Thanks to DreamWorks for the free DIY craft, which is actually quite simple to do…. Our kids grew up on Captain Underpants. Actually our kids are still growing up with Captain Underpants as they’re only 6 and 8. The older one has been a fan of George and Harold since he was 4. It’s the first books that he started to read and the series that I credit with him actively wanting to read. We started with one random book from Captain Underpants and ended up buying the entire series as the year went on. To that end, The Epic Tales of Captain Underpants appears to bring what fans of the book series loved about the books. The Epic Tales of Captain Underpants starts airing on Netflix on July 13. If you’re kids haven’t started asking about it, they will. However, if they don’t, then show them a book, then point them in the direction of the television show.
We all were fans of the film. It had more heart than some of its contemporaries that targeted the same demographic. There were still some sight gags, but it wasn’t all potty humor and toilet puns, which is quite ironic considering the titular character. In its place, just as it is in the books, lie George Beard and Harold Hutchins, two best friends that any kid in elementary school can relate to. They’re goofy, like to draw, have fun and also have a wide variety of friends to interact with.
If there was one thing that the film did not contain that our kids noticed, it was its lack of supporting characters. Other than Melvin Sneedly, Mr. Krupp/Captain Underpants and Professor Poopypants it was the George and Harold show. Fans of the books know that there are several characters that interact with them and help spice up the universe of Jerome Horowitz Elementary.
From the previews that I’ve seen, The Epic Tales of Captain Underpants seems like it has more ensemble players. It’s still the George and Harold show, with Captain Underpants/Mr. Krupp, but there are teachers or friends that pop in from time to time to act as foibles or friends.
It also still retains the silliness and fun of Captain Underpants. Even as I type this, try to say, much less think of Captain Underpants without smiling. This is a story, nay, a series of stories, a television series even, that compliments its original feature film and books and feels like a compliment instead of a cash in. Part of that is because people, mainly kids who are between 5 and 11, want to see more of their adventures. That was the vibe that our kids gave us after the film and that’s what they get from Dreamworks The Epic Tale of Captain Underpants when it steams all of its first season on July 13.
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