Centurions (1986)

80's cartoons were just full of excitement and colorful ideas, along with the toys. This show was one of them and is another under the radar gem, it was a slight hit and popular for it's time, but as became forgotten as time went on.

The Animation is solid, I really like the color and character designs, I wouldn't say it's anything totally mind blowing but I feel the animation quality is a pass because it's practical and looks like effort was made. I really like the plot and it's setting. The concept now seems slightly plausible with our drone technology today as well as some robotics we're coming up with. I really liked this futuristic world and how technologically driven it was, as a kid this kinda blew me away and made it a place I'd love to visit.

The protagonists are pretty solid, their not deep characters but hey it's a cartoon from the 80's what can you honestly expect. Four of the protagonist that stand out persona wise are Jake Rockwell whom is pretty much battle hardened and has a gruff persona and charisma.

Crystal whom is hot to trot, I like that she's intelligent, can hold her own against danger, has some charisma; the only problem is that she doesn't have much to do just relay some intel for the guys, run communications and beam them down, but doesn't really get to fight with them which isn't entirely fair; but oh well.

Though my favorite was always Ace McCloud whom is a typical hotshot, arrogant, has plenty of charisma. Also kinda a flirt, always trying to charm Crystal.

So, the characters serve their purposes, but really like with most 80's cartoons were in it really for the action and this show has got plenty of that. The action sequences I think are solid, their well choreographed and most of the situations they fight in our different. Even like the robots they get to fight, their's a solid variety of them and they have unique functions.

But the real joy is seeing the Centurions use the power suits. I love the concept of them which is different, their not in mechs but it's really just a combination of weapons and technology. Depending on what you mix up and put together will give you the weponization and capabilities based on the arena of your choice, the land, sea, or air. The way these things worked, I wanted a power suit of my own because it literally makes you a one man army.

Second Favorite suit was of course Jake's which is based on ground assault. I always loved it whenever he fired the big machine guns and the sound they make, just always did the most damage.

My favorite suit was Ace McCloud's suit since it was one based on flying and that I always found cool and to me I felt the most balanced of the bunch because you can not just attack enemies in the air but also on the ground and water, which I feel is a real big step up from the opposition.

The theme song is excellent, it's both one of my favorite theme song in both animation and in general. It's just one that is heroic and fuels you with excitement.

My only real problem with the show is that the Centurions don't really have much of a rogue gallery. It's just they don't really get to meet their match, we don't see Darkterror have a power suited team of his own, I feel the lack of this was a lost opportunity. But all of the action and situations the Centurions are put thought makes up for this limit.

And yes this is another animated series I feel deserves a revival. With the animation and writing style of today it can be done. Could go into darker and more in depth with the plot and characters; but also could do even more with the power suit technology like small upgrades every once in a while, or have them mix up their combinations. Have Darkterror with a power suited rogue team of his own and more robot types to sick on the good guys.. But also have a few other different Centuions and power suits and weapons, may'be Crystal could have a power suit of her own that seems more than fair. I don't know but still this is something to consider.

Centurions got the power.

Rating: 3 stars