"Codename: Kids Next Door" was my favorite show growing up. I remember the day that the series finale premiered. It was January 21, 2008. I was full of excitement, anticipation, and also some sadness throughout the day leading up to it. I cried at the end and thought that it was a great finale to the series. Rewatching it again recently, however, I realize that there is a lot of problems with it.
After Sector V failed once again to get The Delightful Children From Down The Lane's birthday cake, supreme leader Numbuh 362 gave the cake mission to her little brother Numbuh 363 and his sector. Numbuh 74.239 steals the cake and starts a scavenger hunt where the winner will get the cake. Sector V is in the hunt and along the way, Numbuh 1 and Numbuh 363 seem to be at odds.
Some of the issues I have with this adventure is that a lot of things in it would have worked better for a normal episode and not for the series finale. Honestly, a scavenger hunt hardly seems appropriate for the finale of a show like "Kids Next Door." Compared to previous episodes, the dynamic of a scavenger hunt feels a bit underwhelming.
The tension between Numbuh 1 and Numbuh 363 was another thing that didn't work. This was the only time Numbuh 363 made an appearance (discounting a brief cameo in "Operation Z.E.R.O"), and I honestly think that Numbuh 1 being at odds with someone he had a long history with (like Chad, for instance) would have been more fitting for a series finale. It didn't feel right to randomly spotlight a new character right at the end of the show's run.
One other thing that I didn't care for was the involvement of various past characters from the series in the scavenger hunt. It felt like they were crammed into there just for the sake of fanservice.
However, I will say that there were more good things than bad about this finale. The opening chase sequence and final fight against the DCFDTL were really good.
The best parts were the live action interview segments with Sector V grown up. It was really interesting to watch, and each of them were very much like I imagined them as adults.
The ending with Numbuh 1 leaving for the Galactic Kids Next Door was very well done. It was very emotional and heartfelt and had me crying the first time I watched it. As for the possibility for a "Galactic KND" spin-off series, it might be nice, but I don't really care if it doesn't. "Kids Next Door" had pretty much run its course.
You might think I'm being a bit harsh on it, but this was the wrap-up to my favorite childhood show. It was good, but as a series finale, it could have been A LOT better. It's still worthwhile for any fans of the series who haven't seen it yet, but don't expect it to be amazing.
RATING: B-
After Sector V failed once again to get The Delightful Children From Down The Lane's birthday cake, supreme leader Numbuh 362 gave the cake mission to her little brother Numbuh 363 and his sector. Numbuh 74.239 steals the cake and starts a scavenger hunt where the winner will get the cake. Sector V is in the hunt and along the way, Numbuh 1 and Numbuh 363 seem to be at odds.
Some of the issues I have with this adventure is that a lot of things in it would have worked better for a normal episode and not for the series finale. Honestly, a scavenger hunt hardly seems appropriate for the finale of a show like "Kids Next Door." Compared to previous episodes, the dynamic of a scavenger hunt feels a bit underwhelming.
The tension between Numbuh 1 and Numbuh 363 was another thing that didn't work. This was the only time Numbuh 363 made an appearance (discounting a brief cameo in "Operation Z.E.R.O"), and I honestly think that Numbuh 1 being at odds with someone he had a long history with (like Chad, for instance) would have been more fitting for a series finale. It didn't feel right to randomly spotlight a new character right at the end of the show's run.
One other thing that I didn't care for was the involvement of various past characters from the series in the scavenger hunt. It felt like they were crammed into there just for the sake of fanservice.
However, I will say that there were more good things than bad about this finale. The opening chase sequence and final fight against the DCFDTL were really good.
The best parts were the live action interview segments with Sector V grown up. It was really interesting to watch, and each of them were very much like I imagined them as adults.
The ending with Numbuh 1 leaving for the Galactic Kids Next Door was very well done. It was very emotional and heartfelt and had me crying the first time I watched it. As for the possibility for a "Galactic KND" spin-off series, it might be nice, but I don't really care if it doesn't. "Kids Next Door" had pretty much run its course.
You might think I'm being a bit harsh on it, but this was the wrap-up to my favorite childhood show. It was good, but as a series finale, it could have been A LOT better. It's still worthwhile for any fans of the series who haven't seen it yet, but don't expect it to be amazing.
RATING: B-
