Part 5: Openings
Though I was content with the Sat Am version, I never considered it the best or a favorite. Still, going back to these intros it a bit of a shock.
Visuals
Sat Am does a good job of showing off the basics of the show. Sonic is working against the dark and dangerous Robotnik, and being a bit of a smart alec, too. Sally gets quite a bit more time on-screen compared to the other freedom fighters, establishing her position as taking charge but also working closely with Sonic with a hint of romance.
Underground likewise established the basics of the show. Time is spent focused on each siblings' growth as well as their music-fueled powers and "freedom fight." The moments slows down a bit for their mother's point of view before picking back up again with the hope that the triplets would find their mother.
The Sat Am intro is good. I appreciate how they establish the basics of both Sally and Sonic as well as their relationship. I also like the details like an unhappy Antoine clapping. However, even just at a glance Underground seems to have more going on.
The intro is akin to a summary of the origin episode "Beginnings," as it briefly covers the events and establishes the show's main point: find their mother, stop Robotnik. Aleena also makes it have a bit more of an emotional punch. Both openings are about a minute in length, but Underground seems to sum up the show's more complex plot in the same amount of time.
Also Sat Am once planned for Bunnie's robotization to be shown during the intro (with Sally saving her). Would have been better if they kept that in, I think.
Continuity Errors
Just an interesting note. Doesn't really affect either too much.
Sonic races to show Uncle Chuck about Robotnik's invasion...as an adult. While this could potentially be Sonic from the future ("Blast to the Past"), it seems to imply that Robotnik's take over was recent and not when the freedom fighters were children.
As a child Sonia's arms and legs are both tan, when normally they are hot-pink.
Lyrics and Singing
Sat Am
The Sat Am version is catchy, with an appropriate emphasis on attitude. The original season 1 version is not quite of the same quality, and maybe it's just that I'm used to the season 2 one but I find it kind of funny. Overall I don't think either have aged very well, having a pretty distinct early 90s vibe.
While I'm quite fond of the "he's got an attitude" line, when I was young "too fast for the naked eye" easily became the "hilarious" "too fast for the naked guy." Plus I didn't understand it was saying "he can really move." Overall the lyrics aren't that special.
I kinda' think the song they planned to used before, "Burning Way Past Cool," may have been a better choice because it seems more aligned with Sonic's personality and (though pretty 90s), it's more experimental nature has helped. And it may have been more alike music from the video games.
Underground
Underground is pretty unique compared to the other songs of the show because it is not performed "by" the hedgehogs. It has a more mystic vibe that has helped it age better, and the rock themes of the background fit well with Sonic. I think the vocals are stronger, and the lyrics are more involved, like a narration of what's happening.
While the reception of Sonic games have been mixed, the hardly anyone complains about their soundtracks. That being said, it's hard to "go back" to simpler times of the Sonic cartoons. Neither quite has what it takes to out do the game's reputation, but each tried to start their shows with a bang.
In the long run, I think Underground's is better, and Sat Am's is...better than the intro to Sonic Boom, but not as good.
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| lol the random images I have... |
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