Invader ZIM
Published July 11, 2004
Space Invader? Indeed!
Invader Zim: OK, I have had the opportunity to view last weeks Pick of the Week. And the report is good! I bought this blind, meaning I had never seen an episode before this viewing. I had read good things about it, and based on that and the screen shots I had seen, I made the decision to give it a whirl.
This series is fantastic, so good in fact, that I cannot wait for volume 2. The general idea is that Zim is an outcast from his planet, and is given the task of invading and taking over the Earth. A task that he is not expected to last long in. In order to learn about the humans, he disguises himself as a young boy and goes to school. Of course, hilarity ensues as each of his plans falls flat. Zim isn't alone, he has his faithful, yet stupid, robot disguised as dog partner named Gir (pronounced grrrrr). He is suspected by only one person, the loner geek Dib. This a really basic look at the series, as it is very hard to describe.
The show is suitable for all ages, there is cartoony violence which is never realistic, no language. It airs (aired? not sure if it's still in production) on Nickelodeon, so there is no objectionable content. Best of all, adults will enjoy it too.
It has comic sensibilities like Tim Burton, a unique visual style, and some wonderful voice acting. The best I can say is that if you like what you see on this site, you may have tastes like mine and really enjoy this.
The DVD itself is beautiful. The picture quality is flawless, colors are vibrant. Audio is crystal clear, it may not give your surrounds a workout, but it is a nicely rendered track. The extras include commentaries with the creators and voice actors, animatics, and an interview with the cast.
Highly recommended!
Christopher Beaumont spends much of his time writing about entertainment when he isn't sitting in a movie theater. He is known around the office as the "Movie Guy" and is always ready to talk about his favorite form of entertainment and offer up recommendations. Interests include science fiction, horror, and metal music. His writings can be found at Draven99's Musings and Draven99's Media Center. 
- Invader ZIM
- Published: July 11, 2004
- Type:
- Section: Video
- Filed Under: Video: Television, Video: SF, Video: Comedy, Video: Animation
- Writer: Chris Beaumont
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Comments on this articleComments
What about "SpongeBob SquarePants"? That has to be tht funniest kids' cartoons ever. (Next to Cartoon Network's "Ed, Edd -n- Eddy".) I would say "South Park", but that's not for kids.
I am pretty unfamiliar with their other current offerings. I recently saw my first ep of SBSP, and it was funny. Zim is inline with my likes, not sure it ranks with R&S, need to see more. SouthPark is great, but definitely not for the kiddies.
Dwaine is signifying!!!The Sponge is the
best thing that's happened to cartoons
in a long,long while.The humor can be
enjoyed by youngsters but like classic
Warners Bros.is chock full of jokes and
gags aimed at adults that pre-pubescent
type people will never understand.
Even the president likes SpongeBob.
Unlike most of Nick's other cartoons, Invader Zim also contains a hefty overdose of adult wit and humour, intellectual and otherwise. Mech fights, Aliens, gratuitious violence, lots of screaming, this series IMO is the best ever shown at Nick. Kinda similar to Futurama in humor, only more screaming and more gratuitious violence. Better than R&S or Sponge Bob, IMO. :D
Invader Zim was too good for Nickelodeon. Invader Zim is about the funniest thing I've ever seen, and I've seen quite a few funny things. XP
INVADER ZIM IS GODLY!
there is no other i wish to worship! also jhonnen is my HHHHHHHHHHHHHEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEERRRRRRRRRRROOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
IZ is one of the good shows in my eyes. All the AWESHUM 90's stuff and this are good. Why the hell did Nick stop showing them? Now all they put on is crud. '08 ain't so great for Nick. Where's the good TV anyway? HUH?
Zim is teh uber-coolness.
SBSP cannot compare to its AWESOMENESS.
All other shows cower in terror before it.
NOTHING WILL EVER BE AS AWESOME.
I will miss it dearly.
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Does this series or, for that matter, any other series that Nickelodeon puts out today, come anywhere near the magic of shows of the early-mid '90's like "Ren and Stimpy", "Rocko's Modern Life", "The Adventures of Pete and Pete", or "Are You Afraid of the Dark"?