One of the great things for me about being a kid in the 80's decade was how they just had some of the most colorful and creative toy lines, but also was just a golden age for the fantasy genre where just about anything can go. "Sectarus" is unfortunately one of those franchises that sadly flew under the radar and just never had the proper chance to gain altitude.
I really love the concept which is rare in the fantasy genre being set in post-apocalyptic setting but in an alien world which I think is awesome. There really aren't that many in the fantasy genre that utilize post-apocalyptic settings, only ones I can think of are the film "Wizards". But also, the animated shows "Visionaries" and "Thundarrr the Barbarian" both also under the radar (and both I also reviewed).
I really love the fantasy world as you have a humanoid insect race, where there are the pleasant ones that look human and of course there are the evil ones that look inhuman. I even love that it's a place that has swords and shields, but there are also guns, a little magic and even technology which is this planet has become rare and scarce and science has become a forgotten practice. That's the other thing that is fascinating and I feel show why we shouldn't take technology and science for granted and appreciate any old and new while we still have it because when it's gone it's gone for good.
I really like the designs of the world where we see some strange alien mountains along with structures that are all organic based, which makes sense as the inhabitants are part insect. Even like how in some parts of the episodes there some Greek Mythology is incorporated, here it's an alien version of some of it, which I thought was cool. But most of all I really love the different kinds of creatures that we find and discover which makes sense as they're in a way the really stars of the franchise.
Music is also soild, there is a theme song that is pretty good if not one of my favorites but has that tune of otherworld fantasy and adventure.
The voice cast is very good it consists of some familiars like Dave Gilvezan one of my favorite voice actors whom is well known as Bumblebee (not a pun) in "Transformers" he gets to play the lead hero Prince Dargon, his voice just fits like a glove as he's always had that tone that just sings out hero.
Peter Cullen another favorite voice actor plays Mantor one of Dargon's compatriots and mentor he does good as usual with what he's got.
And last there is Arthur Burghardt whom was known for playing the voice of Destro in "G.I. Joe" he plays the lead villain Spidrax another in my honorable mention of favorite animated villains really like the helmet he wears sort of a anamorphic samurai, his character is just a merciless and ruthless that will stop at nothing and no one to conquer and get whatever he wants. Really love his voice which is just full of ruthless menace and intimidation that is just music to my ears.
But of course, we're all here for the action and adventure and this mini series has plenty of it. The choreography is solid, really like the medieval weapon combat and shootout where we do see the characters hit. But my favorite combat is the aerial assaults where we see Joust but in the air much like with the video game "Joust". But it's just really cool seeing the character just ride those bugs and just engage in combat. But also, dog fights with the guns as well as chases.
This is another franchise that has revival potential, we can have another animated series or better yet a live action series but have them on a premium channel with a big budget backing it. We can create more depth into the world of Sectarus like see more lost technology and even more hints on its lost past, but also a lot more depth into the world they live in now, with this we could get more creatures insect and other.
May 'be put a Lovecraftian spin like certain ancient otherworldly structures but also change the origin a little like there was some otherworldly mutagen that came to some point in their world and infected and spread throughout the entire planet; well their thoughts to consider anyway.
Also, I would love a DVD and Blu Ray release of the miniseries, since Time Warner has the rights have the Warner Archive company release it, I see no reason not to.
Overall this is one of those under the radar animated gems, that is worth a test flight.
Rating: 3 stars
