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Criticism of Steven Universe
7 years ago
Hey guys! Been a while. What's new? I finally got my Drivers License! It was intense and awesome moment. I steel need to get a G full, but it's a step. I am also on a diet, and so far it's been doing wonders. Now onto my "controversial" subject.
Last night I have seen the latest episode, and I gotta say, it was amazing. On the other hand, even to this point, I don't think they have addressed or I am afraid they will be able to address most of my criticisms that I have racked up over the years.
- Inconsistent or below average animation
Don't get me wrong, I think the animation is great for all intents and purposes, but it is also pretty "safe". I don't think I have seen anything noteworthy or a scene that truly stuck in my mind aside from neat ideas. What I mean is, if you havent watched, look up "It's over isn't it?". Few pointed out how while interesting, it would have been much better if they played with the perspective and have Pearl gaze down and actually show us the full height, which would be frightening, but oh the more so effective. Also, yes, I can make the joke on how they do not follow reference sheet, but it be redundant.
- Lack of stakes
What's weird is not that there aren't stakes in here, but rather they don't carry that much weight they needed. Notice how after every major thing, several episodes were on what happened in beach city. I have to say it now, this ruins the show's flow as it pretends that everything is back to normal. Or at least that normal life and super life's are completely separate. And anything that could've given us a feeling of dread like back in Jailbreak, hasn't been so again. Basically, show tries to be more theuraputic rather than actually engaging.
- Pushing Social Justice elements
I am not some old guy yelling at kids show about the dangers of SJW, or how Donald Trump is so magnificent, or whatever. I never had a problem with the show's more SJ elements. Well, there are few times: Greg informing his manager woman are people (that's not even close how it would've been irl), Steven being angry at Kevin (he's sympathetic to Jasper, who "killed" Garnet, and tries to reason with Yellow Diamond, who showed no remorse in what she does, but a sexist jerk riles him up, huh?), Steven crossdressing (it felt detached from the episode because of how much focus it had on itself, which made inconsistent on whether or not it was supposed to be a big reveal or just another normal part) and Steven effeminate behavior (from WHOM does he get it from? Rose? Gregg? Crystal Gems? I know they like to play with gender norms, but stuff like this makes it so obvious)
- Steven PoV
Few have pointed out this problem, and it is something of a backbone to this show. Everything takes place from Steven's point of view. But this inadvertently makes the whole show feel extremely small. You know there are outside things he has no knowledge of, but because in order to learn from them, we need to have Steven learn it first, it honestly severely limits the feel of world building, which this show does aim at trying to do. We need him to go to every little crook and cranky to understand what is going on, but that is the same as forcing your child who wants to him to keep the training wheels on.
Honestly, I still do love the show. And it feels like we are close to be finishing with it. I really hope they pick this up, and to have Cartoon Network by that time to stop with their bad time management. Let's hope for the best.
Last night I have seen the latest episode, and I gotta say, it was amazing. On the other hand, even to this point, I don't think they have addressed or I am afraid they will be able to address most of my criticisms that I have racked up over the years.
- Inconsistent or below average animation
Don't get me wrong, I think the animation is great for all intents and purposes, but it is also pretty "safe". I don't think I have seen anything noteworthy or a scene that truly stuck in my mind aside from neat ideas. What I mean is, if you havent watched, look up "It's over isn't it?". Few pointed out how while interesting, it would have been much better if they played with the perspective and have Pearl gaze down and actually show us the full height, which would be frightening, but oh the more so effective. Also, yes, I can make the joke on how they do not follow reference sheet, but it be redundant.
- Lack of stakes
What's weird is not that there aren't stakes in here, but rather they don't carry that much weight they needed. Notice how after every major thing, several episodes were on what happened in beach city. I have to say it now, this ruins the show's flow as it pretends that everything is back to normal. Or at least that normal life and super life's are completely separate. And anything that could've given us a feeling of dread like back in Jailbreak, hasn't been so again. Basically, show tries to be more theuraputic rather than actually engaging.
- Pushing Social Justice elements
I am not some old guy yelling at kids show about the dangers of SJW, or how Donald Trump is so magnificent, or whatever. I never had a problem with the show's more SJ elements. Well, there are few times: Greg informing his manager woman are people (that's not even close how it would've been irl), Steven being angry at Kevin (he's sympathetic to Jasper, who "killed" Garnet, and tries to reason with Yellow Diamond, who showed no remorse in what she does, but a sexist jerk riles him up, huh?), Steven crossdressing (it felt detached from the episode because of how much focus it had on itself, which made inconsistent on whether or not it was supposed to be a big reveal or just another normal part) and Steven effeminate behavior (from WHOM does he get it from? Rose? Gregg? Crystal Gems? I know they like to play with gender norms, but stuff like this makes it so obvious)
- Steven PoV
Few have pointed out this problem, and it is something of a backbone to this show. Everything takes place from Steven's point of view. But this inadvertently makes the whole show feel extremely small. You know there are outside things he has no knowledge of, but because in order to learn from them, we need to have Steven learn it first, it honestly severely limits the feel of world building, which this show does aim at trying to do. We need him to go to every little crook and cranky to understand what is going on, but that is the same as forcing your child who wants to him to keep the training wheels on.
Honestly, I still do love the show. And it feels like we are close to be finishing with it. I really hope they pick this up, and to have Cartoon Network by that time to stop with their bad time management. Let's hope for the best.
