Youve seen this reboot fantasy before, just in different forms with different gimmicks.
And no one really wanted him to, anyway.
The Grinder being The Grinder was so darn entertaining!
Credit: FOX
It captured my imagination and consistently made me laugh.
It also had me constantly wondering how long the show will last.
Zorn is a He-Man cut-out, a beefcake barbarian with pop culture savvy.
He uses a cell phone.
Hes a fanboy for the movieSpeed.
He makes you giggle with his tone even when the lines dont.
Zorn rarely sees the lad because of his escapades in his native fantasyland.
Mans gotta work, you know.
But whats wrong with that?
Hes a Master of the Universe!
Does the world not exist for him?
Does he not deserve our boundless grace and patient waiting?
Such white male cartoon privilege!
The throwback animation compliments the characterization.
Is it too late for this aging himbo to evolve and get real?
(Hes three weeks late, but its the thought that counts, right?)
Hes shell-shocked to discover the people hes neglected have moved on or want different things.
Zorn loathes him, and the show pits their polar-opposite caricatures of manhood against each other.
The many scenes of Zorn operating within real environments and real actors are impressive.
Zorn isnt a static object that waits his turn to talk during conversation.
He smirks, he furrows his brow, he interjects, he gives nasty asides.
The result is character-driven comedy and a surprising degree of verisimilitude.
Status quo, not transformation, was the order of the franchise.
The show was ultimately about a community of people learning to bend toward and serve its unchangeable man-child.
I have similar fears aboutSon of Zorn.I love the idea of watching the fitful maturing of a he-man.
But can it really be that show?
Isnt the fun of this series letting Zorn be Zorn, always and forever?
But how long before even that loses its charm?
Heres hopingSon of Zorncan remain inspired and never becomes a grind.B+
