Posted: 22 September 2021
Rugrats (2021) / Paramount+, Nickelodeon / 27 May 2021-Present
When the new Rugrats came out on Paramount+, I watched the first episode called “Second Time Around.” I was drinking water out of my Rugrats cup from 1997. The 43-minute first episode resituated me back into the Rugrats world and prepared me for the rest of the coming season.
What’s with the CGI?
Couldn’t they just have used digital hand drawings instead of CGI? CGI is so 2006 (and don’t even argue with me that the new Smurfs cartoon is in CGI). All the new cartoons these days are drawn in digital ink. I know Disney cartoons of today do that, but Disney is Disney. Despite that, Angelica looks cute in this new style. Spike’s textured fur makes me want to pet him through the TV screen.
Unfamiliar Adult Voices
The babies retained their original voices, which are still quite good, but they completely replaced the adult voices with folks I’m not familiar with. I understand it was for a new image but they didn’t have to replace all the original willing cast. Parents are shown as millennials now. The voices changed to reflect how millennials apparently talk.
Disappearing Characters?
Many people are asking about the whereabouts of the characters introduced throughout the original series. Where’s Dil, Kimi, Kira, and Lulu. It also seems that Howard Deville disappeared off the face of the earth, leaving Betty as a single mother. Maybe they’ll be re-introduced in later seasons.
I’m Still Asking…WHY?
They really didn’t have to reboot Rugrats. All the stories were all told in the original series and it had a good run. Despite that, give this reboot a chance when you get Paramount+. Especially in the 1st episode, it shows the Rugrats charm we’ve grown to love. Don’t be fooled and turned off by the promos/sneak peeks you see. Just watch the show. If you’re persistent on not liking/watching this new incarnation, you’re more than welcome to go back to the original series which is also on Paramount+. There are plenty of episodes to enjoy again and again.