Legends of Chima TV Series

[CM4Sci]

Episode 3 is now on iTunes.

-Sci

[Good Cragger Fan]

Having watched all three episodes for the first time, I have mixed feelings about the series.

Pros:

The animation is top-notch.

The battles seem much more dynamic than those in Ninjago, with many factions engaged in several scuffles (compared to most of Ninjago, which typically featured waves of enemies advancing on relatively few "heroic" characters.

The voices are typically really good. Every time Laval speaks my heart melts; he's so kawaii.

The core story is compelling, and I'm eager to learn more about the dense mythology of Chima.

The characters are really fun; even characters who mostly serve as comic relief like Gorzan, Razar, and Plomar.

Cons:

The writing is generally awful, and this tempers my enthusiasm for all other aspects of the series. The dialogue feels like it's talking down to the audience, with characters frequently stating the obvious or reiterating plot points which have already been explained thoroughly. Even the most amazing voices can't redeem poor dialogue, and it also affects my enjoyment of the story.

The pacing varies wildly, and I feel it was a mistake for the show to try to pack the entire backstory into the first episode (compare Avatar: The Last Airbender, which only delved into the main character's backstory in depth halfway through the first season).

Overall, the show was decent enough for me to want to keep following it. But it's definitely got some serious flaws. It remains to be seen if this will be remembered as a rocky start to a series which got better over time, or a sign of how the rest of the series would unfold.

Agreed on all points. However, something I observed myself is that M2Film's animation style (giving characters a sort of jumpy stop-motion quality to their movements) and the very slapstick nature of the action suggest this isn't a series that's meant to be taken all that seriously. The real question is, does this work for a series with such a dense level of invented mythology as Legends of Chima? It feels somewhat disjointed to me — without taking the show seriously, it's hard to properly digest and mentally apply the mechanics and history of the invented universe to future episodes.

The deliberately comedic aspects of the series, like Gorzan's subplot in the third episode or any scene with Plomar, are largely enjoyable. But the stilted dialogue makes it very difficult for me as an adult to enjoy the series, and I think a lot of kids would also have a hard time enjoying the show.

If I were LEGO and/or M2Films, I would have them do two versions of the English Language dialogue: one exactly how it is now (for the children); and the other one that is much more intelligent in nature, which does not insult the audience's intelligence (especially adults and teenage viewers) (for the teenagers, adults and more intelligent children), so the diologue would not be stilted there. As for "Aanchir" saying that the animation style looks like a jerky, stop-motion style, I have not noticed that for the most part (this is not Robot Chicken's style of animation) -- it being aside from the scene where Laval was looking for his Chi harness, but it looks like he is literally teleporting around his bedroom several times (this is quite common in animation where a character is either looking for something for an extended period of time, a lot of time has past even though that character is in the same scene but doing completely different things, and/or the animators want to save on animation). The Ninjago: Masters of Spintizu TV series also has slapstick action (mainly in the clip videos that are found on LEGO.com but occasionally in the TV series proper, mainly with the lower tiered villains, though not as often as the Legends of Chima TV series).

The episode is called Joyride... Laval crashed the Royal Fighter... How does that equate to Lagravis being dead, who according to the portion of the fourth episode available is negotiating with the Rhinos!?!

You need to keep in mind that only the first part of the "Joyride" episode (Episode 4) is available on YouTube right now, which is only about 6 and a half minutes in length, whereas the entire episode is about 22 minutes in length, so we can only see about 30% of the entire episode and so

LaGravis (apparently) dies towards the end of the episode (it according to what Laval said in the trailer of this episode). Here is an edit: I made a mistake on this one (as it is sometimes hard to hear the voices clearly in the video), but Laval said that he distroyed his father's tank (by accident), not that his father is dead there.

Edited March 29, 2013 by Good Cragger Fan

[Tobias_Jay]

This regards episode 4

Personally, as much as I like Lagravis and he was one of the saving points of the first episode for me, him dying might add an interesting characteristic to Laval. When Craggers parents fell down the cave, he kind of went into a state of depression until Crooler poisoned him with the flower. Laval sort of has a more revenge attitude to me,with Lagravis' death (or at least "presumed" death) maybe it will put Laval into depression and Eris is the spark that gives him the urge to fight again and then maybe a romance will spark from it.

[PenPlays]

This regards episode 4

Personally, as much as I like Lagravis and he was one of the saving points of the first episode for me, him dying might add an interesting characteristic to Laval. When Craggers parents fell down the cave, he kind of went into a state of depression until Crooler poisoned him with the flower. Laval sort of has a more revenge attitude to me,with Lagravis' death (or at least "presumed" death) maybe it will put Laval into depression and Eris is the spark that gives him the urge to fight again and then maybe a romance will spark from it.

Resolved

Here is an edit: I made a mistake on this one (as it is sometimes hard to hear the voices clearly in the video), but Laval said that he distroyed his father's tank (by accident), not that his father is dead there.

If I were LEGO and/or M2Films, I would have them do two versions of the English Language dialogue: one exactly how it is now (for the children); and the other one that is much more intelligent in nature, which does not insult the audience's intelligence (especially adults and teenage viewers) (for the teenagers, adults and more intelligent children), so the diologue would not be stilted there.

THIS!

I would like to see where the series goes though (it will take off just like Ninjago did. Trust me). I would've wanted the same for Ninjago, but I found myself content when the series really began.

Edited March 29, 2013 by Penkid11

[newwavejunkie]

Am I the only one bothered by the fact that the characters can't seem to agree on whether his name is pronounced "Cragger" or "Crager"?

[PenPlays]

Do you me "Crah-ger" or "Crayg-ger?" (I pronounce it the latter)

It's like the different ways of pronouncing tomato or potato.

[Tobias_Jay]

I say Crah-ger, but I have not seen the third episode (waiting for it to come to YouTube), how does it pronounce Ewald's name ( I heard he is in that episode). I say Eh-wald.

Edited March 30, 2013 by Wall E2624

[PenPlays]

He goes unnamed. Eglor as well.

[TheAshTree]

I say Crah-ger, but I have not seen the third episode (waiting for it to come to YouTube), how does it pronounce Ewald's name ( I heard he is in that episode). I say Eh-wald.

I think brick blogger has the episode you are looking for.

[Tobias_Jay]

^Thanks, I will go check it out.

He goes unnamed. Eglor as well.

Oh, I was hoping that would not happen. In Ninjago, the only snakes with names that were spoken were Pythor and Skales. I was surprised in the first (or second I can't remember) episode of Chima when Lagravis referred to Leonidas and Longtooth as their actual names. I thought there would be a turn around for the names of the minions being spoken but apparently not.

[PenPlays]

^Thanks, I will go check it out.

Oh, I was hoping that would not happen. In Ninjago, the only snakes with names that were spoken were Pythor and Skales. I was surprised in the first (or second I can't remember) episode of Chima when Lagravis referred to Leonidas and Longtooth as their actual names. I thought there would be a turn around for the names of the minions being spoken but apparently not.

At one point, Lloyd refers to Fangtom as "Fangpyre." Although that was a mistake on the writers' part, that was an attempt to give Fangtom a name. Besides, if the Ninja or the Snakes just randomly mention Acidicus or Skalidor, I'd think some kids would be very confused.

I was surprised by Lagravis mentioning them as well. It looks, however, that Lennox will not go mention, being that there are several of him. Also I was surprised that Razcal was directly addressed by Razar as well in the new episode.

Might I also mention that Worriz is the only wolf with a name at the moment (in the show) despite Winzar, Wakz, and Wilhurt appearing. The same goes for Grizzam, Grumlo, G'loona, Crawley, Eglor, and Ewald. Lest we forget that there are still several characters that haven't even appeared in the show like Rawzom, Equila, Ewar, Windra, and Rizzo just to name a few.

Edited March 30, 2013 by Penkid11

[Good Cragger Fan]

At one point, Lloyd refers to Fangtom as "Fangpyre." Although that was a mistake on the writers' part, that was an attempt to give Fangtom a name. Besides, if the Ninja or the Snakes just randomly mention Acidicus or Skalidor, I'd think some kids would be very confused.

I was surprised by Lagravis mentioning them as well. It looks, however, that Lennox will not go mention, being that there are several of him. Also I was surprised that Razcal was directly addressed by Razar as well in the new episode.

Might I also mention that Worriz is the only wolf with a name at the moment (in the show) despite Winzar, Wakz, and Wilhurt appearing. The same goes for Grizzam, Grumlo, G'loona, Crawley, Eglor, and Ewald. Lest we forget that there are still several characters that haven't even appeared in the show like Rawzom, Equila, Ewar, Windra, and Rizzo just to name a few.

I do not remember in seeing Lennox at all in any of the epiodes that have aired so far (them including part 1 of episode 4) -- although I've seen many exact copies of Leonidas, them being as grunt Lion soliders and/or Royal Guards, in the Lion Temple scenes (among other places) -- so when or where has Lennox appeared in the TV series, thus far?

Also, does anyone have a link to the full version of episode 4, or at the very least parts 2 and 3 (and 4, if there is one) of episode 4?

It would be greatly appreciated by me (and other people here on Eurobricks)!!

Edited March 31, 2013 by Good Cragger Fan

[PenPlays]

I do not remember in seeing Lennox at all in any of the epiodes that have aired so far (them including part 1 of episode 4) -- although I've seen many exact copies of Leonidas, them being as grunt Lion soliders and/or Royal Guards, in the Lion Temple scenes (among other places) -- so when or where has Lennox appeared in the TV series, thus far?

They have brown-ish hair. What can I say?

[Good Cragger Fan]

For those people who have seen the entire episode of episode 4 (The Joyride) of the Legends of Chima TV series, could they please tell us if the Beavers are heros or villains? (I want to know this really, really badly here!)

Here is an edit: Could those people who know the answer to the above question be specific on who the Beavers are allied to there (preferrably in spoiler tags! )? (I'm meaning specific names of animal warrior tribe members; and if one of them is Cragger, is he in a hipnotised state at that particular time and place, or is he thinking and acting his old, normal self at that particular time and place? )

Edited April 1, 2013 by Good Cragger Fan

[krystalKING]

For those people who have seen the entire episode of episode 4 (The Joyride) of the Legends of Chima TV series, could they please tell us if the Beavers are heros or villains? (I want to know this really, really badly here!)

The Beavers have a deal with the Crocs, meaning that so far as we know, they are bad guys.

[Good Cragger Fan]

They have brown-ish hair. What can I say?

Lennox has reddish brown hair on his mane; Leonidas has orangish hair on his mane; Loongtooth has dark brown hair on his mane; and Laval has (new) dark red hair on his mane; and, finally (but needless for me to say here), LaGravis has white and light (or dark) blueish gray hair on his mane -- so they all are distinct enough in pigment for almost anyone to tell the difference, especially with Leonidas' and Lennox's hair on their manes.

"krystalKING", do the Beavers have a deal with Cragger (while he is in a hipnotised state), Crooler, Crug and Crawley (and all the nameless, grunt Crocodile animal warriors), or do the Beavers have a deal with Crominus, Crunket and Cragger (when he is not in a hipnotised state)? I'm asking this because: if the Beavers have a deal with the former group of Crocodile tribe members, then the Beavers are bad characters, but if the Beavers have a deal with the latter Group of Crocodile tribe members (especially with Crominus and Crunket), then the Beavers are not necessarily bad characters but might be good characters.

Edited April 1, 2013 by Good Cragger Fan

[PenPlays]

Lennox has reddish brown hair on his mane; Leonidas has orangish hair on his mane; Loongtooth has dark brown hair on his mane; and Laval has (new) dark red hair on his mane; and, finally (but needless for me to say here), LaGravis has white and light (or dark) blueish gray hair on his mane -- so they all are distinct enough in pigment for almost anyone to tell the difference, especially with Leonidas' and Lennox's hair on their manes.

There were inconsistencies with the Ninja's hair within all of the Ninjago Media, so I simply assumed that with all the grunt lions. Maybe we just haven't seen Lennox yet.

When it comes to the mane colors in the sets, Lagravis has ashen White hair (us an our technicalities ).

[krystalKING]

I believe (Official Conjecture Begins Here) That the deal is made with Cragger in his hypnotised state, as is shown in the episode four trailer, the Beavers apprach Eris and Laval with a certain hostility, further confirming the bad guy theory. (Conjecture Ends Here)

[Lyichir]

If the beavers are evil, they're probably the least intimidating "bad guys" yet.

[krystalKING]

If the beavers are evil, they're probably the least intimidating "bad guys" yet.

I Agree!

Also, does anyone have even a rumor as to when episode 4 will be released? I'm really excited for this sieries and I want to see more of the Joyride.

[Good Cragger Fan]

I Agree!Also, does anyone have even a rumor as to when episode 4 will be released? I'm really excited for this sieries and I want to see more of the Joyride.

This is a warning that I am going into rant mode (and am very emotional in feeling) here:

I say "amen!" to this!, as I really, really, really DO NOT like to be mentally HELD HOSTAGE by Cartoon Network (in the US) and Teletoon (in Canada)!! This is because, me in only seeing 6 minutes and 26 seconds of "Episode 4: The Joyride" of the Legends of Chima and having for me (and most other people on here) to wait who knows how long in length of time (probably 3 to 4 months into the future, it meaning late July or sometime in August) is just not good enough here!!!; and "Episode 4: The Joyride" is, I strongly believe here, the pilot season's final episode, so I must see what happens to Cragger, such as will he ever break free of hipnosis from Crooler's Orchid and finally see the error of his ways, and us seeing Cragger's redemption and join the Lions (and rebuild his friendship and trust with Laval) and their allies against Crooler (and maybe most of the other Crocodiles, save for, perhaps, his parents), the Wolves, Ravens and Beavers, so a new chapter in the Legends of Chima TV series can begin there, as the official start of "Season 1" of the TV series, with a new, main antagonist such as Crooler?!!!

I'm going out of rant mode here:

As for the Beavers -- since beavers are, in real ilfe, equally at home underwater as they are on land -- could they be the true, evil counterpart to the Crocodiles and that the Crocodiles, for the most part (save for Crooler and maybe a few of the other Crocodiles, especially Crug and Crawley) are actually good characters (and so Crooler and a few of the other Crocodiles are traitors to their kind)?

Edited April 4, 2013 by Good Cragger Fan

[CM4Sci]

This is a warning that I'm going into rant mode here:

I say "amen!" to this!, as I really, really, really DO NOT like to be mentally HELD HOSTAGE by Cartoon Network (in the US) and Teletoon (in Canada)!!

Calm down.

Anyway, my guess is beginning of July. That's when the second season of Ninjago started.

-Sci

[PenPlays]

The second season, after the first season which aired in December after being gone for nearly 9 months after the pilot!

[Good Cragger Fan]

There were inconsistencies with the Ninja's hair within all of the Ninjago Media, so I simply assumed that with all the grunt lions. Maybe we just haven't seen Lennox yet.

When it comes to the mane colors in the sets, Lagravis has ashen White hair (us an our technicalities ).

I not only look for the colour of the Lions' hair on their manes to differentiate between, for example, Leonidas, Longtooth and Lennox, but I also look at what the torso print is there on the Lions that are in question there. (Leonidas' and Lennox's torso look almost the same there, except for the fact that Lennox's torso has two belts that are printed on him (one belt that is intersecting on a 45 degree angle but not crossing the other one, which is perpendicular to the other one, thus also on a 45 degree angle), whereas Leonidas' torso has only one belt on him that crosses his torso on a 45 degree angle.)

"CM4S", I cannot calm down here (and move on from my issues in how LEGO and M2Films treated the Crocodile tribe as a whole, especially with on how they treated Cragger's character and personality) until Cartoon Network (in the US) and Teletoon (in Canada) have shown the entire episode of "the Joyride" -- as I strongly believe that this episode is the last episode of the pilot episodes (it even says that it is the last episode in the trailer of this episode that was uploaded to YouTube from the Okto TV channel in Singapore), and thus a proper conclusion to the current story arc with Laval and his allies in fighting against Cragger and his (current) allies for Chi. (That is the case, unless I and/or someone else here finds an upload of Parts 2, 3 and 4 (if Part 3 does not end at the end of the closing credits part of the episode) and/or an upload of the entire episode of "The Joyride" episode on YouTube (and/or any other free video-sharing website), with the dialogue of the characters in the English lanuguage, and Cragger gets redeemed by the end of "The Joyride" episode.) Furthermore, it is extremely unfair that Singapore, via the Okto TV channel, gets to air "The Joyride" episode, with the dialogue in the English language, (probably) much sooner than Cartoon Network (and thus Teletoon but a couple days later on from the US airing of it) in the US (and Canada) will get to air it!!! Thus, why this is the case, and what is the holdup (i.e., what is keeping them from airing it now or very soon from now?)??? I'm saying this because they (Cartoon Network and Teletoon) should be airing this soon, not just a week before the official start of "Season 1" begins in the summer, as "Season 1" will (probably) have a completely brand new story arc, with brand new tribes and/or characters and, more importantly, new villains (LEGO and M2Films in having Cragger (and most of the other Crocodiles) as the main villains gets boring after a while, so the introduction of new main villains (and/or villainesses) should be in order there). Thus, there would be brand new characters in minifigure form and Speedorz (as well as existing characters in minifigure form) in brand new sets (vehicles and important locations) in January of 2014 -- otherwise there is not much point in LEGO having new sets and Speedorz next year, as most of the existing vehicles (and some of the most important locations) of the Lions, Eagles, Gorillas, Crocodiles, Wolves and Ravens have (or will be the case, as of this summer) been released already by LEGO.

Edited April 4, 2013 by Good Cragger Fan

[Tobias_Jay]

^You raise a valid point there Cragger, but we are yet to see Bears, Rhinos and Beavers in set form so maybe we can get a plot that is more focused on them next year, to coincide with thier with some extras (Penguins please ) thrown in. I believe the Rhinos will be good unless

the peace treaty between Lagravis and the Rhino tribe goes awry and leads to Lagravis' demise (which is where I see that going)

. I am waiting out for the point where the Foxes come into the picture and see if they are neutral or join a side.