The new live-action reboot of a popular 2000s cartoon has me cautiously excited after previous adaptation failures

If you remember watching Cartoon Network’s anime and anime-inspired shows on weekday nights in the 2000s, then you probably saw an episode or twelve of them. Totally spies! Although I can’t remember what was played after that Totally spies!I still remember how I fell in love with the spy fiction series out of the blue. The series, influenced by French anime, achieved cult status in France over the course of its 7 seasons and was also quite popular in the USA despite a few changes of channel. A teenager Charlie’s Angels, Totally spies! The focus is on three teenagers from Beverly Hills: Sam, Clover and Alex.

The three best friends lead a double life and act as secret agents for the series’ World Organization of Human Protection (WOOHP), which is led by the mysterious Jerry. As they travel around the world in colorful overalls, the teenage spies James Bond-level devices and thwart vengeful criminals. To balance the show’s espionage focus, Each episode also deals with a very everyday topic, from the girls’ relationship drama to their confrontations with their high school arch-enemy Mandy. Totally spies! combines its action-packed storylines with plenty of humor and heart – which makes the prospect of a live-action adaptation both exciting and disturbing for me.

Prime Video’s live-action show “Totally Spies!” sounds very promising

The adaptation of the anime-influenced spyfi show is backed by Will Ferrell

The recent announcement of a live-action remake of Totally spies! might be cause for concern, but it actually sounds incredibly promising – at least based on the few details that have been revealed. Although no writers or actors are attached to the project, the live-action adaptation is being developed by Amazon and produced by comedian and actor Will Ferrell, who has produced a number of successful projects. The spirit of the original Banijay Kids cartoon series does not seem to have escaped the creatives of the project either Totally spies! is described as a series for young adults (YA).

Instead of The CWs Riverdale route, it seems that Amazon is committed to maintaining the tone of the cartoon. While dark themes may have been fun for the Archie Comics adaptation, I am relieved by the Totally spies! the more canon-faithful direction of the adaptation. The series will still follow Alex, Clover and Sam, but it will skip the spies’ high school years and take them to college – similar to later seasons of the original series. Gloria Sanchez, the series’ production company, is keen to empower female voices and characters, noting: an IP like Totally spies! “now feels ready for a revisit“ (above diversity).

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Although the foundation of the show seems solid, It’s also true that live-action adaptations of popular cartoons have been incredibly unreliable. — and if they miss, it’s a massive strike-out, like in live action Powerpuff Girls Reboot that was never broadcast. Series like Avatar: The Last Airbender have done well in terms of numbers, but not all fans like them. The same goes for Netflix’s disgusting Cowboy Bebopwhich undermines the intent of the original series, despite a great cast and entertaining production design. Even the best intentions can spoil a work.

Nevertheless, for every unbroadcast Powerpuff Girls Disaster, there is Netflix live action One piece. Not only One piece Not only is it breaking streaming records and receiving rave reviews from critics and audiences alike, it is also proving that a faithful live-action adaptation of an anime is possible. One piece leans into the strange elements of the source material, but also takes its time with the narrative – despite having hundreds of episodes at its disposal. I know Totally spies! is a different caliber, but I think streamers can also learn a lot from the successes of others.

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What Prime Video’s Totally Spies! Reboot Needs to Get the Animation Right

Totally Spies! has a distinct humor and tone that needs to be translated into live action

A real product of the 2000s, Totally spies! is “girl power” with flair. The more lighthearted, comedic approach allowed the spyfiction series to showcase its charming, unique self. This only reinforced its empowering, feminist point of view; instead of symbolizing the female characters or turning them into stereotypes, Totally spies! respected his protagonists and took their high school drama just as seriously as their adventures in which they wanted to save the world. This is what the live-action film has to get right.

Totally Spies! (2001)

The series follows three high school girls, Sam, Clover and Alex, who lead double lives as secret agents. Recruited by the World Organization for Human Protection (WOOHP), they juggle teenage life and undercover missions, using high-tech gadgets and teamwork to fight criminals and deal with global crises as they arise.

Pour

Jennifer Hale, Andrea Baker, Katie Griffin

Release date

3 November 2001

Seasons

6

Streaming service(s)

Plex

Franchise(s)

Totally Spies

Authors

David Michel, Vincent Chalvon-Demersay

Creator

David Michel, Vincent Chalvon-Demersay

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Source: diversity