Gargoyles - The Complete First Season (1994)

Unbelievably Good!!!

This one of the best television shows ever made! The fact that it came from Disney is even more incredible! (I was not a fan of their other programs.) The influence of the Batman series that was running at the time is obvious and very welcome! The intelligent writing and mature themes were a big hit with kids and adults alike. I myself was in my late 20's, and never missed an episode. (I only wish there were some programs like it today!) Considering how popular it was with kids at the time, I'm surprised there's not more of a following for it. (Those toys were big sellers in their day.) The voice acting was some of the best ever done for any animated series, American or Japanese! Every episode was a great game of "try and guess the voice". Was there any ST TNG cast regular who didn't voice a character? (Not to mention Keith David who was doing Spawn on HBO about that time, another underrated show.) This show went places few other "kids shows" dared to go. True life and death struggles, real betrayal and many grey areas when it came to right and wrong. The science and technology was very respectfully treated and when combined with the magical/fantasy aspects made for very engaging stories and action. I am disappointed to hear Disney has not released Season 2 Vol. 2, but not surprised. These are the same people who put Gargoyles on their own network and edited them mercilessly! Needless to say I purchased the portions of the series that were available to see them as originally aired and await the rest. I would recommend that if you love Gargoyles you might like all the Warner/DC shows (Batman to JLU), Exosquad(a MUST see!) and Robotech(though it is showing it's age a bit, it's still worth it uncut!) Let Disney know they need to release the rest of Season 2 at least! (The Goliath Chronicles do NOT live up to the rest of the series, noticeably poor animation and writing, don't bother unless you HAVE to have a complete collection.) We want to see the world tour!



November 13, 2008

A show from the glory days of American childrens animation...

Once uppon a time, in an era known as the Roaring 90's, you could see cartoons in any time block kids were likely to be watching TV without even having to have cable. It is in these ancient times that several excellently written, exciting, and intelligent kid's shows were born into the 2:00 P.M.-5:00 P.M. time block. One of the greatest of these was Gargoyles.

Concerning the adventures, trials, and tribulations of a clan of Gargoyles cursed to remain stone until their castle towered over the clouds in ancient Scotland who's curse was broken by the modern buisness man David Xanatos, Gargoyles is truly one of the shining creative gems of American animation. Even if you watched this series as a kid, as an adult or teenager you will still be enthralled in the story line. The characters in the series, both protagonists and antagonists, are generally more three dimensional than is common for most shows aimed at the same target audience and even episodes about common kid's show themes such as trust, friendship, and family are written with a maturity level that is now rare in any show meant for people under 30.

In a time when American cartoons (and shows aimed at a young adult audience and the people who edit anime for US television as well) tend to sacrifice plot and character development in order to appeal to the lowest common denominator, Gargoyles is a breath of fresh air, whether you're 2 or 52, without having to delve into the anime section of your local video store. October 28, 2008

Gargoyles

Gargoyles - The Complete First Season (Special 10th Anniversary Edition)Loved it, recomend to those that also enjoy anime June 7, 2008

"Stone by Day, Warriors by Night"

-This is a review for Gargoyles: The Complete First Season-
(2-disc Special 10th Anniversary Edition)

In 1994, the Walt Disney studio took a risk on an unusually dark premise for an animated television series. Little did they know that it would become a critically acclaimed epic. Over a decade after it's cancellation, the series has a devoted cult following. The series was exceptionally well written and the animation surpassed just about every other animated series on TV at the time. But what really made Gargoyles stand out was its mythological, philosophical, psychological and social depth. The stories utilized everything from Shakespearean melodrama to science fiction, from medieval folklore to organized crime. It was also very progressive in a sociopolitical sense. It took a stand against all forms of prejudice and bigotry, and even featured an episode devoted to the dangers of handguns.
The story involves a clan of gargoyles, creatures who are stone by day but flesh and blood warriors by night. The gargoyles are betrayed by the humans they once protected and are frozen in an enchanted sleep for a thousand years. An egotistical and corrupt billionaire awakens them in modern day Manhattan. There they must learn to adapt to a drastically different world where those they protect fear them and those that offer them their support only seek to control them.

The series had an amazing cast of voices to bring to life an even more amazing cast of characters, including:

Goliath- voiced by Keith David
The noble leader of the gargoyle clan and a fearsome yet just warrior

Hudson- voiced by Ed Asner
The venerable former leader of the clan, and Goliath's most trusted friend and ally

Brooklyn- voiced by Jeff Bennett
The most courageous of the younger gargoyles, Brooklyn proves himself to be a natural leader

Lexington- voiced by Thom Adcox Hernandez
The most scientifically minded of the clan, Lexington often helps the others to understand technology

Broadway- voiced by Bill Fagerbakke
The portly and somewhat naïve gargoyle who looks for the best in everyone

Bronx- voiced by Frank Welker
The gargoyles' dog like pet, fearsome yet friendly and always loyal

Demona- voiced by Marina Sirtis
Goliath's former lover and second in command, now his most vicious enemy

Elisa Maza- voiced by Salli Richardson
A New York City detective who may be the only human that the gargoyles can trust

Xanatos- voiced by Jonathan Frakes
The billionaire responsible for awakening the gargoyles and the most deceptive of all their adversaries

Owen Burnett- voiced by Jeff Bennett
Xanatos' enigmatic and ambiguous right-hand man who holds an astonishing secret

Princess Katharine- voiced by Kath Soucie
At first prejudiced against the gargoyles, the princess later championed them for their righteousness and bravery

The Magus- voiced by Jeff Bennett
The brash wizard who cast the spell on the gargoyles and later raised the hatchlings

Hakon- voiced by Clancy Brown
The cruel Viking leader responsible for slaughtering the gargoyle clan in 994 A.D.

Macbeth- voiced by John Rhys-Davies
An immortal warrior king who may or may not be the gargoyles' foe

Coldstone- voiced by Michael Dorn
Formerly a friend of Goliath, now a reanimated monster under Xanatos' control

The Pack
A group of mercenaries given their own TV show, The Pack are a force to be reckoned with

The Steel Clan
Xanatos' robotic army created to keep the gargoyles in his control or destroy them if needed
The thirteen Season One episodes included in this 2-disc set are:

1. Awakening: Part One
The saga begins as Goliath and his clan repels a Viking attack in the year 994 A.D. and are betrayed by those they protect.

2. Awakening: Part Two
The gargoyles are frozen in an enchanted sleep and then awakened a thousand years later by Xanatos.

3. Awakening: Part Three
The gargoyles meet and befriend Elisa Maza, explore the city and learn about the contemporary world.

4. Awakening: Part Four
Goliath and Elisa build a relationship, Demona returns and Xanatos sends the gargoyles on a mission.

5. Awakening: Part Five
The gargoyles complete their mission and the truth is revealed about Xanatos' and Demona's treachery.

6. The Thrill of the Hunt
Lexington thinks he's found the perfect allies in The Pack, but instead he learns not to trust what he sees on television.

7. Temptation
Demona tries to seduce Brooklyn into accepting her twisted worldview and her all-consuming hatred of mankind.

8. Deadly Force
Broadway accidentally shoots Elisa while the rest of the gargoyles hunt down those they believe to be her assailants.

9. Enter Macbeth
Macbeth attacks the gargoyles believing them to be in league with Demona, his former friend and greatest enemy.

10. The Edge
Xanatos proves himself to be a brilliant manipulator while he strategically controls all those around him.

11. The Long Way to Morning
Demona tracks down Goliath and Hudson, while Hudson reminisces about the old days when he was leader.

12. Her Brother's Keeper
Xanatos chooses Elisa's younger brother as his latest recruit and Elisa tries to warn him of Xanatos' intentions.

13. Reawakening
Through science and magic, Xanatos and Demona resurrect a dead gargoyle and trick him into fighting Goliath.

Though Gargoyles only lasted for a few years it managed to spawn a spin-off series (Gargoyles: The Goliath Chronicles) and its impact on outcast teens and adults today is as strong as when it first aired. Gargoyles wasn't just a flash in the pan trend like many of today's cartoons. It's an intelligent and provocative masterpiece that shows that even if you're different that you can still be accepted, and more importantly that we can help to create a better world by having faith in one another. June 3, 2008

Yes finally

Thats the best dvd i own. Gargoyles. Classic tale of anicent times, when gargoyles and vikings battle for land. April 16, 2008

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