I'm not sure how I came to find this one, but it may have been while I was searching for some other cartoon on Google. But this caught my attention and I decided to give it a try, and, as usual, I don't regret doing so. This is another Canadian cartoon classic, it's no disappointment. It's one of my picks for best animated T.V. series from Canada, of the year 2000, and of the whole decade. I didn't watch many action cartoons growing up, but in adulthood, I'm appreciating them more and more. This is without a doubt action-packed and it doesn't disappoint. Due to there currently being only six of the episodes available to watch online, namely Youtube, this is all I've been able to see of it. But I've enjoyed each of them and what I've seen so far. Even though I might not have given this the time of day if it had been brought to the attention of any of my local T.V. stations, had I been aware and learned about this sooner, it's still unbelievable that a Canadian toon of this level of excellence gets less push to the masses than the more, nonsensical mess from that same country like Almost Naked Animals. As this is one of the better and more worthy shows.
Also known in the French dub as Air Academy, this revolves around a septet, some of whom are up-and-comers in the aviation field. The leader, Dan, formerly worked for the Canadian Secret Service and is an ex-fighter pilot; Tina, the aspiring aviator; Max, the team's mechanic; Jeff, another aspiring aviator; Jeff's younger sister and pre-teen, Emma, who handles air traffic control; Emma's fellow pre-teen, Alex, who does the same; and Parachute, a flying squirrel who is the team's pet and mascot (although he doesn't quite look like a flying squirrel, since he seems to lack wing-like appendages under his arms). An independent air services company is run and they carry out a la carte missions for their clientele, and coming to the aid of others in need. I presume it may be both a flight services agency and a flight school. Aside from that and flying planes, jets, and any other aircraft, they partake in other aerial activities, such as parachuting and skydiving. In addition to all this, they're tasked with foiling the plots of a group of mercenaries known as the Barracudas.
On to the technical aspects of this. It makes a great use of traditional and CG art/ animation. The art style is well-drawn enough and the animation seems fine most of the time from all that I've seen. I mention this, because in one of the episodes that I know of, the lip-synching of the characters to the dialogue is done well, at first, but then it's off midway into it. I wish that problem had been fixed. The only CG mixed in this is of the aircraft and they look good enough to me, as they look nearly realistic. Plus, it's interesting to see a cartoon made at a time when both art/animation styles were still being utilized simultaneously. The writing of the stories seem distinctive enough to be unfamiliar of what I may have seen before (or , at least, that I know of), anyway. Haven't heard the French dub, but the English dub sounds just right. The music sounds just as good. Other than the little aforementioned problem with it, I didn't find many.
For anyone reading this who hasn't seen the program, I highly advise to check it outs it is so worthwhile. I'd add this to my list of animated T.V. series I'd like to see be brought to DVD, especially as a complete series. Although I may not have been that deep into aviation like that, it's still an interesting thing to watch in this show. It's a high-flying thrill ride, full of action and adventure. Recommended.
Also known in the French dub as Air Academy, this revolves around a septet, some of whom are up-and-comers in the aviation field. The leader, Dan, formerly worked for the Canadian Secret Service and is an ex-fighter pilot; Tina, the aspiring aviator; Max, the team's mechanic; Jeff, another aspiring aviator; Jeff's younger sister and pre-teen, Emma, who handles air traffic control; Emma's fellow pre-teen, Alex, who does the same; and Parachute, a flying squirrel who is the team's pet and mascot (although he doesn't quite look like a flying squirrel, since he seems to lack wing-like appendages under his arms). An independent air services company is run and they carry out a la carte missions for their clientele, and coming to the aid of others in need. I presume it may be both a flight services agency and a flight school. Aside from that and flying planes, jets, and any other aircraft, they partake in other aerial activities, such as parachuting and skydiving. In addition to all this, they're tasked with foiling the plots of a group of mercenaries known as the Barracudas.
On to the technical aspects of this. It makes a great use of traditional and CG art/ animation. The art style is well-drawn enough and the animation seems fine most of the time from all that I've seen. I mention this, because in one of the episodes that I know of, the lip-synching of the characters to the dialogue is done well, at first, but then it's off midway into it. I wish that problem had been fixed. The only CG mixed in this is of the aircraft and they look good enough to me, as they look nearly realistic. Plus, it's interesting to see a cartoon made at a time when both art/animation styles were still being utilized simultaneously. The writing of the stories seem distinctive enough to be unfamiliar of what I may have seen before (or , at least, that I know of), anyway. Haven't heard the French dub, but the English dub sounds just right. The music sounds just as good. Other than the little aforementioned problem with it, I didn't find many.
For anyone reading this who hasn't seen the program, I highly advise to check it outs it is so worthwhile. I'd add this to my list of animated T.V. series I'd like to see be brought to DVD, especially as a complete series. Although I may not have been that deep into aviation like that, it's still an interesting thing to watch in this show. It's a high-flying thrill ride, full of action and adventure. Recommended.
