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Managing editor & film and television critic with a Bachelor's of Arts in English Literature with a Writing Minor from the University of Guam. Currently in graduate school completing a Master's in English Literature.
Cartoon Network‘s hit animated fantasy television series Adventure Time returns for a four-part web series special on the HBO Max streaming service under the subtitle, Distant Lands. Part I of this special is titled “BMO.” Its storyboard is supervised by Mira Ong Chua, with supervising animation directed by Kimson Albert.
As the title of this article suggests, there are no spoilers ahead for those who have seen the original run of the series but have not yet seen the episode!
This first part of Adventure Time: Distant Lands proves to be a remarkable addition to the show’s original run through its use of Biblical and pop-cultural references, art design, screenwriting, and musical score.
The plot of “BMO” focuses on Finn and Jake’s little robot companion BMO (Niki Yang) as he navigates through the depths of space. In his journey, he is introduced to a new civilization of characters, and a new journey is set into stone for the series. BMO has always been the heart and levity of the show, and here, he is given his own adventure time — forty-five minutes (or nearly an hour) to be exact. As a character, he is given a great script and development, proving himself to be a hero and leader without his Earthly owners.
The animation in this special episode offers a stellar view of space that was not often explored in the original run of the television series which, for the most part, occurred down on Earth. Here, we are shown that nature can be beautiful no matter where we travel. Additionally, Tim Kiefer composes the splendid music of the episode. Both the animation and music are worth sticking around for to the end of its post-credits sequence, where it is important to take notice of the voice cast and animation crew who put in the effort to make this special come to life.
The episode further develops themes on civilization and offers the solution that we must all work together without certain leading individuals or groups present to give orders. BMO serves as a savior figure to a newfound population of people and is indeed “his own big boy.”
“BMO” is a promising first part of the Adventure Time: Distant Lands special. It foreshadows an elapse of time since the series finale. Its animation style, science-fiction references, music, and storytelling reminds us how great the series was and still is, and that such tales can be everlasting.
Have you seen this series? If not, do you plan to binge it sometime in the near future? Let us know! For more Adventure Time, action, comedy, animation, fantasy, and Cartoon Network-related news and reviews, follow The Cinema Spot on Twitter (@TheCinemaSpot) and Instagram (@thecinemaspot_).
We also offer a spoiler review, detailing elements of the episode.
Managing editor & film and television critic with a Bachelor's of Arts in English Literature with a Writing Minor from the University of Guam. Currently in graduate school completing a Master's in English Literature.
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