the Lighting League vehicles, just their features, how they work, and how much butt they can kick I wanted to drive one of them. My favorite was always armed force; with armed force you can grab vehicles and do whatever you want.
I really like the characters Jayce is solid despite an archetypal young hero. But to me I really like the supporting characters whom to me stand out the most. Herc is my favorite, yeah he's a Han Solo rip off, but still he's a fun character all the same. He's brash, reluctant sometimes but for good reason, and borderline selfish and selfless.
Flora is a sweet but mysterious character, she's a kid but she's not an annoying stereotypical kid; because her character is actually useful from her ability to communicate with plants (kinda like Kira from "The Dark Crystal"), let alone able to drive the vehicle and kick butt (how the heck she can legally drive at her age is anyone's guess). Gillian, a bit of a rip and mix of both Obi Wan and Gandolf, he's a mentor, has a sense of humor, but also despite his age is more than capable of kicking some butt.
And the two other best things about the show are the action and the music. The action I think is very good, I really like the vehicular assault battles their well coordinated and violent, almost reminds me of the battles in the "Twisted Metal" video game series. I like how the good guys are able to dispatch the monster mind vehicle with non cliché methods instead of the usual direct hit equals explosion method (the non inclusion of it I'll admit is kinda strange) and all the same the monster mind vehicle do get destroyed and die so they don't pull punches there. Though I'll admit there are times when some battles seem a little redundant due to lack of variety in vehicles for the monster minds side and well as format in situations. But this is another small minor flaw I can easily get past.
The music is awesome, this cartoon has one of the best soundtracks but most importantly it has one of my favorite cartoon theme songs of all time it's just so exciting, inspirational and adventurous.
It would be awesome if this show got some sort of revival, out of a lot of cartoons being revived for a new generation this I feel should be one to consider, but yeah I know it's wishful thinking once again but who says it can't happen. Overall, "Jayce and the Wheeled Warriors" is worth a test drive, check it out.
Rating: 3 stars
