Mighty Max (TV Series) The Maxnificent Seven (1993) User Reviews

"We'll make it somehow. If not, I'll see you in Valhalla."

[Foreverisacastironmess123 · 10/10 · 13 March 2014]

So for a start I love the pretty scary animation of Max's nightmare in the opening scene which effectively establishes how deeply he fears death at the hands of Skullmaster and his unstoppable army of Soulless Ones, like a much earlier Cap Bearer did once upon a time. I appreciate how convincingly scared he is, it's quite realistically done and touching, as one can hardly blame him for not wishing to risk his young life in an uncertain mission into the very jaws of doom. There's some very well done character development for the little guy, it's great to finally hear him say "I'm not a hero, I'm just a kid", and the way he grapples with his fear, and how over the course of the story he learns the value of teamwork and uses the techniques that the heroes teach him to help face the first step in his destiny. I like the few episodes that progress the overall series. And I also like the characters of the heroes of legend and the way they're all developed enough that they all represent each of their respective cultures pretty well. It's so poignant and sad in the scene where Hanuman the Monkey King really doesn't want to join in the assembly of heroes and Max tells him that sometimes you do what you have to do even if it's scary, and Norman solemnly agrees. Hanuman may seem like a coward but he turns out to be the bravest one of all by the end. My favourite hero is the African amazon Mujaji! It's very interesting how she and Norman have some kind of undisclosed personal history together. "Mujaji!", Richard Moll seemed to really enjoy saying that line! The giant crabs and skeleton monster turtles(skeleturtles? Monsturtles?) that feature in the battle at Skull Mountain remind me of when I'd play with the big toy version as a little 'un! It was never one of my favourites of the playsets, I always much preferred the original Doom Zones. The epic animation of Max's slow-motion leap of faith into the dark at the climax is simply fantastic and I'd even say it's the best animation seen in the series so far. Every second as he blindly runs into Skullmaster's pitch black lair straight at the Crystal of Souls using only his instincts to guide him is so tense and perfectly paced. And then it's actually Skullmaster that ends up shattering his own Crystal with his sword, and all the long-suffering spirits of the Soulless Ones are free to pass on at last, and a loose end started in an earlier episode is resolved. Um, I don't like the bit where Skullmaster speaks of having some kind of master. Who would a ruthless tyrant like Skullmaster ever answer to? It was probably a vague reference to Satan. It's so brutal at the end when all the heroes die! They had to lose all four of them in order to destroy the Crystal. Few animated shows would have had the guts to end a single episode, much less the first season, on such a bittersweet note. A most magnificent episode with real moral value attached to it. My only complaint is that it's over too flipping quick! It manages to incorporate themes of philosophy, spirituality, racial unity and self-sacrifice for the greater good all into one story, and it is onward and upward to a bigger and bolder second season we go!

Max Facing Skullmaster Alone?!

[shelbythuylinh · 7/10 · 3 January 2022]

Well he has been having dreams. And that he is in the teachings that Virgil has told that over in defeating Skullmaster or that the world will be full of darkness and violence.

Therefore he, Virgil, and Norman must recruit seven brave people knowing for their heroics in order to defeat Skullmaster. We all see character development with Max as he just wants to be a kid, he is no hero but on the contrary he is.

Despite not being a smart as Virgil nor strong as Norman his Viking guardian bodyguard. He is the one that keeps it together with people skills. As the seven heroes may have to lay down their lives in order to fulfill destiny.