James Bond Junior

As a whole, JBJ is a commonplace 80s cartoon, down to the animation and storyline. I've seen a good chunk of the show, and while I thought it amusing at best, it wasn't the greatest thing in the world.

However, if you are a Bond fan viewing of at least one episode is a must. Otherwise, you aren't a true one! *^_^* (Coming from the daughter of a Bond fanatic, you must realize.)

(Meeting when the show "James Bond Jr." was conceived)

Boss: Okay, team, we need a new toy line to market. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles aren't going to be hot forever.

Person #1: I got it! How about a kid, who goes to an exclusive Prep school, and fights crime as a super secret spy. Super Spy Kid! He'll have weapons, a slick car, and a team that helps him.

Boss: I like where you're going, but we need to tie it to something marketable, something familiar, something that will sell...

Person #2: How about James Bond?

Boss: Yes! That's exactly what I was thinking!

Person #1: James Bond? You mean, the book and film series with violence, sex and dark story lines? How are we going to appeal that to kids?

Boss: Easy. We make it a version with younger characters. Let's make it... his nephew! Call him James Bond Jr.

Person #1: But isn't James Bond an only child? Isn't the Junior surname for sons only, not nephews?

Boss: Nonsense! An eight year old won't know the difference.

Person #2: Yeah, and we tie the toyline to a TV cartoon. We drop the violence and sex to be almost non existent, add characters related to other Bond characters that somehow end up at the same school, and have humor only a kid can appreciate.

Boss: Yes yes yes! The toy promotes the cartoon, which promotes the toyline. I love it!

Person #1: But... isn't that talking down to kids? Blunting what James Bond was really about?

Boss: Who cares! Ian Fleming isn't going to walk through that door in disapproval. Get this going immediately. The next Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles!

Basically, that's what I imagine how the meeting went when this series was created. If you couldn't tell, I was never a huge fan of it. Poor animation, watered down action, corny and cheesy jokes and humor, and anything resembling the classic Ian Fleming works neutered to kid friendly levels. The show was a vehicle to sell a toy line and that was pretty much it. It came at the height of "kid versions" of adult characters (Muppet Babies, Flintstone Kids, etc.) as well as the cartoons inspired by toys. Soon after this show, high quality action cartoons were created like "Batman: The Animated Series" and "X-Men", but this show followed the unfortunate trend at the time of action cartoons talking down to kids all in the name of toy sales. Oh yeah, and James Bond was an only child!!! Don't waste your time on this one.

"Bond...James Bond...Junior!"

UGH. And they say TIMOTHY DALTON was the worst thing to come to the James Bond franchise!

From the team that neutered the Ninja Turtles comes this contrived series about the exploits of...uh...JAMES BOND'S NEPHEW?! Oh boy...

Bond Jr. so happens to go to a private school which SO HAPPENS to have relatives of Q and Ms. Moneypenny as classmates. Bond Jr. always finds a way out of school and goes on contrived adventures against foes like Jaws and Oddjob (who tries to dress in a PINK AND PURPLE JUMPSUIT?!) and other poorly designed versions of James Bond's rogue's gallery. And of course, Bond Jr. gets 'help' from a different chick each episode.

I guess since the Muppets had their Babies and Shaggy & the Gang had a Pup named SCOOBY DOO, the idiots in charge of this tripe had to make a Junior out of Mr. Bond, with laughable results.

Horrible animation, horrible character designs, pathetic stories, and a STUPID & UNORIGINAL CONCEPT, James Bond Jr. is a series best left forgotten.

A worthwhile attempt by MGM to get James Bond to appeal to the children's and teens audiences without the women aspect. Interesting, but a good series. Clearly, James Bond was never meant for children. IT's seriously an adult-oriented program.

I remember when I was nine years old. I'd come home and watch this show on tv. I've since grown up and still remember that he really is James Bond Jr., complete with a scientist friend and a cute girl to make things interesting. I even wanted to make a movie out of it, but I couldn't think of all the actors I'd put in the roles.