Captain Planet: The Complete Franchise... Reviewed!

This product was provided by Warner Bros. my opinions are my own.

Captain Planet: The Complete Franchise - A Nostalgic Journey with a Timeless Message

Time for a blast from the past with Captain Planet. If you aren’t familiar with the franchise, it revolves around the Planeteers, a group of five teenagers from different parts of the earth, handpicked by Gaia, aka Mother Earth, to come to the aid of the world that’s being destroyed by pollution. They aren’t going at it alone, because she equips each of them with different rings that represent elemental powers like earth, wind, water, fire, and heart to combat eco-villains.

The Planeteers and Their Mission

The Planeteers aren’t simply blasting enemies with rings; they face different challenges that requires them to think strategically as individuals and as a team. The rings certainly come into play when needed but they aren't the just blasting their way to solutions. When those challenges become too great, they combine their powers to summon Captain Planet, a hero created by Gaia based on the different elements. He doesn’t simply use all the powers the rings provide; he also has super strength and is basically indestructible like Superman, but his form of kryptonite is a direct attack with pollution. He even needs help from the Planeteers at times when pollution has him down for the count.

Considering the format and having to fit the show within a 30-minute segment, you do see and feel that the pacing of the show is sped up a bit in some areas to make sure that the show’s key points are represented (like the message presented to the audience at the end of each episode), but it doesn’t render the show unwatchable. You will notice a shift as we get deeper into the later seasons as well.

The Eco-Villains

Each episode reveals the dirty deeds of the eco-villains like Hoggish Greedly and the evil they’re dishing out on the planet. They also have to take on Looten Plunder, Verminous Skumm, and others like Dr. Blight, who is actually able to take on Captain Planet (but I'll leave it at that).

Visuals and Art Style

Visually, the show held up well, delivering a late 80s to mid-90s comic book-inspired art style for the animation. When you get into the New Adventures of Captain Planet, you will notice a change in the art style a tad, which is a bit more refined. The characters look similar, but you can tell there are some differences, and the Planeteers are older.

Why Parents Should Pick This Up for Their Family

This show is worth parents picking up for their children for more than a few reasons. It showcases teamwork, perseverance, the ability to do your part to impact the world no matter where you come from, your age, height, the ability to work together with others no matter where they come from, and the importance of doing good for the planet as well as in the world. Sadly, a number of people would hear this and call it fantasy, but the ability to contribute is a very real thing. Here's an example from my own life:

I was one of those kids who felt like what I contributed would make a difference, and it remains in me to this very day. We lived on a certain street in Fort Myers, Florida, at one point in my life that was pretty nice, but people would take trash and throw it on the ground when they passed through (I didn't get it). It was a road that ran between two major highways, and so people would utilize it often. I don’t know what it was, but when people saw trash, they saw justification to throw even more trash there. I didn’t care for it, and I grew up on Captain Planet, the Magic School Bus, and the elementary school that I went to was big on teaching recycling and promoting the preservation of nature because it’s good for the earth as well as humans and animals.

So with the approval of my mom (who didn't liter and was extremely supportive), I took trash bags and literally went up & down the entire street picking up trash until it was all bagged up. What happened after that was little to no trash being thrown on the ground on our street. Maybe they didn’t want to be the cause of the problem again, and our neighbors began taking better care of their yards. Maybe the energy rubbed off on them, and maybe it will inspire you too. By the way, there's an actual Captain Planet Foundation that I had no clue about. They work with kids to young adults up to 23 years of age in different capacities for each group (elementary, middle school, high school and beyond).

One thing I don’t care for is the New Adventures of Captain Planet’s intro theme music. I don’t know who heard that and thought it would really turn someone’s head, but someone lied to them in my opinion because it sounds bad.

Pricewise, you can get Captain Planet: The Complete Franchise for $99.99 SRP, which isn't bad for 15 DVDs packed with 6 seasons that serve up 113 episodes of over 43 hours of wholesome action. At the same time, we have to give you the hook up for $69.96! 

Overall, Captain Planet: The Complete Franchise is a nostalgic journey that still holds valuable lessons for today’s generation. It’s a solid 4 out of 5 stars.

Story 4

Visuals 5

Audio 3

Price 5

4.25 out of 5 Cool Points

 + Sophi 

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Dexter's Laboratory: The Complete Series... Reviewed!

Before I jump in, I have to give a thanks to WB for supplying a copy of this show for the review. My opinions are my own.

Dexter's Laboratory takes me back in time. I remember when it premiered on Cartoon Network under the "What a Cartoon!" line-up... along with Powerpuff Girls and Cow & Chicken. There may have been another show but I can't recall. Dexter's Laboratory was interesting. How interesting? Well... let's dive into the complete series and find out. Wait wait wait, before we jump in, I can't speak on interesting... without speaking on the case. I like the way they wrapped it with a cover that looks like Dexter... allowing you to see the case through his glasses. Slide it up just right, and you can see his sister sneaking through his lab. Okay, now let's... proceed!

 Story: When it comes to the story of Dexter's Lab(oratory), it revolves around... Dexter (duh of the day), who's basically Einstein in a third graders body trying to keep his lab a secret (though his sister always finds a way in).

His genius doesn't eliminate the fact that he's still a little boy, and it shows throughout the various scenarios he finds himself in on a daily basis. Speaking of his sister, Dee Dee, is definitely given the role of a complete airhead, but... she's a lot more free spirited and enjoy's childhood a lot more than Dexter. She flexes her brain power at times. He give's me the vibe of a cranky old man to a degree, with the voice of a villain. It's part of his charm though, especially when taking on different challenges that are caused by his own creations most of the time. Outside of the lab, you get to see more of those reactions and remarks, and his human side shows. One prime example is the episode when the babysitter comes over to watch him and Dee Dee. He clearly likes her, but there's an obvious age difference.

He's still Dexter, so he used his skills in a few ways in this episode when he became jealous of her boyfriend. One tactic worked out to a degree to get her and her boyfriend to temporarily split, but... he's still a small kid. So when he went to comfort the babysitter, she said "If only you were 10 years older". He did what Dexter would do, made that a reality... but he didn't take into account that his face would be covered in acne. Another example is when he was sitting on the couch watching Action Hank, he was in full kid-mode. He even hid when the antagonist appeared.

Anyway, you get 3 mini episodes packed into each episode (for the most part), and they're quite the easy watch with the comedic charm. One of the downsides to the mini episodes is the desire to see more of a particular mini episode, but... the variety is cool.  Speaking of variety, you will see scenarios like Dee Dee being transformed into Dexter's mom, a T-Rex/Pet Dog (aka Jurassic Pooch), episodes involving super heroes, etc. The episodes involving the heroes, definitely changes up the pace... it gives you a break from Dexter and Dee Dee. While reviewing the show, something dawned on me. Dexter's a little boy taking on grown men like Santa and even the freaking Janitor who throws forks at him, and literally gets into a fist fight. The janitor would totally be under the jail if that were reality, but looking at the show back then... I didn't think much of it. Crazy.

Before I speak on one of my favorite features in the show, I have to say that Mandark is the perfect villain for Dexter but I don't really care for the episodes he appears in for the most part. He's necessary though, afterall... he's the official antagonist, but... there were other go to episodes that I'd much rather watch (is all), like... Dial M for Monkey. Monkey is a bad ass super hero that Dexter believes is just a typical monkey he was unable to successfully experiment on. He has super speed, super strength, telekenisis, heat vision, telepathy, he can fly, use his mouth as a sonic ray, etc. Outside of Dee Dee and Dexter, he's one of my faves, along with Valhallen, and a few of the other Justice Friends. You will see the "Dial M for Monkey" segments tucked in here and there.

The show is well rounded with a unique premise, diverse characters, I love the superhero elements, the humor (some of which is rated PG), and the relatable themes, plus Mandark provides story progression so that there aren't just random scenarios by way of the mini episodes. On top of the episodes, Dexter's Laboratory: The Complete Series... also includes the Ego Trip movie.  Not to give it away, but... "Dexter's Laboratory: Ego Trip" is a movie that aired back on December 10, 1999. Do you remember those times? It's crazy, because it seems like it's a different world from today's time.

Anyway, the story follows Dexter as he discovers how he saved... the future, so it certainly involves time travel. He will be taking on Mandark, and there will be different Dexter's he comes in contact with. There's the young adult version of Dexter being treated like crap by his boss, Mandark. The middle-aged Dexter who is dealing with Mandark in his own way, as well as grandpa Dexter. They went hard with this film, but... I don't want to spoil it for you but it has humor, suspense, etc.

 Visuals: Visually speaking, the art style of Dexter's Lab is... on the wonky side. Their shapes are very exaggerated. Dexter is bite sized, while Dee Dee is elongated and you can see the bold lines and vibrant colors throughout the Dexterverse. The characters are easily recognizable as well, making Dexter's Lab one of the more eye catching shows from the "What a Cartoon!" lineup. You definitely get classic toon + anime look here.

The character's aren't the only vibrant things you see on the screen, the environment's fit the theme and don't fall flat. The movie's quality is enhanced, so you will see improved visuals without the art style being compromised. You get a cinematic feel from the movie, the different Dexter's stand out... along with the environments in their future setting.

 Audio: Sound wise... the show and movie are delivered in standard Dolby Digital, but... you will get enhanced audio in the film. It's more detailed and the audio effects are more immersive.

 Price: Pricewise... you can get Dexter's Laboratory: The Complete Series + Dexter's Laboratory: Ego Trip for $69.99. Solid price, no complaints... I like what they did with the box art, but (but but but... yes there is a but) I would've totally included a Dexter's Lab poster with all main and reoccuring characters. If fans are buying this... adding a poster is how you make this a steal. Speaking of steal, you can get it here for... $49.96!

Overall, Dexter's Laboratory: The Complete Series... serves as a delightful trip down memory lane, reminding us of a different era in animation while still maintaining its charm and humor for modern audiences. It's a solid show that doesn't feel outdated.

Story 5

Visuals 5

Audio 5

Price 5

5 out of 5 Cool Points

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Akaso V50 Elite... Reviewed featuring Akaso Brave 7 LE!

Before I jump into this review... shout out to the ladies from the Akaso team for providing us these products for review. My opinions are my own.

This review of the Akaso V50 Elite aims to provide you with an understanding of this action camera's capabilities, and to provide you with visual comparisons alongside the Akaso Brave 7 LE. These products often stand as budget-friendly alternatives to the renowned GoPro series, but are they any good? Our key objective is to evaluate whether the Akaso V50 Elite delivers value for its price... especially for the average person (because everyone isn't strapping cameras onto dirt bikes, skateboards, snowboards, etc). So... without further ado, let's dive into the details.

 Build Quality: The Akaso V50 Elite doesn't skimp on build quality at this price, with a sturdy feel courtesy of rubberized body, thicker plastics, but when compared to the feel of the Akaso Brave 7 LE... it feels like the lower tier option. The V50 Elite has a quality build, but the premium quality feel goes to the Brave 7 LE... in my opinion. Opinions may vary on that, but i'm talking about things like the button quality and the compartment covers.

I will say this though, you will greatly appreciate how easy it is to turn on the V50 Elite and operate it with the lighter clicky buttons, especially those of you who don't really have the finger strength to add a tad bit of oomph to your presses to turn on the Brave 7 LE.

V50 Elite is a lighter camera, which doesn't mean it provides lower quality results in terms of video. There are benefits to having a lighter option, which includes the ease of holding it (which is increased by the grip). Also, it's easier to mount and theres a decreased chance of it tilting or tipping when you make a jerking movement or anything of the sort. It's always good to have a solid mount regardless, but... you know what happens when something is top heavy.

A minus could be the lack of a protective cover for the ports + SD card slot on the V50 Elite, which could otherwise increase the overall aesthetics and offer protection from dust and debris. This would have been a suitable inclusion, but I don't mind when I can simply swap out SD cards... so this camera would be the one I would see being used by a family for a day out at one of the amusement parks in the area. 

A door still wouldn't hurt, but quickly swapping out the SD cards would keep the captures flowing. You have to open the battery slot to get the SD card out of the Brave 7 LE.

 Camera + Extras: As you see in the image above, the camera's package comes packed with plenty of accessories on deck without the need to run out and buy some of the same types (this applies to both cameras). Included with the Akaso V50 Elite package are the following items:

- AKASO V50 Elite Action Camera

- Remote Control

- Two 1050mAh Batteries

- Waterproof Housing

- Battery Charger

- Bicycle Stand

- Six Mount Adapters

- Two Double-Sided Adhesive Tapes

- Two Helmet Mounts

- Set of Bandages

- Five Tether Cords

- Protective Backdoor

- (Micro) USB Cable

- Lens Cleaning Cloth

- Quick Start Guide

A great addition is the camera mount - attached to the packaging. Though it may require some effort to detach, this little mount can serve well on any flat surface, such as your desk, and doubling as a webcam stand. This is not only convenient but also a clever way to reuse packaging materials if removing the base from the box wasn't the intent (beyond removing the waterproof case).

Technically these didn't come in the Akaso V50 Elite's package, but... the Akaso tripods and selfie sticks were sent by the team along with a SanDisk microSD card. I don't need to do a full review on these, but what I will say is that the tripods are a nice quality build + the SD card is meant for use with 4K UHD.

Camera Specs:

No external mic capabilities are currently available for this camera, it's only internal... allegedly (i'm going to figure this out for you before this review is up, because I have an Akaso external mic). The camera does have bluetooth, so it should totally be incapable of having bluetooth mic capability. I believe a firmware update could change this. Another downside (if an external mic test doesn't check out) is that there is no 60FPS image stabilization, but which action cameras provide this option? Use a gimbal and call it a day or turn on the EIC in 4K 30FPS. You also don't have a waterproof housing on this one (unlike the Brave 7 LE), so you have to rely on the case for water protection.

I don't advise recording video in low light conditions because the results are grainy. Get a light attachment and learn how to light up your scenes properly.

You can capture 20MP images, in addition to video in 4K 60FPS, 4K 30FPS, 2.7K 60FPS, 2.7K 30FPS, 1080P 120FPS, 720P 240FPS

Your photos and video will be stored on Micro SD. I use the SanDisk 128GB Extreme microSDXC UHS-I Memory Card that works well with 4K cameras... in the Akaso Brave 7 LE.

I didn't get a chance to test how deep this waterproof camera can go in the case, but it did well in a bowl of water. The camera was nice and dry on the inside with no leaks or dew to report. As far as how deep you can go when diving with this camera, Akaso says the limit is 131 feet with the waterproof case.

Other stats include an 8X zoom, Slow motion, Time lapse, Touchscreen, CMOS photo sensor technology, and Wi-Fi, USB, HDMI + Bluetooth connectivity. While I don't like the fact that the SD card slot and other ports are open... it's really convenient to quickly access the SD card. No need to remove this camera from the tripod unless you need to... change the 1050 mAh battery.

V50 Elite voice control feature: This is useful because at times you don't want to use the cameras control and possibly shift the camera from a desired shot. And if you're positioned a certain way, you may not want to move from that pose or hold/show the remote in your shot, so you can use your voice to call out commands to either start the video ("Akaso Start Video") or take a photo ("Akaso Take Photo").

• To stop video, just say, "Akaso Stop Video".
• To order pizza, just say... nothing, i'm just kidding.

The presence of more expensive action cameras like the GoPro in the market... is also great for Akaso camera owners because it guarantees high-quality accessories. Akaso doesn't create a lot of first party accessories beyond the mic, tripod, and selfie stick. Yes, you do get the hard plastic accessories included, but... i'm talking about the accessories like a gimbal. I love the Akaso selfie stick and tripod, these are great quality, and the mic is no slouch either, but the other options have opened the door to sweet compatible options... and all in one action camera kits, etc.

By the way, one of the noticeable differences between the V50 Elite and the Brave 7 LE is the V50 has one screen. You can't see yourself on a front facing camera to ensure that a selfie is on point (unless you use the app), but... speaking of visual quality, let's move on to video + photo quality.

 Video + Photo Quality: Talking about this would be pointless, so... press play! 

So after seeing the video, you hear that the external mic works on the Akaso V50 Elite! By the way, content creators will enjoy the Akaso app that gives you access to control the camera (via it's wifi feature), as well as the ability to edit your photos and video. You can add covers, waters, and all that good stuff... plus the ability to share content with fellow Akaso camera owners in the app (and beyond).

You don't just get access to the cameras photos/video for editing, you also get access to the settings!

 Price: The Akaso V50 Elite is priced at $139.99 with a promotional discount of $25 available (add $10 to get a 64GB SD card included). The Akaso Brave 7 LE is normally $169.99 but it's $139.99 (at 18%) + a promotional discount of $25 is also available for this camera. We have unpacked the essentials; now you have a clearer picture to determine if the Akaso V50 Elite aligns with your action camera needs and budget. If you provide them with the proper lighting... the results get the job done. 

Quality 5

Camera + Extras 5

Video + Photo Quality 4

Price 5

4.75 out of 5 Cool Points

 + Sophima 

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