Do we really need to introduce Matt Groening again. This American, king of the animated series, is the creator of Futurama, but especially The Simpsons. This cartoon chronicle of the American family is now in almost thirty seasons and continues to find its audience again and again to such an extent that it is, without a doubt, the most famous animated series for adults of all time. In short, Matt Groening is back on Netflix with Disenchanted, his new series that takes place in the Middle Ages.
We must give time to this series
Many have discredited this new series of Matt Groening. Certainly the show is not perfect and many negative arguments are verifiable. The characters do indeed lack, sometimes, consistency. It is still only silhouettes of future characters that are taking shape. Thus, this first season of Disenchanted does not put forward a lot of secondary characters and prefers to focus on its protagonist: Bean. An endearing character, feminine, adventurous, but not necessarily very funny. It is the perfect mix between Lisa and Bart, the wisdom of the first and the passion of the second. There is also the little Elfo, real hero of this first season, this little bear is very endearing and allows some good humorous moments thanks to his naivety and his shift compared to the worlds of humans. In addition, Matt Groening reserves him an unexpected final destiny. And finally the third luron is this little imp, interesting humorous spring, this cat in the eyes of the rest of the world seduced by his permanent cynicism. However, this character remains sketchily basic and could have reached a mystical depth barely touched on. After all it is indeed a demon, and its mysterious universe would have brought a more certain to the series. Similarly, its strength remains unknown, and its powers simplistic. We expected more from this character who could have entered the pantheon of animated demons dominated by the psychopath Mr Pickles. Unfortunately Luci remains in the background, does not yet develop all his mysteries and remains a character who lacks exploitation despite his limitless potential. In short, this whole story is timidly put in place and could find all its identity through its protagonists.
Similar episodes
Despite the era put forward: the Middle Ages, Matt Groening's imagination has its limits. After the American family and the entire galaxy, the creator tackles magic, demons, dragons and the entire fantasy heroic universe. However, apart from a few magicians, a giantess and elves, Disenchanted lacks mythological and legendary creatures. Matt Groening also lacks ideas for transitions. Apart from this recurring shot of the castle and its waterfall, Matt Groening does not take the lead with ideas of transitions or staging. He is content with the bare minimum. Similarly, thescenarios of the different episodes remain rather sketchy, repetitive and lack renewal. Apart from the final episode that brings his courage to both hands and offers an unexpected conclusion, Matt Groening does not really surprise his audience and is content with the classic springs of the genre: situation comedy, impossible romance, plot sewn with white thread. In short, Disenchanted is not boring, or even of poor quality, but unfortunately remains a lambda series. The show finds its cruising pace, rather quiet, and scrolls its episodes without real twist, except at the very end once again. The episodes follow one another in a global plot punctuated by episodic subplots. Unfortunately, this central plot lacks panache and surprises. The twists and turns and different twists are expected and are not unforgettable. Matt Groening moves away from the classic format of The Simpsons and Futurama from episode to episode by episode to offer a plot spread over an entire season. Like Tray Parker and Matt Stone at South Park, Matt Groening wants to direct his entire series and no longer settle for episodes.
Finally, we must give a chance to Disenchanted who has only scratched the veneer of her potential. The characters remain endearing and the universe seductive, but Matt Groening will have to accelerate his pace and his ability to make us laugh to totally convince…
