Babar - Les aventures de Badou

Whenever I see a reboot of one of my favorite cartoons, I've always feel doubtful if it has the charm of the original. But Badou, is an exception. Though the CGI could surprise some and the lack of some beloved ones as well (such as Madame). But the increase of new ones as well as it's quirky humor redeems it. It's a reboot that I recommend very much. It has the same charm as the original.

Visually it looks like a lot of other cheap quality looking shows that are on. It has no real visual appear at all, there is nothing that grabs you about it. Just cheap looking computer animation. My son doesn't seem interested in it at all. The word "tusk-tastic" forced into every other sentence is distracting and annoying. We usually will change the channel when this one comes on. There isn't really much in the way of learning anything from this show either, it's pretty basic and not very engaging for kids. It's kind of a shame because I remember the Babar cartoons from when I was a kid and they were actually pretty interesting and well done. This show just seems poorly made on someone's computer.

Maybe this is only a matter of opinion, or just my nostalgia talking, but this series, while cute and certainly modern, simply doesn't feel right watching. The CGI doesn't suit the characters, Badou isn't particularly likeable, and the characters certainly aren't as endearing - moreover the older 1990's cartoon, while not perfect, was a show that adults and children alike could enjoy. Parents could watch it with their children and genuinely enjoy it. I loved the characters in the older series such as Basil, Pompadour and Troubadour, and they were very well-developed, fun and unforgettably unique. Luckily this new show does retain characters like Babar himself, and lovable old Cornelius (with their original voice actors, so kudos to the show for that; sadly Chris Wiggins has since passed away), but in TAOB, Cornelius is less developed and more of a comic relief, and Babar just doesn't have much screen presence anymore. Badou and his friends really aren't as fun to watch, nor are they endearing and memorable. The show is painfully childish to the point where most children I've babysat are put-off by it and find it "lame", whereas they enjoy the older version better, or neither version. It's a genuine attempt, but it simply doesn't capture the magic of the older cartoon or the original French Babar storybooks of the 1930's for that matter.

Both my boys -- they are five and seven -- love Babar and the Adventures of Badou. It's cleverly written and one of those animated shows that parents can watch with their kids... without wanting to pull out their own hair! A pleasant departure from some of the shows the kids watch...

Stories are sweet without being saccharine, and the overall look is bright and beautiful.

Kids particularly like the character of Jake, especially the episode they refer to as "the stinky one" where Jake refuses to take a bath. It doesn't hurt that my oldest son is named Jake. Now I remind him of Babar and the Adventures of Badou when I'm trying to get him into the tub!

I watch this show with my 5-year-old daughter and we both love it. The CG animation is beautiful-- very colorful and clear. So, to start, it is interesting visually. The stories have the right amount of adventure, humor and lessons. It is nice to see grandparents (in this case, King Babar) portrayed as wise yet "cool." He is not bumbling or stupid or out of it. Babar is clearly friends with his grandson Badou and with Badou's friends. The monkey is particularly funny and the porcupine also is funny. The teacher, Miss Stritch, is one of my own favorite characters. She's loving, a bit ditzy, but always manages to impart a useful lesson.

It's one of the few children's TV shows that I can actually sit through and enjoy. So many are downright boring or stupid. I highly recommend this!